Netherworld Retrograde

Chapter 204: Chapter 96: Courting the Jing Family_2

Unexpectedly, Jing Lin was still in Giant City, and he had even approached Li Yelai and Cheese.

”I know quite a bit about this matter, and I believe that Giant City is still safe for the time being. No need to rush,” Jing Lin said with a smile, ”Miss Cheese, may I have a word alone with Night General? It won’t take up much of your time.”

Cheese raised an eyebrow and looked at Li Yelai, who was a bit surprised but nodded nonetheless.

Seeing this, Cheese left the rooftop, leaving the two of them alone.

”What do you want to talk about?” Li Yelai asked directly, ”I don’t seem to have had much contact with the Yaoqing Jing Family. You’re not here to ask for money, are you?”

”Hahaha, you’re joking. You might also be aware that this evacuation of Giant City isn’t due to any beast tide, but something far more dangerous,” Jing Lin began.

Indeed, after all, it was very likely that Jing Lin was one of the Ark Chosen Ones.

He might have been right by his side when he first heard this news.

Thus, Li Yelai responded, ”Indeed, my colleagues do have some speculations that what Giant City is facing now might not just be a beast tide but something far more dangerous... a Calamity.”

Although officially told the public it was to defend against the beast tide, they didn’t deliberately hide the truth from the Processors.

Some Processors had vaguely realized that they might be facing something like a Forbidden Zone or Disaster Fog.

”Correct, the truth is... a rather special Disaster Fog is about to invade a Border City. The beast tide from the Doomsday Forest is actually caused by this No. 71 Disaster Fog,” Jing Lin said, revealing the truth as he carefully watched Li Yelai’s expression.

Li Yelai had known this intelligence for a while, but he still feigned a stunned expression before continuing, ”I see!”

”It seems you’re braver than I thought.”

Jing Lin couldn’t see any panic on Li Yelai’s face and couldn’t help but express his admiration, ”The family members I brought along, upon learning this news, would rather flee Giant City immediately. You’re much braver than they are.”

”It’s different,” Li Yelai replied, ”I am a Processor with the Disaster Processing Department.”

”Very good,” Jing Lin’s eyes were full of admiration as he looked at Li Yelai.

”Then are you here just to inform me of this news?” Li Yelai asked. He really didn’t understand Jing Lin’s intentions.

Was it to reveal the truth about the Disaster Fog? The officials who needed to know, already knew.

”No, I came specifically to find you,” Jing Lin said, looking at Li Yelai, ”The Disaster Fog is extremely dangerous, and if the worst situation occurs, our Jing Family can protect you, your family, and your friends and get you out of Giant City safely. Away from the threat of the Calamity.”

”Are you suggesting that I abandon my post?” Li Yelai frowned.

”The Disaster Fog is too dangerous, and all I’m doing is showing you an alternative path,” Jing Lin said in a low voice, ”Your ability is so special; if you die in this Disaster Fog, it would be a loss for human beings.”

He no longer hid his intentions to recruit and continued, ”Just give the word, and our Jing Family can escort you, your family, and your friends out of Giant City right now! And, you won’t suffer any punishment!”

”As for that beautiful Miss Cheese, she’s so sweet and lovely. Do you really have the heart to let her face the Calamity and wither under its assault?”

”And your sister... I also have a sister. So, our thoughts should be the same; we don’t want our little sisters to face any danger.”

”Just give the word, and your sister will be under full protection! Instead of waiting in Giant City for evacuation!”

”Moreover, you might not know, but your uniqueness has been noticed by a certain secret organization. Many of them are very interested in your ability. Some even want to turn you into Spiritual Ability Equipment. And, there’s an organization from that group right inside No. 3 Border City!”

”With an Eighth Awakening Spirit User from our Jing Family in position, any power would have to weigh their options before considering a fight with the Jing Family!”

”Our Yaoqing Jing Family can provide you with better protection!”

Jing Lin looked at Li Yelai, ”Think it over.”

”Am I to understand that you’re trying to recruit me?” Li Yelai asked with a smile.

”Not bad,” Jing Lin nodded, ”At this point, there’s no need for me to hide it anymore. After we learned of your special ability from that group, we started thinking about recruiting you. In my opinion, this is a win-win choice. You can safely gain access to the resources of the Yaoqing Jing Family and also receive our protection. And we would gain a Spiritual Ability User with special powers.”

”The conditions you offer are very tempting,” Li Yelai nodded, ”If I agree, how many people can you shelter?”

Jing Lin felt a surge of joy and smiled, ”Your friends, and their families, can all be taken away. Like Miss Cheese, if she is willing to leave with you, we can also shelter her family. The same goes for your other friends.”

”Very well, but I have many friends,” Li Yelai said with a smile.

”How many?” Jing Lin chuckled lightly. Although the main forces of the Yaoqing Jing Family were still out in the wilderness, their strength was not to be underestimated. Sheltering a group of people would be a trifle for them.

”Currently, there are over eight million,” Li Yelai looked down at the stream of people below.

Over eight million? The remaining unevacuated military and civilians of the Giant City?

Jing Lin fell silent; he clearly understood Li Yelai’s implication.

He then sighed with regret, ”What a pity, such a shame.”

”I also feel very regretful, for your Yaoqing Jing Family,” Li Yelai sighed as well.

”Regret for us?” Jing Lin raised an eyebrow, ”What do you mean?”

”The founders of your Spiritual Ability Family were heroes of this world, who brought mystical knowledge out of the Disaster Fog and helped build the Giant City, defending against the Calamity,” Li Yelai spoke softly, ”What a tremendous honor and achievement, awe-inspiring and revered.”

Jing Lin nodded, this indeed was the merit of the Family, and no one could deny it.

The current status of the Family was indeed inseparable from the efforts of their ancestors.

”Yet now, in your generation, faced with another Calamity, not only have you chosen to flee, but you are also willing to have others desert,” Li Yelai shook his head, ”You were supposed to be the descendants of heroes, yet you no longer exhibit bravery. Isn’t that regrettable enough?”

Jing Lin shook his head, ”You sure have a sharp tongue, but these tricks won’t work on me. Besides, the Jing Family are not cowards; your No.3 Border City suppresses the Forbidden Zone, and we, in the Yaoqing Giant City, do the same. This time is different; we have no obligation.”

”Tomorrow, we are leaving the Giant City. If you have a change of heart, you can always come to find me. I’ll be in the manor.”

Afterward, Jing Lin jumped off the rooftop, performed Aerial Stepping, and quickly disappeared from Li Yelai’s view.

Li Yelai watched the direction he’d left, slowly exhaling.

Facing the Disaster Fog, to say he was not afraid would be a lie.

But being afraid was one thing, running away was quite another.

He was a Processor of the Disaster Processing Department, with that responsibility.

Moreover, he had the ultimate trump card.

If it really came down to it, if the Calamity truly descended upon No.3 Border City,

Then he would confront the Catastrophe Fog Master head-on, and show it the true strength of Mr. Shadow!

Since one trade was equivalent to saving lives, then... saving more lives at once was a more cost-effective choice.

”Don’t you regret it?” Cheese’s voice came from behind Li Yelai, ”An overture from a Spiritual Ability Family is a rare occurrence. With unimaginable resources and heritage, you wouldn’t even need to work hard on missions to gain those resources.”

”Pinching and scraping Merit Points suits me better,” Li Yelai turned to look at Cheese and asked, ”By the way, where did you start eavesdropping?”

”From the part where he said, ’That beautiful Miss Cheese, she’s so sweet and captivating’,” Cheese smiled in response, a playful glint in her eyes, ”Listen to how sweet people are talking. Take a lesson!”

”Shameless!” Li Yelai clicked his tongue in mock disgust.