Re: Evolution Online

"Welcome to our base, Mr Liam. I am Zhu Huang."

Liam looked up to see a towering, muscular guy who was definitely at least 7 feet in height. He was more than a head above Liam, who himself was around 6 feet in height.

Surprisingly, the few men standing around the guy were also equally muscular and well-built, even if they were not as tall as the one at the front. It was clear that they were following some sort of strict training regimen.

"I would first like to thank you for your extraordinary contribution to our society. I have heard about your strength and combat power from division leader Xiao Meng."

"If not for you, we would have definitely incurred some heavy losses while we dealt with the culprit. Now we were able to avoid the few casualties."

Avoid a few casualties, huh? Liam grinned in response. Though the other party was polite and friendly, it was clear that he did not intend to bend over backwards and thank him.

The man's words were neither too arrogant nor too subservient. It almost seemed as if he did not think it was too difficult to take care of the vampire lord. 

Was this simple overconfidence, or did he have real abilities?

However, Liam decided to set this matter aside for now. It was natural for a person in charge of so many people to act in such a manner. Otherwise, he would quickly lose the respect of the people underneath him.

"No need to thank me." Liam nodded. "Mr Meng mentioned that you had some information for me?" He once again came to the main point.

"Yes, come this way. Let's go inside and talk."

The group escorted Liam and Zhu Huang inside the huge compound, where they walked to one of the office buildings and took seats. Immediately a woman walked over and served Liam a cup of warm fragrant tea and some snacks.

Liam did not refuse the refreshments and accepted them. Of course, there was always a possibility that they could have poisoned it, but unless they came across an extremely potent poison, it wouldn't have any effect on him.

And in the off chance that they really managed to procure a poison of that magnitude, it would always be revealed in his [Inspect] skill. He hoped that these people wouldn't try anything foolish like that for their own sake.

With a smile, he used the [Inspect] skill, and nothing showed up. So without the slightest hesitation, Liam casually lifted the cup and took a sip. "This is of good quality."

"Thank you." Zhu Huang replied, unaware of the thoughts in Liam's mind. He crossed his fingers in front of his chest and continued with an extra-official stern look this time around.

"Mr Liam, I will not beat around the bushes. Regarding the vampire lord matter, we indeed have the location of another creature just like the one you took down just now. However…"

"However?" Liam took another sip of the tea calmly.

"Unfortunately, that is valuable information."

"Hmmm?"

"Mr Liam, a man of your calibre must know the importance of information like this, especially in a time like this." Zhu Huang added.

"Oh?" Liam grinned in amusement. He now understood what this guy was circling toward. "So what do you expect in return for this information, Mr Huang?"

He decided to continue entertaining the person as he was merely teetering on the borderline. This much shrewdness was required for survival right now. Liam did not mind it.

He also did not mind exchanging some useful information that could help these guys survive better.

Coincidentally, the next second, both of them opened their mouths at the same time.

"I am willing to -"

"The fox -"

Liam immediately stopped talking with an amused look on his face, and Zhu Huang continued, "If you could lend us the strength of that beast you have tamed somehow… then we would be very much willing to share this valuable information with you."

Liam chuckled. "You mean her?" He pointed at the white fox whose face had visibly changed by now. She was ready to jump into the fray and tear apart the bunch of foolish humans sitting in front of him.

"Yes, the fox. I apologize if the request is too sudden. You must understand that I do not have any ill intentions towards you. My first request would have been for you to join the army." The man paused.

Liam's face twitched.

Zhu Huang gave a rueful smile on seeing this. "Exactly, Mr Liam. I also thought that your reaction would be exactly like this." 

"While we could use a man of your calibre in our service and desperately need someone like you, I understand that it is not possible for you to be bound by our rules and strict regulations. It would very much limit your growth."

"So that is why I am instead asking the help of your tamed beast. If you could cooperate by donating your tamed beast to our cause, then that would be an incredible service to the nation in these desperate times. Please think about it."

Seeing the tough guy mention her again for the second time, Luna went livid. 

She lost her patience and jumped towards the bad man to teach him a lesson, but unfortunately for her and fortunately for everyone else in the room, Liam caught her tail before she could launch.

"I am afraid that's not possible." Liam chuckled. "She is an intelligent beast, and she has her own will. And as you can see, she is not interested in your proposition."

Zhu Huang's face changed ever so slightly. The men behind him also gritted their teeth. Their leader was being extremely reasonable, but the other person did not seem to treat anything seriously.

However, to everyone's surprise, Zhu Huang regained his calm and lightly laughed. "Ah. You are right. I can indeed see that the fox is not willing. I guess in that case, we can't really help it."