A Reputation That Precedes Him!

A Reputation That Precedes Him!

Gao Yanan strode over, her high ponytail swaying behind her. Her expression was frosty as she crossed her arms over her chest and said coldly, "Moli, are you really going to brazenly steal my client?"

The stunningly seductive woman showed no surprise. She merely rose slowly, fully displaying her alluring figure before Chen Wang, then turned to Gao Yanan in mock surprise.

"Is this business yours alone to do? How come I never heard that the Public Security Bureau issued you an exclusive operating license?"

Gao Yanan narrowed her eyes and snorted. Moli turned and flashed Chen Wang a dazzling smile, handing him a slip of paper as she said softly, "My contact information and address are on there. Come visit me when you have time."

With that, she swayed her pert hips and clicked away in her high heels.

The way her waist twisted as she walked set many of the men in the bar staring with burning eyes, their hearts stirred.

Gao Yanan pulled out a chair and sat down irritably. "That woman has probably taken a fancy to you."

Chen Wang nodded calmly. "That's normal. After all, I'm very handsome."

Gao Yanan sneered. "You're really hilarious."

After Moli left, Gao Yanan did not seem particularly bothered by her attempt to poach a client. But when she saw the red lip print on the wineglass, her brows lifted almost imperceptibly.

Great Winter World was hardly the only one doing this kind of business.

On the contrary, there were plenty within the Shelter, so Moli's actions were perfectly normal.

Chen Wang was a major client, lavish with his money.

With that in mind, Gao Yanan smiled. "The authorities have a mission to explore some ruins this time. They aren't recruiting freelancers, but if you want to go, I can recommend you."

Chen Wang asked impassively, "What does it involve?"

Gao Yanan said evenly, "It's a non-combat mission. The place used to be a factory, and there are some extremely rare specimens inside. This mission is to bring those specimens out."

Chen Wang said, "What's the reward?"

Gao Yanan smiled. She was usually aloof and rarely smiled, but when she did, it was exceptionally beautiful, like ice and snow melting away. "A Second Order Genetic Potion—the Warrior."

Chen Wang raised a brow. "Warrior?"

Gao Yanan smiled. "That's right. The Warrior is a rather special Gene Serum. Once injected, it allows you to master powerful Close Combat techniques. But the side effects are obvious—it affects your temperament."

Chen Wang raised a brow. "Affects your temperament? How?"

Gao Yanan thought for a moment. "It makes people somewhat impulsive. Simply put, it makes them prone to charging in blindly."

In the Great Winter World, blindly charging ahead was a good way to get yourself killed. Even so, the Second Order Warrior serum remained highly sought after, because once injected, it allowed one to master formidable Close Combat techniques.

Chen Wang frowned. "That side effect is rather severe."

Gao Yanan said, "The effects are just as good. A Second Order Warrior can take on three opponents of the same tier in close quarters."

Chen Wang's eyes lit up as he silently calculated.

Cultivation techniques could calm the mind and steady the qi, so they should be able to offset that influence. After all, the greatest effect of Gene Serum was the damage it did to the body, shortening one's lifespan. Cultivation techniques could avoid even that, let alone merely making someone impulsive.

Ever since last time, Chen Wang had kept Gao Yanan on the lookout for Gene Serum.

There were very few Second Order Gene Serums on the market, and not many First Order Gene Serums circulating outside either.

After the previous mission, Chen Wang had also learned that non-combat missions were relatively safe.

After thinking it over, Chen Wang said flatly, "Last time, you told me the highest would only be Tier 2 Zombies, but a Third Order Zombie showed up in the end. If Qiongqi Mining's intelligence is that inaccurate, I won't take this kind of mission."

Gao Yanan said, "There was indeed a problem last time. Old Dog mentioned it to me afterward too—such circumstances are extremely rare. This time, it's a non-combat mission. The main objective is to find the specimens, so there shouldn't be any problems. Still, you'll have to weigh it yourself."

Chen Wang nodded. "The specimens should all be in fixed laboratories. Why make it so troublesome? Why not just go directly to the factory's research labs?"

Gao Yanan explained, "When the zombie outbreak happened, the researchers carrying the specimens hid inside the factory. So now, the whereabouts of the specimens are unknown."

"Qiongqi Mining also scanned the place with large-scale equipment. The energy fluctuations inside definitely won't exceed Tier 2."

"What happened last time also caught Qiongqi Mining's attention. They don't want to lose combat personnel either. After all, once they lose their reputation, it'll be difficult to find freelancers."

Chen Wang nodded slightly.

The Three Great Powers openly and covertly contended with one another, expanding their territories and personnel. They naturally cared quite a bit about their reputations.

Chen Wang nodded and said softly, "All right. I'll take it."

He was now a Tier 3 Hell Commando, and with the abilities of his other Gene Serums, he could already handle Third Order Zombies.

On top of that, he now had two magical artifacts in hand and mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivation. He was full of confidence. Qiongqi Mining had also stepped up its reconnaissance this time, so it was worth giving it a try.

Gao Yanan smiled. "All right. I'll arrange it for you later."

Chen Wang spent lavishly, buying firearms worth over a hundred thousand at a time. He was one of her major clients, so naturally she had to cultivate him properly.

Besides, intelligence and intermediary channels like hers charged certain fees as well.

Chen Wang said, "Since freelancers aren't being recruited for this mission, did Qiongqi Mining also transfer people in from elsewhere?"

Gao Yanan paused, then nodded. "Yes."

Chen Wang continued, "Some things from when I swept through the ruins last time got out."

Gao Yanan said, "What happened last time caused quite a stir. Third Order Zombies rarely appear at present, but this sort of thing is normal enough. It isn't anything confidential."

Chen Wang nodded and looked toward the table of people, lightly tilting his chin in their direction. "Are they from Qiongqi Mining?"

Following his gaze, Gao Yanan nodded. "That's right. The man sitting in the middle is Liang Dong. He should be your competitor on this factory exploration mission—though he's also your partner."

Chen Wang could clearly sense hostility in Liang Dong's eyes.

Hearing Gao Yanan's words, he nodded slightly.

Gao Yanan continued, "He's a Tier 3 Genetic Soldier and very powerful. News of how you swept through the ruins last time has also drawn some hostility. But that's what happens when your reputation grows."

A reputation could sometimes be a good thing. It allowed you to take on higher-level missions.

Chen Wang was a case in point. Though this mission was off-limits to non-official personnel, he had been specially recruited because he was a powerful freelancer with an illustrious record.

Chen Wang nodded and withdrew his gaze. But just as he and Gao Yanan were about to leave, the silver-haired young man with an ear stud walked over, glaring at Chen Wang with a vicious look in his eyes.

He sneered coldly. "You're Chen Wang? You beat a Third Order Zombie? Why don't I believe that?"

Chen Wang's tone was indifferent. The young man's words were irritating, but he did not get angry. "Then don't believe it."

He turned to leave.

The young man with the ear stud flicked a Butterfly Knife before Chen Wang and sneered. "At least you know your place. I was wondering how the Eastern District could have a freelancer like you."

The man reeked faintly of alcohol. As he spoke, he blew a mouthful of smoke at Chen Wang, his gaze sharp. The people around them watched with the attitude of spectators enjoying a show.

This young man was quite famous—Ma Quan, a Tier 3 Gene Warrior, an elite genetic soldier with formidable strength.

Bang! Chen Wang kicked the silver-haired young man in the stomach. The man flew backward at once, smashing the liquor table to pieces! His abdominal muscles could withstand hammer blows, yet Chen Wang's kick left him unable to rise for the moment.

Chen Wang sneered. "If you want to talk, then talk. Why the fuck are you blowing smoke at me?"

His eyes flashed like cold lightning, his bearing like that of a fierce tiger. The entire bar erupted in uproar!