Cooperation and Blackmail

The next day, Xu Jiang's original plan was to sleep until noon to make up for the time he spent all night killing monsters in the Void.

Who knew that it was only 7 AM when someone knocked on his door.

Opening it, Baozi, who also looked sleep-deprived, yawned and said helplessly, "You're quite calm, even turned off your communicator. Someone is looking for you in the reception room and asked me to wake you up."

Team 17's base was on the 11th floor of the Nine Rivers Corporation's auxiliary building, occupying the entire floor.

Probably to avoid inconvenience, Ying Xiaoxiao called Baozi to wake Xu Jiang up.

Xu Jiang sighed in disappointment, "I thought with our leader's strength, she could at least hold out until I could sleep in. I didn't expect the leader to buckle under the pressure too."

Hearing this, Baozi patted his shoulder helplessly.

"There's no other way. When you're under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head. If it were anyone else, the leader probably wouldn't have given them face, but the person outside is Third Miss Qi Yao."

"Third Miss? A big shot from Nine Rivers?"

"That's right, one of the current three directors of Nine Rivers Corporation. By the way, the representatives of the other two directors were blocked, but since this Third Miss came in person, we couldn't block her."

To Xu Jiang, Nine Rivers Corporation was a behemoth. It was unexpected that one of the top three executives would personally come.

Xu Jiang quickly washed up and went to meet her.

Upon entering the reception room, Xu Jiang saw the legendary Third Miss, Qi Yao.

Her beautiful black hair cascaded onto her pale yellow dress, and she was gently blowing on the coffee in her cup, letting the soft steam caress her delicate, flawless face.

She was beautiful and possessed the demeanor of a lady from a prominent family, but her current state was a bit awkward.

Seated with her, enjoying coffee, was his group leader, Ying Xiaoxiao, who, despite her severe violent tendencies, also wore a sweet and charming smile.

This gave Xu Jiang the illusion that the sweeter she smiled, the more ruthless she would be when killing.

Seeing Xu Jiang arrive, Ying Xiaoxiao quickly stood up and introduced him, "Xu Jiang is here. Come, let's get acquainted. This is the only superior of our Team 17, Third Miss Qi Yao."

The only superior? It seemed that Nine Rivers Corporation had factions!

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you." Qi Yao had no airs about her. Her demeanor was dignified and generous, and she proactively shook Xu Jiang's hand without the shyness of ordinary girls.

Of course, this was also normal. In this era of catastrophe, innocence and shyness would only lead to a quicker death.

Although it was evident that Qi Yao maintained her skin regularly, her fair and tender palms still felt calloused, a sign of frequently holding weapons.

Xu Jiang, naturally, played along, "I didn't expect Third Miss to come and see me in person. It's truly an honor."

"Not at all. Actually, I wanted to come and see you when you joined the company. However, I had some concerns back then and couldn't meet you sooner." Qi Yao smiled slightly, giving a feeling of a spring breeze.

Speaking of which, Qi Yao did indeed value Xu Jiang greatly.

Firstly, she wanted to cultivate her own team; secondly, it was also due to Grandpa Lei's unreserved praise.

After all, Grandpa Lei had contacted Xu Jiang before any other faction and knew better than anyone that before Xu Jiang entered the Black White Forest, he was a complete blank slate, not even knowing how to open a safety catch.

Yet, in just a few days, he had achieved terrifying combat results, and his formidable equipment seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

Such a genius must not be let go.

Grandpa Lei quickly leaned in and chimed in, "That's right, Third Miss thinks very highly of you. Xu Jiang, you must seize this opportunity!"

Seize the opportunity? What opportunity? If I can win over the boss's daughter, the whole company will be mine?

Glancing at the suddenly appearing old face, Xu Jiang asked, "Huh? Grandpa Lei, when did you get here?"

"...I've been here all along, you brat!"

After all, with two beautiful ladies present, the old man was standing next to the withered tree potted plant. He hadn't noticed him for a moment; it was truly a sin.

Grandpa Lei sat on the sofa beside them, placed a stack of documents on the table, and said with a serious expression, "Xu Jiang, let's talk frankly today."

"My original intention was for you to keep a low profile, but now it seems that's not possible. I've prepared several other plans for you to review."

Grandpa Lei's intention to protect Xu Jiang and let him grow in a low-key manner was not wrong.

Because within Nine Rivers Corporation, there was currently a separation of powers. Besides Third Miss Qi Yao, there was also her elder brother and another director.

Each had their own factions, and internal competition was constant. Team 17 and Grandpa Lei were both direct subordinates of Qi Yao.

"Huh? Only elder brother and Third Miss? What about Second Brother?"

"Second Brother... What does Second Young Master have to do with you! That's not the point!"

Grandpa Lei interrupted Xu Jiang's curiosity and continued his explanation.

In the age of catastrophe, it was unrealistic to say that all subordinates were loyal death warriors; many were opportunists who switched sides with the wind.

Therefore, to gain more support within the corporation, one must increase their prestige and achieve results.

"Xu Jiang, I can give you the maximum support, but similarly, you must be prepared to be ostracized by other factions, and you must also help me achieve two results."

If there is an investment, there must be a return; otherwise, no one can bear to see their investment go down the drain.

Xu Jiang picked up the contract on the table. The benefits were excellent, but the conditions were also harsh.

The first round of investment included a house, a cool hovercar, a large amount of blue-grade materials, weapons, training, and more.

What Xu Jiang had to provide in return was to achieve significant results in two designated Spirit Realms.

"Spirit Realms? I'm good at Spirit Realms! No problem." Xu Jiang agreed without thinking.

"Don't take this lightly. This time, it's not as simple as just clearing the stage; you need to be careful. As long as you achieve good results, we'll proceed with a second round of investment."

Investment, returns, more investment, more returns… an endless cycle. This was a very practical and effective way to cooperate.

As he spoke, Grandpa Lei started to get smug again. "Even though you've been in the industry for a short time and lack experience, it's fine. I'll give you enhanced training and then transfer you to Team 3 to learn. I'll definitely help you achieve a qualitative leap before the Spirit Realm opens."

The idea was good: set a tight deadline for Xu Jiang, force him to rush, then act like a master teacher and guide him, and Xu Jiang would surely…

"I refuse."

"...What! You refuse?"

"Yes, I think Team 17 is great, and I want to stay here."

"But Team 3 offers better conditions. Nutritionists, trainers, instructors… it's the most elite place in the Hunter Department."

"That's precisely why I don't want to go! I have my own methods for cultivating my talent and don't need excessive training."

Special training? Learning?

Those weren't very useful. All his abilities came from the equipment he wore.

Recalling the growth process of his equipment, hadn't it been about discovering potential and learning skills through causing trouble time and time again?

Looking across Nine Rivers Corporation, was there any place that caused more trouble than Team 17?

Hearing Xu Jiang's words, Ying Xiaoxiao laughed heartily. "Haha!! Good, good, you truly are the team member I value most. Don't worry, if there are any operations in the future, I'll definitely bring you along."

"Operations?" Qi Yao seemed to have heard a word that didn't quite fit.

"Cough, cough, I meant, to give him special training."

While they were chatting happily, Grandpa Lei's expression turned bitter on the other side.

Although Xu Jiang stayed with Team 17, he didn't mention anything about taking him as a master. Was his monstrous disciple really going to slip away like this?

Seeing Grandpa Lei's pitiful look, Xu Jiang almost burst out laughing.

He didn't mind taking the enthusiastic old man as his master. He could learn gun skills and gain a better understanding of survival experience.

Unfortunately, times had changed. It used to be difficult to find a master; without offering significant gifts, a master wouldn't teach you their secret skills.

But now, it was even harder to accept a disciple.

"Last time I went to the company's warehouse, I didn't find any suitable weapons. As my master, shouldn't you show some initiative?"

No more acting, time to lay it all out. I want to extort your treasures, are you giving them or not?

"Yes!" Grandpa Lei exclaimed with delight. "Let's go now, to my storeroom. You can pick anything from my collection!"