LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 58—Negotiation
Chapter 58—Negotiation
by Bocchan13
Du Win wanted to rub his eyes as the white aura swirled around Song Yu. The darker the color, the more powerful the ability user. But even a non-ability user had a grey aura. Seeing a black aura surrounding Lan Zhou and a white aura surrounding Song Yu, it was like Yin and Yang. What…powers did these two people possess?
He motioned the group into the gas station. With a flicker, the car was put into Wang Cheng’s space. Du Win checked Wang Cheng’s aura and was glad it was a mid grey. If he lost out on this deal, the least he could—try to—get was this space ability user.
He was curious about Lan Zhou and Song Yu and kept an eye on them. The six of them followed Du Win, watching as various people of different ages followed alongside and behind them. Song Yu counted around a dozen heads and the people coming from the other bases would reach this place in less than 5 minutes.
They entered the gas station building that used to be a convenience store. It was converted into a living quarters for the 10+ people. Cots and smelly clothes could be seen strewn on the floor. The glass was completely gone from the doors, instead was covered by cardboard and moldy wood.
There was a table that held cigarettes, old bottles and cans. Du Win talked to a young man, whispering in confidence.
Lan Zhou turned to Du Win. Shrugging his shoulders, Du Win could only say,
“I work for the three bases around this gas station. If what you’re selling us is legit, then we will provide you what you want. If not, well…we can always just kill you.”
Unperturbed, Lan Zhou laughed. “If you can’t produce the amount we want, then we won’t give you anything. If you try force, well…we can always just kill you and burn this place to the ground.”
Having his words thrown back at him, Du Win grumbled and sat down on a dingy chair.
“Sit down. They’re gonna take a while. We got a few cars but only some teams use them.”
Lan Zhou took the lead and sat on a chair. Yu Ci opted not to since he was afraid the chair would break. Song Yu and Lu Jingxiu didn’t like the uncleanliness and did the same. Xiao Zi and Wang Cheng could only sit on a small stool.
“Names Du Win. If you want to know, the gas is still abundant. The three base leaders will tell you how much you can get. They’re mighty scary though. One of them even killed an entire base on his own. I’d reckon you guys just tell them what you know and leave with what they offer.”
Lu Jingxiu smirked.
“You don’t need to worry. We will leave this place with all of us satisfied.”
That didn’t calm Dun Win down in the least. It was true that one of the leaders had killed an entire base. But the base was already on its way to death with a disease.
They waited for ten minutes when they heard cars coming in. Du Win stood up, his arrogant face looking nervous. Lan Zhou and the rest also got up, showing subtle vigilance. Song Yu stared at the door. With a creak, the door opened revealing two men and one woman.
Like cold water dousing his veins, Song Yu immediately recognized one of them.
One of his ex-friends from his previous life. The level 7 wind ability user—Yu Hong. One of the men who watched Song Yu fall into the pit that severed his life. And one of the first friends he ever made in the apocalypse.
Lan Zhou could see Song Yu stiffen, and his hands that used to be on his sides was now clawed onto Lan Zhou’s arm. Sweat beads on his forehead, his face paling and eyes staring at one of the men. Lan Zhou saw the man give no recognition to Song Yu. So that was most probable he wasn’t reborn as well.
“Song Yu?” Lan Zhou gently turned Song Yu to face him. Song Yu’s mouth quivered, his legs feeling weak. All inside his mind was the face of Yu Hong as he fell. Like a broken record player, the scene kept repeating over and over again.
Why did you betray me like this?
What did I do that made you want to kill me?
Weren’t we friends?
Didn’t we go through the worst trauma known to man, and come out together?
He could still remember Yu Hong’s disgusted face, that sneer of hatred and devious ridicule.
Everyone in the room was looking at Song Yu.
Yu Hong stared at the beautiful person, his eyes darkening.
“You know me?”
Song Yu’s breathing grew short and sharp. Lan Zhou turned Song Yu around, his eyes glaring.
“He’s a little sick. Lu Jingxiu will take care of the negotiations. I’ll take him out for some air.”
Lan Zhou easily picked Song Yu up and left the room, leaving everyone speechless.
Everyone:…
Lu Jingxiu who had the role of leader thrusted on him sighed. Turning to the base leaders, he stood tall and valiant.
“Now…let’s get started.”
Yu Hong had watched the sickly person hug the man tightly, his eyes staring at him as if he had killed him. Turning back to the group, he spoke.
“We heard from Du Win that you have a way to reinforce walls. Is this true?”
Lu Jingxiu nodded.
“We have a sample, the blueprint, and the material list.”
The female leader was a stunning brown haired strong arm. Her robust body was filled with muscle, yet showed off her tight six pack figure, making her strong yet sexy. Ming Ze scoffed.
“What kind of bogus thing is this? Zombies can break through cement. Have you conducted any tests on it?”
Lu Jingxiu nodded.
“It can withstand a zombie hoard and a warranty of up to ten years.”
The last leader was a young looking man with long bangs covering his face. Despite looking like a weakling, he was the most powerful of the three. An Wei whistled.
“How much do you want for this? I’m guessing it’s not for free.” Lu Jingxiu smirked. He was in his element now. As a CEO of a multinational corporation, moving millions of dollars in under a second was like nothing.
“Of course for this information, we want what’s best for all parties involved.”
Yu Hong narrowed his eyes.
“We are all small bases, besides the gas station, there isn’t much else of value that we have. What do you want?”
“We want an unlimited supply of gas for us. Any time we want it, we will come and take it.”
“No way! The gas line would dry up at this rate!”
Yu Hong and An Wei agreed.
“Our bases are already using it in low consumption. We only do surveying once every two months.”
“We also do our own surveying once a month. How about instead, every month for the next 5 years we get a few gallons? And…” Lu Jingxiu glared at Du Win, “we get a guaranteed safe pass every time we come.”
The three base leaders were in a bind. Their bases were small with less than 1,000 people inside. Although there weren’t zombie hordes, that didn’t mean there would be in the future.
Reinforced walls that stood for 10 years. It was a gamble.
“How long until you want an answer?” Ming Ze smiled coyly at Yu Ci, who completely ignored her advances.
“Unfortunately, this is a take it or leave it situation. We’re in a hurry. As long as you guys follow up on your end, then we will ensure the safety of your bases. Win-win.”
“And if any of us renege?”
Lu Jingxiu coldly laughed.
“Then we will tear down those walls you built and kill everyone.”
Yu Hong, An Wei and Ming Ze quietly left to converse, taking Du Win with them. When they were out of earshot, they discussed.
“What are their levels? How dark are their aura’s?” An Wei was the most powerful amongst the three, with a level 6 water ability.
“The two that left…one is black,”
“Black??! He’s a level 10? A level?”
“…and one is white.”
“White? What does that mean?” Ming Ze shook Du Win.
“He’s a non-ability user?”
“No, a non-ability user is usually light grey. Have you ever seen someone with a white aura before?”
“Du Win shook his head.”
“Even if we don’t know, I would still be afraid. The black aura is deep. He could probably kill all of us together if he wanted to.”
“The information they’re offering…do you think it’s legit?”
“If we build it and it doesn’t withstand, then we know right away and can block their entry.”
“If we double cross them, they will most likely retaliate. The only thing we can do is take the chance.”
“They want a guaranteed gas source. For the price of the blueprints, that’s relatively cheap.”
“I agree.”
“I agree.”
“I agree.”
“Okay, if they’re hooligans, then they have a weird way of showing it.”
Lu Jingxiu, Wang Cheng, Xiao Zi, and Yu Ci were still inside the gas station wondering where Lan Zhou and Song Yu went to…