Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The airport was divided into two areas; one was a private airport, and the other was public. This was different from before the Cataclysm. After the Cataclysm, there were even fewer people who could fly in private planes. People couldn’t get private planes just by having money; they needed to have corresponding ability or power as well. This was also considered an unspoken rule.
As they moved through the airport, they saw several large trucks parked in front of the exit, blocking it. Gao Peng looked at them and adjusted his direction slightly while continuing to walk out. He didn’t shout for anyone to fetch him.
Upon seeing Gao Peng avoid them, an individual broke away from the crowd in front of the big truck and walked over. The remaining people in the group quickly ran after said individual after a short clamor.
“Hahaha, nephew, it’s been a long time.” The individual at the forefront quickened his pace and laughed loudly.
“Mayor He.” Gao Peng replied, purely to socialize.
“Mayor He is now president of the Freedom Alliance.” A man who was dressed in a western suit and standing behind He Wei coughed. When he saw Gao Peng looking over, a very professional smile appeared on his face. He also nodded slightly to indicate his greeting.
“Be it president or mayor, they’re all just false reputations to serve the people. If you don’t mind, call me Uncle He.” He Wei’s smile was clear and bright.
Since he had already said that, Gao Peng could only harden his resolve and call out “Uncle He.”
“Haha, it’s been a long time since I saw you, my nephew. I had my people prepare a feast in the villa. It’s not far away from the airport. I bet there was nothing nice to eat on the plane. Let’s go and eat, since it’s been a long time since we saw each other, too.”
This was Mo Du, a territory that belonged to the Freedom Alliance. Gao Peng naturally didn’t disagree.
“Then let’s go.” Gao Peng gestured for the five students to follow the same path.
The truck drove out of the airport and arrived at a villa in the suburbs half an hour later. The villa was built on top of a hill, and at the foot of the hill was a small lake. There was a spacious stone path leading up to the summit from the foot of the hill.
As Gao Peng walked past the lake, he felt something inside it watching him. He turned around and saw two eyes rising from the surface of the lake to observe this group of people.
“This is the familiar that the bodyguards keep in the lake. After all, this is the suburbs. Sometimes wild monsters will run in, and it becomes rather annoying,” He Wei explained when he saw Gao Peng looking at the monster in the lake.
“Hmm.” Gao Peng nodded and retracted his gaze.
After arriving at the villa, they saw that the villa was divided into the front yard and the backyard. The people who came along with He Wei were arranged to dine in the front yard, whereas the backyard was open only to He Wei, Gao Peng, and his five students, along with logistic staff such as waiters and chefs.
“Come, don’t be reserved. Treat this place like your home,” He Wei said to Gao Peng’s students. That was what he said, but how could they maintain a sense of normalcy when a big-shot who often appeared on television was sitting before them right now? In the past three years, the Freedom Alliance had often released news and gained popularity quickly.
“No need, no need…” He Wei continued.
“Thank you, president,” the students replied.
After eating, Cao Huan and the rest dared not disturb the conversation between the two leaders. As such, they took the initiative to shift to the other table in order to give Gao Peng and He Wei some privacy.
Gao Peng retracted his gaze and said calmly, “President, if there’s anything going on, let me know and don’t hold back.”
He Wei laughed loudly. “I heard that your Southern Sky Group has business here among the Freedom Alliance. Right, you still remember the Crocodile Spirit Swamp, don’t you?”
Gao Peng was only reminded of the Crocodile Spirit Swamp when He Wei mentioned it. However, it wasn’t that the former was forgetful, either. Ever since the Freedom Alliance had been established, the Southern Sky Group’s business there had been almost completely eliminated.
Under such circumstances, it was only natural that Gao Peng didn’t give much thought to the Crocodile Spirit Swamp. Because of the Freedom Alliance’s establishment, many people who had followed them before they rose to power enjoyed similar benefits throughout the process.
These people were the first batch of people who had followed He Wei. As for how much help they had provided throughout the process, Gao Peng couldn’t be sure. But regardless of how useful they were, He Wei would definitely not treat them in an undeserving manner, be it because he wanted to win their hearts or draw talented people to his side.
The territory of the Freedom Alliance couldn’t exactly be considered large. Compared to the entire Huaxia district, it was about the size of the Jiangnan area, but it wasn’t exactly considered small, either. If they were to place it in the outside world, the Jiangnan area was bigger than many countries, and these countries weren’t small ones.
The Crocodile Spirit Swamp was an industry that had already been developed. It was integrated with hunting, capturing prey, and breeding. There were many monsters in it, and most of them were amphibious, coupled with numerous flying monsters, as well.
Gao Peng didn’t believe that there was anyone who wasn’t greedy for such a big slice of cake.
“Someone begged me to hand the Crocodile Spirit Swamp to him.” He Wei picked up a slice of raw fish and dipped it in wasabi and soy sauce before placing it in his mouth. “But I rejected him.” He Wei’s eyes narrowed into slits. He looked just like a big tiger that was laughing with his mouth wide open.
He placed the chopsticks on the table and looked into Gao Peng’s eyes seriously. “Because I know that this is my nephew’s industry. Since you call me ‘uncle,’ then as an uncle, I cannot touch what belongs to my nephew.”
“Thank you, Uncle He. Here’s a toast to you.” Gao Peng rose to make his toast. He sighed internally. This is really troublesome… He wasn’t afraid of seeing blades and guns—what he feared the most was this sort of soft and fluffy situation.
“I’ve received accurate news that there are people who intend to kill you in Mo Du, and it’s not just one group,” He Wei said.
Gao Peng nodded without expression. It was simply too difficult for him to feign fear.
He Wei was a little disappointed when he didn’t see any other expression on Gao Peng’s face. However, whatever expression he wanted to see had surfaced for only a second for Gao Peng to see before it was suppressed.
“But don’t worry, Mo Du is a territory that belongs to the Freedom Alliance. As your uncle, I’ll never allow anything to happen to you on my territory.”
Gao Peng could hear what He Wei was saying between the lines. The same cannot be said for the students that I brought along… Of course, he didn’t fear danger, and he wasn’t afraid even if there really were assassins.
However, Gao Peng couldn’t deny that he might not be able to protect the safety of all five of his students by himself. After all, killing someone was easier than protecting them.
After a moment of silence, Gao Peng said to He Wei, “Uncle He, I would like to ask for a favor.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“I hope that Uncle He can protect all five of my students. As for my safety, Uncle He, you needn’t worry about it. To repay this favor, I’ll donate the Crocodile Spirit Swamp. I know that Uncle He must have gone through much trouble to help me retain the Crocodile Spirit Swamp, but I had better not make things difficult for you.” Gao Peng laughed while he spoke.
He Wei studied Gao Peng closely before he shook his head and laughed. “What do you mean, make things difficult for me? Jiangnan isn’t exactly small, either. Whoever wants the monster breeding ground can open one him or herself!”
He Wei waved heroically. “All right, it’s been decided then. As long as your five students are in the Freedom Alliance’s territory, nothing will happen to them! Otherwise, it’d be equivalent to giving me a slap in the face! I don’t really care about the Crocodile Spirit Swamp. Moreover, it belonged to you in the first place.”
