Chapter 100: A Triumphant Return

The Bumblebee helicopter circled above the Wind-Forest-Fire-Mountain range as the beautiful pilot leaned out, laughing heartily. “Brothers and sisters, hurry up and get on! Tonight, I’m drinking with you all and making sure we have a blast!”

Cang Lang chuckled, “Oh really? Little miss, I love watching people perform pole dances the most.”

The pilot laughed along, “I also love watching people get so drunk they have to stream live from the bathroom!”

The helicopter sped toward Dream Star City’s skyline. Behind them, atop the summit of Lingjue Peak, the sounds of battle gradually faded. The main forces of Blue Company and Wulin Radio had fallen into despair. It was already 8:43 p.m. Even if elite reinforcements arrived now, the situation was beyond saving. Only a futile final assault remained.

Inside the cabin, Wu Hua carefully removed the Finnish Star parts and gently placed them into the gun case. Though victory should have been a cause for celebration, he found no joy in it.

186o approached and patted him on the shoulder. “Little brother, still thinking about those two women?”

Wu Hua knew he meant the spicy girl and the matron. He smiled and shook his head.

“Cheer up,” 186o said. “Later, make sure to ask Boss Tie for extra pay. He just secured Lingjue Peak—soon he’ll open a service port at Wind-Forest-Fire-Mountain. That’s where the endless money flows. If you don’t ask for more, you’re the one losing out.”

Wu Hua smiled faintly. “I’m not short on money.”

“Ha! You’re just a fool then. Who complains about having too much money? There are plenty of players stronger than you in Star War. This is just the southern region. Have you been to the central or eastern parts? They’re full of experts.”

Wu Hua paused, realizing 186o was right. He wasn’t nearly as formidable as he thought—just a frog in a well.

Today’s battle had taught him much. Most notably, the Desert Eagle shot from Snow Night Fairy that struck him dealt over 1,200 points of damage. That detail startled Wu Hua.

Snow Night Fairy’s Desert Eagle was probably a purple-grade weapon, while his armor was only blue-grade—two tiers lower. Even with her gun’s power, she shouldn’t have inflicted more than a quarter of that damage, about 500 points. Yet she dealt 1,200 with a single shot.

Suddenly, Wu Hua’s mind raced with a question. Every person has weaknesses. Every monster has vulnerabilities. Even every boss has its Achilles’ heel. What was his own weakness? Where did it lie?

One can easily assess others, but the hardest person to understand is oneself. How deeply did he truly know himself?

Before him stood 186o, Lost Sunshine, Yu Qing, and the mostly inactive Cang Lang—all first-class experts. If he encountered them again, or foes like them, how would he triumph?

Relying on a gun was not wrong, but more vital was skill and intellect. Experts like 186o possessed both terrifying technique and equipment.

He once thought Blue Company’s people were fierce, but now he knew there were always those stronger.

Wu Hua took a deep breath. The Star War world was vast, with countless regions and masters waiting for him to challenge.

He absentmindedly pulled out a cigarette and was about to light it when his dear little sister snatched the Zippo lighter away.

“We’re about to land. No smoking now. My dad is personally here to pick everyone up,” she said with a smile.

At the Dream Star Hotel’s grand entrance plaza, a massive Venus statue fountain shimmered with colorful lights. Neon signs on the hotel’s facade flickered brilliantly, the golden splendor of the night amplifying the lively atmosphere.

Qi Men Company and Tian Yu Company had already organized welcoming parties. Dozens of beautiful women held fresh flowers, gazing skyward, eagerly awaiting the returning heroes.

Mr. Tie looked vigorous, his face flushed with excitement. His designer suit was impeccably pressed, and a Rolls-Royce stood beside him. As the helicopter descended overhead, a tremendous cheer erupted from the plaza. Even the hotel staff were stunned—such a grand welcome was rare at Dream Star Hotel.

As Wu Hua and the others climbed down the rope ladder, the beauties eagerly presented flowers to the six triumphant warriors.

Wu Hua awkwardly held his bouquet, causing the women to giggle behind their hands.

186o admired, “Wow, not bad at all! Great figures, plenty of beauties, vast space, and deep... you know.”

Lost Sunshine twisted his ear. “Why don’t you just go die?”

Cang Lang sighed, “Not bad, but bikinis would have been even better.”

Mr. Tie stepped forward. “Congratulations on completing the mission. On behalf of Qi Men and Tian Yu Companies, I offer my highest respect and gratitude to all five of you.”

Surrounded by the crowd, Wu Hua and his companions smiled as they entered the hotel lobby.

In the largest VIP room of the Jingyue Restaurant on the sixth floor, fine wine and gourmet dishes were ready. Besides the six of them, Mr. Tie and Tian Na were present, along with a new reporter who had hitched a ride to share the feast.

“I never expected our heroic strike team to return without a single casualty. You will always be the most respected guests of Qi Men Company. Here’s a toast to all of you!” Mr. Tie said enthusiastically.

Of course, he was excited. Had anyone died, he would have been forced to pay a hefty price.

His pride lay in always achieving the greatest returns for the smallest cost.

186o smiled, “Boss Tie, you’re too kind. We all know your reputation for honesty and keeping promises. No one in Dream Star City can match that.”

Wu Hua sneered inwardly. 186o truly was a seasoned veteran—calculating everything with precision, never wasting words.

“Refreshing! Refreshing!” Mr. Tie laughed heartily. “Brother 18 always speaks plainly. I won’t flatter you, but I absolutely keep my promises. Whatever price you name, just say it.”

186o signaled Lost Sunshine. “Wife, do the math for Boss Tie!”

Lost Sunshine didn’t hesitate. Pulling out a calculator, she began tapping away while listing items: “Three electronic billboards, 450 points; eight bundles of magic potions, 40 points; two bundles of advanced mana potions, 1,200 points; three boxes of intermediate energy poison, 2,600 points; three boxes of corrosive poison, 1,200 points; one C-grade electric energy crystal, 4,000 points…”

Everyone was stunned. This couple was incredibly sharp, their calculations precise down to the last detail.

“The operation lasted one hour, thirty-six minutes, and forty-three seconds. We charge two credit points per second, plus a deployment fee, totaling 165,888 credit points,” Lost Sunshine said. “Let’s round it off—Boss Tie is our long-time client—16,0000 credit points in total.”

Mr. Tie laughed boisterously. “Impressive! Doing business with you two is a pleasure.” He turned to Tian Na. “Issue Brother 18 a check for 200,000 credit points.”

Tian Na immediately lowered her head to fill out the check.

“By principle, we shouldn’t charge this much,” 186o laughed. “But Boss Tie is a man of his word. Looking forward to our next cooperation.”

Wu Hua admired Mr. Tie. This man was a master businessman—those 40,000 credit points were clearly a deposit for the next mission.

186o and Lost Sunshine were the main forces in the strike. Each asked for 160,000 credit points. Cang Lang modestly requested less: “I won’t waste words—150,000!”

Mr. Tie laughed heartily. “Give Mr. Cang 250,000.”

Tian Na was puzzled.

Mr. Tie explained, “Mr. Cang is the mission commander, a first-class strategist. If he doesn’t take 250,000, who does?”

Cang Lang remained humble. “You’re too kind, Mr. Tie. Just call on me next time.”

Mr. Tie then looked at Yu Qing. “Xiao Yu, Old Dragon didn’t give you a hard time this time, did he? Whatever you want, I’ll make it up to you.”

Yu Qing blushed. “No need to trouble you, Mr. Tie. If you hadn’t helped last time, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Wu Hua observed their expressions, sensing a subtle, unspoken relationship among Yu Qing, Mr. Tie, and Long Zhan Xingye. Naturally, he kept silent.

Such matters are best left unspoken; silence is the true currency of trust.