Chapter 550, Holy Ash Church.
Qi Hancai glanced at the people opposite her again, smiled, and said, "Does the central base really lack you technical personnel? Even if you go there, you'll just be assistants doing ordinary work, and in the end, the credit might not even go to you. Why squeeze into one place?
Maybe you're thinking about safety. The central base has a strong military presence and is safer, but as you've seen these past few days, our base has more troops, and we have multiple bases, enough to guarantee your safety."
The expressions of the people started to change as they considered Qi Hancai's words.
"The central base assigns tasks accordingly. We're going there to contribute to the development of humanity," Gao Rong insisted.
Qi Hancai chuckled. "Commander Liu taking you there is an achievement in itself. But what about you taking these technical personnel? Other than starving and filling some vacant positions, what else are you gaining?"
Then, she shifted her gaze to the others. "I can guarantee that you'll have enough to eat in the future, and those with families can live peacefully. No matter where you are, you're contributing to humanity."
Gao Rong's brows remained furrowed, and he said nothing more.
The others also frowned.
Seeing no one speaking, Qi Hancai continued, "I just wanted to let everyone know that we value your abilities and invite you to stay. Think it over carefully."
After she finished, her cold gaze swept over the contemplative Gao Rong.
His expression stiffened, and his gaze wavered.
Qi Hancai withdrew her gaze, opened the door, and left.
As soon as she stepped out, murmured discussions arose behind the closed door.
Qi Hancai walked out of the hall, looking at the aircraft parked on the runway.
Not long after, someone hurried over. "Sister Qi, Commander Lü and that Liu guy have come out."
"Let's go. It's time to settle this."
...
Qi Hancai returned to the hall.
Lü Chang'an had brought Commander Liu out.
Commander Liu spoke directly, "Deputy Leader Qi, we sincerely regret what happened before. We will find a way to make amends in the future."
Qi Hancai waved her hand. "Let's talk about this current matter first. What have you two decided?"
Lü Chang'an said, "We've agreed to let the Tiansheng Group make their own choice on this matter—who they want to go with is up to them."
"Bring Gao Rong here," Qi Hancai ordered.
Lü Chang'an and Commander Liu were both delighted.
It seemed the other side had agreed to this approach.
Soon, Gao Rong, dressed in a suit, was brought over. He glanced at the group and gave a slight nod.
Commander Liu eagerly said, "Representative Gao Rong, we respect your choice. Do you plan to come with us to the central base, or will you stay here?"
Gao Rong's face turned grim. He hadn't expected that after all the negotiations, the final decision would be left to him.
His gaze swept across their faces.
Commander Liu's anticipation, Qi Hancai's indifference, and the mixed expressions of the others.
Everyone was watching him, waiting for his final decision.
Taking a deep breath, he said, "We've just discussed it. We choose to stay at the military factory and assist in rebuilding Yangtong City."
"What? Gao Rong, what are you saying?" Commander Liu's eyes widened in disbelief.
Qi Hancai nodded in satisfaction. "Gao Rong, you may go."
"Yes, Deputy Leader Qi."
Gao Rong turned and left.
Qi Hancai then turned back to Lü Chang'an. "Commander Lü, any other issues?"
Lü Chang'an glanced at Commander Liu.
After all this, he still wasn't sure what they were trying to do.
They hadn't even confirmed whether the people would go with them, yet they had made such a big deal out of it.
"No problem. It seems this was all just a misunderstanding."
"Commander Lü…" Commander Liu still wanted to speak.
Lü Chang'an cut him off sharply. "If you have something to say, take it up with the higher-ups back at the base. Don't interfere with our trade."
Commander Liu fell silent.
Qi Hancai nodded and ordered, "Count the supplies and settle the grain with Commander Lü."
The people behind her got to work.
The goods were unloaded from the aircraft, and the calculated grain was loaded onto the plane.
Once everything was settled.
Lü Chang'an didn't bring up any other issues.
He boarded the aircraft with the rescue team members who chose to leave, and the plane took off.
...
Qi Hancai instructed her people to sort the supplies, then headed to a room on the third floor.
Inside the room, Wu Heng sat waiting.
"The central base personnel have left, and the technical experts have stayed," Qi Hancai exhaled deeply.
Wu Heng had observed everything through his spectral vision.
Including Qi Hancai's departure and the private conversation between Lü Chang'an and Commander Liu.
He could also tell that the two were wary of their military strength.
If not for the sudden increase in wyverns, they wouldn't have feared them, but it would have required more effort.
Displaying strength was definitely necessary.
"Well done. You handled it more thoroughly than I would have," Wu Heng praised.
If it had been him, he might have just captured Gao Rong. If he refused to stay, he'd execute him and replace him with someone else to lead the technical team.
Of course, Qi Hancai's approach was better—she laid out the pros and cons, and the Tiansheng Group made their own choice.
Qi Hancai smiled and said, "I was just worried they wouldn't get the point and really refuse. If that happened, you would have had to step in."
"Good thing they agreed," Wu Heng laughed.
"Indeed." Qi Hancai nodded as well.
"Let's go. Let's sort things out and head back early to arrange accommodations for those people."
"Alright."
The two left the room and secured all the ammunition and gold.
By midday, they led the convoy and the others back to the military factory.
Qi Hancai handled the housing arrangements for the newcomers and prepared the necessary equipment.
Wu Heng, using the realm gate, returned to Gold-Silver Island.
...
Island Lord's Manor.
Wu Heng came downstairs and saw a few maids gathered around the iron cage holding the wyverns.
They were talking to the creatures inside.
"Be careful not to get bitten," Wu Heng walked over.
"Master!" The maids stood up and bowed.
Minnie explained, "I went to Lighthouse Street today and bought two items that allow communication with wyverns."
Saying this, she took a bracelet and a headband from Robe's hands.
[Beast-Friend Bracelet]
(Description: Allows intelligent beasts/magical beasts to sense your goodwill. The target beast must be able to see and hear you.)
[Mind Command Headband]
(Description: Allows intelligent low-level creatures to receive your mental commands and understand your intentions, but you cannot read their thoughts.)
Wu Heng glanced at them, and the item descriptions appeared.
These tools were quite decent.
They weren't high-level artifacts.
But judging by the wyverns' attitude, they seemed to have some effect.
"Are they obedient?" Wu Heng asked.
"Quite obedient," Minnie glanced at the iron cage.
"You can communicate with them using the tools, but don't let them out. It could be dangerous," Wu Heng instructed.
"Understood." Minnie then asked, "Master, would you like to eat?"
"Now that you mention it, I am getting a bit hungry."
"I'll go prepare it."
With that, she hurried off to the kitchen.
They had dinner together.
Wu Heng then did some light training in the training room.
As night fell, they all returned to their rooms to rest.
...
The next morning.
Wu Heng took a carriage to the guild.
Knocking lightly on the door, he entered the steward's study, where only the assistant, Shiyali, was present.
"Lord Island Master!"
"Where is Sheila Grey?" Wu Heng asked.
After breakfast, a guild staff member had gone to the manor, saying Sheila Grey wanted to see him.
So he took a carriage here.
Shiyali smiled and said, "Sheila Grey went to the front desk. She'll be back soon."
"Alright."
Just as Wu Heng nodded, Sheila Grey walked in.
She glanced at Wu Heng and handed him a letter.
"Your letter, along with a 'Soldier's Jade Talisman' from Leader Lilith."
Lilith?
Was this because of the vampire he had killed last time? Or because of the intelligence he had provided?
He set the jade talisman aside for now.
Taking the letter, he tore it open and tipped it into his palm.
First to fall out was a dark gray badge shaped like crossed bat wings and a battle axe.
Sheila Grey looked at it in surprise and said, "That's the enforcement badge of the Holy Ash Church."
"A church's?"