Chapter 15: Are Xiongchong Really This Expensive?
What followed were the horrified expressions of the Zerg opposite him and their uncontrollably trembling legs.
â……..â Jiang Xu felt a sensation as if he had been strangled and then suddenly released. The feeling wasn’t particularly intense, but it was impossible to ignore.
Only then did he rememberâa Xiongchong didn’t necessarily have to physically fight a Cichong.
They possessed a natural, overwhelming advantage.
The group of Zerg across from him knelt down in unison, and even the little Cichongâs wailing came to an abrupt halt.
Jiang Xu retracted his aura. âEnough.â
The little Cichong had already scrambled back to his Cifuâs side while they were at a standoff. Jiang Xu walked toward the pile of clutter and saw the two figuresâone large, one smallâhuddled behind it.
The little cub had stopped crying now; the deterrence of a Xiongchongâs mental power was simply too great for him to handle.
âHey, kid.â Jiang Xu reached out, intending to check on the little cubâs condition. However, just as his hand extended, the Cichong collapsed on the ground pulled the cub tighter into his embrace.
He looked at Jiang Xu with eyes full of wariness and terror.
Jiang Xuâs hand paused in mid-air, and he slowly pulled it back.
At that moment, the little cub snapped out of his daze. He reached out and grabbed Jiang Xuâs sleeve. âGe, Gege… save Cifu.â
Jiang Xu let out a long breath of relief; it seemed the child was physically fine.
Just as he was about to say something, a crowd of Zerg burst into the alleyway.
âLord Zoe.â They quickly ran to stand behind Zoe, bowing low with profound humility. âWe sensed your mental power from inside the mall and brought reinforcements immediately.â
Xiongchong rarely released their mental power in public settings because it would cause quite a commotion.
The mall manager had instantly realized it was Zoe the moment he felt that specific mental signature.
As a member of the Alvis familyâone of the mallâs shareholdersâthe manager had been fortunate enough to see him at annual trade association meetings, so they were somewhat acquainted. He also had a general understanding of the temperament of such a high-ranking Xiongchong.
âMm. Take these few and hand them over to the Xiongchong Protection Association.â Zoe patted the non-existent dust off his clothes, his movements incredibly elegant.
So elegant, in fact, that Jiang Xu thought he was truly putting on airs.
It was only when the mall manager looked at the kneeling Cichong that he noticed Jiang Xu standing not far away.
âL-Lord Jiang Xu?â His voice rose involuntarily in pitch.
Jiang Xu gave him a brief nod and then looked at the two huddled by the wall. âSend them both to the hospital.â
Before leaving, Jiang Xu reached out and patted the little cub. âGoodbye, kid.â
Once the two Xiongchong had departed, the mall manager ordered his subordinates to quickly clean up the mess in the alley.
He then turned to look at the two retreating silhouettes.
Lord Zoe occasionally attended cocktail parties, but the sole heir of the Jiang familyâthe mallâs largest shareholderâLord Jiang Xu, was the one who truly remained elusive.
His name was heard every year at the trade association, but it was restricted to just his name.
The manager only recognized him because he had caught a glimpse of his photo once by pure chance.
He never expected to run into him here.
He glanced at the large and small Cichong being lifted onto stretchers.
They were certainly lucky today.
âShall I drop you off?â Zoe walked beside Jiang Xu, his demeanor and image having undergone another complete transformation.
A chameleon couldnât change as fast as him, was Jiang Xuâs first thought. âThen Iâll trouble you.â
The two returned the way they came, heading to the landing pad outside the center.
While things were going smoothly on Jiang Xuâs end, Fei was staring at his asset balance, lost in thought.
The savings he had accumulated over so many years were already nearing the bottom.
Was the cost of maintaining a Xiongchong really this high?
Fei had never met his own Xiongpater since he was a child. He had only heard his Cifu mention him occasionally in brief, fragmented sentences.
Since his Cifu had also passed away, his impression of Xiongchongâaside from being cruel, malicious, bloody, and useless cowards who exploited others with their mental powerânow included a new layer of realization: their terrifying spending capacity.
Can my salary really support that Xiongchong? Fei stared at his communicator in silence.
âMajor General Fei.â
A soldier had knocked several times, but seeing that the Cichong inside the office gave no response, he had no choice but to call out.
âHmm?â Fei snapped back to his senses. âWhat is it?â
âMajor General, please hurry. Parker and Kenan have started a fight.â
âWhat?â Fei stood up abruptly from his office chair and strode outside. âWhy would those two be fighting? Where are they?â
âIn the cafeteria.â
Upon hearing the location, Fei headed straight for the cafeteria.
The soldier followed closely behind, explaining, âI don’t know why they started. By the time I saw them, they were already going at it. There are plenty of bugs around trying to talk them down, but itâs useless. We had to come get you.â
As their direct superior, only Feiâs words would be listened to by those two.
When Fei arrived at the cafeteria, the two were already exhausted, sprawled on the ground without the strength to move a finger.
The surrounding tables and chairs had been smashed to pieces by the brawling duo. The onlookers automatically parted to make a path for Fei.
Under the gaze of the crowd, Fei walked steadily into the center. A biting, bone-chilling coldness seemed to penetrate the marrow of every Zerg present.
âWhat is wrong with you two?â He hadn’t seen them for just a short while, and they had already turned into this.
Seeing Fei, Parkerâs first reaction was to roar at the surrounding Zerg, âWho told you to notify Major General Fei?!â
Kenan reacted differently; he immediately scrambled up obediently, stood by Feiâs side, and whispered weakly, âMajor General Fei.â
Feiâs face was a mask of coldness. Seeing Parkerâs defiant state, he delivered a kick directly to the manâs waist. âAren’t you embarrassed enough? Get up!â
âOh.â Parker looked aggrieved but had no choice but to obey his superior’s command.
âEveryone, disperse,â Fei addressed the crowd.
At his command, the surrounding Zerg scattered, though there were always those who enjoyed a good laugh at someone elseâs expense.
âAya, Major General Fei. Didn’t you insist that the Junci under your command have the best military discipline? Is this what you call discipline?â
A voice drifted from a corner of the cafeteria.
Every Zerg remaining was quite familiar with it.
âMajor General Morgan, if you love meddling in other squadsâ business so much, youâd be better off managing your own subordinates,â Fei sneered mockingly. âI heard theyâve been ‘guests’ at the Military Discipline Commission recently.â
Morgan lazily cast a glance their way, propped his cheek on his hand, and smiled. âOh? Aren’t your subordinates about to go be ‘guests’ as well?â
He checked the time on his communicator. âTsk, they should be heading there in a moment. Enjoy your tea.â
âIâll take those as auspicious words.â Fei retracted his gaze and swept it over Parker and Kenan. âFollow me back to the office first.â
Fei was silent the entire way. He was so silent that the two Zerg who had just been brawling were now looking at each other, searching for a way to beg for mercy.
The three remained silent until they reached Feiâs office.
The two subordinates hadn’t managed to figure out a plan, so they resignedly followed Fei inside.
âWhat was that all about?â After hearing the door lock, Fei turned around instantly and demanded an answer.
âI, uh, well…â Parker stammered, unable to give a straight answer.
Fei didn’t bother listening to his rambling and turned to Kenan. âYou tell me.â
âItâs because Parker was badmouthing you.â
As soon as Kenan finished, Parker looked up in disbelief.
âYouâre talking absolute bullst! When did I ever badmouth Major General Fei?!â
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