Chapter 41: The True Face of the World

In the back row, Ren Zhong nodded in agreement. “Yes, balancing work and rest is important. Tension and relaxation in proper measure.”

“So, Brother Ren, what are your plans for tonight? Going to the outer city to visit a brothel? I can show you around! I know that place like the back of my hand!”

Had Ouyang Ning said this, it would have made sense.

But unfortunately, it wasn’t him—it was their driver, Ms. Zheng Tian.

Yet, this was entirely in keeping with her style.

Long ago, Zheng Tian had boasted to Ren Zhong about the thriving service industry in Spark Town, trying to lure him into her schemes.

Ren Zhong shook his head without betraying any emotion, deciding to further reinforce his persona as a man above the crowd.

“No need. I have no interest in common worldly pleasures. My idea of entertainment is probably quite different from ordinary people. Chen Hanyu, if you’re free tonight, I’d like to have a chat with you.”

What?!

The atmosphere inside the vehicle abruptly shifted, growing both ambiguous and awkward.

Chen Hanyu, who had been looking down at her tablet, suddenly froze, her body stiffening as she looked nervously and incredulously toward Zheng Tian.

At that moment, Zheng Tian, too, turned away from the road, quietly glancing at Chen Hanyu. In that instant, their eyes met, exchanging a thousand silent words.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Ning, Bai Feng, and Wen Lei remained silent the entire time, not daring to interrupt.

Everyone understood that Zheng Tian and Chen Hanyu were the true core of their team.

This involved major decisions from higher up—those below didn’t dare to interject.

Zheng Tian’s gaze encouraged her, as if daring her to take a gamble.

But in the end, Chen Hanyu shook her head resolutely. Turning back, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, she replied in a tone that was cool but as polite as possible, “Mr. Ren, I’m not…”

Truth be told, the shy blush on Chen Hanyu’s face, brought on by her embarrassment, was a stark contrast to her usual icy demeanor. Against this backdrop, her beauty seemed to outshine all others.

Ren Zhong was no fool. He sensed instantly that the atmosphere had turned strange after he spoke.

One glance exchanged with Chen Hanyu, and he realized immediately that, given the context, his words could be terribly misunderstood.

He quickly waved his hands. “That’s my fault, I wasn’t clear. Here’s what I meant: I’m not going to the training ground tonight, but I don’t want to waste time either. I’d like to ask you to teach me a few things about being a Disassembler.”

At these words, the tension in the car dissolved.

Zheng Tian slapped the steering wheel. “Oh, so that’s it! Brother Ren, your idea of fun really is unique! Who uses learning as a way to relax? Got my hopes up for nothing! Ahem… hahahahaha…”

The other three men chimed in simultaneously.

“Oh, so that’s what you meant.”

“Sigh.”

For some reason, there was a trace of disappointment in their voices.

Chen Hanyu, meanwhile, visibly relaxed. “Of course, that’s no problem. But I am curious, Mr. Ren—why the sudden interest in Disassembler skills? I thought you’d be more focused on becoming a powerful Mecha Warrior. You have the talent. Although, given your status, combat skills aren’t particularly necessary.”

Ren Zhong smiled. “It never hurts to have more skills. Since I’ve got the time, I may as well learn for fun. Besides, what I truly enjoy most is reading.”

“No wonder you know everything, Brother Ren. So clever,” Zheng Tian said with evident envy.

“You’re not so bad yourself, Zheng Tian,” Ren Zhong replied.

“Thank you for the compliment, Brother Ren.”

…

In truth, Ren Zhong’s interest in Disassembler skills was far from casual.

He wasn’t just learning for fun.

This was his preparation for a potential future resurrection.

Living another day was, of course, a good thing.

But if he were to die again and reset, his options would multiply exponentially.

With his current cognitive index, he could requalify as a Level 1 Warrior simply by visiting the training ground’s beginner area.

This would allow him to save the massive expenses of the intermediate zone and, at the fastest, become a Level 1 Warrior by the third or fourth day—and immediately purchase a Level 1 exoskeleton.

From then on, he could exploit his unique advantage of not being forced into sleep at night, acting alone under the cover of darkness. With the routes and data on beast distribution he’d gathered while hunting with Zheng Tian’s team, he could roam the wilds and amass wealth at an extraordinary rate.

Without Disassembler skills, he’d be stuck like any other scavenger, watching valuable chips spoil and lose worth before his eyes.

Moreover, having now verified his combat abilities, he no longer intended to bind himself exclusively to Zheng Tian’s team.

Once he mastered the basics of Level 1 Disassembly, he could set out at night, retracing the routes to Iron Bug Forest and Rat Cliff Mountain, mowing down those weak Level 1 beasts he’d encountered before.

His assets would skyrocket—his transformation into a night-stalking demon would begin.

He applied the systematic approach honed during his research days to his new life; every action had a clear purpose and a detailed plan.

…

Upon reaching the town, the others went off to sell goods at Spark Resource Recovery Company, while Ren Zhong parted ways with them and headed straight for the armory.

“Well, well, Mr. Ren, back to support my business again? If I had sales targets, I’d throw myself at you out of gratitude. Too bad I’m the manager—if I were a regular clerk, I’d have done it by now.”

Ju Qingmeng, tall and striking, had been lounging in her office chair, bored, watching dramas. Hearing that Ren Zhong had arrived, she immediately emerged, leaning over the counter, her large eyes sparkling as she beamed at Ren Zhong.

Today, her hair was tied in a ponytail, and she wore a black leather jacket that accentuated her fierce, curvaceous figure.

As she leaned forward, her ample chest was pushed up in a way that made her curves even more pronounced.

As one of the victims of the “Census Officer” lie, she was desperate to leave Spark Town and had always worked hard toward that goal.

She knew the man standing before her was no less than a “Level 5 Citizen Census Officer.”

He could change her destiny.

Ren Zhong cast a sidelong glance without betraying his composure. As someone who had barely tasted the pleasures of the flesh, even he found it hard to remain unaffected; his Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily.

He quickly grew alert.

Though Ju Qingmeng was alluring to the extreme, he prided himself on self-control—if not to the point of being unflappable in the face of disaster, at least enough to keep his body from betraying him.

A brief analysis led him to a conclusion.

Too much physical exertion and living on the edge of life and death could indeed awaken primal desires.

It was like modern mercenaries, who were especially fond of patronizing the service industry.

It was a psychological stress response—even Ren Zhong wasn’t immune.

And the little misunderstanding on the way back, though smoothed over, had left its mark on his mind.

So now, faced with Ju Qingmeng’s brazen seduction and stunning looks, his resistance was slightly diminished.

“Manager Ju, you’re a real joker. But I am here to buy something today—any chance you can give me a good deal?”

“What are you buying? And what kind of deal do you want?” Ju Qingmeng stepped out from behind the counter, standing before him, deliberately pushing out her chest, making her “deal” quiver enticingly.

Ren Zhong pointed toward the inner section of the shop. “A Level 1 solo combat motorcycle.”

Five minutes later, Ren Zhong was riding away in style.

Level 1 Solo Combat Motorcycle: Electric, 3,000 km range, top speed 220 km/h.

He had spent forty contribution points.

An ordinary scavenger would have had to pay forty-four, since the battery alone cost four points extra.

But Ju Qingmeng, using her managerial privileges, gave him one for free.

At present, he wasn’t too interested in the manager’s body, but he was deeply intrigued by the benefits she could provide.

Ren Zhong had no intention of truly accepting her advances.

After all, it was all founded on a misunderstanding.

He couldn’t possibly fulfill Ju Qingmeng’s real expectations.

By accepting only minor favors without getting involved, their relationship would never deepen enough for her to ask hard questions—and his fragile “Census Officer” cover could remain intact.