Chapter 67: The Red-Haired Woman Returns

Since the red-haired enchantress had witnessed Wang Ji’s true strength, she had resolved to obtain the perfect genetic potion in his possession. She continually sent people to dig deeper into Wang Ji’s background, even openly revealing her identity to negotiate directly with Chen Yukai, expressing goodwill and speaking favorably of Wang Ji.

News of Wang Ji’s return to the base did not escape her notice. She prepared ten thousand crystal cores in advance and waited on the road Wang Ji had to take back to the base.

After bidding farewell to Zhao Xiong, Wang Ji took Zhao Xiong’s trusted subordinate, Ren Lijun, and several others as representatives of their cooperation, and together they returned to the Independent Company’s station.

Once in range of the communication signal, the day of Wang Ji’s return was confirmed, and the leadership of the Independent Company immediately shed their usual gloom. The whole company was revitalized and sprang back to life.

On the road, Wang Ji and Long Qianwen leisurely led the convoy home, occasionally venturing out by themselves, relying on their formidable strength. Li Chengming and the scouts were accustomed to this.

Instead, they were happy that Wang Ji had found a companion, especially after witnessing Long Qianwen’s astonishing power, which won their sincere admiration.

Long Qianwen’s beauty, lively spirit, and gracious demeanor quickly earned her the approval of Li Chengming’s group. At first, they called her “Company Commander’s wife,” which embarrassed her. After she taught them a lesson, they all sported panda eyes and obediently called her “Sister Long.”

“You, really! So young, and you have them call you ‘Sister Long’? Li Chengming really is too much, joining in your mischief,” Wang Ji said, exasperated.

Long Qianwen glanced at him indifferently, feigning annoyance. “It’s better than them calling me ‘Madam’ all the time. Do I look that old? Besides, when did I ever agree to marry you?”

Wang Ji quickly composed himself, careful not to upset this sensitive girl.

“Ahem, it’s fine. ‘Sister Long’ works. After all, the Independent Company respects strength, and you’re strong enough to be their boss.”

Long Qianwen tossed her head proudly and laughed, “Of course! Who else… whose girlfriend am I?” Her voice faded as she spoke.

Wang Ji pretended not to hear, quickening his pace as he teased, “What was that? Whose girlfriend?”

Long Qianwen’s cheeks flushed. She refused to look at him and shouted in embarrassment, “I said nothing! No one’s girlfriend!”

“Haha, really? Not my girlfriend? Well then, I’ll be on my way!” Wang Ji turned and ran.

Long Qianwen stamped her foot angrily, chased after him, and bit her lip, shouting, “Stop right there! Do you want another round of panda eyes now that your vision’s fine?”

Wang Ji shrank his neck, picked up speed, and the two chased each other across the wilds, laughter echoing around them.

After a while, Wang Ji wiped his brow and feigned exhaustion, letting Long Qianwen catch him by his collar.

“Enough, enough, I surrender! Listen to your headset—Li Chengming’s looking for us!” Wang Ji protected his head and shouted.

Long Qianwen switched on her headset and heard Li Chengming’s call, her expression changing slightly as she halted.

“Calling Company Commander! We encountered the red-haired enchantress ahead. She requests an audience. Please advise?”

Wang Ji coughed, pressed the communicator, and said, “Assess the situation first. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Qianwen, are you alright?” Wang Ji walked to Long Qianwen, whose face was unusual.

Long Qianwen locked eyes with Wang Ji and asked seriously, “The red-haired enchantress Li Chengming mentioned—is she tall, with red hair and a mask, that wretched woman?”

“Uh… yes,” Wang Ji replied, puzzled.

Upon hearing this, Long Qianwen erupted with a terrifying aura and dashed toward Li Chengming’s location.

“I’m going to kill that woman for my brother’s sake!”

“Hey! Qianwen, wait for me!”

Wang Ji hurried after her. The two sped across the wilderness like lightning.

In less than three minutes, they arrived at Li Chengming’s convoy, where another group was negotiating with him.

“Hehe, no need for modesty, Mr. Li. The soldiers of your Independent Company are remarkable. That giant spider monster was an S+ grade threat, and you managed to kill it.”

The red-haired enchantress was polite, speaking to Li Chengming.

Li Chengming smiled awkwardly. The battle with the giant spider had been their greatest loss, and poor intelligence had given Cao Muhua the opportunity to attack from behind.

“Ahem, Miss Red, you flatter us. Please wait a moment. The Company Commander has been notified and will be here in a few minutes.” He paused and turned, just catching sight of Wang Ji and Long Qianwen.

“Ah, just in time, look…”

As he spoke, he was shocked to see Long Qianwen, like a raging beast, sweep through the convoy in a whirlwind. In the red-haired enchantress’s incredulous gaze, Long Qianwen grabbed her by the neck, lifted her bodily, and slammed her against a nearby tree.

The force shook the tree violently. The red-haired enchantress was stunned, her eyes rolling back, her combat ability suppressed entirely by Long Qianwen’s ferocious aura.

“Qianwen, stop!” Wang Ji, just arriving, quickly shouted.

“No! Brother Wang Ji, this woman killed my brother. I must avenge him!” Long Qianwen’s eyes brimmed with hatred, her aura blazing, intimidating all around.

At that moment, the red-haired enchantress’s subordinates, Wu Gang and Lisa, finally reacted, raising their guns and shouting:

“Release our commander!”

Li Chengming’s men raised their guns in response. “Put your guns down!”

The situation was suddenly tense, on the verge of violence.

“Everyone, stand down!” Wang Ji thundered, his anger boiling. His shout, backed by powerful mental force, pressed on everyone’s hearts. They looked at him in horror, as if facing a demon, and retreated, unable to muster any resistance.

“Qianwen, let her go. Let’s clear things up—I’ll stand by you,” Wang Ji said quietly, approaching Long Qianwen.

Long Qianwen glared at Wang Ji, then flung the red-haired enchantress aside, shouting, “Brother Wang Ji, no matter what you say, she’s dead!”

“If she truly deserves it, so be it,” Wang Ji replied, walking over to help the red-haired enchantress up.

Coughing violently as she regained her breath, the red-haired enchantress looked at Long Qianwen with a complex gaze. After a moment, she spoke.

“So… cough… it’s you, Long Qianwen! I didn’t expect you’d end up here, and with Wang Ji. The men we sent after you must all be dead.”

“Hmph! If you come to kill me, you should be prepared to die yourself,” Long Qianwen snapped, murderous intent rising again as her aura locked onto the red-haired enchantress, making her tremble.

“No, don’t attack! Hear me out first,” the red-haired enchantress said warily. “Your brother isn’t dead!”

This revelation fell like a bomb into Long Qianwen’s world, shaking her to her core. He was her only family.

“What did you say?” Long Qianwen started forward, but Wang Ji caught her hand.

Sensing the fluctuation of Long Qianwen’s power, the red-haired enchantress hurriedly explained, “I said your brother isn’t dead! He was badly injured in a failed experiment, but he’s being treated at the base, round the clock!”

“No, impossible. I saw that his heart had stopped!” Long Qianwen closed her eyes in pain, shaking her head.

The red-haired enchantress laughed self-mockingly and glanced at Wang Ji with an enigmatic look of envy. “Long Qianwen, do you know why we gave you and your brother such good treatment? Because your genetic potential is the best among all the test subjects! You both have the greatest hope of becoming S-class powerhouses.”

“I never expected that, with Wang Ji’s help, you’d already reached S-class! Maybe… even beyond?” She touched the marks on her neck, speaking with difficulty.

Wang Ji stepped forward. “Red-haired enchantress, if there’s a single lie in what you said, even if you flee beyond Earth, I’ll make you wish for death.”

His gaze made the red-haired enchantress shudder. She shook her head, surrendering, and spread her hands. “Commander Wang, I have no reason to deceive you. Long Shan Gao truly isn’t dead, but his condition isn’t good—he’s been unconscious. But if you, Commander Wang, intervene, you might be able to revive him.”

Long Qianwen’s eyes brightened. She grasped Wang Ji’s hand, pleading silently.

Wang Ji nodded earnestly, patted Long Qianwen’s hand, and smiled. “Don’t worry. With me, it’ll be fine.”

“Now, how do you want to negotiate?” Wang Ji released Long Qianwen and strode to the red-haired enchantress.

With Wang Ji willing to talk, the red-haired enchantress finally relaxed, as did her subordinates, who now feared Wang Ji and Long Qianwen’s strength even more.

Seeing Wang Ji agree to negotiations, the red-haired enchantress regained her composure, and the two walked into the woods to discuss terms.

In the end, Wang Ji dominated the negotiation, securing the safe return of Long Qianwen’s brother and a compensation of ten thousand crystal cores, agreeing to a temporary partnership.

With Wang Ji’s promise, the red-haired enchantress breathed easier.

“Commander Wang, you really are wringing half the life out of our Southwest Base,” she complained coquettishly.

Wang Ji weighed the bag of crystal cores and smiled. “Don’t act coy after getting a good deal. Remember, if Long Shan Gao isn’t returned to the Independent Company’s station within a month, I’ll come for him myself!”

The red-haired enchantress paused, then smiled. “Rest assured, Commander Wang. You can count on us. But as for the perfect genetic potion…”

Wang Ji waved dismissively as he returned to the convoy. “Money for goods. Bring him back, and we’ll trade.”

He strolled back to Long Qianwen, handed her the bag of crystal cores, and said, “Qianwen, it’s settled. Your brother will be back in a month. This is your compensation.”

Long Qianwen lowered her head. Her hatred for the red-haired enchantress faded somewhat, but the bitterness in her heart remained.

She pushed the bag back into Wang Ji’s arms. “Brother Wang Ji, I don’t need these. Keep them yourself.”

Seeing Long Qianwen still so concerned for her brother, Wang Ji made a swift decision, put the crystal cores away, and shouted,

“Li Chengming, assign a few men to follow them to Southwest Base and bring Long Shan Gao back to the station!”