Chapter Ten: Recruiting Subordinates (Third Update)

The sun was at its highest, the temperature soaring above 39 degrees. Inside the administrative hall, with its doors and windows sealed tight, there was a profound silence.

Hoo...

After a long while, Liang Jing stood up. He knew that losing himself in thought like this was not the right path; action was better. Strengthening himself was the way forward. He refused to believe that, even with a "system" attached to him, with the heaven-defying ability to "copy," and with all sorts of special powers, as long as he put in the effort, he could not overcome these high-level monsters and their hordes.

In truth, Liang Jing had no idea how rare the birth of a golden BOSS-level monster was; it was only due to unique circumstances that they existed at all. Think of all the Caucasian shepherd dogs in the world—even among purebreds, their numbers are considerable. If they all evolved into golden BOSS-level beings, humanity would have no chance of survival; their intelligence was not low, after all! Consider the golden Baroque in Liang Jing’s rental building, the strange existence that was Liang Jing himself, the missing Jing Hui, and Xiao Gao who had gone to town in search of his girlfriend...

"Enough! Let's not dwell on these upsetting things. Let's face reality and think about what we should do now. Survival comes first—only then can we pursue what our hearts desire." Liang Jing waved his short blade as he spoke. He was about to recruit followers. In the future, whenever there was trouble or tasks he couldn’t handle personally, he could send his subordinates.

"My name is Liang Jing. I am now recruiting teammates to survive together in this world. Of course, I will not mistreat my people, nor will I send you to your deaths."

Watching Liang Jing, clad in russet leather and wielding the short blade, his figure tall and imposing, the crowd instantly thought of one word: expert! Indeed, Liang Jing, whose strength had grown tremendously and who had taken many lives, now carried a certain aura in every movement. This was the result of psychological and physiological change. Successful people often exuded confidence and a distinct style, making their presence felt with every word and gesture.

A sudden brightness flashed in some eyes—perhaps following this man wouldn’t be so bad. At least it was better than their current predicament. The mature woman who had just emerged from the restroom looked at Liang Jing with a glint in her eyes, her curvaceous hips swaying as she moved, the flesh trembling with each motion. She seemed ready to sacrifice herself if necessary, feeling no shame in exchanging her body for gain—it was perfectly normal in her eyes.

"Of course, I have requirements. They're simple—just two: First, you must follow my orders and act under my command. Second, no betrayal. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe!" As he spoke, Liang Jing narrowed his eyes and swept his gaze over the crowd, bringing his short blade down on the stainless steel water dispenser.

Screech!

Clang!

With Liang Jing’s immense strength, the stainless steel dispenser was severed cleanly in two, its cut surface gleaming as the pieces clattered to the floor. The crowd recoiled in shock, a chill running down their spines at the glance Liang Jing had just given them.

"Of course, if you have objections, you can discuss them with me. But I absolutely will not tolerate trickery or insubordination! You have thirty seconds to decide—after that, the offer expires." He took a sip of water from a stainless steel cup, waiting calmly for their choice.

Once again, the hall fell silent. Liang Jing was simply too forceful. Had he been more tactful, perhaps everyone would have agreed immediately. In these times, with safety a luxury, who wouldn’t want to band together or find a powerful backer? It was, after all, a matter of life and death. His terms were not excessive; any team needed rules, or chaos would ensue. But the steely glint in his eyes and the bisected dispenser were too intimidating. And though he’d said he wouldn’t send them to their deaths, only a fool would take such promises at face value—real benefit was what mattered. Liang Jing didn’t look like someone who could be reasoned with.

"Big brother, I’m willing to join!" Zhang Huke was the first to accept, hardly hesitating.

"I—I want to join too," stammered Liu Zhixiong, the timid man, after a moment’s thought. Seeing Zhang Huke join, he hurried to add his voice, though with some embarrassment; earlier, faced with the mutant black-backed dog, his legs had turned to jelly, and Liang Jing had surely noticed.

Liang Jing was satisfied with Zhang Huke’s choice; risking his life to help Liu Zhixiong and coming to his aid during the fight with the mutant dog had made a good impression. As for Liu Zhixiong, though not as capable, his performance in danger was commendable, and his character wasn’t bad—the rest could be improved with time.

Of the five remaining, watching Zhang Huke and Liu Zhixiong join, a few seemed tempted. People are always a little prone to follow the crowd—thinking that, with more people, collective punishment would be less likely, and if everyone disobeyed, the leader would be left alone.

Just then...

"My words are not a joke. You all know Hong Bin, the town’s notorious gangster. Well, Hong Bin, Blackie, Big Tree, and the others are all dead by my blade. Make your choice—prepare to obey orders honestly, or else!" Liang Jing brandished his short blade as he spoke.

Swish!

Everyone reflexively glanced at Liang Jing’s blade. They’d all heard of Hong Bin—one of the top thugs in town—yet he’d been killed by Liang Jing. Seeing the mutant black-backed dog zombie at his side, no one doubted the truth of his words.

This declaration sent a chill through their hearts—he was a killer, a bringer of death! The urge to join Liang Jing’s group instantly faded for those who had been considering it. They were all seasoned survivors of society, not naïve newcomers like Zhang Huke and Liu Zhixiong. In this society that proclaimed equality, they would never submit so obediently to Liang Jing’s orders, always feeling it would demean them. Even at work, they found ways to slack off or profit on the side, and they trusted Liang Jing even less.

...Fifteen...seventeen...nineteen...twenty-five...twenty-eight...

Time slipped by quickly; thirty seconds soon passed, and the struggle for a decision was nearly over.

"I—I agree. I want to join!" With time running out, the only woman in the group hurriedly spoke up, not daring to look at the short, bespectacled middle-aged man beside her.

"Can you cook?" Liang Jing asked.

"Yes, yes, I can. I do all the cooking at home, and I’ve worked in restaurants before—I’ve learned proper culinary skills."

"Good, you’re accepted," Liang Jing replied, his eyes lighting up. If there was proper food to eat, he’d certainly prefer that over cold or raw meat. Besides, he had no intention of keeping someone idle. Though the woman was attractive and seductive, he had no desire to lose his virginity to someone like her.

He was pleased with his three new followers—it was a new beginning. His claim to have killed Hong Bin and the others had been a deliberate scare tactic; he didn’t want the rest to join, as he didn’t care for them. Of the initial five who had fled, he bore them no ill will—selfishness was a byproduct of this world, and he was no exception. But that didn’t mean he liked selfish people. As for the short, bespectacled man, Liang Jing found him repulsive—a typical wolf in sheep’s clothing, perhaps; he couldn't help but judge by appearances, much as in ancient times. But who could say what the truth was?

Liang Jing had intentionally frightened them off, not wishing to accept people he disliked as his "subordinates," but without directly telling them so—he wasn’t one to invite unnecessary enmity, though he would not tolerate offense.

"Alright! From now on, you three will follow me. I won’t treat you poorly. It’s already midday—let’s have lunch." In a good mood, Liang Jing reached into his backpack for food—most of it retrieved from his inventory, recalling how much he’d stashed in the Qianbaihui supermarket.

"By the way, what’s your name? I don’t think I’ve heard it yet," he asked the seductive woman as he rummaged for food.

"My name is Ling Qinghe, I’m twenty-six, and not yet married..." she replied eagerly, as if keen to impress her new leader.

"Alright, clear off that desk—we’ll use it for lunch. Zhang Huke, you and Liu Zhixiong help move away the computer debris," Liang Jing instructed.