Chapter 069: Arrangements

The moment Qin Qing first laid eyes on the specific values of Huang Feng’s four basic stats, her face was filled not only with shock but also utter disbelief. It was only after she read Huang Feng’s Chosen One identification number that she understood: the person before her was not the primary culprit whose stats had been halved by the gods, but rather the accomplice whose values had been reduced by only ten percent.

Even so, Qin Qing remained deeply astonished by Huang Feng’s basic stats and overall combat capability. When she finally noticed he had four remaining enhancement opportunities and five full recovery treatments left, she was left utterly speechless in stunned admiration.

Perhaps because her main attribute was mental strength, her thoughts quickly circled, and she was able to piece together the general outline of what had happened. Her admiration for Huang Feng reached new heights.

“You don’t need to be so surprised,” Huang Feng said, seeing the shock that left Qin Qing at a loss for words. “I was originally a special forces soldier. My starting stats were already well above the average for men on Earth. And when the game first launched its mysterious ‘first kill’ rewards, I obtained the Physical chapter of the Basic Guidance Technique early on. A head start leads to every step being faster.”

“I’ve already obtained the Mental chapter of the Basic Guidance Technique, but I haven’t looked at it yet. What should I do now to give it to you?” Qin Qing gradually composed herself and asked.

Huang Feng gave her an approving look, satisfied with her straightforwardness in getting straight to the point, without prying into unrelated matters.

“It’s simple,” he replied. “We just need to have our smart wristbands touch. Then I’ll send you a request for the information I want. You just have to agree mentally—or you can send a request to me to transmit the information, and I’ll accept.”

Their black smart wristbands touched. A moment later, Qin Qing received an application from Huang Feng for the Mental chapter. She didn’t hesitate and immediately agreed.

As she was about to withdraw her wrist, she heard Mu Yinghua’s voice in her mind—Huang Feng had sent her requests for the Physical and Speed chapters as well. Qin Qing didn’t immediately accept, but she didn’t withdraw her hand either. She looked at Huang Feng in puzzlement.

“Go ahead and accept,” Huang Feng said, noticing her confusion. “The transfer is just like copying and pasting. My Physical and Speed chapters won’t disappear.”

With that, Qin Qing instantly possessed three of the four incomplete chapters of the Basic Guidance Technique, leaving her both delighted and astonished. Indeed, following a true powerhouse brought endless benefits.

Only now did she finally relax the anxiety that had been gripping her heart. In truth, up until this moment, she had been afraid that once Huang Feng got what he wanted, he would treat her the same way he did that person in the locked room—use her and then discard her, as had happened so many times in real life.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you to the combat command center. I’ll arrange your daily duties—so long as you satisfy me in those, you’re free to do as you please with your remaining time. You can even use the training grounds and all the firearms in the base.” Seeing Qin Qing’s barely-concealed happiness, Huang Feng withdrew his arm and headed in another direction.

Qin Qing quickly suppressed her joy and hurried after him. As for the information from the gods and the three chapters of the Basic Guidance Technique, she was in no rush to examine them—there would be time enough for that later.

In the control hall of the command center, most of the equipment was still running. Huang Feng sat down at a communications computer, operated it briefly, and then turned to Qin Qing. “We’re not going anywhere for now. Let’s just stay here and study the Guidance Techniques we’ve acquired.”

“From now on, we’ll split into two shifts. Each day, for twenty-four hours: I’ll be on duty at this computer for twelve, and you’ll take the other twelve. Of course, you don’t have to stare at the screen the whole time—you can practice the Guidance Technique nearby while keeping an eye on things.”

“For your other twelve hours, you can do as you wish—rest, train, whatever you like. I won’t restrict you. But I have to make something clear: I can’t give you free access to the entire base yet. There are many areas you can’t enter—you’ll have to stay within the designated zones. Trust takes time, and so does getting to know someone. I hope you understand.”

“You won’t work for nothing, though. Each time we switch shifts, I’ll give you some pointers on combat—half an hour each time. How much you learn depends on your own talent and comprehension.”

Qin Qing had already noticed the surveillance screens monitoring the important areas of the base and was smart enough not to try anything foolish. “I understand. You have my full obedience,” she replied without hesitation, satisfied so far with everything Huang Feng had done. Learning he had been special forces reassured her even more—she often held herself to similar standards, hoping to improve his impression of her.

“Very good. I’ll show you how to use this communications device and what you need to monitor, with some practice runs.”

Huang Feng then explained the functions and basic operations of the computer, as well as what she should be watching for. This communications computer could connect with all military bases in Huaxia. When he had arrived at the Southern Command, he had sent out messages to all military districts, and records of those remained.

Any Chosen One who found a military base and could operate the communications equipment had to possess at least some military training or technical skills. Those who did, armed with the resources of a base, could survive the early stages well.

Huang Feng hoped to cooperate or even ally with such Chosen Ones. As a soldier, he understood that no matter how strong one person was, they could never match the strength and cohesion of an elite, united team.

He needed to form alliances with other powerhouses, to draw them into his circle. Even if that wasn’t possible, simply exchanging information would be an improvement. Of course, not just anyone could become his ally—trust and strength were prerequisites. This was why, when Zhao Ming and Li Xiangyang had tried to pledge themselves as his followers, he had scorned them, using and then eliminating them without a second thought.

“You’re now familiar with the computer’s functions and basic operations. I’ll take the day shift, so you can go to the room I assigned you to rest. If you’re hungry, feel free to get food from the canteen or the supply storage—the locations I’ve already shown you. Don’t go elsewhere in the base without my permission,” Huang Feng said when he saw that Qin Qing had mastered the procedures.

Qin Qing wasn’t especially tired, given her primary attribute was mental strength, but after a long night, she was indeed hungry and thirsty. “I’ll go get something to eat from the canteen, and bring you some, too. After such a long night, you must be hungry,” she said with a smile.

Huang Feng hadn’t eaten since the roasted tiger meat from the previous night, but he didn’t feel particularly hungry. With his high stamina, as long as he wasn’t exerting himself excessively, he could go a long time between meals.

“I’ll go with you to the canteen and show you the way, just in case you get lost and I end up blaming you for no reason,” he said, realizing he’d only told her the location, not actually shown her. The base was large and complicated, after all.

And so, Qin Qing and Huang Feng settled into life at the military base together. Qin Qing quickly familiarized herself with the base and devoted herself to Huang Feng, putting even her own cultivation of the Guidance Techniques second. To gain his trust as quickly as possible, she spent most days practicing in the command center, even sleeping in a corner of the control hall.

At first, she had thought that, as a beautiful woman and Huang Feng being a man in his prime, there might be a chance for a romantic relationship. She even prepared contraceptives and other necessities, believing that physical intimacy might help cement trust or other connections.

Qin Qing was not averse to trading her own resources to obtain what she wanted. She had done so with the second son of the Wang family before the apocalypse, and saw no reason not to do so with Huang Feng now. As for Sun Hao’an, she only killed him because he was not only ugly and obese but also a twisted pervert who had subjected her to countless humiliations, finally pushing her to kill him.

Yet as days passed, Huang Feng showed no interest in her in that way, focusing wholly on cultivating the Guidance Techniques. This left her silent and disappointed for a long while.

But perhaps because of this, her initial admiration for Huang Feng gradually transformed into a subtle affection and love.