Ming Yue intended to kill Qi Wu and the other three to establish her authority. Ren Jian and Feng Gui Qu desperately tried to explain, hoping to save their lives.
Qi Wu, however, faced death with equanimity, only asking Ming Yue to spare Ren Jian.
"You're quite loyal, aren't you, pal? Do we really have to die? If you have any grievances, I'll help you get revenge. There'll be time for that later. Queen, surviving the apocalypse is hard enough; let's not kill each other. Isn't living better? Cherish life! To repay your mercy, can we buy more agricultural products at the trade fair? If you're still angry, you can kill those two instead to vent your frustration, and then let us go, Your Majesty?"
Hearing Qi Wu's words, Ren Jian finally understood that Qi Wu wanted to avenge his lover. But he disagreed with Qi Wu's extreme, suicidal approach to revenge. Why give up life so easily? As long as one is alive, there's a chance to accomplish anything. Once dead, even the smallest task becomes impossible.
So, he shamelessly approached Ming Yue, trying to persuade her to spare the two. In the end, he even acted cute and flirtatious towards Ming Yue, digging a pit for Yin Qing and Feng Gui Qu.
"We can also purchase your agricultural products in large quantities. We've brought a lot of crystal cores."
Feng Gui Qu, hearing Ren Jian's provocation, quickly chimed in. As his words fell, the entire place fell silent. Only Ren Jian laughed unrestrainedly, pointing at Feng Gui Qu, his back bent with laughter.
"Did I say something wrong?" Feng Gui Qu felt the atmosphere was strange and was confused. He asked Yin Qing.
"Hahaha, I've finally found someone dumber than me. I just didn't look at the back of the invitation, but you didn't even look at the front, hahaha, I'm dying of laughter!" Ren Jian's laughter was exaggerated. Feng Gui Qu and Yin Qing were bewildered, while others looked on helplessly.
Ren Jian was truly an oddity. Feng Gui Qu had simply failed to notice the hint on the front of the invitation: the agricultural products at the trade fair were to be purchased with mineral resources, and crystal cores were not accepted for settlement. He hadn't noticed the entire page of notes. They were both equally clueless, yet he was here mocking Feng Gui Qu.
Feng Gui Qu heard the key point in Ren Jian's words, took out the invitation, and examined it carefully. Upon seeing the note, he felt regret.
Ji Shiyou walked over at this moment, whispered a few words in Ming Yue's ear, and then retreated behind her. In formal settings, he always maintained Ming Yue's status as the highest leader of the base, never overstepping his bounds just because he was her boyfriend. He was reminding Ming Yue that the resources from the White Tiger Base and the Black Tortoise Base were what they needed. Moreover, despite their conflict, Qi Wu and the others had not caused any substantial damage to the trade fair, so killing them was unnecessary. Ji Shiyou sensed that Ming Yue was being a bit impulsive and came to remind her.
"Alright, in that case, your lives will be spared. However, this matter cannot end here. You will pay with money for your lives. Since the Black Tortoise Base did not bring resources, you will settle with crystal cores. Four people, five hundred high-grade crystal cores each, pay and leave."
Ji Shiyou's reminder made Ming Yue realize she had been somewhat hot-tempered. Besides, she still felt a little apologetic towards Qi Wu. If she hadn't secretly swapped Qi Wu's Sun-Burning Pearl outside Jin Cheng that day, Qi Wu would have already killed Feng Gui Qu and Yin Qing, and there would be no seeking revenge today. She bore some responsibility for this matter. Therefore, she changed her mind and demanded money for their lives. She had originally intended for them to redeem themselves with energy, but considering that the Black Tortoise Base had brought crystal cores, she changed the settlement method. The Black Tortoise Base had no energy, and Ren Jian was causing trouble, so she planned to take the crystal cores and drive them away, as they were an eyesore.
"Your Majesty, please don't! I'll pay the ransom. I don't mind paying for my life, I'll pay immediately. But don't chase us away! Unlike those two paupers, we've brought resources. Since we're here, we can't leave empty-handed, right? Besides, I promised you earlier. I said I'd buy a large quantity of our base's agricultural products, a large quantity, a large quantity! To thank you for sparing our lives, just watch! Are you really going to drive us away? You'll lose out big time. Be lenient, don't let me go, please, Your Majesty!"
Ren Jian wasn't short of crystal cores. At the beginning of the apocalypse, he was the sole survivor of the White Tiger Base. The burnt zombies left behind a multitude of crystal cores. So, he wasn't lacking money. However, he was thinking that the tasting hadn't even started yet, how could they be driven away like this? So, this two-meter-tall, sturdy man began to act cute and beg for sympathy to stay. He familiarly grabbed Ming Yue's arm and shook it, feigning cuteness to gain sympathy.
Ji Shiyou immediately stepped forward, standing in front of Ming Yue, and simultaneously pulled Ren Jian's hand off her arm.
"Alright, alright, go to the cashier to pay the crystal cores and sit back down quietly." Ming Yue waved her hand, shooing Ren Jian away like swatting a fly. She was annoyed.
"City Lord Ming Yue, we'll pay the crystal cores. Can we discuss buying some food with crystal cores? Even at a higher price, it's fine. To be honest, our base is already starving. You've kept the White Tiger Base, can you keep our Black Tortoise Base as well?" Feng Gui Qu saw that Ren Jian had successfully stayed and, thinking of the hungry members back at his base, had to lower his stance and beg.
However, before Ming Yue could respond, Yin Qing pulled him away. They paid the crystal cores and were led down the mountain by the two spatial ability users who had accompanied them.
"Brother, stay put and don't act impulsively. Don't worry, I'll definitely help you get revenge. If you go alone and act foolishly, you can't defeat those two scoundrels. Just sit tight." Seeing Yin Qing and Feng Gui Qu leave, Qi Wu was about to follow them down the mountain, but Ren Jian grabbed him. He was afraid Qi Wu would act rashly, so after paying the ransom, he pulled Qi Wu to his side. He chased away a White Tiger Base member from a seat, letting Qi Wu sit down, and kept a close eye on him. Qi Wu knew Ren Jian meant well and that he was telling the truth; he was no match for Yin Qing and Feng Gui Qu alone, so he could only sit down.
"Welcome, everyone. I declare that the first agricultural product trade fair officially begins! You have all visited our planting base and witnessed the growth process of our crops. Next, we will taste how good these agricultural products are. Without further ado, let's serve the food and let the results speak for themselves." Wen Qingtian stood on the platform and gestured to Ming Yue, indicating that the proceedings would be handed over to him. He then calmly began the trade fair's schedule. Ming Yue picked up Snake Er from the ground and left with Ba Jiu and Bao Bao. Ming Yue's delayed appearance during Qi Wu's conflict and her impulsive desire to kill the four of them were all because of Snake Er. With Wen Qingtian and the others now presiding over the trade fair, her presence was not needed. She was in a hurry to leave to interrogate Snake Er.
Ming Yue and the other two returned to the mountaintop. Ming Yue immediately removed Snake Er's restraint, intending to interrogate him thoroughly. However, she discovered that Snake Er had already died at some point.