Chapter 232: Negotiation

Lin Chen sat in a tent temporarily set up at the North Gate, a yellowed agreement laid out on the folding table in front of him,

the handwriting on the agreement already somewhat blurred, yet it was something he had drafted himself.

The wind and snow howled outside the tent, slapping against the canvas with a popping sound, but he paid no attention, his gaze fixed on the agreement, every detail of the negotiation table appearing in his mind.

That was at the Iron Hand Group's temporary stronghold, a thick solid wood long table,

Zhao Hu sitting in the main seat, surrounded by over a dozen burly guards,

the machine guns in their hands polished until they shone. Lin Chen sat alone on the opposite side,

without bringing any attendants, only the ice blade at his waist and the cold air permeating his body.

Before the negotiation began, Zhao Hu first picked up a teacup and took a sip,

then put the cup down, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, his tone carrying heavy arrogance: "Lin Chen, you can have food if you want, but you have to trade Lin Hao for it.

Also, your Starfire Group must give up the three supply points in the East District."

Lin Chen didn't speak at the time, just looked at Zhao Hu, looked at his eyes full of calculation,

looked at the cold sneer at the corner of his mouth. He remembered the scene where the Iron Hand Group snatched his last bag of biscuits,

remembered the feeling of nearly starving to death in the snow, remembered the Starfire Group members harmed by the Iron Hand Group,

and the hatred in his heart surged bit by bit, yet he suppressed it firmly. He knew that the negotiation table was not the time to lose his temper; he didn't want a moment of satisfaction, but complete revenge.

"Lin Hao can be given to you," Lin Chen finally spoke, his voice terrifyingly calm,

"but the supply points in the East District cannot be given up. I can trade three hundred kilograms of grain for Lin Hao,

and additionally, the Iron Hand Group must promise not to harass any members of the Starfire Group again."

Zhao Hu laughed upon hearing this, his laughter filled with mockery,

"Three hundred kilograms of grain?

Are you trying to dismiss a beggar?

Lin Hao is a core member of our Iron Hand Group;

without five hundred kilograms of grain,

forget it."

Lin Chen's fingers tightened slightly under the table, his nails digging into his palms,

bringing a sharp pain. He looked at Zhao Hu and spoke slowly: "Five hundred kilograms of grain is fine,

but I have one condition. After the transaction is complete, the Iron Hand Group must publicly declare

that they are drawing a line with Lin Guodong, and from then on, anything to do with him has nothing to do with the Iron Hand Group."

Zhao Hu was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting Lin Chen to propose such a condition.

He frowned, pondered for a moment, turned to whisper a few words to the guards beside him,

and then turned to look at Lin Chen: "Fine, but the grain must be handed over in one go. Once we receive the grain, we will release Lin Hao and issue the statement at the same time."

Lin Chen nodded and stood up: "It's a deal. Three days from now, at the handover point on the west side of the safe zone."

After saying this, he didn't look at Zhao Hu again and turned to leave. When he walked out of the Iron Hand Group's stronghold,

the wind and snow outside were heavy, blowing so hard he couldn't open his eyes. He didn't take a vehicle,

but walked alone in the snow, letting the cold wind scrape across his cheeks,

bringing bone-piercing pain. His heart felt no joy, only a cold, dead silence; he knew this was just the beginning of revenge, and the real show was yet to come.

Three days later at the handover point, Lin Chen watched the Iron Hand Group's people haul away the grain,

watched them push Lin Hao toward him, watched Zhao Hu take out the statement and read it aloud.

He didn't laugh, nor did he speak, just looked at Lin Hao's terrified face,

looked at Zhao Hu's triumphant face, the hatred in his heart nearly overflowing. He knew that before long, these people would all pay the price.

What happened later was like a script already written. Because news of the Iron Hand Group colluding with external enemies leaked,

their reputation was ruined, and a large number of members left. Lin Chen led his men to wipe out their nest, captured Zhou Bao, and forced Zhao Hu to surrender. Lin Guodong and Lin Xiaoxiao were

played in the palm of his hand, one beaten half to death, the other turned into an ice sculpture and placed in his office.

Those who had once bullied him, those who had once betrayed him, all met their deserved ends.

Lin Chen's fingers slid slowly over the handwriting on the agreement, a feeling hard to describe surging in his heart.

It wasn't joy, it wasn't satisfaction, but a hollow numbness.

He thought it would be satisfying after revenge, but having truly done it,

he found there was nothing in his heart. He remembered Li Wei, remembered the man who always followed behind him calling him Team Leader Lin, remembered him blocking a bullet for him, and his eye sockets grew slightly hot.

The tent door was pushed open, and a team member walked in, holding a report: "Team Leader Lin, news from the north: the survivors of that city have already sent an envoy, and they will arrive at the safe zone tomorrow."

Lin Chen looked up, the numbness in his eyes gradually dissipating, replaced by a cold firmness.

He put down the agreement and stood up: "Understood. Arrange the reception, and additionally, have the reconnaissance squad send out another batch to map out the northern terrain."

The team member nodded and turned to walk out. Lin Chen walked to the tent entrance,

pushed aside the canvas, and a cold wind blew in his face. He looked at the white expanse outside,

looked at the mountains vaguely visible in the distance, and a strong impulse suddenly surged in his heart.

He knew the game of revenge was over, and a new game had just begun. He gripped the ice blade at his waist and cast his gaze toward the north, toward that unknown land. ===== CHAPTER 233 =====