Chapter 553: The Last Time

Cheng Shuili hadn't returned yet, and the first wave of attacks from the Free Wings had already arrived.

As soon as they engaged, Ailin realized something was off.

The Black Feather have always relied on having better weapons and equipment than other factions, which is why they win every war they declare, suffering little personnel loss.

Yet the equipment of this Free Wings group is not inferior to theirs, and their tactics are top-notch, looking like a modern army.

When Cheng Shuili received Ailin's message, she had just returned to the Black Feather's territory.

Faint explosion sounds came from afar, and firelight flickered on the horizon.

Xinxue was standing at the main building's entrance, her expression grim.

"Lao Da!" she exclaimed upon seeing Cheng Shuili, rushing over, "Ailin and the others are at the northern defense line; the Free Wings attackers came from that direction. Their numbers aren't large, but their equipment is superb—if we try to hold them head-on, it will only be a trade of lives for lives."

Cheng Shuili nodded, walking north while asking, "How are the casualties?"

"So far no one has been killed, but over a dozen are injured." Xinxue followed beside her, reporting quickly, "Ailin said their weapons are of the same caliber as ours. Moreover, their tactical coordination is exceptionally seamless, as if they've trained together for a long time."

Cheng Shuili didn't speak, her steps had just quickened when she suddenly stopped.

Wrong.

Where did their equipment come from?

Would Jieke, who isn't even willing to give up a slot to enter the Free Wings, really be willing to spend a fortune buying equipment from the Rat King?

As soon as this question arose, the train of thought that had been interrupted by 001 last night flowed again.

Cheng Shuili finally realized what she had overlooked.

If the Rat King wanted to post a bounty on the human frequency, he would certainly need human assistance, and now the Free Wings' equipment had suddenly improved.

Could this mysterious partner of the Rat King actually be the Free Wings?

The moment Cheng Shuili stopped, Xinxue almost bumped into her.

"Lao Da?" she looked at Cheng Shuili puzzled, "What's wrong?"

Cheng Shuili didn't answer, just stood in place, her gaze on the flickering firelight in the distance, but her eyes clearly were thinking of something else.

Xinxue didn't dare disturb her, so she could only stand anxiously to the side waiting.

The explosion sounds in the distance continued, each one like a drumbeat on the heart.

After a few seconds, perhaps longer, Cheng Shuili finally spoke, "Xinxue, come over, let me write a letter."

Xinxue froze, not expecting the boss to do this at such a time.

But she would certainly not question it; she immediately followed Cheng Shuili's arrangement, standing in front of her to serve as a makeshift desk.

Cheng Shuili wrote extremely fast.

This wasn't the time to worry about handwriting or phrasing; as long as the content was clear and the meaning got across, it was fine.

After hastily finishing the letter, Cheng Shuili returned to the vehicle, summoned the little mouse, and handed the letter to it.

Upon returning to the territory, Xinxue was still standing in the same spot; seeing her appear, she immediately went to meet her.

"Lao Da, has the letter been sent?"

Cheng Shuili nodded, her gaze already turned northward.

Over there, the gunfire and explosion sounds were even denser than before.

"Let's go," she said, "to the front line."

……

Rat King's territory.

When the little mouse delivered the letter, the Rat King was counting money.

Indeed, counting money.

The arms factory's business was booming, the daily intake numbers made him dizzy, so he developed a habit of counting them himself every day.

Upon seeing the letter, he first froze for a moment, then unfolded it to read.

Then his expression changed.

"Are the Free Wings' arms supplied by you? This is the last chance; I hope you won't interfere in human affairs."

Just this line of text, no salutation, no signature, not even any punctuation.

But the Rat King knew who wrote it; he had only given this to one person.

The final demand, she actually used it here.

"Not interfering in human affairs…" the Rat King muttered the phrase repeatedly, his face showing an extremely complex expression.

He certainly wanted to intervene.

The price the Free Wings offered was too high, so high he couldn't refuse, and… he also genuinely hoped that Wu Ya would die at the hands of Jieke from the Free Wings.

After all, Jieke is easier to manipulate.

It's also more beneficial for him.

"More beneficial?" the Rat King murmured these four words, then suddenly fell silent.

What exactly is the most beneficial?

Peace and safety, secure livelihood and joyful work.

But Beichen couldn't accomplish that, nor could he; now this matter has fallen to Cheng Shuili, and if Cheng Shuili could achieve it…

The Rat King almost forgot how spirited and ambitious he was when he first arrived in this world.

Establishing an arms factory monopoly on equipment supply, using economic ties to bind the various beastfolk powers to the war chariot. Setting up the Beast King Council to divide and win over tribal leaders, replacing military conquest with profit exchange.

Controlling both the underworld and the legitimate world, only then did he become the Rat King feared by all!

But in the end, even after using up the three chances Beichen gave him, he still couldn't achieve unification.

Only one fragment of the civilizational fire seed remains in his hand; now how many has that little human friend gathered? Does she know what gathering all the fragments would bring?

The Rat King remained silent for a while, then let out a soft chuckle, thinking of how to reclaim the profit share he had promised Cheng Shuili.

But now.

He, this former king, will fulfill his promise, agreeing to humanity's final request.

Rat King rose from the chair and walked to a conspicuous stone platform deep in the room.

On the stone platform lay a stack of yellowed contracts; he picked up the stack, flipped through it, and pulled out one.

That was the arms supply agreement he signed with Freedom's Wings, bearing both parties' seals, clearly stating the quantity, type, and delivery time of each batch of equipment.

Rat King stared at the paper, silent for a few seconds.

Then he brought the contract to the candle.

The flame licked the paper, gradually consuming the ink.

Black ash drifted down, landing on the platform and on his trembling hand.

"Come here."

A little mouse ran in.

"Notify Freedom's Wings," Rat King said, "Starting today, the arms factory will stop supplying them any equipment. The deposit already paid will be refunded threefold."

The little mouse froze: "King! This..."

"Do it."

The little mouse dared not ask further, accepted the order and ran out.

Rat King stood before the platform, watching the contract turn completely to ash.

He lifted his head, looking at the clear sky outside the window.

"Wu Ya," he murmured, "This is the last time I help you; you'd better not let me down."

……

Black Feather northern defense line.

Cheng Shuili stood behind cover, watching the opposite side's movements.

Freedom's Wings personnel have reorganized their defense line, but they are not continuing the attack, merely standoff with Black Feather.

"Boss," Ailin came over, "Why aren't they moving?"

Cheng Shuili didn't answer, just looked opposite.

After a few seconds, she suddenly laughed.

"Because they are waiting."

Ailin startled: "Waiting for what?"

"Waiting for supplies," Cheng Shuili said, "Their ammunition is running low."