Apocalypse: Launching a Counterattack Against the Villainess

Page 149

"You were able to defeat it using your own abilities, and that feat speaks for itself."

"If we fight with equal abilities, in my opinion, you only need to be slightly serious to push that rabble to their limit."

“Uh…” Nie Qingyun was speechless for a moment.

Anyone receiving such unreserved praise would likely feel flattered, let alone a proud and arrogant woman like Qin Hehuan.

However, to be fair, if Nie Qingyun had possessed the [Delusion Vision] when he fought Liu Chengyuan, he would have been absolutely confident of achieving a crushing victory.

To give an imperfect analogy, the battle was like a bare-handed person fighting a chimpanzee wielding a forty-meter-long sword.

After a moment of silence, Nie Qingyun spoke frankly:

"So, how do we enter the [Trial]?"

"Of course I have a way," Qin Hehuan said, slightly raising her face.

"But I can only tell you that if you agree to stand on the same side as me."

When she arrived, Nie Qingyun knew that this woman wouldn't reveal so much valuable information for no reason.

Now, it's time to make the final decision.

Chapter 193: You would be very upset if you were forcibly kissed by a bad woman, right?

From any perspective, given the current situation, cooperating with Qin Hehuan is the best solution.

Not only will the young lady's safety be guaranteed, but she will also receive considerable help from Qin Hehuan in improving her strength in the future.

Furthermore, the two shared the same vision: Qin Hehuan wanted to build her own kingdom, while Nie Qingyun wanted a place to live far away from strife.

Undeniably, the woman in front of me is very good at persuading others.

Whether it's offering benefits or the timing of extending an olive branch, it's something no one can refuse.

After a brief moment of thought, Nie Qingyun sighed, raised his eyes, and said:

Please take care of me in the future.

Upon hearing this, the coldness in Qin Hehuan's eyes immediately melted away, and she looked quite smug.

But before she could speak, Nie Qingyun continued:

"But there are a few things I need to make clear to you beforehand."

"This is the basis for our cooperation."

"Go ahead," Qin Hehuan said without hesitation.

Nie Qingyun gathered his thoughts and said:

"I need some time to verify whether what you just said is true."

"In the meantime, I will respond to your requests as appropriate."

“If I discover that your plans pose a threat to the safety of Cheng Yuqiu and others around me, our cooperation will end immediately.”

"Hmm... Also, you're not allowed to leave those strange marks on me... I mean, [Soul Imprint]."

"Also, take back the 'mark' on the young lady's body."

"I can agree to all the previous requests," Qin Hehuan said, then changed her tone:

"But I can't take back the 'mark' that has already been applied to the target for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Nie Qingyun raised an eyebrow, but didn't dwell on the matter further, changing the subject:

"Now, can we talk about the [Trial Entrance]?"

Having received a positive response from Nie Qingyun, Qin Hehuan no longer held back and immediately began to explain:

"Experimental Building".

“There is a monster of the ‘leader’ level there.”

"If you successfully defeat it, it will drop a consumable item called [Time-Space Visa]."

"Once we have this item, we can actively enter the [Trial]."

Nie Qingyun's pupils contracted.

Qin Hehuan wanted to go to the experimental building, which was indeed related to this monster.

"Not only that," Qin Hehuan continued:

"Those who hold a time-space visa will never engage in a zero-sum game during the [Trial]."

Upon hearing this, Nie Qingyun's interest was immediately piqued.

A "zero-sum game," also known as a zero-sum game, is a concept in game theory, as opposed to a non-zero-sum game. It refers to a non-cooperative game in which, under strict competition, one party's gain necessarily means another party's loss, and the sum of the gains and losses of all parties is always zero, thus eliminating the possibility of cooperation between the two parties.

Therefore, it can be inferred that if he and the young lady became the "chosen ones" of the [Trial] under duress, they would likely be forced to become enemies due to the restrictions of the rules!

Because of his limited understanding of the [Trial], Nie Qingyun had not thought of this before.

At this moment, this piece of information alone is of a value to him that cannot be measured by the [Primordial Crystal].

Just then, Qin Hehuan's voice came from in front of him again.

"As long as you, me, and Cheng Yuqiu all hold the [Time-Space Visa], we will definitely be assigned to the same [Trial], and there will definitely be conditions for the three of us to win together."

"how?"

"I am now showing you my full sincerity regarding cooperation."

This was indeed true; this intelligence was crucial to Nie Qingyun, yet he still felt a sliver of doubt.

"Aren't you afraid I'll secretly go and kill that monster, then come back with the spoils and extort a fortune from you?"

"Are you such a short-sighted person?" Qin Hehuan asked with a smile, then resumed her superior attitude.

"Don't think it's that simple. That monster is not comparable to a zombie."

"It can be called a 'leader' because it has special mechanisms and skills."

"It's simply not something that can be dealt with by individual strength alone."

Now, Nie Qingyun was truly curious about Qin Hehuan. This woman not only knew a lot of information about the [Trial], but she also had a certain level of knowledge about the leader monster.

Does she also have a "post-apocalyptic survival guide"?

Nie Qingyun immediately rejected this idea. He had previously researched that the "Apocalypse Survival Guide" was a unique item, and there was only one of its kind.

Qin Hehuan must have had some other, unknown channels for obtaining information.

Nie Qingyun nodded noncommittally, then said:

"So what are your plans next?"

"Expand human resources," Qin Hehuan said, raising her eyes. Her words always exuded the aura of a superior.

"Starting from the main building, we will continuously expand the controllable area outward, accept survivors, and help them activate the [Data System]."

"Then gradually begin to occupy all the [resource supply centers] and control the resources."

"In this way, we can not only learn more about the location of each 'boss monster,' but also use these people to test their skills, creating favorable conditions for our next battle."

"Nie Qingyun".

Qin Hehuan solemnly called out the other person's name, her expression icy as she said:

"I need you to help me achieve a monopoly on violence and oppression."

It wasn't until he met Qin Hehuan's chilling eyes again that Nie Qingyun suddenly remembered that this woman was devoid of emotion.

All her actions stemmed from considerations of self-interest.

In her eyes, people are always tools with a price tag.

This is a long-standing drawback of family-style education.

People who grow up in this environment possess an extremely strong sense of mission and will plan a bright future for humanity.

They believe in the role of reason in social progress and firmly believe that human progress can be designed.

She may love humanity, but she would never project that feeling onto any specific person.

From the day she was born, Qin Hehuan was destined to become this kind of person.

She doesn't even have the right to choose her own life.

Subconsciously, a hint of pity appeared in Nie Qingyun's eyes.

However, this subtle change in expression did not escape Qin Hehuan's notice.

"You're pitying me?!"

Suddenly, Qin Hehuan, who was usually calm and composed, asked a question.

His voice, though slightly out of control, carried a subtle tremor.

She shouldn't have lost her composure like that.

But the other person's eyes were both clear and sincere.

This made Qin Hehuan feel as if something buried deep in her heart had been spied on.

She wouldn't allow herself to show the slightest weakness, so her attitude became even tougher, her expression as cold as if it were covered in frost.

However, a second later, Nie Qingyun suddenly chuckled, completely different from the serious and aloof young man he had been just moments before.

He looked at the luscious red lips so close to his face and said in a slightly flirtatious tone:

"I was thinking... if I suddenly kissed you at a time like this... would you kill me immediately?"

Perhaps because she was too excited just now, Qin Hehuan realized that she and Nie Qingyun had gotten very close without her noticing, their noses almost touching.

The slightly suffocating atmosphere dissipated as a result.

A moment later, Qin Hehuan suddenly curled the corners of her lips into a smile, and her tone was no longer cold.

"try it yourself."

Now it was Nie Qing's turn to feel awkward. He had just wanted to change the subject, but he forgot that Qin Hehuan was not the kind of woman who would get shy if teased.

Speaking of which, Qin Hehuan looks much better when she smiles than usual.

In terms of appearance alone, she is no worse than Cheng Yuqiu, but because she always exudes an aura that keeps strangers at a distance, people habitually keep their distance.

But Nie Qingyun dared not actually kiss him; that would be tantamount to deliberately committing suicide.

Just as he was wondering how to end things, Qin Hehuan took the initiative to make a move.

She suddenly raised her hand, grabbed Nie Qingyun's collar, and slowly pulled it down until their eyes were level.

He then leaned even closer and asked in a slightly threatening tone:

"If you were forcibly kissed by a bad woman you don't like, you would definitely be very upset, right?"

Chapter 194: Get Out of Here!

An unexpectedly absurd question.

If it were an ordinary person, they might pretend to be very unwilling or scared, while secretly hoping that the other person would actually kiss them.

But Nie Qingyun didn't think that way. He understood Qin Hehuan, or rather, the other person was very similar to his former self.

I'm used to building a barrier in my heart that shuts everything out, to protect those vulnerable parts of my heart.

Despite being proficient in many social skills, she never opens her heart to anyone.

Once something that has been sealed away is touched, it becomes exceptionally sensitive.

Nie Qingyun originally thought that Qin Hehuan didn't have such a thing; he thought that this woman's heart was made of stone.

But at this moment, the fact that the other person's hands were still trembling slightly was enough to show that the hint of sympathy he had inadvertently revealed earlier had triggered a reaction in this proud woman's pride.

Just as Nie Qingyun had thought.

Qin Hehuan was torn.

She doesn't need anyone's understanding or sympathy; she firmly believes that everything she does is right and just.

At the same time, he is troubled by his own personality flaws.

Of all the people she had met in the past, none did not hold her in high esteem, and few even dared to look her in the eye when speaking.

But for some reason, Nie Qingyun noticed these hidden things.