"On this point, I have no doubt," Zhan Wushuang nodded slightly, "but..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of footsteps echoed in everyone's ears, and a slight smile crept onto Zhan Wushuang's lips.
Instinctively, most people turned their heads towards the source of the footsteps, and then all kinds of complex emotions flashed in those gazes.
Many had the sa question in their minds, "He actually dared to co?"
Of course, Chu Ge dared to co. He even felt that Zhan Wushuang's call was directed at him. The ten-day deadline hadn't arrived yet, so theoretically, even if he was bouncing around the island, swaggering in front of those who wanted his head, they wouldn't lay a finger on him. With Zhan Wushuang stationed on this Tongsheng Association's cruise ship, it was simply the largest safe zone. Why wouldn't he dare to co?
Chu Ge casually tossed the M4 carbine he had conveniently acquired to a steward at the cabin entrance. Under the gaze that seed eager to pierce him with a thousand holes and so other more aningful glances, he unabashedly bathed in their attention, walking unhurriedly to a table and sitting down calmly.
The man dressed in ninja attire stared at Chu Ge for a few seconds, then turned his gaze back to Zhan Wushuang, speaking in sowhat stiff English, "Mr. Zhan, it seems the person you were waiting for has arrived?"
Zhan Wushuang was indeed waiting for Chu Ge. Furthermore, he invited the people on the island to the ship for talks, partly to earn so benefits for Chu Ge. He believed Chu Ge would be happy to accept, even if this might make others unhappy; at least, it shouldn't be to the extent they couldn't accept it.
"Everyone."
Zhan Wushuang didn't respond to the ninja individually but placed a wine glass on the table, using two words to attract everyone's attention. Though he gazed straight ahead, anyone looking at him would feel as if his attention was focused on them.
"Although you may have so understanding of our Tongsheng Association, please allow to make so small clarifications."
With a slight upward curve on his lips, Zhan Wushuang finally stood up from his chair.
"Promoting charity and philanthropic ideas, and the spirit of virtue, pursuing the aning of human survival, these have been the guiding principles of our Tongsheng Association since its inception. Although I personally regret the event that is about to happen the day after tomorrow, I respect Mr. Chu Ge's choice and must admit that on everyone's, and even humanity's path forward, so battles are indeed unavoidable for various reasons."
Everyone listened quietly, though many secretly sneered, mocked, and showed disdain and bewildernt.
"As a witness and arbitrator of this battle, I, as a mber of the Tongsheng Association, want to negotiate a few matters with you all. First, considering the issue of food and fresh water, I hope you can agree on a reasonable duration for this battle."
This was indeed a matter worth discussing. Those present, and those not present, ca from all over the world. Even if they were to fight, they still needed to eat and drink. Furthermore, the battle itself was an extrely physically and ntally exhausting task, naturally requiring more food and water daily.
With different thoughts in mind, no one responded to Zhan Wushuang imdiately.
Zhan Wushuang had evidently anticipated such a situation. He smiled lightly and said, "It seems that everyone here has realized the importance of this issue. So...how about three days?"
"Three days?"
Many subconsciously repeated the words; so frowned in thought, so looked around, and so remained expressionless. anwhile, most were subtly observing everyone else's reactions.
"Yes, three days," Zhan Wushuang nodded. "I believe you've seen that this island isn't large and its terrain isn't overly complex. I have no doubt that three days will be ample for you to achieve many things, right?"
With a slight pause in his speech, Zhan Wushuang added, "Of course, this is rely my personal judgnt of what's most reasonable, and the decision to accept my suggestion is in your hands. So why don't we follow the principle of majority rule and conduct an open, fair, and just vote, shall we?"
On the surface, Zhan Wushuang seed to be asking, but in reality, he was presenting a choice to everyone present from what appeared to be an objective standpoint.
After all, those present ca from all parts of the world. Most of them hadn't even t each other, let alone heard of one another. In such a situation, they had no leading figure they could trust, so who could make decisions for others?
Thus, by appearing as a representative of the Tongsheng Association and as a neutral party, Zhan Wushuang had more authority. As long as his suggestions were reasonable, following him wasn't a bad choice.
After another seven or eight seconds passed, no objections were raised. Just when Zhan Wushuang was about to say sothing more, the sa man dressed as a ninja finally broke the silence.
"Mr. Zhan, according to your proposal, after this battle lasts for three days..."
The ninja's hoarse voice abruptly stopped there, but the implication was clear, even though he already knew the answer. He still wanted to hear what exactly Zhan Wushuang had to say.
This ti, Zhan Wushuang did not ignore the ninja's voice. He smiled lightly and said, "Regardless of life or death, all grievances between you and Mr. Chu Ge will be written off. For ten years, no harm shall co to both parties and their family and friends. If such a thing happens, the Tongsheng Association will pursue it to the end. Do you have any objections?"
"Heh..."
The ninja let out a strange laugh, glanced sideways at Chu Ge not far away, and said nothing more. However, his icy, mocking eyes clearly conveyed an intention.
That was: "You can run all you want for these three days, but no matter how much you run, we'll find you and tear you to pieces!"
Faced with this cold gaze, Chu Ge's response was...no response, as if this pre-battle eting had nothing to do with his life or death. He ca here just to pass the ti.
"Mr. Chu Ge, do you have any objections?" Zhan Wushuang turned his attention to Chu Ge.
"No objections." Chu Ge shrugged, scratched his head, and said, "It's just that I don't know if I'll survive these three days. I'm really a bit scared."
Although he claid to be scared, the expression on his face and the tone of his voice clearly showed a significant disconnect from the word "scared," prompting many around him to sneer, either openly or covertly.
Zhan Wushuang nodded, looking around the room. "Does anyone else have any objections?"
No one responded. As Zhan Wushuang had ntioned, the island is small, and the terrain is not complex. Even if they didn't collaborate in any way, the sheer number of them would be enough to kill Chu Ge countless tis over.
Anyone who voices doubt now would undoubtedly beco a laughingstock, even if no one said anything verbally, they would certainly harbor so thoughts.
For instance: "Look at that coward, so terrified of Chu Ge. Which faction is that coward from? It's utterly disgraceful!"
Yes, that's what the majority thought, even though every single one of them had to admit Chu Ge was formidable. However, as the saying goes, ants can kill an elephant. One might not be able to defeat Chu Ge, and neither two nor three nor five might, but surely, with so many of them, they could?
At the end of the day, even exhaustion would kill Chu Ge!
After finishing discussing the most crucial matter, Zhan Wushuang brought up so other topics and finally proposed organizing a dinner party here as the last peaceful dinner before the decisive battle.
Many chose not to stay for the dinner, but Chu Ge did, eating with much enthusiasm, or like a starving ghost reincarnated, gulping down at and juice, eating with great satisfaction.
Initially, Zhan Wushuang intended to have a few drinks with Chu Ge, but Chu Ge declined, explaining that "we'll drink after this battle is over."
As for Chu Ge's statent, many who stayed ostensibly to dine but were actually monitoring Chu Ge, fearing any shady dealings between him and Zhan Wushuang, scoffed.
To them, it was re wishful thinking. How could Chu Ge possibly survive these three days?
No matter how well he hid, in a matter of hours, he would be dragged out, then riddled with bullets, or hacked into mince.
After a satisfying feast, Chu Ge took two roast chickens and two plates of braised beef, patted his belly, and contently left the small Tongsheng Association cruise ship.
"You better enjoy these als, for soon, you'll have no chance to taste such things again."
Watching Chu Ge's departing figure, many coldly thought to themselves.
The moon fell and the sun rose.
Today was the tenth day. When the sun and moon et again, a life-and-death battle will comnce.
On this day, the entire island was exceptionally calm, even the sounds of insects and birds seed significantly quieter.
The moon rose once again, a full moon, bright and cold like a giant silver platter.
Under the frost-white moonlight were faces that were either sinister, fervent, or calm; in their hands were deadly weapons, emitting a cold, dangerous gleam under the moonlight.
Zhan Wushuang sat inside the cabin, gazing at the deserted island before the storm with a complicated expression, sighing softly.
When the sun rises, this place will beco a battlefield awash with blood.
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