Starforce Warriors

Chapter 290: -1 Karma

It wasn’t until twenty minutes later, when both Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying had returned to the office, that Li Xiaofei glanced at the mini light core and saw twenty missed calls from Ning Wuwo.

Li Xiaofei slapped his forehead in frustration.

Damn.

He had completely forgotten about the Martial Arts Conference.

Does this mean I’ve chosen love over power?

Without wasting another second, he quickly dialed Ning Wuwo back.

***

Finally, the phone rang. Ning Wuwo, drenched in sweat and on the verge of cursing, saw Li Xiaofei’s name pop up on his caller ID.

“Oh, thank the heavens.” He muttered in his local dialect before quickly answering the call. “Brother, you nearly gave your old pal a heart attack! You’re on your way, right?”

“No, just finished a workout. Totally slipped my mind,” Li Xiaofei replied casually. “Is everyone there?”

Ning Wuwo felt a wave of frustration as his mind went for a moment. “Yeah, everyone’s here; thirty-four gangs, not a single one missing. But, brother, their patience is wearing thin. They’ve been waiting for a while and are getting a bit rowdy. I’m having a hard time keeping things under control.”

“If anyone keeps complaining, cut them up and feed them to the dogs,” Li Xiaofei said nonchalantly.

Ning Wuwo fell silent, unsure how to respond to that.

“I’ve got an important guest to entertain today, so I can’t make it,” Li Xiaofei added.

“Don’t do this to me, brother! We had a deal...” Ning Wuwo blurted out, panicking. Something like this couldn’t just be postponed at the last minute.

Li Xiaofei continued, "Don't worry. There's no need for me to be there in person. Just connect the light core for a live projection. I'll address the big shots myself. As long as the deal is done, my physical presence isn't necessary."

Ning Wuwo, left with no other option, reluctantly agreed and set things up. Before long, Li Xiaofei's lifelike virtual image appeared in the center of the meeting hall, as vivid and real as if he were standing there.

The entire room fell silent.

"Today, I’ve called you all here for one reason," Li Xiaofei's virtual image spoke as he surveyed the crowd. "There are far too many gangs in Liuhe Base City, and the chaos and infighting have been going on for too long. It disrupts social stability, damages the city’s image, and doesn’t help any of you make real money. Small skirmishes won’t get you anywhere. Only by uniting can we do great things."

The normally ruthless and rebellious gang leaders sat like obedient students, paying full attention.

Li Xiaofei continued, "So, starting today, the Martial Alliance of Liuhe Base City is officially established, and I’ll be the first leader. That’s it. I’ve said my piece. Who’s in favor? Who’s against?"

Ning Wuwo broke out in a cold sweat.

This is way too blunt. These are hardened warriors who lived and died by the sword. They are strong-willed, rebellious and are used to fighting for their own survival. Who would submit to something this forcefully imposed?

Ning Wuwo covered his face, bracing for a backlash. But he was quickly taken aback by the chorus of voices from the gang leaders.

“I agree.”

“Agreed.”

“My Flying Eagle Gang is the first to support President—no, Alliance Leader Li.”

“Exactly! Anyone who opposes Alliance Leader Li is an enemy of the Roaring Tiger Gang.”

“Haha, I’ve long wanted to join the Cloudy Sky Gang. Thank you, President Li, for giving me this chance.”

“From now on, I’ll follow President Li's lead in everything.”

“Agreed.”

One by one, the once fearsome and ruthless gang leaders, known for their bloody deeds, turned into obedient lambs as they rushed to pledge their loyalty. Each seemed more eager than the next.

Ning Wuwo could only stand there, speechless.

What the...?!

The nearly ninety-year-old man couldn’t help but curse under his breath. He felt like the karma he’d painstakingly built over the years was rapidly depleting, with a constant -1-1-1-1-1 flashing before his eyes.

Ning Wuwo realized he had severely underestimated Li Xiaofei’s influence in the city. Li Xiaofei wasn’t just a typical gang leader anymore. He was a top-tier player, whose words could shift the entire landscape. With just a few simple sentences, Li Xiaofei had accomplished what countless gang leaders, heroes, and warlords hadn’t managed to do in nearly a century.

“Well then, since everyone is being so cooperative, it’s settled,” Li Xiaofei said with a satisfied nod. “From now on, Ning Wuwo will serve as the Vice Leader of the Martial Alliance. He’ll inform you of the rules, and handle the day-to-day affairs. If there’s any problem he can’t solve, I’ll step in personally. Let me make one thing clear. If anyone tries to act against the alliance or break the rules, you can look to Tianyu Palace as an example of what will follow.”

With that, the virtual projection vanished. It was only after the projection disappeared that the gang leaders finally exhaled like they had been granted amnesty. They turned to Ning Wuwo with a newfound warmth and enthusiasm in their eyes.

"Old Ning, we’ll be counting on you to look after us from now on."

"Uncle Ning, do you remember when you held me when I was a kid and I peed all over your hand?"

"Old Ning, we’ve been pals for years; don’t forget us when you're making decisions now!"

Friendly faces surrounded Ning Wuwo, all smiles and pleasantries. The elderly man felt like he was floating on air.

Ah, the life of a Vice Leader... truly intoxicating.

***

"This is such a big moment for the gangs, and you're not attending?"

In the room, the young couple was still intertwined, with Tan Qingying draped over Li Xiaofei's back.

Li Xiaofei chuckled and replied, "No matter how big the event is, today’s most important thing is spending time with my little darling."

Tan Qingying was clearly pleased. After such an intimate connection the night before, women often become more emotionally vulnerable. She was no exception as she sought to keep her beloved by her side at every moment. It was even more so than before their relationship had deepened.

For the next half of the day, Li Xiaofei rode his motorcycle with Tan Qingying seated behind him as they sped through the streets and alleys of Liuhe Base City. Tan Qingying laughed joyfully, holding an old-fashioned camera and capturing many iconic buildings and landmarks across the city.

"I want to remember everything here forever," she said.

She was genuinely happy as her laughter echoed in the streets and alleys of the base city. As the sun began to set, the two made their way to the city walls, standing on the parapet of Section B12, gazing out over the wilderness.

The winter wilderness was cold and desolate. The scars from a recent battle were still clearly visible in the form of worthless star beast corpses covered in snow. By the time spring arrived and flowers bloomed, these bodies would turn into fertilizer, bringing lush greenery to the land.

"So beautiful," Tan Qingying remarked. "I almost feel like the wilderness is calling to me. It’s such a strange feeling."

Li Xiaofei remained silent.

Suddenly, a reproachful voice came from the side. "You shouldn't have turned off all your contact channels. You had your worried uncle search for you all day in the cold winter wind."

They turned to see a stern-looking middle-aged man with a square face, dressed in black, walking toward them with an angry expression.

"Enough fooling around, come back with me now." The man said to Tan Qingying.

At the same time, he glanced at Li Xiaofei in undisguised disdain and hostility.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om