Under Xuan's guidance, Zhang Jie roughly described the two settings of the God's Dimension: the guide and the team leader.
"I wonder if you all understand my meaning? One is the team leader, and the other is the guide. Logically speaking, these should be two different people, and once the team leader appears, the guide is supposed to disappear."
Fearing that the others might miss his point, Zhang Jie dropped heavy hints and deliberately emphasized his words.
Xia Ren raised a hand and interrupted, "Isn't it just a bug? Even something as almighty as the God can have a bug. Don't you guys think that's hilarious?"
No one else found it funny.
Xuan's glasses flashed frantically as he said calmly, "Only when the bug disappears can the China Team become a normal team. Otherwise, there's no telling what kind of extreme measures the God might take to fix the bug."
"Why! Why does it have to be like this?!"
Zheng Zha's brain was practically on the verge of overloading; he never expected this matter to be so complicated.
Having said everything, Zhang Jie looked somewhat absent-minded. Had he known this mission would spell his doom, he would have brought Na'er along as well.
He took a deep breath and said in a low voice:
"Xia Ren, whether you're satisfied or not, I've said all that needs to be said. To be honest, ever since that bug appeared, I knew death sooner or later was inevitable for me."
Panic, terror, dread, and similar emotions had long since passed. All that remained were resentment and resignation.
"For me, every day I live is a day I've stolen. If you're determined not to let me go, then send Zheng Zha over too. After confirming a team leader, the guide can raise their gene lock level by one tier."
Xia Ren's face darkened. "Wrong answer!"
"Red Queen, initiate the escape pod's self-destruct mechanism and blow this moron to hell."
"Xia Ren!!"
Zheng Zha's eyes turned crimson once again as he roared, "Why! Why must you do this?! Jie-ge has his reasons!!"
"You bastard, do you have even an ounce of humanity in you!?"
"Hahahaha, muahaha~~"
Xia Ren burst into laughter, pointing at Zheng Zha and shouting loudly:
"Why are you yelling so loud? Making it sound like you're the good guy here?"
"This guy Zhang Jie is a scumbag who screws over his teammates. To ensure his own survival, he deliberately withheld information and got people killed one after another."
"In our previous horror movies, where did all those newbies go? Why don't you ask your good Jie-ge?"
"You! You!!"
Zheng Zha froze instantly, his mouth twitching, his face turning beet red, unable to squeeze out a single word.
Xia Ren sneered:
"Get the situation straight, you're the villain here. Yours truly is the righteous ally of justice eliminating pests! If anyone's going to shout, it's me. What makes you so righteous?"
Never in his wildest dreams did Xia Ren think he would actually stand on the side of justice, and all thanks to the company he kept!
At that moment, Xuan said calmly:
"Zhang Jie's actions should be considered emergency avoidance. In a life-or-death crisis, one's own life takes precedence over the lives of others."
Xia Ren shot him a speechless look and said, "Aren't you just the smart one? Then tell Zhang Jie, what exactly did he do wrong?"
Xuan pushed up his glasses and stepped directly in front of the camera.
The clever Red Queen immediately caught on, filling every screen on Zhang Jie's end with a close-up of his massive face.
Xuan said, "Zhang Jie, you've misunderstood. Do you think Xia Ren cares how many newbies you got killed?"
"??"
Zhang Jie raised his head in a daze, staring at Xuan's entire face dominating the screen.
The signal was poor, making it somewhat distorted.
At this point, even someone as dim-witted as Zhan Lan finally understood. She shouted toward the screen:
"Jie-ge! Xia Ren just said he wants you to give him a satisfactory explanation! It has nothing to do with whatever bad things you did in the past!"
Satisfactory?
Zhang Jie thought to himself, how can I satisfy Xia Ren? Having known him for so long, he seemed exceptionally interested in other people's wives. Did he want me to hand over Na'er......?
He shook his head fiercely and said:
"Xia Ren, just name what you want."
"I want you!"
"Huh?" Zhang Jie was shocked; he couldn't possibly allow that!
"Be my lackey!"
"Phew......"
So that was it......
"However, considering you're so capable, I've decided to show you some respect and give you a new title. How does 'teammate' sound?"
"I......"
"As for your bug problem...... Xuan, I order you to come up with five solutions immediately."
Without even pausing to think, Xuan replied directly:
"First, we can consider starting with the God itself, using the side quests and reward points you mentioned to hire it to solve the problem......"
"Can that actually work?" Zhang Jie asked uncertainly.
"Have you tried it? I don't mean asking directly, but rather through indirect means."
"How the hell would I dare ask the God! I've been terrified of getting caught, okay?" Zhang Jie broke out in a cold sweat, thinking, What kind of insane logic is this? Isn't this just asking for death?
"Second, we can attempt to strip away your soul through a special exchange......"
"Third......"
Xuan rattled off a string of solutions, making Zhang Jie's eyes light up as he bombarded him with questions. The way he looked at Xuan was the exact same way he looked at Na'er.
"All right, save that talk for when we get back. Zhang Jie, I'll give you one more chance."
Xia Ren interrupted the two of them, who were practically generating romantic sparks, and asked:
"Now, you speak, I listen. If you want to live, if you want to protect your wife, and if you want to eventually free her from the God's control, say something that satisfies me."
Zhang Jie put on a solemn expression and spoke in a powerful, resounding voice:
"I, Jie, have drifted through life for half my existence, only regretting that I never met a true lord. If Your Excellency does not disdain me, I am willing to acknowledge you as our team leader."
"Splendid, splendid, splendid! Winning Zhang Jie today is just like Lü Bu joining Dong Zhuo in the old days."
Xia Ren was immensely pleased and burst into hearty laughter.
He then looked at Xuan on the side and asked:
"Xuan, you've got a sharp mind. Are you willing to submit to my command?"
With that, he pulled a pistol from his pocket, pointed it at Xuan with an unfriendly look, as if the gun might go off at the slightest hint of an incorrect answer.
A flash of cold light crossed Xuan's glasses.
"I am."
"Hahahaha! Splendid, splendid! Winning Xuan today is just like Cao Cao gaining Sima Yi!"
"With Sima Yi for civil affairs and Lü Bu for martial might, why worry that our great cause won't succeed!"
"A mere God is easily within our grasp!"