Chapter 155 A Perfect Duo Like a Comedy Act

Chapter 155: A Perfectly Coordinated Act

Clearly, none of the four teams were pleased with Director Zhang’s proposed distribution. Even when he invoked the needs of other branches of the China Special Operations Bureau, their resolve remained unshaken. This was an intelligent dungeon of unknown nature; to be the first to explore it was, in essence, to risk their lives. Naturally, they couldn't agree to such an absurdly unfair distribution after putting their lives on the line.

Everyone present had come for substantial rewards. If the gains were meager, why would they volunteer to be pioneers in an uncharted dungeon? They weren't altruistic, lacking the self-sacrificing spirit of the Buddha who fed his own flesh to a hungry eagle.

Once again, Sha Hongsheng couldn't hold back. He was the first to step forward and voice his objection. "Director Zhang, this distribution is highly unreasonable. If this is the arrangement, why did we even bother coming here?"

Director Zhang sighed helplessly. "Indeed. You are all independent operatives, and your perspectives aren't quite aligned with the bigger picture. How about this, then? I've prepared an alternative plan: our Special Operations Bureau takes four shares, and you take six. A fair and equitable distribution, wouldn't you say?"

Sha Hongsheng: "...This distribution isn't ideal either. After all, our four teams are in competition. An equal distribution among competing teams would actually be unfair."

...

The two engaged in a fierce back-and-forth, leaving no room for anyone else to interject. The others could only watch, dazed, until their debate concluded. Only then did they perk up their ears to listen intently to the final distribution agreement.

The outcome of their discussion was as follows: This intelligent dungeon had a strict participant limit. A maximum of three people beyond the required number of fragments could enter, totaling 24 individuals. However, since the Special Operations Bureau provided the fragments, they held priority. Each of the four teams could bring in four members, with the remaining eight slots filled by agents from the Special Operations Bureau.

As for items obtained within the dungeon, it was "to each their own"—whoever acquired it, kept it. Similarly, whoever completed a task and cleared the dungeon would receive the clearance rewards. The sole condition was that they had to carry Recording Stones to document the dungeon's clearance strategies for the Special Operations Bureau's research.

Compared to the initial proposal, this final agreement represented a significant concession from Director Zhang's side. The shift from an average distribution to a "whoever has the ability, takes it" approach was a massive difference!

Or perhaps, Director Zhang had planned this final agreement all along, and the initial, outrageous proposal was merely a tactic to set a high baseline, ensuring the smooth acceptance of the ultimate terms.

The more Hua Diao pondered this possibility, the more logical it seemed. No wonder something had felt off earlier, especially with Sha Hongsheng. He appeared to be a stern, serious man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, not someone who would impulsively step forward. Yet, just now, he and Director Zhang had played off each other like a comedy duo.

Could it be that they had colluded beforehand?

Noticing her gaze, Xie Tingsheng, beside her, ruffled her hair and chuckled softly, leaning close to her ear to provide an explanation. "Sha Hongsheng used to serve in the military under Director Zhang. Their relationship is quite close, possibly even a former superior-subordinate dynamic."

Hua Diao turned to look at him. "Goodness! He truly lives up to his reputation as the CEO who can simply declare, 'I want all this person's information.' He investigates people so thoroughly!"

However, since this final agreement was acceptable and quite reasonable, neither of them exposed the potential setup, agreeing to the distribution plan.

The Peanut Squad and Roaring Tiger Team had only brought four members each, so no further selection was needed. The Flying Wolf and Gale teams, having brought more people, were currently in the process of choosing their participants.

Meanwhile, the Special Operations Bureau's team was already selected. Led by Lin Xiaobao, Da Bao, Er Bao, San Bao, and four other individuals entered the conference room one by one.

Unlike Lin Xiaobao's composure, Da Bao, Er Bao, and San Bao couldn't contain their excitement upon seeing Hua Diao. Their eyes lit up, and they eagerly glanced her way, only to be stopped by Lin Xiaobao. They pouted but remained reluctantly in place.

Xie Tingsheng keenly noticed this. His phoenix eyes swept over the three identical, eager faces, a hint of inquiry in their depths. Triplets?

"Now that everyone's selections are complete, let's prepare to depart," Lin Xiaobao announced, stepping forward with the assembled fragments. His gentle voice carried an undeniable authority.

The noisy conference room instantly fell silent. Even the talkative members of the Flying Wolf and Gale teams quickly quieted down, their eyes fixed intently on his hands as he pieced together the fragments.

Twenty-one fragments fit together seamlessly under his nimble fingers, forming a complete image without the slightest hesitation.

Hua Diao, still held securely by Xie Tingsheng, leaned forward slightly to examine the picture. It depicted a woman in an extravagant black dress, reclining seductively on a massive black tree. Her figure was graceful, her expression enchanting, with a pair of captivating, amethyst eyes that seemed to gaze directly at the viewer with a playful smile—both alluring and dangerous, irresistibly charming, and possessing a fatal attraction.

Behind her, a pair of delicate demon wings, thin as cicada wings, shimmered faintly, while a black, heart-tipped tail swayed restlessly from her raised hips.

With these two distinctive features, the identity of this alluring, dangerous woman in black was immediately apparent: she was a succubus, a mature one.

Before Hua Diao could lean closer to examine the giant black tree beside her, the fragments suddenly erupted in a blinding white light, forming a violent vortex that sent everyone in the room staggering.

"Let's go."

Lin Xiaobao, along with his three brothers and the four agents assigned by the Special Operations Bureau, jumped into the vortex one after another, like dumplings dropping into boiling water. Seeing this, Hua Diao pulled Xie Tingsheng, He Yongxin, and Zhu Bin along to follow.

The other three teams, fearing they would miss a good opportunity if they delayed, also scrambled to jump in.

Once all twenty-four individuals had entered the vortex, it gradually dissipated, leaving only overturned chairs as evidence of what had just transpired.

Director Zhang and the few remaining in the conference room watched the spot where the vortex had vanished, their faces grim, brows furrowed with deep concern. However, this dungeon exploration was imperative, so despite their worries, they had to send people.

Director Zhang's expression was serious as he gave an order: "Leave one person here. The moment anyone returns, report immediately."

"Yes, Director."

Unlike entering other dungeons, the moment they leaped into the vortex, everyone felt an immediate dizziness, quickly followed by unconsciousness. Even Xie Tingsheng, with his exceptional willpower and physical strength, was no exception. Although he fought to stay awake, his heavy eyelids slowly closed. Before completely losing consciousness, he used his last ounce of strength to tightly embrace the person in his arms, hoping they wouldn't be separated.