“Would I ever deceive you?” Nie Yan smiled. He was well aware of the skills of people like Zhai Hao, Li Rui, and Liu Xuchen. They weren’t top-tier players, but they were decent. If they ran a few more dungeons with people like Cui Can Dao Guang and Shui Se Yan Tou, they could quickly improve their gear. Even if they couldn’t become top-tier players, they could easily secure second-tier positions within the Bull Player Tribe, just like people like Shao Bing.
The Bull Player Tribe had no shortage of skilled players, but it lacked reliable commanders in key positions, and the loyalty of the lower ranks was uncertain. Nie Yan needed a group of people he could trust completely, people who would be absolutely loyal to him. It would be problematic if spies from other guilds infiltrated these positions.
If Zhai Hao, Li Rui, and Liu Xuchen hadn’t earned their places in the Bull Player Tribe through their own merits, Nie Yan wouldn’t have broken the tribe’s rules to let them in through the back door. Since they had entered based on their abilities, it proved they had some talent.
“Just let us know whenever you need us,” Zhai Hao said. Li Rui and Liu Xuchen beside him nodded earnestly.
“I can’t appoint people based on personal connections and break the Bull Player Tribe’s rules. I can only ask some teams within the guild to help train you. If you need equipment, just speak up. Whatever is available in the guild warehouse can be provided to you. However, whether you can rise up the ranks depends entirely on your own abilities. Promoting you won’t be effective unless you can earn the respect of others,” Nie Yan replied. He was principled—equipment in the guild warehouse belonged to him, and he could distribute it freely. However, personnel matters required rules and order. If he himself broke the Bull Player Tribe’s rules, chaos would ensue among the members.
“I understand,” Zhai Hao nodded.
“As long as you know, I won’t say more. If you can establish yourselves within the Bull Player Tribe, I’ll be proud too,” Nie Yan said. He had high expectations for Zhai Hao, Li Rui, and Liu Xuchen, given their past camaraderie.
Nie Yan planned to have Zhai Hao, Li Rui, and Liu Xuchen train under players like Cui Can Dao Guang and Shui Se Yan Tou for a while. As for how far they could climb, it would depend entirely on their own abilities.
The performance ended, and Nie Yan and Xie Yao walked toward the classroom with Zhai Hao, Xia Ling, and others. Their classmates had already gathered in the classroom.
As the group entered the classroom, Nie Yan glanced around. In a distant corner, Jiang Yingyu, still dressed in her peacock dance costume, had not yet changed. Liu Rui and his circle of friends were gathered there, and upon seeing Nie Yan, they all cast hostile glances.
Liu Rui had also entered the First Military Academy, so Nie Yan couldn’t help thinking that the days ahead wouldn’t be boring. Liu Rui probably wouldn’t dare to confront him directly, but someone like Liu Rui, a petty person, needed to be watched for any underhanded tricks.
“My grandfather has broken ties with Liu Rui’s family,” Xie Yao whispered to Nie Yan.
Nie Yan was startled, looking at Xie Yao with a slight frown.
“It’s okay, though. The Liu family has always been a thorn in my grandfather’s side. But after investing in the virtual game, there were some unexpected gains. No one in the Longyue Corporation expected the virtual game investment to be so profitable. As a result, everyone became envious and wanted a share. However, they’re dreaming if they think they can. My grandfather wants to use this opportunity to purge some people from the corporation,” Xie Yao explained, looking at Nie Yan gratefully. The Bull Player Tribe’s rapid development had enabled her grandfather to recover all his losses in Karol City and make a huge profit. Otherwise, the situation with the Longyue Corporation would be worrying, with internal conflicts from the Liu family and external threats from the Century Corporation. The tremendous success of the virtual game business had once again elevated Xie Yao’s grandfather’s position within the Longyue Corporation, making it unshakable.
Nie Yan pieced together the cause and effect in his mind. In his past life, Xie Yao had married Liu Rui, likely due to some unavoidable hardship, probably related to the internal divisions within the Longyue Corporation. After Xie Yao and Liu Rui married, they had a loveless marriage. Liu Rui had seemed very troubled, often drinking and seeking other women. Nie Yan and Yaoyao had become intimate in an underground chamber after their marriage, at which time Xie Yao had still been a virgin.
Some things clicked in Nie Yan’s mind. Given the strength of Xie Yao’s parents’ families, if Xie Yao didn’t like Liu Rui, she really didn’t need to feign affection for him. Liu Rui had married but lived alone, so it was no wonder he went out drinking and chasing women every day.
Xie Yao’s marriage to Liu Rui might have been a temporary measure orchestrated by her grandfather. Once he regained his strength, the Liu family would face dire consequences. A man like Xie Yao’s grandfather, who had climbed the ranks step by step, had encountered every kind of challenge imaginable. He would never tolerate rivals lying beside him in his own bed. Once Longyue Corporation stabilized, he would undoubtedly show no mercy to the Liu family. If Nie Yan were in the same position, he would not hesitate to eliminate the Liu family from Longyue Corporation and would certainly never allow his granddaughter to endure any injustice.
After understanding everything, Nie Yan laughed heartily, looking very pleased.
“What are you laughing at? What’s making you so happy?” Xie Yao asked, puzzled by Nie Yan’s sudden change in mood.
“Nothing. Your grandfather will handle this matter. You don’t need to worry about him.”
“Mm.” Xie Yao nodded.
“Remember what you just said. When we get home, dance the peacock dance for me,” Nie Yan whispered to Xie Yao.
Xie Yao’s cheeks flushed red, making her look especially charming and shy.
Some boys nearby who had been watching Xie Yao couldn’t help but stare, sighing with regret. Unfortunately, Xie Yao was already taken, and Nie Yan seemed so distant and unapproachable. Competing with Nie Yan was too stressful.
Everyone gathered together to prepare for the class meeting. The desks and chairs in the classroom had been rearranged to create a small party-like atmosphere.
Many people came to chat with Nie Yan. Even those who were usually too proud to lower themselves had to humble themselves. Nie Yan’s future was bright, and everyone wanted to build a good relationship with him.
Even those who usually kept a low profile and rarely showed their faces in class appeared.
Nie Yan naturally treated them all with warmth and politeness.
A tall, handsome boy with a confident stride approached Nie Yan.
Nie Yan heard some whispers from nearby. This person was named Qin Han, a Chinese-American and the son of the Moreau Corporation. The corporation was located in South America, a financial oligarch there. In terms of financial power alone, it far exceeded the Longyue Corporation and was not inferior to the Century Corporation, even surpassing it in some aspects. More terrifyingly, the Moreau Corporation controlled the finances and military of several countries, and their power had infiltrated areas invisible to ordinary people.
In this era, it was not unusual for corporations to influence a country’s politics and military with their immense financial power.
This Qin Han guy had only appeared for the first time since the beginning of the school term. In Nie Yan’s past life, he had only heard a little about him and had seen him a few times but didn’t really know him. This guy was like a dragon whose presence was elusive, and it was really difficult for ordinary people to meet him. Some people said he had entered Huada High School for Xie Yao, but those were just rumors.
Qin Han raised a glass of wine toward Nie Yan.
“A toast to you, Crazy Thief Nie Yan,” Qin Han said with a charming smile.
As soon as Qin Han spoke, the entire classroom fell silent. Everyone looked at Nie Yan with expressions of disbelief. Faith had a wide reach; whether or not people had played it, many understood what the name “Crazy Thief Nie Yan” represented.
Although some people already knew Nie Yan was Crazy Thief Nie Yan, it had only spread in small circles, and many were still skeptical.
After Qin Han’s words, no one doubted the news anymore. Given Qin Han’s status, there was no need for him to lie.
Thus, everyone was shocked.
“Thank you,” Nie Yan raised his glass in response, took a sip, and scrutinized the person in front of him. Qin Han’s manners were impeccable, and his expression showed no sign of hostility. However, Nie Yan sensed a hint of threat from him.
Qin Han glanced at Xie Yao beside Nie Yan and smiled charmingly. “When I first entered school, I saw Xie Yao and was amazed by her beauty. I pursued her for a year and a half, but she never gave me a warm word. Later, I had to travel to Europe and North America due to some matters. When I heard about today’s graduation ceremony, I rushed back. I didn’t expect Xie Yao to already be taken. Brother Nie, you’re very fortunate.”
“Everything depends on fate. With fate, people meet from afar; without fate, even face-to-face, they remain strangers,” Nie Yan replied calmly. Nie Yan didn’t have a deep impression of Qin Han because he had only appeared a few times. Nie Yan had heard classmates mention Qin Han before and felt he was somewhat mysterious, but they hadn’t interacted much.
“That’s true. Crazy Thief Nie Yan, I find you quite interesting. Faith had just expanded to South America, and I wasn’t really interested in it before. But after meeting you, I’ve decided to give it a try and see what’s so appealing about this game,” Qin Han said casually with a smile.
Faith originated in China, then spread to Europe, then North America, taking about five days to cover those areas, and it was still expanding further. The rapid expansion of Faith brought huge business opportunities, and many corporations began to enter the market, further expanding Faith’s influence.
After hearing Qin Han’s words, Nie Yan felt a chill in his heart. Although Qin Han’s words were subtle, they were not just casual remarks—they were essentially a challenge.
“If you play, I think you’ll quickly fall in love with this game,” Nie Yan smiled, unafraid.
When Qin Han looked at Nie Yan, he was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected Nie Yan to respond this way. He laughed and said, “Now you’ve said that, I’m even more eager to try. But if I do something, I will always do it the best way possible.”
Qin Han’s confidence bordered on arrogance.
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