Special Invited Combatants

“My proposal is to establish a strategic partnership, or rather, a special invited combatant agreement.”

As Cheng Shuili finished speaking, the conference room fell into immediate silence.

The leaders remained quiet, their gazes occasionally flickering toward the few lone wolves present.

Although they had never discussed it openly, the faction leaders were well aware that their spots on the Dragon Country grand regional leaderboard were largely achieved by pooling resources and items. They had concentrated the assets of all their faction members onto their leaders to secure such a respectable ranking.

These lone wolves, however, were different. Even if they wanted to pool resources, they lacked the channels to do so.

In other words, they reached their rankings entirely through their own strength!

Such powerful players were naturally the very people various factions wanted to recruit, yet they were also the most difficult to bring into the fold.

The “special invited combatant” agreement proposed by Cheng Shuili provided them with a transcendent status and tangible benefits while avoiding the friction and conflict that might arise from forced assimilation. It could be considered the most subtle and pragmatic move under the current circumstances.

White Tiger’s eyes flickered as he calculated rapidly in his mind:

If these four top lone wolves truly bound themselves deeply to the alliance in this way, the alliance’s high-end combat power would see a qualitative leap. They would have much more confidence when facing elite squads or leader-level figures from other grand regions.

This was a good thing for the entire Dragon Country grand region.

Although his Little Green Dragon might not be able to borrow the strength of these individuals for the time being, the alliance’s overall strength increasing would naturally only benefit him without any downsides.

Many people present shared White Tiger’s thoughts, while the official organizations like Watching the Great Wall and Yanhuang considered the situation from a deeper perspective.

If this model succeeded, it would not only solve the immediate challenge of integrating top-tier combat power but could also become a template. In the future, it might attract more skilled individuals who wished to remain unconstrained to cooperate with the alliance in a similar manner, continuously strengthening the foundation of the Dragon Country grand region.

A Gentle Kiss clearly had not expected Cheng Shuili to offer such an answer.

The playful look on her face faded slightly, and she leaned forward, her interest deepening in those beautiful eyes: “Strategic partners? Special invited combatants? Tell me more?”

She was naturally a person who liked to walk her own path, so she was inherently interested in Cheng Shuili’s willingness to grant her a special status.

The other three lone wolves also turned their focused attention toward her.

Cheng Shuili nodded at A Gentle Kiss, then swept her gaze across the other three lone wolves to begin explaining the concrete concept:

“The core of a strategic partnership or special invited combatant status lies in cooperation, not subordination. You do not belong to any specific faction, and your freedom of action is entirely in your own hands. The alliance will not issue mandatory orders to you; we will only propose requests for collaboration in the form of commissions or invitations. Whether you accept, when you accept, and how you complete them is entirely up to your own judgment and decision.”

“At the same time, as special invited combatants—which is to say, our own people—you can enjoy all the privileges available to alliance members.”

Cheng Shuili observed A Gentle Kiss’s expression closely. Although the woman remained reserved, the light in her eyes was almost overflowing, as if she were one step away from saying, “This is good, this is good.”

Just as it seemed she was about to agree, Cheng Shuili shifted her tone: “However, during the period of cooperation, you must not engage in acts that clearly damage the overall interests of the Dragon Country grand region, nor may you knowingly engage in collaborative efforts against the alliance with its clear hostile factions.”

“In moments of major crisis involving the survival of the Dragon Country grand region, the alliance reserves the right to issue a supreme call to arms. Responding to the call will yield extremely generous rewards, but in theory, you still retain the final choice. However, the consequences of refusal may include the downgrading or even termination of the partnership.”

It is better to address the ugly truths first; Cheng Shuili was not one to hide things.

Upon hearing this, A Gentle Kiss laughed instead. She leaned back, her posture becoming even more relaxed:

“That’s more like it. If there are benefits to be had, there must be rules to follow. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world; I understand that. As long as the rules are reasonable, I am not being used as a pawn, and my freedom to decide who I strike is not restricted… oh, of course, provided that the target doesn’t cross the line you just mentioned.”

She laughed, her eyes softening as she became bright and cheerful: “I think that’s fine.”

The other three lone wolves also pondered for a moment.

Gulu Gulu Bubbling, who seemed to be a fan of A Gentle Kiss, said bluntly: “If Sister Kiss thinks it’s fine, then I have no problem with it.”

Drafty’s focus was more practical: “If we sign the agreement now, is there a signing bonus?”

The last person simply stared expectantly at Cheng Shuili.

Cheng Shuili was momentarily speechless. She had originally expected to use both pressure and temptation to convince these people, but she hadn’t expected them to agree so easily.

And… what on earth is a signing bonus?

It felt like a newly opened gym downstairs at a residential complex recruiting members.

However, since it had been brought up.

“Yes.”

Cheng Shuili’s answer was firm and concise, as if she had prepared for it from the start.

In reality, her hand under the table was frantically messaging Xinxue, telling her to prepare a dozen identical gifts.

Even with the foresight of Cheng Shuili and Iced Americano, they never imagined that these lone wolves would care most about a signing bonus.

If she gave them to these lone wolves, she couldn’t avoid giving them to the leaders as well. The principle of not fearing scarcity but fearing inequality was something Cheng Shuili understood well.

She felt a bit helpless, but she couldn’t produce any signing bonuses right now. Coincidentally, it was mealtime, so she simply decided to treat them to a meal.

“Since it happens to be mealtime,” Cheng Shuili rose, her smile amiable, “I have had someone prepare some simple food. Why don’t we eat while we chat? The specific details of the cooperation, the signing process, including the signing bonus everyone is concerned about,”

She paused intentionally, watching the light brighten in Drafty’s eyes, “we can discuss in detail at the dining table. After all, one needs a full stomach to talk about big matters, don’t you think?”

As soon as she finished, before the lone wolves could say anything, White Tiger asked with glowing eyes: “Are we included too?”

Cheng Shuili was choked by White Tiger’s undisguised foodie remark. She looked up and saw that it wasn’t just White Tiger; the other faction leaders, including the usually steady Undying War Wolf Soul and Qingping Le, all had a faint look of anticipation in their eyes.

That was true; in this world, a hot, decent meal could soothe the heart more than any precious item.

Not to mention that this was a banquet specifically prepared by the leader of the Dragon Country’s number one faction, Black Feather. Just because of that name, they were dying to taste the food.

“Naturally, everyone is included.” Cheng Shuili responded with a smile, feeling a sense of relief in her heart.

Things that could be solved with a meal were much easier than the verbal sparring she had expected.

She rose, “Then, if there are no other objections, shall we move to the dining room to eat and discuss the details?”

Everyone stood up one after another, and the atmosphere was significantly more relaxed than before.

A Gentle Kiss even moved directly to Cheng Shuili’s side, asking curiously: “What dishes are there? Is there alcohol? What kind?”

“As for dishes, just some home-cooked meals. As for alcohol…” Cheng Shuili thought for a moment. Xinxue had indeed opened a few bottles of alcohol over the past two days, but with so many people present, even if she brought them out, it wouldn’t be enough to go around. It would be better to keep them for themselves.

Thus, Cheng Shuili smiled apologetically, “There is indeed no alcohol, but there are plenty of small beverages, definitely enough for everyone.”

A Gentle Kiss nodded. Although slightly disappointed, she didn’t say much more.

Drafty, standing to the side, didn’t say anything, but his pace unconsciously quickened.

Gulu Gulu Bubbling pulled on A Gentle Kiss’s sleeve and whispered: “Home-cooked meals… Sister Kiss, do you think there will be braised pork?”

White Tiger, walking behind them, swallowed hard and muttered to the leader beside him: “Did you hear that? Braised pork…”

Undying War Wolf Soul and Qingping Le exchanged glances and shook their heads with a laugh, but they couldn’t hide their anticipation.

The dining room was also inside the main building, serving as a dedicated reception hall.

A long table was covered with a clean tablecloth, and bowls, chopsticks, cups, and plates were already set.

Wan Yi was busy with several Black Feather members, and the air was filled with the alluring aroma of food.

After seeing the food on the table clearly, everyone present froze in their tracks.

The air seemed to solidify for a few seconds, leaving only the steaming heat of the food and the soul-stirring fragrance drilling into their noses.

Was this what she meant by “simply prepared some food”?

In the center was a plate of shiny, trembling braised pork. The chunks of meat, layered with fat and lean, were piled like a small mountain, and the thick sauce glowed enticingly under the lights, garnished with a few bits of green scallion.

Next to it was a large plate of steamed sea bass. The fish was scored with fine patterns, topped with tender yellow ginger shreds and bright red pepper shreds, and the fragrance mixed with the fresh sweetness of the fish rushed toward them.

The other dishes went without saying; each one was a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, making people drool.

Usually, being able to eat something this good would be considered a stroke of immense luck, but here at Black Feather, there was a whole table full of it!

The drinks weren’t simple plain water or common juice and cola, but bright-colored fruit tea and herbal tea served in exquisite glass pitchers. Real fruit pulp and leaves floated inside, clearly made with genuine ingredients.

This was what the Crow called “home-cooked meals” and “small beverages”!

Was this top-ranked player in the Dragon Country a bit too oblivious to the hardships of the world?

Cheng Shuili looked at their stunned expressions, the corners of her mouth curling upward imperceptibly.

She walked to the head of the table first and gestured: “Everyone, please sit. It is just some plain home cooking. I apologize for the poor hospitality.”

This was said with humility and propriety, but to the ears of those present, it carried a hint of unruffled self-regard.

A Gentle Kiss was the first to recover, letting out a short, light laugh as she pulled out the chair to Cheng Shuili’s right and sat down.

“Plain home cooking? Boss Crow, this plain cooking of yours makes a bumpkin like me, who is used to compressed biscuits and canned meat, feel a bit overwhelmed.”

Her tone was teasing, but her eyes were shockingly bright, making no effort to hide her appreciation for this feast.

Her action was like pressing a start button.

Others also snapped out of their shock and took their seats.

Drafty was the fastest, already sitting directly in front of the braised pork, his gaze glued to the shiny, oily chunks of meat.

Gulu Gulu Bubbling sat next to A Gentle Kiss, whispering in amazement: “Sister Kiss, there really is braised pork… such a big plate!”

White Tiger practically floated to his seat, his eyes wide as saucers, looking at the braised pork, then the boiled beef, then the steamed sea bass, swallowing again and again.

Although Undying War Wolf Soul and Qingping Le tried their best to maintain the composure of leaders, their slightly hurried movements when sitting down and their unconsciously straightened posture betrayed their inner unrest.

“Everyone, please, don’t be formal. Dig in.”

Cheng Shuili picked up her chopsticks and first picked up a piece of the stir-fried seasonal vegetables closest to her, her posture elegant, as if she were attending an ordinary family meal.

Since the host had started, how could the guests be reserved?

For a time, only the soft sounds of bowls and chopsticks clinking and the faint noise of chewing filled the dining room.

Drafty couldn’t wait to put a whole piece of braised pork into his mouth. The fat part melted instantly, and the lean meat was tender without being stringy. The rich sauce, accompanied by just the right amount of sweetness, instantly filled his mouth. He stopped chewing, his eyes slightly squinting as if savoring some peerless delicacy, and only after a long while did he let out a long sigh, his whole body relaxing.

Gulu Gulu Bubbling focused on the plate of steamed sea bass. She carefully picked out the fish bones, eating every bite of fish with extreme caution, as if tasting some fragile treasure, a simple and happy smile blooming on her face.

A Gentle Kiss ate the most leisurely, but her speed was not slow at all.

She tasted a bit of everything, her eyes carrying the scrutiny of a professional critic, occasionally nodding, clearly approving of the Black Feather chef’s skills.

White Tiger was completely immersed in the feast, sweeping everything away like a hurricane. His cheeks never went flat, and he occasionally let out vague exclamations:

“Mmm! This pig trotter skin, it’s amazing! Soft, sticky, and chewy… Mmph, this beef, spicy enough! So satisfying!”

It made the two leaders sitting next to him speed up their eating, fearing that all the good food would be eaten by this guy alone.

The meal was enjoyed by both host and guests, but not much actual business was discussed.

Cheng Shuili had tried to speak a few times, but unfortunately, everyone was scrambling, fearing they would eat less than the others. Where would they find the time to answer Cheng Shuili?

Even though the plates were licked clean, Gulu Gulu Bubbling was still reminiscing: “Sister Kiss, how exactly did Black Feather manage to make the food taste like this?! Clearly…”

She licked the remaining sauce off her plate, “Clearly, they used the same ingredients. How can the people from Black Feather make it taste so good?!”

Embarrassing… too embarrassing.

A Gentle Kiss really didn’t want to pay attention to her.

Undying War Wolf Soul, however, picked up the conversation: “Indeed, with the same ingredients, the method of processing and the heat control—a tiny difference leads to a massive result.”

He turned to Cheng Shuili, half-jokingly and half-seriously: “Boss Crow, your chef, surely you didn’t poach them from some three-star Michelin restaurant? This skill is just too good!”

Cheng Shuili set down her teacup, a faint, imperceptible smile hanging on her lips, and spoke slowly:

“Our Black Feather chef is not some Michelin chef. It’s just that before entering this world, she was already an experienced first-tier chef.”