Pretending To Be A Boss-Chapter 285 - 15: Tang Xian’s New World

Lin Sen’s expression instantly turned to panic.

He had initially thought Yu Xiaozhe was overreacting. Now, he understood; receiving a call from a doomsday creature would unsettle anyone.

Both he and Yu Xiaozhe were clever people, and they naturally understood the source of Yu Xiaozhe’s conflicted expression.

"You seemed pretty agreeable over the phone," Lin Sen remarked.

"We’re in it for life now. When I gave his old flame’s daughter a fake identity card, he saved my life in return and even uncovered a mole among us. If he asks for a favor, I can’t turn him down, not without losing face," Yu Xiaozhe shook his head solemnly.

"Having regrets?"

"A little. Do you think The Pyramid could be mistaken?" Yu Xiaozhe turned around.

"Hard to say, but you used to think he was quite impressive when he was called the Child of Eden."

Yu Xiaozhe, upon hearing Lin Sen’s words, replied with a wry smile:

"If Tang Xian were dead, I’d always consider him a friend. Perhaps I’d grow old lamenting the unfairness of the world."

Yu Xiaozhe’s tone shifted:

"But he’s not dead, and not even a couple of months later, he’s back. That actually makes me more uneasy."

Lin Sen said:

"Betray him now, and you become a hero to all humankind. What a deal that would be."

Yu Xiaozhe fell silent.

Lin Sen continued:

"It all depends on whether you trust the ones above or Tang Xian."

As he spoke, Lin Sen pointed at the ceiling of the fortress.

After a moment of thought, Yu Xiaozhe said:

"I never considered betraying him."

"Then what are you conflicted about?"

"It’s just that... his identity is too special now. I’m afraid that by helping him, I might cause a disaster. If humankind suffered another great calamity, I’d be nailed to the pillar of shame."

Lin Sen set down the circuit board, lit a cigarette, and looked at Yu Xiaozhe:

"You’re acting like a woman. In our business, you sell what needs to be sold decisively, or you just throw caution to the wind and do it—nothing to ponder over. But let me remind you one last time, betray him and the Federation might clear your record, and you could live cleanly ever after. If I were you, I’d definitely betray him."

Yu Xiaozhe nodded; it was indeed a point.

He didn’t know why Tang Xian would seek him out. Was it to live under a false identity?

Yu Xiaozhe didn’t quite think so.

He always felt like Tang Xian had come back to do something big.

This time, without much hesitation, Yu Xiaozhe said:

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"I’ll help, I can’t betray him. I’d never dare look at myself in the mirror again. After forging so many things and relationships, having a true friend isn’t easy. Bring your gear, we’re going to The 29th Fortress."

"What? That’s a doomsday creature! Don’t drag me into this big mess," Lin Sen protested.

"Fine then, I’ll expose you tomorrow. Your identity card was forged by me, and I wouldn’t even need to draft a report. Choose, go or don’t go—it’s up to you," Yu Xiaozhe said lightly.

"I’ll be damned."

...

...

The next day, The 29th Fortress, at the bottom level.

Known for its textile industry, even the poorest inhabitants of The 29th Fortress dressed somewhat lavishly.

It wasn’t wealth, but rather that a lot of the refuse from The 29th Fortress comprised semi-failed designer pieces.

The common people at the bottom lived harder lives than those at The 39th Fortress’ bottom levels, though they maintained a semblance of dignity on the surface.

Even those at the bottom level didn’t look like the impoverished.

During the war, the sights Tang Xian saw were even more extreme.

Even at night, the streets at the bottom level were deserted, and shops selling daily necessities, usually bustling, were closed.

Scenes characteristic of The 39th Fortress’ Decay Street, like tea houses and gambling dens, could also be found in The 29th Fortress, though their business seemed much less thriving.

Tang Xian was in one of the tea houses, dressed similarly to the nobles from the third or fourth level of The 29th Fortress.

One could tell the taste of the upper classes from the design of the lower-level dwellers’ clothing.

The commoners of The 39th Fortress typically wore factory-like uniforms, resembling those of ancient industrial workers.

The 29th Fortress was much more fashionable, boasting designs that echoed ancient Korean styles from a millennium ago, and had the most women on its second, third, and fourth levels.

The highest monthly wages went to the manual tailors.

Such was the march of history; with the rise of industry, for a time, machine-made goods would be more expensive than handmade items.

Over time, as machine-made products became more plentiful, handmade items became rare and valued.

Tang Xian didn’t come to The 29th Fortress to chase women or learn tailoring.

He was there because one of his robbery victims was from The 29th Fortress.

And his clothing wasn’t stolen; he quickly brainstormed the design himself, then had Tang Feiji materialize it using a Soul Crystal.

Tang Feiji now sat quietly beside Tang Xian, scrutinizing the bustling crowd with a disdainful look in his eyes.

To help Tang Feiji blend into human society, Tang Xian gave him a normal-sounding human name: Tang Ao, which was convenient for introductions. The name pleased the Upper-Class Dragon Clan member immensely. It didn’t seem like something Tang Xian could come up with.

But Tang Xiaojiu couldn’t kick the habit, always calling him Uncle Feiji.

So most of the time, he was still called Tang Feiji.