Chapter 1193: Chapter 1192: Recruited Under My Command
"Hey, Zhao Shuai, look at this, the six of them act as if they’re afraid we’ll escape. It’s so annoying if we leave," Wu Shan whispered to Zhao Shuai who was walking ahead.
"Yeah, they’re scared. If we run away, they won’t find us. They have no idea how formidable I am in this country." Zhao Shuai intentionally spoke loudly to be heard by the six security guards.
"Enough bragging. Afraid of not causing enough trouble," Qi Rongfeng said to Zhao Shuai.
Seeing Jiang Cheng ahead, a door appeared identical to the bathroom door. Jiang Cheng became even more curious about the people inside this room.
A security guard knocked on the door, "Boss, the people have been brought."
"Alright. You stay by the door, let them come in," an aged woman’s voice was heard.
Jiang Cheng pushed open the door and went inside, finding the room large yet empty, containing only a wooden cabinet and a large bed. On the bed sat a woman dressed in black, wearing a veil that exposed only her slightly wrinkled eyes, appearing to be in her fifties or sixties, Jiang Cheng thought, "I am Mantasha, and you are Jin." The veiled woman asked with her old and unpleasant voice.
"Ha, isn’t it funny? You were the one who kidnapped us, and now you start asking me?" Zhao Shuai stepped forward, standing with Jiang Cheng.
"Yes, what is your purpose?" Qi Rongfeng asked.
"Hehe, young people today, so interesting. Each one is so fiery. I was merely asking your names," Mantasha said.
"Jiang Cheng. What is your business calling us here?" Jiang Cheng said, still unsure of the woman’s true purpose and identity, he thought it better not to act rashly.
"Jiang Cheng? Quite ordinary. But you seem unfamiliar, as if you don’t come here often," Mantasha said.
Jiang Cheng speculated correctly, the boss of Dark Cosmos was indeed this woman before him, using glazed lamps by the tunnel she could clearly see everyone who entered.
"And what about you all? Who are you?" Mantasha asked Zhao Shuai and the others, Zhao Shuai said, "I’m Zhao Shuai," glancing at Mantasha.
"Zhao Shuai, a name I find familiar. I should be well-acquainted with your father," Mantasha suddenly said with a smile.
Jiang Cheng noticed Mantasha’s smile deepened her eye wrinkles, and her eyes seemed to emit a strange and murky light, appearing somewhat peculiar.
"My father? You know him? How does an old woman like you know my father?" Zhao Shuai dismissively glanced at Mantasha.
"You can ask your father if you don’t believe me. I wouldn’t lie to you," Mantasha said calmly, seemingly unperturbed. "What about the handsome gentleman behind you? Who are you?" Mantasha seemed oblivious to the impatience of Jiang Cheng and the others, as if she wasn’t the one who had forcibly brought them here, eagerly asking for their names.
"Qi Rongfeng, she is Wu Fen," Qi Rongfeng pointed at Wu Fen, appearing a bit impatient.
"Wu Shan I do know. She is a renowned beauty scientist here. Many people come not for trade but to see her, haha," Mantasha said with a sly smile,
"Oh? I’ve been here many years, yet I’ve never seen you. How do you know me?" Wu Shan asked.
"Were you watching us all along?" Qi Rongfeng angrily asked.
"How could it be surveillance? I’m quite concerned about young people like you who love science, as Kai Ao Star’s future lies in your hands," Mantasha replied.
"Do you expect me to believe? Who knows what shady dealings you’re up to," Zhao Shuai said angrily.
Mantasha seemed upset, too, falling silent. The air was thick with awkwardness.
After several minutes, Mantasha moved to the window beside the door. Jiang Cheng saw a green plant by the window sill, a type unfamiliar to him, resembling Earth’s "cactus." Mantasha stroked the "cactus" with her wrinkled hand, making Jiang Cheng realize Mantasha might be older than she appeared.
"I heard that Mr. Lin purchased Gelan Glue, what does he intend to do with it?" Mantasha slowly asked.
"Nothing particular, found it interesting and bought it," Jiang Cheng replied.
"Interesting? Ah, ah, Mr. Lin, you seem quite interesting too. Honestly, I have many Gelan Glues, but to me, they’re mere ordinary items. Failing to utilize them, I auctioned them, drawing young and accomplished people like you here, to exploit the items’ utmost value," Mantasha said.
"What are you really implying?" Zhao Shuai asked.
Mantasha ceased stroking the "cactus," turned to face Jiang Cheng, "Nothing much, I just think everything and everyone should be used to their full potential, so Mr. Lin, would you consider working for me?" Mantasha said, her murky eyes fixed on Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng finally grasped Mantasha’s intention; she merely wished to hire him for work. Yet, she hadn’t frankly disclosed her actual identity; Jiang Cheng felt Mantasha was definitely not just the boss of Dark Cosmos.
"Not difficult, but what’s your true identity?" Jiang Cheng asked.
"Me? The boss of Dark Cosmos, as you’ve seen, just an elder past her prime," Mantasha replied.
"I don’t believe you’re just a boss, what’s your real identity?" Jiang Cheng asked.
"Hehe, you’ll soon find out," Mantasha said with a strange smile at Jiang Cheng. She snapped the "cactus" into two pieces.
Jiang Cheng saw the snapped cactus quickly turn into a puddle of green liquid, somewhat nauseating. However, Jiang Cheng’s consciousness gradually faded. Before he closed his eyes, he only saw Mantasha’s eerie smile.
When Jiang Cheng awoke, he found himself confined in a small room. The room had no windows, only a small bed, not even a table. Jiang Cheng recalled the scent he last smelled before losing consciousness must have been that "cactus" vaporizing? The creepy smile Mantasha gave him before passing out made Jiang Cheng feel filled with Sai, but now he was more concerned about Zhao Shuai and the others’ safety. Jiang Cheng walked to the door, tugged the handle, finding it certainly locked. From Jiezhi Bracelet, he retrieved the Isolation Analyzer, placing it on the door, he detected life signs outside, likely stationed by Mantasha, Jiang Cheng imagined.
Jiang Cheng sat on the bed, realizing Mantasha held him captive, ultimately to make him submit and work for her; such a foolish attempt by the old woman to use grim methods to contrive his compliance. She wasn’t aware whether she had the strength to subdue him. Jiang Cheng reckoned at the right time he should let her see just who he’s truly dealing with.
At that moment, Jiang Cheng heard someone approaching the door, "Has the person inside awakened?" The voice sounded like Li Pu, was Li Pu a person of Mantasha? "Probably not, haven’t heard a sound," someone outside said, "Open the door, let me take a look," Li Pu said again, "Not allowed, Reporter Li, boss instructed none besides her are allowed entry," the guard said. "Open the door now. Stop babbling. The person inside is cunning, I should check as a precaution. Can you take responsibility if he escapes?" Li Pu said with frustration.
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