Hei Teng tied He Yu up with vines. After thinking for a moment, he even tied up the Wind-Fire Wheels as well, making absolutely certain nothing could go wrong. The calf and the backpack had long since burrowed underground and disappeared. Neither of them paid any attention to that, their eyes fixed entirely on He Yu.

At this moment, He Yu was meat on their chopping block. If they wanted to kill him, they could do it at any time.

Precisely because of that, the two of them were in the mood to listen to what He Yu had to say.

Chashu sat down across from He Yu, his face cold.

"Speak. What exactly do you want to say? Let me warn you—don't even think about tricking us again. Otherwise... we'll chop your body into pieces!"

He Yu had never taken threats like that to heart. His expression remained calm.

"I want to meet the King and discuss cooperation with him."

Hearing that, Hei Teng's face filled with ridicule. Raising his chin, he looked down on He Yu with contempt.

"Cooperation? What qualifications do you have to talk cooperation with us? Your Black Camp is full of tricks, but before absolute strength, tricks are useless."

Beside him, Chashu sneered as well.

"You think hiding inside the castle makes you absolutely safe? You think staying inside the castle lets you negotiate with us? What a joke."

Most of this ruined planet's toys were gathered in Lilu City, and nearly all of Lilu City's toys were inside the castle. As long as they destroyed the castle, they could wipe out both the Black Camp and its inheritance.

Chashu didn't believe the Black Camp had any leverage whatsoever.

Seeing their reaction, He Yu wasn't surprised in the slightest. He merely looked at them calmly.

"The Black Camp really has no leverage? Lilu City changing hands several times—that is our leverage."

"Gao Jianming is already dead," Chashu said darkly.

He Yu smiled, his black-bean eyes curving.

"Gao Jianming is dead, but the backpack is still alive, and the Black Camp's toys are still here."

Chashu froze for a moment.

Beside him, Hei Teng tugged at his sleeve.

"Don't believe him. This toy is full of schemes. They're definitely plotting something. They aren't worth trusting, much less cooperating with."

Even if they possessed strength, even if they could provide tremendous help, they might betray them at any moment. Gao Jianming was the perfect example.

Killing intent flashed through Hei Teng's eyes.

"Kill him."

Even after hearing that, He Yu remained composed. Only a trace of mockery entered his gaze.

"I know you probably won't agree. That's why when I came here, I never expected to leave alive. If I die, the Black Camp will cooperate with the Red Camp instead."

After a pause, he said quietly,

"Take a guess. Do you think the Red Camp, which has been suppressed by the Green Camp all this time, would refuse such cooperation?"

[Bullet Screen: "...His acting is incredible. If Eugene in the other livestream weren't saying almost the exact opposite, I'd believe him."]

[Bullet Screen: "No. You fully intend to leave alive!"]

Chashu and Hei Teng both stiffened, subconsciously tightening their grips.

The Green Camp had almost completely suppressed the Red Camp. Even after joining forces to eliminate the Black Camp, the Green Camp would continue suppressing the Red Camp. It could be said that once the Black Camp was destroyed, the Red Camp would be next.

Under those circumstances, it was perfectly understandable if the Red Camp chose to cooperate with the Black Camp.

Just as they had ultimately accepted Gao Jianming's betrayal because he was useful.

These toys might all be trash, but special abilities like the backpack's were genuinely troublesome.

Hei Teng's face remained icy.

"You already know we won't cooperate. Then why did you come looking for us?"

He Yu took a deep breath and answered honestly,

"Because the Green Camp will win. If you're willing to cooperate, we'll have a guaranteed victory. If you refuse, cooperating with the Red Camp will be more troublesome, but we have to survive somehow."

The Green Camp had always been his first choice.

But if they refused and killed He Yu, the Black Camp would have no choice but to seek cooperation with the Red Camp.

The two understood what He Yu meant, and they also found it perfectly reasonable that the Black Camp would prioritize the Green Camp.

Meanwhile—

Inside the Red Camp.

With a straight face, Eugene copied He Yu's expressionless demeanor.

"Because the Green Camp is guaranteed to win. They may not even need our cooperation. But if you don't want to die, then you desperately need us. That's why I came to you first."

[Bullet Screen: "Watching both livestreams at once is absolutely legendary."]

[Bullet Screen: "One of those 'whoever listens gets completely confused' situations."]

Chashu and Hei Teng exchanged glances, each seeing hesitation in the other's eyes.

Everything seemed logical...

But this was the Black Camp.

Grinding his teeth, Hei Teng declared,

"We can't trust him again. Our Green Camp doesn't need to cooperate with the Black Camp. The King's orders were to eliminate them. Kill him!"

His hand tightened.

The vines wrapped tightly around the round white dumpling, squeezing his neck with tremendous force.

The white Tangyuan was immediately squeezed out of shape. Had it not been so incredibly elastic, it would already have burst.

Struggling, He Yu forced out the words,

"Kill... kill me... and we'll... we'll cooperate with the Red Camp... Your Green Camp's overwhelming advantage... will be reversed... You'd better... better ask your King... ask whether... he can still survive long enough... to defeat both the Red and Black Camps..."

His breathing became ragged.

His face flushed scarlet.

His voice turned hoarse, the final sentence seeming to be squeezed out from the depths of his throat.

"Are... are you going to... make another decision behind the Green King's back..."

Bang—

Hei Teng subconsciously released him.

Last time, they had privately decided to trust He Yu as "Kunhui." In the end, they had been deceived and manipulated, leading to disaster.

Now...

Were they about to privately decide to kill He Yu without informing the King?

Hei Teng and Chashu exchanged another glance.

After a long silence, Hei Teng finally spoke.

"Let's ask the King."

Chashu nodded.

The vines withdrew.

He Yu dropped straight down.

The Wind-Fire Wheels flashed beneath him and caught him.

Inside the team chat, Bo Jingshan asked,

"He Yu, are you alright?"

He Yu replied,

"I'm fine. Thirty percent chance of success."

On the other side, Eugene answered,

"I'm done here too. They've gone to notify the King."

He had also been beaten up, but that had been expected. As long as he was alive, it wasn't a major issue, so Eugene didn't mention it.

After thinking for a moment, he asked,

"He Yu, are you sure the King will meet us?"

He Yu answered,

"I'm sure."

He stretched his body.

The white Tangyuan, which had been squeezed out of shape, puffed back into its original round form, and the reddened white skin quickly returned to normal.

This appearance truly was astonishingly elastic.

Eugene couldn't understand.

"Why are you so certain? We fooled them completely. Their King must be furious. Wouldn't he refuse to see us?"

He Yu looked up toward Hei Teng, who had gone to contact the King.

The corners of his lips curved upward slightly.

"A King is still a King. Someone who sees the bigger picture. Someone cautious by nature. As long as Hei Teng and the Fifth Elder report this matter, the King will agree to meet us."

He continued,

"Because the moment Hei Teng and the Fifth Elder choose to report it, they've already acknowledged the possibility that the Black Camp may cooperate with another camp."

Eugene trembled slightly.

He Yu leisurely added,

"Besides, they've already made mistakes regarding us before. Now that they're reporting another matter involving the Black Camp and He Yu... from the mindset of subordinates facing someone above them, they'll naturally emphasize how important this matter is."

Otherwise...

Faced with a toy that had fooled them...

Faced with a camp the King had personally ordered destroyed...

If they reported it by saying,

"'It's just a minor issue we couldn't decide ourselves. Please decide for us,'"

that would be far too foolish.

Since they couldn't make the decision themselves, once they sought the King's judgment, they would naturally be extremely cautious and make every effort to stress the gravity of the matter.

And as long as they treated it seriously...

As long as they were convinced the Black Camp would cooperate with another camp...

A cautious King would personally meet them.

So once Hei Teng and the Fifth Elder submitted the report...

The King would definitely agree.

After a brief silence, Eugene murmured softly,

"He Yu... you're terrifying. I think our chances are much higher than I imagined."

With a mind like He Yu's...

How could he possibly fail to deceive both the Red and Green Camps?

He could even accurately predict how people would think.

How terrifying.

Sure enough, eight hours later...

Hei Teng dragged He Yu to the central area of their headquarters.

They entered a sealed room.

After connecting the intelligent terminal, Hei Teng threw He Yu inside.

Hei Teng and Chashu stood on either side of him.

Everyone else withdrew and closed the door.

A projection appeared ahead.

A middle-aged man seated upon a lofty throne emerged.

His appearance was ordinary, but his bearing was extraordinary.

His expression was stern, and every inch of him radiated dignity and authority.

He looked over.

His sharp gaze seemed to pierce through space itself and stab directly into He Yu.

Meanwhile, Chashu and Hei Teng had already lowered their heads respectfully.

He Yu carefully observed the Green Camp's King.

The King observed him as well.

For a long time, neither spoke.

The room was engulfed in strange silence.

Finally, the King slowly asked,

"So you're He Yu... the He Yu who toyed with both camps?"

His voice wasn't harsh.

Yet it carried an overwhelming pressure that made one's entire body tense.

Anyone beneath his gaze would instinctively feel nervous, fearful...

As though nothing could be hidden before this man.

Simply hearing his voice filled Chashu and Hei Teng with anxiety and reverence.

Suddenly, He Yu smiled.

That smile shattered the oppressive atmosphere.

With that single smile, his own presence surged forth.

Relaxed.

Leisurely.

Yet utterly impossible to suppress.

"I am He Yu. It's our first meeting. I hope Your Majesty will forgive my earlier discourtesy. You're several times more imposing than the Red Camp's King."

After a pause, the smile on his lips became helpless.

"I never wanted to toy with either camp. Everything I did was simply to survive. I hope you'll understand."

The Green King's expression was difficult to fool.

Of course, the Red Camp's "child" King was equally difficult.

The King's expression darkened slightly.

"I won't cooperate with the Black Camp. Neither will the Red Camp. Stop trying to deceive me."

His gaze shifted toward Hei Teng and Chashu, as though questioning why they still hadn't killed this toy.

[Bullet Screen: "An expert. He Yu has finally met an equal."]

[Bullet Screen: "This Green King isn't easy to deal with. Is He Yu finally going to fail?"]

Failure was impossible.

As long as the King met him and listened to him speak...

Failure would never happen.

He Yu carefully observed every reaction before smiling again, his confidence overflowing.

"Your Majesty, if you hadn't agreed to see me, I would have believed you."

The King said nothing.

He merely watched him.

Nothing could be read from his expression or his eyes.

This was an exceptionally deep and inscrutable man.

He Yu didn't mind.

Still looking directly at him, he continued,

"The fact that you agreed to meet me means you aren't certain the Red Camp would reject cooperation with us. You were still wary."

The King suddenly asked,

"Why would the Black Camp cooperate with either the Red or Green Camp? Surely you know these three camps are destined to fight to the death. How exactly would cooperation work?"

Only one camp could ultimately control Order.

Even if the Green Camp defeated the Red Camp with the Black Camp's help, they would still have to fight afterward for final supremacy.

The Black Camp could never win.

So why seek cooperation now?

There was clearly something wrong.

He Yu shook his head.

The frameless lenses reflected a cold light.

He stared directly into the King's eyes, allowing him to clearly see every emotion within them.

"If everyone must compete for the sole Order, then yes, we'll fight to the death."

"But..."

"Our Black Camp is willing to take one step back."

The King gestured for him to continue.

He Yu calmly said,

"Your Majesty should already know we've recovered the Black Camp's inheritance. The Red and Green inheritances are merely tiny fragments of ours. If the Green Camp is willing to help us conquer the world and return the inheritance to the Black Camp, then once we obtain Order, we'll coexist peacefully with the Green Camp."

"We promise that after establishing the new Order, we'll return to human form, and you'll also remain human."

Beside him, Chashu and Hei Teng immediately grew furious.

So this so-called cooperation meant making the Green Camp do all the fighting.

And to guarantee the Black Camp's safety, they even wanted the Green Camp to hand over its inheritance.

Wasn't that simply asking the Green Camp to surrender completely?

How dare he suggest such a thing?!

An inheritance was something unimaginably precious.

It couldn't possibly be handed over to another camp.

Even members of one's own camp rarely saw it.

The King had been angry as well.

But soon, something flickered through his eyes.

With seeming indifference, he asked,

"That's right. Your Black Camp possesses the greatest inheritance and can endure the longest. Why would you still need our cooperation?"

If the Black inheritance hadn't been so formidable, the Green and Red Camps would never have silently agreed to eliminate the Black Camp first.

He Yu paused briefly before sighing helplessly.

"Because we're too weak."

—He's lying.

The King recognized it immediately.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he sank into thought.

Why lie?

Did the Black Camp have some secret?

Their inheritance was the greatest and the most feared.

Yet because they lacked strength, they were desperately seeking cooperation?

The King imagined himself in their position.

Before the Black inheritance appeared, the Green Camp had been the strongest.

He never needed anyone's cooperation.

Nor would he have been anxious.

After all, the other two camps would obviously suffer first.

If he ever became anxious...

If he ever desperately sought allies...

There could only be one explanation.

There wasn't enough time.

The King smiled.

Looking sharply at He Yu, he declared confidently,

"There's a problem with your inheritance. Although you've awakened it, just like over two hundred years ago, it's growing weaker."

"No..."

"Not gradually."

"Rapidly."

He Yu's body stiffened for the briefest instant.

Almost imperceptibly.

Then his expression returned to normal.

"No. Our Black Camp's inheritance has no problems. As long as it exists, our camp will only become stronger, while yours will only become weaker. Cooperation is the best outcome. If the Green Camp helps us, once the original humans regain control of the world, you'll also be able to remain human."

—He's feeling guilty.

Although he hid it well, the King caught every detail.

The Green King's smile carried hidden meaning.

"I'm afraid we aren't interested in cooperating. The original humans shouldn't exist. Only after all of you die can the Red and Green Camps compete for final victory."

As for submitting to the Black Camp?

Who would willingly entrust their lives to someone else?

The Green Camp remained the stronger side.

It was nowhere near the point of compromise.

He Yu became angry.

His black-bean eyes widened.

Stepping forward on the Wind-Fire Wheels, he raised his voice.

"You'll regret this! If you refuse to cooperate with us, then we'll have no choice but to cooperate with the Red Camp. When that happens, your Green Camp will be the one destroyed!"

After saying that, he turned as though preparing to leave.

Hei Teng immediately lashed out with his vines, wrapping tightly around him.

He Yu's face darkened as he stared coldly at the vines.

The Green King narrowed his eyes slightly.

If the Black Camp simply went begging the Red Camp for cooperation, the Red King wouldn't agree.

The Red King's thinking was the same as his own.

But...

What if the Red King learned that the Black Camp's inheritance was rapidly weakening?

He would agree.

Because even the Green King himself had been tempted.

The already disadvantaged Red Camp would be even more tempted.

These toys truly had some ability.

If they could help capture cities, the Green Camp could quickly conquer the world.

Afterward...

They could eliminate the Black Camp.

The world would belong entirely to the Green Camp.

Who wouldn't want free and useful labor?

Originally, they had feared the Black inheritance.

Now it appeared that inheritance was practically worthless.

Otherwise, the Black Camp wouldn't be in such a hurry.

The King slowly spoke.

"Wait."

He Yu abruptly turned back.

Pressing his lips together, he asked,

"Your Majesty... are you willing to reconsider?"

The King looked at him with the domineering arrogance of one accustomed to ruling above all others.

"Cooperation isn't impossible."

"But..."

"The Black Camp must submit to the Green Camp."

He Yu stared in disbelief.

"What kind of joke is this?! Our Black Camp's inheritance is far stronger than yours!"

The King smiled.

"But your inheritance is weakening."

"And rapidly."

After a pause, he added,

"Stop denying it. Too many lies become tiresome."

He Yu neither denied nor admitted it.

He only sneered.

"The Red and Green inheritances are weakening too. When I was Kunhui, I investigated thoroughly. They're all weakening."

He took a deep breath, seemingly forcing himself to stay calm.

"Your Majesty, we've already developed a complete plan for cooperation between the Green and Black Camps."

"As long as you're willing to help us and replace the flags in all seventeen cities with Black Camp flags, hundreds of years of conflict can finally end."

"We can all become human again."

"You're dreaming."

The King sneered, his voice turning sharp.

"If all inheritances are weakening, then your Black inheritance has no real advantage. You don't even control a single city, yet you dare demand control of the entire world? Pure fantasy."

He Yu froze slightly.

Pressing his lips together, he remained silent.

The two faced each other across the projection.

The Green King slowly rose.

Standing high above, he looked down upon He Yu.

"Besides..."

"Our inheritance was indeed weakening before you awakened the Black inheritance."

"But after you did..."

"Our inheritance was replenished."

"It has become strong once more."

"The Red Camp's inheritance is probably the same."

"As for your inheritance..."

"I'm afraid it won't be able to support you much longer."

Ironically enough...

After the Black inheritance appeared, it weakened rapidly.

It couldn't sustain the Black Camp for long.

Yet its appearance had strengthened both the Green and Red inheritances.

He Yu's pupils contracted violently.

His face changed dramatically in shock.

"What? Your inheritance has become stronger?!"

The King sneered mockingly.

"Exactly."

"Surprised?"

"So..."

"What qualifications do you still have to negotiate with me?"

He Yu swayed slightly.

He managed to steady himself.

As though desperately searching for another solution, he gritted his teeth and stared fiercely at the King.

"Even if your inheritance has become stronger, how much longer can it last?"

"Our Black Camp may not be remarkable."

"We may not have many advantages."

"But we're absolutely a force that cannot be ignored."

"Lilu City changing hands over and over again proves that."

"If you refuse to cooperate with us..."

"If we cooperate with the Red Camp instead..."

"Your advantage of controlling seventeen cities will disappear."

"And..."

"We have a plan."

"A plan capable of capturing every city in the shortest possible time."

"A plan that will finally choose a new master for this ruined world."

The more he spoke, the more confidence seemed to return to him.

The Green King, however, remained utterly unmoved.

Instead, he calmly asked,

"And do you believe that together with the Red Camp you'll certainly win?"

"Do you think the Red Camp would agree to your demands?"

"Impossible."

The Green King already held complete confidence in victory.

Yet he still patiently negotiated with He Yu.

Clearly...

It wasn't because he disliked cooperation.

He was simply waiting for He Yu to lower his demands.

He Yu stared at him.

Grinding his teeth.

His expression was extremely ugly.

The Green King remained patient.

Watching him with a faint smile, he quietly waited.

He even adjusted his clothes leisurely.

"I'll give you time to think."

"As long as your Black Camp submits to us and joins the Green Camp..."

"After we conquer this planet..."

"Under our rule..."

"Your toys can become human as well."

—As if.

Once they conquered the world...

They would eliminate every toy.

He Yu lowered his head.

After remaining silent for a very long time, he finally looked up.

His eyes were bloodshot.

"I don't trust you either."

"I have one condition."

"Let's hear it first."

The Green King was in an excellent mood.

After all...

The entire world was practically within his grasp.

How could he not be pleased?

Taking a deep breath, He Yu said,

"To prevent you from eliminating us after victory..."

"When capturing cities and planting flags..."

"You must also plant the Black Camp's flags."

"All twenty-eight cities."

"Not a single one may be omitted."

"Until you establish the new Order and restore us to human form."

With both Green and Black flags planted across all twenty-eight cities...

Both camps would become the world's masters together.

Even if the Green Camp later betrayed them...

They would at least have the strength to resist.

Besides...

Perhaps they would be the ones deceiving the Green Camp by then.

The King easily guessed their thinking.

He sneered inwardly.

Did they really think planting flags meant becoming rulers of the world?

Two flags.

Two rulers?

Impossible.

If it were that simple...

The Red and Green Camps wouldn't have fought each other for so many years.

Two camps inevitably had to decide a final victor.

Could the Black Camp defeat the Green Camp?

Impossible.

They weren't nearly as threatening as the Red Camp.

Their inheritance was indeed the main body.

But it had become extremely weak.

As long as the Green Camp protected its own inheritance and never allowed the Black inheritance to merge with it...

The Black Camp had absolutely no chance.

The Green Camp was fully confident it could protect its inheritance.

The Black Camp would never be capable of harming it.

This cooperation...

Was nothing but profit.

Even if the Black Camp wanted to trick them afterward...

They simply lacked the strength.

Looking down at He Yu, the Green King declared,

"I accept."

"All twenty-eight cities."

"Both Green and Black flags will be planted."

"After we conquer this world..."

"We'll establish new rules and restore you to human form."

At exactly the same moment—

Inside the Red Camp.

The Red King's expression was solemn.

"I accept."

"All twenty-eight cities."

"Both Red and Black flags will be planted."

"After we conquer this world..."

"We'll establish new rules and restore you to human form."

The Green King smiled at He Yu.

"General."

"A pleasant cooperation."

His gaze shifted toward Hei Teng and Chashu.

"Treat the General with proper respect."

Hei Teng immediately withdrew every vine.

Most rulers shared one characteristic.

They trusted their own intelligence.

If you simply told them something...

They wouldn't believe it.

But if they reached the conclusion themselves...

They would believe it completely.

Furthermore...

Once He Yu deliberately proposed an outrageous, impossible condition...

The other party would naturally reject it outright.

Then they would continuously force He Yu to lower his demands...

Until reaching a "minimum condition" both sides could supposedly accept.

The King believed he had gained the advantage.

What he never realized...

Was that perhaps...

That minimum condition...

Had been He Yu's true objective all along.

Of course they could never imagine it.

Because they didn't know...

He Yu and the others had never intended merely to plant the Black Camp's flags across every city.

What they truly wanted...

Were all three flags.

Not one could be missing.

If they couldn't obtain the inheritance...

Then they simply wouldn't approach the problem through the inheritance.

The King said,

"Now then..."

"Tell me about the plan you mentioned."

"The plan for capturing cities quickly."

Inside the team chat, Eugene finally let out a long breath.

"The plan succeeded."

He Yu's face remained grim.

His body stayed tense, perfectly displaying the appearance of someone who had lost ground during negotiations.

Yet inside the team chat, his voice remained calm and steady.

"Progress: thirty percent."

"Chance of victory: fifty percent."

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