Chapter 481 Forming an Alliance with a High-Five

At that moment, the team leaders who had gone through the file suddenly remembered the seventh part that they had read suddenly reached a revelation. This time, whether it was those team leaders who questioned Ling Lan’s abilities, or those who had trusted Ling Lan along with the other team members, all of them now had nothing to say.

Zhang Jing-an’s vice captain saw the situation and promptly said, "Captain Ling, our battalion will wholly obey your commands." That statement made the two other team leaders from the other mecha clan to each declare that they were also willing to obey all of Ling Lan’s orders.

Li Lanfeng and Han Jijyun looked at each other right then. All of the remarks made by Zhang Jing-an’s vice captain were always in favor of Boss Lan. If they still didn’t know that Zhang Jing-an had already formed a partnership with their boss, then they wouldn’t be fit to become the Lingtian Battle Clan’s strategists.

Seeing the situation, Qiao Ting felt uneasy. He knew that his chance at the role of commander was completely shattered. The silence and the giving in from before, was caused by Ling Lan and Li Lanfeng’s double teaming in the conversation, causing him temporarily give in. Another reason was that he had wanted to see whether Ling Lan would be able to control this group. Qiao Ting had intended on showing his hand once he found out that Ling Lan could not control these unruly individuals from the different teams, at which moment he would have become a prime candidate for commander.

Unfortunately, the final result made him truly helpless. The means which Ling Lan used were more forceful and decisive than he thought. Faced with Han Yu’s questioning, she didn’t choose to just let it go but instead chose to toss him away and make him obey. With that, not only did she hold down Han Yu’s fury, but at the same time she also frightened the rest of the team leaders and members. No one dared to make any more comments about Ling Lan’s choices, making it so her orders would be obeyed without question. It really was killing two birds with one stone!

Seeing that everyone was finally seeing her as the commander, Ling Lan closed the discussion. She let all the team leaders to go to the weapons warehouse to choose the weapons needed for their own respective teams. She handed her nameplate to Lin Zhong-qing. After the other team leaders finished picking out their weapons, she would then tell Lin Zhong-qing to use her own nameplate to confirm. Ling Lan was the First Men’s Military Academy’s real team leader. When they registered, they used her nameplate to acquire the proof and the 50 million credits.

Just when Qiao Ting stood up and was about leave, Ling Lan suddenly turned around and said to him, "Captain Qiao, please stay."

Qiao Ting slowed down and then blankly seated himself again, waiting for what Ling Lan was going to say.

Ling Lan didn’t say anything, but instead she asked Han Jijyun to take out a piece of paper and a pen and began to draw on the paper. After around three minutes, Ling Lan then raised her head and said to Qiao Ting, "Captain Qiao, can you come over and check this for me?"

Qiao Ting was confused. He walked forward and found out that Ling Lan had drawn the data which had been displayed on the large screen for only one minute at the drawing ceremony. Ling Lan had drawn about 70% of the map. Some of the parts, he hadn’t even noticed. He hadn’t thought that Ling Lan remembered it all.

"Help me add on to it!" Ling Lan said, passing him the pen in her hand.

Qiao Ting raised his head and asked in confusion, "Why would you want me to add to it?"

Ling Lan’s gaze met Qiao Ting’s and she replied with a question, "Then Captain Qiao, you didn’t memorize the map?"

Qiao Ting became silent once again. He hadn’t thought that his actions had been transparent to Ling Lan, which gave him the feeling that he was restrained by Ling Lan. Qiao Ting took a deep breath and let out the small hint of defeat in his heart. He took the pen and wrote down the places that he remembered that didn’t overlap that in which Ling Lan had memorized. Just like that, the entire map was around 80% complete.

Seeing Qiao Ting put down the pen, Ling Lan nodded, saying, "Although the map isn’t finished, it is still enough for us to use."

Qiao Ting almost spat out blood. This was considered to be unfinished? If Ling Lan didn’t remember 70% by herself and with the 10% that didn’t overlap with Ling Lan’s memory from the 30% that he remembered, they wouldn’t have been able to finish almost up to 80% of the map. He believed other than their First Men’s Military Academy, the other academies most definitely did not have a map that was almost complete.

Ling didn’t pay attention to Qiao Ting’s depressed look. She turned her head towards Li Lanfeng and Han Jijyun and instructed, "Make 10 copies of this map on the double. I have uses for them."

"Yes, Captain!" Han Jijyun and Li Lanfeng immediately nodded in response. Because of Ling Lan’s change in role, the two of them set aside the casual way they addressed other normally and switched to the battalion’s standard form of address.

Ling Lan’s eyes showed a tint of happiness. Han Jijyun and Leopard really had situational awareness—they knew what was the best thing to do was. After taking up the role of commander for the First Men’s Military Academy, the old bandit-esque title of "Boss" was no longer suitable.

On the side, Li Lanfeng and Han Jijyun were busy making maps, while on the other hand, Qiao Ting left with his team members. He needed to make sure to choose a good 8 million worth of weapons. This was going to affect their battalion’s battle strength, thus Qiao Ting couldn’t be careless about it.

Very quickly, those in the meeting room had all left, leaving only those from Ling Lan’s battalion. Seeing that there were no outsiders left, Chang Xinyuan immediately loosened the tension in his body, letting out the air he had been holding inside and flopping onto the chair. Man, he had been suffocating to death.

Li Lanfeng was still drawing the maps when sensed Chang Xinyuan begin to move, which made him think of something. He stopped drawing, turned his head and asked, "Chang Xinyuan, about those things, how many did you make?"

"10. What? Is there a problem?" Chang Xinyuan asked in confusion. Weren’t they just destroyed? Why was Li Lanfeng making a big deal out of it?

"That’s not right. I heard twelve exploding sounds." Li Lanfeng said, his expression frozen in place. He turned towards Han Jijyun who was beside him and smiled coldly, saying, "Looks like there really were other academies making a move on us. If I find out who they are, I will use them to warm up in the battle royale," he said with killing intent.

"If my guess is correct, one of them should be the Co-ed Military Academy," responded Ling Lan who was sitting on the chairmen seat, lazily holding up her cheek.

Li Lanfeng said with surprise, "Rabbit? How do you know?"

Ling Lan shot a cold glance towards Li Lanfeng. Didn’t this guy know that she didn’t really like the nickname Rabbit?

When she saw Li Lanfeng’s eyes show a hint of happiness and joyfulness, she was surprised and suddenly thought it was pretty funny. She didn’t think that wise and composed Leopard would have such a childish side to him. Calling her "Rabbit" just to prove their relationship was different from others?

"Yeah, no matter what, she was still someone who cared deeply for her friends. If her friends liked it, then she will just let it slide. She won’t lose anything just from someone calling her ’Rabbit’!" thought Ling Lan.

Han Jijyun, however, seemed to have thought of something. He frowned, his gaze stiff. "Perhaps Luo Chao’s lot couldn’t keep their mouths shut?"

Han Jijyun still remembered that during the celebration for winning the the team battle, Boss Lan had reminded them of the time and place of today’s meeting. At that time, Luo Chao and Han Xuya were both present and they had also heard that information.

"Yes! Han Xuya has too careless a personality and might not have cared about this. However, that intelligent Luo Chao would definitely have done her best to fulfill her duty and bring that information back with her." Ling Lan was not surprised. She gave an ambiguous smile and said, "If the Co-ed Military Academy didn’t make any moves, then I would have been disappointed."

Ling Lan’s words put Han Jijyun at a loss. What did Boss Lan mean? Did Luo Chao betray them? But there was no hint of anger in Boss Lan’s words. What was going on?

When it came to his friends, Han Jijyun’s brain always seemed to become as if clogged and slower to react.

On the other hand, Li Lanfeng’s eyes lit up and he said, "Rabbit, you’re saying Luo Chao understood what you meant and you deliberately handed them the information of the meeting for them to hear?"

Ling Lan nodded and said, "Yeah. Although little Luo Chao is very shy, in terms of brains, she is not worse than Jijyun." There was a hint of pride in the way Ling Lan spoke—who said we girls aren’t as good as guys?

Little Luo Chao? Such an intimate way of calling her! And there was also that a prideful tone. No matter which angled one viewed it from, it seemed like he was showing off... Li Lanfeng remembered that Ling Lan had voluntarily gone clothes shopping with Luo Chao before... (Ling Lan, are you really just going to avoid Han Xuya?) He had even chosen clothes for her. A boy that was willing to do this for a girl... Other than boyfriend and girlfriend, what other kind of relationship could it be?

After thinking about this, Li Lanfeng thought to himself, "Rabbit is this young and already has a girlfriend. Then how does he expect us 20-year-olds to live?" Okay, Li Lanfeng was a bit envious. He thought, "Does Rabbit not know that he needs to be respectful to his elders? Seniors should have girlfriends before the juniors! That’s the right way!"

Han Jijyun didn’t know of Li Lanfeng’s thoughts, but because of Li Lanfeng’s reminder, he quickly understood—eyes lighting up, he smiled with a hint of happiness and said, "Boss, were you planning on striking a partnership with the First Co-ed Military Academy?"

"I’m not the one who wanted to, but them instead!" Ling Lan replied plainly. Regardless of whether they formed a partnership, the final result for the First Men’s Military Academy wouldn’t change. The only reason why she was willing to give the First Co-ed Military Academy this chance was because it was Luo Chao and Han Xuya’s academy. Ling Lan didn’t mind giving them a hand.

Of course, they needed to be honestly willing to form a partnership. If the other side wanted to use them, Ling Lan wouldn’t be so nice even if Luo Chao and Han Xuya was with them.

Han Jijyun wanted to keep asking questions, but Ling Lan suddenly raised her head towards the door of the meeting room. She gestured "do not enter" with her hands and softly said, "Speak of the devil."

Han Jijyun’s expression changed upright and returned to his serious expression. Li Lanfeng quickly put away the maps that he and Han Jijyun were drawing. After cleaning up, they saw at the entrance that a small head had peeped in. Seeing how Ling Lan and the others were all there, she immediately showed signs of joy on her face, a timid smile quietly forming on it—she was none other than Luo Chao.

"If there the guests are here, why don’t they just come in?" Ling Lan said indifferently.

"Haha, congratulations Captain Ling on defeating the rest to become the First Men’s Military Academy’s commander!" Immediately, a candid laugh erupted outside the door. Luo Chao then made way and a tall figure appeared at the entrance which slowly walked into the meeting room. It was none other than the First Co-ed Military Academy’s team leader, Lin Xiao. If there were no issues, Lin Xiao would be the commander of this year’s battle royal for their military academy.

"You’re satisfied with what you heard and saw right?" Ling Lan raised her brow indifferently, instantly exposing what they had done.

Lin Xiao’s laughter was suddenly brought to a halt, and he was now feeling slightly awkward. He hadn’t expected that this second year student, a junior called Boss Lan by Luo Chao’s lot, wouldn’t leave him with any dignity. He thought about the scene he saw earlier. Seeing as how even Qiao Ting, who was the First Military Academy’s top student, was treated in such a harsh manner, then it wasn’t a surprise that he would treat him the same. He laughed weakly in his mind. It looked like the negotiations with the other party wasn’t going to be that easy.

Lin Xiao was, of course, a remarkable person, being able to become the commander of the First Co-ed Military Academy—he kept a straight face and replied, "Well that was because Captain Ling wanted us to listen."

Ling Lan didn’t say anything, but merely glanced coldly towards Lin Xiao, and the two of them silently looked at each other for two to three minutes... In the end, it was Lin Xiao who gave in, the reason being that Ling Lan’s calm and collected expression showed that she didn’t care what they came to do. In other words, it meant that in terms of needing a partnership, the First Co-ed Military Academy was more urgent. Since their side needed something from the other party, Lin Xiao could only give in.

"He really is a difficult person to deal with. No wonder he managed to hold down the academy’s top student Qiao Ting and become the commander of the First Men’s Military Academy..." Lin Xiao thought to himself with admiration. He had lost this round. He had fallen straight into the other side’s hands from the moment he walked in here.

No, perhaps he had already fallen into this trap after Luo Chao gave him that information last night. Unfortunately, even if he knew he was walking into a trap, he would still come by on his own accord in order to beat the Second and Third Men’s Military Academy.

"This time I came here to talk to Captain Ling about forming a collaboration." Lin Xiao went straight to the point. He turned around towards Luo Chao who had followed him inside, smiled and said gratefully, "Of course, I have to thank my junior Luo Chao for creating this connection between us."

Lin Xiao’s words instantly made Luo Chao blush. She shook her hands and said, "Senior Lin, don’t thank me. I was just following my boss’s orders." After saying that, Luo Chao looked at Ling Lan, her eyes filled with a hint of affection. This look of hers made Ling Lan feel very helpless. Who said Luo Chao was a scaredy cat? Ling Lan was already behaving very coldly, but Luo Chao still managed to like her and not be scared off.

Luo Chao’s glance caused Lin Xiao’s smile to dull somewhat. When he looked at Ling Lan again, the sincerity in his eyes had lessened and had a faint hostility to it.

Ling Lan frowned upon seeing this situation. It seemed that Lin Xiao had some feelings for Luo Chao... The way Ling Lan looked at Lin Xiao suddenly became more serious, almost as though she were scrutinizing him.

Upon founding out that there was some other guy coveting her little sister, Ling Lan instantly turned into a beast protecting her young. She really did think that Luo Chao was too young. She shouldn’t just be deceived by men like that... This Lin Xiao actually used his status as senior to get close to Luo Chao—how shameless! Ling Lan was inclined to start a fight and teach Lin Xiao a lesson, letting him know that Ling Lan’s little sisters were not so easily coveted.

Ling Lan’s expression was growing increasingly vicious and her aura was also seeping out. Being at the center of the pressure, Lin Xiao instantly felt a strong, shapeless force striking at him without any remorse... In order to protect himself, Lin Xiao’s aura also erupted and fought against the force like his life depended on it. The more he fought, the more he felt that his opponent had unfathomable power, causing countless droplets of cold sweat to form on his forehead. He realized at that moment why Qiao Ting had chosen to give in—this Ling Lan, his physical abilities were too strong.

Seeing how Lin Xiao could no longer hold on, Ling Lan withdrew her aura. Right then, Lin Xiao had a face full of sweat. Luo Chao saw this and quickly gave him a tissue, her eyes filled with a hint of pity. Senior Lin was too stubborn—he was just looking for trouble when he decided to clash with Boss Lan’s aura.

Lin Xiao suddenly blushed after seeing Luo Chao’s eyes show a hint of pity. It was no wonder that no matter how well he behaved and performed, Luo Chao would not bat an eye. If she had someone beside her that was this talented, she probably wouldn’t even give others a second look. He felt somewhat at a loss. To him, Luo Chao was really cute. He was infatuated with her, whether it was her timid smile or her warm voice. It was unfortunate that someone like her wouldn’t be his.

He looked again towards the cold expressionless face of Ling Lan. Lin Xiao sighed internally. With someone this strong, Lin Xiao didn’t believe that he had hopes of winning her over. Although it was a bit of a waste, Lin Xiao was someone who could move on. If there was no chance, then he would just put his feelings down and never think of them again.

He changed his stance and spoke to Ling Lan again, "I came here this time to talk with Captain Ling about a partnership." The war on love could wait, as right now he had come here to talk about their military academy’s future for this year—he couldn’t make any mistakes here.

Seeing his expression become clear, Ling Lan felt some admiration towards Lin Xiao at that moment. Her impression of him improved as well, so she decided to no longer make it hard for Lin Xiao and said, "Partnership. Sure. However, whether we can or cannot collaborate is based on how sincere you guys are."

It was with apparent confidence that Lin Xiao took out a paper-like object from his pocket and handed it to Ling Lan. Ling Lan opened it, her lip raised, and then she shook her head at Lin Xiao, indicating that this was not enough.

"This is only part of it. If you agree to the partnership, we will give you the other ones as well," said Lin Xiao.

At that, Ling Lan turned towards Li Lanfeng and signaled him to come over. Li Lanfeng joyfully hopped beside Ling Lan, who then asked Li Lanfeng to bring his ear down. She then softly instructed Li Lanfeng with a few words, at which Li Lanfeng nodded to show that he understood.

Upon receiving Ling Lan’s orders, Li Lanfeng quickly took out a piece of paper and sat on the side of the table in the meeting room. He drew up a part of the map that they had drawn earlier.

After Lin Xiao saw this, his expression changed slightly, the reason being that the map Li Lanfeng had drawn was the same as the one that he had showed Ling Lan. Moreover, Li Lanfeng had drawn five or six more districts than they had. This meant that this portion of the map that he had brought, Ling Lan’s group had as well—that was why Ling Lan had shaken her head, indicating that it wasn’t enough. Indeed, the things that other people have could originally be worth a lot, but now it was worth nothing at all.

Lin Xiao bit his lip and took out three pieces of paper and passed them to Ling Lan. This was already 70% of the amount that they had been able to memorize and jot down, while their entire map was only around 45%. If his deputy wasn’t a genius at memorization, there would have been no way for them to memorize this much. He hoped that these three pieces of paper would satisfy Ling Lan, or else they would be in a rough spot.

Ling Lan opened it and took a look. The first two pieces made her frown, making Lin Xiao heart drop to the ground. When she looked at the third piece, however, Ling Lan became silent, making Lin Xiao jolt up. Just when he thought that something was going to happen, Ling Lan shook her head to indicate that it was still not enough.

Lin Xiao’s expression shifted and anger reared inside him for a second. Ling Lan was too insatiable—he did not believe that all three maps had no use to him.

Ling Lan saw the dissatisfied look on Lin Xiao’s face. She didn’t say anymore, turning her head and ordering Li Lanfeng, "Lanfeng, draw the C-area and D-area maps for Captain Lin!"

Li Lanfeng quickly drew out both the C-area and D-area maps. The two maps Lin Xiao had given them were lacking and the markings they had made were unclear. However, the one Li Lanfeng had drawn was complete, which meant that Ling Lan could confirm that they already had these two maps and they were more complete than Lin Xiao’s. Now that Ling Lan asked him to draw it out, it was instead favorable for Lin Xiao’s side.

"Inside here, there is only this T-area map that we are missing 50% of." Ling Lan moved the three pieces of paper in her hands and acknowledged the fact that there was information that was useful to them. "However, this map only counts as half of a kind gesture. If you want to form a partnership with us, just half is not enough."

Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up. He looked at Ling Lan, wanting to determine whether what she said was true or not, while Ling Lan looked at him earnestly. In reality, if she really wanted a fully completed map, she didn’t even really need to bargain with them—she would only need to ask Little Four for it.

Even for that T-area map, Lin Xiao’s group had only drawn portion of it and some parts were missing, but it was just that she and Qiao Ting remembered the least about the map of the T-area, which was why she accepted their kind gesture.

"We shouldn’t be bargaining and haggling now. I know you have some maps in your possession. You can’t possibly take them all out. Is it one, two or three?" Ling Lan paid attention to Lin Xiao expression as she was speaking. When she said two, Lin Xiao’s eyebrows twitched a bit. She then knew that the maps that their rival had was around 60%. Although this amount of information could not compare to theirs, it was still very surprising. It was likely that the Co-ed Military Academy had an individual who was proficient at memorization, or else there would have been no way for them to memorize this much.

"If I take all of it out, will Captain Ling agree to the alliance?" Lin Xiao was not tempted by Ling Lan’s words. He didn’t want to show all of his cards and receive nothing in return in the end.

"Of course, our common enemy is the Second Men’s Military Academy. Yes, the Third Men’s Military Academy, too." Ling Lan pointedly looked at Luo Chao who was standing on the side.

Lin Xiao laughed weakly. Even if he knew he didn’t have a chance with Luo Chao, being her senior, he had to help her get rid of the foul taste in her mouth and let Jiang Shaoyu know that the First Co-ed Military Academy was not to be messed with.

"I hope Captain Ling will not go back on your word. Also, the Second Men’s Military Academy is our opponent!" Lin Xiao said without hesitation, shooting a glance at Luo Chao. This was the last thing that he could do for Luo Chao, so he had to finish it in order to hold a memorial for the feelings he was going to lose.

"Done!" Ling Lan sprang to her feet suddenly, her face completely serious and her hand raised.

"May our partnership prosper!" Lin Xiao also raised his hand, gave Ling Lan a high-five, and thus a promised partnership that would go down in history books was formed.