Gods of the Nation: You worship the God of Longevity, I worship the King of Hell!

Chapter 166 You have one minute left! Cherish it!!

"This... it's not decided yet. I just came across this task myself."

Lu Chen shook the tablet and smiled.

"Okay, I thought you were going too." Sun Yourong paused. "So... are you going?"

Lu Chen carefully scanned the task description and rewards.

His intuition told him that this task was by no means simple.

But 20,000 points, a prize of 100 million—

Double that's 40,000 points plus 200 million!

It's really tempting.

"Sister Sun, can multiple people accept these temple quests at the same time? You can accept yours, and I'll accept mine?"

"Yes, unlike regular individual quests, temple quests have no limit on the number of participants."

Lu Chen clicked his tongue and pondered, "Strange, after more than nine hundred missions, the casualty record is zero... It seems that the safety of this mission is indeed very high."

Sun Yourong smiled gently: "To be honest, that's why I wanted to give it a try. An unexplored secret realm where a rare treasure appears—this kind of opportunity is extremely rare. If I succeed, the reward will definitely be amazing."

She paused slightly, then said, "But I don't think I can handle it... This task doesn't seem like something that can be solved by brute force, but it's quite suitable for you."

"Don't flatter me." Lu Chen chuckled. "How about this, I've only been here a short time, let me see if there are any more suitable or interesting tasks."

"Okay, you can take a look first. I'm leaving now. If you really choose this mission, we'll go together."

As she spoke, Sun Yourong's voice unconsciously softened.

"OK, no problem!"

After watching Sun Yourong leave, Lu Chen continued browsing the task list.

After looking around, I found that the low-risk tasks also had shockingly low rewards;

Those with higher rewards have increasingly alarming casualty rates.

There was even an S-rank mission that he accepted thirty times, resulting in a death record of twenty-one times.

A staggering 70% mortality rate!

—Forget it, let's not create a new account!

"In comparison, that rare treasure mission in Rongcheng just now was indeed incredibly cost-effective... at least nine hundred times with zero deaths!"

Lu Chen pondered for a moment, then made up his mind: "Let's do it! We'll choose this one! We're doing high-value missions! If everyone else survives, surely we won't die, right?"

I made up my mind.

Lu Chen was very decisive and immediately had his staff come over to handle the task.

As usual, the mortgage is 20%.

Twenty million plus four thousand military merits.

Once the logistics department has finished processing this.

The next step is to get the school's stamp to ensure the double reward is processed.

Lu Chen set off swiftly, dialing Sun Yourong's number on the way:

"I accepted Rong Cheng's mission."

“Okay, then we’ll leave at eight o’clock tomorrow morning. Rongcheng is on the border of Jiang Province, and it’s a four or five-hour drive away.”

"Okay, see you tomorrow morning."

He hung up the phone and sped away.

However, they did not notice that a car had quietly followed from behind.

Inside the car, Zhao Wanliang squinted, a smile playing on his lips: "Looks like he's accepted a mission from the temple..."

"Ha, what a restless fellow!"

……

Jiangcheng No. 3 Middle School.

When Lu Chen arrived, she found a prominent banner hanging at the school gate:
"Warmest congratulations to our distinguished student, Mr. Lu Chen, on his promotion to a new esteemed position and his contribution to the school's history!"

Lu Chen: "..."

He actually received a congratulatory call from the school in the morning, asking when he would return to school and saying that he would be giving a speech.

But let's forget about the lecture...

Lu Chen simply couldn't find the time.

As I strode into the campus, I saw lanterns and decorations everywhere, just like during the Chinese New Year.

No wonder—Jiangdu No. 3 Middle School has been established for seventy or eighty years, and has never produced a new elite.

Lu Chen is the first new tycoon.

From this perspective, I have indeed created a school history.

After a while...

The entrance to the Political Education Office was packed with people, many of whom were taking photos with their phones.

In the office, after taking a photo with Lu Chen, the director excitedly shook his hand:
"Student Lu... no, now we should call you Patriarch Lu, or Lord Lu! No. 3 Middle School is incredibly proud of you!"

"You're too kind, Director." Lu Chen smiled. "Then, regarding my task..."

"Okay, okay, I'll stamp it for you right away!"

"Okay!" Lu Chen took out the mission document and handed it over.

The director stamped the document and handed it over: "By the way, Patriarch Lu, what about the lecture..."

"I'm afraid it'll have to wait until next time..."

"I understand, I completely understand! Let's schedule another time then, you go ahead with your work!"

"Thank you, Director!"

Amidst the farewells of his teachers and colleagues, Lu Chen left the student affairs office.

"Wow, they've become newly rich so quickly, it sounds like a dream."

"Yeah, actually his performance was always just average before, how come he suddenly had a breakthrough?"

Behind them, the teachers chatted amongst themselves.

The director cleared his throat: "Stop whispering, everyone. Don't you even know who they are now?"

The teachers fell silent.

As the director watched the departing figure, he seemed to be asking and answering a question with a sigh, "I believe he... is more than just a nouveau riche."

The teachers looked at each other, nodded in agreement, and began to wholeheartedly agree...

……

At the school gate. Lu Chen was just about to get on the bus.

"Master Lu!"

Suddenly a shout came from behind.

Lu Chen turned around and his eyes immediately sharpened.

"Oh, Young Master Zhao? What brings you here?"

Not far away, a luxurious black minivan slid its door open.

Zhao Wanliang sat inside the carriage, a smile on his face.
"I came here specifically to see you. Do you have time to chat for a few minutes, Master Lu?"

"What should we talk about? If we're going to be polite first and then resort to force, then there's no need for that. Let's just get straight to the point."

Lu Chen didn't need to guess to know—Li Chenghuang must have already contacted Zhao Wanliang.

So, did the other party come today to seek reconciliation, or... to continue the protest?
Zhao Wanliang got out of the car, his attitude noticeably more accommodating than yesterday:
“Patriarch Lu, we are both young, only a few years apart. It seems that things haven’t reached the point of life and death between us, have they? I sincerely want to have a good talk with you. If we can resolve the misunderstanding, that would be the best.”

He clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, his tone quite sincere: "I wonder if Patriarch Lu could grant me this small favor?"

Seeing the other party's attitude, Lu Chen pondered for a moment.

Zhao Wanliang remained with his hands clasped in a fist salute, awaiting a reply.

"Fine," Lu Chen said without another word, and strode over.

"please."

The two got into the car, and the driver, understanding the situation, got out and walked away to wait at a distance.

"What would Young Master Zhao like to talk about?" Lu Chen looked at Zhao Wanliang with a calm expression, showing none of the timidity that a newly rich person would show when facing a powerful family.

Zhao Wanliang laughed and said, "Patriarch Lu, please don't be so wary. As I just said, we are about the same age, so we should be able to get along."

“We can talk…” Lu Chen smiled faintly, “But before that, I have a question that I’m very curious about and would like to ask Young Master Zhao.”

Zhao Wanliang gestured for him to speak: "Master Lu, please speak freely."

“I saw that Young Master Zhao was eager to kill me yesterday, so why did he suddenly change his tune today and take the initiative to make peace? This change... isn’t it too fast and too suspicious? I’m not naive enough to think that Young Master Zhao is afraid of the Lu family.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wanliang burst into laughter:

“I understand the concerns of Patriarch Lu. Alright, let’s lay it all out.”

He changed the subject abruptly: "I know that Li Chenghuang came to see you yesterday."

Lu Chen's eyes narrowed.

Is this a showdown?

He remained expressionless: "Could it be that Young Master Zhao has a close relationship with City God Li?"

……

Inside Chenghuang Street, Li Chenghuang felt a pang of anxiety upon hearing this.

……

Zhao Wanliang waved his hand: "Patriarch Lu, you don't think that City God Li is my backer, do you?"

Lu Chen feigned shock: "I didn't say that! Young Master Zhao, don't scare me. Could it be that City God Li is really your backer?!"

Zhao Wanliang: "..."

Damn it, this kid tricked me!
He deliberately spoke casually, "Patriarch Lu, if City God Li were truly my backer, do you think I would still be here today?"

"Hard to say."

Lu Chen looked at him warily, the Yama Token in his hand faintly glowing red.

……

"That idiot!!"

Li Chenghuang clenched his fists inside the hall.

……

Zhao Wan's eyes twitched slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm:

"Patriarch Lu, you misunderstand. My knowledge of this matter has nothing to do with Li Chenghuang; in fact, He is currently investigating my Zhao family's records. As for his purpose... I suppose I don't need to waste my breath."

Seeing that Lu Chen didn't respond, he paused and continued:
“My sources of information are elsewhere. I’m sure the Lu family head is smart enough to guess that.”

Following his words, Lu Chen feigned suspicion: "Could it be... Hu Sanniang?"

"good."

"Hiss!! I didn't expect Young Master Zhao to have such heavy tastes, not even sparing ghosts? I admire you."

Lu Chen clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Zhao Wanliang tried hard to control his emotions, forced a smile, and appeared completely unconcerned about the sarcastic remarks: "So now, Patriarch Lu should understand, right?"

"So, what does Young Master Zhao mean?"

"I, Zhao, meant nothing by it; to sum it up, it boils down to two words!" Zhao Wanliang held up two fingers: "—Cooperation!"

Lu Chen was taken aback at first, then laughed and said, "Cooperation? Me and you?"

“Exactly! Although we are both from families in the north of the city, why fight to the death and let others reap the benefits?”

He continued, "Why don't we join hands and work together to expand the incense business in Jiangdu? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Even today, Zhao can promise in person that the Zhao family temple will never compete with the Lu family for profit in the future.

On the contrary, my Zhao family is willing to help the Lu family expand their market, so that the Lu Clan Temple can establish itself in Jiangdu as quickly as possible!

"Oh?" Lu Chen showed a hint of interest: "Young Master Zhao's change in attitude today is truly flattering. Could it be... that you're afraid the City God Li will really take action against the Zhao family?"

Zhao Wan laughed loudly: "There are no outsiders here, so I'll be frank—if our positions were reversed today, I'm afraid Patriarch Lu wouldn't have been as composed as I am. After all, how can a mortal fight against a god? Especially a local city god."

He looked directly at Lu Chen: "Besides, isn't it exactly what Patriarch Lu wants to see that Zhao is somewhat wary?"

Lu Chen thought to himself: This Zhao Wanliang is indeed more cunning and resourceful than he imagined.

What a brilliant move – retreating to advance, secretly advancing.

At that moment, the atmosphere inside the car froze.

Only the car engine emitted a faint, vibrating noise.

Lu Chen looked at Zhao Wanliang, who also met his gaze directly without flinching.

After a brief stalemate...

Lu Chen smiled and shook his head: "Unfortunately, Young Master Zhao still couldn't convince me."

He held up one finger: "You have one minute left!"

Lu Chen's voice was deep and cold as he spoke, enunciating each word clearly:

"I hope Young Master Zhao will cherish this opportunity!"

　The second update will be later.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)