Chapter 117 Probing and Spy

Zhuang Qianhao looked at Wang Meng's probing face, the corner of his mouth twitching into a half-smile.

"What, you still want a kickback?"

Wang Meng chuckled, rubbing his hands together.

He showed no embarrassment at being called out, instead speaking in a joking tone.

"Just asking, Old Zhuang. We're all in the same boat now, just you and me having a little private chat!"

"Get the hell out of here!"

Zhuang Qianhao pointed a finger at Wang Meng's nose, laughing and cursing.

"With Boss's methods, if you get caught, you won't live to spend it."

"Besides, I don't believe you'd really do that. You're just trying to mess with me, aren't you? I know exactly what's going on in that scheming head of yours. Still thinking about stepping on me to score more points in front of the Boss?"

Hearing this, Wang Meng didn't show the slightest discomfort.

Instead, he leaned over, threw an arm around Zhuang Qianhao's shoulder, and Burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, as if! Am I that kind of person, Wang Meng?"

Zhuang Qianhao was also amused by his shameless act, shaking his head helplessly. "You're not? You sly old bastard!"

"You're calling me that? You're not much better yourself!"

As the words fell, the two looked at each other and laughed heartily.

The subtle wariness between them seemed to melt away considerably in that moment.

They were both smart enough to know that someone like Su Ze wouldn't tolerate any nonsense.

Playing petty tricks would only get them killed faster.

Of course, joking aside.

Among these leaders, competition was still inevitable.

Who wouldn't want to live more comfortably and command more respect?

With that, they stopped dawdling and each opened their personal panels.

They transferred every last copper coin they had earned from leading their teams to clear zombies that morning to Su Ze, not a single one missing.

[Ding! You have transferred 9456 copper coins to player 'Su Ze'.]

[Ding! You have transferred 9344 copper coins to player 'Su Ze'.]

Soon, new prompts simultaneously appeared on both their panels.

[Ding! Player 'Su Ze' has transferred 2836 copper coins to you.]

[Ding! Player 'Su Ze' has transferred 2803 copper coins to you.]

Both men were stunned. Looking at the extra copper coins in their accounts, they understood instantly.

Thirty percent!

The Boss had actually returned thirty percent to them directly!

They exchanged a glance, seeing shock and a hint of wild joy in each other's eyes.

This wasn't just about the money.

It represented an attitude, a form of recognition.

Su Ze was telling them: as long as they served loyally, he would not mistreat his subordinates.

And this also set the standard for future "commissions."

...

Meanwhile.

Walking down the road, Su Ze looked at the series of transfer notifications popping up on his personal panel, a faint smile appearing on his face.

At that moment, Xu Feng and the other two also transferred their morning's gains.

[Ding! Player 'Xu Feng' has transferred 9160 copper coins to you.]

[Ding! Player 'Liu Yuanfang' has transferred 16550 copper coins to you.]

[Ding! Player 'Qiao Yunfeng' has transferred 6920 copper coins to you.]

Hmm, the number of people Xu Feng led wasn't much different from Wang Meng's group, both starting with a 9.

Liu Yuanfang's team was all women. Though their combat strength was slightly weaker, they made up for it in numbers.

With nearly three hundred people under her command, this level of income was normal.

As for Qiao Yunfeng's side, they had the fewest people and it was his first time leading a team. Having this amount was already pretty good.

Su Ze quickly calculated in his mind.

These numbers matched the estimated income reported by the spies he had planted in each team—the informants developed by Zhou Kai—almost exactly.

It seems they were being sensible.

Without hesitation, he quickly returned thirty percent of the copper coins to each of them.

[Private Chat · Su Ze: Well done. Keep it up.]

He sent the same message to everyone.

Of course, Su Ze understood this was just the beginning.

Human nature was the most fragile thing under testing.

They still needed to be watched.

He closed his panel, not heading directly back to the Dormitory.

Instead, he entered an empty Dormitory on the 2nd floor.

Inside the room, a figure had been waiting for some time.

It was Zhou Kai.

Seeing Su Ze enter, Zhou Kai spoke respectfully, giving a slight bow.

"Boss Su Ze!"

"Mn."

Su Ze casually closed the door and got straight to the point.

First, he gave Zhou Kai one hundred copper coins to help him unlock the shop and the trade channel.

Then, he took out a large pile of items from his backpack.

Food, drinking water, a large amount of Iron Material and Wood material, and a fine-quality watermelon knife.

Finally, he took out a syringe emitting a faint glow.

[zombie serum].

When he saw this serum, Zhou Kai's breath hitched, his eyes bursting with disbelief.

*Thud!*

Zhou Kai could no longer control himself. His legs gave way, and he knelt heavily on the floor, his forehead knocking against the ground.

"This... Boss, oh no, Boss, thank you, Boss!" Zhou Kai's voice trembled.

"Get up." Su Ze's tone was flat. "I don't like seeing people kneel."

"Work hard from now on, and you won't lack for rewards."

Zhou Kai took the serum with trembling hands, as if holding some priceless treasure.

"Remember your identity from now on. You are my eyes and ears, hidden in the shadows."

"Without my orders, we should avoid meeting as much as possible. Pass intelligence through private messages."

"I don't need you to become a leader of any floor. You watch all of them for me. I want to know about any suspicious activity from anyone, and you'll compile all sorts of intelligence."

"Understood! Rest assured, Boss!" Zhou Kai nodded emphatically, stowing all the items into his backpack.

Su Ze gave a few more detailed instructions.

Zhou Kai committed each one to memory, his eyes filled with fervor and excitement.

He knew that by following Su Ze,

he would gain far, far more than he had ever imagined.

And although Su Ze's appointment of him didn't seem as glamorous as Wang Meng and the others,

it was genuine trust and important responsibility!

Once the instructions were finished, Zhou Kai promptly left according to Su Ze's directions.

Su Ze watched Zhou Kai's figure disappear into the shadows between the buildings, his expression impassive.

One Zhou Kai was indeed useful.

But...

If all intelligence came only through Zhou Kai's single channel, that might not be entirely safe.

What if, one day, Zhou Kai was bribed?

Or if he had a change of heart, feeding false information, even secretly colluding with Wang Meng and the others...

It wasn't impossible, though the probability was low.

If he really did that, Su Ze would instantly become blind and deaf.

Although he didn't think they could cause any real trouble,

it was still prudent to have a check and balance.

Moreover, it needed to be someone who could restrain Zhou Kai, yet neither would know of the other's existence.

He would have to see who was worth cultivating.

Walking along, he pondered suitable candidates.

Soon, he arrived at the door of Dormitory 404...