Although Number Three outwardly disdained Chen Jinzhao, he inwardly took him very seriously.
This was the principle of despising the enemy strategically while valuing them tactically. Only in this way could one achieve victory in every battle.
He meticulously analyzed Chen Jinzhao's strength and realized he might truly not be Chen Jinzhao's match. Thus, he hesitated whether to have Xu Jinsong join the fight.
Before Number Three could make up his mind, Xu Jinsong proactively stepped forward and stood beside him.
Number Three exclaimed in surprise, "Number Four, what are you...?"
Xu Jinsong looked at Chen Jinzhao with a grave expression and stated, word by word, "You still underestimate Zhulong too much. His strength is far beyond what we can compare to. Even though he is severely injured now, we are still no match for him. Therefore, I must join forces with you to have a chance of capturing him firmly."
Number Three was about to say something else, but Xu Jinsong interrupted him directly, "It's settled then. Don't be stubborn with me."
"Alright, I never expected that we brothers would fight side by side one day. After we kill Zhulong, his position will be yours," Number Three said with a smile.
Xu Jinsong shook his head.
He did not seem to care about that position.
Chen Jinzhao looked at Xu Jinsong deeply and shook his head, "I never thought I would one day become enemies with you. How unpredictable life is."
"You two, go ahead," he said.
Xu Jinsong turned to Number Three and said, "When dealing with Zhulong, you must go all out. Do not harbor any hope of holding back, or we will lose miserably."
"I understand. You are indeed quite cautious," Number Three chuckled, but in his heart, he was already prepared to go all out from the start.
The atmosphere in the laboratory became tense, and a more intense battle was brewing.
Number Three and Xu Jinsong moved in sync, encircling Chen Jinzhao, one in front and one behind, ensuring that Chen Jinzhao's back would always be exposed to one of them. Xu Jinsong, with tact, stood in front of Chen Jinzhao, leaving the easiest opening to his back for Number Three.
Number Three nodded slightly at this, finding Xu Jinsong considerate.
Xu Jinsong bore the brunt of Chen Jinzhao's pressure, which indeed kept his nerves on edge. He couldn't help but say, "Chen Jinzhao, I apologize."
Chen Jinzhao smiled, "We are just fighting for our respective masters. It's nothing."
Xu Jinsong seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, his expression visibly relaxing.
"Enough talk, let's fight," Chen Jinzhao said again.
Xu Jinsong's expression grew solemn. Looking past Chen Jinzhao, he could see Number Three's face. After a moment of eye contact, they both nodded slightly.
The next instant.
They attacked Chen Jinzhao from front and back.
Like Chen Jinzhao, Xu Jinsong wielded a military three-edged bayonet. Number Three, on the other hand, held a black short knife, understated yet chilling to the bone.
Whoosh!
The two instantly appeared in front of and behind Chen Jinzhao.
Chen Jinzhao was now facing a grim problem: who to deal with first? Number Three and Xu Jinsong were stronger than the previous three individuals. Moreover, Chen Jinzhao was already injured from the earlier fight, his strength reduced to only seventy percent of his peak. If he had to fight on two fronts, he would inevitably be unable to attend to both, leading to his downfall.
The only outcome would be a tragic death.
This meant Chen Jinzhao had to make a decision about whom to use as a breakthrough.
At this critical juncture, where any second could determine the outcome of the battle, Chen Jinzhao dared not spend too much time thinking. He immediately turned his head to look at Number Three, and then deliberately exposed his back to Xu Jinsong.
Number Three was slightly stronger than the two. Chen Jinzhao should not have targeted him first.
Perhaps it was a lingering shred of camaraderie that prevented Chen Jinzhao from deciding to attack Xu Jinsong first.
Xu Jinsong was taken aback, not expecting Chen Jinzhao to do this.
He immediately said to Number Three, "You keep him occupied first. I will continue to distract him from the front."
Number Three grinned, "No need. Even though Chen Jinzhao's strength has waned, he is still capable of overwhelming both of us. I will draw his attention, and you find the opportune moment to deliver a fatal blow! Remember, I will cooperate with all your actions!"
Xu Jinsong agreed.
Number Three turned and engaged Chen Jinzhao in a fierce fight!
He was astonished to discover that Chen Jinzhao's combat experience and reaction speed were far beyond his own.
Despite Chen Jinzhao appearing so weak, Number Three still could not gain the upper hand.
In just a few rounds, Number Three had sustained several new scars, and blood gushed from his wounds, a gruesome sight. Number Three acted as if nothing were wrong, continuing to grapple with Chen Jinzhao, creating an opportunity for Xu Jinsong to deliver a fatal blow.
Xu Jinsong did not disappoint Number Three's expectations. In the past half-minute, he had inflicted seven or eight wounds on Chen Jinzhao.
Chen Jinzhao focused most of his attention on Number Three, making his defense weak against Xu Jinsong, who seized the opportunity to attack.
Xu Jinsong roared, "Chen Jinzhao, surrender!"
While fighting Number Three, Chen Jinzhao responded, "You might as well kill me directly. I will never be a running dog for the Divine Kingdom."
"Why bother?" Xu Jinsong asked.
"You are still young, a world-renowned top soldier. Why cling to your ideals? Don't you see how many people in the common populace insult our soldiers? Their words make my heart ache for them. Why do you protect such people?"
"If you pledge allegiance to us, I can guarantee you will not die in the future, and those around you will gain an exceptionally high status."
Chen Jinzhao's voice deepened, "There is no need to say more. Those people are only a minority after all. I want to protect the millions of simple and kind citizens."
Xu Jinsong went into a trance again, then sighed with a complex tone, "I understand. I respect your choice. To question your choice again would be to insult your ideals."
At that moment.
Number Three was at a disadvantage in his exchange with Chen Jinzhao, with numerous wounds already appearing on his body.
Chen Jinzhao, however, did not let his guard down, because he too was injured!
What made Chen Jinzhao even more uneasy was that Number Three had not yet revealed his true capabilities. As far as Chen Jinzhao knew, every experimental subject with a serial number in the Divine Kingdom possessed a very special ability, such as Number Six's blood containing a deadly toxin.
This also indicated that Number Three had not yet given his all.
If he was already making Chen Jinzhao struggle so much without using his full strength, Chen Jinzhao's situation would only worsen if they both went all out.
Chen Jinzhao gave a wry smile.
In the past year, he had encountered too many life-or-death crises.
*Splat*—
Number Three's black short knife plunged into Chen Jinzhao's arm, then twisted sideways, causing Chen Jinzhao to break out in a cold sweat!
Of course, Number Three was not faring any better.
A deep gash appeared on his neck, narrowly missing his carotid artery. They instantly separated, giving themselves a chance to breathe.
The air was thick with the smell of blood.
Chen Jinzhao's body was also covered in blood, making it impossible to tell whose blood was flowing from his own and whose was from the enemy.
He looked up at Number Three and Xu Jinsong.
"Again!"