287: Video from the Duke

Tian Ming employed both deterrence and appeasement in his dealings with the Lawrence Family.

These foreigners, even Charlie, were extremely focused on transactional benefits, and their vision and perspective were not particularly broad.

Their submission to Tian Ming was more a matter of lip service than genuine conviction.

Once there was any disturbance here, Charlie's mentality would waver.

Before Tian Ming could search for that secret base, he first needed to prod Charlie and make him accelerate the migration progress.

Tian Ming brought Shen Yuan to the Underground City's Command Center.

The Underground City Command Center, connected to the main thoroughfare, was prioritized for construction.

Its facilities were very complete and already in use.

They even set up an office specifically for Tian Ming in this place, to facilitate his management.

Even though everyone knew Tian Ming wouldn't come here often, given his status, even if it remained empty, an office had to be prepared for him.

Tian Ming entered the office with Shen Yuan.

The underground facilities had a minimalist decoration style, but everything necessary was fully equipped.

As soon as Tian Ming and Shen Yuan entered the office, Ji Ruping arrived.

She was holding an electronic tablet and dressed in a black uniform, appearing very capable.

"Boss!" Ji Ruping greeted respectfully.

Tian Ming nodded slightly and said, "Sit down and tell me, how is Charlie's migration progress?"

Ji Ruping sat down and said, "Charlie's Lawrence Family has currently migrated a portion of their robot assembly production lines and Laboratory, and has transported some lithography equipment using large transport planes.

They also brought biological cultivation comprehensive cabins and some seed samples of economic crops they collected.

Since the zombie uprising, Charlie has completely stopped continuing to migrate equipment and personnel."

Tian Ming frowned and asked, "Have you urged them?"

Ji Ruping nodded and said, "We have urged them, but Charlie's side gave the reason that the situation here is unstable, fearing losses, so they will wait until the situation stabilizes before continuing."

This reason was barely acceptable, but in terms of attitude, Charlie was somewhat passive.

However, to a large extent, it was also because the Lawrence Family internally resisted integrating into Tian Ming's Shelter.

Tian Ming pondered for a moment and then said, "How about this: you continue to urge him and tell him to hurry up.

Tell him that if he continues to procrastinate, I will go find him myself."

Ji Ruping was slightly stunned, then nodded and said, "Okay!"

Immediately, Ji Ruping added, "Boss, our Underground City's refined oil warehouse has been built.

When do you have time to replenish it?

Also, the technical personnel are building a new fusion power station, and since this area is close to the sea, they hope you can draw a water pipeline from the seaside to solve the water source problem.

Our current population is very large, and our water source can't keep up."

Ji Ruping still wanted to speak, but Tian Ming directly stopped her.

"Alright, stop talking.

I need to go out for a while, and I will replenish your oil supplies.

As for other problems, you try to solve them yourselves first.

Now all the Superpower Users in the Alliance Headquarters are here, and there are many Ability Users.

Let them solve some of the raw material problems."

Ji Ruping was stunned and quickly asked, "Boss, where are you going again?

Our 600-kilometer protective wall needs defense deployment; this matter is already on the agenda, and General Manager Meng even asked me to come and request your help!"

Tian Ming, however, waved his hand and said, "I really can't help with this.

When it comes to defense arrangements, professionals should handle it.

Jiang Chen's side will not send powerful Corpse Kings over; I can guarantee that, so conventional turrets and machine guns will suffice for now.

They are enough to deal with ordinary zombies."

Ji Ruping hesitated, but couldn't resist asking, "Boss, what are you going to do on this trip?"

Tian Ming glanced at Shen Yuan and said, "To find the Lawrence Family's hidden base and completely eliminate Duke Lawrence's threat to us.

Their research on Ability Users is at the global top level, and if they are not eradicated, I will not feel at ease."

Although Tian Ming said this, it was only one of the reasons; the main reason was to rescue Shen Yuan.

Although Ji Ruping knew this clearly, she could only nod slightly and say, "Boss, then please be careful.

We will wait for your return."

Tian Ming smiled and said, "I can return at any time; it won't take much time.

If there's an emergency, just call me directly on the global wireless radio."

"Additionally, during my absence, you, General Manager Meng, and Elder Lin will have to put in a lot of effort.

Elder Lin is the person in charge of the Alliance Headquarters and also a Superpower User.

When I am not here, he has the authority to make decisions," Tian Ming added.

Ji Ruping responded, "Okay, after all, he is a senior, and our Comprehensive Management Department will also consult his opinion when making decisions.

Boss, how long do you expect to be gone this time?"

Tian Ming said, "About one or two months, I should be back."

One or two months?

Ji Ruping was slightly stunned, but since Tian Ming had already made his decision, she couldn't say anything more.

At this moment, Ji Ruping touched her earbud; it seemed someone was calling her.

Her expression became solemn, and after a moment, she looked up at Tian Ming.

"Boss, Charlie's side received a message from an automatic beacon, and after decryption, it's a short video.

Charlie said you must see it."

Tian Ming's eyes narrowed, "Who sent the message?"

"We don't know, but Charlie's tone was very strange.

We are receiving it now; we'll know in a moment," Ji Ruping replied.

Tian Ming frowned slightly and nodded.

"Beep."

An icon popped up on Ji Ruping's tablet screen, and soon, a video began to play.

It was a base Laboratory, and Duke Lawrence's face appeared on the screen.

He was wearing a simultaneous interpretation device and coughed twice at the camera.

"Lu Tianming, I know that you will definitely receive the signal sent by this beacon.

Do you see the life support pod behind me?

The one lying inside is your woman.

You must have already discovered the replica I sent you.

Now you must be searching the whole world for me, right?" Duke Lawrence's face held a triumphant smile; this was clearly a provocation to Tian Ming.

Tian Ming's face darkened, but he did not get angry; he chose to continue watching.

"The eight-element Superpower User has just met our experimental requirements.

Originally, it should have been you lying in the life support pod, Lu Tianming.

Do you know how much the Lawrence Family has paid to get to where we are today?

However, God has not treated us unfairly; not only did he send your woman, but also your child.

Don't worry, we won't harm them.

I will patiently wait for your child to be born, and then, your child will become a loyal warrior of my Lawrence Family."

Duke Lawrence's words struck Tian Ming like a bolt of lightning.

He and Shen Yuan had only been together once, and then Shen Yuan was captured.

He didn't expect that it would result in a pregnancy after just one time?