Book 4, Chapter 174: When All Conditions Align, Victory Is In Sight

After the messenger went back, he immediately told everyone what he had discussed.

Pulabacarl had made himself clear: He had no intention of participating in the fight when it had nothing to do with him, but he was willing to fulfill the Union’s request to make it seem like he was protecting them.

As a martial arts master from the Linacrox Union, it was understandable that he would make such a decision. It was also the most he could do.

This only gave the Union’s representatives a bit of comfort. After another round of discussion, they decided to listen to Pulabacarl and give Chen Chuan some things needed by martial arts masters to placate him.

After all, the municipal government was the one who created this mess, so they should be the ones to shoulder the heat. They needed to put pressure on the municipal government and urge them to get it done properly.

The municipal government took the Union’s “suggestion” seriously.

Guardian Spider was on standby and Chen Chuan wasn’t doing anything, but they were still anxious.

It was difficult to figure out what martial arts masters thought, especially those who hadn’t signed any agreements that restricted their power. They could change their minds at any moment and decide to no longer hold themselves back.

This wasn’t impossible, so they had to deal with this as soon as possible.

In truth, their greatest worry was still the Department of Administrative Affairs. They were afraid that the department would encourage Chen Chuan to use violence on the municipal government. While this possibility didn’t seem likely, they lacked a sense of security, so even if it was only a slight possibility, it was magnified to great proportions in their hearts.

After a fierce discussion, they came up with a plan to send an agent with ties to the Department of Administrative Affairs to negotiate with them.

But right then, they heard that a martial arts master from the refined training faction was on his way to Central City, and he was already close. This news brought them great joy, and they decided to push back negotiations for a bit. The agent should head over only after the martial arts master arrived. This would allow them to make fewer concessions.

***

Qi Weizhao, the chief secretary of the Department of Administrative Affairs, was in his office. He was reviewing and processing all sorts of documents when Qiao Yang, his secretary, approached him. Without even looking up, he asked, “How are things?”

“The Linacrox Union’s martial arts master flew closer to White Bird District on the excuse that they’re worried about their diplomatic delegation. Even though the airship isn’t close enough to trigger security, there’s a martial arts master inside it. The Linacrox Union is making their stance clear with this action.

“We also noticed that Guardian Spider has been awakened and is now active. It can enter combat mode at any moment.

“According to a report from the covert division, the fusion faction and refined training faction are frequently communicating with someone outside via telegram. We’re not rejecting the possibility that they might be using the current situation as an excuse to bring martial arts masters into Central City.”

Qiao Yang took a step forward and said urgently, “If we let things continue festering, the situation in Central City will get even more tense. Should we try to ease things a little or call Mr. Yao back from the merged space?”

Qi Weizhao didn’t comment on that and simply continued writing. After a while, he asked, “What’s the municipal government’s stance?”

“In our communications, they said that they were willing to offer a satisfactory compensation. They’re also willing to make certain concessions, but half an hour ago, they requested a postponement for the negotiations. I believe they’ve been promised support from external forces,” Qiao Yang answered.

Qi Weizhao finished his last letter and put the cap back on the pen before leaning against his chair to think.

Qiao Yang waited without saying anything to bother him.

A long while later, Qi Weizhao said, “What are your thoughts on this? Tell me.”

“I believe that we should restrain ourselves. These companies are the blood of the city. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to keep such a large city running. A lot of citizens will be affected.

“Even if we don’t consider other factors and only think about the municipal government’s active biosentient entity, a fight with it would result in a lot of damage to Central City.”

“That’s not right,” Qi Weizhao said with a shake of his head.

“What?” Qiao Yang was stunned.

Qi Weizhao pointed at him with his pen and said, “You’re thinking from the point of view of the Department of Administrative Affairs, and that’s not wrong, but now, things are different.

“Have you considered that a martial arts master may not act according to our wishes? Have you tried understanding Lead Investigator Chen’s thoughts? You shouldn’t go around making assumptions.

“You may not be aware, but Central City’s interests might not always align with those of a martial arts master. We’re partners who need each other. Central City isn’t above them. Most of the time, given the overall situation of the world, we’re the ones who need them more.

“When the Great Crash comes, martial arts masters are going to play a significant role, so our goal should be to ensure that most of our interests align.”

Qiao Yang finally understood. To him, Chen Chuan was still a lead investigator of the Resolution Department. He hadn’t updated his framework. But Chen Chuan had become a martial arts master and broken free of this system. He could no longer be restricted by the city’s administrative system, so they couldn’t just ask him to do whatever they wanted.

“I looked at this too lightly,” he said and apologized.

“If you’ve never considered it before, you can consider it now. There’s still time for that,” Qi Weizhao comforted him.

“I read the report from the World Ring Defense System. Once we absorb all the territory previously occupied by the imperial army in the merged space, we’ll be able to provide for up to three martial arts masters.

“Resources, manpower, and materials are the deciding factor as to who will win this global conflict. With this part of the merged space, even if we don’t do anything now, we can crush our opposition with brute force in the future. This is the key to breaking this stalemate.

“As for Lead Investigator Chen, what we need to do now is to show him our sincerity and what conditions we can give him. We can’t decide things for him.”

“Yes, you’re right,” Qiao Yang said sincerely.

“Set up a meeting between me and Lead Investigator Chen,” Qi Weizhao said before calling out to Qiao Yang again just as the secretary was about to leave. “Wait. I can’t meet him right now, not in this situation. He can’t meet me in person either. Arrange a call between us instead.”

“Alright. I’ll get things ready,” Qiao Yang said with a nod.

***

Chen Chuan was reading reports about the various districts in his office.

He had already gotten all the people associated with Han Fu and external forces arrested. They were being brought back to the headquarters.

Just then, he received a call. Once he saw the caller ID, he answered Qi Weizhao.

A middle-aged man of around fifty years old showed up on the screen. His temples were graying, and he appeared quite thin, but his eyes were lively, and his lips were pursed, giving him a mature, awe-inspiring presence. “Lead Investigator Chen, I’m Qi Weizhao, chief secretary of the Department of Administrative Affairs. This might be the first time we meet, but I’ve heard about all of your deeds. I would have preferred to meet you in person, but considering the current situation, many people would lose sleep over it. That’s why I can only meet you this way.”

“That’s very kind of you, Chief Secretary Qi,” Chen Chuan remarked.

“I’ve also learned about how the municipal government slandered and attacked you. As the chief secretary, I’m concerned about Central City’s safety, but I also respect your wishes and interests. How far do you intend to push this?” Qi Weizhao asked.

“I intend to punish those directly involved. Also, Gray Shell Office was involved in the mutiny within the Resolution Department. Such a clandestine group can’t be allowed to exist. All the people registered in it must be captured or killed,” Chen Chuan answered frankly. He had no intention of hiding his thoughts.

“The direct participants, the manager of the Crisis Management Center, and the two politicians behind him are going to get the punishment they deserve. As for Gray Shell Office, I promise you that no matter what sort of background they have, we will show no mercy to them.

“What other requests do you have?”

“I’m only in charge of the Resolution Department. As long as people don’t get in the way of my job, I have no interest in them,” Chen Chuan stated.

Qi Weizhao watched him for a bit before nodding. His expression eased up a little. “Do you have any personal requests? As the chief secretary, I believe I can pull some strings to get what you need.”

When he saw Chen Chuan sinking into deep thought, he said, “I’ll have Qiao Yang contact you later. He can represent me fully.”

“Thank you,” Chen Chuan said after some consideration.

“Be careful of the refined training faction and fusion faction, Lead Investigator Chen,” Qi Weizhao added in the end.

Chen Chuan regarded him for a while before nodding.

Qi Weizhao gave him a nod too before vanishing from the screen.

Chen Chuan thought for a time before continuing with his tasks. When he was done, he checked the time and found that it was already evening.

He poured himself a hot drink and examined the changes in his body. After reaching the Fourth Limit, energy kept flowing into his body, and he was still transforming.

This was something every martial arts master went through after reaching the Fourth Limit. Every person was different, though, so the length of their transformations also differed. Chen Chuan had learned from Yao Zhiyi that martial arts masters’ transformations usually lasted two to three days.

He had no idea how long his would last, but he knew just how important the continuous flow of energy was to him. Based on the current situation, he had to be ready to fight against other martial arts masters, even if the possibility wasn’t great. He had to find a way to absorb more energy and continue his training.

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