After returning, the liaison immediately conveyed Prabhakar's words to the people of the Consortium.
What Prabhakar meant was actually quite clear: he had no interest in involving himself in a dispute that did not concern him, but was willing to put on a protective posture merely to accommodate the Consortium's request.
As a martial artist from the Linakes Federation, such a choice on his part was understandable, and this was the furthest extent of what he would do.
This offered the Consortium delegation only a shred of psychological comfort. Therefore, after some discussion, they decided to adopt Prabhakar's suggestion: to offer items needed by martial artists to placate Chen Chuan as best they could for now.
Because this whole mess had been stirred up by the Municipal Council, the cost naturally had to be borne by them. The Consortium needed to pressure the Municipal Council and urge them to settle the matter as quickly as possible.
Upon receiving the Consortium's "suggestion," the Municipal Council treated it with the utmost gravity.
Although the Guardian Spider had entered combat standby and there was currently no movement on Chen Chuan's end, their hearts remained fraught with anxiety.
The thoughts of a martial artist were notoriously difficult to predict. Especially when one had not signed any binding agreement and wielded absolute force, there was no telling when a sudden change of mind might cause him to abandon all restraint.
This was by no means impossible, so they resolved to settle the issue as soon as possible.
What they feared most was actually the Government Affairs Hall. They were terrified that Chen Chuan might take violent action against the entire council under the instigation of the Government Affairs Hall. At present, this possibility seemed slim, yet in this state of acute vulnerability and dread, even the slightest possibility was magnified exponentially in their minds.
After a bout of debate, the council finally hammered out a proposal with utmost haste and prepared to find an intermediary connected to the Government Affairs Hall to conduct negotiations.
Just then, however, word suddenly reached them that a martial artist dispatched by the Refined Practice School was already en route to Center City and would arrive very soon. This news sent them into raptures. They immediately decided to postpone the negotiations until the newcomer arrived; perhaps by then, they would not need to make so many concessions.
Inside the Jibei Dao Administrative Building, in the office of the Chief of Government Affairs, Qi Weizhao was processing and signing various paper documents. When the footsteps of his secretary officer, Qiao Yang, approached, he asked without lifting his head, "How does it look?"
Qiao Yang said, "Chief, citing concerns over the safety of their diplomatic delegation, the Linakes Federation has docked the airship carrying their martial artist near White Bird District. While it hasn't advanced any further or crossed our perimeter, a martial artist is still a martial artist—moving forward in itself signals an attitude.
"Furthermore, our monitoring indicates that the Municipal Council's active conscious entity, the 'Guardian Spider,' has had its true form awakened and has entered an active period, ready to go into combat mode at any moment.
"And according to intelligence from certain covert departments, the Convergence faction and the Refined Practice School are frequently communicating externally via telegram. We cannot rule out the possibility that they might use this as a pretext to deploy martial artists to Center City."
He took half a step forward, his voice a little urgent.
"Chief, if we allow this situation to persist, tensions in Center City will only escalate. Should we attempt to de-escalate things, or... recall Principal Yao from the Melded Lands?"
Qi Weizhao remained noncommittal, the pen in his hand still moving. After a moment, he asked again, "What does the Municipal Council say?"
Qiao Yang said, "During our earlier communications, they indicated they were willing to offer satisfactory compensation and concede on certain terms. But half an hour ago, they stated they wanted to postpone negotiations. I suspect they have received some new external commitments or backing."
Qi Weizhao finished the final stroke, capped his pen, leaned back against his chair, and sank into quiet contemplation.
Qiao Yang stood by waiting, not disturbing his thoughts.
After quite a while, Qi Weizhao said, "What are your thoughts? Speak your mind."
Qiao Yang looked up and said, "Chief, I believe we ought to exercise restraint. These corporations are like the blood vessels of this city; without them, a city as massive as Center City cannot be sustained, and countless citizens will be affected.
"And even setting aside other external factors, the council possesses an active conscious entity. Once an outright conflict erupts, the devastation to Center City would be catastrophic."
Qi Weizhao shook his head. "That is the wrong way to look at it."
Qiao Yang was taken aback. "Chief?"
Pointing his pen at him, Qi Weizhao said, "You are looking at the problem solely from the perspective of the Government Affairs Hall. That was not wrong in the past, but the circumstances are different now.
"Qiao Yang, have you ever considered why a martial artist should act according to our line of thinking? What does Supervisor Chen actually want? Have you ever tried to understand that? Do not take things for granted.
"You haven't realized that the interests of Center City and the interests of a martial artist are not always aligned. We and they can be considered partners; we need each other. It is not as if Center City occupies the superior position. In fact, most of the time under the current climate, we are the ones who need them more.
"In the foreseeable future, when the Great Impact arrives, the role martial artists can play must not be underestimated. How to bring our interests into high alignment is what we must consider and resolve moving forward."
Qiao Yang understood now. In his mind, Chen Chuan was still an investigation supervisor of the Disposal Bureau. His thinking had not yet shifted: once someone became a martial artist, they effectively stepped beyond the established system—or at least beyond what any local governance could constrain. Officials could not simply dictate what they should do.
He promptly admitted his mistake: "Chief, I oversimplified matters."
Qi Weizhao said, "What wasn't considered in the past can be considered now; there is still time.
"I have reviewed the report forwarded by the Defense Department. Once we consolidate the territory in the Melded Lands that the Old Imperial House spent years developing, we will have enough to sustain the supply needs of two or even three martial artists.
"Contests in this world ultimately boil down to resources, manpower, and material wealth. With that piece of the Melded Lands, even if we do nothing right now, our hard power alone will be sufficient to crush the other side. That is the crux of breaking this impasse.
"As for Supervisor Chen, right now we should demonstrate our sincerity and lay out the terms we can offer. As for how he decides, there is no need for us to make choices on his behalf."
Qiao Yang said with sincere conviction, "Yes, Chief, you are right."
Qi Weizhao said, "Make the arrangements. I'll meet with Supervisor Chen first. Wait..." He called back Qiao Yang just as the secretary was about to move. "Under current circumstances, it's not appropriate for me to visit him, nor is it appropriate for him to come see me. Let's talk over the field screen first."
Qiao Yang nodded. "Understood, Chief. I will arrange it right away."
At that moment, Chen Chuan was in his office, reviewing reports submitted from various sectors via the field screen.
All personnel implicated with Han Fu or external forces had now been apprehended and were being escorted in batches to headquarters.
At this moment, an internal signal appeared on the screen. Noticing it, he tapped his boundary credential, which indicated that Chief of Government Affairs Qi Weizhao wished to speak with him.
His eyes flickered slightly, and he accepted the connection. A middle-aged man in his fifties appeared on the screen. His temples were touched with gray, his face and frame were lean, his large eyes were sharp and spirited, and his lips were firmly set, giving him an air of seasoned dignity and authority.
"Supervisor Chen, I am Qi Weizhao, Chief of Government Affairs. This is our first time meeting, though I have heard and seen much of your deeds. Ordinarily, I ought to pay a visit in person, but given the current state of affairs, an in-person meeting between the two of us would likely keep even more people awake at night. So let us make do with this format for now."
Chen Chuan replied, "Chief Qi, you are too courteous."
Qi Weizhao said, "Supervisor Chen, I am fully aware of their attacks and slanders against you. As Chief of Government Affairs, I care deeply about the safety and stability of Center City, but I also respect your personal wishes and interests, Supervisor Chen. May I ask: regarding this matter alone, how far do you intend to push it?"
Chen Chuan did not conceal his thoughts. He said, "All personnel directly involved in this matter must be dealt with accordingly. Furthermore, the Gray Shell Agency intervened in the mutiny within the Disposal Bureau; such fringe organizations can no longer be permitted to exist. Every individual registered under them must be arrested or eliminated."
Qi Weizhao said with a grave expression, "The direct participants in this incident, along with the management of the Crisis Affairs Center and the two councilors behind them, will all receive their due punishment. As for the Gray Shell Agency, I also promise you that regardless of their backing, no leniency will be shown.
"Supervisor Chen, beyond that, do you have any other requests?"
Chen Chuan said, "My duty is only to manage affairs here at the Disposal Bureau. As for the rest, so long as it does not obstruct me, I have no interest in meddling."
Qi Weizhao looked at him for a moment and gave a slight nod, his expression relaxing a fraction. "Supervisor Chen, do you have any personal needs to raise with me? As Chief of Government Affairs, I believe I still possess a certain amount of authority."
Seeing Chen Chuan appear to be considering it, he added, "How about this: I will have my secretary officer, Qiao Yang, contact you later. He can represent me with full authority."
Chen Chuan thought it over. "Then thank you."
Qi Weizhao then added, "Supervisor Chen, beware of the Refined Practice School and the Convergence faction."
Chen Chuan looked at him and nodded.
Qi Weizhao returned the nod, and his figure disappeared from the screen.
Chen Chuan sat in his chair and pondered for a moment, then resumed dealing with the tasks at hand. By the time everything was handled, he checked the time; evening had already arrived.
After pouring and drinking a cup of hot beverage, he carefully sensed the changes within his body. Even now, the energy gained from breaking through the boundary continued to surge forth without cease, driving the ongoing transformation of his physical form.
This was something every fighter experienced after breaking through the limit. Depending on the individual, the duration of this transformation varied. From what he had learned from Principal Yao, an ordinary fighter's transformation would likely last only two to three days.
He had no idea how long it would last in his own case, but he understood the vital importance of this sustained energy to his growth. Furthermore, judging by the current situation, even if the possibility was not particularly high, he still needed to be prepared to battle opponents on the same level. Therefore, during this period, he had to find ways to absorb even more energy, and his cultivation could not afford to pause.
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Chapter 782