This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 663: Bring it On, We Don’t Need Charitable Peace

Not far from the First Army Corps’s station, a Tiger Whale Transport Aircraft, trailing a pale blue plasmic tail, slowly descended on the tarmac.

Yi Chuan, who had just finished a meeting, stood outside the tarmac and went to greet Minister Wu Changnian as he walked out of the cabin, his face wearing a warm smile as he extended his right hand.

"Welcome, Minister Wu!"

"Ha ha, my dear Yi, long time no see!" While shaking Yi Chuan’s right hand and patting his shoulder, Wu Changnian looked at the young man before him with a beaming smile.

Compared to the confused young man of last year, this youngster had indeed grown significantly.

As he had anticipated, this place was more challenging than he had imagined.

With a firm pat on the shoulder with his left hand, Wu Changnian then released his right hand and began introducing the few people behind him.

"...Let me introduce you, these individuals are from the Integrated Management Department sent to the City of Dawn , mainly responsible for assisting you with agendas related to the ’Mutated slime fungus’. This is Qin Juncai, who per the board’s decision will represent the corporation at the Mucor Research Community."

The young man named Qin Juncai smiled reservedly, looking at Yi Chuan with reverence and enthusiastically shook his hand.

"I’ve long admired you, Mr. Yi Chuan! I have been a fan since my time in Ideal City! The thought of working with you excites me immensely!"

Last year, the corporation and the Army had clashed, successfully forcing those boastful barbarians back to the negotiation table, thwarting the Army’s expedition to the eastern part of Central Continent.

The most outstanding performance had undoubtedly been from the corporation’s Integrated Management Department, especially the five representatives from various subsidiaries appointed to the Alliance.

Not only did they coerce the Army back to the boundaries of Falcon Kingdom with minimal cost, but they also solidified the corporation’s friendship with various survivor forces in the eastern Central Continent.

Especially with the Alliance.

Now, hope for ending the Wasteland Era emerged not just in Province of Yúnjiānxíng but also far in the central River Valley Province of Central Continent.

Being praised so enthusiastically, Yi Chuan smiled shyly and responded politely.

"Mr. Qin, you give me too much credit! I dare not accept such an honor; I merely share in the legacy of those pioneers on the ’Pioneer’."

Qin Juncai, gripping his hand tightly and shaking it, said with a laugh.

"I’m not exaggerating at all; these are indeed my heartfelt words! And they reflect the views of many people! I look forward to your guidance in our future work."

Yi Chuan returned the smile and said softly,

"Certainly."

The research on the statutes of the Mucor Research Community had now entered its final stages.

The staff accompanying Minister Wu Changnian to the City of Dawn were all future personnel for the corporate office in the "Sticky Community," with the young man called Qin Juncai being the corporate representative at the Sticky Community.

In terms of rank, he was one level below Yi Chuan, the corporate envoy to the Alliance, but both were directly accountable to the board.

Minister Wu Changnian’s main purpose for this visit was to represent the corporation on a diplomatic visit to the Alliance, with an ancillary aim to arrange the next phase of work for the Corporate Embassy in the Alliance.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group moved away from the vicinity of the tarmac.

Yi Chuan had initially arranged transport for the group, but inspired on a whim, Minister Wu Changnian suggested taking a walk around the area.

Thus, the party began walking towards North Street of Dawn City, planning to have dinner there before returning to Embassy Street.

As they walked, Minister Wu Changnian assessed the streets here, comparing them to the images in his memory.

Yi Chuan surreptitiously observed Minister Wu’s expressions.

Although he couldn’t discern much change in his superior’s face, he could still feel the surprise and astonishment subtly revealed by his micro-expressions.

Clearly, the changes here had genuinely astonished him.

As Yi Chuan pondered this, Minister Wu Changnian suddenly began speaking with a smile.

"How has the City of Dawn been lately?"

Jolted from his thoughts, Yi Chuan hurriedly smiled back and replied.

"That’s quite a scene!"

"Which aspect?"

"Every aspect!" Seeing Minister Wu’s interested expression, Yi Chuan smiled and continued, "Take us, for example, flights from Ideal City to City of Dawn used to be every two days, now they have increased to two times a day. And it’s not just the exchanges between us and them that have increased, every Survivor Settlement has sent diplomatic missions here."

Minister Wu Changnian nodded approvingly.

"It’s good that the settlements are paying attention to the ’Mutated slime fungus’ issue, just afraid that the new generation settlements have completely forgotten how the Wasteland Era came about."

Moved slightly, Yi Chuan looked at him and asked.

"So... does the council agree for the Army to join the Mucor Research Community?"

Minister Wu Changnian smiled faintly and said.

"Since we could shake hands with the Academy, naturally, there’s no reason to exclude the Army. Moreover, the Alliance, which has directly battled the Army, has no objections, too petty for us to oppose now. By the way, what about the Grand Canyon?"

Joy brimmed in Yi Chuan’s smile.

If this is the council’s stance, then the upcoming negotiations will be much smoother!

Pausing for a moment, Minister Wu Changnian suddenly continued.

"By the way, what about the Grand Canyon? Have they made any moves?"

Hearing Minister Wu suddenly bring up this unexpected name, Yi Chuan paused briefly, hesitating before continuing.

"The Grand Canyon hasn’t made any moves, but according to our information... they have instructed Bugra Free State to make a foreign visit to the Alliance, specifically for the Mucor Research Community."

Minister Wu Changnian pondered for a few seconds, then slowly nodded.

"Mm... that does match the council’s expectations."

Yi Chuan frowned slightly and asked.

"I don’t quite understand, what exactly is the Grand Canyon thinking?"

Minister Wu Changnian chuckled lightly.

"What’s so hard to understand? The old man managing the Grand Canyon once made a serious mistake, and he’s still haunted by that incident to this day, fearing that direct control might lead to the disaster repeating... So you’ll notice, not only is he extremely conservative in his management of Bugra, but his approach to everything on the Wasteland is to the extent of being passive."

Though the survivors of Bugra would definitely disagree, in Minister Wu Changnian’s view, there was no doubt about it.

No settlement in Province of Yúnjiānxíng would dare stab the Corporate and Army factions in the back during their most intense confrontations, yet Bugra had profiteered from the war between the Grand Canyon and Army Eastward Expansion Faction, even causing a catastrophe that affected the entire province.

Had that old fool intervened more thoroughly in time, the situation in Luo Xia Province wouldn’t have reached the extent it did last year.

But on the other hand,

Without that war, without the Bone Chewing Chaos, the survivors of River Valley Province wouldn’t have united so smoothly, either.

Yi Chuan’s expression still showed incomprehensible confusion.

"But it’s been so many years... they should have moved on by now."

"For us, indeed, it’s been quite a long time, several generations’ worth, but to that old fool, an incident from a hundred years ago and one that happened yesterday are nearly the same, his sense of time has dulled. Don’t mind him..." pondered Minister Wu Changnian for a moment before speaking, "Let’s talk business, we need to bring Bugra Free State into this."

Yi Chuan looked at him puzzled and asked.

"Why?"

Minister Wu Changnian spoke softly.

"Without the Grand Canyon’s participation, many things can’t proceed, and there are still numerous Survivor Settlements on the Wasteland that follow their lead, especially those that have been directly or indirectly helped by the War Construction Committee. Pulling the Grand Canyon directly into this isn’t very realistic, but using their ’son’ might allow us to indirectly bring them into the fold."

Moreover—

With the decline of the Army Eastward Expansion Faction, the Free State was no longer under the Army’s sphere of influence.

In the council’s view, those wavering characters are worth an attempt at alignment.

"But what if their son makes trouble?"

Facing Yi Chuan’s hesitant expression, Minister Wu Changnian gave a faint smile.

"Those guys won’t cause any significant disturbances, and corrupting them is not difficult. However, the key issue is how our friends in the Alliance see it. You can subtly probe Chu Guang to see what he thinks. The council wants to give Bugra a chance to join the Mucor Research Community as an associate member, or even as a cooperative partner would be acceptable."

Yi Chuan carefully noted his advice and nodded.

"Understood."

A group of people was passing through a street when they suddenly saw a large crowd gathered not far away.

Minister Wu Changnian instinctively stopped in his tracks, curiously looking in that direction, and the others also halted.

"What is that?"

Yi Chuan glanced over and quickly responded.

"It seems to be a Weilante People’s camp."

"Oh..." Minister Wu Changnian nodded, his lips curling up in a light sneer, "So it’s those barbarians."

Following the two men, Qin Juncai took a couple of steps forward and frowned as he observed.

"It looks like they have a conflict with the locals."

Yi Chuan looked towards Minister Wu Changnian for instructions.

"Should I go and find out more?"

Just as Minister Wu Changnian was about to nod, his gaze suddenly fell on a group of people turning the street corner, and the smile on his face turned playful.

"No need."

"We’ll just watch from here."

...

Half an hour earlier.

Standing at the entrance of the Triumph City diplomatic mission camp, Lisa anxiously looked towards the camp, wanting to ask someone, yet she hesitated and dared not approach.

Just then, a voice tinged with surprise suddenly came from aside.

"Lisa?!"

The voice sounded familiar; Lisa immediately turned to see a girl dressed in a linen dress, holding a laundry basket, staring at her with wide eyes.

Her light brown hair was identical to hers, only she was taller and had freckles across her nose.

"Emil!"

Murmuring that familiar yet strange name, Lisa joyfully ran up and seized her just as excited hands.

Both were born in Triumph City as servants and had trained together at the same maid academy in laundry, cooking, and serving, maintaining a good relationship.

Later, she had been selected to embark on the Iron Heart, under General McLennan’s command, heading to the far East. Before departing, Emil had given her a handkerchief, which she had sewn onto her own uniform, still kept until this day.

Lisa had almost forgotten those past events but never expected to reunite with her friend thousands of miles away from Triumph City in a foreign land.

Not only her own eyes were filled with surprise, but Emil, gripping her small hands, also incredulously exclaimed,

"That’s wonderful! You’re alright! I heard you were captured and went missing by the Waste Land Wanderers of River Valley Province; they... they didn’t do anything excessive to you, right?"

Slaves in Triumph City were protected under the Emperor Marshal’s laws; although they had no rights and freedom, their lives were not too bad.

Compared to the kind of slavery tacitly permitted in most Survivor Settlements on the Wasteland, it was more akin to a form of "lifelong employment" characteristic of the wasteland.

However, such was the case in Triumph City, but it was another matter on the Wasteland.

Especially since the Triumph Newspaper often sensationalized the cruelty of the Waste Land Wanderers in its reports, even mixing up the term with Looter to legitimize those Military Aristocracies’ expansion of territory. Hence, after reading a few newspapers, Emil almost resolutely believed her good friend had been tortured to death by those Waste Land Wanderers...

"No, actually, they were quite nice to me," Lisa said with a blushed face and a soft voice, "They not only taught me how to read, but they also introduced me to jobs and paid me wages... I even bought some new clothes at the celebration earlier."

Emil looked at Lisa with a face full of surprise.

However, when his gaze fell on the apron she wore, still unworn and stained with oil, his expression instantly turned into one that looked at a fool who had taken the wrong medicine.

After a few minutes, Emil gently touched Lisa’s head, muttering sympathetically in a low voice.

"My poor Lisa, what kind of drug did they feed you..."

Lisa smiled weakly, not knowing how to explain.

Just then, she caught a glimpse of a group of people passing by the entrance of the camp from the corner of her eye and instinctively tiptoed to look.

Noticing her movement, Emil blinked curiously.

"What is it?"

"That..." Lisa’s heart stirred slightly, and she whispered, "Could you help me find out about someone?"

Emil: "Who?"

"Please," Lisa continued with a flushed face, "His name... is Pangolin."

Hearing this name, Emil instantly froze, looking at her incredulously.

"Pangolin, sir? Wait, you know him?"

Lisa said softly with a blushed face.

"...During my time at Falling Leaf Ridge, I used to serve his daily life, and after the war ended... I lost contact with him."

Although the so-called service was just helping with laundry, Emil clearly misunderstood the meaning, with a hint of suggestiveness and envy in his eyes.

"You actually served Lord Pangolin."

Lisa said softly.

"...What’s wrong?"

Emil looked toward the direction of the camp, his eyes filled with longing and admiration, muttering dreamily.

"It’s nothing, just that he is incredible. Strong, handsome, and ambitious, he became a Centurion before he was thirty, and as a foreigner, he earned the official rank of two-star Centurion through military achievements! In Triumph City, countless people see him as a role model... Oh, my, if only I could become a maid for such a lord."

Blankness filled Lisa’s eyes.

There was surprise, loss, but more than anything, confusion and helplessness.

Only at this moment did she realize the vast gap in their statuses.

Not to mention whether that lord might even recognize her, as she had merely helped him wash some clothes. Even if something more significant had happened between them, he likely had no reason to linger his attention on her.

But...

If it was just to say thank you face to face, that should be unrelated, right?

She merely wanted to thank him in person for rescuing her from that hell; she had never harbored any extravagant hopes... for that kind of thing.

Lisa bit the edge of her lip gently, her heart as tangled as a ball of yarn.

Emil, not noticing Lisa’s expression, suddenly grabbed her hand excitedly and said,

"I can’t believe you actually know that lord! That’s wonderful, could you do me a favor?"

"Ah?"

Thinking she had heard wrong, Lisa stared blankly, confused as she watched Emil plead for her help.

Somewhat embarrassingly looking at her friend, Emil hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said,

"Lord Pangolin is different from other nobles, kind to both slaves and attendants, even outside Triumph City—unlike others who are always handsy... Ah, of course, I’m not speaking ill of other nobles, but it would be great to become his personal servant. I’ll be frank, I want that lord to buy me, can you help me?"

Lisa looked blankly at her friend, who was looking at her with pleading eyes, and unwittingly gaped.

"Ah?! But, but... he... but..."

Looking at Lisa, who was faltering and unable to speak, Emil lowered his voice and hurriedly continued to plead.

"Please, Lisa, for the sake of our long friendship, help me out! I’ll let you in on a secret, he’s actually in that camp! I’ll figure out a way for him to meet you."

Lisa looked at Emil in surprise.

"He’s here!?"

Just as she finished speaking, a sharp voice suddenly came from not far away.

"Emil! What are you doing! I told you to do the laundry, have you finished washing your clothes?"

It was the voice of an elderly woman.

Hearing that voice, Emil, like a mouse whose tail had been stepped on, quickly moved away from Lisa in fright.

"I, I’ve finished washing! I was just about to take them back to hang up!"

From the direction of the camp entrance, an elderly woman in a black long dress stormed toward them, shouting loudly.

"What are you waiting for, then? Waiting for mushrooms to grow?"

Her face was covered with wrinkles and wore a harsh expression.

From the shape of her face, she must have been a beauty in her youth, but now her expression could hardly be connected with the word beautiful.

That sharp gaze was just like a Weilante officer’s, making Emil too frightened to even breathe. She faced the elderly woman and bowed respectfully.

"...No, Lady Sistil, please forgive my clumsiness."

Although Lady Sistil was not from Weilante, she was the chief maid accompanying the delegation, in other words, their immediate superior.

While it was not a very high position, she had the power over their life and death to some extent.

Watching Emil’s pleading face secretly glance at her, Lisa numbly nodded, indicating she would help her.

However, just as Lisa was about to wave goodbye, the elderly woman named Sistil suddenly noticed her, glanced at her hair with her cloudy pupils, and then quickly looked into her eyes.

Lisa unconsciously dodged that gaze, but the elderly woman, as if she had discovered something, squinted slightly, a sharp light emitting from her slitted eyes.

"You... are you from Triumph City?"

Lisa looked back at her in terror, her mouth tightly shut and not answering, she stepped back but the elderly woman suddenly grabbed her wrist and lifted her sleeve.

There was a faint scar.

At the revelation of the scar, she instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but the old woman’s thin yet powerful arm clung to her like a vine.

"Let... let me go!"

"You are a slave of the army!" Lady Sistil stared intensely at her, her murky yet sharp pupils moved closer, "A runaway slave!"

Hearing that word, all color drained from Lisa’s face, as if a deep bone-chilling cold had sapped all her strength.

"I... don’t know what you’re talking about!"

The elderly woman, however, just coldly smiled, clearly not listening to her explanation.

After a while, noticing the situation at the entrance, a Weilante officer with two soldiers came out of the camp and approached the elderly woman.

The two soldiers positioned themselves behind Lisa, blocking the view of other passersby, while the officer narrowed his eyes and looked toward the elderly woman.

"Release her and tell me what happened?"

If it were a thief, it would be a good opportunity to shame the Alliance and suppress their arrogant spirits.

However, to his surprise, the kind and gentle Lady Sistil didn’t let go but rather slightly bowed and then showed him the mark on Lisa’s wrist, speaking measuredly.

"I’ve found a runaway slave, sir."

The voice carried a hint of boasting.

The officer standing nearby narrowed his eyes slightly, and his gaze toward Lisa became increasingly unfriendly.

In the Army, slaves were the private property of Weilante people, just as sacred and inviolable as the antiques hoarded by the Academy.

According to the Army’s laws, the Army guaranteed the safety of the slaves, 8 square meters of living space, as well as three meals a day and a healthy life until the age of fifty. However, if a slave escaped from their master’s side, they would lose all rights protected by law.

At the same time, any Weilante person was obligated to capture and return them to their master, and receive a reward from the master.

Weilante people who could afford slaves were usually not stingy with the reward, and if not, they might bestow the slave to the person who found them.

Lisa’s legs trembled as she looked at the man with the high nasal bridge, her lips quivering as she explained.

"I... I really am not..."

The officer did not listen to her weak explanation and did not even glance at her. Instead, he reached out and grabbed the shivering Emil.

"Ah!!"

Ignoring her pained cry and laundry basket that fell to the ground, he dragged her in front of Lisa and said, word by word,

"Do you recognize her?"

Emil’s face turned pale, and his lips trembled without uttering a word.

More and more people walked out from the camp and gathered around the group, including diplomats from the mission and accompanying servants.

Just then, a hoarse voice tinged with surprise came from the crowd.

"I recognize her... Sir, her name is Lisa, she used to be a servant on General McClenn’s airship!"

Lisa suddenly looked in that direction, only to see a strange servant looking at the officer obsequiously, a sycophantic smile on his face.

She recognized that person; her name was Brynna, who had also worked on the Steel Heart before being transferred elsewhere before the airship headed east.

The officer’s eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at the pale-faced Lisa for a while, suddenly his gaze grew sharp.

"You know what punishment an escaped slave receives, don’t you?"

Lisa nodded tremblingly.

Seeing her utter lack of courage to resist, the corners of the officer’s mouth curled up with an indiscernible smirk, and he coldly ordered the soldier standing behind her,

"Take her back."

An unexpected joy.

To think he had found a fugitive slave from Triumph City so far away, and one who had escaped from General McClenn’s jurisdiction no less.

Seeing how well-maintained she was, she probably wasn’t cheap. If he sent her back to General McClenn’s residence, surely the esteemed general would thank him.

More importantly, it seemed this person had lived in the City of Dawn for a while.

Perhaps he could pry some intelligence about this settlement from her.

A Weilante soldier reached out to grab Lisa’s arm, but before he could extend his hand halfway, it was seized by another hand that emerged from the side.

The grip was like a vise clasping the soldier’s wrist; despite exerting his full strength and his face turning red, he couldn’t move his hand forward an inch.

The surrounding crowd simultaneously turned their gaze toward him, only to see a man wearing an exoskeleton standing next to the soldier.

Ignoring the soldier’s pained expression, his gaze passed over the pale-faced Lisa and a few Weilante servants, and he stared directly at the officer and said without expression,

"This is Alliance territory, take your dirty hands back."

With that, he released the wrist he was holding, and the soldier stumbled and fell into the crowd around them.

Another soldier put his hand on his waist gun, but before he could draw it, the officer raised his hand to stop him.

He didn’t want to escalate the situation.

Watching the man in the exoskeleton, the officer slightly squinted his eyes.

"Who are you?"

"I am the leader of the Storm Corps, you can call me Spring Water."

Spring Water Commander also squinted his eyes, staring directly at the Vellante man.

"What are you?"

"Jimmy, Centurion,"

A hint of dread surfaced in the officer’s eyes, but he did not back down; instead, he stared intently at the man claiming to be the leader, speaking in a warning tone.

"She is our slave, we have the right to deal with our property."

Commander Spring Water said expressionlessly.

"She is a citizen of the Alliance, not anyone’s property, and we have a duty to protect her."

The officer’s tone carried a hint of threat.

"I advise you to think carefully whether it is worth opposing us over a slave."

Upon hearing these words, Lisa’s complexion gradually paled.

However, to her surprise,

After hearing that threat, the man in the exoskeleton, far from being afraid, burst out laughing.

"I’ll say it again, she is a citizen of the Alliance. Never mind opposing you, what if we fight you once more?"

The atmosphere on the scene instantly dropped to a freezing point.

Other officers, including that officer, from Vellante showed frustration, and for a moment, the atmosphere was as tense as if swords were drawn.

That officer looked coldly at Spring Water.

"Do you really think we are afraid of you?"

Spring Water stared back nonchalantly.

"Then bring it on, we don’t need peace that is given as charity."

More and more players gathered around, and the First Army Corps, noticing the situation here, contacted the security team and sent a patrol over.

Seeing that the situation at the scene was about to spiral out of control, Bennott quickly stepped out from the camp and shouted towards the center of the crowd.

"Stop it! What are you doing?"

The officer who was staring at Spring Water diverted his gaze and quickly walked over to Centurion Bennott, reporting the situation to him.

"Sir, we have found a runaway slave; she might be the property of General Mclen..."

After hearing the officer’s report, Bennott immediately understood what had happened.

He narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Lisa’s pale face, then turned his gaze to the man claiming to be Spring Water.

Frankly, he looked down on these Wasteland Wanderers, especially those living thousands of kilometers away from Triumph City in barbaric lands.

Not to mention that compared to the majestic Triumph City, this settlement known as City of Dawn was merely a speck of nasal mucus on the map.

However, despite his disdain, Bennott knew it was not a good idea to start a conflict with these people at this time.

They held something prized by the Marshal.

It was said that this item could help them eradicate the mutant mucor mother nests spread throughout the major city groups of the Wasteland.

Looking at the leader of the Storm Corps, Bennott approached, staring at him and said.

"I am Centurion Bennott, the representative sent here by Triumph City from the Army Corps, are you the highest-ranking here?"

"I am not, this person is." Spring Water pointed at Old White standing beside him, speaking in a half-joking tone.

Seeing Spring Water pulling him into the mix, Old White no longer kept a low profile. He stepped forward and extended his right hand toward Bennott, who was looking their way.

"Old White, commander of the Burning Corps. Also, don’t listen to nonsense; all residents in the refuge have the same status, there’s no high or low. Of course, our determination to defend the constitution of the Alliance is the same no matter who stands here."

He paused, then meaningfully added,

"Moreover, please send my regards to Generals Mclen and Soffett of the Ten Thousand Leaders, and tell them to visit often."

Hearing this guy mention those two embarrassing figures, Bennott’s mouth twitched, but he still shook his hand.

"It’s an honor... truly an honor. I can’t believe such minor matters would trouble two corps commanders. But I must say, there might be some misunderstandings between us."

The old woman, Lady Sistil, in a long dress, looked at the centurion in surprise, unable to believe that such a person would bow to these savages.

Centurion Jimmy was equally incredulous, staring at Bennott’s profile as if he had seen a ghost.

Of course, the most shocked were Lisa, her friend Emil, and the group of servants surrounding them...

The Weilante people, known for their resolute character, especially in the face of those they considered inferior due to different physical features,

these arrogant individuals could also yield...

Bennott was seething inside.

He certainly didn’t want to bow.

But recalling the marshal’s order and the observer monitoring him within the camp, he had no choice but to momentarily step back, pinching his nose.

He glanced sideways at those who had provocatively initiated the trouble, especially the old woman who thought she had done a great deed and the first maid who spotted the escaped slave.

He’ll deal with these ignorant fools once back at the camp!

Old White didn’t make it hard for him, merely giving him a meaningful look.

"I hope this is a misunderstanding and not some form of provocation... Also, our laws prohibit more than just enslavement. If you’re too busy to study all the regulations, consider hiring a lawyer before making decisions."

Bennott’s eyebrows twitched and he suppressed his anger, saying,

"That’s good advice. I’ll consider it!"

...

The crowd of onlookers grew.

Not only soldiers from the First Army Corps but also some passers-by came to join the commotion. Despite the secluded location, it wasn’t devoid of people.

Watching the Weilante people tuck their tails and head back to the camp, Norrege, the foreign minister from the Free State, had a face filled with surprise and shock.

Unbelievable!

The Weilante people, who usually resorted to using their fists, had backed down just like that?!

Standing on the other side, amused, Minister Wu Changnian rubbed his chin with his index finger.

"Interesting."

Yi Chuan glanced at Minister Wu, curious about what he was thinking.

At the same time, at the camp, Old Soldier breathed a sigh of relief; he had noticed the conflict as it started, promptly contacted I Max Black via Storm Corps’ emergency communication, and I Max Black had gotten in touch with Spring Water.

In any case, that guy had managed to arrive in time and controlled the situation before it worsened.

However, the offline message from Spring Water left him puzzled.

"MMP, I provided the support; why am I the one owing favors now?"

Old Soldier thought about the past instances when Old White had repeatedly urged him to visit the motel in Highway Town, telling him not to ask too many questions and just go, wondering what Old White was up to.

Old Soldier’s thoughts stirred.

Maybe tonight would be good, finding a chance to sneak out and take a look...