Chapter 213: Joining Jiu Zhou
Chapter 213: Joining Jiu Zhou
“Don’t be sorry,” He Jinqiu said with a smile, “It’s not your fault. Many people, including me, have underestimated Mr. Zheng.”
“Now, tell me why you came,” Zheng Yuandong asked calmly.
At this time, He Jinqiu took out a few photos from his pocket and put them on the table, pushing them in front of Zheng Yuandong.
“Seven days ago, the CIA carried out a secret mission in the Middle East to kill an enemy leader. One of the team members was a superhuman time traveler. After the mission was completed, the superhuman was shot by an enemy sniper during retreat.”
“This is not surprising,” Zheng Yuandong said, “Even a demigod cannot withstand full coverage by modern firearms. An ordinary superhuman will definitely die if a sniper hits him.”
“That’s right,” He Jinqiu said with a smile, “But that’s not my point. After the superhuman died, the plants near his body suddenly multiplied in late autumn. Even the flowers started blooming.”
Zheng Yuandong frowned. He knew what He Jinqiu was going to say…
The problem is that several people in Kun Lun had reached the critical point for awakening, but for some reason, they couldn’t awaken in the Outer world.
This made everyone believe that nothing in the Inner World would interfere with the Outer World, but now it seemed like that was not the case.
Perhaps, one day, a Forbidden Land would also spawn in the Outer World.
However, He Jinqiu and Zheng Yuandong both shouldered the important task of protecting the country, and none dared to gamble on this chance.
He Jinqiu continued, “Jiu Zhou estimated that the superhuman was a Level F at most, so it’s not likely a Forbidden Land will form because of that. But I suspect if one day, a Level B superhuman dies in the Outer World… A Forbidden Land will eventually form.”
“We can already see how the Inner World is troubled by the Forbidden Lands, with large areas of land becoming inhabitable. With the information I’ve got, in the earliest days of the Federation, the Forbidden Land No. 001 swallowed an entire city. Even the people in the Inner World cannot stop Forbidden Lands from spreading, let alone us,” He Jinqiu said.
As He Jinqiu said, the Forbidden Lands have always been a major concern in the Inner World, which is why the consortium allows for the existence of the Forbidden Tribunal.
There was even a strange story in the Federation: In the early years, the Li launched a small-scale war against the Kashima. During the war, the Forbidden Tribunal could enter and leave the battlefield at will to collect the bodies of superhumans. Both sides of the war simply ignored the existence of the Forbidden Tribunal and fought on.
This just shows how much Forbidden Lands have threatened the Inner World.
He Jinqiu said, “Old squad leader, let’s put aside the other disagreements we have for the time being. You and I must reach a consensus on this matter. No Forbidden Land should be allowed to appear in the country at any time.”
“But I’ve heard that even if you cremate a superhuman body, it will still cause the surroundings to become a Forbidden Land,” Zheng Yuandong said, “This is an almost irreversible matter, and only the Forbidden Tribunal knows how to deal with it.”
He Jinqiu said calmly, “At present, the best way is to quietly transport the body out of the country immediately upon a superhuman’s death and bury it in a foreign land. All of this must be done in secret, as superhumans will produce Forbidden Items. I don’t want any outsiders to take our Forbidden Items.”
Jiu Zhou had always been responsible for foreign affairs. The situations they faced were usually crueler and harsher, so their methods of dealing with problems were also generally more cruel.
For He Jinqiu, since the consequences of superhuman deaths could not be completely eliminated, the impact should be passed on to others as much as possible.
Zheng Yuandong was silent.
He Jinqiu smiled, “I know that Mr. Zheng is an upright person and won’t be willing to do such things that harm others to benefit us, but my duty is to protect the people of my country. In addition, Jiu Zhou’s resources outside are better than that of Kun Lun. If Kun Lun discovers the death of a superhuman, just inform Jiu Zhou directly, and I will take care of the rest. If anything happens, I will bear all responsibility.”
“This has nothing to do with being upright or not,” Zheng Yuandong said calmly, “If I have to make a choice, I would rather the people in my homeland not have to suffer the consequences of the Forbidden Lands. Kun Lun and Jiu Zhou will do this together. If something goes wrong, we’ll both bear the responsibility.”
Zheng Yuandong was not pedantic. He knew what must be done.
Seeing that an agreement had been reached, He Jinqiu stood up and said, “Until the second round of the Fight for the Shadow is over, I will continue to be in Luo City. Please don’t mind us, old squad leader.”
“You can stay for dinner,” Zheng Yuandong said.
“No need, there are still things for me to do,” He Jinqiu smiled, “Luo City has got some outstanding individuals. I will meet those time travelers and see if there are any friends who are willing to join me in Jiu Zhou.”
Zheng Yuandong looked at He Jinqiu’s back as he turned around and suddenly said to Lu Yuan, “Go find Qing Chen. I think he’ll be He Jinqiu’s main target this time.”
“Didn’t you want us to wait a little longer?” Lu Yuan asked curiously. “You yourself said it’s not time yet .”
Zheng Yuandong glanced at him, “If He Jinqiu didn’t come, we could have waited a little longer.”
Jiu Zhou had always been generous with its offers, and when He Jinqiu recruited his members, he usually offered the other party a price that was hard to refuse, enough to make anyone’s heart flutter.
…
…
That evening, Qing Chen was walking with Nan Gengchen toward the school gates, and the two were planning to go out for a good meal.
“Brother Chen, did you notice the two transfer students in the class today? Are they time travelers?” Nan Gengchen asked.
“They don’t seem like time travelers to me. They might have transferred to Luo City to try their luck on the public beta,” Qing Chen said, “They have also been keeping it low-key compared to others.”
“Brother Chen, I trust your instincts,” Nan Gengchen said, “There are more and more people in Luo City now. I heard somewhere that the housing prices of the 19 cities that are eligible for public beta have risen a lot.”
“Yeah,” Qing Chen nodded, “After all, there are so many untapped opportunities that can be obtained in this mysterious world. Many people will be interested in it, especially after some commercial successes.”
“Have you heard? There seems to be a rumor going around that a star is going to transfer to our school. Last week, paparazzi photographed his parents coming to the school for paperwork,” Nan Gengchen said, “I heard they’re from Sanmen City.”
“Don’t get too close to these people,” Qing Chen said. “If you get photographed by the paparazzi, people all over the country will know you. It will meaninglessly increase your risk in the Inner World.”
As he was speaking, Qing Chen suddenly stopped and looked in front of them.
On the other side of the street, He Jinqiu had his hands in his pockets and looked at the two of them with a smile. He didn’t say anything but just looked at Qing Chen from across the road.
Nan Gengchen whispered, “Brother Chen, do you know him?”
Qing Chen didn’t speak.
He had never seen that stranger in the Outer World, but he had seen the person in the Haitang Boxing Gym. Before returning, he was sitting in the stands, and had observed him many times.
Moreover, Qing Chen knew more about this person than just that, because he had also seen him in the information pack Lin Xiaoxiao gave him.
He Jinqiu.
One of the executive directors of the Hu Intelligence Organization in the Inner World. A superhuman. Level unknown.
The next moment, He Jinqiu crossed the road and came to the two of them. He greeted them, “Qing Xiaotu, Little Duckling, very nice to meet you.”
Nan Gengchen’s expression changed. The stranger not only knew his ID but also knew Qing Chen’s name in the ring!
However, Qing Chen remained calm. He quickly analyzed: He Xiaoxiao was the only one who knew Little Duckling’s ID, and He Xiaoxiao most likely worked for Jiu Zhou, so He Jingqiu should also be from Jiu Zhou.
Qing Chen even guessed that he might be He Xiaoxiao himself, but his voice was different from He Xiaoxiao’s. There were also some inconsistencies in their tone and style of speech.
One’s voice could be altered through a voice changer, but a person’s behavioral habit was much harder to change.
Qing Chen believed in his own judgment.
He Jinqiu was not He Xiaoxiao.
Seeing that Qing Chen didn’t reply, he smiled calmly and said, “Don’t be nervous. I just happened to see your boxing match. What a fight, you even made me cry.”
“So,” Qing Chen said, “Why are you here?”
He Jinqiu said with a smile: “I think the both of you are among the best time travelers, and I would like to invite you to join us.”
…
…
At night, Lu Yuan returned to Lijing Gate in high spirits. He walked into the Kun Lun courtyard and smiled at Zheng Yuandong, “Boss, guess what? I went to Qing Chen’s house to find him. At first, I thought he would refuse, but after my unparalleled persuasion, that kid fully recognized Kun Lun’s philosophy.”
Lu Yuan continued, “When I introduced Kun Lun’s past works, I even felt touched myself. Qing Chen is now living together with Nan Gengchen, and Nan Gengchen almost cried while listening to the stories. Boss, how come I never realized that I was so eloquent before?”
“Nan Gengchen? Is that the one beside Li Yinuo… did Qing Chen agree to join Kun Lun?” Zheng Yuandong asked calmly.
“Yes, of course, he agreed!” Lu Yuan sat down and took a sip of tea, “Not only did Qing Chen join us, but Nan Gengchen also wanted to join, but I told Nan Gengchen that we’ll have to observe him for a little longer.”
“I see,” Zheng Yuandong nodded calmly.
“Hey, boss, why don’t you look happy? I think Qing Chen would be a great addition to our team. He was so fierce at Laojun Mountain. It’s a good thing for such a person to join Kun Lun! When the time comes, you can assign him to me. It’ll be like giving wings to a tiger!” Lu Yuan said.
Zheng Yuandong looked at Lu Yuan expressionlessly, “Before you persuaded him to join Kun Lun, he also joined Jiu Zhou. Even if a circus invites him to join right now, I suspect he will probably agree.”
Lu Yuan: “???”
…