While Liang Guanghai wasn’t happy with the result, he had expected this.

After all, most of the time, the Department of Administrative Affairs was just the manager of the city and implementer of policies. The one who approved the suggestions was the municipal government.

Behind the municipal government were all sorts of parties of interests. Hence, it was quite difficult to coordinate and approve radical proposals.

More than a decade ago, such proposals wouldn’t have even made it to the table, much less been brought to the municipal government’s attention. It was only when the Great Shun Republic’s central government began seizing more control of the country in recent years that the municipal government started relenting.

The most important thing this time was handling the situation.

If they managed to successfully get through and resolve this crisis, Jibei Road’s government would gain greater authority and prestige. They could also push forward many proposals. If they didn’t, their reputation would take a huge blow, and if worse came to worst, the small breakthrough they had gained would be lost.

The municipal government was the one who had to face this problem.

“How are the companies doing?” Liang Guanghai asked.

“The state-owned enterprises and companies tied to the government have all agreed to cooperate, but there are a few unreliable ones. These ones stand out the most among them,” the assistant said and tapped at their names. “Ferris Wheel, United Might, Bolun Corporation, and GreenSource Eco-Tech have all shown abnormal behavior.”

Liang Guanghai observed them. Most of these companies were foreign, and the handful that weren’t had a lot of foreign capital pumped into them.

Meanwhile, some of the branch companies of mega corporations didn’t seem to be behaving strangely. There was an easy reason behind that. Even if these companies had ulterior motives, they wouldn’t dare to dirty their own hands. They would rather get proxies while standing at the top of the food chain. There was no need for them to do anything unnecessary.

In a grave voice, he said, “I’m not worried about these companies. The National General Affairs Bureau and National Ad Hoc Special Operations Committee have agreed to share their information with us, and if anything happens, they’ll help us take care of the situation.

“What I’m worried about is their active biosentient entities. Based on the newest analysis, aside from the existence we got rid of at Border Fusion with the Resolution Department, there should be one more lurking in Central City. It might be targeting the active biosentient entities. If it succeeds, it’ll be hard to estimate the damage.

“Are you still unable to sense it?” He turned to his assistant.

Black fog flickered in the assistant’s eyes, then she shook her head. “I can’t sense where it is. This can only mean that this existence is very cunning.”

Liang Guanghai swiped at the screen. Multiple holes appeared in the displayed image of Central City. It was a simulation of gaps that might appear, and there were a lot of them.

“One is already troublesome enough. When the two worlds get closer, perhaps more of them will try to come. We can’t let them have their way, or this will destroy the entire defense system,” he said as he stared at the image. “What did he say?”

“He said that he’ll be here on time,” the assistant replied.

“I hope so.” Liang Guanghai sighed. Suddenly, he remembered something else. “What has Chen Bitong been doing recently?”

“He’s been lying low,” the assistant answered.

The World Ring Defense System had wanted to get Chen Bitong out of Central City during this crucial moment, but Mr. Quan was against the idea and believed that Central City needed someone with the prestige and strength of Chen Bitong to stabilize the hearts of people and ensure the city’s safety during such dangerous times.

The World Ring Defense System had to take Mr. Quan’s request into consideration. Hence, even though they had spoken to each other about this multiple times, Mr. Quan kept delaying giving a concrete answer. Even now, he refused to say whether Chen Bitong should get out of Central City, and by the looks of it, he wasn’t going to issue his order until after the Fu-Mu Entity’s propagation.

Liang Guanghai knew that this was due to the two factions fighting with each other. Still, Mr. Quan’s insistence might not necessarily be a bad thing. If they handled the situation well, this could be a chance for them too, though they might have to pay a hefty price for it.

Liang Guanghai looked up and asked, “What about Captain Chen?”

“Ever since he finished his classes at the training center, he has been on standby. Yesterday, he brought his unit back to Central City,” the assistant replied.

After some thinking, Liang Guanghai said, “Adjust the priority level of his missions. I need Captain Chen to appear at crucial moments.”

“Alright. I’ll make the arrangements,” the assistant replied.

***

In the lower city district, beside a tunnel with crumbling edges was a sturdy underground house. Sentries and fortifications were built around it.

The place looked no different from the other regular forces of power in the lower city district, but it was one of the bases a resistance group had set up under Central City.

Guan Xiaohui, part of Chen Chuan’s high school cohort, and some teenagers were receiving instructions on resonator technology from a teacher in a brightly lit, spacious, brick room.

Resistance groups taught and trained their own resonators. They would gather all talented members together, then make them get resonance implants.

Guan Xiaohui was among those who were more outstanding. She had graduated from a pretty decent high school, so she had a better foundation than the other students, which allowed her to understand the lessons faster. Of course, the main reason was still that she was talented. Without talent, no matter how hard she tried, it would be futile.

After the lesson, Guan Xiaohui returned to her room, only to be told that the person-in-charge was looking for her. Before she could put her things down, she was brought to the room where the person-in-charge stayed.

When she reached the door, she reported her name and was given permission to enter. Then, she noticed that Zhen Ping, an upperclassman of Chen Chuan’s, was also there. Guan Xiaohui gave her a nod as a greeting.

The person-in-charge was sitting across from her. The man appeared to be in his forties and had well-developed muscles and a sturdy build. His knuckles were huge and thick, and his tanned face was covered in wrinkles. He had the appearance of a hardworking dockworker.

“Hello, Captain Yu.” Guan Xiaohui bowed to him.

“Sit, Xiaohui. I have something to tell you two,” Captain Yu said gently.

Once Guan Xiaohui sat down, he continued sternly, “We have a mission for the both of you, which is a secret. Make sure not to tell a single soul about it.”

After Zhen Ping and Guan Xiaohui joined the resistance group, they went through strict training, so they knew the weight of those words. The two girls nodded seriously.

“According to our comrades in the government, the Fu-Mu Entity will begin propagating in a few days,” Captain Yu said.

Once Zhen Ping and Guan Xiaohui fully registered the information, Captain Yu continued, “This is the unique way the Fu-Mu Entity reproduces. Every propagated offspring can turn into another Fu-Mu Entity.

“That’s why the higher-ups have given us a mission. We are to get one of the propagated offspring. This will be a huge help for our resistance. We might even be able to use it to set up our very own Central City.”

His voice filled with excitement at the end.

Zhen Ping and Guan Xiaohui also became excited. Once they calmed down a little, Zhen Ping asked worriedly, “Will we be strong enough, Captain Yu?”

While their branch wasn’t the only one in Central City, according to what Zhen Ping knew, the resistance group could only send out a hundred fighters. They lacked weapons, and they didn’t have many strong martial artists. Second Limit martial artists like her were already considered the pillars of the branch.

It was also obvious just how important the Fu-Mu Entity’s propagated offspring was to Central City, so defenses were bound to be incredibly tight around them. Perhaps other forces of power would also try to get their hands on them. How were they supposed to get one?

“You don’t need to worry about how to get one. The higher-ups are sending us a comrade to capture it. What we need to do is to transfer the propagated offspring to the lower city district after capturing it. This is how we can help the higher-ups.”

“But Captain Yu, there are plenty of forces in the lower city district. What if someone targets us? It’ll be hard for us to complete the mission,” Zhen Ping pointed out.

Captain Yu extended a hand to placate her. “Patience. Let me finish.”

Then, he leaned forward and whispered, “We’ll seal up the propagated part and hand it to one of the logistics groups in the lower city district. We’ll have them transfer the goods. It’s an efficient method, and we won’t attract any attention. We’ll also be sending multiple packages to several places to divert attention.

“Once we do that, the two of you will retrieve the package. After that, leave Central City immediately through the route I’ll give you later to transport the propagated part to a safe place.

“This event is of great importance to us, and it only happens once every twenty years. We picked you because you two haven’t been in Central City for long. You haven’t met with a lot of people, and I can trust you two fully. Zhen Ping, you’re a martial artist. As for Xiaohui, you’re a talented resonator.

“If you two work together, you can cover each other’s weaknesses. That’s why the group thinks that you’re the best for the job.”

When neither Zhen Ping nor Guan Xiaohui said anything, Captain Yu continued, “This mission is quite dangerous. If you aren’t confident or are worried about something, you can tell me.”

“I can do it, Captain Yu,” Zhen Ping promised.

“I can, too, but...” Guan Xiaohui said.

Captain Yu smiled. “Don’t be in a hurry to say yes. Think about it. This mission is very dangerous.”

Zhen Ping met his gaze. “I’ve thought it through, Captain Yu.”

When Guan Xiaohui saw how determined Zhen Ping was, she fisted the hem of her shirt and nodded as well.

Captain Yu smiled wider, pleased. “Get ready, then.”

He turned to Guan Xiaohui. “Xiaohui, you’ll have your last implant surgery later. After that, Lao Mei will give you a crash course.”

At that moment, Guan Xiaohui voiced one of her worries. “Captain, if the Fu-Mu Entity is going to cause chaos with its propagation, I might be unable to use my resonance skills.”

“Have you forgotten what we’re going to be transporting? Once you have it, you can use it even through the isolation barrier, and you’ll be much better than any regular resonator,” Captain Yu pointed out.

Guan Xiaohui had more questions, but after some consideration, she stayed quiet.

Captain Yu then turned to Zhen Ping. “The group will teach you a breathing technique to move in water. If things go awry, you need to take the propagated part with you and run.

“Since we got word about this late, we only have a limited time to prepare. I’m going to have to ask you two to do your best to master your skills within two days.”