Chapter 1135: Either Don't Fight, or Fight Until They Submit
This matter itself shouldn't pose much danger, but it had drawn too much attention, potentially causing unnecessary internal friction.
Another unstable factor was that no one knew when Xu Huo's condition would improve. They couldn't just have Xu Huo make an appearance every time a new group arrived. Not only would Xu Huo himself disagree, but Team Leader Wu wouldn't allow such a farce to unfold.
However, if team leaders from other branches really wanted to come, Team Leader Wu couldn't completely shut them out. And when it came to potential resource disputes, the higher-ups always turned a blind eye. Just as Team Leader Wu couldn't forcefully refuse everyone who came to "help," the higher-ups couldn't truly impose severe punishments for slightly overstepping competitive behavior.
While Team Leader Wu was still figuring out how to craft a satisfactory explanation, members from a nearby city's Special Defense Department branch actually arrived.
When Team Leader Wu went out to receive them, his expression could only be described as extremely unpleasant. He said directly to the newcomers, "The safe zone is conducting drills. We regret that we cannot receive outside guests."
The newcomer, surnamed Zhang, laughed heartily and patted Team Leader Wu's shoulder like an old friend. "I heard you had some trouble here, so I rushed over to help. We're all colleagues in the Special Defense Department, brother departments at that. Why draw such clear lines? The entrance is this way, right? How about Team Leader Wu gives me a tour of your safe zone? Let me learn a thing or two."
Without waiting for Team Leader Wu's agreement, he led his people straight inside. Behind him followed fifteen players, each exuding an aura of killing intent.
Unable to actually start a fight at the entrance, Team Leader Wu had no choice but to escort them to the meeting room.
But once players were inside, they had plenty of ways to probe the safe zone's internal situation. No matter how careful they were, traces were inevitable.
The safe zone's alarm system went off.
Suppressing his anger, Team Leader Wu said to Team Leader Zhang, "Coming all the way to Ting City with such a commotion over a rumor, Team Leader Zhang, you'll definitely face punishment from headquarters for this!"
Team Leader Zhang showed no fear. He took a tablet from his assistant and placed it in front of Team Leader Wu. "This is a commendation document issued by headquarters a week ago, praising Ting City Safe Zone's small-but-efficient model as worth learning from. Isn't that why I'm here to learn? Team Leader Wu, what rumor are you talking about?"
A reasonable person was helpless against someone who played dirty. Before Team Leader Wu's anger could subside, the second and third groups arrived.
Team Leader Wu laughed in exasperation. But seeing Team Leader Zhang's smile fade, he cheerfully ordered people to bring everyone in. "People I couldn't even invite normally are all here today. Ting City has never been this lively!"
With that, he turned and left the meeting room.
And so, Special Defense Department members from different branches gathered in the safe zone, mixed in with First Player Association President Tan Yang, Huang Junjie, and others.
These people crowded together, none willing to yield to the others. Many had clashed before. Without Team Leader Wu present, they nearly started fighting among themselves.
"When will he come out?" Team Leader Wu sighed as he stood guard outside the detention room. He feared that with too many players in the safe zone, even a small unexpected incident could spiral into an uncontrollable situation.
Not just him—even Qin Jingyuan and the others felt the pressure. Times had truly changed.
"What's the situation in the safe zone?" A familiar voice suddenly sounded beside him. Team Leader Wu looked over joyfully. "Nie Xuan, you're finally back! Are you injured?"
Nie Xuan stood like an unsheathed blade. His mere presence swept away the tense atmosphere filling the corridor. He had no obvious external injuries, but he was thinner than three months ago. A half-finger-long scar slanted across his left brow, adding a fierce, bloodstained aura to his demeanor.
"Is Xu Huo back?" He nodded at Team Leader Wu and immediately turned. "I'll go deal with those people outside."
His gaze swept past Qin Jingyuan, Professor Lan, and the others, pausing briefly on Tang Guangbo. "Professor Tang, what a coincidence."
Tang Guangbo smiled without speaking. Nie Xuan didn't say more. He took off his long coat and strode quickly toward the meeting room.
"Nie Xuan is a well-known figure in the Special Defense Department, but if Team Leader Wu couldn't persuade those team leaders, can he?" Qin Jingyuan expressed doubt.
Yet Nie Xuan sent the stubborn team leaders and players packing with just one sentence:
"I'm back for a month-long rest. During this month, I'll apply to headquarters to handle the players in Tian City. I'll request cooperation from all Special Defense Department branches. Anyone who wants to share the credit can stay and register their names."
A direct operational order from headquarters was a different matter. Refusing to participate would be equivalent to rebelling against the Special Defense Department—a situation that wouldn't end well.
The gathered team leaders left the safe zone with dark faces, but they cunningly left their people behind.
As long as they weren't causing trouble in the safe zone, it didn't matter where they were.
Nie Xuan turned back to the detention room and signaled the staff to open the door.
After he entered, the door closed again.
Seeing Xu Huo's clothes completely soaked through, he frowned. "How did you end up looking like this?"
Xu Huo smiled. "No risk, no reward. Besides, I only look bad on the surface. Killing a few people is no problem."
"I've already read last night's report," Nie Xuan said. "Two players died in a residential building not far from the safe zone. That was your doing, right? Injured as you are, you still went out to kill. If you could just walk around a bit, it wouldn't have drawn so many players to gather outside the safe zone... The country's situation looks stable on the surface, but it's actually reached a bottleneck. A single spark could set it off."
"Has the conflict between the government and players reached this level?" Xu Huo raised an eyebrow.
"Conflict exists at all times. The Super Item incident accelerated the universal playerization of the population. The massive playerization has planted seeds of instability." Nie Xuan pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and leaned against the wall by the door, tilting his chin at Xu Huo. "Seeing how hard you're coughing, I'll spare you one."
Xu Huo chuckled. "High salary, still so stingy."
Nie Xuan exhaled a puff of smoke, his body taut like a drawn bowstring, tense and oppressed. "Don't even mention civilian player organizations. Even the players under the Special Defense Department are testing the government's stance. Both sides will eventually have a decisive war."
"At a time like this, it might not be wise to deal with Tian City," Xu Huo said.
Nie Xuan wasn't surprised he'd overheard. "The country also needs to show its strength. Once both sides understand each other's capabilities, they can gather their energy for a proper fight. Either fight until one side submits. Dragging it out will only cause endless trouble."
"It seems the Special Defense Department is ready." Xu Huo wasn't surprised. This step was inevitable.
At that moment, Nie Xuan gave him a deep look. "You're impressive. After one trip out, you've undergone a second evolution. Is this spatial power field in the safe zone yours?"
(Chapter End)