Chapter 1571: Give Her a City
Xu Huo understood what Nie Xuan meant. The Special Defense Department sending him on this trip was of little practical significance, because an individual could do very little to influence the current internal situation of the government. Whether the previous decision-makers had been forced to withdraw, killed, or died for other reasons, the ones who could turn the tide now were still the players under the government. Whether it was the Special Defense Department or the military, anyone newly rising to the decision-making layer—whether ordinary person or player—would need massive player support. Players were the core of power.
This was especially true in District 014, where player progress had been very smooth and a large number of players had already been acquired.
Of course, if Xu Huo could help find a way to suppress the mutant fungus, that would be best. That way, Country X would have one more bargaining chip than other nations. If he couldn't help, it didn't matter. The secret disposal of the infected had already been passed unanimously by the government's high-level officials. Xu Huo's existence might have brought some hope to some people, but it had also given others delusions.
No one didn't yearn for powerful and miraculous abilities, including high-level players. After all, toxins and pathogens in the game emerged endlessly. Everyone wished they could be like Xu Huo, "unafraid and unrestrained."
"It sounds like you've already made your arrangements," Xu Huo said.
"The biggest inconvenience for players is having to leave every month," Nie Xuan said gloomily. "A few days is enough to change a lot."
"I didn't come this time to discuss the mutant fungus with you." He took out a certificate and a seal and placed them on the table. "One player's weight is limited, but a player holding a super item is a different matter."
"I don't know if you brought the Painting Woman back with you this time."
Xu Huo narrowed his eyes.
Nie Xuan continued, "As early as the Black Rain incident, the Special Defense Department discovered the Painting Woman's identity. This matter is still the highest secret of the Special Defense Department. The players who escaped from the Painting Woman back then were also dealt with, so her identity hasn't been leaked."
"Although I don't know how she survived the outer zone players, as long as she's a player from District 014, there's no need to dig too deeply into the reasons."
"Over the past few months, we've been trying to contact and win her over, but unfortunately, after she left District 014, she was like a kite with a broken string. You're probably the only one who can find her."
"These are the land certificates for the experimental base where super evolvers are currently training, the military's secret meeting room, and the Special Defense Department's confidential facility. I had them made in advance. The Painting Woman's name has already been written on them. They take effect once stamped."
"A dual-direction super evolver, plus a super item holder—even the current military and Special Defense Department would have to think twice."
"You don't need to do anything special. Your mere existence represents deterrence."
Xu Huo glanced at the items on the table. "These things probably shouldn't exist in the first place, right? Can they still be kept confidential afterward?"
The "transfer" incident with the Painting Woman should have been a warning to the government. Some uses of power required the aid of actual documents or official certification. How could the secret experimental sites and bases built afterward still leave behind procedural documents? When Nie Xuan handled these matters, he must have had help from relevant personnel, but traces would inevitably be left, and they could be traced back later.
"There's no need for confidentiality," Nie Xuan said, lifting the blanket covering his legs and standing up. He looked at Xu Huo with a questioning gaze, asking if he could move around the room.
Xu Huo gestured for him to do as he pleased, then watched as Nie Xuan walked nimbly to his room door and knocked lightly. "Miss Li Chun, would you be interested in coming out for a talk?"
The Painting Woman had been pressing her ear against the door panel, concentrating intently. Because of the silencing item, she couldn't hear anything either. Nie Xuan suddenly appearing at the door startled her. Hearing his words, she hesitated about whether to go out. Just as she was about to send Xu Huo a message, Meng Cun behind her said, "If he's come to knock on the door, it should be with Mr. Xu's permission."
The Painting Woman thought that made sense. She quickly returned to the bedside, pulled the blanket up over him, covering him from head to toe, then cracked the door open and squeezed out.
Once outside, she quickly closed the door, looked up at Nie Xuan with a smile, then walked over to sit beside Xu Huo, her hands resting on her knees as she demurely indicated: What do you want to talk to me about?
Nie Xuan returned to the living room and turned the documents toward her.
As someone who had once owned a city, how could the Painting Woman be easily tempted by a few pieces of paper showing houses? Besides, she wasn't stupid. Even if they were given to her, they would be taken back afterward, and she'd end up happy for nothing.
The Painting Woman expressed emotions simply—happy meant happy, unhappy meant unhappy. She didn't have too many thoughts, so she just pouted and left it at that.
"She can't help for nothing," Xu Huo explained on her behalf. "She's unwilling to return to District 014 for her own safety."
After all, the Special Defense Department had already guessed that she "might hold a super item." For her, this place was "very dangerous."
Although she didn't know when she had started worrying about her own safety, the Painting Woman trusted Xu Huo completely and immediately nodded vigorously to show he was right.
"What the government can provide is nothing more than items, potions, and white notes," Nie Xuan said.
"On top of those things, there's one more condition." Xu Huo's gaze shifted from the Painting Woman to Nie Xuan. "Give her a city."
The Painting Woman's eyes went wide. Nie Xuan's expression also changed slightly. He said bluntly, "You should know this is very difficult to pull off."
"Not difficult," Xu Huo met his gaze. "That is, if you still want her to return to District 014."
A player holding a super item, even if she were still an E-level or D-level player now, with Xu Huo's protection, she would eventually level up. By then, the power of the super item might be incomparable. Setting aside a city for her to live in would be beneficial, not harmful, to District 014.
"As you said, relationships between people can be determined by strength. The government has a large number of players and is constantly cultivating super evolvers. But that doesn't mean the government can do whatever it wants. You played your card last round. This round, it's my turn to play. The state machine is ruthless, but the state machine can move forward or backward."
Xu Huo pressed down on the certificates on the table and slowly slid them back in front of Nie Xuan. "I'll do my best to help with the mutant fungus. But whether it succeeds or fails, the account for the quarantine hospital and your private invitation will be settled separately."
"Of course, if you can get your faction of allies to agree to my terms, we can be more gentlemanly when settling the score."
With that, he withdrew his hand and smiled again. "I wonder if all the super evolvers the government has cultivated have entered the instances."
This was a warning and a threat to Nie Xuan, to the government, and to the military.
After a moment of silence, Nie Xuan also smiled. "Maybe only by making some people feel the power of third-party players can their arrogance be curbed... But super evolvers are important talents for the entire District 014. I can't allow you to do that."
Xu Huo leaned back, slightly raising his chin, and said calmly, "You can try."
(Chapter End)