Chapter 2145: Let's Have a Public Hunt
"A man without foresight is sure to have near sorrow. You are a man of foresight," Xu Huo said. "If more people in District 008 were like you, then District 008 would become better and better."
The scholar chuckled. "You don't need to flatter me. I'm just doing my small part for my family. But you do pique my curiosity. You shouldn't be from Block Fairy Tale City, should you? If Block Fairy Tale City could cultivate a player like you, it wouldn't have been repeatedly weakened until it was completely wiped out."
Xu Huo looked at the man across from him, his tone quite serious. "I'm just seeking justice."
The reason he had returned to the Station City wasn't really to single-handedly fight against so many players from the Tian Clan or the Enforcement Team. This was a district with advanced development, and the accumulation of players was immeasurable. There were no Super Players on the surface, but the absence of Random Instances was very telling. This was different from the Ember Maiden Instance. The Ember Maiden Instance had solved the lingering problems of that district, and it was also the truth that many persecuted locals desperately wanted to know. Moreover, because there was internal conflict within the government, the faction inclined towards a peaceful resolution had the upper hand, which was why the players had shown restraint.
District 008 was different. He represented Block Fairy Tale City, and Block Fairy Tale City was a third party. It had no direct connection or vested interest with the District Government or the locals. So whether it was the Tian Clan or the City Government, there was only one way to deal with a troublemaking player from another zone. As for other issues, what did they have to do with an outsider?
Therefore, no matter how Xu Huo showed his face, once the Tian Clan or the City Government confirmed his identity, they would definitely kill him without hesitation.
From the Block Fairy Tale City incident and the forged declaration incident, it could be seen that even if it sparked a war between players from other zones and local players, the matter would still be quickly suppressed, and wouldn't even cause much discussion.
Only by making this matter District 008's own business would someone take the initiative to solve it.
Two hours ago, Xu Huo had selected three people from among the more famous scholars. Through face-to-face conversations, he had finally settled on the man before him.
And this scholar was a well-known neutral. He might not necessarily do things that harmed District 008, but there was no reason to refuse an article that would bring both fame and fortune.
"I haven't heard that word in a long time," the scholar sighed deeply. "Ever since the rise of players, even something as natural as 'a life for a life' sounds like a joke."
"Whatever you're going to do, when you see the people of District 008, think of the people of Block Fairy Tale City. They are all people who cannot control their own destinies."
The scholar didn't seem to want to stop Xu Huo. He seemed to have a different kind of broad-mindedness, or perhaps it was the confidence and confidence brought by District 008's military force that extended into tolerance for others. In the more than an hour since Xu Huo had found him and convinced him to publish that article, he hadn't even thought of informing the Enforcement Team.
But at this moment, his watch terminal gave a prompt. He raised his hand. "The Scholars' Association is looking for me. They want me to come over tonight. I have to go."
Xu Huo stood up to see him off. "Thank you for your help."
The scholar just smiled. "Young man, good luck."
After watching him leave, Xu Huo returned to his seat. Under the watchful eyes of the two Enforcement Team members responsible for surveillance, he finished his tea and checked the new messages on his Message Collection Terminal.
As time passed, the scholar's article continued to ferment. Previously, some scholars had also pointed out District 008's over-reliance on instruments, but few had mentioned the harm that rapid technological development could bring to humanity. Some might think that the squeezing of living space was inevitable, but few truly believed that the situation of the absolute majority of ordinary people would slide into another abyss, after all, this district had a complete legal system.
Now that someone was saying this, and someone was doing this, emotions ran high. Even if they couldn't really come to a conclusion, some ideas would slowly enter their minds, changing some of their views. Then, when they looked back at the Block Fairy Tale City incident, wouldn't it seem less like it had nothing to do with them?
There are those who harm others for their own benefit, and there are those who pursue justice. Hopefully, the Tian Clan would get a long 'payback' from this.
What Xu Huo needed to do now was another matter.
From some information about the Tian Clan disclosed on the Message Collection Terminal, Dou Shengnan had been in and out of the Tian Clan's hotel several times, going to different places accompanied by Tian Clan members, coming and going in a hurry, as if she had urgent business. There were no other members of the Eerie Sound Knights by her side, only a player who looked like a bodyguard was always with her. She was the main one, but from the records, she occasionally communicated with this person. It was unclear if he was a member of the group.
The places they appeared were not far from several technology companies under the Tian Clan. However, after someone recognized Dou Shengnan, she hadn't left the hotel again, nor had she left District 008, as if she was waiting for something.
Xu Huo ignored the two people following him and used a Portal to go near the hotel.
The area around the Tian Clan hotel was definitely not lacking in people now. Players from all sides were watching the place, and there were constantly circling flying surveillance monitors. This greatly restricted the Tian Clan's movements. If the same face moved too frequently, it would immediately attract attention and suspicion from outsiders. Coupled with the intervention of the Enforcement Team, the Tian Clan's players had been ordered not to clash with others unless necessary. The tougher they acted at this time, the worse the impact would be.
Everyone was staying up all night without sleep, so Xu Huo could only choose a slightly farther place to settle down.
There were already many people in this small shop. When he walked in, several gazes fell on him. After he sat down, someone even came over to chat with him, asking him how many dogs were following him.
The players from other zones gathered here were obviously not to be trifled with. They were very disgusted by the Enforcement Team sending people to follow them, hence the undisguised malice.
Inside the shop were players from other zones, and outside the shop were twice as many Enforcement Team members.
"There's no need for that. They're just doing their jobs for money," Xu Huo said fairly.
The player who had asked the question dropped his smile and sneered coldly. "Getting assimilated by the dogs pretty quickly. I wonder if you'll even get a chance to be a dog's leg."
Xu Huo glanced over there. Seeing the other's expression change slightly, he withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "If anyone can charge out and fight their way back, I'll call them a real man. It's better to talk after the fact than to talk now."
That player's face darkened and he was about to flare up, but the person sitting next to him stood up and pressed his shoulder, forcing him back into his seat with an unyielding posture. Under the other's suddenly changing expression, he said, "Why bother fighting over a minor quarrel? If you two have energy to burn, I have a suggestion. There's a wanted criminal right in front of us. How about a public hunt?"