Light Fortress
Chapter 144 - 132: New World

Chapter 144: Chapter 132: New World

Gu Shen’s expression was somewhat peculiar.

He couldn’t understand what could be said in such a brief conversation.

Chen San had actually given up on saving his own son...

Chen Mei was also stunned, watching as his father turned and left. Ye Ningqiu also gave him a complex look then all the others began to leave one after another. Zhou Jiren lifted his hand and retracted the vines that entangled the Transcendents of the Jiang’an Chengxin Meeting, the intense confrontational floodlights extinguished one by one, and the people from South Bay departed so swiftly and silently.

He didn’t understand... why?

He had been chasing a suspect, but in the end, had he become the suspect himself?

Not until the lights on the bank of the river had faded did he realize that everything was real.

Gu Shen, who was caught in the middle of the situation, felt it all seemed like a dream.

One moment, he was being hunted.

The next, his identity was reversed.

And the sensation of being watched by countless eyes was somewhat uncomfortable... Crow stared straight at him, the meaning in his eyes couldn’t be more clear.

"You’re from the Judgement Institute? S rank?"

Song Ci, grinning and rubbing his arms, stared at Gu Shen. "No wonder I always felt you were so fierce..."

"..."

Gu Shen smiled helplessly.

"This guy, he’s got quite a hard punch."

The battle over, Crow circled Chen Mei, wincing from the pain, his body covered in red marks from punches. If Zhou Jiren hadn’t intervened, it would be hard to say how the fight would have turned out.

Chen Mei was bound by the vines and couldn’t move.

He simply gave up struggling and calmly concentrated on his own thoughts, whispering, "What are you planning to do with me?"

"Relax. I’m not exactly a good man," Zhou Jiren said indifferently. "But neither is your father. Come with me, clear out the case files, and once everything is resolved, you can go back home."

"I have nothing to say..." Chen Mei replied coldly and laughed. "Besides, that place isn’t my home."

"Alright. Since you have nothing to say, then don’t talk."

Mr. Shu raised his hand, and the vines wrapped up Chen Mei with a swoosh, encasing him like a wooden coffin just as they had with A-009.

Nothing inside could be heard from the outside.

And vice versa.

"Zhao Xilai, as you wished, I’ve given Chen San’s old man a good beating," Mr. Shu, with one hand pressed against the stone coffin, stood on the surface of the river, ripples emanating from under his feet. His face showed little change in expression. "After this fight, the grudge is settled. I am also clear of the debt for the impeachment incident and the favor from the special pardon."

The old man hummed softly in acknowledgment.

"However, I have one request," Mr. Shu smiled, pulling Gu Shen to his side. "All those things I said earlier, I meant them... Gu Shen truly is my closed-door disciple. After this impeachment turmoil, I am very aware that surrounded by hostile forces in such a perilous environment, the position of Grand Judge of the Judgement Institute might not be holdable for much longer."

Upon hearing this, the old man slowly lifted his head.

In truth, when the special pardon was passed, it was Cui Zhongcheng who took action on his behalf without his authorization, and he only glanced briefly at the young man’s file. He never really saw anything particularly outstanding about him.

With his experience, he had seen too many geniuses.

And Gu Shen was too ordinary, all too ordinary.

Only after he had passed the review committee’s assessment did the old man take slightly more notice of him.

This time Zhao Xilai carefully observed the youth before him. He had a young face and determined eyes, but beyond that... there seemed to be nothing more.

This time, he still couldn’t see anything extraordinary.

"Do you want me to look after him for you?" Zhao Xilai asked slowly. "Or are you hoping I’ll help him to take the position of Grand Judge?"

Gu Shen’s pupils contracted.

This old man... he was very direct, wasn’t he?

The sound of the wind swept across the empty river, with only six people present and no outsiders.

"No..."

Zhou Jiren shook his head, stopping mid-sentence.

He looked at Crow with a profound gaze.

"Well, I’m in a bit of a hurry, so I’ll take my leave," said Song Ci, who was as keen on observing the situation as if grabbing a stool to watch a spectacle. Reading Zhou Jiren’s expression, he awkwardly scratched his head, hummed a little tune, and turned to leave the center of the river. On the surface, he appeared breezy and nonchalant, but inside, he was really reluctant, itching to look back with every step.

Once everyone was gone.

Zhou Jiren finally spoke up.

He whispered with a smile as he gazed at Zhao Xilai, "I hope he gets involved in the work of promoting the bill."

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Zhao Xilai’s body gradually tensed up, he furrowed his brows, and looked at Zhou Jiren with a solemn expression.

"The reason I took action today is not just because I owe you a favor," Zhou Jiren smiled. "The fight over the Awakening Decree has shaken the entire East Continent Council for too long... I think the turbulence is about to yield a result, right? The bill has been overturned more than once, amended, and Changye City announced its withdrawal from voting, while the only variable that can affect the bill’s changes lies within the Dadu District. Da Du has not yet participated in the intense legislative struggles, but in reality, the battle has reached a fever pitch, and Da Du will soon need to make its stance known."

The elderly man’s voice was faint: "Continue..."

"Chen San is with the opposition," Zhou Jiren stated concisely. "That’s why I’m helping you. I know you’re a supporter, and if Da Du is to express an opinion, you will undoubtedly support it wholeheartedly and strive to implement the Awakening Decree in the Dadu District first..."

At the instant these words were spoken.

Cui Zhongcheng adjusted his monocle.

The lady’s pupils contracted slightly and quickly returned to normal.

"Heh... Old Fox..."

Zhao Xilai laughed softly, "The council now votes anonymously, nine districts, nineteen votes in total, Changye completely abstains, Da Du has not yet voted, with seven votes for and seven against. Chen San has publicly expressed opposition to the bill in the council, but I haven’t said anything... What makes you so sure my stance is supportive?"

"No reason," Zhou Jiren said. "Or perhaps... because the bill has not yet been rejected."

"If we’re talking about a real old fox, that should be you."

"Since Gu Changzhi has been in slumber, it’s reasonable for Changye to give up such a significant voting right. A rare opportunity has come, the greatest power of opinion in the East Continent Council is now in your hands," Zhou Jiren said indifferently. "You’ve been waiting... now the balance has reached an equilibrium, and the passage or failure of the bill depends on your opinion."

At this point, Zhao Xilai no longer evaded or dragged the conversation on.

"You want Gu Shen to join the work schedule of promoting the bill... it’s not impossible," Zhao Xilai said calmly. "But I must know, why."

"I don’t care about the position of the Grand Judge. With ’Heaven’s Eye’, even if I resign as Grand Judge, I wouldn’t need to worry about revenge from enemies, and the East Continent would still value my opinion," Zhou Jiren said casually. "My greatest concern, with her emergence, has already been resolved... She is a Titled Transcendent at the peak of her power with limitless future."

Zhao Xilai said softly, "You have indeed nurtured many talents..."

"I hope he gets involved in promoting the bill so he can see the ’new world’ coming with his own eyes," Zhou Jiren stated softly. "Consider it... a witness."

Zhao Xilai seemed contemplative.

"Do you support the passing of the bill?"

It took a long while before the elderly man finally spoke slowly.

And the answer was unquestionable—

"Of course."

Zhou Jiren said nonchalantly, "If the council is willing to listen to the jury’s opinion, I will go all out to vote in favor."

"It’s rare indeed... for an old-timer like you, who lived through the last era, to be willing to embrace the advent of a ’new world’," Zhao Xilai said with a somewhat reflective smile.

"Aren’t you the same?"

Zhou Jiren looked at the old man in the wheelchair, mocking him, "You’re the real old-timer, the kind that’s half-buried in the ground... If I expected you to take care of Gu Shen, how long could you live, and how long could you take care of him?"

Zhao Xilai was not angry, instead, he chuckled softly, "As you said, I don’t have much longer to live, but I know that before that happens, he will shine brightly... because he chose me."

The old man struggled to stand up, and Cui Zhongcheng hurried to support him.

"Councilman, sir..." Mr. Xiao Cui began with concern.

"No... no need to help... I can manage on my own."

Zhao Xilai took a deep breath, and his shaky movements suddenly became steady.

The old man moved forward slowly, took two steps, stretched out his arms, and embraced Gu Shen, whispering, "Welcome, to joining the ’new world’, you have a future of unlimited brightness."

New world?

Gu Shen was somewhat bewildered, he looked to his mentor, and Zhou Jiren gave him an approving look.

"The new world... is a special action group set up by Da Du specifically."

"Zhou Jiren is right, the dispute over the bill has dragged on for too long, everyone’s tired," Zhao Xilai said as he slowly settled back into his chair. His voice was deep and mellow, like iron: "There’s more than one Old Fox in the council... at first, they were all waiting for the opinion of Changye City, but with Gu Changzhi not awakening, and Changye determined not to participate in promoting the bill, those Old Foxes started to surface one after another for their own interests."

Gu Shen saw a hint of amusement in the old man’s eyes.

He realized what was going to happen next... as all sides’ opinions were deadlocked, the situation balanced, it would only take a little force to break this balance.

"Seven votes for, seven against," Zhao Xilai laughed softly. "Add two more votes, one in support, one opposed, still a tie. It was supposed to be a stalemate, but unfortunately."

"All along... Da Du has had a vacant council seat."

The old man looked at the woman holding the umbrella for him.

"Nanzhi, you’ve worked hard these years," he said slowly: "Just recently, I revised my will... I hope that after I’m gone, you will take up the Zhao Family’s banner."

The lady’s body stiffened somewhat.

"There’s still one council seat in Da Du, would you... like it?"