Light Fortress
Chapter 168 - 155: Celebration Party

Chapter 168: Chapter 155: Celebration Party

Gu Shen supported his forehead and slowly sat up.

Was all this really a dream?

He couldn’t believe it, nor could he accept it... The flying sand, wild grass, and the dust and smoke that hit his face when leaving Da Du, along with the roaring engines, were all too real.

"You shouldn’t even think about going out today."

Nan Jin opened the projection screen in the hospital room, "The teacher has instructed that you rest in the hospital room until your injuries heal... Spiritual injuries are not a trivial matter."

"I’m not seriously hurt."

Gu Shen shook his head, his voice rough, "Moreover, the nomination for the alternative council members is about to begin..."

The screen flickered with the loading interface of Deep Sea—

"The nomination ceremony for the alternative council members will be broadcast live online," Nan Jin said. "You can watch it from here."

"Is that so?"

Gu Shen gave a bitter smile and gave up the struggle to sit up.

He obediently lay on the hospital bed, watching the countdown to the nomination ceremony on the screen, silently calling out Chu Ling’s name a few times in his mind.

There was no response.

...

...

In the East Continent Nine Districts—Jiangbei District, Jiangnan Four Districts—Changye and Da Du each served as the core area of Jiangbei and Jiangnan respectively, possessing absolute say and parliamentary status.

Twenty seats were allocated to East Continent.

Changye and Da Du each had one more seat than the other districts.

However... The third council seat of Da Du had been vacant for ten years. Everyone knew that this vacancy was related to a major case years ago.

The old district, Lion Alley case.

Lu Cheng, the largest shareholder of Huazhi, fell in a blind spot of the surveillance, with no witnesses and no clues... The man who was supposed to take the third council chair of Da Du died, and since then, no suitable candidate had filled the position.

Over these ten years, Da Du has maintained a delicate balance.

Huazhi and South Bay did not interfere with each other, co-existed peacefully, and even jointly created the "Sincere Heart Association" to mitigate the underground conflicts.

In recent years, however, maintaining this balance had become very difficult.

Zhao Xilai was getting older and older; although Huazhi was large, it was declining... The only successor, "Zhao Qi," was not virtuous enough to take over such a vast enterprise.

And although South Bay was smaller, it was gradually becoming more robust, barely managing to hold its own against its rival.

Both parties did not want a third council member to emerge... Neither wanting to risk the council seat remaining empty, which could inadvertently boost the other side, nor desiring a "third party" to emerge who could steal their achievements by ascending to the council seat, forming a tripartite balance of power between Da Du and Huazhi Nanwan.

But now,

due to the Awakening Bill, the nomination for Da Du’s third council member... could no longer be delayed.

The arrow was on the string and had to be sent.

But on such a tense day—

the top floor of Huazhi Building hosted a party, with the high-level executives of the group having received invitations. They were asked to come to the top floor to join today’s "feast," which was set up as a spacious cocktail reception venue, featuring snack carts, champagne, cakes, desserts... It was hard to imagine that today was the highly anticipated "alternative council members nomination day."

Logically, the atmosphere should have been tense.

But the attendees didn’t show the slightest nervousness... because Mr. Zhao, who normally stayed behind the scenes, extraordinarily showed up at the party today, and it was said that the party was arranged following his instructions.

Cui Zhongcheng pushed the wheelchair, staying by his side.

The high-level executives of Huazhi took turns toasting this "Godfather," the elderly councilman graciously responded with a smile, kissing the cheeks of the others, and whispering blessings.

The banner hung on the wall behind them.

"We create miracles."

This has always been the creed of Huazhi Group, and indeed, it was true... Over the years, Huazhi has created many miracles. In this building, the power of countless elites converged, chasing their dreams and thereby fortuitously advancing this era.

Virtual reality glasses, holographic helmets, LIFI technology... even if it’s only a small step.

It changed everyone’s lives.

Huazhi Group is now a well-known oligarchic company in the electronics and information sector across the Five Continents.

For those in the know, when they raised their glasses, the corners of their lips involuntarily curled up higher than usual.

They knew the true meaning expressed by the banner today.

Today was the day for the potential parliamentary candidates—

This party was a celebration.

Celebrating the lady’s nomination and victory in advance.

According to the usual nomination process for potential parliamentary candidates, after both parties submit their nominations, each will elaborate on their ideological values and their short and long-term plans after taking office... Of course, this year, the most important issue for the potential parliamentary candidates is their stance on the "Awakening Bill."

Whether it be in terms of strength, status, or influence.

The potential parliamentary candidate from South Bay was no match for the lady... This was never a fair fight to begin with.

There was nothing wrong with celebrating the victory in advance.

Suddenly, an "uninvited guest" burst into the venue.

"Wait a minute... No invitation, no entry..."

The voices of the two Transcendents guarding the venue were drowned out by the sound of a cane hitting the ground—

All eyes in the room turned towards the entrance of the party.

An elderly man with a dragon-head cane, marching with a brisk stride and an imposing demeanor that commanded everyone around him to swiftly make way, slowly walked into the party.

"Shu."

Sitting in a wheelchair, Zhao Xilai opened with a smile, affectionately calling out Zhou Jiren’s Titled name in front of everyone.

—Shu—

As his voice fell.

All the attendees at the party, during this moment, clearly saw the old man’s face and couldn’t help but shudder.

This was the Grand Judge from the East Continent Court!

Mr. Shu also smiled and nodded, his smile briefly dispelling the fierceness and authority.

Now like a Bodhisattva, now like Yama.

"Today is indeed a great day..."

Zhou Jiren came to Mr. Zhao’s side, looking at the countdown on the party’s projection screen, and softly chuckled, "Lu Nanzhi wanted to be a potential parliamentary candidate; how could I miss it?"

Cui Zhongcheng silently pushed up his glasses.

It wasn’t his place to speak when the parliamentary candidate did not.

The old man sitting in the wheelchair focused inward, pondering something unknown...

How close it was, earlier without an invitation... I almost didn’t get in." Zhou Jiren picked up a stemmed glass, poured himself some wine while musing to himself, "Tsk, tsk, exquisite wine... so you’ve already started the pre-celebration?"

Zhao Xilai’s eyelids drooped slightly, and he only smiled faintly.

Not having an invitation naturally meant not being welcomed.

Everyone understood this principle, but the old fellow pretended not to understand despite knowing better... and his unique status also made it inconvenient to point it out.

"Now that you’re here, let’s witness history together."

Zhao Xilai swirled the wine in his stemmed glass, tasted a small sip, and quietly said, "I’m happy for Lu Nanzhi’s achievement today."