The men from the Internal Affairs Department spoke in an extremely hostile tone.

Actually, they couldn't be blamed. No one had forced these rats; they had simply chosen to give up on their own.

So…

"I'm warning you one last time! All of you, get back immediately! One more step and you're dead! What are you looking at? Yeah, you! I'm talking to you, you son of a bitch!"

"All of you, stand your ground! Is this a place you can just barge into? I won't expel you for now, but this line is the boundary. Cross it, and we'll consider you enemies of the Federation! If you have any reverence for the Federation left in your hearts…"

The numerous, usually idle personnel of the Internal Affairs Department all tensed up, taking positions to guard the entrance.

It couldn't be helped; there were too many people, and over seventy percent were Martial Artists. If trouble truly broke out, even though the guards were Martial Artists themselves—elites, even—they would have no chance of survival unless a Grandmaster-level expert intervened.

And while these staff members were doing their utmost to block those people attempting to enter the precincts of the Internal Affairs Department…

「Deep within the Internal Affairs Department.」

The Grandmaster, who had originally intended to ignore the situation, could no longer hold back. He directly dialed Quan State Governor Jin Botao's phone.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP…

"Yes, hello!"

Jin Botao answered the phone, his voice deep.

The Grandmaster responded immediately, his tone grave.

"It's me, Zhang Li, Director of the Underground City's Internal Affairs Department. Governor Jin Botao, a new problem has arisen in the Underground City. Thousands of its residents are gathering around the Internal Affairs Department. The situation is critical; I need your support…"

Zhang Li quickly reported the current situation, formally requesting assistance.

Jin Botao replied expressionlessly.

"Director Zhang, please rephrase that. I need to understand the cause and effect…"

Zhang Li paused, his face darkening slightly, but…

"It's like this…"

What Zhang Li didn't know was that just as he started speaking again, Jin Botao had casually picked up his call, set the receiver aside, and let Zhang Li continue his report. Jin Botao himself had turned away and answered another call, chuckling into that phone.

"What's wrong, Old Li? We haven't seen each other in ages. It's just a get-together between us; are you afraid I'll harm you or something? You were never this cautious when you were younger. Don't tell me getting old has worn away your courage too? It's just a small Beast Tide. What difference does it make if you're there or not? How many hits can those old bones of yours take anyway!"

A burst of amused curses came from the phone.

"That's utter bullshit! You talk as if you're still young yourself! Alright, alright, since you made a special call, let's meet. But Old Jin, let me tell you, we can meet, but not publicly, and we can't…"

Jin Botao cut him off. "Hey, hey, that's enough! Isn't it just because your son's about to be promoted to brigade commander that you have to be so damned careful? Why are you spouting so much nonsense? Old Li, let me tell you, it's only because we go way back that I put up with this. If it were anyone else, you'd see if I wouldn't curse them out. Dammit, you make it sound like meeting up is a death sentence…"

Jin Botao was merciless when he cursed someone out, really laying into them. Fortunately, the person on the other end knew this old fellow's temper. After a bit more casual chat, he agreed and hung up.

「Meanwhile.」

Zhang Li's call was still ringing.

It seemed Jin Botao hadn't been listening earlier, which had frustrated Zhang Li so much after talking for ages that he'd hung up.

But he had to call back. What was a little pride worth now? If things went south, it would be a major disaster, and his head would be the first to roll.

Finally, Jin Botao took the phone from his secretary again, his face expressionless as he spoke.

"Hello, Jin Botao speaking. State your business."

Zhang Li was furious.

"Uh, Governor Jin, things are really about to blow up! I need your support!"

"Director Zhang Li, even if there's an incident, as a department director, don't you have even this basic level of competence? Now, right now, immediately! I'm giving you one more chance: organize your thoughts and speak clearly."

Zhang Li's face contorted, veins bulging on his hands. Damn you, Jin Botao! Just you wait!

Finally, after many twists and turns, Jin Botao, who had kept Zhang Li waiting for far too long, understood the situation. Yet, his expression remained impassive.

"Director Zhang, even if this is urgent, a minor State Governor like myself is helpless. I can't bypass the rules. How about this: you want to requisition reinforcements, right? Call your brother in misfortune! If he agrees, we can mobilize the Military Department to enter the city and suppress the situation immediately, without me even needing to call a meeting. But if he doesn't agree… Zhang Li, oh Zhang Li, then you'll just have to wait patiently. The meeting procedures must follow the rules!"

"Fuck your grandpa, Jin Bo—" BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP…

CLICK. Jin Botao had hung up the phone.

A couple of days ago, it was Jin Botao who had sensed something amiss and wanted to requisition personnel to go deep underground. However, Zhang Li had been arrogant, not only refusing but also mocking Jin Botao to his face, saying Jin Botao had no jurisdiction over him.

Now, look at him, coming to Jin Botao for help, and shamelessly at that.

Jin Botao was no saint; he had a temper too. He wasn't going to make things easy. Let him stew in his anger!

However…

His secretary asked cautiously, "Governor, are we really going to ignore him?"

Unexpectedly, Jin Botao's seemingly clouded gaze suddenly sharpened.

"Little Cui, do you even know what you're saying?"

Secretary Cui's heart tightened. His gaze wavered, and he felt the Governor seemed like a different person.

"Governor, I…"

Jin Botao looked at him expressionlessly, then said softly, "Convene a State Government meeting in fifteen minutes. The Underground City situation must be resolved. And I want you to remember, Secretary Cui, no matter whose secretary you are, personal feelings are personal feelings, and official business is official business. No one can conflate the two; no one has that privilege! Moreover, if things continue to develop this way, the Underground City will spiral out of control sooner or later, and the Federation will suffer needless losses! Yet, at a time like this, you ask if we should pay it any mind? Little Cui, you've disappointed me."

Compared to that young man who seemed clueless but was, in reality, meticulously calculating every step, his secretary was so immature. He didn't even have his own principles.

Secretary Cui's face paled, his expression unnatural. He understood clearly that his image in Jin Botao's eyes was now completely ruined.

"Governor…"

Jin Botao waved his hand. "Go on. Don't let your mood affect your work."

As for Secretary Cui's future… Jin Botao fell silent. He had overlooked one man's ambition but failed to cultivate another's self-discipline!

Wang Zhan, oh Wang Zhan, if it really is you, you little bastard, how did you manage to get this far?

「Back in the Underground City.」

Tian Qi, who had received the news slightly before Jin Botao but a little after Zhang Li, also saw these developments in the Underground City. He forcibly shook himself out of his violent rage, shook his head hard, and muttered to himself.

"That's right! This is the place!"

If Tian Qi remembered correctly, Snakehead had indeed advanced to the Grandmaster realm before him. However, Tian Qi would never believe that Snakehead's Talent was significantly better than his own.

They should have been evenly matched rivals!

But ten years ago, who knows what scheme Snakehead pulled, or what kind of rotten luck he stumbled upon. Suddenly, everything was different!

His realm, originally only slightly ahead of Tian Qi's, not only advanced rapidly but, to everyone's surprise, skyrocketed, pulling far ahead by a large margin.

This was also why Tian Qi had mocked Snakehead during their battles. If Snakehead's strength hadn't suddenly advanced so rapidly, there was no way, no matter how one calculated it, that he could have suppressed Tian Qi so completely.

So, are those people meddling behind the scenes again? Snakehead's men haven't scattered. That must mean Snakehead isn't the only one capable of keeping them in line; there must be others. If so, where would that person most likely be right now?

Suddenly, an idea struck Tian Qi. He remembered something, but his expression instantly froze, looking rather grim.

No need to guess. The Underground City is practically empty now. If one were looking for the best place to watch the show, wouldn't it be just outside the Internal Affairs Department's main gate?

Yet, no matter how reckless Tian Qi might be, he wouldn't dare attack that place.

He could only watch helplessly as that person stood behind the scenes, remotely controlling Snakehead's men—whether scattered or gathered—to fight him and maintain their basic advantage!

Thinking this, Tian Qi no longer doubted that Snakehead's crew must include a few powerful individuals who could allow those puppet masters to watch the show peacefully, ready to intervene directly and enter the battlefield if the situation got out of hand.

There was no doubt about it!

Because if there truly were people behind Snakehead, and if these same people were propping up his subordinates, then they would never relinquish this force—not massive, yet not insignificant, and certainly enough to control an entire area!

At this thought, Tian Qi felt a headache coming on, along with a wave of exhaustion.

He had already spent several nights consumed by anger and unease, unable to sleep soundly.

He feared the ruthlessness Wang Zhan was currently displaying, knowing full well it was only a small part, merely the tip of the iceberg.

Therefore, unable to fathom Wang Zhan's true capabilities or intentions, a sense of powerless frustration gradually grew within him, as if he had suddenly aged.

So, he thought once more of Boss Chen—the middle-aged man who had once saved his life and had also provided considerable help during his rise.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP…

"Boss…"

"Hello, is that Little Qi? Hold on, I have a guest here."

Recognizing the familiar number, Boss Chen spoke briefly into the phone, then quickly apologized to the guest opposite him and said with a smile,

"If you're still willing to believe me, I think you'll really like what I've brought this time…"

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