Chapter 363: The Final Battle for the Invitation

The Secret Security Department is currently only a promise made by the interim Prime Minister during his inauguration speech; truly establishing this department requires going through tedious procedures and complex formalities.

If handled by other departments, dragging it out for three to five years would be no problem at all.

Even with the cooperation of the Prime Minister and the Queen, and with everything proceeding smoothly without obstruction, given Stilane's efficiency, it would still take at least three to five months at the fastest.

In order to get their department officially established as soon as possible, Wu Chang and Reventon led seven or eight Arcane Knights to knock on the doors of the homes of officials in the corresponding approval departments one by one, forcing them to climb out of bed to stamp and sign.

That very night, Grimland's government departments became operational twenty-four hours a day.

As for the officials who were visited at their homes, regardless of whether they knew about the interim Prime Minister's speech, the moment they saw the names listed on the application form, they swallowed their complaints, daring to be angry but not daring to speak out.

Royal Secret Intelligence and Homeland Security Department—in these combinations of words, apart from the prefix "Royal" which was useless, neither "Secret Intelligence" nor "Homeland Security" were things they could afford to offend.

Not to mention that several officials had been dragged right out of their mistresses' beds by them.

The fact that they could be found here already demonstrated the operational capabilities of the Secret Security Department; furthermore, with Wu Chang, the Secret Security Minister, personally present to supervise, how would they dare not to cooperate?

Relying on their actions, they forcibly accelerated the efficiency of various departments in Stilane by hundreds of times, completing all procedures overnight, and even selecting a location for their office.

By the time all formalities were completed, the sky had already brightened considerably.

The several accompanying Arcane Knights returned to rest, while Reventon stuck to Wu Chang, following him all the way back to his home and very naturally taking a seat at the dining table.

Wu Chang grinned; indeed, this fellow had previously only come to mooch breakfast.

At the dining table, Wu Chang saw Eileen, whom he had not seen for a day.

Compared to the previous few days, Eileen was obviously much more cheerful, and there was more of a smile on her face.

Speaking of the changes in the Grey Church Slums, Eileen praised Reventon's arrangements profusely.

Led by pastors and priests, with the slum residents working together with one heart, one-third of the slum area was cleaned up within a single day.

Continuing at this rate, within two days at most, the environment within the slums would improve significantly; by then, even if Eileen did not act, the residents would no longer suffer from the torment of malaria.

After finishing her account of the changes in the slums, Eileen also mentioned another matter: since yesterday afternoon, there had been superhumans lurking near the slums.

Among them were local superhumans from Grimland, as well as outsiders, or rather, players.

Some of them had attempted to make contact with Eileen, but she did not respond, merely releasing her ability to inform them that the slums did not welcome them.

Unable to fathom her background, the lurking superhumans temporarily took no further action.

However, she believed it would not be long before they entered the slums to test her situation.

Eileen asked, "If they disturb the residents, should I expel them, or capture them and hand them over to you?"

Eileen spoke so lightly, as if what she intended to expel were not superhumans, but merely a few annoying mice being driven away.

Reventon had not expected the gentle Eileen to speak with such firmness, and he said with some concern:

"Recently, there are quite many superhumans in Grimland, among whom are not lacking those with malicious intent; would it be necessary to assign some personnel to enter the Grey Church area to protect Young Lady Eileen's safety?"

Wu Chang shook his head and said, "No need; Eileen, you decide what to do. Those who do not anger you, just drive away; those who do anger you, imprison them, and wait for me to send people to take them away."

The "people" sent here naturally referred to his True Self.

Since Eileen was kind-hearted and could not bear to see blood, it was better to restrict the enemy's movements and let him take them to a place where Eileen could not see to deal with them.

While helping Eileen resolve troubles, he could also stack strength attributes; naturally, this kind of thing had to be done by him.

After hearing this, Reventon looked at Eileen in surprise; Eileen's appearance was not of the Valkyrie style, but rather leaned toward the saintly style of benevolence and compassion.

Benevolence and compassion often led people to associate them with softness and weakness.

Coupled with the scene of Eileen rescuing the lower-class masses without seeking any reward, it made Reventon think even more that she was a fragile healer rather than a warrior.

"Leader Xiao En, do not forget that in the darkness, there are still fellows like the Steam Council existing; relying solely on the Arcane Knight Corps and the secret police cannot suppress those who are desperately vicious."

Wu Chang shrugged and said, "That is excellent; as long as the Steam Council dares to enter the slums, when we deal with them, we will sentence them according to the terms for those who surrender voluntarily."

A question mark slowly floated onto Reventon's face.

What did this mean? Could it be that the seemingly fragile Young Lady Eileen was actually an expert?

After breakfast ended, Eileen, just like yesterday, continued heading to the Grey Church Slums to help residents treat diseases and prevent the spread of malaria.

Wu Chang then told Reventon about yesterday's probe by his True Self, as well as the missions received by Sword Star and Leng Shan, asking for his opinion.

Of course, regarding the source of the information, he claimed it came from outsider superhumans.

Although Reventon was curious about when Wu Chang had met these outsider superhumans, compared to inspiration, this reason was much easier to accept, so he did not investigate further.

After a brief consideration, Reventon suggested using Henry, the editor-in-chief of the Beacon Newspaper, as bait to test the movements of the Steam Council.

Henry was a core figure of the Chartist Movement, but unlike Connor's strategy of peaceful petitioning, Henry advocated radical confrontation to force Parliament to accept the Chartist demands.

He believed that workers should not wait for the noble lords to have a change of heart, but should take up arms and engage in armed struggle.

Precisely because of this, Henry had issued many extreme statements, especially targeting Prime Minister Ron.

Almost every time worker protests were suppressed by force, he would publish statements in the Beacon Newspaper claiming that Prime Minister Ron's actions would sooner or later exact a price.

If the Prime Minister's assassination case was related to the Chartist Movement, it certainly could not be separated from Henry.

Using Henry as bait could both test the role the Chartist Movement played in the Prime Minister's assassination and draw out the Steam Council, killing two birds with one stone.

While Wu Chang's main body and Reventon were arranging the plan, his True Self had already arrived at the entrance of the Beacon Newspaper office once again.

This time upon entering, Jennifer did not stop him, but instead said:

"Mr. Connor is waiting for you in his office."

Wu Chang entered Connor's office and, just like yesterday, first used a mystic ritual to create a soundproofing barrier, then, before Connor could speak, placed a pardon warrant on Connor's desk.

The content of the pardon warrant was very simple: release all workers who had been arrested for participating in the protests regarding the Pine Coal Mine explosion, and declare them innocent.

"Mr. Connor, the conditions I promised have been fulfilled; I wonder if your side has discussed and reached a result internally?"

Connor glanced at the pardon warrant on the desk and said:

"Last night, I already received news of their release; we have seen sufficient sincerity from your side. Therefore, I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation between us."

Since Connor had already decided to cooperate, Wu Chang stopped hiding anything and said:

"In that case, we can begin our first cooperation right now."

"Mr. Connor, I know that your Beacon Newspaper is deeply loved by the workers and holds great influence among the lower classes."

Someone once told me that in the Grimlan East District and along the southern bank of the Hill River, wherever there's the sound of turning gears, you have eyes.

Connor corrected: "Those aren't our eyes—just ordinary workers oppressed by reality, desperate to improve their living conditions."

Wu Chang shrugged, speaking with indifference: "Whatever you call them, I need that power—that intelligence network that's nearly everywhere."

"About the anomalies in Grimlan, we already discussed them yesterday. You give us intelligence; we handle problems you can't solve. A win-win."

Connor fell silent for a moment, then pulled a paper bag from his desk drawer, walked around the desk, and handed it to Wu Chang.

"Inside is what you want."

Wu Chang took the bag without reaction, pulled out the documents, and saw the headline at the top:

"Malaria outbreak in the Hill River southern textile district: mortality rate reaches 30%, far exceeding all other areas of Grimlan."

Wu Chang frowned slightly. The case Connor wanted him to investigate had nothing to do with Pine Mine—it couldn't be linked to the Steam Council—and he felt disappointed.

But his expression quickly returned to normal. He figured Connor knew the waters around Pine Mine ran deep; this was their first collaboration, and neither side had yet probed the other's depths—of course there would be reservations.

He looked at the documents and asked: "What's the problem?"

Connor said: "The living conditions in the textile district are indeed terrible, but Grimlan's textile mills aren't just clustered along the southern bank of the East District—there are also many scattered along several tributaries of the Hill River further east."

"The southern textile district isn't the epicenter of the malaria outbreak, nor is it the only textile district. The mortality rate now observed must be abnormal."

Wu Chang flipped through the documents. The recorded data was detailed, showing that over the past dozen days, the death rate among workers in the southern textile district had skyrocketed—clearly irrational.

He asked: "If this anomaly is so obvious, why haven't your people found the cause? Why do you need to hand it to us?"

Connor sighed: "The textile district differs from other areas—it's populated entirely by textile workers. Years of oppression have conditioned them to rely on and obey mill owners, afraid to resist."

"This is especially true in the southern textile district. We've sent investigators there many times, but the workers never mention the anomalies—even actively report our people to the mill owners."

"More than four journalists have gone missing during investigations; their bodies were later found in the Hill River."

At this, Connor's tone was filled with helplessness.

"We can only help those who want help and are willing to change their situation. For those content to sink, we can do nothing—only hope you have some solution."

Wu Chang shoved the documents back into the paper bag and said:

"Fine. Our people will investigate. If we find anything, we'll notify you immediately."

Connor said sincerely: "Thank you."

As Wu Chang left the Lamp Post Gazette, he saw Xiang Jianxing setting up a stall nearby.

Xiang Jianxing lowered his sunglasses slightly and met Wu Chang's gaze—Wu Chang understood his meaning.

He walked around the area for a while, then, seeing Xiang Jianxing preparing to pack up, headed ahead to the room where they'd met yesterday.

Leng Shan and the others were indeed already waiting inside. He entered, and less than two minutes later, Xiang Jianxing returned.

Leng Shan pulled out a copy of the Hill River Daily, pointed to the photograph showing Xiao En, smiling confidently at the camera, and asked:

"Mr. Peace, is this newly appointed Minister of Secret Security the same person you called the Grand Master of the Arcane Knights?"

Wu Chang looked at the newspaper Leng Shan held. Hmm—no wonder it was the most authoritative paper in Stilane; the photo was excellent.

The man in the photograph, Xiao En, was a middle-aged man in his early thirties with a classic Stilane face. Among cabinet ministers averaging 45 to 70 years old, he stood out like a crane among chickens.

His mysterious, deep blue eyes, chiseled features, and short golden hair made Xiao En the dream man of every Stilane girl by morning.

The version of him who entered the Moonlight Sanatorium was not this image—it was entirely due to the effect of his True Walker title.

The True Walker not only filled in a fabricated background as a novice Arcane Knight family, and his five-year absence from this plane, but also reshaped his appearance here to perfectly match the persona of Lord Xiao En.

After all, in the Steam Phantom plane, whether in Stilane or the New World, racial discrimination was severe.

Precisely because of this, even if Wu Chang's true self had taken the photo with his face exposed, he had no fear of being recognized.

After admiring the photo, Wu Chang nodded and said:

"Correct. On the surface, the Arcane Knights are the Anquan Force."

"Back at the Moonlight Sanatorium, I and Lord Xiao En endured great hardship to survive."

"That's why he trusts me completely."

Wu Chang pointed to the stiff-smiling Raven in the photo and said:

"If my presence weren't unsuitable for public exposure, the Deputy Grand Master in the photo would be me—not this idiot who can't even control his expression when near a woman."

After Wu Chang spoke, the room fell into brief silence.

Xiang Jianxing gave a slight nod to the group—their expressions grew even darker.

They had intended to join Peace's faction, hoping the Arcane Knights would be a promising force—but now it seemed far too promising.

This wasn't a royal guard—it was a powerful minister.

During the B-rank instance, he already had life-or-death ties with the leader of an S-rank instance faction;

While other players fought desperately for an invitation letter, he had been promoted directly to deputy leader of the faction, with authority to recruit members independently.

Everyone says children must win at the starting line—but if your starting line is in the last instance, what's the point of competing with you?

Even though the Bureau members were on Wu Chang's side, they nearly shouted:

"Unfair! Restart!"

After the brief silence, the Negotiation Master asked first: "When do we report in?"

Wu Chang shrugged: "Whenever you like. Just go to the Anquan Force office, say 'Peace,' and someone will register your identity."

Having satisfied their curiosity, Wu Chang turned to the real matter.

His true self had already coordinated with Raven on the plan to contact Henry.

He informed the two of the scheduled time for the fishing operation and the approximate attire of the Arcane Knight they'd meet, instructing them to pay attention and record everything to complete the task assigned by the Steam Council.

Leng Shan and Xiang Jianxing noted the key points. As they recalled their own tasks, they suddenly realized that with sufficient resources, both faction-joining missions and undercover operations became remarkably simple.

This feeling—they'd never experienced it even after completing an A-rank True instance.

Is this what it feels like to have someone watching your back in an instance? Dammit, I'm getting addicted.

After laying out the next plan, just before Wu Chang left, Leng Shan asked:

"Tonight, in front of St. George's Cathedral, the final invitation contest is said to be taking place. Do we need to take part?"

Wu Chang shook his head and said, "You all can go watch the excitement, but there's no need to participate."

"Sir Xiao En is busy with official duties, so tonight's Transcendent Gathering will be attended by me on his behalf. If any of you wish to go see the Transcendent Gathering, you may come with me as on-the-spot examiners."

At half past nine in the evening, every road leading to St. George's Cathedral was placed under lockdown; no unrelated persons were permitted to enter.

St. George's Square was now divided into three zones.

Zhu Li, Wu Chang's main body, and the presidents of the Clock Tower Magic Association and the Alchemy Association stood at the apex of St. George's Cathedral's dome, looking down at the area below.

At the entrance of St. George's Cathedral, forty-eight ornate chairs were arranged. At this moment, forty-three players holding invitations sat upon them, gazing at the square before the cathedral.

Zhu Li blew a horn magical artifact. Amid the sound of the horn, centered on the top of St. George's Cathedral, a layer of golden light spread outward, enveloping the entire square.

The world within the light barrier was completely cut off from the outside; no matter how fierce the fighting inside, it would not affect anything beyond the light barrier.

Watching the ability Zhu Li had used, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes, because the light barrier enveloping the square already possessed the embryonic form of an Inner World from spatial magic.

However, this ability was still quite crude; one could tell it was a usage the user had figured out on her own.

Recalling how previously at the Moonlight Sanatorium, Zhu Li had also used magic to bring him through the headmaster's office restrictions, directly entering the headmaster's office.

He remembered what Lewendon had said — that in the records of the Steam Phantom plane, there existed no magic that manipulated time and space. This fellow Zhu Li, could she possibly be inventing spatial magic on her own?

Wu Chang shook his head, casting aside the stray thoughts in his mind, and turned his gaze toward St. George's Square.

He could see figures entering the light barrier one after another; each figure carried a special air about them, and at a glance one could tell they were players.

At a rough glance, the number of players entering the light barrier exceeded thirty.

With a wave of Zhu Li's hand, five invitations yet to be issued appeared in the hands of the five angel statues on the square.

Zhu Li declared in a clear voice;

"Before midnight tonight, whoever ultimately obtains an invitation shall be deemed to hold full ownership of it."

"Next, please set aside all reservations and display your strength and worth to the fullest."

As Zhu Li blew the horn once more, the invitations in the angel statues' hands flew into the high sky and fell at random.

The final invitation contest officially began.

(End of this chapter)