Chapter 92: Unequal Treaty

Chapter 92: Unequal Treaty

Half an hour later, inside the Machine God Church.

Zeng Yi personally placed chains on Zhou Qin and Zhang Hui, and only after confirming they could not break free did he nod to Chen Jian standing nearby.

Chen Jian waved his hand lightly, signaling him to stand behind, then turned his gaze to the two people locked across the table, speaking in a calm tone:

"The chains on your wrists are not the only restraint; they are merely a tool to slow your speed."

"Hanging at chest level are two 82-2P1 grenades, the pins already pulled, but don't worry—I've tied the safety levers with rope."

"As long as you don't move, these two grenades cannot detonate."

"But if you try to rise from the chair beneath you, know that the grenades will detonate at close range—even if you are Holy Blood bearers, you won't survive."

"So, you should understand what you must do, right?"

Upon hearing Chen Jian's words, Zhou Qin nodded immediately, his tone even somewhat obsequious as he said:

"I understand!"

"I completely understand, and I comprehend!"

"This is a quite reliable safety device; if it were me, I would do the same."

"Very good; your attitude means we might have a chance to continue negotiations."

Chen Jian relaxed into a chair away from the two, then continued:

"Since you came for peace, may I assume you have prepared conditions to exchange for peace?"

Zhou Qin wanted to nod, but feared any slight movement might trigger the grenades, so he could only stare at Chen Jian, steadying his body as best he could and said:

"Yes, we have a preliminary idea."

"But please forgive us; this idea may not yet be fully mature, as our time has been too short."

"Upon learning the outcome, we set out immediately and arrived here."

"We ought to have reported to the Holy Blood Hall, but nearly all communication equipment has been destroyed, and we have not yet been able to contact anyone else."

"Thus, I bring only the utmost sincerity I can decide upon."

"We will compensate for all losses incurred in the conflict, be they personnel, weapons, or anything else."

"We will send people to repair Huangshi City and provide sufficient food and supplies."

"At the same time, we will assist in clearing those... lingering corpses."

"Furthermore, we can guarantee that Han Shui City will never launch an unjust war against Huangshi City at any time in the future; the two cities will maintain a brotherly friendship forever."

Chen Jian listened silently to Zhou Qin's account; after a moment of silence, he asked:

"Is that all?"

Zhou Qin instantly realized his terms would not satisfy the other party, so he hastily added:

"This is merely what my authority and perspective could conceive!"

"Chosen Ones, if you have any other demands, tell me directly!"

"Once communications are restored, I will immediately report to the Holy Blood Hall and to the Holy Father."

"I believe the Holy Father will surely forgive our foolish mistake and will be willing to make amends for the error committed by his child."

"At the same time, I will also convey these terms to the Machine God Church; I suspect their stance will be the same as ours."

"Good."

Chen Jian gave a slight nod.

"Since you've put it that way, I'll lay my cards on the table."

"The conditions you've proposed are, in fact, not really conditions at all."

"They are merely things you must do."

"If you want peace, then do as I say."

Up to this point, Chen Jian paused for a moment, then spoke slowly, word by word:

"First, we demand land."

"We want the rectangular land formed by connecting the four points of Han Shui ruins, Huangzhou ruins, Huangshi City, and Xianning City."

"Your people are not permitted to enter this land, and the border cities of Xianning and Han Shui may not expand into it."

The words fell, and Zhou Qin froze.

He instinctively wanted to refuse, but swallowed the words rising to his throat.

He almost forgot—this wasn't a negotiation at all.

It was merely a notification from the other side!

To have them lay out the rules to your face is already generous; if you refuse, they are fully capable of enforcing it by force.

Thus, he nodded carefully and replied:

"I understand."

"This condition may be somewhat harsh, but I think the Holy Father will understand."

"Then that's settled."

Chen Jian looked satisfied at Zhou Qin, then continued:

"Second condition: I want all of your organization's records."

"I mean everything—records concerning your organization, as well as the information you hold about this world."

"By the way, the organization referred to here is the Holy Blood Hall and the Machine God Church."

The words landed, and Zhou Qin gaped, momentarily unsure whether to speak.

"All records?"

"The demand doesn't sound overly difficult, after all, much of the information in both the Machine God Church and the Holy Blood Hall is not secret."

"But if we truly had to compile these materials and hand them over..."

"...would it not mean that, from now on, in their eyes, our organization would be completely transparent?"

"This demand already far exceeds the limits of my authority; no matter what, I cannot rashly agree."

After a long hesitation, Zhou Qin finally spoke:

"I understand."

"But please forgive me; this is truly something I cannot agree to."

"I will do my best; before we obtain results, please, please do not resume hostilities."

"It can be done."

Chen Jian fully understood the other's hesitation, so his reply was decisive.

"This demand cannot be fulfilled overnight; the transfer of records will be a lengthy process."

We'll take it step by step; if they carry it out poorly...

At worst, we'll give them another lesson.

After a brief moment of thought, Chen Jian spoke again:

“The third condition.”

“Within our territory, you may not preach your doctrine.”

“If anyone abandons your doctrine to join our ranks, you may not stop them, punish them, or pursue them further.”

“Of course, if anyone wishes to abandon us and join you, I will not stand in their way.”

“How about that, fair?”

“.Fair!”

Zhou Qin answered through gritted teeth.

He had already understood Chen Jian's meaning.

The Holy Blood Hall and the Machine God Sect cannot preach to them, but they may preach to anyone—or spread their ideas.

This is no longer an ordinary unequal treaty.

But now, I have no choice.

All I can do is grit my teeth and nod.

Let's survive first, then talk.

What doctrine? That’s something to consider only after we survive.

Seeing his reaction, Chen Jian realized the purpose of this negotiation had essentially been achieved.

Thus, he gestured to Shen Yue beside him, who immediately took down his backpack radio and placed it on the table before Chen Jian.

Chen Jian pushed the radio toward Zhou Qin, then said:

“Your radios aren’t broken, are they?”

“Come, use ours.”

“The maximum communication range is 150 kilometers—enough for you to contact towns whose communications equipment hasn’t been destroyed, right?”

“Through them, report to your superiors.”

“I want to hear the result by today.”

Zhou Qin stared, dumbfounded.

Their radios still work?

So even the attack on electronics was part of their plan?

He instinctively glanced at Chen Jian, who then stood up directly and left the chapel.

Not long after, he heard Zhou Qin’s angry roar echoing from inside the chapel.

“.What do you mean by disagree?!”

“In the name of the supervisor, I demand you report directly to the Holy Father!”

“Hanshui City, Xianning City, Jiujiang, Xishui—here tens of thousands need to survive!”

“You have no right to say disagree!”

“If you disagree, then come see for yourself!”

“Yes, you should come see!”

“You should also try it—feel what it’s like to be melted by the sun!”

(End of chapter)