Chapter 93: Delegation

Chapter 93: The Delegation

"They're coming to take a look"

Inside the church, Zhou Qin gazed anxiously at Chen Jian opposite him, continuing to speak:

"I have done my utmost to explain to them what has happened here, but the Holy Father did not directly agree to my request."

"Likewise, the Machine God Cult expressed doubt about my words."

"He thought I was merely exaggerating, trying to swindle more aid."

"Chosen One, please believe me—I have exerted every effort I could."

"The Machine God Cult originally intended to send a second Holy Temple Guard Brigade, but I persuaded them otherwise."

"I dissuaded them from their foolish actions, halting further provocation."

"Thus, they finally agreed to dispatch, alongside the Hall of Holy Blood, a small observation team of no more than thirty."

"Or, put another way, this is a visiting delegation."

"I know such a visit may seem presumptuous, yet I also hope you will, with your broad-mindedness, tolerate the ignorance of mortals."

"At least until the delegation arrives—that is, the fourth day from today—can we maintain the current peaceful state?"

"If you agree, I can return to Han Shui City with peace of mind and bring this good news to its civilians."

When Zhou Qin finished speaking, Chen Jian furrowed his brow slightly and nodded.

In fact, he had already guessed this outcome.

After all, people cannot imagine what lies beyond their cognition; even if Zhou Qin described the situation here in the most terrifying terms, or if an entire force vanished abruptly, to those ignorant superiors it would merely be an excuse after a crushing defeat.

Especially for organizations under theocratic rule, fabricating reasons like "divine punishment" after a defeat is not uncommon, is it?

Perhaps they have used such excuses in past battles.

And now, it is merely the tale of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" playing out once again.

Their coming is normal; if they didn't come, that would be uncanny.

Yet Chen Jian remained doubtful about how credible Zhou Qin's claim that he had persuaded the Machine God Cult truly was.

Will they still send the guard brigade?

Chen Jian truly hopes they will come.

For he eyed the towed howitzers mounted on the large ship with great covetousness.

As long as they dare to sail over, Chen Jian would gladly expend the last few mortar shells, the last dozen rocket launchers, and the final twenty recoilless rifles to sink their vessel outright and seize those guns.

Thinking this, Chen Jian asked:

"You say the Machine God Cult has decided not to send the guard brigade—how credible do you find that?"

"Is this just placating you, or have they truly been convinced by you?"

Upon hearing the question, Zhou Qin fell silent, then shook his head with firm resolve:

"Even if they are not convinced now, once more information reaches the Machine God Cult's Holy Temple, they will be persuaded."

"Chosen One, we also know that, thanks to your mercy, the Machine God Cult's militia guarding Xianning has not been completely destroyed."

"They will also do everything possible to relay word to the Holy Temple; their persuasiveness may even surpass mine."

"That is a pity."

Chen Jian sighed in disappointment.

Zhou Qin's heart clenched; he instantly understood what Chen Jian's words meant.

Indeed, how could it not be regrettable?

If the Machine God Cult really sent another guard brigade over, the man opposite him would surely unleash his violent, matchless means to annihilate them utterly.

Doing so would not only further strengthen Huangshi City's might, but also deal a major blow to the Machine God Cult's power.

Put yourself in his shoes—if you held their strength and stood in their position, you would likely act even more decisively.

But at least, the other side has already shown mercy.

As long as we cease provoking them, they too should hope for peace.

Thus, Zhou Qin asked, full of anticipation:

"Chosen One, may I consider that we have temporarily reached a peace agreement between us?"

"If so, I can now bring this uplifting news back to Han Shui City and begin preparing the compensation to be sent to Huangshi City, as well as a gift representing our sincerity."

"Yes."

Chen Jian gestured to Zeng Yi beside him, who stepped forward to release Zhou Qin and his companion from their bonds.

They did not attempt resistance, for two Type 201 light machine guns were pointed straight at their heads.

Then, the long-awaited Xie Liu produced two pills and fed them to Zhou Qin and his companion. "These are two slow-release agents; they will have no effect on you within the next seventy-two hours."

"But if you do not return in accordance with the agreement within seventy-two hours,"

"then I cannot guarantee your safety."

"For the dosage in these two vials is enough to kill a colossal beast."

"I understand!"

Zhou Qin obediently swallowed the medicine, knowing he had no other choice.

In the face of the Chosen Ones' endless stratagems, he felt himself no more than a three-year-old child.

Besides obedience, he could think of no way to oppose them.

At last the bonds were undone, and Zhou Qin let out a long sigh of relief.

Seventy-two hours

At least he had bought himself another seventy-two hours of life.

Know that, when he saw the ruins of the explosion at Yuqingzhou, he had actually come to negotiate with a resolve to die.

Thinking thus, Zhou Qin's face even broke into a faint smile.

He glanced again at Chen Jian, thanked him for his mercy with a cliché, and then, under the escort of the others, walked toward the lakeshore.

"We have prepared a small boat for you."

Chen Jian pointed to the sampan by the shore and continued:

"At least this time, the attitude you have shown is what we hoped to see."

"So you need not swim back."

"Thank you for your tolerance!"

Zhou Qin wanted to raise his hand in the Holy Blood salute to Chen Jian, but felt it inappropriate, so he merely bowed deeply and stepped onto the shore's sampan.

The crowd on the shore watched him depart until he reached the opposite bank, at which point the guns were finally lowered.

Xie Liu watched Zhou Qin and his companion disappear into the woods, thoughtful, and asked Chen Jian:

“What if the drug inside them kicks in early?”

“What if they die? Though it seems there wouldn't be much of a problem, it would still be a bit of a hassle, right?”

“It's fine.”

Chen Jian smiled and replied:

“All they took was just a vitamin C tablet.”

“Even if they don't come back, they won't die.”

“But I can guarantee they won't dare.”

“Because what can kill them has never been a mere poison.”

“It’s”

Chen Jian raised the 191 in his hand and continued:

“This.”

“Understood.”

Xie Liuxin nodded, convinced, and asked no more.

Chen Jian then raised his hand, gave the order, and had everyone return to the city.

After everyone had left, he found Lei Jie and said:

“Taking advantage of this lull, go once more to the 7025 fortification and bring back what we need.”

“We have won; Huangshi City should hold a victory banquet.”

“But at that banquet, I want the people here to see something different.”

“The materials left by the National Library should still be fairly complete; go find them and bring them back.”

(End of chapter)