Chapter 696 - 47: Dialogue

Chen Chuan looked at Assistant Ling’s smiling face, waiting for him to continue.

Assistant Ling extended a hand, gesturing to his right.

Chen Chuan turned his head to look. There was a full glass curtain wall, through which he could see most of Central City. Due to the current lighting, he could also see the faint reflections of the two of them on the glass.

"Look outside. I truly enjoy admiring the entire city from here. It makes me feel as if I have it in my grasp. I’m sure many others feel the same. But I know it’s just a false sense of satisfaction, a trick of the mind.

"It’s only because this skyscraper beneath my feet holds me up that I feel I can look down on everything. But when I walk out of here and stand on the ground below, I can only look up at it all. I can only see a small part, and the shadows they cast are enough to swallow me whole."

Assistant Ling said with a hint of mockery, "Power that isn’t your own is no power at all."

He turned back to Chen Chuan and said, "I recall, Manager Chen, that you came from Yangzhi City. You weren’t originally a resident of Central City, but in just a few short years, you became an Investigation Chief at the Processing Bureau. Your accomplishments are enough to make most people envious, but you’ve earned it.

"The achievements you’ve made, the power you possess—they are more than enough to have brought you to this position.

"It’s just..."

He traced a circle with his finger over the city behind the glass wall. "This world is bound by countless rules. Do you understand? Rules. Everything you do must be permitted by the rules.

"The key distinction is... you must first be granted permission, and only then can you possess anything."

Chen Chuan listened calmly. He had heard similar words from the people of the Mutual Aid Association and from Chen Bitong. Now, Assistant Ling was saying the same thing.

Assistant Ling said regretfully, "It truly is a shame. I originally wanted to discuss this with you, Manager Chen, after you had sensed that barrier for yourself. That might have been a more appropriate time.

"But I should have known. How could someone as outstanding as you, Manager Chen, not be valued by others? Even if you don’t actively try to touch those rules, someone is willing to open a crack in that door for you.

"Right now, you can probably see the vaguely hidden staircase behind that crack. But such a staircase... undoubtedly requires a certain price.

"Corporations, the government, the Schools—they are all the same.

"I wonder what your choice will be, Manager Chen. You probably won’t choose a corporation. The government, perhaps? Or maybe one of the Schools? The Fusion Faction? Or the Refinement Sect? But no matter which one, regardless of which side you join, there really isn’t much of a difference.

"The resources are in their hands. Power is under their control. So, naturally, the rules are made by them. Although you may have pried open a crack for yourself, allow me to say something that might make you uncomfortable: how far you can go depends entirely on how far they let you go."

He added emphatically, "You need to abide by their rules. You can only do what they tell you to do.

"You are merely a tool in their hands—a tool to maintain their authority, protect their interests, and reinforce their rules. They are the masters of that tool. And as long as you join them, becoming one of them, this is completely unavoidable. I imagine you’ve thought of this as well, Manager Chen. Are you truly content with that?"

He paused here, then snapped his fingers with a sharp CRACK. The entire garden suddenly transformed into a golden desert. Beneath the blue sky, only the two of them remained, sitting across from each other.

"Actually, they tried to recruit me once, but I refused. I knew that if I joined them, I wouldn’t just become one of their members; my own thoughts would no longer be able to control my body. I would just be swept along by external forces, pushed forward, bound every step of the way.

"That’s not what I want. All my past ideals would vanish.

"Instead, I want to find a staircase where I call the shots, where I am my own master. All the rules should be set by me."

"The one who sets the rules?"

Chen Chuan nodded. "That sounds very difficult."

Assistant Ling smiled. "It is difficult, but not impossible."

"So, have you found it, Assistant Ling?"

Assistant Ling picked up the cup beside him again. He saw that the drink inside had, at some point, refilled itself. He swirled it slightly and said with a smile, "I have already found it.

"Although this staircase is difficult to climb, it’s no exaggeration to say that I am already standing on it. I’ve just been searching for like-minded people.

"I’m also willing to share this. This shouldn’t be a staircase for me alone. When many people walk it together, we can reach the end much faster."

He shook his head, sighing faintly. "It’s just that people like that are far too rare. Most who come from powerful families have their own worldviews; they would never abandon everything to stand with me. And those who rise from the bottom often can’t acquire enough resources. Very few are able to even reach this threshold."

He looked at Chen Chuan and said, "Manager Chen, in over a decade, you are only the second person I’ve seen come from an Edge City who possesses this qualification."

’Over a decade? Edge City?’

Hearing this, Chen Chuan couldn’t help but make a few connections.

"Manager Chen, I’ve said all this to tell you one thing: the path you are currently on is not the right one for you. No matter how talented you are, every step you take requires someone’s approval. Are you really willing to let them control your future and plan your path forward?"

He spread his hands, gesturing to their surroundings. "Just think, without these restraints, if you could follow your own heart completely... how wonderful would that be? A vast world for you to roam, with no one to hold you back."

Chen Chuan looked at the cup in his hand. The drink he had consumed seemed to have been refilled. Its fresh aroma was identical to before, making it impossible to distinguish between reality and illusion.

He said, "The idea is certainly appealing. You mentioned you’ve already found the staircase, Assistant Ling, which makes me a little curious. After all, these things aren’t just about talk; they need something to back them up. Maybe it’s the power to command, resources to distribute, or—the easiest thing for people to understand and accept—money..."

He looked at Assistant Ling. "I wonder, what is it that you possess?"

Assistant Ling smiled and said, "What I can tell you, Manager Chen, is that there is indeed something supporting me. I wasn’t the first to find it. To be precise, I am a participant and a successor. But I can guarantee that I will deliver on every promise I make.

"My words just now aren’t just meant to sound good; they are things that can actually be achieved. If you are willing, Manager Chen, I can show you. I believe that after you see it, you will understand."

Chen Chuan’s gaze fixed on him. "Is that so? In that case, I’d like to see it for myself."

Assistant Ling looked at him, chuckled, and said, "Today probably isn’t the right time. Let me make some preparations. When a suitable opportunity arises, I will personally show you, Manager Chen."

Chen Chuan said, "Alright, I’ll wait for your notice then, Assistant Ling." He set the cup aside and stood up. "I think it’s time for me to leave."

Assistant Ling also stood up. At that moment, the surrounding scenery reverted from a desert back to the botanical garden it was before.

Chen Chuan gave him a nod and walked toward the door. Just as he was about to leave, he seemed to remember something, turned back, and asked, "Assistant Ling, was Teacher Wu ever part of your group?"

Assistant Ling smiled. "He was, for a time. It’s a pity we couldn’t find him afterward. It seems Teacher Wu thought very highly of you, Manager Chen?"

Chen Chuan said with sincerity, "Teacher Wu did indeed help me a great deal." After speaking, he gave another nod and walked out of the Sky Garden.

After he left, Assistant Ling placed his hand on the Realm Token. A moment later, a connection was established on the other side. He said, "I spoke with him."

"How did it go?"

"Unfortunately, he didn’t seem very interested. I have a feeling he won’t be joining us."

"I told you so," the voice on the other end said. "Besides, he’s an Investigation Chief for the Processing Bureau now. How could he possibly turn back? I think we should just give up. Let’s not provoke him any further."

Assistant Ling said, "But no one is more suitable than him."

"Suitable?"

"Yes. You know what I’m talking about."

The person on the other end was suddenly alarmed. "You..." Then, the voice dropped lower. "You’d better think this through."

Assistant Ling walked slowly to the window and gazed outside. "We’ve already been delayed for too long. Back then, that person helped us get that thing from Molan Company. I believe this one today can help us complete the rest of the puzzle. If we miss this chance, who knows how long we’ll have to wait."

"If you’re confident..."

Assistant Ling smiled. "I’m confident now. Later on, I can’t say for sure."

The voice seemed to have been persuaded. It asked cautiously, "When? I’ll need some time to prepare."

Assistant Ling simply said, "Just start preparing. I’ll tell you when." After that, he ended the call, raised his cup, and drank down the full glass of Valley Treasure Juice.

Chen Chuan walked out of the Sky Garden and took the elevator back to his apartment. After that conversation, many thoughts ran through his mind.

He remembered Teacher Wu’s final warning, so he had remained vigilant toward Assistant Ling the entire time.

He hadn’t forgotten the notes in Teacher Wu’s journals, nor had he forgotten the crazed state Teacher Wu was in at the end.

’No matter how beautifully it’s described, words can’t hide the cruel truth.’

’To gain something, you must always give something in return. If you don’t feel the price, it means someone or something else is paying it for you.’

’Besides, they’ve come to him a little too late. He could already see his own path.’

DING. The elevator doors slowly slid open.

He strode down the long corridor. ’No matter what they’re thinking or what their goal is, I’ll find out when the time comes.’

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