CHAPTER 425: 227. TEAR OF ENCHANTMENT

The eyes of the crowd flickered, and An Nishang asked, "So who is the one with supposedly strong soul power?"

Xu Ziang looked up and said, "I remember there is an artifact in the treasure vault of the Ninth Special Zone called the Tear of Enchantment. This artifact can identify who among us possesses the strongest soul power.

And we definitely need this artifact to find a way to rescue the Little Princess."

Xu Ziang looked towards President of the Council Vazmir, who nodded and gave a few instructions. Shortly thereafter, someone brought an artifact box over.

When the artifact box was opened, a dazzling tear-shaped gemstone was nestled inside.

"Whoa, that’s a huge pigeon egg," in Chen Che’s eyes, the object in the box was a splendid diamond, transparent and captivating.

Under the gaze of everyone, Xu Ziang took the diamond, held it in his hand, and placed it on the center of the table, saying, "This artifact will be drawn to the person with the strongest soul power. It will make its own choice, deciding who among us possesses the most powerful soul."

As he spoke, Xu Ziang extended a finger and spun the diamond, and the entire diamond began to spin continuously on the table.

The diamond had a sharp end on an oblong axis, resembling a small arrowhead.

The pointed end would direct itself towards the one it deemed the person with the most powerful soul power present.

The diamond kept spinning, while everyone’s eyes were locked on it, waiting for it to make its choice.

Originally leaning on Xia Na’s shoulder, Chen Che noticed the diamond’s end slowly point towards him and stop in front of him.

In an instant, all eyes were fixed on Chen Che, and his expression turned a bit odd.

He silently moved a step to the right, but the end of the stationary diamond seemed magnetically drawn, silently rotating a little to the right to aim at him again.

"Damn, there must be something wrong with this thing. Among so many people here stronger than me, how could my soul power be the greatest?"

Chen Che said.

Xu Ziang looked at Chen Che with eyes full of jealousy, snorted coldly, and said, "Soul power isn’t about external factors. You could take a beggar off the street and compare their soul power to that of a prince or nobleman, and the noble’s soul might not be as powerful as the beggar’s.

You are undoubtedly the one among us with the strongest soul power, and it’s up to you to save this Little Princess."

The corner of Chen Che’s mouth twitched. Honestly, he felt like this task was a hot potato.

"This job doesn’t have risks, right?" Chen Che asked tentatively.

"What do you think? There’s no such thing as 100% safety in this world. If your soul power isn’t strong enough during the process, you might get torn apart."

Hearing about this risk, Chen Che immediately wanted to refuse.

Luo Qingtian’s eyes flickered as he said, "Chief Chen, this matter concerns everyone in the Ninth Special Zone. I trust Chief Chen wouldn’t feel timid, right?

As a member of the Ninth Special Zone, Chief Chen, now is the time for you to contribute."

Chen Che glanced at Luo Qingtian, feeling that this bastard, given his status, would have ways to protect himself even if something went wrong during the process.

In the end, it would be the locals of the council who take the blame.

This special commissioner could definitely walk away unscathed.

He was deliberately putting Chen Che on the spot.

After all, Chen Che’s decision now wasn’t just about his own interests but concerned the interests of everyone. When it affects the collective, you are no longer so free.

Indeed.

President of the Council Vazmir lowered his stance and said, "Chief Chen, there’s a saying that with great power comes great responsibility. Now the fate of the vast majority of people in the Ninth Special Zone rests on Chief Chen.

Please don’t refuse this mission, Chief Chen."

Other council members spoke up one after another.

Director of the Finance Bureau Anbesa... Military Department Commander Tang Taotie... External Military District Commander Yan Chong...

They all were big figures speaking up.

It’s all pressure.

An Nishang’s scarlet pupils flashed with a hint of displeasure, and facing the gazes of so many big figures, An Nishang recklessly said, "Gentlemen, he is my person."

An Nishang clearly stated her support for Chen Che, not wanting to see the entire Ninth Special Zone’s bureaucratic system collectively pressuring Chen Che.

Many people present showed a change in expression, surprised at the importance of Chen Che’s status in An Ning’s heart.

Known fact, if something happens to the Little Princess, even An Nishang herself could not escape the consequences.

After all, in a certain sense, the Judicial Bureau directly responsible for the Little Princess’s safety.

As the Director, An Nishang has absolute responsibility.

The most rational move would be for An Nishang to persuade Chen Che to treat the Little Princess, rather than opposing the crowd.

From this, one could tell how significant Chen Che’s position was in An Nishang’s mind.

This more or less took everyone by surprise.

Luo Qingtian and Xu Ziang especially sensed the implicit meaning, as both yearned to conquer An Nishang.

Understanding An Nishang’s special feelings and possessiveness towards Chen Che, their jealousy nearly boiled over.

Luo Qingtian coldly said, "Director An, don’t forget that in a certain sense, you are the one most directly responsible for the Little Princess’s safety.

"If the Little Princess is harmed, others might not blame you, but as the Director of the Judicial Bureau, you must bear the most direct responsibility."

"So what? She’s my person, and I make my own decisions!"

This domineering statement caused everyone’s expressions to change instantly.

Chen Che looked at An Nishang’s stunning profile, feeling a warmth surge in his heart.

If it were someone else, they’d have already forsaken him, just a mere plaything.

From the side, he could see how much An Nishang valued him.

The atmosphere was tense and ready to explode.

Deputy Director Guan Ning of the Finance Bureau said, "Chief Chen, I’m afraid it really does fall to you. After all, this matter concerns the entire Ninth Special Zone’s fate; one failure means total collapse, one success means shared glory...

Director An’s protection of you, you’ve surely noticed.

Chief Chen, this matter isn’t 100% dangerous, nor 100% certain death. Shouldn’t we give it a try?"

Chen Che’s lips curled into a smile and he said, "Courting death for loyalty on the platform!"

"My only flaw is being a sucker for beauty; I can’t stand seeing a beautiful woman upset or perish.

The President of the Council is right; the greater the power, the greater the responsibility. Since I possess this Soul Power, indeed, I must venture forth.

Can’t let my leader be so troubled."

Seeing Chen Che agree, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

President Vazmir of the Council said, "Chief Chen, rest assured. If this matter is successfully resolved, I will personally report to the Night Empire Headquarters and grant you a title!"

If Chen Che can successfully rescue the Little Princess, it would be a true major achievement.

Chen Che smirked, pinched An Nishang’s hand and said, "Don’t worry, Leader.

You know my luck."

Chen Che turned to Xu Ziang and said, "Director Xu, then tell me what should be done?"

Xu Ziang looked at the diamond and said, "To fully utilize this magical artifact, there’s a prerequisite: you must withstand its temptation!

This artifact is called the Tear of Enchantment. Using its sharp edge, prick your finger and let it soak in your blood, it will then test you with temptation.

But this process is simple, mostly delighting in illusions of beauty, wealth, and power.

I think, given your personality, Chief Chen, there’s a high probability you’ll face an extreme seductress, tempting you to bed her.

As long as you can resist the seductress’s continuous allure, you can successfully gain access to the diamond’s use.

At the same time, your Soul Power will be significantly enhanced.

The deeper you resist the temptress, the greater your Soul Power will grow.

You just need to keep telling yourself, it’s all fake, it’s all intentional temptation.

Simply resist the seductress’s allure."

"Can it also strengthen my Soul Power?" Chen Che touched his chin. In that case, it’s not a loss, at least a return, a gain.

"And if I fail the test?"

Xu Ziang said, "Very rarely, a complete mental collapse, becoming deranged, but for most who use the Tear of Enchantment, they’ll only be dazed for a while, then gradually regain clarity.

The side effect is headache, because the soul experiences fluctuations.

But if that’s the case, you won’t gain acknowledgment of using the Tear of Enchantment.

The entire plan will be declared a failure, so Chief Chen, you must resist the temptation.

Keep telling yourself, it’s all fake."

Chen Che raised an eyebrow and, in front of everyone, held An Nishang’s hand, planting a kiss on the back of her hand and said, "I hardly think any seductress out there can compare to my leader."

An Nishang’s red lips curved into a slight smile.

"Time is of the essence, Chief Chen, perhaps you shouldn’t flaunt your affection?" Deputy Director Guan Ning of the Finance Bureau said with a radiant smile next to them.

Chen Che rolled his eyes, truly a woman devoid of sentiment, as he stepped to the side of the diamond under everyone’s gaze.

He reached out and grasped the diamond, following Xu Ziang’s directive, used the sharp end to pierce the fingertip of his forefinger, instantly dyeing the entire diamond red.

The diamond in Chen Che’s palm turned into a blood diamond, emitting a crystalline, translucent red glow.

In an instant, Chen Che was enveloped by the red light, wrapped in a mist of blood, rendering him unseen to the others.

Xu Ziang loudly reminded him, "Remember, no matter what temptation you face, you need only shout: I refuse, I won’t, I don’t agree! Resist this seduction, and you’ll pass!"

Chen Che nodded.

Above, the blood mist hovered, revealing a scene. In An Nishang’s rarely emotional eyes appeared a rare hint of concern.

Unknowingly, the man she once regarded merely as a bedroom plaything, had already entered deep into her heart.

Xu Ziang stared at the red mist and said, "This mist will weave the illusion he’s experiencing, allowing us to see which temptations he endured."