CHAPTER 320: CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN: ABOUT TO DISPERSE

The Qiao Family’s power within the Confederation was undeniable. Although Qiao Shuangmu wasn’t a direct descendant, his role in the family was crucial, especially in handling matters that officials couldn’t address directly. Delos, meanwhile, was a general in charge of military equipment procurement.

Tao Tao quickly said, "Thank you so much, your help is a true godsend..."

She hadn’t finished speaking when Zhao Ji pushed her aside. "Why are you being so polite to this moron? Hey, hey, hey, Chen Gu, it’s me. Mhm, mhm, mhm, you did well this time. When you get back, I might do you the honor of joining you for a meal. Okay, that’s it."

Chen Gu burst into laughter and cursed, "Get lost!"

Then, unprompted, both of them hung up the phone with a CLICK.

Tao Tao blinked. What just happened? It seems I still don’t quite understand the foolish friendship between men.

"That... isn’t good, is it?"

Zhao Ji laughed. "It’s fine. You’re being too polite; it actually makes him uncomfortable."

Tao Tao’s eyes flickered. "Your friend is impressive; he can already leverage the Qiao Family for such a big deal..."

Zhao Ji knew what his wife meant and intended to refuse, but Tao Tao put on such a pitiful expression, which Zhao Ji couldn’t resist. He said helplessly, "Alright, alright. When he gets back, I’ll invite him to dinner and bring you along. You can ask him yourself if he can introduce Qiao Shuangmu to you."

"That’s great! Thank you, husband!"

SMACK! A kiss.

「 」

Chen Gu finally returned to Wuzhaoyin City.

Although his time away hadn’t been long, he’d experienced so much that it felt like a lifetime had passed.

He first reported back to the sub-bureau. Melincha and Joseph were overjoyed. "You’re finally back! You two were talking about promotions, then the team leader got locked up, and you disappeared. We thought... this team was going to disband."

Chen Gu sighed internally. He really almost hadn’t made it back.

Outwardly, however, he offered a reassuring smile. "It’s fine. The team leader will definitely pull through."

Selena, ever the little vixen, still feigned indifference, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Chen Gu.

"How is the team leader?" Chen Gu asked. "I heard the contamination level is slowly decreasing, but no one knows when he’ll be released."

Chen Gu fell silent. Melincha was right; the team was likely to disband.

After this incident, even if Marcus was rescued, the risk of him mutating in the future would be significantly higher. Not only would promotion be difficult, but he would also likely be transferred to a desk job.

And he himself was about to leave Empire River Star soon.

The five-person team was now down to three.

"I’ll go see the team leader," Chen Gu said somberly, then headed to the special solitary confinement room.

He could only view a heavily vetted segment of security footage. Marcus looked bored but seemed to be in decent spirits. He had started to gain weight.

As he sighed, Qing Ruyan’s voice came from behind him. "Director Mei wants to see you."

When Chen Gu arrived at Mei Lixue’s office, the director looked at him with puzzlement. "What exactly happened during this trip? Why did Headquarters decide to transfer you?"

Chen Gu shrugged. "You understand. I can’t say."

Mei Lixue didn’t blame him. Instead, she seemed somewhat emotional, looking at him with a complex expression. "I truly didn’t expect you to be a completely different person after your release from prison. Capital Star is a grand stage; seize this opportunity."

After leaving Mei Lixue’s office, Chen Gu went straight to find Chen Jixian.

The Bureau Chief’s secretary tried to stop him, but Chen Gu was feeling rather full of himself now. He had made a huge sacrifice to help his ’adult son’ with his promotion, so he barged in without a second thought.

Chen Jixian maintained his usual impassive expression and waved his hand, dismissing the secretary.

Chen Gu sat down and got straight to the point. "What’s your real Energy Level?"

Chen Jixian regarded him for a moment before answering, "Second Energy Level."

"Bullshit!" Chen Gu scoffed.

Chen Jixian then said, "But I was originally Fifth Energy Level." He took a deep breath, his eyelids half-lowered as he looked at Chen Gu. "During the surprise attack on the Insect Race on Thousand Grass Star, I was gravely injured. My strength has been declining ever since, dropping to the Second Energy Level."

Chen Gu’s heart skipped a beat. This was the great meritorious deed that had secured his own release!

He suddenly felt a little ashamed to meet his ’adult son’s’ gaze. But that wasn’t Chen Jixian’s implication. He continued, "Back then, I was just like you at the cave stronghold—fighting alone, launching repeated assaults."

Chen Gu almost blurted out, ’Truly worthy of being my son!’ but the more he thought about it, the ’order’ of things felt... off.

But Chen Jixian wasn’t finished. He added, "After pushing my abilities to the limit multiple times, I survived by relying on a soldier’s sheer willpower. However, my strength deteriorated, falling from the Fifth Energy Level to the Second."

Chen Gu suddenly noticed a flicker in his ’adult son’s’ eyes as they brightened, and he instantly realized the man was curious about how he himself had survived.

Chen Gu snorted. Now, here he was, the father, pressing his son about a Professional’s Energy Level. Yet, he still replied, "It was quite similar to your experience. I always had an unwavering conviction that saw me through."

His conviction was that he was a hero! This was rather embarrassing and not something he could easily tell his ’adult son’ outright.

Chen Jixian nodded and then formally answered Chen Gu’s earlier question. "After I came to the Bureau of Mystic Security, I gained access to an artifact from the sub-bureau. This item is unnumbered, and its power is unconventional. While most people would find it useless, it’s perfectly suited for me. With this artifact, I can wield the full strength of my prime!"

A realization dawned on Chen Gu. "Your... willingness to retire and join the police force... was that also for this artifact?"

Chen Jixian was silent for a moment before finally nodding.

"When we were attacked by the Mutant at our doorstep, I only possessed Second Energy Level strength. You saved us. I wasn’t hiding my abilities; at that moment, that was genuinely all the power I had."

"After that incident, I resolved to retire. Even if you hadn’t helped me find a way into the police force, I would have applied to join the Bureau of Mystic Security. I couldn’t bear being powerless to protect my own family."

Chen Gu grinned inwardly. Things had certainly taken an ironic twist.

The Mutants had ambushed Chen Jixian and Zhao Zhenhuai because of rumors that one of them would retire and join the police force, posing a threat. However, the Mutants didn’t expect that Chen Jixian hadn’t actually decided to retire at that time. He probably still wanted to remain in the military, awaiting an opportunity for his dream of becoming a general. Ultimately, the Mutant attack thoroughly provoked Chen Jixian, solidifying his decision to change careers.

Then, through a series of fortunate coincidences—Chen Gu’s covert help and Zhao Ji’s idiotic yet divine assist—he became the leading figure in the police system. He also concurrently held the position of Director of the Wuzhaoyin City Sub-Bureau of the Bureau of Mystic Security.

His first act upon taking office was to vigorously sweep for lurking Mutants.