CHAPTER 1569: CHAPTER 1569: JUDGING OTHERS BY ONESELF

Xu Huo’s words were taken as an obvious threat, and the faces of those present changed drastically. Interference devices and props were deployed one after the other, but since they were also using spatial artifacts, the spatial interference device was not activated. Thus, Xu Huo effortlessly used the spatial ray blade to destroy the spirit disturbance instrument, then clapped his hands to activate the characteristic "Writing Strength" to forcibly draw some people’s attention to himself.

Then he released the spiritual world, sending those unaffected by the traits outside the hospital via the mental portal, while the remaining ones were confined in the library building, severing one hand and leg from each with materialized items before throwing them out.

These Rank-B players wielded advanced items, but Xu Huo also had advanced items, and there was no noticeable difference when the props clashed. Moreover, these people were not Super Evolvers, having reached Rank-B in a short time lacking combat strength. Both spatial power and psychic power could not effectively resist without devices, and even one against many, Xu Huo remained undaunted.

Of course, some amongst them had evolved their traits quite well, and certain characteristic props were hard to defend against, but it didn’t mean they were indefensible. "Lifelike Wax Figure," "Kitty Grants You Three Lives," and "Revolving Lantern" could steadily eliminate potential trait dangers for Xu Huo. The rest could be compensated by mental interference allowing some Rank-B players to not even know whether the people they saw were real or illusions.

The battle lasted only a few minutes, with over half having their arms or calves severed by a secant line or materialized items—Xu Huo held back, not killing the elites whom the government had spent vast resources cultivating, as severing a hand and a leg was enough to withdraw them from the battlefield.

After dealing with these people, Xu Huo came outside the hospital, holding a communicator snatched from a player, looking at the building not far from the hospital: "Are you not planning to use the prepared energy weapons?"

At this moment, he was surrounded by players thrown out with broken hands and feet, unlike those embarrassed elites. Though he didn’t appear well, no one dared to rashly attack again.

Before executing this plan, the military had already prepared for mutual destruction, yet didn’t expect Xu Huo could still show restraint in such situations.

Since he exercised restraint, the military couldn’t use suppression as an excuse to escalate the war, leading the action leader, Shangguan Jing, to issue a ceasefire order and meet with Xu Huo.

The injured players were sent to reattach severed limbs. The military set up the negotiation table under the hospital building, with only two seated at the square table, Xu Huo with a bloody nose on one side, and forty-years-old military representative Shangguan Jing on the other side.

Shangguan Jing was also a player.

"Mr. Xu knows better than us," Shangguan Jing offered a handkerchief.

Xu Huo’s gaze remained unchanged, wiping away the nosebleed from excessive psychic power usage again, then leaned on the chair, speaking slowly: "Has the military taken over the Special Defense Department now?"

"Special Defense Department internal affairs are bifurcated; we and Minister Ji handle different matters," Shangguan Jing responded officially.

Despite saying so, judging from Director Lü and Jiang Qiao’s state, the original personnel of the Special Defense Department have been marginalized, even Director Lü’s daughter used as bait, showing that the former Special Defense Department staff have no voice.

The military typically holds a hardline stance, being the nation’s cornerstone, handling certain issues without the flexibility of the Special Defense Department. Orders represent precision and efficiency to them, with no ambiguity or middle ground.

That’s why their first choice wasn’t negotiation.

Of course, Xu Huo and the military have had past grievances, many dissatisfied with his actions.

"We must admit that we are indeed at a loss right now," Shangguan Jing bluntly stated, "In this negotiation, the military doesn’t have an advantage, Mr. Xu can propose his own conditions."

"Don’t rush to refuse," he continued, "If there’s indeed no better way, you wouldn’t return to Zone 014. Because you returned, we saw a glimmer of hope."

"I know you have always worked alone, focusing more on clearing instances and improving personal abilities, uninterested in expending significant effort to save ordinary, unremarkable strangers, but perhaps listen to our offer before deciding whether to help."

"The Seventeenth Hospital’s clues." Shangguan Jing revealed his bottom card, "That’s our minimal offer; on this basis, you can make any conditions, the military will make every effort to meet them."

"The Seventeenth Hospital?" Xu Huo’s gaze became sharp.

"Not the instance Seventeenth Hospital," Shangguan Jing said, "But the Seventeenth Hospital from your childhood treatment, the military’s players accidentally found a hospital exactly the same in an instance zone. As long as you agree to this deal, we’ll relay all basic information and search findings to you, without hiding any details."

Xu Huo stared at him for a long while without speaking.

The military people grew no credit here, and many issues from the internal investigation of the Special Defense Department were related to the military. After failing to control him, they played the "Seventeenth Hospital" card, merely using this information to bind him. Of course, it would have been better to capture him outright initially.

Additionally, he suspected the value of this "Seventeenth Hospital" information might not be high; if it were, information should’ve been the first choice, not information plus other conditions.

"Let the original Special Defense Department personnel talk to me." Xu Huo spoke after a while.

Shangguan Jing frowned, "You don’t trust us? Military-held information won’t increase when in Special Defense Department personnel’s hands, and nitpicking details isn’t beneficial for either of us."

Moreover, the longer it takes, the more people die.

"Let the original Special Defense Department personnel talk to me." Xu Huo repeated, then added sarcastically, "Benefits? Who do you think benefits from this matter?"

Shangguan Jing stared at him.

Xu Huo didn’t bother to waste words, stood up and walked away.

When he turned, Shangguan Jing also stood up, gesturing a special hand sign to hold back those players who wanted to move, then spoke to Xu Huo’s back: "From the day we became soldiers, we prepared to sacrifice at any time, becoming players merely adds a layer of responsibility to being a soldier. For the public’s safety, we’re ready to bleed and won’t hesitate to pay any price!"

Not everyone harbors other intentions, Xu Huo was willing to believe Shangguan Jing’s heartfelt word, thus asked, "The government should have collected considerable information about the zones by now; is there any place with abnormal mushroom growth?"

"If you can find a suitable place, maybe you can save those people, but if not, I am powerless."

"Also, I hope the next time I meet the original Special Defense Department leader."