Inside The Black Mist

In the small square, Tianyang retrieved his electromagnetic motorcycle and began to drive away. Not long into his journey, he spotted a medical vehicle parked on the roadside. Han Shu was leaning against the car, smoking a cigarette, while Cang Du paced nearby.

Upon hearing the motorcycle's approach, both of them turned their attention toward Tianyang. He slowed down and eventually parked the motorcycle nearby.

Han Shu glanced at him and opened the car door without a word, saying, "Get in!"

Tianyang didn't resist and complied, holding Springwater in his hand. He handed it back to Cang Du, saying, "This is a good sword."

Cang Du snorted lightly through his nose and replied, "Of course."

He took Springwater and tossed Kaidi's knife to Tianyang. With a flick of his ponytail, Cang Du turned and left.

Tianyang, holding the knife, suddenly felt that Cang Du wasn't as unpleasant as he once thought.

"Hurry up, get in the damn car. Thanks to your mess, I've had a tiring night. Otherwise, I'd be rolling in bed with a beautiful woman by now!" Han Shu urged impatiently.

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Tianyang quickly got into the medical vehicle. He feared that if he moved too slowly, Han Shu might take matters into his own hands.

The next day, in the command hall of the fortress, the record keeper, Cheng Xin, trembled in his seat. When he heard about the emergency meeting being called, he had a bad feeling. Indeed, besides the Storm General, several powerful figures within the fortress, including Minister Wei De of the Strategy Department, Commander Chu Yan of the Night Walkers, and Commander Cao Gang of the Iron Wall, were present once again.

Just a short while ago, these influential figures had met to discuss an issue, and now, only a few days later, they were back. Cheng Xin couldn't understand why these important individuals were converging again.

He cast a worried glance toward the door, silently wishing he could leave through that exit.

Bang! A fist slammed onto the table.

The old Minister of Strategy stood up, pointed angrily at Commander Chu Yan of the Night Walkers, and shouted, "Chu Yan, don't you think you should explain to us? Last night, a Night Walker Second Lieutenant, openly attacked a family residence in the Upper City. This is a blatant disregard for the fortress' laws!"

The Commander, who had a mechanical arm, idly cleaned his ear and blew air into his fingertips before responding leisurely, "Old Wei De, perhaps you have too much free time lately. Is it necessary to convene an emergency meeting just for a personal grudge?"

"Personal grudge?" Old Wei De roared like an angry lion. "This is an open challenge to the fortress's laws, Chu Yan. If the fortress can't protect the rights of the families, why would they continue to serve the fortress?"

Chu Yan glanced at him. "However, the fortress's laws also stipulate that Ascenders and their families are entitled to protection. In reality, that Night Walker's mother was thrown into the Black Mine by that Qin guy and eventually died. I don't think the Second Lieutenant is at fault for seeking justice."

Old Wei De was fuming, but his anger was met with a calm response from Chu Yan. "Speak carefully, old man. I believe your intention in calling this meeting is to suppress the Night Walkers and implement your plan to reduce the rights of Ascenders, isn't it?"

Old Wei De sat up straight. "I may have spoken out of turn, but don't you think that the Night Walkers have too much power? Today they can openly attack family residences in the Upper City. Who knows what they might do in the future?"

Cao Gang of the Iron Wall spoke up, "To put it simply, Minister Wei De, are you using this incident to clamp down on the Night Walkers as a means to carry out your reform to reduce the rights of Ascenders?"

Old Wei De reluctantly conceded, "I may have spoken too freely, but I am aware that Ascenders occupy too many resources. Don't you think they have taken too much?"

Cao Gang pulled on his white gloves and replied calmly, "As an Ascender myself, I don't entirely agree with your plan. Each fortress city must have a certain number of Ascenders to maintain a level of deterrence. This is common knowledge, and I believe Minister Wei De is aware of it."

Old Wei De nodded, saying, "I understand that, but I also realize that the majority of deterrence comes from Ascenders with a rank of 4 or higher. I plan to elevate the rights of Ascenders with a rank of 4 or higher while reducing the rights of those below that level."

"Since Commander Cao is also an Ascender, then you should know. Ascenders below rank 4, their roles are not irreplaceable. But the resources they consume and the power the fortress grants them have already exceeded their intrinsic value."

"This point is also a key source of dissatisfaction among ordinary people towards Ascenders!"