Chapter 524: Chapter 30 Conspiracy_3
Amidst the noisy environment, Cao Hong’s gaze flickered for a moment, then returned to normal.
“A meeting…why not? Let me check my schedule…how about tomorrow afternoon? Very good. I’m glad you made the right choice…see you tomorrow, John Garcia.”
Aorus ended the communication, feeling satisfied. While communicating with the body, he was standing in the head of the technical department’s personal lab, mesmerized by the flickering images on the large screen. He laid his hand on Ed Floss’s shoulder and asked affectionately, “Any difficulties, Ed?”
“It’s a breeze, chief. Creating a synthetic image is a minor task; I have endless audio materials, and just need to drop them into the official monitoring database,” the blond youth said as he typed on the keyboard, a hint of concern in his voice, “But…is this really necessary, chief? I mean, everyone already believes you.”
“It’s very necessary, Ed. You are doing an important job that only you can achieve,” Aorus reassured, “Those who can understand the logic of the event’s progress will trust my words. But for some friends with narrow vision and weaker comprehension, only tangible proof is truly persuasive—unfortunately, we must secure their support in the coming time.”
“Indeed… You know, chief, those who are supposed to ‘die’…”
“Impossible!” Aorus laughed, “No need for real corpses in this play. They’ll live in a safe house for a while, and when this all blows over, no one will care about the turmoil a few months ago. Then they can embark on fresh and meaningful lives.”
“You’re right.”
Nevertheless, a few months is hardly “a while.”
Ed fell silent for a moment and then said suddenly, “Chief—is it also necessary to work with the Wing of Death?”
Unable to hold back a chuckle, Aorus asked, “Do you know how the great families of Ustus in the western confederation solved the bandit problem 300 years ago?”
“I’m all ears.”
“The nobles would say we have made concessions. Too much bloodshed is not good for either side. We’ve decided to yield, granting you lands, wealth, and noble titles. But our strength isn’t sufficient; only a few can enjoy these benefits. Then the nobles would secretly communicate with the most powerful among the bandits. Before long, the once rampant bandits could no longer pose a threat.”
“Ah, old-fashioned but effective,” mumbled Ed, “You know, chief. I mean, I think these…”
Aorus bent down to look at his subordinate’s face.
“Ed, do you trust me?”
“Who else can I trust but you?” Ed smacked his lips and repeated softly as if convincing himself over and over, “I trust you, Aorus, I trust you. I’ll take care of it.”
“You’re a great help, my friend.”
Aorus affectionately tousled his hair and left the lab.
Ed leaned back in his chair, looking at the almost completed synthetic image on the screen. The grey-haired young man stood at the entrance of an alley, his clothes covered in blood, wearing a sinister smile.
“Aorus, you always forget that I also come from the Confederation. Before my grandmother switched to being a Ranger, she was a bandit,” mumbled Ed, “I wonder if those old stories from 300 years ago ever taught you what a provoked madman can do…”
Thinking of the plan given by the chief, he sighed with concern, “I hope we can keep it under control.”
Thus, the web of conspiracy slowly enveloped the entire city.
From the three major organizations to minor street forces, from opportunistic urban officials to radical factions of major nations, many were watching the high-rise city, waiting for a planned performance, waiting for the emergence of a new representative.
Some wanted to climb onto the stage of power, others wanted to shed their burdens, and some sought to evade their responsibilities. Meanwhile, many more watched from afar, calculating their chances to acquire a batch of promising new forces and research materials, vying to reclaim a sword that was rightfully theirs, planning to use this city as a new battleground.
Still, many more simply wished to live out their mundane everyday lives. Unaware of the changes in recent days, a grey-haired youth drove around with Qin An, exploring both the good and the bad sides of the city. When idle, he watched animations with Qin Qianbai, teaching her common sense, content with his current life.
This routine lasted a week. One afternoon, after seven days, Sun Ce received a long-lost phone call.
“Hello, big brother?” Sun Ce spoke as he slurped his noodles, “I’m at home watching animations…yes…what’s up?”
“Chi Zijing is here?” Sun Ce furrowed his brows, “Okay, I’ll be right over.”
He put down his disposable chopsticks and rushed to a residential area in the central district.
The sky was overcast and dark, as if a heavy rain was imminent.