Chapter 126: The Originator

Hearing that answer, the figure paused, then hesitated before speaking:"...Are we really not going to save the Seven Districts?"

"Save them? How?" Tan Xin shook his head. "The Aurora Lord is nearing its limit, and the entire domain is contracting... The Seven Districts are located at the very edge of the domain; the retreat of the Aurora is inevitable. Even if we send people to clear out the calamities now, can we permanently prevent the convergence with the Grey Realm? In a few days, that area will become entirely part of the Grey Realm, just like the regions outside the domain."

"But nearly 300,000 people still live in the Seven Districts..."

"Which is more important: 300,000 people, or the three million inside Aurora City?" He took a slow sip of his hot tea and spoke calmly. "Aurora City is already in a difficult position. We don't have the spare resources to defend those people outside. If that's the case, why waste effort?"

The figure seemed about to say something more, but Tan Xin glanced at him and spoke slowly: "Chu Stu Duo, you must understand that humanity today is like a pack of wolves adrift on an ice plain... We cannot guarantee that every wolf will reach the other side of the ice plain alive. When necessary, we must make sacrifices. Even if only one wolf makes it to the end, the victory belongs to the entire 'pack'."

Chu Stu Duo lowered his head, falling silent.

Just then, an enforcer hurried into the room. Seeing the two men inside, he immediately spoke: "Sir, Han Meng has arrived at Aurora City."

"What?" Chu Stu Duo looked up in surprise.

Tan Xin, who was nearby, narrowed his eyes, unhurriedly took a sip of tea, and asked in return, "Where is he now?"

"At the city gate, he's in a standoff with the city guard enforcers... He seems to have advanced to the Fifth Rank."

"He's already at Fifth Rank?" A hint of surprise finally flashed across Tan Xin's face, followed by an involuntary sigh. "It's only been a few years, and he's already reached Fifth Rank... Such talent is quite rare, even in Aurora City."

"He's coming here now, most likely because his communications weren't answered, so he's come directly to seek help," Chu Stu Duo said, thinking clearly and immediately analyzing Han Meng's purpose. "Master, what should we do now?"

Tan Xin's lips curved slightly upward. "I was thinking before about whether to bring him into Aurora City early. After all, it would be a pity for a talent like that to die outside the city... But his personality is too stubborn. Even if I ordered him to enter the city, he probably wouldn't. I didn't expect him to deliver himself to our doorstep."

"You mean..."

"Let him in," Tan Xin replied indifferently. "However, once he's in... don't let him leave."

"Understood." The enforcer immediately nodded, preparing to exit the room.

"Wait." Tan Xin pondered for a moment. "Bring me a list of all enforcers and officials from District One and District Three."

As the enforcer left after receiving his orders, Chu Stu Duo asked with confusion, "Master, what are you planning to do?"

"Since District One and District Three have managed to hold on until now, it means there are still many talented individuals within their law enforcement systems..." Tan Xin calmly replied, "If I'm not mistaken, the trains from those two districts to Aurora City can still carry thirty people. Aurora City cannot bear the burden of 300,000 people, but thirty people are manageable."

"Are you planning to recruit a final group of people from these two districts to help alleviate the pressure on Aurora City?"

"Precisely. We lost too many people in the Ancient Military Treasury; we need to replenish our ranks."

As they spoke, a list was handed to Tan Xin. Tan Xin's gaze swept over the list. He first circled all the officials on it, then handed the rest to Chu Stu Duo. "All officials will occupy a slot. As for the other enforcers... have your subordinates pick first. Any remaining slots after that can be randomly drawn."

"Your subordinates...?" Chu Stu Duo thought for a moment. "You mean some of these people will be connected to the Aurora City enforcer factions?"

"Naturally. Every year, when new recruits enter the Ancient Military Treasury, enforcers from the districts always establish connections with factions within Aurora City... If these enforcers are talented, they are absorbed into Aurora City. Even if their talent isn't sufficient, they become informants for the major factions, remaining in the Seven Districts."

"Master, they're just a few enforcers. Will they truly care?"

"Whether they care or not isn't important. What matters is that this is a goodwill gesture from me," Tan Xin slowly said. "Times have changed. If the internal chaos and factionalism within Aurora City continue, everyone will die..."

Chu Stu Duo seemed to understand, nodding slightly.

"Master, there's news from the Starfall Merchant Guild." Chu Stu Duo took a letter from his pocket and handed it to Tan Xin. "It's the result of the Soul-Shattering Interrogation. Apparently, Jian Changsheng has endured three rounds of it and hasn't lost his mind yet."

"Another prodigy who can withstand three rounds of Soul-Shattering Interrogation?" Tan Xin's eyebrow arched slightly.

"Yes, Master. His talent seems no worse than Han Meng's... Are you really not going to protect him?"

"The Starfall Merchant Guild's wrath is difficult to appease this time. I cannot protect Jian Changsheng. Everything depends on his own fate."

Tan Xin took the letter, unfolded it, and after glancing over it, a look of surprise appeared in his eyes...

"Was there a discovery?" Chu Stu Duo asked curiously.

"...Yes." Tan Xin folded the letter, a glint in his eyes, lost in thought. "Interesting... It seems an extraordinary individual has managed to infiltrate District Three. If it weren't for the Soul-Shattering Interrogation, he might have slipped through unnoticed."

"An interesting individual? Who?"

Tan Xin didn't answer, instead handing the letter directly to him. After a few glances, Chu Stu Duo's eyes widened in shock. "Faking death to escape, secretly planning, and then like a mantis stalking a cicada, a second bird swooping in to take out everyone... This Chen Ling, the only one who came out of the Ancient Treasury alive, is actually the mastermind?" Chu Stu Duo turned to Tan Xin. "Master, who is this person?"

"The target was the Dao foundation from the Ancient Military Treasury. He's just someone from one of those organizations, but which one specifically is no longer important."

"Then I'll issue a warrant immediately?" As soon as he said this, Chu Stu Duo realized his mistake. With the Seven Districts on the verge of collapse, how could a warrant be issued?

"Never mind. Don't bother with it." Tan Xin waved his hand, speaking casually. "This Chen Ling is just a small fry. At this critical juncture, there's no need to waste energy on him."

"Small fry?"

"Those above Fourth Rank cannot enter the Ancient Military Treasury. Furthermore, do you think he could safely leave the domain of the Ancient Military Treasury with the Dao foundation fragments, all by himself? And the three enforcers remained completely unaware? He's merely a 'hand' sent into the Treasury to retrieve the Dao foundation. The truly troublesome individual should be the one who assisted him."

"...I see."

"Remove Chen Ling's name from that list. That way, there'll be an extra slot for the others." Tan Xin paused for a moment. "If I'm not mistaken, besides Han Meng and this Chen Ling, there should be another official in District Three?"

"Yes, there's a Two-Pattern Enforcer named Xi Renjie."

"When you send the list, also give him an order." Tan Xin set down his teacup and unhurriedly rose, walking towards the door. "No matter how he does it, eliminate this Chen Ling."