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Chapter 337 Doctor
As Shocanon stated, this was a complete failure for the VIII.

Not only did the attack fail to achieve its mission, but more than 30 people were also killed. According to the subsequent identification, at least seven of them were capable individuals, and it is very likely that one of them was also a member of the arbitration tribunal.

The Northern Heavenly Court then activated its vast network of connections cultivated over generations, launching a comprehensive crackdown on the organization from all sides. The first thing to be ignited was public opinion: when Jiangcheng Television displayed the captured government soldiers and a large quantity of weaponry to the public, the people were immediately in an uproar.

This is undoubtedly revolutionary for the perception of the Chinese people.

In a society where guns are completely banned, a fully armed army was secretly brought in and besieged a temple located halfway up a mountain, simply because they believed that hostile superhumans were hiding inside. Even with video evidence, many people still find it hard to believe.

In particular, the fact that many of these private soldiers are foreign nationals has generated strong resentment among the public, with increasingly louder calls online for the government to leave.

Many netizens have even suggested treating government agencies as terrorist organizations and using state force to crack down on them.

Next, the Jiangcheng branch was taken over by the police, the deputy director was suspended from his duties and placed under investigation, and all employees who had worked in the agency were required to report to the police station, otherwise they would be considered criminals who had fled.

In addition, the Wuhuan Hub project, which was half-built, was also halted. The government took over two areas related to the erosion of space. It can be said that the Weixian Agency's industries in Jiangcheng were almost completely uprooted after this battle.

The headquarters immediately responded, stating that the matter was a complete misunderstanding. They explained that their operations were solely targeting individuals with illegal abilities and would never threaten the lives of ordinary people. The large quantity of firearms they carried was because the enemy was cunning and powerful enough that only fully armed professional soldiers could contend with them.

However, this rebuttal was quickly drowned out by the overwhelming criticism within the country. No one wanted their city to have such an unregulated force without the country's permission, even if they were dealing with illegal ability users.

Chen Xuan has been having a very relaxed time these days.

Especially after the North Heaven Institute announced that it had never had any contact with the Wanderers and had only taken in a few operators who had escaped from the organization, the conflict turned into a confrontation between the organization and the North Heaven Institute.

Many people were also learning about the name of Beitianyuan for the first time.

In this respect, Chen Xuan was quite grateful to Dean Sun.

After all, this would mean they could no longer remain a reclusive organization as before. With the statement from the Kitaten Institute, he could continue to remain hidden underwater, without having to deal with various investigative agencies.

Furthermore, after confirming that the Jiangcheng branch was powerless to retaliate, Chen Xuan also handed Xiao Kanong over to the Beitian Academy, which then led all parties to be responsible for interrogating Xiao Kanong.

This kind of interrogation is certainly not very harsh, at least not as harsh as what Honglian herself experienced.

But this is exactly what Honglian requested.

In her words, "Sho Kanon can use any means necessary, but we cannot... otherwise we will become like him."

Chen Xuan had no objections, because he found Xiao Kanong's will to remain exceptionally firm; once he said he wouldn't speak, he truly didn't. The other man was indeed an ordinary person; after being beaten by Honglian, his wounds became infected, and he even had a fever and fell into a coma once. If it had been the organization's method of interrogation used on Honglian, he might have died during the interrogation.

The blood test conducted by the Beijing Academy of Sciences on Xiao Kanong also proves this point.

However, it was quite strange that such a person was immune to the demon's contractual punishment.

He couldn't kill Xiao Kanong... After all, he was a high-value prisoner. Even if he couldn't get any information in return, Honglian wanted to use him to exchange for the other companions whose fates were unknown.

Just when Chen Xuan thought that the consensus against the government would intensify and even spread globally, the voices online were suddenly suppressed.

It seemed that overnight, public attention and condemnation of the authorities decreased significantly.

This indicates that higher authorities have intervened in this dispute.

A day later, he received a call from Dean Sun.

“The organization sent a representative who wants to talk to us. You should have heard of him.”

"Who?"

"Dr. Jiang Yiheng." ...

The secret meeting was held in the Green Grass Hall.

Even after two rounds of emergency repairs, the place has not returned to its original state; traces of fierce fighting can be seen everywhere… The stone path is riddled with potholes, and many blackened, withered grasses remain on the lawn. Half of the eaves of the main hall is broken and can only be temporarily covered with corrugated steel sheets.

On the Beitian Academy's side, the publicly acknowledged attendees were Sun Suigong and Honglian. Chen Xuan, on the other hand, was watching the venue through an earpiece and a camera. If necessary, he would have Honglian relay the message.

When Jiang Yiheng entered the hall, he was accompanied only by Zhang Yingzi; all the other bodyguards were ordered to wait outside.

The moment Chen Xuan saw the doctor appear, he realized that the influence of the Weixian Agency within the country was probably far more profound than they had shown. The fact that the doctor, as the head of the Asian region, could act freely despite being at the center of a media storm and even suspected of serious legal issues, was enough to demonstrate the higher-ups' attitude towards the agency.

Thinking about all the titles and honors Jiang Yiheng had received, he suddenly understood.

"Hello, Dean Sun." Jiang Yiheng was still wearing the white lab coat that symbolized a researcher, and his words were humble and polite. "I have long admired your name and have always wanted to establish in-depth cooperation with your institute, but unfortunately, I have always lacked the opportunity..."

“I never expected that such a renowned genius scholar would eventually join the Dimensional Agency and even become its main leader.” Sun Suigong’s expression was noticeably colder. “You didn’t seem so indifferent to life when you came to Beitian Academy for treatment before.”

Do they know each other?
Chen Xuan picked up his phone and sent a voice message to You Chi.

“You’ve misunderstood me. I’ve always believed that science and technology should benefit humanity… and abilities are one of them.” Dr. Jiang shook his head. “The organization has a very deep understanding of abilities. If I want to get involved in this area, I have to join them.”

"Do you think they are an organization created to benefit humanity?" Dean Sun's tone held a hint of anger.

“No, it’s more like an organization born out of a desire for survival and salvation,” Jiang Yiheng replied.

"what?"

Jiang Yiheng turned to look at Honglian, "Miss Honglian, you must have joined the Limitation Agency because you agree with this ideal, right?"

“That’s right, but that’s just an old mechanism,” Honglian replied.

“I don’t think so. The organization was indeed small and streamlined at the beginning, with a simple goal of maintaining and restricting. But as it and the times have developed, it would be a bit too much to ask to keep it the same.” The doctor said frankly. “Of course, this is also related to the change of goals—let me be frank, maintaining and restricting alone cannot help us get through the difficulties. In order to continue civilization, we must pay a greater price.”

At this moment, You Chi replied: "I'm not too clear about this matter, but my master seems to have mentioned that twenty years ago, Dr. Jiang used his connections to contact the Beitian Academy, hoping to perform surgery for his colleague. At that time, he was not yet a member of the Weixian Agency."

"It's all empty talk! Xiao Kanong is, and so are you!" Honglian couldn't help but retort. "This kind of rhetoric won't make the organization any more great; it will only make outsiders think it's absurd and laughable!"

Jiang Yiheng, however, turned his gaze to Honglian's ear, "Because sometimes knowing less is a kind of happiness. Since things have already escalated to this point, I might as well make it clear: has anyone here ever heard of ascension?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xuan felt his heart skip a beat.

What did he just say?
Honglian and Sun Suigong exchanged a glance, both revealing puzzled expressions.

Jiang Yiheng was slightly surprised, and his brows furrowed. "You haven't heard anything about it?"

“Say you’ve heard of it,” Chen Xuan said. “Say it in your own voice.”

Honglian paused for a moment before replying, "I've heard of it."

At that moment, a look of satisfaction appeared in Jiang Yiheng's eyes. Although he was staring at Honglian, his gaze was focused on something far away... His vision seemed to penetrate Honglian and meet Chen Xuan behind the camera.

Chen Xuan understood that he was asking himself the question.

(End of this chapter)