CHAPTER 1571: CHAPTER 1571: GIVE HER A CITY

Xu Huo understood that Nie Xuan’s trip on behalf of the Special Defense Department was of little significance because an individual’s influence on the current government situation was minimal. Whether the former decision-makers were forced to retire, murdered, or died due to other reasons, the power to change the situation still lay with the government’s players. Regardless of whether the new members of the decision-making circle were ordinary people or players, they all needed massive player support—players were the core of power.

Especially when the players in Zone 014 were progressing rapidly and had already amassed a huge player base.

Of course, if Xu Huo could help find a way to restrain the mutant fungus, it would be ideal, as this would give Country X an advantage over other nations. Even if he couldn’t, it wouldn’t matter; the secret handling of the infected had already been unanimously approved by the government top brass. Xu Huo’s presence might give some people hope but also incite some to delusion.

No one was immune to the allure of formidable and mysterious power, advanced players included, for as long as toxins or bacteria were prevalent in the game world, everyone longed to be as fearlessly confident as Xu Huo.

"It seems you’ve already made arrangements," Xu Huo said.

"The biggest inconvenience for players is having to leave every month," Nie Xuan said softly. "A few days are enough to change many things."

"I didn’t come this time to discuss the mutant fungus with you," he said, taking out a certificate and a stamp and placing them on the table. "A player’s influence might be limited, but a player with Super Props is a different matter entirely."

"I wonder if you’ve brought the Girl in the painting back with you this time."

Xu Huo squinted his eyes.

Nie Xuan continued, "Since the Black Rain incident, the Special Defense Department has known about the Girl in the painting’s identity. This matter remains the highest secret of the Special Defense Department. The players who escaped from under the Girl in the painting’s watch back then were also dealt with, so her identity didn’t leak."

"Although we don’t know how she survived being hunted by players from outside the zone, as long as it’s a player from Zone 014, the reason is not important."

"We’ve been trying to contact and enlist her over the past few months, but to no avail. Once she left Zone 014, it was like she vanished without a trace; probably only you can find her."

"This is the certificate of land ownership for the current training base of Super Evolvers, the secret conference room of the military, and the classified site of the Special Defense Department. I had someone prepare it in advance, with the Girl in the painting’s name already written on it. Once stamped, it takes effect."

"A dual Super Evolver, combined with a holder of Super Props, is something even the current military and Special Defense Department have to take seriously."

"You need not do anything special; your mere presence represents a deterrent."

Xu Huo glanced at the items on the table, "These things originally shouldn’t exist, can they remain a secret afterward?"

The "transfer" incident regarding the Girl in the painting probably served as a reminder to the government that certain powers require the aid of actual documents or official certification. How could the secret bases and labs built afterward still have records? When Nie Xuan handled these matters, relevant personnel must have assisted him, but he surely left traces, which could be investigated later.

"There’s no need for secrecy." Nie Xuan said, removing the blanket from his lap and standing up. He looked at Xu Huo as if asking whether he could move around inside the room.

Xu Huo gestured for him to go ahead, then watched him walk nimbly to his room, lightly knocking on the door, "Miss Li Chun, are you interested in coming out for a chat?"

The Girl in the painting had been pressing her ear against the door intently, but due to the Silencing Prop, she couldn’t hear anything. Nie Xuan’s sudden approach startled her. She hesitated upon hearing his words, wondering whether to go out, about to message Xu Huo when Meng Cun spoke from behind her, "If he could come to knock, Mr. Xu must have allowed it."

Thinking it made sense, she quickly returned to the bedside, pulled the quilt over him from head to toe until he was covered tightly, then opened the door a crack and squeezed through.

Once outside, she hurriedly closed the door, looked up, and gave Nie Xuan a slight smile before sitting next to Xu Huo, placing her hands on her knees reservedly, expressing: What do you want to discuss with me?

Nie Xuan returned to the living room, moving the documents in front of her.

As someone who once owned a city, how could the Girl in the painting easily be tempted by the properties on those few sheets of paper? Not to mention she was no fool; she knew they would want them back afterward, so there was no point in getting excited.

The Girl in the painting had straightforward emotional expressions. Happy meant happy, unhappy meant unhappy, without too many thoughts involved, so she simply pouted without further comment.

"Can’t help for nothing." Xu Huo explained on her behalf, "She doesn’t want to return to Zone 014 for her own safety."

After all, the Special Defense Department already suspected she "possibly holds Super Props," making this a "very dangerous" place for her.

Although the Girl in the painting herself didn’t know when she started considering her safety, she trusted Xu Huo immensely and immediately nodded vigorously to show he was right.

"The government can provide nothing but props, potions, and White Notes," Nie Xuan said.

"In addition to these, another condition must be added," Xu Huo’s gaze shifted from the Girl in the painting to Nie Xuan. "Give her a city."

The Girl in the painting’s eyes widened with surprise, and Nie Xuan’s expression also subtly changed, "You should know the difficulty of such an operation is huge," he said candidly.

"Not huge," Xu Huo met his gaze. "If you still want her to return to Zone 014."

A player with Super Props, even if she’s now a Level E or Level D Player, will ultimately level up with Xu Huo backing her. By then, the power of the Super Props might be incomparable, and carving out a city for her to live in would be beneficial and harmless to Zone 014.

"As you say, relationships between people can be determined by strength, the government has a large number of players and is continuously cultivating Super Evolvers, but that doesn’t mean it can act arbitrarily. You dealt the cards last round; it’s my turn this time. The state machine is ruthless but can advance or retreat."

Xu Huo pressed the certificates on the table and slowly slid them back in front of Nie Xuan, "I’ll do my best to help with the mutant fungus, but whether it succeeds or not, the bill for the quarantine hospital and your private invitation should be considered separately."

"Of course, if you can agree to my terms on behalf of your allies, we can settle the account like gentlemen."

After saying this, he withdrew his hand and smiled again, "I wonder if all the Super Evolvers trained by the government have gone into the instance."

This was a warning and a threat to Nie Xuan, to the government, and the military.

After a moment of silence, Nie Xuan also smiled, "Perhaps only by making some people feel the power of third-party players can we curb their arrogance... but Super Evolvers are crucial talents in the entire Zone 014, so I cannot allow you to do this."

Xu Huo leaned back slightly, "You can try."