The Gorilla said, "This relic comes from a very rare super life form: the Myriad Forms Heavenly Dragon. The oldest scripture of our 'True Knowledge Sin' has detailed records about it."
"I can't prove it to you, and I can't be sure about the reliability of everything said in the scripture, but you need to understand that we can't take risks with such things!"
"As for you thinking that handing it over to the Bureau of Mystic Security is the safest—" he chuckled, "—there must be Mutants spying within the Bureau. They can't be found just by your diligent internal investigations. The Mutants' pollution is not something you can defend against merely by relying on faith."
"For instance, I already knew about your secret operation, didn't I?"
"Besides, the Bureau of Mystic Security is ultimately led by the Star Mansion. There are things that even Aviloya herself can't control."
"The best way to deal with this thing is to completely destroy it!"
Chen Gu slowly sat down. He felt that even he needed a moment to catch his breath. This matter... it could decide the fate of the entire human race!
Chen Jixian and Mei Lixue didn't rush him; they waited quietly.
"But... the premise of all this is that your information is accurate, and that relic indeed has the capability to communicate directly with the Evil God," Chen Gu said slowly.
"What if you're wrong?" Chen Gu scrutinized again. "If that relic actually doesn't have the ability to communicate directly with the Evil God... Or perhaps you yourself want to use us to get your hands on that relic..."
The Gorilla didn't get angry at Chen Gu's suspicions. He understood his comrade's feelings very well. He explained, "I've already understood the ins and outs of your operation. Actually, I could have chosen not to defect to your side but instead lurk behind you, waiting for the right moment to snatch it."
"I made the huge sacrifice of seeking refuge with the Bureau of Mystic Security because I didn't dare to take that risk. If I had failed, and you were unaware of the relic's secret, then whether it ended up with the General Bureau or returned to the 'Five Peaks Association,' it could ultimately lead to a terrible catastrophe!"
"Working with you is not the best option for me, but the most secure one. I can't afford to take risks on such an important matter."
"You, in fact, are the same."
Chen Gu was still skeptical. "You said it yourself that there are spies in the Bureau. You think the relic is dangerous if it falls into their hands, so why would you want to cooperate with us? It doesn't make sense."
"That's why I suggest that as soon as we find the relic, the four parties present must ensure at least two parties remain. If any of us harbor ulterior motives, this guarantees someone can strive with all their might to destroy that relic!" The Gorilla had already thought this through.
Chen Gu fell silent. This really is the best choice under the current complicated circumstances, he pondered.
But all of this was predicated on the accuracy of the information the Gorilla brought about the relic.
If the relic didn't have the ability to communicate directly with the Evil God, then the Bureau would be losing a precious treasure—one that could create generators—for nothing!
Chen Gu's headache worsened. In the end, he could only look at Chen Jixian. You're the Sub-Bureau Chief; you decide.
Chen Jixian didn't speak for a long time. This time, no one rushed him; they waited quietly.
Finally, Chen Jixian's eyelids lifted completely. He said in a deep voice, "Work with him!" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveIＦire.net
"Find that box first. If it's just an ordinary relic inside, hand it over to the General Bureau. If it's as Gao Mengjiu said... destroy it immediately!"
Chen Jixian had already thought through everything. He said, "This matter is limited to the five people in this office, including Marcus. It must not be leaked."
"Yes," Chen Gu and Mei Lixue responded together.
"Mr. Gao Mengjiu's and Ms. Man Suling's identities are confidential. Due to their special status, they are not suited to join the Bureau of Mystic Security's special operations team. Appoint them as advisors; in this operation, they will cooperate with us covertly."
"Alright," the Gorilla and Man Suling agreed.
"We will establish the general operational guidelines. Specific details... we'll adapt according to the situation."
Mei Lixue and the Gorilla had left, leaving only Chen Jixian and Chen Gu in the office. Chen Gu asked his son, "Aren't you worried the Gorilla has deceived us?"
Chen Jixian nodded. "Worried."
"Then why didn't you report it and let Aviloya make the decision?" Chen Gu asked through gritted teeth, glaring at his son with disappointed frustration.
Reporting this situation directly would have been the prudent approach for self-preservation—even though the Gorilla had explicitly requested not to report it and to resolve the matter privately. However, the decision to report lay in Chen Jixian's hands.
Now, if any problem arose, the entire responsibility would fall upon Chen Jixian's shoulders.
Chen Jixian glanced at Chen Gu, his eyes filled with a complex expression. From Chen Gu's urgent tone, he sensed a hint of frantic concern... yet after their eyes met, he quickly looked away.
It seemed that for now, he was still unable to face the relationship between them.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke. "Do you know why Zhao Zhenhuai is called a tactical genius, yet in the reserve general roster for Empire River Star, he has always been ranked behind me?"
He seldom gave long speeches, especially in front of Chen Gu. His tone seemed slightly awkward.
"Because I am a Professional. Any organization's upper echelon always holds Professionals in higher regard."
"But I also know that in tactical command, I'm still a little... behind Zhao Zhenhuai."
"In my sixth month as a colonel, I stationed my troops on the uninhabited planet designated TX-495. I remember it very clearly: the night sky, full of stars, was exceptionally clear and beautiful on a planet without an atmosphere..."
"At 2:00 AM, the Alien Insect Race attacked. The battle was extremely fierce, but my young men were outstanding; they stubbornly held back the Insect Race's assault. If we could hold out for four more hours, reinforcements would arrive."
"At that moment, three more giant bubble-winged insects were suddenly transported through a spatial tear by their queen. They headed straight for our position at Highland Four, launching a fierce assault."
Chen Gu knew that giant bubble-winged insects were a type of unit in the Alien Insect Race. They were enormous, capable of interstellar flight, and had many biological sacs filled with combat-ready Insect Race members.
"A battalion of my men was stationed at Highland Four—over five hundred good young soldiers!"
"At the time, I still had a weapon capable of shifting the battlefield's tide. Hidden in our planet's orbit was a long-range laser orbital cannon."
"However, this type of orbital cannon relies on stellar light for charging. Even when fully powered, it can only fire three shots."
"My staff officer and my deputy strongly urged me to immediately call for orbital cannon support for Highland Four. They argued that if the highland fell, we would be completely exposed to the attacks of spit-thorn insects and artillery-larva insects, making defeat—even total annihilation—inevitable."
"However, various signs on the battlefield at that time gave me a strong feeling that the Alien Insect Race's fierce attack on Highland Four was merely a feint. Their real target was very likely our artillery positions."