Chapter 656: The Conversation
Chapter 656: The Conversation
Chen Chuan turned to look at Ling Assistant, who was smiling, awaiting his next words.
Ling Assistant extended a hand, gesturing to his right.
Chen Chuan looked in that direction and saw a floor-to-ceiling glass wall. Outside, half of the cityscape was visible, and due to the current lighting, he could faintly see the silhouettes of the two of them reflected on the glass.
"Look outside," Ling Assistant said. "I love admiring the entire city from here. It makes me feel like I can grasp it all, and I believe many others feel the same. But I know it's just a psychological illusion of satisfaction.
It's only because this tower lifts me up, giving me a sense of overlooking everything. But when I step out of here and stand below, I can only look up at them. I can only see a fraction of the city, and their shadows alone can engulf me."
Ling Assistant's tone carried a hint of mockery as he said, "Power that doesn't belong to you is not true power."
He turned back to Chen Chuan and said, "I remember you, Supervisor Chen, are from Yangzhi City. You weren't originally a resident of Central City, but within a few short years, you became the Investigation Director of the Handling Bureau. Your achievements are enviable to most, but it's what you deserve.
The accomplishments you've made and the power you possess are enough to propel you to this position.
But..."
He drew a circle on the glass wall, over the cityscape, and said, "This world is bound by countless rules. Do you understand? Rules? What you can do is always within the constraints of these rules.
The difference here is... you must first be allowed, and then you can possess."
Chen Chuan listened calmly. He had heard similar words from the Mutual Aid Society and Chen Bitong.
Ling Assistant sighed, "It's truly a pity. I had originally wanted to discuss this with you after you realized that layer of obstruction. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate then.
But I should have known better. How could someone as outstanding as you, Supervisor Chen, not be valued by others? Even if you don't actively seek to challenge the rules, there will be those willing to open a crack in that door for you.
Now, you've likely already seen the hidden staircase behind that crack. But such a staircase... undoubtedly requires a certain price.
It's the same for companies, governments, and sects."
"I wonder what Supervisor Chen's choice will be? I doubt you'd choose the company. The government, perhaps? Or maybe a sect? Fusion Sect or Polished Faction? No matter which side you join, there isn't much difference.
They hold the resources, control the martial power, and naturally, they make the rules. Even though you've managed to open a crack, let me say something that might make you uncomfortable: how far you can go depends entirely on how far they allow you to."
He emphasized, "You must follow their rules. You can only do what they tell you to do.
You're just a tool in their hands, a means to maintain their authority, protect their interests, and reinforce their rules. They are the masters of these tools. And once you join them, it's inevitable, I think you've realized, Supervisor Chen. Are you truly content with that?"
At this point, he paused, then snapped his fingers. Suddenly, the entire garden transformed into a golden desert under the blue sky, leaving only the two of them sitting across from each other.
"They tried to recruit me before, but I refused. Because I knew that once I joined them, not only would I become one of them, but my mind would no longer be able to control my body. I would be swept along by external forces, bound by their rules.
That's not what I want. My ideals would be lost.
I want to find a staircase where I have the final say, where I can make my own decisions. All the rules will be made by me."
"A rule-maker?"
Chen Chuan nodded. "That seems difficult."
Ling Assistant smiled. "It is difficult, but not impossible."
"So, has Ling Assistant found it?"
Ling Assistant picked up the cup beside him, and the beverage inside had mysteriously refilled. He swirled the cup and smiled, "I've found it.
This staircase is challenging, but I'm not exaggerating when I say I've already climbed it. I've been searching for like-minded companions.
I'm willing to share this. It shouldn't be a staircase for just one person. When many walk together, we can reach the other end faster."
He shook his head, seemingly in a state of contemplation. "But such people are few and far between. Those from powerful families have their own beliefs and would never abandon everything to stand with me. On the other hand, those from the lower rungs often lack the necessary resources, and few make it to this threshold."
He looked at Chen Chuan and said, "Supervisor Chen, you're the second person I've seen in over a decade who has the qualifications to rise from the edge of the city.
For over a decade, the fringe city? Hearing this, Chen Chuan's mind couldn't help but conjure up some associations.
"Director Chen, after saying all this, I want to tell you that the path you're currently on isn't suitable for you. No matter how talented you are, every step you take requires someone's approval. Do you really want to let them control your future and plan your path?"
He spread his hands, gesturing to his surroundings, "Why not consider this: without these constraints, you could follow your heart's desires, and how wonderful would that be? A vast world awaits, where you can roam freely without anyone restraining you."
Chen Chuan looked at the cup in his hand; the beverage that had been drunk seemed to have been refilled, and the refreshing fragrance was indistinguishable from before, making it hard to discern reality from illusion.
"The idea is indeed wonderful," he said, "Ling Assistant mentioned you've found that staircase, which has piqued my curiosity. Because nothing is just talk; it requires something to support it. Perhaps it's the power to control, or the ability to allocate resources, or perhaps it's money, the easiest for people to understand and accept..."
He looked at Ling Assistant, "I wonder what it is that Ling Assistant possesses?"
Ling Assistant smiled and said, "I can tell Director Chen that there is indeed something supporting me from behind. That thing wasn't the first I found; to be precise, I'm a participant and inheritor. But I can assure you that I will deliver on all my promises."
"My previous words aren't just beautiful in sound; they are achievable in substance. If you wish, Director Chen, I can show you, and I believe you'll understand after seeing it."
Chen Chuan's gaze fixed on him, "Is that so? In that case, I'd like to witness it."
Ling Assistant glanced at him and smiled, "Today might not be suitable. Let me prepare, and when the opportunity arises, I'll personally show you, Director Chen."
Chen Chuan said, "Alright, then I'll await Ling Assistant's notification." He placed the cup aside and stood up, "I think it's time for me to take my leave."
Ling Assistant also stood up, and at that moment, the surrounding scenery transformed from the desert back into the previous botanical garden.
Chen Chuan nodded at him and walked towards the door. Just as he was about to exit, he suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to ask, "Ling Assistant, has Teacher Wu joined you too?"
Ling Assistant smiled and said, "He used to be, but unfortunately, we couldn't find him later. It seems Teacher Wu values Director Chen highly?"
Chen Chuan sincerely replied, "Teacher Wu has indeed given me a lot of help." After saying this, he nodded again and left the sky garden.
After he left, Ling Assistant touched the Dimensional Token, and after a while, the call connected. He said, "I talked to him."
"How did it go?"
"Unfortunately, he doesn't seem interested. I feel like he won't join us."
"I told you so," the voice on the other end said, "Moreover, he's now the Investigation Director of the Handling Bureau. How could he possibly turn back? I think we should give up and stop bothering him."
Ling Assistant said, "But no one is more suitable than him."
"Suitable?"
"Yes, you know what I mean."
The person on the other end was suddenly startled, "You..." Then the voice lowered, "You should think it through."
Ling Assistant slowly walked to the window and looked outside, "We've already delayed for a long time. That person helped us obtain that thing from Mo Lan Corporation, and I believe today's person can help us complete the final piece of the puzzle. If we miss this opportunity, who knows how long we'll have to wait."
"If you're confident..."
Ling Assistant smiled and said, "I'm confident now, but it's uncertain later."
The voice seemed convinced and cautiously asked, "When? I need some time to prepare."
Ling Assistant simply said, "Start preparing, and I'll inform you of the time." After ending the call, he raised the cup and drank the Valley Essence Juice inside.
Chen Chuan exited the sky garden and took the elevator back to the apartment. After that conversation, many thoughts filled his mind.
He remembered Teacher Wu's final warning, so he remained vigilant towards Ling Assistant.
He didn't forget Teacher Wu's records in those notebooks or his final frenzied appearance.
No matter how wonderful the words, they couldn't conceal the many cruel realities.
When one gains something, there's always a price to pay. If one doesn't feel it, others or something else will bear the cost.
Moreover, the other party's approach, though somewhat late, had already shown him his path.
Ding! The elevator doors slowly opened on both sides.
He stepped into the corridor. Regardless of the other party's intentions, he would soon find out.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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