“Didn’t Inspector Xue Ping made a deal for the police already? If you wish to revise the deal because of better budgeting, I do not think we need all this sort of secrecy.” Jin tried to ease the tension a little since Pai Huo looked rather adamant to seek for his help.
“Heh. I am not looking at that deal. Xue Ping is fully capable liaising with the HR people to get the numbers and present you with a revision of the training deal. What I am here to ask is actually with regards to the Joint Police Military exercise that you would be performing in the coming month.” Pai Huo said as he started to type something on his computer.
“What I am about to show you is classified, but at the very least it will show you the severity of it. I am entrusting you because Tiger Head Hu said that you now have the clearance to know some things and he actually wanted to schedule a meet early next month.” Pai Huo continued. “However, to my surprise, here you are in the station when I am doing the obligatory night shift of the month. Might as well take the chance to brief you.”
Pai Huo then turned his laptop around to Jin and showed him the current situation that he wished to brief the dungeon supplier. “I understand from Head Hu that you expressed a bit of hesitation in creating the joint Police Military dungeon exercise early, but this is the reason why Head Hu wanted to fasten the pace.”
What the Police Captain had shown Jin was a map of the northern borders of Dongguan and Huizhou. And when he later tapped on the keyboard, it revealed a congregation of colours in the forested mountains. It seemed like it represented the intensity… the magnitude of an observed event and Jin inferred them to be the accumulation of the Monster Horde based on their conversation topic.
“The border guards are doing their best to suppress the monsters, and we even have private hire recommended by the Chinese Military Intelligence to reduce the threat. Hopefully, they find the leader of the Monster Horde.”
“And? How does the joint exercise have any bearing with the suppression of the Monster Horde? The way you say it as if you have control over the current situation.”
“We have to prepare for contingencies even if the border guard manage to annihilate their leader. Besides the exercise does matter. We do not want any sort of panic to be happening for no reason, especially the accumulation of military power in the cities.”
“With the Chinese New Year looming in February, productivity will double and possibly a 24 hour work shift for most companies. Evacuation of Dongguan and Huizhou will have moderate to significant economic impact.” Pai Huo said, and Jin still did not get why they need his help.
“Please don’t beat around the bush. If you do not tell me what you want out of me, I do not know how to help you.” Jin said, making Pai Huo stared into blank space for a while. He snapped out of it quickly and eventually appreciated Jin’s honesty.
“Guess, I have been dealing with too much bureaucracy. My bad. Alright, I shall give you straight. We have information that you and Sea Mesh developed a mass produced portal device which is successful in transporting people.” Pai Huo started the explanation of his request so bluntly that now it was Jin’s turn to be startled.
“I guess, Ke Loong demonstrated it to the police and military?” Jin queried, and he quietly nodded his head.
“He wanted to sell it to us as part of his future business endeavour. Usually, this kind of tech, we will love to use it for military purposes first and later the public but Ke Loong was insistent that he had a promise to fulfil first. I assume that promise was you when he mentioned that he needed to meet his dungeon supplier request before meeting others.”
“I assumed the money was not that great?” Jin joked, and Pai Huo shook his head.
“I do not know the full figure, but rumours said that the military was willing to pay three to four times the price for priority usage. When Ke Loong refused, they even up the offer to another two times and yet he was adamant about keeping his promise.” Pai Huo explained.
“That is why we are going to you. You are the only one capable of letting us use those portal devices for a sudden raid in the northern mountains.”
“Wait. So, you guys are not interested in the dungeon instance in the first place but wanted a teleportation portal while disguising the intention as a gathering to test out the dungeon instance?” Jin asked, and Pai Huo had no other way to sugarcoat the truth.
“Head Hu will provide generous numeration for the police side, and I believe he is trying to contact Snake General Hou Fei to discuss the details. I wanted to let you know earlier, and at the very least, you might have some time to talk to Ke Loong on shifting the portal devices for the dungeon instance raid.”
“And I assume I cannot refuse this?” Jin was filled with anger though he did not show it out openly. But he finally realised what Kraft was talking about all along being just a small fish in the ocean.
“It would be wise to accept the deal. We are facing a national crisis, but I did mention previously that we have private hires and the border guards trying to deal with the situation before it escalates even further. The date that Head Hu gave you is already a generous estimate. He probably wanted the police and army to mobilise as soon as possible. Yet for some reason, he respected you and was willing to wait until the start of New Year.” Pai Huo replied.
“Also, if you do accept graciously, I can guarantee that you will maintain your prosperity for the upcoming year.” The Police Captain later emphasised that he was merely a messenger trying to perform some goodwill for Jin.
“…I understand.” The dungeon supplier said slowly, but the police captain told him not to give up.
“Assuming if the border guards can destroy their leader before the appointed gathering time, we might be able to proceed with your dungeon instance. If that happens, please be merciful to the Police teams.” Pai Huo said with a little smile on his face as he thanked Jin for the wonderful dinner gift.
Jin was given a lift home back by Se Lang in a patrol car as he happily told Jin how his two girlfriends had bought him a new Scythe weapon as well as a plushie from his store. But even with all that rambling, Jin only beamed at Se Lang as he started to formulate the course of actions that needed to be done in his head.
There was no time for moping or feeling betrayed. Jin had to use whatever opportunities he had at his disposal and make the best of the situation. Hopefully, someday he will rise above them, and all this nonsense might go away.
Now he understood why Ming potentially harboured more than just animosity against the Royal Zodiac clans and for good reasons. “I will not care for revenge, but I will make sure one day I will be the one utilising them as pawn pieces on the chessboard.” Jin thought to himself as he thanked Se Lang for the ride.
The total revamp of the shop instance can wait for it was time to get new allies before the new year, and hopefully an upgrade for the System.
