Chapter 142 Unexpected

“Captain Cao, let us speak frankly. The reason I convened this ministerial meeting is you—or, more precisely, the secret you mentioned. Of course, in view of the assistance you have rendered to the Heavenly Pillar, and with that as additional leverage, you may put forward some conditions so long as they do not violate our principles. After discussion, we will give you an answer here and now,” the virtual figure said, facing Cao Fusheng.

Since its outward form was nothing more than a mass of digital data, the virtual figure’s emotional fluctuations could not be discerned from its expression. Cao Fusheng’s usual careful scrutiny of a person’s face was useless.

Everything depended on how it chose to perform.

Cao Fusheng touched his nose and said calmly, “All right. My request is simple: do not separate my people, and grant us a certain degree of autonomy in our actions.”

“You mean you still want to stay with the only two friends you have left, and refuse the Heavenly Pillar’s internal personnel assignments?” the virtual figure asked softly.

“Yes, exactly.”

“Very well. I can agree to that on my own authority.”

Cao Fusheng was still considering how to phrase his next request when the Boss’s words suddenly stunned him.

What?

This was completely different from the script!

Bai Qingchu had made the matter sound so serious before, saying that he had put the dignity of the people of the Heavenly Pillar over a furnace to be roasted. So why had things turned out to be the exact opposite?

Should he make a more outrageous demand?

In truth, Cao Fusheng was not the only one who was astonished. Everyone else was staring at the virtual figure in disbelief. If it had possessed a physical body, they would have thought the artificial intelligence had lost its mind.

“You… don’t need to think it over?” Cao Fusheng asked tentatively.

“No. If Captain Cao has any other requests, feel free to state them.”

“Nothing for now… If I think of anything later, I’ll tell you.”

“Very well. If you have further requests, you may speak with Minister Bai. He will convey them to me.”

The Boss’s tone was remarkably relaxed, entirely devoid of guilt over trampling on the rules it had established itself.

Cao Fusheng intentionally or otherwise cast a glance at Bai Qingchu, who was sitting rigidly upright, trying to see whether anything unusual could be detected from him. But Bai Qingchu was just as puzzled and responded with an utterly innocent little look.

“It seems my generosity has caught Captain Cao off guard,” the virtual figure said. At last, a slight fluctuation appeared in its voice, almost as though it were secretly laughing.

Caught off guard? That was putting it mildly. This was practically an assault on the mind!

“Just a little. I thought…”

“Thought what? That we would threaten and intimidate you? That we would use every means at our disposal to negotiate with you, bargain with you, and force you to submit? If this place were as you imagined, then the Heavenly Pillar really would be nothing more than a marketplace,” the virtual figure said.

“I think you have misunderstood our regard for friends. You are different from those other survivors who came from outside. Although you, too, came from elsewhere, the moment you arrived, you effectively saved the last spark of human civilization. If that contribution were converted into contribution points, I would not even know how many would be appropriate to award you. Therefore, whatever request you make, I will not consider it excessive.”

“Besides, an exception to the usual allocation rules is nothing more than turning a blind eye. It is not as difficult as you imagine. Naturally, you are the only exception. Such a thing would not be permitted for anyone else. Our Minister of Equipment, Meng Gaozhuo, recently accepted a female spouse assigned to him by the organization. I hope, Captain Cao, that you understand what I mean.”

Cao Fusheng nodded. The meaning was obvious: this was behind-the-scenes manipulation, something that could not be exposed to the light of day, so he should not run around shouting about it with his mouth wide open.

Such things were common everywhere. It perfectly embodied the saying that wherever there were people, there would be backroom dealings.

The other ministers had exchanged frequent glances only when the Boss first said those words. By now, they had all calmed down and were listening quietly to the exchange between the two.

The Boss was right about one thing: Cao Fusheng’s contribution could not be measured by ordinary standards. If he had not arrived in time, these people might not even have lived to see the next day.

If one insisted on putting it in the strongest possible terms, this man could be called the savior of every person present.

Since the Boss had already spoken so plainly, the others naturally had no opportunity to add anything.

Although before every meeting they always claimed that democracy would be upheld and every minister’s opinion respected, was it not still the leader who made the final decision?

Since the leader had already made his decision, voicing an opposing opinion now would simply be tactless.

Most importantly, although the Boss’s decision violated the laws of survival in their eyes, it was not outrageous. It remained within the bounds of what they could accept.

The virtual figure continued, “To demonstrate our sincerity, we can make arrangements based on your circumstances immediately. Our action forces are currently rotating through Cluster One. Chu Wei’s First Squad has just been completely wiped out, and Chu Wei herself is unconscious in intensive care. Why not appoint you acting captain of the First Squad? We can make another adjustment once Chu Wei regains consciousness.”

“Minister Bian, do you think that will work?” After speaking, it turned toward Bian Qiu, who was still resting with his eyes closed. After all, he was the supreme commander of the action forces.

Bian Qiu gave a quiet hum and said nothing.

“Good, then it is settled. Minister Ruan, inform the personnel in the Information Office. When Captain Cao’s identification plate is made, enter his status into the system.”

“Understood.” Ruan Luoluo replied with a smile.

The virtual figure nodded in satisfaction and said to Cao Fusheng, “Captain Cao, you may personally choose your team members. Simply submit the roster afterward. However, you will need to report to Minister Bian once the matter is concluded. Since you have only just arrived, I can also grant you half a month of leave. You will not need to participate in any operations. Take the time to recover properly.”

“By the way, Minister Bai, how is the bloodline testing coming along?” The Boss abruptly changed the subject, and its tone shifted as well—this time carrying a hint of amusement and displeasure.

Bai Qingchu took out a handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat from his temples before replying with an awkward laugh, “The results are not out yet. We have not had time to conduct the next stage of testing…”

“I have a general understanding of the situation. Continue the testing. Minister Ruan, when Captain Cao’s identification plate is made, mark his bloodline as Class A for now. It is not acceptable for the results to remain unavailable indefinitely.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Only after arranging everything did the virtual figure turn back to Cao Fusheng.

“Captain Cao, do you find this arrangement reasonable?”

“It will do.”

“Then let us begin. Everyone present has been waiting long enough.”

The fundamental reason the Boss had summoned all the ministers today was to address the intelligence Cao Fusheng had mentioned. If it concerned something especially significant, they could discuss it here and now.

That was why Bai Qingchu had misunderstood the focus earlier. The true purpose of this meeting was neither to censure Cao Fusheng nor to target him personally.

If it had been, then the structure of the Eight Departments of the Heavenly Pillar would have been painfully narrow-minded indeed.

The small stone suspended in Cao Fusheng’s heart finally fell to the ground. The matter of having his people obey the organization’s assignments was not a major one—it was like getting a fish bone stuck while eating. It would not kill him, but it was certainly irritating and uncomfortable.