Chapter 266 - 10: Steady Improvement, Minor Achievement in Roaming Dragon

「Several days later.」

A tram passed through the district. As it did, it cut through the ethereal image of a holographic projection, which dissolved into a brief flutter of magnetic light.

Outside the mall, a floating blue light screen continuously broadcasted recent news. A black Superpower Bureau jeep slowly approached and stopped at a nearby street corner below.

[Red Maple Daily: The City Lord’s Mansion and the United Committee have officially announced that the investigation into the attack on Sector Four’s Second Plaza is complete. The incident has been determined to be the malicious work of the Al-Qaeda [Rebels]. In response, the Patrol Team and the Superpower Bureau will conduct a more rigorous investigation...]

[City Morning Paper: Recently, multiple protests have erupted in the satellite cities and the lower-city [Hive District] of the Red Maple City Circle. According to surveys, nearly thirty-two percent of residents object to the city circle’s integration and joining the Alliance Country...]

[Alliance News: Red Maple Shelter City signed the "Special City Circle Autonomy and Management Regulations" prior to joining the Alliance Country. The Alliance Country will not interfere in the Red Maple City Circle’s daily operations or the selection of its Honorary City Lord. The United Committee’s role is primarily to exercise supervisory authority...]

The news reports flashed before his eyes. Sitting in the back seat, Lu Chao overheard the angry chatter of passersby outside.

"If it weren’t for joining this damn Alliance Country, we wouldn’t have been attacked by the Rebels."

"You’re telling me. And now look. This kind of thing happens every other day. How are we supposed to live?"

"We never should have joined the Alliance Country..."

As the complaints continued to drift in, Lu Chao slowly raised the car window.

The riots a few days ago had a significant impact.

Although they had quelled the chaos and controlled the casualties, the Rebels’ methods were gradually influencing more people’s thinking.

Voices of opposition within the city circle were growing louder. Even they, the Superpower Bureau and the specialists from Yao Capital, were getting more and more dirty looks.

"Captain Lu, you just have to get used to it."

Because Chen Xiao was injured, the team member in the passenger seat was someone new.

His name was Wang Dali. And while his name was common, he was a peak professional-grade fighter.

Dressed in a black Superpower Bureau combat uniform, a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes as he explained, "It was like this when we first came to Red Maple. A lot of the people here are pretty hostile toward us."

"It’s not just the ordinary people, either. The local factions are even worse..."

At this, he shook his head.

Lu Chao understood what he meant and subconsciously glanced at the Jinggang Chamber of Commerce’s corporate building.

Joining the Alliance Country would certainly have a major impact on these old, established families and local mega-corporations.

After all, they used to be the ones calling the shots here, with no one to keep them in check.

Thinking of this, he glanced at the Biotechnology Subsidiary’s building.

The decision he had made earlier was put into action last night.

’The Magic book has to be ditched, but I also have to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands easily. Hiding it near the Biotechnology building is the best option.’

’That way, I can frame the Biotechnology Company, attract the attention of the God-Worshipping Church’s Mages, and conveniently pit the two groups against each other.’

’I hope it works...’

As the thought crossed his mind, Lu Chao’s sense of urgency grew stronger.

He wasn’t sure if the Biotechnology Company would uncover the truth about what happened to Ruan Hui.

But there was one thing he was sure of.

He had to break through to the Superpower Level as soon as possible.

This was his only goal at the moment.

It was the only way to gain enough power to protect himself. Even if he were truly exposed, he would have no fear of being hunted down.

"By the way, Captain Lu, how are Chen Xiao and the others doing with their injuries?"

Wang Dali suddenly asked from the passenger seat, his tone concerned.

Having spent a month or two together, everyone was more or less familiar with each other, and he and Chen Xiao got along quite well.

Hearing this, Lu Chao pushed aside his distracting thoughts and nodded. "They’re okay. Just minor injuries. They can return to duty after another two days of rest."

"It’s you guys who’ve had it tough, being recalled on such short notice."

Due to the impact of the recent riots, many squad members had been injured, so some personnel from the field teams had been recalled.

Every day, they had to coordinate with the Red Maple City Lord’s Mansion’s patrol teams to stand guard in crowded areas.

"Hah, it’s nothing."

"It’s good to be back, actually. We can get a few days of proper rest."

Wang Dali chuckled, his manner quite friendly.

The environment in the buffer zone was nothing like being inside the city circle. You always had to be on guard against the unexpected, making it impossible to get enough rest.

"What about Gao Hu?"

Lu Chao asked suddenly.

Wang Dali froze for a moment, then came to his senses and gave an awkward smile. "Brother Hu said that with you in the city, you’re more than enough to hold the fort."

"There are still a few of our brothers in the buffer zone, and he can’t let anything happen to them."

He put it tactfully.

But Lu Chao knew the real reason: Gao Hu didn’t want to come back.

It wasn’t because of him. It was because he wanted to avenge their former captain, Zheng City, as soon as possible. Even now, he was still fixated on the warlord [Iron Sand]’s gang.

"How many days has it been since he slept?"

Shaking his head, Lu Chao looked out the window at the street.

The smile vanished from Wang Dali’s face. He was silent for a moment before saying, "Seven days, I think."

"Brother Hu is pushing himself really hard. He says every time he closes his eyes, all he can see is the moment Captain Zheng was engulfed by the explosion, so he just stopped sleeping altogether."

The atmosphere in the car fell silent.

Fang Xu, in the driver’s seat, pursed his lips, a complicated look in his eyes.

"Captain Lu, Brother Hu isn’t actually disobeying orders. The truth is, all the brothers are holding in a lot of anger."

"Please don’t blame him. That’s just his personality... Besides, the Superpower squads have monthly assessment rankings. He just wants to put in more effort so our team can rank higher."

Seeing Lu Chao remain silent, Wang Dali grew a little flustered, thinking he was displeased with Gao Hu’s conduct, and hurriedly tried to explain.

Shaking his head, Lu Chao looked at the pedestrians on the street. Although they were still complaining, the scene was, for the most part, peaceful.