Chapter 2810: Looking for a Scapegoat

“To find these people, you might finally get the Perfect Potion.” Lei Jie seemed even more frustrated than Xu Huo and the others, nearly calling the law enforcement team useless outright.

However, Xu Huo and the others had a similar sentiment: either the players in Zone 022 were just too incompetent, or those individuals weren’t important at all, otherwise, how could they have been taken out so easily?

“Forget it; I think finding these people isn’t going to make much of a difference,” Zhou Juanjuan said. “Could they really be capable of developing the Perfect Potion? As for other Evolution Potions, it’s not like substitutes can’t be found in the game.”

Lei Jie seemed inclined to persuade them but was hesitant, eventually holding her tongue.

Xu Huo hadn’t held much hope to begin with; after all, the Perfect Potion was rare and difficult to come by. Even if he found the real thing in Zone 022, it likely wouldn’t be what he truly needed.

Just as he was preparing to return to the Capital City, the district government reached out to him, agreeing to the two conditions he had proposed earlier. They were even willing to offer some secret intelligence, but in return, he had to help the district government restrain a player.

The terms of this deal sounded absurd; he couldn’t believe that anyone couldn’t be restrained by Zone 022 players to the extent that an outsider was needed. Besides, if this person truly couldn’t be handled by Zone 022, then that information wouldn’t be worth anything.

“This isn’t something extremely dangerous,” the diplomat said. “It’s just that due to the person’s status, Zone 022 is reluctant to step in, and you don’t need to kill him; just restrain him for a while and prevent him from having direct conflicts with Zone 022 players.”

Xu Huo didn’t immediately agree; he just clarified the location and promised to head over soon, indicating that he would respond after meeting the individual.

After cutting off communication, he asked Lei Jie.

Lei Jie was straightforward, telling him directly, “If it’s this situation, it’s likely someone from the Rank-A Wormhole Points, and their status isn’t low. Zone 022 surely has someone who’s interacted with them. To avoid district conflicts, they want to prevent direct intervention, transferring the issue to Outer Zone players is best.”

“Since it’s someone familiar,” Levi said, “why not establish a rapport, or simply ignore it? What kind of trouble can one or two people cause?”

“You underestimate the family of players from Rank-A Wormhole Points. Others may not excel in combat, but their props and instruments are top-notch. To casually meddle in other district affairs, they’re probably favored at home; their equipment won’t be lacking, and they’re capable of a lot,” Lei Jie pondered. “However, the old men of the district government are typically support dogs of advanced districts; how could someone from the Rank-A Wormhole Points be involved in this? Is it possible they got into an internal dispute over uneven spoils?”

She added to herself, “That’s impossible; they’re more fearful of death than anyone, hiding away researching how to live longer. Just give them some benefits; not only would they sell their district out, they’d sell their own butts…”

Excitedly, she turned to Xu Huo, “Let’s go, let’s go quickly; maybe we can get some benefits from this chaos!”

Zhou Juanjuan remained cautious, analyzing the district government’s motives along the way. If it was just about restraining an attacker who’s difficult to handle, wouldn’t it be simpler for their people to disguise themselves as Outer Zone players? Complete the task then disappear; it’d be impossible to catch anyone. Why go through such trouble, offering benefits and actively inviting Xu Huo?

The only explanation was that Zone 022 couldn’t appear publicly in this matter. What does Zone 022 lack that Xu Huo has?

Xu Huo had used Time Force multiple times, even though each time was complemented by props. But he had battled closely with Lei Jie’s sister, a Rank-A Player, retaining some strength sufficient to expose much information about him.

Thus, Zone 022 hoped he’d proactively use Time Force to restrain the player they mentioned.

It’s not surprising for Zone 022 to choose an alternative path when props and instruments can’t gain an edge, especially when no Rank-A Wormhole Point’s player, with identity and resources, would randomly get involved in a hastily assembled player group.

“You’re from Zone 022; you should understand the district government’s operational style well,” Xu Huo looked at Lei Jie. “Do you think they just want me to lend a hand?”

Lei Jie nearly lied at the opportunity but swallowed her words upon facing him, adjusting her response: “Do you think that’s possible? Zone 022 never engages in losing trades. If there’s a loss, it certainly won’t be them who suffers.”

“You’re so resentful of Zone 022 despite the possibility that your birth was a consequence of past sins; this district did nurture you and provide a privileged environment, even covering for you when it comes to killing. Is such hatred necessary?” Zhou Juanjuan questioned.

“You’re not me, so of course you can speak without difficulty,” Lei Jie retorted. “Since I could remember, no one has ever viewed me normally. Other kids make trouble, and adults laugh it off. When it’s me, they show disgust and call me an actual monster behind my back… I ended up like this because they were driven by greed. My father, the then Chief Governor, allowed my birth, despite knowing I had a chance of being disabled, merely gambling for a chance to cultivate a genius player.”

“If they wanted genius players so badly, why don’t they try the potions on themselves?”

“The Collection of Information Terminal doesn’t say that,” Levi interjected. “It suggests the Chief Governor was also a victim.”

“Whether that’s true, he knows best!” Lei Jie’s sneer was sharp, turning back to Xu Huo, “Let me tell you directly; the district government never engages in unprofitable deals, tricking you to take the fall for them is more than likely. They might be looking to seize some good things but fear repercussions later.”

“So many districts have no Superdimensional Instruments; how did Zone 022 get theirs?”

Even Zhou Juanjuan and Levi, along with Xu Huo, were surprised by how revealing Lei Jie was; her hatred seemed genuine.

“What are the Superdimensional Instruments of Zone 022 like?” Xu Huo pressed further.

“You think I’ll know?” Lei Jie rolled her eyes. “They’re afraid I’d steal them.”

“Be smart; go disguised. When they make a move, sneak in and grab some,” she hinted to Xu Huo. “Use what I gave you; take whatever you can. Just don’t let them have it for nothing. You’ll have to cut me a share; I don’t want to sit in jail. Cash it and move to another district.”

“Do you think you can survive in another district?” Xu Huo asked about the irrelevant detail.

“Some districts are friendly to immigrants,” Lei Jie replied. “With enough money, you can secure lifelong citizenship.”

“If only I knew where those Superdimensional Instruments were stored, I’d love to see their reactions once they find out they’ve lost them…”

Xu Huo halted suddenly, looking up at the one-meter square shield of Superdimensional Space Power suspended in the air, his brow furrowing slightly, “This time, you might have underestimated the district government’s calculation.”

Superdimensional Space Power, like Spatial Power, has visible and invisible forms. However, the shield-shaped Superdimensional Space Power in the air had a vague shadow around it, making it easy to discern its boundaries without Spatial Evolution.

Under the instrument’s influence, all spatial props and instruments in the city ceased functioning, even though this Superdimensional Instrument’s actual defensive area was just one square—high-level props and instruments can interfere with low-level props and instruments, setting the limits for space-time instruments and props, contrary to the freely usable Secondary Evolution Power.

And Zone 022 deployed this Superdimensional Instrument, implying that the Rank-A Wormhole Point figure’s props and instruments would be largely ineffective. From the way the instrument’s barrier hovered above with no one approaching, no one dared to touch this Superdimensional Instrument, not even the attackers.

The combatants even actively avoided the Superdimensional Instrument’s barrier overlay on city structures, and Xu Huo saw the person Zone 022 wanted him to restrain. There was no choice; the individual was too conspicuous, with over ten props levitating around him, creating a clear zone kilometers wide centered on him, where no players could linger. While the buildings remained intact, people and lighter objects were pushed and stacked kilometers away, forming a massive ring. As the man moved, one side of the ring’s accumulation grew taller.

This was not spatial defense but a shockwave zone created with air and airflow, pressure omnipresent, making it exceptionally challenging for Zone 022 players to penetrate. Even if they successfully entered, a small mistake would push them back out.

Moreover, he was accompanied by two players talking to him from time to time. After listening, he would reply. Judging by the reactions of surrounding law enforcement players, this person was indeed the core of the attack incident!

The man also watched the Superdimensional Space Barrier above, carefully maintaining his distance without getting too close.

“Indeed, the scene suggests that this man couldn’t have just rolled into this by happenstance,” Levi concurred with Xu Huo’s observations.

With an eye on the city player arrangements, Xu Huo understood why law enforcement teams in other cities were continually stalling—Zone 022’s focus was here. The attackers had selected places they presumed important, but Zone 022 was equally prepared. Their goal was likely this very individual before them!