Chapter Forty-One: The First Battle

"Release the Gu Child?"

"Are you serious?" Zhao Fangxu looked at Liao Zhong with a solemn expression as he asked.

Another board member voiced his objection: "The file states that the Gu Child has not been cured!"

Liao Zhong remained completely composed as he asked, "What if, under strict supervision, we allowed her limited exposure to the normal world?"

"Liao Zhong, get this straight. Even if she were cured—let alone not—this matter would still not be so easy to negotiate!" Bi Youlong replied sternly.

"She is not like those 'wind-blown fate' individuals. We essentially participated in her entire rebirth. To put it bluntly, her life was given to her by the Company."

"Now, are we supposed to continue investing in her personal well-being? Do you know whose money we are spending?"

"It is the money of ordinary people. They don't even know that our organization of outcasts exists. I don't deny that this Gu Child is innocent, but do you think she is qualified to enjoy such pointless expenditures?"

Bi Youlong's words were incredibly harsh—even grating to Liao Zhong's ears—but they were the truth.

Zhao Fangxu added, "Xiao Liao, I understand your perspective, but this time, I stand with Director Bi."

"We are not a charitable organization. We demand stability, but we must also admit that, often, we are powerless."

A flicker of anger crossed Liao Zhong’s eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. He said in a low voice, "I understand. I grasp what Directors Zhao and Bi are saying. Given Chen Duo’s current situation, she is indeed not qualified to enjoy these resources."

"But what if Chen Duo could contribute to our cause?"

"Her abilities are documented in the files. In fact, the person currently working for me is in very poor health and has been wanting to step down."

"What if he were replaced by someone who has mastered the art of Gu?"

"I know Chen Duo is a unique case and must be handled with extreme caution. That is why I am seeking the opinion of the entire board. If the Sacred Gu Child could become the next temporary worker, do you all think this money would be well spent?"

Liao Zhong looked at the board members of China Express, secretly deciding that if they refused, he would use the money he had saved over the past two years from business dealings with Meng Fan to continue Chen Duo's treatment himself.

Perhaps that rascal Meng Fan had anticipated this day long ago—that the upper echelons of China Express would be unwilling to continue funding a Gu Child who offered no return on investment.

Regarding the proposal Liao Zhong presented, Zhao Fangxu glanced at the board members before saying to Liao, "We need to study this."

Half a day passed.

***

After much debate, Zhao Fangxu announced, "Xiao Liao, the result is in. You may proceed, but you will bear full responsibility. We won't dictate how you handle security, but you must take necessary measures."

"Just remember: the moment there is any sign of her losing control, terminate her!"

Liao Zhong frowned deeply as he looked at the collar equipped with a miniature bomb and its remote control.

This was essentially being put on a leash. This outcome was far from what Liao Zhong had hoped for.

Originally, Liao Zhong had not wanted to involve Meng Fan in this. After all, Meng Fan was like a nephew to him, and his father, Old Meng, was already a temporary worker. It made no sense for both father and son to be buried in this life forever.

At the very beginning, when Meng Fan said he wanted to be the "Blade Handler," Liao Zhong had disagreed. He had only submitted the proposal to the board as a trial. He had never expected that after all his efforts, this would be the result.

Liao Zhong looked at the group, pushed the collar back, and said, "This won't be necessary. Inside the Dark Fortress, there is actually someone who can keep Chen Duo in check."

"Oh?"

Zhao Fangxu’s glasses caught the light, masking his expression. He said quietly, "Xiao Liao, concealing things from the Company is not a good habit."

Liao Zhong took a deep breath and said, "Director Zhao, you actually know this person. It’s Meng Fan."

"It's him?"

"Meng Fan? Who is this person?" Bi Youlong looked at Liao Zhong with a cold, piercing gaze, demanding an answer.

Liao Zhong ignored him and stared steadily at Zhao Fangxu.

Zhao Fangxu waved a hand at Bi Youlong. "Director Bi, you don't need to dig into who Meng Fan is, and don't try to investigate him."

"Your clearance level is not high enough."

Hearing this, Bi Youlong’s pupils contracted. He chose not to ask further, but he silently etched the name into his memory.

Zhao Fangxu looked at Liao Zhong and asked, "Xiao Liao, I trust you wouldn't speak without reason. I assume young Meng really does have a way to restrain the Gu Child."

"However, you know how important Meng Fan is. Having him go and..." Zhao Fangxu pondered for a moment before advising, "Isn't that a bit reckless?"

***

Liao Zhong said anxiously, "Don't worry, Director Zhao. This was Meng Fan's own idea. He said that if Chen Duo is to be the Company’s 'Blade,' then he will be the 'Blade Handler'!"

"The Blade and the Blade Handler, is it?"

The other board members looked at Zhao Fangxu, waiting for him to make the call.

Finally, Zhao Fangxu made his decision, speaking with the authority of a command: "Very well. But you must guarantee Meng Fan's personal safety!"

"Yes, Director Zhao!" Liao Zhong instinctively straightened his posture.

This was the first time Meng Fan had truly appeared in the eyes of the upper management of China Express.

***

Liao Zhong returned to the Southwest region in high spirits. On the way back, he whistled while driving, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

However, he could not afford to let his guard down regarding what was to come. If Chen Duo were to have an accident or lose control, all the efforts made so far would be in vain.

As for Chen Duo’s first mission as a temporary worker for China Express, it had to be chosen carefully.

Back at the Dark Fortress, Liao Zhong scrutinized the task list and finally found a suitable one.

At the training ground, Liao Zhong looked at Meng Fan and Chen Duo. He handed each of them a copy of the materials and said, "Take a look. As your first operation, it must be clean and decisive."

Meng Fan and Chen Duo exchanged a glance before opening the documents.

The mission involved an Asian giant elephant suspected of having become a spirit beast. It had crossed the border between Annam and the Middle Kingdom and was feared to have a tendency to lash out and harm people. China Express was required to intervene and capture it.

"We have to go to the border between Annam and the Middle Kingdom?" Meng Fan raised an eyebrow as he looked at the mission briefing.

Annam was located in the tropics and rich in elephants. Successive dynasties had trained elephants, developed elephant corps, and used them for ceremonial guards. It was not impossible for an elephant to become a spirit beast.

I have to admit, Liao Zhong had chosen this mission perfectly.

As a training exercise, it would not involve other outcasts or ordinary people, and for Meng Fan, as a Beast Master, dealing with animals was essentially a sure thing.