Dissatisfaction

Retrieving his electromagnetic bike from the small square, Zane drove away. It wasn't long before he saw a medical vehicle parked by the side of the road ahead.

Han Shu leaned against the car, smoking, while Cang Du paced nearby.

Hearing the bike's approach, both men looked toward Zane.

The youth slowed down and eventually stopped the bike near them.

Han Shu glanced at him and opened the car door without a word, "Get in!"

Zane didn't resist. He dismounted the bike, holding the sword Spring Water in his hands, and returned it to Cang Du, "This is a good sword."

Cang Du snorted softly through his nostrils, "Of course!"

He took Spring Water and tossed Cady's knife back to Zane. With a flip of his ponytail, he walked away.

Holding the knife, Zane suddenly felt that this guy might not be so bad after all.

"Come on, get in the car. Damn it, because of your mess, I'm exhausted tonight. Otherwise, I'd be rolling in the sheets with a beauty by now!" Han Shu urged impatiently.

Zane hurried into the medical vehicle, fearing that if he was too slow, Han Shu might handle him personally.

...

The next day, at the Bastion's military command hall.

Recorder Cheng Xin shivered at his post.

He had a bad feeling when he heard about the emergency meeting today. As expected, in addition to the Storm General, Minister Wei De of the Strategic Department, Commander Chu Yan of the Nightwalkers, and Commander Cao Gang of the Iron Wall, these powerful figures at the second tier of the Bastion's hierarchy, had come again!

It had only been a few days since these bigwigs last met, and now they were here again...

The recorder glanced toward the door, wishing he could walk right out.

Bang!

A fist slammed onto the table.

The old minister of the Strategic Department stood up, pointing at the Nightwalkers' commander and shouted, "Chu Yan, don't you think you owe us an explanation? Last night, a lieutenant of the Nightwalkers dared to openly attack a family residence in the upper district! This is a blatant disregard for the Bastion's laws!"

The old commander with a mechanical arm casually cleaned his ear before replying slowly, "Old Wei De, have you been too idle lately? It's just a personal vendetta. Do you really need to call an emergency meeting for this?"

"A personal vendetta?" Old Wei De roared like an angry lion, "This is an open challenge to the Bastion's laws, Chu Yan. If the Bastion can't guarantee the rights of families, will they still be willing to serve the Bastion?"

Chu Yan glanced at him, "But the Bastion's laws also stipulate protection for Ascenders and their relatives. And what happened? That Qin fellow, despite our warnings, used his despicable means to send a lieutenant's mother to Black Ore, leading to her death. I don't think seeking justice for this lieutenant is wrong."

Old Wei De was fuming, turning to Commander Cao Gang of the Iron Wall, "Cao Gang, look at this old man. He's getting more unreasonable with age. Even if that Qin guy killed someone, it should be handled through proper channels. If everyone starts taking matters into their own hands like the Nightwalkers, how can we maintain the Bastion's laws?"

Chu Yan spread his hands, "It's done now. What do you propose we do?"

Old Wei De leaned forward, "Hand over that lieutenant. He must be severely punished."

Chu Yan was straightforward, "Can't do that."

The old minister jumped to his feet, "Chu Yan, don't go too far! The Nightwalkers are getting too arrogant. The towering Bastion can't be ruled by your whims!"

Chu Yan stood up to face Old Wei De, "Old man, I must correct you, this isn't about being reckless. Before you accuse us, please check what that Qin family has done!"

"Ask yourself, who's always at the forefront in the interstellar wasteland? We're fighting for our lives on the front lines, and our families are being schemed against back home. Would you be happy with that?"

"You're right, we could follow due process, but we chose not to. Because this time, some people have crossed our bottom line. And some have been too comfortable for too long, forgetting that their ability to sit in an office and scheme against others is provided by whom."

"The results we've earned with our blood and lives aren't for them to use for scheming. If they've forgotten that, then I think it's necessary to remind them."

Old Wei De stared into Chu Yan's eyes, "Are you referring to me?"

Chu Yan's gaze was unwavering, "Whoever should understand, will understand."

Sparks seemed to fly between the two men when footsteps approached.

The Storm General entered the door, glancing at the two old men, "The city lord has made a decision. This matter is closed, and the Nightwalkers will not be held accountable. However, as a disciplinary measure, the Nightwalkers' budget will be cut by 15% for the next year."

"The decision will be officially announced soon. That's all."

With that, the general left the hall.

Chu Yan smiled and put on his coat, "I have other matters to attend to. I'll take my leave."

After the old man left the command hall, Old Wei De pointed at the recorder, "You, get out."

The recorder ran out quickly, even closing the door behind him, leaving only the old minister and the commander of the Iron Wall.

Old Wei De finally exclaimed, "Cao Gang, look at this. Even the city lord is shielding them. If this continues, the Nightwalkers will surely become lawless!"

Commander Cao Gang replied indifferently, "Minister Wei De, please mind your words. I believe the city lord has his reasons for this decision."

Old Wei De nodded, "I did speak out of turn, but don't you think the Nightwalkers have too much power? Today they can attack a family residence in the upper district, what about tomorrow? Who knows what they'll do next."

Cao Gang adjusted his white gloves, "At the end of the day, Minister Wei De, you want to use this incident to suppress the Nightwalkers, to implement your reform plan to reduce the rights of Ascenders, right?"

Old Wei De sat up straight, "Ascenders consume too many resources. Don't you think they take too much, Commander Cao?"

Commander Cao replied without expression, "As an Ascender myself, I don't quite agree with your plan. Every Bastion city must have a significant number of Ascenders to maintain a deterrent force. This basic knowledge, I believe Minister Wei De should understand."

The old minister said calmly, "I understand, but I'm also aware that most of that deterrent force comes from high-ranking Ascenders. My plan is to enhance the rights of Ascenders above level 4 and reduce those of lower levels."

"Since Commander Cao is also an Ascender, you should know. Ascenders below level 4 are not irreplaceable. But the resources they consume, the power granted to them by the Bastion, has exceeded their actual value."

"That's the key to the common people's dissatisfaction with Ascenders!"