Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty!

Chapter 10: Pre-Cataclysm Technology

Chapter 10 Pre-Cataclysm Technology

Hearing Qiu Tu’s story, Yan Chen asked deeply, "A gift?"

Qiu Tu nodded. "Yes, sir."

He then gestured towards Jia Shu, affirming, "It's what Mr. Jia mentioned earlier—the 'six shots to repel the RUF.'"

"Back at my place, Miss Qin informed me she would arrange an RUF attack."

"She warned me to be vigilant and avoid getting hurt."

"She told me the attack was meant to make a name for me."

"The RUF members would deliberately expose themselves to my shots, some even welcoming my bullets. Afterward, they’d retreat, making it seem like I repelled them single-handedly."

"And to ensure the Special Operations Division didn’t overshadow my actions, the RUF members would do everything possible to avoid being hit by them."

After hearing Qiu Tu's exaggerated yet somewhat reasonable explanation, Yan Chen's deep gaze revealed nothing of his thoughts. Beside him, Jia Shu's eyes narrowed, the glint behind his glasses suggesting deep contemplation.

With the rhythm of the conversation now in Qiu Tu’s control, he fell silent, waiting. The room grew increasingly tense and oppressive.

Finally, Jia Shu broke the silence, glancing at Yan Chen, who gave no objection. With a fake smile, Jia Shu said, "Qiu Tu, your story is just one side. Do you have any other details or evidence?"

Prepared for this, Qiu Tu responded firmly, "Of course."

"First, knowing about the RUF’s planned attack beforehand, I was mentally prepared. This allowed me to react immediately and protect Miss Qin when the attack occurred, unlike the Special Operations Division agents who were caught off guard."

"Second, knowing the attack wasn’t targeting Miss Qin or me, I stayed on site, waiting for an opportunity instead of retreating when Agent Fang instructed us to."

"Third, anticipating the need to expand the incident’s impact, I contacted the Old Lane Street security bureau, bringing in temporary agents to witness the event."

"These points can be confirmed with Agent Fang or the agents from the Special Operations Division and Old Lane Street."

Yan Chen, expressionless, signaled to Jia Shu, who nodded and left the study to verify Qiu Tu's claims.

Left alone with Yan Chen, Qiu Tu stood quietly as Yan Chen scrutinized him. After a moment, Yan Chen picked up a cigarette from a box on his desk, lit it with a match, and silently puffed.

Watching the smoke curl around Yan Chen, Qiu Tu said nothing.

After a few minutes, Yan Chen spoke, "Qin Shuman can't be a plant. You started with the wrong premise."

His certainty made Qiu Tu’s heart race with a sense of impending doom.

Without looking at Qiu Tu, Yan Chen continued, "You mentioned some suspicious points about her."

"Like how she seemed knowledgeable about New Realm City despite being new."

"Or how her skin was smooth and unscarred despite her humble background."

"And how a beauty like her could be found in such a chaotic city."

Yan Chen's deep gaze met Qiu Tu’s, "These suspicions seem reasonable."

"But you missed the most important point."

"The background story I told you about Qin Shuman is false."

Qiu Tu's pupils contracted, a thunderbolt in his mind.

Yan Chen took another drag on his cigarette, "Qin Shuman wasn’t a refugee I picked up from a disaster zone."

"She’s a clone woman presented to me by the Qin family."

"This technology predates the cataclysm."

As smoke enveloped him, Yan Chen's voice seemed to drift, "Humans are resilient. Though the cataclysm nearly wiped us out forty years ago, some survived."

"Among these survivors were not only ordinary people but also former government officials, wealthy merchants with production resources, and scientists with core technologies."

"They preserved their strength during the early years of the cataclysm."

"Once the cataclysm ended, they emerged, using their core competencies to form familial and interest-based groups in various disaster cities."

"The Qin family is one such group."

"The technology they control is cloning."

Yan Chen paused, his gaze unwavering on Qiu Tu, "Over the years, the shelters have expanded into disaster zones, creating planning areas, inevitably clashing with old powers."

"The shelters use two methods to handle these old powers."

"First, cooperation. They integrate willing clans and organizations, offering positions in the Municipal Council and Investigation Department to jointly manage the planning areas."

"Take Fang Ming, for example. His rapid rise is due to his family's high-ranking members in the Investigation Department."

"Second, suppression. Relentlessly crushing underground organizations, black market forces, and uncooperative clans."

"The RUF is a remnant escaping our crackdown."

"Determining which groups to cooperate with or suppress falls to the Investigation Department heads in each planning area."

Yan Chen extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray, "The Qin family wouldn’t dare offend me."

"They've been currying favor with me for four years."

"Qin Shuman was specially cloned to my preferences."

"Due to imperfect technology, her lifespan is short—only a few years."

"You claim this woman, with such a background, is a plant from the Municipal Council, trying to win you over and make you famous?"

Yan Chen interlaced his fingers, resting his chin on them, and looked at Qiu Tu with keen interest.

Author's Note