Chapter 294: It Can No Longer Be Hidden

The governments of seven island nations had collapsed, leaving them in a state close to national extinction.

Su Wangchuan rushed straight to Su Wan’s office.

“Did you see the news?”

“There’s been a lot of news lately. Can you get to the point?”

Su Wan leaned back in her executive chair, her face pale and exhausted. Even her voice sounded weak and drained.

Su Wangchuan noticed the bloodshot veins in her eyes and immediately understood that she had probably not slept for two days and nights. He sat down across from her and repeated the news he had just seen.

She remained calm and said,

“In the Blood Moon Incident, the regions hit hardest were the coastal areas and the island nations. Those small island countries have no strategic depth, very small populations, and they are surrounded by the sea on all sides. Being on the front line of the Blood Moon Incident, their situation is practically the same as national extinction.”

At this point, she could not help adding,

“Their populations are small. When the government distributed the Gaming Helmet, it was practically issued to the entire population. Except for children and the elderly, almost everyone was inside the game. Once something went wrong, the consequences were bound to be catastrophic.”

…

Su Wangchuan’s expression grew solemn.

He had never imagined that the influence of spirit realm could cause such a severe impact on the real world.

National extinction.

It was terrifying.

“Are they still planning to conceal spirit realm?”

The question slipped out of Su Wangchuan’s mouth before he could stop himself.

Su Wan shook her head and sighed.

“It’s already very difficult to conceal it now. Since the authorities have already announced the collapse of those island governments, they must already have a plan to gradually reveal the truth about spirit realm.”

“However…”

“We still do not know exactly how they plan to proceed.”

As she spoke, she looked at Su Wangchuan’s grave expression and continued,

“Our studios in the coastal regions have suffered heavy losses. At least a hundred studios experienced large-scale casualties. Many of the people there make their living through fishing at sea, salt-drying, and salt trading. Because they live close to the coastline, their casualties are even worse than your Caobang.”

…

Su Wangchuan frowned deeply.

In his view, the losses suffered by the Caobang were already shocking.

If the coastal losses exceeded those of the Caobang…

then the situation must have been disastrous.

“Captain Bai left yesterday morning and took a car to the coast. From now on, she will no longer be the captain of the Land-Clearing Team of our Warring States Game Studio.”

Su Wan revealed a startling piece of news.

Before Su Wangchuan could fully process it, she dropped another bombshell.

“With those studios collapsing, someone has to take over and fill the vacancies inside spirit realm. So martial artists who have reached the Third Rank—like Captain Bai—have been transferred there to take charge of studios.”

…

Su Wangchuan continued absorbing the information she had revealed.

“This was arranged by the authorities?”

“Yes.”

Su Wan replied casually,

“Many of the Gold-Farming Teams there need to be reorganized. Capable martial artists must oversee them and provide protection, while also collecting the resources there. For Captain Bai, this is both a challenge and an opportunity.”

“The Salt Gang, the government, and the major families all have vacancies now. This is the perfect moment to recruit people. As a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect and a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist, Captain Bai has a strong advantage. She can rise quickly and secure a stable position.”

…

Su Wangchuan finally understood.

“But it will also be dangerous, right?”

Su Wan nodded.

“Danger and opportunity exist together. In the past, we could develop slowly and steadily. But now the situation is different. The authorities are probably worried that the impact will continue to worsen, so everything must accelerate… From now on, the actions of the major studios will no longer be able to remain conservative.”

Su Wangchuan reacted quickly and asked,

“So that means studios will recruit more people and actively take on more dangerous missions… Even gang dock halls will become more involved.”

“Exactly.”

“I already received instructions from the boss. He told me to watch for vacancies in nearby gang forces. The three branch helms of your Caobang, along with several dock halls, are targets for our Land-Clearing Team… Monk Dalong and Old Qiu are already preparing to compete for the positions of Helm Leader or Deputy Helm Leader of the Caobang.”

After saying this, Su Wan looked at Su Wangchuan.

“Helm Leader Su, what do you think? Any advice?”

“The Caobang will not accept outsiders into their branch helms, no matter what. Even if Dalong and Old Qiu have the strength of Second-Rank Martial Artists, the gang will prioritize promoting their own members first. Only afterward will they consider people from subordinate dock hall factions… The reason I was able to take office was because I presented a Pledge of Loyalty.”

“What pledge?”

Su Wan clearly did not know the inside story.

Su Wangchuan had never revealed to outsiders that Branch Master Chen of the Beggar Sect had been killed by his arrow.

Now…

there was no longer any reason to conceal it.

After Su Wangchuan revealed the truth, Su Wan’s expression grew serious.

“With Yang Feiyue’s recommendation, and after offering a Pledge of Loyalty, you entered the Sanjiang Branch Helm—and even then, only as a Deputy Helm Leader… The Caobang really does resist accepting outsiders.”

“Of course. Gang factions strongly reject parachuted outsiders, and they are used to solving problems through violence. When I first took office, Zhang Cha’er even ambushed me… Dalong and Old Qiu do not stand a chance.”

Su Wangchuan spoke with certainty.

“However, you can still let them go there to get familiar with people first. Once they accumulate some achievements, rising to a higher position will become much easier.”

Su Wan’s gaze darkened slightly.

She knew that earning achievements meant facing danger.

“I understand.”

“I will inform them later and tell them to prepare themselves mentally.”

“Oh, right.”

“When Captain Bai left, she asked me to avoid interfering in your cooperation with Bai Yuhui. She told me not to intervene in the dock hall at Heilong County. I already agreed.”

Su Wan’s words made Su Wangchuan smile faintly.

Captain Bai’s meaning was obvious.

She did not want the studio to treat Bai Yuhui like a puppet and exploit him to the limit.

Su Wangchuan thought about how many times he himself had suffered losses at Su Wan’s hands.

Bai Jingtang, as Bai Yuhui’s cousin, had probably suffered plenty as well. She had clearly thought things through carefully for Bai Yuhui, ensuring that he would not repeat the same mistakes.

Since Su Wan had already given her word, she would not send too many people to Heilong County or interfere with the personnel structure and development of its dock hall.

“I understand.”

Su Wangchuan nodded and said nothing more.

“For the next period of time, you must be careful.”

“The Caobang’s strength has weakened severely. The Beggar Sect and the Five Poison Sect will likely take action soon—especially the Beggar Sect. They will not miss this opportunity to suppress the Caobang.”

Su Wan continued,

“After Captain Bai left, you are now the public face of our studio. You cannot afford to make any mistakes.”

“I understand.”

“I will be careful.”

Su Wangchuan stood up.

Although the news from the real world had delivered heavy shocks, he could not stay away from spirit realm for too long.

He decided to return to the game first to digest the information he had received.

At the same time, he needed to arrange for Li Qing to lead people in keeping a close watch on the dock halls.