Free Web NovelChapter 2491: Chapter 2491: Storm Brewing
Although Bubble Bean wanted to return directly to Cat Fruit Town, after hearing Xu Huo say this, he restrained his emotions. Based on past experiences, Xu Huo generally doesn’t speak without aim; if he is so certain, he must have a plan.
"You’re still going?" The old lady lifted her head, her gaze fixed tightly on Xu Huo.
"Yes," Xu Huo glanced at her with a nonchalant smile, "After all, the Cat Whisker Fruit has already been stolen. We might just run into them if we go. Do you want to come with us?"
At this point, the Long-haired Player would absolutely not support the old lady’s further involvement, as she really had no further stake in the matter.
However, the old lady was quite agitated, proclaiming she would certainly follow Xu Huo and the others, regardless of being used. She was more eager to know who was responsible for her grandson’s death. She wanted vengeance, and despite the overwhelming odds against her, she intended to spit in the enemy’s face!
Xu Huo said to the Long-haired Player, "She’s not part of the Wan Family, so you can’t restrict her freedom."
"Since you mentioned this matter involves political struggles, surely the interest groups behind it are significant, and the Wan Family must continue surviving in District 001."
After a pause, he added, "I’ve checked this district’s information; although there are no random instances within the district, I’ve never heard of Super Players’ presence. What’s going on?"
Despite being surprised by the abrupt topic switch, the Long-haired Player provided an answer, "Our district’s Super Player passed away a year ago."
If a district has a Super Dungeon, it won’t spawn random instances. Since this district is still operational, it indicates the Super Dungeon has presumably been transferred to the District Government or another major faction.
Such insider news cannot be found on the Collection of Information Terminal or in the library. However, the library does document the major shifts in District 001 from its evolution inception up to now. A year ago, the District Government’s council members voted to list large Player Organizations with over a thousand members as the third overseeing party.
The so-called third overseeing party grants this type of Player Organization the power to oversee non-confidential government resolutions, not only commenting from the sidelines but also acquiring government internal files via formal channels.
Taking Zone 014 as an example, although the Player Organization developed well and cooperated with the government, they could never directly partake in government decisions; only publicly available information was accessible.
After District 001 implemented this decision, Player Organizations could directly request certain internal files from the government under the pretext of overseeing government work. Unless the information is highly confidential, the government cannot refuse. If they do, a high-level representative representing Player Organization interests would cause internal conflict.
"Since the Super Player died, the government couldn’t suppress those Player Organizations? Is that why there have been frequent personnel changes in District 001’s various levels of government recently?" Xu Huo paused, "The whereabouts and life status of a Super Player should be top-secret, and District 001 hasn’t publicized this information."
He suspected the Long-haired Player’s intention in revealing this information.
"Currently it’s not public, but even after a year’s delay, quite a few players have already learned." The Long-haired Player said, "This is part of the political struggle; while the District Government wishes to keep it confidential, some people would risk endangering the entire district to redivide power."
"Soon, District 001 will be struck by a storm."
Xu Huo narrowed his eyes, "At this time, the Wan Family can still spare people to escort others? Are you involved?"
"We have nothing to do with this." The Long-haired Player implied the old lady’s grandson’s death wasn’t their concern, "Cat Fruit Town is, after all, remote, and the Wan Family has no one in the higher government ranks; our information is outdated."
In other words, they actually just caught wind of the situation, as the Super Player died a year ago. Various factions vying to rebalance power might have some news leaked, but it’s just hearsay. Regarding the actual insider details and even down to minor conflicts, they remain rather oblivious.
"I heard there’s a council candidate with ties to your Wan Family?" Xu Huo continued.
"Ties would be overstating it," the Long-haired Player said, "Just that the person visited Cat Fruit Town once in his youth and had a deep conversation with the Wan Family. Back then, it was likely to enhance his credentials using the Wan Family. There has been no contact since then for many years. Now he’s a popular candidate, major media occupy primary news channels, while lesser media can only recycle news from twenty or thirty years ago to get a piece."
Xu Huo previously glanced over the news regarding that council candidate, but only briefly noted his appearance, age, and past achievements in his positions — the media compiled a special feature, which didn’t even mention the Wan Family’s name, indicating media’s infatuation with the Wan Family was merely one-sided enthusiasm.
"Quite a few players have come near the Wan Family." He confirmed, "If it’s mere speculation, the Wan Family shouldn’t be attracting this level of attention."
The individual closest to the power core among the Wan Family was that secretary, but he was only with the superior Municipal Government, far from the District Government.
Being away from the power core, located in a small town, even if the District Government explodes, it wouldn’t affect them. This council popular candidate is still just a candidate, tracing the origin isn’t yet time.
The Long-haired Player furrowed his brows but didn’t continue the topic, instead saying, "Among those living in Cat Fruit Town from the Wan Family, only a few truly carry Wan Family blood."
The adopted children all bear the surname Wan, yet unlike some other races with bloodline ties, they possess a clear self-awareness and haven’t devoted all their thoughts to family power, so they won’t proactively engage in power struggles or play an important role within.
"Perhaps just a coincidence," the Long-haired Player’s voice was somewhat low, as if talking to himself.
Xu Huo gave him a glance, alright then. Seems like the Wan Family themselves only know half of it, claiming disengagement indeed means disengagement.
"Don’t you have relatives in Mao Tong City?" Bubble Bean suddenly said, "Since they’re acquaintances, mightn’t something they did implicate you as well, causing scrutiny?"
"Century-long bloodline dilution, Mao Tong City’s people are merely distant relatives." Xu Huo answered on their behalf, not even counting as distant relatives, as those Wan Family members who moved out of Mao Tong City back then had only a few cousins. Most of those cousins have now passed away; their descendants also, some have passed away; those whose children endured are even more distantly related, usually not meeting, politely notifying on major holidays."
"Distant relatives are still kin," Bubble Bean said, "If calamity were severe enough, never mind distant relatives, even the neighbor’s dog could be a witness."
