I Understand Now

Maxwell sat motionless in his chair twenty minutes later, staring in horror at the young guy in front of him. He had no idea Zhang Jue would be as skilled in combat as he had proven to be. Asian Zhang Jue had tiny bones in comparison to Westerners.

Maxwell naturally assumed he was a civilian because of his adviser role at the Foundation and his status there. Ideally, a better knowledgeable clerical worker.

He had witnessed numerous individuals during the course of his long life. Young and conceited. In fact, thinking about how amazing they are helps people solve certain straightforward issues.

There are a lot of these folks, despite their outward appearances. However, their lives are typically short. A person who is overly conceited won't likely even know how to die because there are too many unknowns in this life. Maxwell believed he had a keen sense for people and was usually on time.

However, Zhang Jue had altered his viewpoint. Four assault squads were placed around the ship to ensure the operation went without a hitch. Even more powerful weapons, such as heavy machine guns and transportable rocket launchers, were carried by two of the squads.

All of these were utilised to Boronat. Within the first hour, he had escaped, and Maxwell was not shocked. This was after all his territory. Even if one has great strength, one may still defeat a hundred, and Zhang Jue, a young guy, demonstrated for him what it means to battle a hundred with one.

Unlike Boronat, he didn't initiate contact with the victim; instead, he relaxed and pounded anyone who attempted to resist. The four attack squads did little but slightly delay him.

He was unaffected by the standard weapons, and the massive rocket launchers didn't even touch his hair except from a few tiny holes they managed to blow. The fact that Zhang Jue remained in the room the entire time made Maxwell feel the most helpless.

He went into the battle absolutely joking, enjoying himself. It appeared to be just as he had predicted. Simply put, he wanted to move his muscles because his brain was working more quickly than usual.

Maxwell also attained a realization. I'm afraid there won't be a single person left alive if Zhang Jue decides to kill everyone on the ship. He thought four squads were a joke.

"Okay, cut it off." The team members who were still making an effort to resist heard Maxwell say.

Everyone was relieved when the order was given. In actuality, everyone understood.

The strength disparity between the two sides was too vast, and although it appeared to be circling at the time, some on this side were concerned that they wouldn't endure long if the other side intended to finish the conflict.

The absence of a carnage scene is most likely due to insufficient play by the opposing side. It's comparable to a cat getting a mouse. But the outcome is already clear.

They all retreated behind Maxwell, dozens of commandos. Once more, there was a standoff between the two factions. But there is a huge difference between the present and the preceding in terms of both the heart and the state of mind.

Even while it appeared that the Church of the Broken still had control over the ship, Zhang Jue might command it to change its name to Zhang at any time. The roles of host and guest have been reversed entirely.

Zhang Jue, still seated in the same chair as previously, grabbed the garments out of Hansen's hand, wrapped them over his body, and grinned at MacIver.

"Why, old man? The winner hasn't been decided yet."

"Although the old man is unable to fight, he still has some vision, so Advisor Zhang need not inquire knowingly." Maxwell shook his head and groaned.

Zhang Jue nodded, figuring the old guy wouldn't have to bother saying further because he could recognize the shape of the field.

"Advisor Zhang left should be spared since he didn't kill anyone." Maxwell remarked. "If you have any demands, bring it to me. I can make the choice, if it fits." The old man thanked him on their behalf.

I must admit that this individual is extremely capable of Maxwell. Zhang Jue left them alive because his side made the opening move and hadn't yet defeated anyone else; of course, he had a plan. In reality, this was a deal in disguise, but neither side disclosed the brutal truths because they both knew it by heart.

"If that's the case, Old Man, I'm sorry." said Zhang Jue, rubbing his palms together. "Let me see the document you have in your hand first."

The one Maxwell had presented at the start of the negotiations was the one Zhang Jue was alluding to. On it, the SCP-217 production and control methods were documented. The GOC and the SCP Foundation were principal targets of this threat from the Church of the Broken God.

This item was too vital for Maxwell to hesitate, but if he didn't provide it, Zhang Jue wouldn't be able to stop him from taking it. Maxwell sighed and extended the paper.

Zhang Jue received it from Hansen, who moved forward to accept it. He nonchalantly opened the file, gave it a few quick scans, and then filed it away in his personal Other Space. He had no need to and was in no position to confirm the object's legitimacy.

He intended to sell everything at a profit and trade it to the Foundation for something useful when he got back; a few dozen sets of MTF squad equipment plus a few SCP artifacts wasn't too much, but it was of little use to him personally and of tremendous relevance to the Foundation.

"Aside from that, I have another question." Zhang Jue questioned Maxwell. "What are you, the Church of the Broken God, going to such great efforts to even fully tear up with the Foundation and the GOC for?"

When Zhang Jue questioned Maxwell about it, he showed signs of distress. This was as a result of the fact that it dealt with the deepest foundational issues and darkest secrets of the Church of the Broken God.

"I'm sorry, Advisor Zhang. I'm not sure I can answer this question, even if you murder us all." Maxwell raised his arms and his head in the air. "God will be complete."

He softly muttered before drawing his arm back and placing it across his chest while putting on a religious face. The commandos in front of him also made the sign, "God will be complete."

Even though Maxwell revealed SCP-217's existence, he steadfastly resisted providing an answer and demonstrated his allegiance to the Broken God movement. It seems like he wouldn't learn anything valuable, even if he were to die.

Zhang Jue was ready to start speaking when the pocket phone inconveniently rang once more. It belonged to Smith. The answer button was pressed by Zhang Jue.

Smith must have made some significant discovery if he called at this time because he knew he was going to negotiate. Zhang Jue heard a very loud gasping sound coming from the other side as soon as the call was answered. Smith had undoubtedly sustained severe injuries.

"What is the issue?" Zhang Jue questioned.

"I'm fine, Advisor Zhang. Pay attention to me first. We have a very big discovery on our side." Smith said as he quietly coughed a few times.

Five minutes into the call, Zhang Jue hung up and immediately began to think deeply. Maxwell kept a close eye on him. He saw that Zhang Jue's aura had drastically shifted once he answered the call.

He had evolved into a clever conspirator if he had before been a cynical, inferior man. In his body, the two very different roles could be replaced without any noticeable effects. Zhang Jue bowed his head, gave it some thought, and then cast a thoughtful glance Maxwell's way.

"I understand the Church of the Broken God's enthusiasm for it."