Conversation with Lian Ming

Lian Ming spoke, "I believe you should put me down, benefactor. You have taken enough advantage of me as it is."

Long Chen sneered in response as he spoke, "I saved your life. Are you not even grateful?"

"Hmph. How can I be sure that you saved my life? What if you take me to a secluded place and do some shameful things to me?" Lian Ming had seen all sorts of men in her life. And she had never met a man who wouldn't have wicked thoughts about her.

"I did save you for selfish reasons, but doing some shameful things to you isn't one of them," Long Chen spoke helplessly.

He then muttered, "However, I am pretty sure you won't believe my words."

She gazed at Long Chen with a worried look on her face. She had never met a man who would really not take advantage of her in such a situation.

However, Long Chen proved his words by gently placing her on the ground. He acted like a perfect gentleman, and even Lian Ming doubted her charm for a second.

She quickly regained her composure.

"I can't help but grow curious about your identity. Why would you take such a huge risk to save my life?" She suddenly inquired.

Long Chen didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked her, "Mrs. Lian, what do you plan to do now? Are you going to reveal the collaboration between the JRA and the Mayor?"

Lian Ming understood that he had observed that earlier battle and recognized the Mayor's personal guard.

She tried to guess Long Chen's identity based on this information. However, the Mayor met too many people every day, so it was unfeasible to recognize Long Chen's true identity using this.

Lian Ming soon sat on the ground and spoke, "Yes. I must let everyone know that the JRA and the Mayor are collaborating. Or else, the JRA will use the Mayor to dupe everyone and take control of all organizations in Suqui Town."

"You are correct in assuming that. This is indeed their plan. The Mayor believes that he can restrain the JRA, but he is severely underestimating their intelligence-gathering skills and influence," Long Chen spoke.

He then picked up a stick and drew three boxes on the ground.

"The Suqui Town's power dynamics is split into three factions. The first is the Mayor's faction. All the administrative departments belong to this faction. The Law Enforcement Department and the Mayor's personal guards are the main firepowers of this faction."

"The second faction is private powers in Suqui Town. All the organizations, such as the Pill Tower, the Talisman Association Branch, Businesses, and mercenaries, belong to this faction."

"The third faction is the JRA. They have trained their own secret army."

Lian Ming had a serious expression on her face as she stared at those three boxes.

Long Chen ignored her expression and continued to speak, "The JRA has joined hands with the Mayor because they wish to combine their powers to gain control over the second faction. And truthfully speaking, if you reveal this information, the Mayor will deny it fervently. In fact, he will drag your reputation down the mud and even target your family. I believe that's not a sight you want to see."

"However, let's say you can convince everyone of this news. It would lead to chaos, and the Jin Family will immediately deploy their personal forces to calm down this matter."

"The power dynamics will shift as the Jin Family's personal forces enter the fray. Can you guess how?" Long Chen asked.

Lian Ming thought deeply for a few seconds and soon came up with an answer, "The Jin Family's forces will replace the first faction. And the third faction will be annihilated."

"You are half-right. The Jin Family's forces will indeed replace the first faction. But the JRA won't be destroyed before creating enough chaos to destroy the entire Suqui Town. The JRA has penetrated deep into many organizations, and they can most definitely cause chaos which would destroy the entire Suqui Town. Do you want that to occur?" Long Chen explained.

"…However, letting the JRA take control of all the organizations in Suqui Town is also not right," Lian Ming spoke with a resolute tone.

"You are correct. Alright, let's say that what you said happens, and the Jin Family destroys the JRA and returns. Do you know what will occur next? Only two factions will remain. The first and the second. The Mayor's influence and power would be at an all-time low. The various forces in the second faction are bound to take advantage of the Mayor's weakness to acquire some benefits. Very soon, the forces in the second faction are going to fight among each other."

Lian Ming's pupils widened slightly. This situation wasn't uncommon. It had occurred in other towns, and Lian Ming had heard of it. She felt that it could also occur under the right circumstances in Suqui Town.

The Law Enforcement Department was indeed a bit too weak to deal with all the forces of the second faction.

"I understand. But this is all still hypothetical. Besides, what other option do I have?" Lian Ming spoke with a sour smile.

"You have one option.'

Long Chen's words instantly caught Lian Ming's attention. He continued, "At this moment, the JRA is extremely weak. However, the Mayor is going to support them. You can use the JRA's threat as an excuse to unite the entire second faction and suppress the JRA. This will also increase your personal prestige and influence."

Lian Ming found this idea extremely attractive. However, she remained silent as she considered it deeply.

Long Chen noticed her look of contemplation as he spoke, "You must be wondering why I mentioned all this. My aim is to suppress the JRA as well, so our interests are aligned to a certain extent. It's your choice in the end. But I hope you consider all these issues before making a decision."

"Very well. I, thank you for this information. I will keep it in mind," Lian Ming spoke.

"I did have a request for you, Mrs. Lian. In return for saving your life, I hope that you can release a prisoner," Long Chen spoke.

Lian Ming's expression changed upon hearing this request. She asked a bit hesitantly, "… That's a bit difficult. How about you change it to some other request?"

"No. I want this one request fulfilled," Long Chen spoke assertively.

Lian Ming remained silent for a brief moment before inquiring him, "…Who is this prisoner?"

Long Chen was slightly delighted upon hearing this question. It meant Lian Ming was willing to think about this.

He quickly responded, "Ren Yue."

"Impossible!" Lian Ming immediately responded.

Long Chen expected this reaction since Ren Yue was the heiress of the Ren Family. Ren Family was one of the noble families under the Jorailian Kingdom. The Jin Family exterminated this family.

As of this moment, the Jin Family ruled over the Ren Family's territory. However, while they were exterminating the members of Ren Family, an heiress managed to escape their grasps.

Ren Yue was this heiress. She had created a rebellious group to resist the Jin Family. Moreover, she had some associates in the JRA as well. She had cultivated to the 3 Star Rank.

Just three months ago, her group suddenly attacked a Jin Family's Heir who was visiting the Suqui Town.

Ren Yue's group suppressed Jin Family's guards and tried to kill the Jin Family's Heir. Unfortunately, Lian Ming quickly arrived and managed to delay Ren Yue's group long enough for the reinforcements to arrive.

Most of the members of this group were killed. Ren Yue was successfully captured and was placed in Suqui Prison.

"I can understand why you would be so against it. You think that Ren Yue will create another group and target the Jin Family," Long Chen spoke.

Lian Ming slowly nodded upon hearing his words.

"I can't assure you that she won't do that since even I don't know what her reaction will be after getting out of prison. However, I have a good reason for you to release her."

Lian Ming snorted upon hearing these words and sarcastically spoke, "Yeah. I am sure there are many."

"Wouldn't it be great if you had an ally who has some associates in the JRA? Why do you think you lost this battle against the JRA? It's because you were unaware of the alliance between the JRA and the Mayor. But what if you knew? I assume that the result would be dramatically different. So, you must realize the importance of confidential information," Long Chen spoke seriously.

"You really like to talk hypothetically. I can't think of a single reason why she would become a spy for me," Lian Ming spoke while rolling her eyes.

"That's my job to convince her. But now, the question remains how you are supposed to trust me I suppose," Long Chen spoke.

"Yes. For all I know, you are conspiring with the JRA to free Ren Yue," Lian Ming spoke.

Long Chen chuckled at this reasoning, "You actually have many reasons to trust me."

"If I didn't save you today, I assume you would have faced utter humiliation under Pan Shi's hands before killing you. The Law Enforcement Department will have lost two out of three of its 4 Star Warriors and it would only be a matter of time before the JRA took over the forces in Suqui Town with the Mayor's assistance. Do you think it will be difficult for the JRA to free Ren Yue at that time?" Long Chen explained his reasoning calmly.

Lian Ming had a sour smile as she agreed with his reasoning. If he truly belonged to the JRA, he wouldn't need to construct such an elaborate strategy to gain her trust.

"This is still not enough to convince me that I should trust you," Lian Ming spoke while gazing at Long Chen calmly.

"…I see," Long Chen sighed.

There was a callous look in his eyes as he suddenly spoke, "I wanted to deal this matter amicably. However, I was indeed a bit naïve to have believed that I could gain your trust."

"…I will take my leave now," Long Chen uttered coldly.

Immediately after he finished speaking those words, Long Chen left the area.

Lian Ming spent the next hour to recover her Ardor. She kept on thinking about Long Chen's words and sighed. She didn't want to offend her benefactor, but what he was seeking was just too much.