Chapter 234: Calculated Risk
by xennovel“Level 1 Alert!”
The moment the old captain nonchalantly admitted the red-cloaked young man he’d brought was actually an S-rank ability user the atmosphere in the temporary command office next to the Donghai Grand Hotel instantly grew taut.
Minister Shen strode back into the office, his brow furrowed as he stared intently at the surveillance footage showing Elder Ye, Mr. Su, Professor Bai, and the others. His gaze finally settled on a shot focused on the red-cloaked young man, and he murmured grimly:
“What’s the probability of eliminating him instantly?”
…
“Three heavy sniper rifles are trained on him. One live round one tranquilizer dart one special bullet.”
A staff member nearby reported, “All three have clear lines of sight and are confident they can hit him.”
“However since we’re dealing with an ability user we can’t be certain if conventional confidence holds any meaning.”
As he spoke he added other reports, “Additionally three Special Task Forces have entered the meeting room to control the situation. They’re all equipped with special weapons designed for ability users. But with Mr. Su and Professor Bai right there taking action risks chaos and we’re unsure if it would affect them. Besides Mr. Su hasn’t given any signal.”
“Watchdog Dream Maker and five other ability users are also in designated positions inside and outside the meeting room ready to exert influence. But the target is S-rank. While their abilities theoretically *could* subdue the opponent we…”
“None of us know if their abilities are effective against an S-rank…”
…
Minister Shen listened intently to every detail before making his decision, “First escort Mr. Su and Professor Bai out.”
“Then have the ability users make the first move.”
“Also…”
He paused then ordered, “Adjust the angle of the City Wall Superfrequency Electro-Ion Cannon. Target the Donghai Grand Hotel.”
The subordinate’s face turned pale with tension but he nodded firmly.
…
…
“Mr. Su please leave first…”
At that moment the secretary stood up placing a hand on Mr. Su’s shoulder.
Similar reminders were given to Professor Bai and the others nearby.
The Special Task Force members who had been waiting silently in the meeting room clutching their guns raised their weapons and slowly advanced.
All muzzles pointed towards the Sea Country’s expert team seemingly controlling the situation.
But inwardly they were all extremely nervous.
“No need to rush.”
However facing the secretary’s urging Mr. Su simply shook his head. Without avoiding Elder Ye he directly addressed his secretary, “The priority now is to investigate if there were any flaws in our previous security arrangements and how to rectify them immediately.”
…
Only after saying this did he turn to Elder Ye:
“Elder Ye I’ve heard of your deeds in the Sea Country. You are a remarkable person. If circumstances allowed I wouldn’t disrespect a potential friend. But now Qinggang’s safety is at stake I have no other choice.”
His gaze shifted to the young man in the red cloak, “I don’t know how much confidence you have in this S-rank ability user but I hope you understand this: Qinggang has always respected the power of ability users but we won’t lose our heads because of it. Since you truly wish to initiate such a war then Qinggang will make you pay a sufficient price.”
Elder Ye listened quietly to Mr. Su his face a mask of calm.
Behind him the red-cloaked young man remained even more silent motionless radiating an immense power.
By now everyone in the meeting room was so tense their hair was practically standing on end.
It felt as if even the slightest large movement could trigger uncontrollable chaos.
Yet amidst this suffocating tension Mr. Su sat ramrod straight staring directly at Elder Ye.
Then his voice deepened slightly as he gave the direct order, “Arrest them.”
“What?”
Everyone in the meeting room was stunned.
Naturally they intended to arrest the Sea Country’s expert team.
But their plan was to have Mr. Su and Professor Bai leave the meeting room *before* making the arrest.
What if the target retaliated?
They never expected Mr. Su to remain seated so calmly and issue the order right in front of them.
Even Professor Bai remained remarkably composed at this moment his expression unchanging.
It seemed both he and Mr. Su understood that if the other side truly had an S-rank ability user they would have acted the moment they tried to leave. So leaving beforehand was pointless; facing an ability user made no difference.
Hiding was useless so they didn’t hide.
…
…
Though various thoughts raced through their minds the Special Task Force members immediately raised their guns and moved forward.
Facing the advancing squad Elder Ye showed no surprise merely a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Apparently he hadn’t expected Mr. Su and Professor Bai to remain so calm and composed even now.
“Clatter clatter…”
The Special Task Force was almost upon them but among the tense standoff nobody moved.
However just as the gun muzzles were about to touch their faces the members of the Sea Country expert team who had accompanied Elder Ye showed expressions of nervousness and agitation. Clearly they lacked the composure of Elder Ye and the red-cloaked youth seemingly unprepared for such a dangerous situation. One suddenly dropped low rolling downwards his hand darting swiftly towards his lower abdomen preparing to draw a gun.
This sudden move instantly threw the meeting room into slight chaos.
Especially the armed soldiers aiming their guns at the Sea Country expert team; they were immediately about to pull their triggers.
“Hold your fire.”
But just then a voice rang out.
It was Watchdog. As he spoke the surroundings were abruptly enveloped in an intense aura of fear.
The expert team member who had drawn his gun was aiming directly at Mr. Su.
But the moment the gun was in his hand he felt an unbearable panic. It was like an invisible hand clenching his heart adrenaline flooding his mind like a fountain.
His brain was overwhelmed by fear forgetting his own actions.
He couldn’t even lift the gun he held his entire body collapsing limply.
*Thump thump…*
It wasn’t just him. The other four members of the Sea Country expert team also involuntarily knelt their heads bowed low.
Visible liquid dripped from their faces.
Tears and snot streamed down induced by the overwhelming fear.
Two of them even had wet patches spreading in their crotches another substance released during extreme fright.
These were clearly battle-hardened decisive professionals. Even the nurse responsible for Elder Ye’s IV drip had firm smooth lines visible on her seemingly slender legs indicating rigorous training and considerable personal skill.
Yet now facing Watchdog’s ability they were as vulnerable as toddlers with absolutely no means of resistance.
…
The only ones not kneeling were the pale man in the red cloak and Elder Ye.
The pale man in the red cloak seemed completely unaffected still sitting with his head bowed.
Elder Ye however had veins bulging on his forehead. He gritted his teeth gripping the chair’s armrests fiercely.
His dark fingernails dug into the wood grain cracking splitting drawing blood.
His aged frail body looked like it could collapse at any moment yet his posture remained exceptionally rigid.
He forcefully wedged himself into the chair preventing himself from sliding to the floor kneeling.
But quite noticeably his face also bore an expression of indescribable terror.
Tears flowed from his sunken cloudy eyes.
“I will not kneel…”
The words tumbled from his throat:
“I’d rather die than kneel! This is the only way an old man like me can maintain his dignity before an ability user!”
…
“Don’t make things difficult for the old gentleman.”
Mr. Su glanced at Watchdog signaling him not to force Elder Ye any further.
No one spoke in the meeting room. Watching Elder Ye stubbornly resist the feeling of fear was actually quite admirable if not for the fact he had just revealed his ambitions changing everyone’s perception of him.
Watchdog remained impassive making no overt move but Elder Ye suddenly seemed to recover gasping heavily for air.
His breathing was so labored it made one wonder if he’d fail to draw the next breath.
It was also at this moment following a slight nod from Professor Bai that two individuals behind him quickly stepped forward.
Their gazes were fixed on the young man in the red cloak.
Under the influence of Watchdog’s ability moments ago he had shown absolutely no reaction remaining perfectly still.
This alone proved he was different from the others.
Sitting there quietly he was like an unexploded bomb no one knew what would happen next.
But since the order had been given to capture them they couldn’t avoid dealing with him.
The two people approaching him had tense faces revealing an indescribable nervousness.
Yet they strode forward their movements sharp and decisive.
One kept his eyes locked onto the red-cloaked young man while the other moved with exceptional speed. Reaching him in a few steps he kicked out hooking the leg of the chair the young man sat on shattering it. His body instantly tilted.
But the operative swiftly reached out grabbing him. A flash of silver light and an ability inhibitor was clasped around his neck.
Immediately after an armed soldier stepped forward placing a protective helmet over his head.
Witnessing this scene everyone in the meeting room paused slightly stunned.
Their palms were soaked with sweat.