Chapter 134 New World

Gu Shen's expression was somewhat strange.

He couldn't understand what could be said in such a short period of conversation.

Chen San actually gave up on saving his son…

Chen Mei was also stunned. He watched his father turn and leave. Ye Ningqiu merely gave him a complicated look. Then, everyone began to withdraw one after another. Zhou Jiren raised his hand and removed the vines that had entangled the Transcendents of the Jiang'an Sincerity Society. The glaring searchlights that had been locked in confrontation were extinguished one by one. Everyone from Nanwan left so quickly and so silently.

He didn't understand… why?

He was chasing a suspect, but in the end, he became the suspect?

It wasn't until the light on the Jiang'an side disappeared that he realized it was all real.

Gu Shen, who was in the middle of it all, felt that it was all like a dream.

One second, he was being hunted.

The next, the tables had turned.

And the feeling of being stared at by so many eyes was really a bit unaccustomed… Crow was staring at him intently, the meaning in his eyes was obvious.

"You kid... are you from the Tribunal? S-class?"

Song Ci grinned, rubbing his arm. He stared at Gu Shen, "No wonder I always thought you were so tough…"

"…"

Gu Shen smiled helplessly.

"This guy's fists are a bit too hard."

After the battle ended, Crow circled around Chen Mei. He winced in pain, his body covered in red marks from the punches. If Zhou Jiren hadn't stopped them, it was hard to say what the outcome of the fight would have been.

Chen Mei was bound by the vines and couldn't move.

He simply gave up struggling, focused his eyes and mind, and said softly, "What are you going to do with me?"

"Relax. I'm not exactly a good person." Zhou Jiren said lightly, "But neither is your father. Come with me and explain the case clearly. Once things are resolved, you can still go home."

"I have nothing to say…" Chen Mei responded coldly, and laughed, "Besides, that place isn't my home."

"Alright. If there's nothing to say, then don't say anything."

Tree Master raised his hand, and the vines swirled up, wrapping Chen Mei up like they had with A-009, forming a wooden coffin.

No sound from within could be heard from the outside.

And vice versa.

"Zhao Xilai, as you wished, I beat up that old codger next to Chen San." Tree Master pressed his hand on the stone coffin, standing on the river surface, ripples spreading out from under his feet. There was no change in his expression, "Now that this fight is over, we've settled the score. I don't owe you anything for the impeachment and the special pardon."

The old man hummed softly.

"However, I have one request." Tree Master smiled, pulling Gu Shen over to his side, "What I said just now was serious… Gu Shen is really my closed-door disciple. After this impeachment storm, I know very well that there are wolves all around, and the environment is dangerous. The so-called position of Grand Arbiter of the Tribunal shouldn't last much longer."

Hearing this, the old man slowly raised his head.

Actually, Cui Zhongcheng had acted first and reported later when he approved the special pardon. He had only glanced at the boy's file and never thought there was anything particularly special about him.

With his experience, he had seen too many geniuses.

And Gu Shen was too ordinary, too ordinary.

It wasn't until he passed the assessment of the review team that the old man looked at him in a slightly higher light.

This time, Zhao Xilai carefully observed the young man before him. The young man had a young face and firm eyes, but other than that… there seemed to be nothing else.

Even this time, he still couldn't see anything special about him.

"You want me to help you take care of him?" Zhao Xilai said slowly, "Or do you want me to help him take the position of Grand Arbiter?"

Gu Shen's pupils contracted.

This old man's words… were too direct, weren't they?

The wind on the river was empty, with only six people and no outsiders.

"No…"

Zhou Jiren shook his head, his voice stopping abruptly.

He looked at Crow with a meaningful gaze.

"Well, I have to pee, I'm leaving first."

Song Ci, who couldn't wait to eat melons while holding a small stool, was very sensible. After seeing Zhou Jiren's gaze, he scratched his head awkwardly, hummed a little tune, and turned to leave the heart of the river, seemingly relaxed and carefree on the surface, but in his heart he was really unwilling, wishing he could turn his head back step by step.

After the people left.

Zhou Jiren finally spoke.

He smiled softly and stared at Zhao Xilai, saying, "I hope he participates in the work of promoting the bill."

The scene froze for a moment.

Zhao Xilai's body gradually tightened. He frowned and looked at Zhou Jiren with a solemn expression.

"The reason why I took action today is not just because I owe you a favor." Zhou Jiren smiled, "The struggle over the Awakening Law has shaken the entire East Continent Parliament for too long… I think this turmoil is about to come to an end, right? The bill has been overturned and revised more than once. Nagano City has announced that it will abstain from voting, and the only variable that can affect the bill lies in the Capital District. The Capital District has not yet participated in the fierce battle over the bill, but in fact, this battle has entered a white-hot stage, and soon the Capital District will need to show its attitude."

The old man's voice was very weak: "Continue…"

"Chen San is in the opposition." Zhou Jiren spoke, concisely, "That's why I'm helping you. I know you're in the support faction. If the Capital District wants to express its opinion, then you will definitely support it and be committed to implementing the Awakening Law first in the Capital District…"

The moment he said this.

Cui Zhongcheng pushed his monocle.

The Madam's pupils contracted slightly, quickly returning to normal.

"Heh… old fox…"

Zhao Xilai laughed in a low voice, "The Parliament now votes anonymously, nine districts, there are a total of nineteen votes, Nagano abstains completely, the Capital District has not yet voted, approval and opposition are seven votes to seven votes. Chen San has publicly expressed his opposition to the bill in Parliament, but I haven't said anything… What makes you think my attitude is in support?"

"There is no why." Zhou Jiren said, "Or… because the bill has not yet been rejected."

"The real old fox should be you."

"Because of Gu Changzhi's slumber, it's reasonable for Nagano to give up such important voting rights. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the largest right to express an opinion in the East Continent Parliament, has come into your hands." Zhou Jiren said lightly, "You have been watching… Now the balance has reached a point of equilibrium, and whether the bill is passed or not depends on your opinion."

At this point, Zhao Xilai no longer declined or prevaricated.

"You want Gu Shen to join the work schedule of promoting the bill… that's not impossible." Zhao Xilai said calmly, "But I need to know why."

"I don't care about the position of Grand Arbiter. With 'Heavenly Eyes,' even if I resign as Grand Arbiter, I don't need to worry about revenge from enemies. East Continent still needs to pay attention to my opinion." Zhou Jiren said casually, "The problem I was most worried about before has been solved with her appearance… This is a titled Transcendent with unlimited bright future, and at the peak of her career."

Zhao Xilai said softly: "You have indeed cultivated many geniuses…"

"I hope he participates in the work schedule of promoting the bill because I want him to witness the arrival of the 'New World'." Zhou Jiren said in a low voice, "Consider it… a witness."

Zhao Xilai was thoughtful.

"You support the passage of the bill?"

After a long time, the old man spoke slowly.

And the answer was beyond doubt—

"Of course."

Zhou Jiren said calmly: "If the Parliament is willing to listen to the opinions of the jury, I will raise both hands and feet to vote in favor."

"That's rare… for an old fellow like you who has survived from the last era to be willing to embrace the arrival of the 'New World'." Zhao Xilai smiled with some emotion.

"Aren't you too?"

Zhou Jiren looked at the old man in the wheelchair, and said sarcastically, "You are the real old fellow, the kind with half your body buried in the ground… If I expect you to take care of Gu Shen, how long can you live, and how long can you take care of him?"

Zhao Xilai was not angry, but smiled softly: "As you said, I won't live long, but I know that he will definitely shine brightly before that… Because he chose me."

The old man stood up with difficulty, and Cui Zhongcheng quickly helped him up.

"Councilor…" Little Cui said worriedly.

"No… no need to help… I can do it myself."

Zhao Xilai took a deep breath, and his trembling movements suddenly became steady.

The old man took two steps forward slowly, stretched out his arms, hugged Gu Shen, and said softly, "Welcome you, to join the 'New World', you have a future of unlimited light."

New World?

Gu Shen was somewhat at a loss. He looked at his teacher, and Zhou Jiren gave him an approving look.

"New World… is a special operations team specially set up by the Capital District."

"Zhou Jiren is right, the debate over the bill has been going on for too long, and everyone is tired." Zhao Xilai slowly sat back in his chair, his voice was low and mellow, like iron, "There is more than one old fox in the Parliament… At first, they were all waiting for the opinion of Nagano City, but Gu Changzhi didn't wake up, and Nagano was determined not to participate in the promotion of the bill, so those old foxes, for their own benefit, began to jump out of the water one by one."

Gu Shen saw a smile in the old man's eyes.

He realized what was about to happen… Everyone's opinions were at a stalemate, the scene was in a state of balance, and only a little bit of strength was needed to break this balance.

"Seven votes against seven votes." Zhao Xilai smiled softly, "Plus two votes, one in favor and one against, it's still a tie. This was originally a dead end, but unfortunately."

"All along… the Capital District has still been missing a Councilor seat."

The old man looked at the woman beside him holding an umbrella for him.

"Nan Zhi, you've worked hard these years." He said slowly, "Just recently, I changed my will… I hope that after I leave, you can take over the Zhao family's banner."

The Madam's body was a little stiff.

"The Capital District has one more Councilor seat, do you want it?"