Extraordinary Realm from Persuasion System

After he had lit a cigarette, Zhang Beixing thought about what he had just heard and changed the subject. ”Speaking of which, Superintendent Bai, I just heard someone on the radio call you Chief Inspector. Well done, you’ve been promoted.”

”Yes, thanks to you,” Superintendent Bai replied. ”After handling your various cases last year, I was promoted before the New Year. As of today, I’m a Second-Grade Chief Inspector, and I reckon it won’t be long before I reach First-Grade.”

Zhang Beixing raised an eyebrow. ”Nice! Shouldn’t you be treating me to a drink?”

Superintendent Bai spread his hands. ”I’d like to, but you’re always so busy. Ever since the New Year, you haven’t had a moment’s rest. Speaking of which, I need to give you a heads-up about this D&E Group. Their influence might be even stronger than we initially thought. According to our investigation, this company might be backed by a One-Winged Bald Eagle!”

”One-Winged Bald Eagle?”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Beixing was momentarily taken aback but quickly recovered, understanding the implication of Superintendent Bai’s words. The bald eagle, needless to say, is the national bird of that superpower in the West. Realizing this, Zhang Beixing was somewhat surprised. Although he had long known that D&E’s audacious actions and connections with so many countries signified their astonishing power, he hadn’t expected it to be quite so enormous.

They’re truly the world’s shit-stirrers, poking their noses everywhere.

Zhang Beixing took a deep puff of his cigarette and cursed inwardly before looking at Superintendent Bai and asking, ”Speaking of which, Superintendent Bai, even if D&E Group has the bald eagle backing them, with things having escalated to this point, shouldn’t the governments of various nations intervene?”

”Uh... Grandmaster Zhang, is there a possibility that this situation is already being handled?” Superintendent Bai said gravely. ”How could they possibly ignore such a situation unfolding? But... it’s beyond their control! The perpetrators are all hired by intermediaries. Even if we know who’s behind it all, without concrete evidence, we can’t apprehend them. It’s like in *Infernal Affairs*, where Superintendent Huang knows Han Chen is a drug trafficker but still needs to send Chen Yongren undercover to gather evidence.”

He continued, ”It’s only because our Great Xia’s security is robust, order is stable, and society is harmonious. Even if we can’t manage everything, the impact here is relatively minor. The opposition doesn’t dare to act openly, resorting only to insidious, underhanded tactics. As long as we remain vigilant, it’s nearly impossible for anything serious to occur. Abroad, however, it’s utter chaos!”

”I understand,” Zhang Beixing nodded in realization.

After that, the two chatted a little more about various things. Once the cigarette was finished, Zhang Beixing glanced at the time. Seeing it was almost time, he bid farewell to Superintendent Bai and entered the conference room to prepare his speech for the upcoming meeting.

***

「At one in the afternoon.」

Martial Artists from overseas began to arrive.

”We’ve come in response to your summons, Grandmaster Zhang! I’ve long admired your great name!”

After exchanging greetings with the assembled Martial Artists and making some initial acquaintances, Zhang Beixing reviewed the list prepared for him beforehand by the Asian Martial Arts Association. After confirming everything was in order, he cleared his throat.

”Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Shishi. I am Zhang Beixing, the president of both the Great Xia Martial Arts Association and the Asian Martial Arts Association, as well as the convener of this meeting.”

”The reason we’ve gathered here today, I believe everyone is already aware. Therefore, I will not elaborate further.”

”Let us get straight to the point. I wonder what everyone’s view is on the recent events?”

”Let’s begin with the presidents of the various national associations. The Vice President will speak for Great Xia.”

As Zhang Beixing finished speaking, Great Xia’s Vice President Liu Yi stood up and said, ”President Zhang, this is intolerable! This foreign syndicate is too audacious. They relentlessly target our Martial Artists with ill intent, repeatedly attacking without any sign of remorse. Their crimes demand severe punishment!”

Upon hearing this, a wave of agreement swept through the crowd.

Bartram, the president of the Tai Luo Kingdom Martial Arts Association, quickly chimed in, ”President Zhang, please champion the cause of our Martial Artist community! These criminal organizations are completely lawless. Relying on their firearms and considerable power, they’ve gone from kidnapping Martial Artists on the streets—which was bad enough—to now brazenly invading our homes and forcibly abducting our comrades, showing us no regard whatsoever!”

”Bartram is right! Those people are nothing but beasts! They didn’t even spare a child. My poor grand-disciple... he’s only twelve this year and had just completed two years of Martial Arts training. And yet, these scoundrels forcibly abducted him after school! They are trying to sever the roots of our Martial Arts world! They must pay a heavy price!”

”I second that!”

”Um... well... while I agree they should be taught a lesson and face consequences, aren’t your words a bit too severe?”

”Too severe? Sir, may I ask if you are a Martial Artist from Great Xia?”

”Uh... yes, why?”

”That explains it, sir. In Great Xia, public security is excellent, so you might not feel the pressure as acutely. But it’s different for us. The security in our regions cannot compare to yours. Do you know? I wasn’t even supposed to be the one attending this meeting. I’m only here because the person originally scheduled to come was kidnapped and disappeared within the last two days! Even today, on my way to the airport, I was nearly abducted myself! So, do you still think we’re exaggerating?”

”This... I apologize. I wasn’t aware of this situation. If that’s the case, then they must indeed pay a heavy price!”