“Hi, Vidi! I didn’t expect you to arrive earlier than me!”
Navey, dressed in a tailcoat and holding a cane, had already settled down and started his career earlier than his peers. He now appeared very steady, embodying the image of a responsible man capable of supporting a family.
“And Alice, good day to you too!”
Navey’s face radiated warm enthusiasm, completely devoid of pretense or mockery.
When the group entered the private room, they were surprised to find someone already waiting inside.
“Philip! You rascal!”
Vidi burst into laughter and playfully punched Philip on the shoulder. “Aren’t you supposed to be super busy? We’ve invited you for dinner a few times before, but you were always unavailable. Mr. Big Shot, when did you suddenly have so much free time?”
Philip wore a black police inspector’s uniform, with shiny badges on his shoulders and chest.
After graduating from the Royal Police Academy, Philip had climbed the ranks rapidly and now held a high-ranking position as deputy chief in the Yinchao City Police Department, making him quite influential. Many people sought to establish connections with him.
Hearing Vidi’s teasing, Philip immediately looked slightly embarrassed. “Sorry… I was dealing with some super-powered criminals those times and really couldn’t make it.”
“You mean those Supers?”
Vidi’s interest grew, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he asked, “Quick, tell me, can they really shoot flames and lightning?”
“Not exactly. From what we can handle at the department, most Supers are fairly ordinary. They usually look no different from regular people, just stronger and faster. We can manage with shotguns, riot shields, and support from Arrow snipers. Even the most dangerous Supers have to flee when confronted by the military…”
Philip clearly wanted to change the subject to international gossip, though given his position, the information he shared was generally quite accurate. Not only Vidi and Navey listened with interest, even Alice leaned in closer.
“Currently, the rebels in Pandorn Empire have two extremely powerful Supers. One named Chevrolet can manipulate earth powers and leads the rebellion. The other is Posey, who nearly wiped out the Imperial Navy’s high seas fleet…”
Philip’s face darkened with concern as he continued, “The situation in Pandorn Empire has become very dire. I’m worried this chaos might spread worldwide…”
In the post-Steam Revolution world, everything was interconnected.
Although the rebellion and war seemed confined to Pandorn Empire, the ideas of seeking independence and autonomy had begun spreading among the colonies, which was more dangerous than anything else.
Moreover, in response to the Pandorn royal family’s international “friend” requesting aid and for other undisclosed purposes, both Golden Oak and Crimson Clover had begun covert war preparations. As a result, prices for daily necessities skyrocketed, and the living standards of ordinary citizens continued to decline.
All of these developments gave Inspector Philip a sense that something ominous was approaching.
“Excellent analysis, Philip!”
At that moment, the door to the private room swung open, and Wu Ming, wearing casual clothes, walked in.
“Steven!”
Everyone immediately stood up, Navey and Vidi showing excitement, while Alice displayed a hint of unease.
“Sorry I’m late!”
Wu Ming greeted his friends warmly, shaking hands and making small talk with ease, quickly bridging the distance and bringing back familiar feelings of camaraderie.
“Navey, I heard your wife is pregnant. Congratulations! I’ll send you a gift when I get back!”
“Vidi, your business has expanded to other cities. That’s impressive.”
“And Philip!”
Wu Ming turned his gaze to Philip, who had risen the highest among their classmates and now seemed the most reserved.
As Wu Ming looked his way, Philip immediately stood up, stiffly. “Your Grace!”
“Uh?”
Wu Ming hesitated for a moment before saying, “We’re friends, so there’s no need for such formalities. You’ve made it to Deputy Police Chief in Yinchao City? That’s great!”
“Actually, our Police Chief is also a follower of the God of Redemption!”
Philip spoke in a humble tone.
“Oh!”
Wu Ming understood that Philip probably wanted him to put in a good word or something, but he didn’t think much of it.
“And Alice, how have you been lately?”
“Not as well as you lot, but I’m managing!”
Alice replied, though she couldn’t quite describe what she was feeling.
“Alright, since you’re all here, I can get to the point!”
After the greetings, Wu Ming’s expression turned serious. “The world has been quite unstable lately, and I’m sure you’ve noticed… I’m here to tell you that, in case… I mean, just in case the chaos spreads here, you can go to Caspar City, the headquarters of the Church of Redemption!”
He continued confidently, “Even in the face of a world-ending crisis, it will be absolutely safe there. So… would any of you consider relocating there now?”
“Uh… sorry, I’m not quite sure I understand what you mean…”
Navey and Vidi looked confused.
Although the world was currently somewhat chaotic, anyone suddenly told by a friend that the world might face an apocalyptic crisis would likely first think the friend was crazy, and secondly remember they hadn’t even brushed their teeth that morning.
“Fine…”
Wu Ming sighed, knowing these people weren’t his fanatical followers. With families and friends in the city, it would take a lot for them to abandon everything and move to an unfamiliar place without seeing the danger firsthand.
“I’m just talking about a hypothetical situation…”
Wu Ming naturally wouldn’t reveal any predictions about the world’s future. “I’m giving you this assurance today: in the future, if you ever find yourselves in danger, remember what I’ve told you today!”
With this impression, they would be able to make the right choice when disaster struck.
Wu Ming wasn’t a saint. When he had something good, he would naturally prioritize himself, then his family and friends, and if circumstances allowed, he would try to extend his benefits to more people, like concentric circles expanding outward.
“Alright, we’ll remember!”
Vidi and Philip exchanged glances, both wearing solemn expressions.
After all, Steven’s current position was extremely sensitive.
As the Pope of the Church of Redemption, one of the most influential figures in the entire Golden Oak Kingdom, his words couldn’t be taken lightly.
Suddenly, everyone’s mood became somewhat heavy.
“Haha…”
After an indeterminate amount of time, it was Navey’s awkward laughter that broke the tension. “Steven, you scared us the moment we met!”
“Right, my mistake!”
Wu Ming raised his wine glass. “I’ll drink first!”
“Waiter, bring the food already!”
Despite their initial unease and doubts, Vidi and Philip quickly pushed them aside, resuming their jovial banter with their old friends.
The atmosphere gradually warmed up again, but suddenly an unwelcome voice from outside interrupted the reunion of the old classmates.
“You dare block me? Do you know who I am? Hurry up and send Vidi out, or face the consequences!”
“Vidi, someone’s here for you!”
Philip smiled, appearing very calm. “Did you cause some trouble somewhere? Need me to help sort it out?”
In Yinchao City, he was certainly someone of importance.
Moreover, there was a big shot in the private room right now, so he naturally felt confident.
“Well… I don’t know, but it’s probably not a business dispute!”
Vidi awkwardly scratched his nose and stood up. “I’ll go check it out!”
“Wait, I’ll go too!”
Philip also stood up, following Vidi to the door. Navey, Wu Ming, and even Alice were curious and listened quietly.
The shouting outside quieted for a moment, then grew louder again. “So you’re the guy who dared to stand up my sister?”
“Sir, are you Lillis’ brother? I should have already informed you through my butler that the date was postponed?”
Vidi’s voice came through, followed by a dull sound and a scream.
“What are you doing?”
Philip sternly shouted, “Do you want to go to the police station for assault?”
“Sorry, I’m a military officer, and only a military court can judge me!”
The other party’s tone seemed quite arrogant. “I know you, Philip, just a small deputy police chief. And you’re Vidi’s friend, hehe…”
…
“Some trouble!”
Soon after, Philip returned, looking somewhat disheveled. “It’s Vidi’s fiancée’s family, a noble house in the kingdom!”
He looked somewhat flushed, clearly embarrassed to interrupt Wu Ming. “They’re insisting on taking Vidi away now. Without your permission, I didn’t feel right using your name!”
“Whatever, that guy…”
Wu Ming snapped his fingers, and Bob, who had been waiting outside, seemed to receive a command. He went to the hall and blocked the big guy who was carrying Vidi out.
“Please put this gentleman down!”
Bob smiled, though his tone wasn’t very polite.
Moments later, Vidi walked back into the private room with a black eye and a gloomy expression. “Sorry… just a little interruption, and also…”
He lowered his voice. “That guy wants to meet you…”
In fact, only now did he realize how much influence Steven actually had in the kingdom.
“Alright, have him schedule a time with my secretary!”
Wu Ming replied with a calm smile.
Watching this scene, Alice felt a voice echoing in her heart:
“Turns out, all this time I’ve been silently climbing… just to get a little closer to him…”
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