492: Chapter 492 That Unseen Guild Leader Must Be Very Powerful

"Cooperation?"

Second Young Master Chen Xuan was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting this answer.

Before he could think it through, Lin Chuqiao at the side took over the conversation:

"Young Master Chen, you should understand that the horror of the organization Utopia far exceeds your imagination."

"They will not give up their plot against the Chen Family just because of Xuanzhen's death."

"Next time, the people they send will only be stronger, and their methods will only be more covert. Relying solely on the strength of the Chen Family, it is simply impossible to resist."

Her gaze fell on Second Young Master Chen Xuan's slightly pale face, helping to analyze the current situation:

"And now, our Illuminati can be said to be your only choice."

"I... Illuminati?"

Hearing this unfamiliar name, Second Young Master Chen Xuan opened his mouth, a deeper confusion flashing in his eyes.

"That's right."

Seeing Lin Chuqiao tacitly pave the way for him, Fang Cheng then explained in a deep voice:

"To tell you the truth, all of us actually come from an organization just as secretive as Utopia."

"Since the inception of our Illuminati, our core mission has been to oppose Utopia. They can be said to be our primary enemy."

"Because in that organization, many people were once companions who fought side by side with us, only later to betray their original intentions, fall astray, and become villains and scum committing all sorts of crimes."

"This time, on the surface, it looks like we accepted the mission of Naihe Bridge, but in reality, it is precisely to investigate a certain plan implemented by Utopia in Tiannan Province, and at the same time punish one of the traitors, namely Xuanzhen."

Fang Cheng chose to throw out some semi-true and semi-false information, constructing the image of a seemingly powerful and mysterious organization.

Second Young Master Chen Xuan was slightly stunned upon hearing this, and then involuntarily nodded.

Thinking of hearing Crow and the professor mention before that they came to Tiannan Province to hunt down a traitor from seventeen years ago.

The information from both sides seemed... to indeed match up.

Fang Cheng saw the change in his expression, and his tone then became a bit heavier:

"We have a blood feud with Utopia, and your Chen Family has now likewise forged an irreconcilable grudge with them. This is the Foundation of our cooperation."

"More importantly, the Chen Family possesses intricate influence in the secular world that penetrates all aspects of society, which is something we do not possess."

"And our Illuminati masters extraordinary power sufficient to confront those monsters head-on."

"It can be said that we are natural allies."

Fang Cheng calmly expounded on the value of cooperation between the two sides:

"As the situation changes, your wealth and connections can provide a solid backing for our actions, while our strength can serve as a barrier for your Family to survive in this storm."

"This is a mutually beneficial relationship where each takes what they need."

"By joining forces, we can not only cope with the immediate crisis, but in the future, we will have the opportunity to uproot this evil organization!"

Second Young Master Chen Xuan fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

His brows were tightly locked, his face solemn, and he slowly sat down on the chair beside him.

Every word of Fang Cheng's struck right into the core of his heart.

The experiences of this period made him deeply realize a fatal problem.

Even a prominent Family with a deep Foundation, lacking sufficient self-defense force, would likewise be reduced to lambs at the mercy of others.

Especially in front of those inhuman entities, money, status, and power were all fragile and vulnerable.

Only sufficiently powerful strength could ensure the stable survival of the Family.

But the Chen Family had enjoyed peace for too long, and comfort had worn down the sharpness of their ancestors, long since losing the glory of decades ago when talents abounded and military might flourished.

Nowadays, experts within the clan withered, and the younger generation mostly indulged in wine, women, song, and commercial operations, with few willing to painfully Cultivate, let alone Awaken their Bloodline abilities.

The few older generations remaining in the clan were either too old and lacking in strength, or had long stopped asking about worldly affairs and lived in seclusion, completely powerless to cope with threats at the extraordinary level.

Especially after the death of his grandfather, the Chen Family's situation was even worse, with internal troubles and external invasions coming one after another.

Not only did businesses all over the country successively encounter suppression and assassination by unknown forces, suffering heavy losses.

Even the overlord status operated in Tiannan Province for many years began to become precarious.

Quite a few forces were eager to make a move, wanting to take the opportunity to share a piece of the pie.

Just like this time, a formless evil spirit almost turned the Chen Family upside down and destroyed their Family.

If that leader of Utopia had personally made a move, I'm afraid the Chen Family wouldn't even have room to resist.

A century-old Foundation would vanish into thin air overnight.

Just as he was pondering anxieties and weighing the pros and cons, Fang Cheng's voice sounded once again.

This time, however, it threw out an even more weighty bargaining chip.

"If this cooperation proceeds smoothly, in the future I can recommend you to join the Illuminati and become one of the core members of our organization's decision-making level."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan suddenly raised his head upon hearing this, a trace of irrepressible surprise flashing in his eyes.

His brain then spun rapidly.

He had witnessed the strength of the man in front of him with his own eyes.

It was simply comparable to a humanoid missile, able to blast open a spatial passage with bare hands, and its formidable degree far exceeded ordinary people's imagination.

An organization capable of absorbing such top experts must undoubtedly sit upon unfathomable extraordinary power behind it.

Just imagine, even a cadre in the organization had such terrifying strength, how powerful must that yet-unseen president be?

If he could obtain the support of such an extraordinary organization, and even become a core member of it...

Not only could the Chen Family's immediate crisis be readily resolved, but he himself could also benefit from it, thoroughly consolidating his position within the clan and solidifying his position as the Head of the Family.

Even the future of the entire Chen Family and its Foundation in Tiannan Province would be as steady as Mount Tai.

Perhaps he could even go a step further, expanding the Family's influence to the whole country, ranking among the top aristocratic families, and completing his grandfather's unfinished career.

This was simply not a multiple-choice question.

But a path to the heavens laid out right before his eyes, leading to even higher heights!

Thinking this all through, Second Young Master Chen Xuan no longer had the slightest hesitation.

He stood up abruptly, looked at Fang Cheng with firm eyes, and spoke in an unprecedentedly solemn tone:

"Mr. Bai, I am willing to represent the entire Chen Family and reach the closest cooperative relationship with your esteemed organization!"

"Very good."

Seeing the smooth bluffing success, Fang Cheng nodded with satisfaction, also stood up, and reached out his hand towards him.

"From now on, we are allies, and you, Second Young Master Chen Xuan, are the sole representative of our Illuminati in Tiannan Province."

"In the future, if there are any troubles that cannot be resolved, or if you encounter matters endangering the Foundation of the Chen Family, you can notify us at the first instance."

"Correspondingly, we also need the Chen Family to provide comprehensive support in funds and intelligence."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan looked at the hand extended by Fang Cheng, his heart churning for a while.

He hurriedly stepped forward, grasped it tightly with both hands, and shook it vigorously:

"No problem, Mr. Bai, please rest assured. The entire Chen Family will definitely go all out!"

"As for the specific plan to deal with Utopia."

Fang Cheng withdrew his hand and continued speaking:

"This matter needs to be discussed at length. After we return to the base, we will formulate a detailed plan and inform you then."

"Before that, we'd better maintain close contact and keep each other informed at any time."

"Understood!"

Second Young Master Chen Xuan gladly consented.

The cooperation was reached, and the heavy stone in his heart finally landed.

But then he thought of the immediate predicament, his tone inevitably carrying a hint of asking for instructions:

"Mr. Bai, what should we do about the Chen Family's matters right now? Will Utopia make a move soon?"

"Well... this..."

Fang Cheng pondered for a moment, thoughts spinning rapidly in his mind.

"Young Master Chen."

Professor Ye Zhiren, who had been sitting quietly to the side observing and hadn't spoken, suddenly gave a light cough, attracting everyone's attention.

"Just now in our internal meeting, we have already preliminarily discussed this issue."

"Now asking you to come over is precisely to discuss relevant countermeasures and confirm the subsequent response plan."

Fang Cheng was slightly surprised upon hearing this, casting his gaze towards Professor Ye Zhiren.

Professor Ye Zhiren slightly nodded at him, his eyes carrying a hint of "rest assured" signaling.

Seeing this, Fang Cheng remained calm on the outside, and then nodded and said:

"Indeed so. For the subsequent actions, the key is still the full cooperation of your Chen Family."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan heard this, and a solemn look immediately appeared on his face, lowering his posture extremely low:

"Mr. Bai, Professor, if you have any instructions, just speak. I will definitely lead the entire Chen Family to cooperate fully, without a second word."

Lin Chuqiao at this time wore a smile and said:

"Then let us start discussing right now how to cope with the current situation and resolve the threat of Utopia."

"Good," "Good."

Everyone responded one after another, surrounding the mahogany round table.

Fang Cheng naturally sat in the main seat, presiding over the meeting and controlling the overall situation.

Professor Ye Zhiren, in the capacity of a strategist, was responsible for explaining the plan.

"Before taking action, we must first make the worst plans, and then on this basis, gradually deduce the situation and try our best to grasp the initiative."

He pushed his glasses, the gaze behind the lenses sharp and calm, and his whole temperament became completely different at this moment.

Professor Ye Zhiren divided the plan he formulated into four steps: "Cleansing", "Casting Nets", "Framing", and "Sniper".

The first thing to do was to unify the public statements externally and handle all traces that might leak the identities of Fang Cheng and the others.

At the same time, to avoid the extreme retaliatory methods that Utopia might take.

All members of the Chen Family, including collateral relatives, must be transferred into that secluded Family Secret Realm within the shortest time possible.

This could not only ensure their safety, but also physically isolate the leakage and spread of news.

As for all personnel present at Chen Family Manor and Haoting Hotel that night, including the Chen Family's bodyguards, servants, and even the monks invited to perform memorial services.

Anyone who might have seen or heard any abnormal circumstances must be handled in the most proper manner.

Those who should be silenced should be silenced, and those who should be controlled should be controlled.

When necessary, they could take out a hush money amount sufficient to make them worry-free for the rest of their lives, making them leave Tiannan Province immediately, or even leave the Xia Country, and go to a place where no one knows them to start a new life.

In short, at least during this period when the plan is implemented, there must never be left any hidden dangers that might leak the details of their identities.

Secondly, the Chen Family should immediately mobilize all resources at hand, establish a complete intelligence network, and closely monitor all suspicious people and things in the Cui City urban area.

Especially those suddenly appearing strange faces of unknown origin, or eccentric otherworldly people.

All intelligence informants must be spread out, focusing on those trying to probe into the Chen Family's news or investigate the inside story of the Haoting Hotel explosion.

It must be ascertained whether there is the shadow of Utopia behind them.

The third step was the scheme of framing.

They were to take the initiative and directly shift all the blame for the explosion incident that occurred at Haoting Hotel onto Utopia.

And in the name of the Chen Family, formally report to the Cui City Government, the police station, and the Special Investigation Team.

No conclusive evidence was needed, only to bite down and insist that it was done by the organization Utopia.

They could even exaggerate and fabricate stories, saying that they attempted to blackmail and control the Chen Family, thereby achieving their sinister purpose of subverting Tiannan Province's economic order and creating social panic.

Although the organization Utopia had operated in the political and business circles of Xia Country for many years and had deep connections, it inevitably had countless enemies.

Once this organization hiding in the dark like a poisonous snake was slightly exposed to the sunlight, naturally someone would go looking for trouble with them.

Official power and hostile forces would all become knives in the hands of the Illuminati.

This move could not only divert attention, but also make the opponent hesitate for fear of damaging anything, at least not daring to easily make a move against the Chen Family.

"Finally, during the next period of time, we will test the degree of importance Utopia attaches to this matter of the Chen Family."

Speaking of this, Professor Ye Zhiren's tone became calm and powerful:

"See if they will actually send people over to investigate the truth of the incident, or continue to make a move against the Chen Family to execute their unfinished plan."

"If they dare to come, we will just wait at our ease for the fatigued enemy, set traps, and carry out an ambush."

"If few people come, we will do it ourselves to eliminate them, and by the way, pry open their mouths to obtain more intelligence."

"If many people come, or even if that leader appears personally."

Professor Ye Zhiren's gaze behind the lenses swept over Fang Cheng, paused for a moment, and continued:

"By that time, we can completely lure over the Special Investigation Team currently investigating the case, and let the two sides have a direct conflict."

"In short, we must borrow all the power that can be borrowed. The enemy of our enemy is a friend, muddying this pool of water in Tiannan Province."

"The muddier the water, the more adept and unconstrained we will be, and the easier it will be to find an opportunity to give the opponent a fatal blow."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan carefully listened to Professor Ye Zhiren's plan, and a layer of fine sweat had unknowingly seeped out on his forehead.

The more he listened, the more alarmed he became, nodding repeatedly:

"Understood, I will immediately arrange manpower and deploy informants all over the city."

"In the afternoon, I will respectively contact the municipal government, the police station, and Captain Hu, the local head of the Special Investigation Team, to report this matter."

Fang Cheng watched Professor Ye Zhiren arrange everything methodically, secretly praising in his heart.

This former member of Utopia was indeed experienced and had deep scheming.

In just a few words, he combed through the subsequent action plan clearly and seamlessly.

Moreover, the methods were quite sinister, using a borrowed knife to kill, fishing in troubled waters, calculating all the chess pieces that could be utilized.

With such a person assisting, the future development of the Illuminati would definitely be much smoother.

The others listened to this interlocking vicious scheme, and also felt a wave of excitement, discussing animatedly.

Most of the time during the meeting, Professor Ye Zhiren explained the relevant countermeasures and deployments.

Fang Cheng raised questions and improvement suggestions regarding some specific implementation links in the plan, making the whole scheme even more seamless.

Lin Chuqiao held paper and pen, constantly recording the meeting summary.

Occasionally, she would add a few key intelligence points, or stand up to refill hot tea for everyone.

Li Dingjian put away his usual flippant appearance, sat with a straight back, his expression serious as never before.

Even Bailing and Pan Wendi, who usually loved to play around, gathered around the table and listened with extraordinary absorption, and even scrambled to express some unrestrained yet highlight-filled views.

Second Young Master Chen Xuan completely put down the airs of the acting head of the Chen Family.

He detailed the current status within the clan, as well as all the forces, connections, and resources controlled by the Chen Family in Tiannan Province one by one, without any reservation.

The first official meeting since the establishment of the Illuminati unfolded methodically in this secluded lounge.

The sun gradually rose higher, and the sunlight made the entire window glass bright and clear.

The soft light brushed across everyone's faces, feeling warm and cozy.

Outside the window, the lawn in front of the courtyard was brightly green, and several flowering trees were dotted with plump flower buds.

The vines under the corridor wound and stretched along the wooden frame, swaying gently with a breeze, forming an interesting contrast with the discussion sounds inside the house.

This Chen Family Manor, which had gone through storms, seemed to have lost a bit of its past sternness and gained a few more touches of peaceful intent. (End of chapter)