Hearing this response, the figure froze for a moment before hesitantly asking, "...So we’re really abandoning the seven districts?"
"Save them? How?"
Tan Xin shook his head. "The Aurora Sovereign is nearing his limit. The entire domain is shrinking... The seven districts are on the outermost fringes. It’s only a matter of time before the aurora recedes. Even if we send people now to purge those calamities, can we permanently stop the Gray Realm’s convergence?"
"In a few days, those areas will become part of the Gray Realm, just like the lands beyond our borders."
"But nearly three hundred thousand people still live in the seven districts..."
"Three hundred thousand versus the three million in Aurora City—which is more important?" He took a slow sip of tea. "Aurora City is already struggling. We have no strength left to waste on those outside. Why bother with futile efforts?"
The figure seemed about to argue further when Tan Xin glanced at him and continued calmly:
"Shiduo, you must understand. Humanity now is like a pack of wolves crossing a frozen wasteland... We can’t guarantee every wolf will survive to the other side. When necessary, we must make sacrifices."
"Even if only one wolf reaches the end, victory still belongs to the entire 'pack.'"
Just then, an enforcer hurried into the room. Seeing the two, he immediately reported, "Sir, Han Meng has come to Aurora City."
"What?"
Chu Shiduo looked up in surprise.
Beside him, Tan Xin narrowed his eyes, unhurriedly drinking his tea before asking, "Where is he now?"
"At the city gates, in a standoff with the guards... It seems he’s advanced to the fifth-tier."
"Already fifth-tier?" A flicker of astonishment finally crossed Tan Xin’s face, followed by a sigh. "In just a few years... Even in Aurora City, talent like his is rare."
"Coming now means he’s here for help since we didn’t respond to communications," Chu Shiduo analyzed swiftly. "Teacher, what should we do?"
A faint smile touched Tan Xin’s lips.
"I’d been considering bringing him into Aurora City early. A genius like him dying outside would be a waste... But his stubborn nature meant he’d likely refuse even if ordered. Yet now, he’s delivered himself to us."
"You mean..."
"Let him in." Tan Xin replied coolly. "But once he enters... he won’t be leaving."
"Understood." The enforcer nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait."
After a moment’s thought, Tan Xin added, "Bring me a list of all enforcers and judges from Districts One and Three."
As the enforcer departed, Chu Shiduo asked in confusion, "Teacher, what’s your plan?"
"The fact that Districts One and Three held out this long means their enforcement systems still have capable individuals... If I recall, the trains from those districts to Aurora City can still seat thirty people." Tan Xin’s voice was calm. "Three hundred thousand is beyond Aurora City’s capacity, but thirty is manageable."
"You want to recruit a final batch from these districts to share Aurora City’s burdens?"
"Precisely. We lost too many in the Soldier's Ancient Repository. We need replacements."
As they spoke, the list was delivered to Tan Xin.
His eyes skimmed the names, first circling all judges before passing the remaining enforcers to Chu Shiduo.
"All judges will secure a seat. As for the enforcers... let those below make their selections first. The remaining slots can be filled randomly."
"'Those below'...?" Chu Shiduo paused. "You mean factions within Aurora City’s enforcer system have ties to these people?"
"Naturally. Every year when recruits enter the Soldier's Ancient Repository, some enforcers from the districts form connections with Aurora City’s factions... Those with talent are absorbed into the city. Even the less gifted become informants for various powers."
"Teacher, they’re just enforcers. Would these factions really care?"
"Whether they care is irrelevant. What matters is that this is a gesture of goodwill from me." Tan Xin’s tone was measured. "Times have changed. If Aurora City remains divided, we’ll all perish..."
Chu Shiduo seemed to understand, nodding slightly.
"Teacher, there’s news from the Stellar Chamber of Commerce." Chu Shiduo produced a letter from his coat, handing it to Tan Xin. "Results from the Soul-Crushing Interrogation. That Jian Changsheng has endured three rounds and still hasn’t lost his mind."
"Another monster surviving three rounds?" Tan Xin’s brows rose slightly.
"Yes, Teacher. His talent might rival Han Meng’s... Will you really not intervene?"
"The Stellar Chamber of Commerce’s wrath won’t be appeased this time. Jian Changsheng’s fate is out of my hands. It’s up to him now."
Tan Xin took the letter, unfolding it. As his eyes scanned the contents, a flicker of surprise passed through them.
"Did they find something?" Chu Shiduo asked curiously.
"...Yes." Tan Xin closed the letter, his gaze thoughtful. "Interesting... It seems an extraordinary individual has slipped into District Three. Without the Soul-Crushing Interrogation, we might never have uncovered him."
"An extraordinary individual? Who?"
Instead of answering, Tan Xin handed him the letter. Chu Shiduo’s eyes widened in shock as he read.
"Faked his death, orchestrated events from the shadows, then slaughtered everyone as the final victor... So Chen Ling, the sole survivor from the repository, was the mastermind all along?" Chu Shiduo turned to Tan Xin. "Teacher, who is this man?"
"His target was the Soldier's Ancient Repository’ foundation, so he’s undoubtedly from one of those organizations. Which one hardly matters now."
"Should I issue a warrant immediately?"
The moment he spoke, Chu Shiduo realized the absurdity—with the seven districts on the brink of collapse, how could any warrant be enforced?
"Never mind. Let it go." Tan Xin waved dismissively. "This Chen Ling is just a small fry. At this critical juncture, he’s not worth our attention."
"A small fry?"
"No one above the fourth-tier can enter the Soldier's Ancient Repository. Besides, do you really think a lone man could’ve carried the foundation fragment out unnoticed under three judges’ watch?"
"He was merely the 'hand' sent to retrieve it. The real problem lies with whoever extracted him."
"...I see."
"Remove Chen Ling’s name from the list. That’ll free up another slot for those below." Tan Xin paused. "If I recall, besides Han Meng and this Chen Ling, District Three has one more judge?"
"Yes. A two-stripe judge named Xi Renjie."
"When delivering the list, give him an additional order." Tan Xin set down his teacup and rose leisurely, heading for the door.
"No matter the method, eliminate this Chen Ling."