Chapter Twelve: He Stands Alongside Us

Director Xie smiled gently, his demeanor devoid of any of the intimidating air that comes with holding a high position. “Mr. Chen, your words truly flatter me,” he said.

Chen Bo, now composed and no longer as agitated as before, replied, “No, not at all. My words are well deserved. Let’s not beat around the bush, shall we? Let’s get straight to the point.”

Hearing Chen Bo’s directness, Director Xie became serious as well. “Thank you sincerely for placing the safety of our nation above all else at such a critical time. I understand what concerns you most right now.”

“Rest assured, the state has already dispatched people to protect your family and close friends. They will be safe from harm. Do not lend credence to any rumors; the nation will handle everything appropriately.”

“Then my thanks to all of you,” Chen Bo said, taking out the bottle that contained the Small Returning Pill. At the bottom of the bottle was the pill formula, which he showed to Director Xie.

Director Xie immediately took a screenshot. The writing was minuscule, nearly illegible, but in today’s world, magnification solves such problems.

Chen Bo carefully put away the formula and continued, “I hope my family and friends won’t suffer at the hands of ill-intentioned people. That’s why I chose to hand over the formula to you first—so you can ensure their safety.”

“Back on Earth, I was just an ordinary person, and in the other world, a good-for-nothing young master. But I believe the nation understands well enough what I might be capable of obtaining in the future. Consider this a transaction of sorts. Once the Small Returning Pill is produced, I hope my loved ones can benefit from it as well.”

With these words, Chen Bo’s mindset shifted. Yes, he was no longer just an ordinary youth from Earth—now, in another world, with a system as powerful as a cheat, his rise was only a matter of time.

“My younger sister hasn’t graduated from university yet. She loves performing and acting. I hope, as long as she is kept safe, her wishes can be fulfilled as much as possible. Is that alright?”

Director Xie nodded, agreeing readily. Such a request was not difficult to accommodate.

After bidding farewell to Director Xie, Chen Bo returned to the livestream room. The moment viewers saw him reappear, the chat exploded with messages, all probing about his dealings with the state and who he had just met. The curiosity was palpable.

“Host, did the government bully you? Is it like those treasure novels, where everything gets handed over for free?”

“Don’t paint the government in such a dark light! Careful you don’t end up like that guy earlier—security might already be inviting him for tea!”

“Deng Gan Chao’s Wise Wife tips the host 3,888 coins. Host, you did the right thing—thinking of your country in such a crucial moment! Thumbs up!”

“Wow, is that Sun Li?”

“Honey, come quick, I’m seeing a superstar!”

“What a bunch of tentacle monsters! No sofas or stools left, not even room on the floor for me.”

“Chun An tipped 666 coins. Host, try out your strength!”

“Agreed!”

“Seconded!”

“Alright then, since everyone wants to see these well-developed muscles, let me oblige. But first, I need to find something suitable to test my strength.”

In truth, Chen Bo was curious about his own abilities. Since reaching the Skin Tempering level, not only had his strength increased, but even his skin had become smoother and tougher.

He prodded his arm with a fingernail—no mark at all. His defense had clearly improved.

“With everyone so enthusiastic, I won’t disappoint. Let’s go outside and test it out. I remember there are a few large stones in the yard, each weighing at least two or three hundred jin.” Chen Bo chuckled.

“The host is going to take on the stones! Everyone, come watch!”

“Wow, is he going to make the stones pregnant this time?”

“The otherworldly Monkey King emerges! So that’s the truth!”

“Asked how Sun Wukong’s mother got pregnant? The answer: the host poked her.”

“You guys are something else. I’m impressed.”

“Your typing is so fast! You all must write web novels for a living.”

“Smart observation upstairs.”

The livestream room was a riot of laughter and teasing. Meanwhile, on Earth, in a certain place in Zhongnanhai, Director Xie was seated beside another middle-aged man of similar age.

“Old Xie, can we actually produce this Small Returning Pill?” The middle-aged man’s face was familiar to over seventy percent of the nation; as for the remaining thirty percent, they were either too young or belonged to certain special groups.

He was none other than the nation’s top leader. The “Old Xie” he referred to was Director Xie.

“Chief, though the ingredients in this formula are rare, they all exist on Earth, just not in large quantities. The method for refining it is also included and isn’t difficult—anyone willing to try could make it,” Director Xie explained.

“But one must take great care during the process. Even a single misstep could turn the Small Returning Pill into a deadly poison—fatal if ingested!”

“Very good. The young man is thoughtful, indeed. Clearly, he has his country and his people at heart. Strive to produce the pill, start with the special forces, and eventually roll it out to all soldiers,” the chief nodded.

“Chief, there’s something I’m not sure I should say,” Director Xie hesitated.

The chief shook his head. “Old Xie, I know exactly what you’re thinking. Even though that young man is no longer on Earth or in our country, his soul will forever bear the mark of China. We trust him, and he will trust us in return.”

“Although Chen is currently short on resources in that world, it’s only a matter of time before he stands beside us—perhaps even surpasses us. Even now, he already deserves to stand at our table.”

“Cultivation! Personal strength will only become more important in the future. The country can barely maintain order for now, but Earth won’t remain peaceful for long. The future belongs to the young! Us old men should step aside.”

Though Director Xie had considered this outcome, hearing it from the chief himself was still a shock.

“Other countries’ agents are already on to this. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is under immense pressure, and those southern neighbors are growing restless,” Director Xie reported.

“Hmph! Those people really don’t know what’s good for them. Do they really think China is afraid to act?” The chief sneered. “Just now, Academician Chen from the Academy of Sciences called. He said the atomic structure of Earth is beginning to change.”

“It won’t be long before missiles and nuclear weapons are rendered useless. If they want to play, we’ll play along! We’ll see which countries can withstand the consequences. Let us old men pave a better way for the young!”

The chief burst out laughing. Indeed, if hot weapons lost their power, the nation would have nothing to fear.