Dawn of a New Era

Chapter 753 - 726: Protection Money

On the way back, everything went smoothly and no encounters with any Barbarian God.

A few days later.

Chen Shouyi emerged from the Spatial Passage in Tai Buddha Country, even he couldn’t help but let out a long breath.

...

The temperature in Zhonghai in August was getting increasingly hot.

Even at night, it felt like being in an oven, and it wasn’t even eight o’clock yet, the streets were full of people dressed lightly.

Chen Shouyi did not like summer.

Because he would always witness some awkward situations, yet couldn’t avoid looking.

After all, there was no way around this.

Fortunately, having seen it many times,

he had become accustomed to it.

Nowadays, he generally wouldn’t pay special attention, he just regarded it as background scenery.

Passing by a square, it was bustling with activity.

Under the guidance of several Martial Artists, many citizens were practicing martial arts, not to mention the children running around, playing joyfully.

Chen Shouyi couldn’t help but pause and watch.

He had only been out for a few days.

The policies had evidently begun to be implemented gradually.

However, the result...

Middle-aged people are different from teenagers, many of them had never even touched Martial Arts before, they missed the best time to train, and as their bodies began to gradually age, without special talent or opportunity, they might never become a Martial Artist even if they trained until death.

He sighed lightly:

"Now I just hope this impending disaster comes as late as possible."

...

Just after taking a shower, Chen Xingyue came looking for Chen Shouyi.

Wearing big shorts and naked from the waist up, he opened the door.

"Brother, I want to discuss something with you," Chen Xingyue said, looking a bit embarrassed, hesitating to speak.

It was rare.

Chen Shouyi was a bit surprised: "Go ahead, what’s up?"

"A few days ago, the leaders of the education bureau talked to me, intending for me to take up the role of dean at the soon-to-be-established Zhonghai Second Martial Arts Academy." Chen Xingyue spoke, her face slightly flushed, aware that it must be partly due to her brother.

Although her Peak Martial Artist strength was the strongest in the Martial Arts Academy, the role of dean was not solely dependent on strength, experience, managerial ability, nothing should be lacking, and even regarding strength, family knows best the circumstances, much of it is exaggerated.

"I haven’t told mom and dad yet, I wanted to get your opinion first."

"What’s your own thought?" Chen Shouyi pondered and asked.

"I want to give it a try," Chen Xingyue said courageously, "I will definitely work hard, and if it doesn’t work out, I’ll resign myself."

Chen Shouyi thought it over and didn’t stop her: "If you think it’s doable, then go for it."

After all, it’s just a Martial Arts Academy dean.

If the leaders above aren’t concerned, why should he be?

Probably just as a mascot.

It’s not easy to do well, but equally difficult to do badly.

"Yes, thanks, brother."

Chen Xingyue quickly walked away, her face unable to suppress excitement.

He closed the door, his heart somewhat melancholic:

"My sister has grown up, already nineteen, working for two years, having her own career."

...

Holy Alliance Country.

Dozens of buses lined up like a long dragon, speeding on the intercontinental highway.

Inside one bus.

The bus was packed with people.

Some were resting with eyes closed, some were whispering, some had vacant looks, some sighed occasionally, and some quietly read books. Various life states, almost like a small society.

"Aurora, you came from Great Xia, do you know it well?" a middle-aged Caucasian woman asked her companion beside her, eyes glowing with anticipation.

Aurora Huang shook her head slightly awkwardly: "Blaze, you know I haven’t returned to Great Xia for nearly over a decade, I’m long without any impression."

After graduating undergraduate, she studied abroad in the United States.

Afterward, she smoothly obtained a green card, joined the U.S. nationality, and later even her parents immigrated over, her impression of Great Xia was long blurred, all information about her homeland came from news, knowing no more than others.

"Whatever it is, it would be better than now in the Holy Alliance Country, it can’t be worse," a middle-aged man joined the conversation, muttering softly.

The atmosphere inside the vehicle turned eerily quiet.

"Let’s avoid discussing such sensitive topics here," Blaze hastily said, nervously looking around, having been scared too many times.

Two years under Barbarian God’s rule had tremendously impacted the scientific community, not only her husband among many scientists persecuted but also research funding greatly reduced and even interrupted.

During these two years, universities mostly suspended classes.

It was only improving slightly in the past few months but limited at best.

Afterward, no one was interested in chatting, the bus sped along, and everyone was lost in their thoughts.

Gunshots sounded occasionally from afar, keeping everyone on edge, but fortunately, it was just a false alarm.

By evening.

The convoy reached the port, finding they weren’t alone, as many similar groups disembarked, a large scale. Numerous armed forces from the Alliance Country solemnly maintained order, heavily guarded.

In the distance, dozens of military ships and cruise liners flying the Great Xia Country flag lay like giant beasts.

No one spoke, just exchanging glances, not waiting long, gradually boarding.

Blaze discovered the luxurious-looking cruise liners were modified, each standard room having six beds, completely eliminated comfort for transporting more people.

It reminded her of slave ships from the slave trade era.

But upon arrival, her heart strangely relaxed, shedding layers of constraints and oppression.

"God, how many scientists are sent to Great Xia this time?" Fellow Dina marvelled incredulously: "The people above are so generous."

"You noticed, they surely reached some backstage deal, damn dirty politics."

"Certainly Great Xia paid a hefty price too." Aurora Huang felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

"You don’t understand what lengths those people will go to maintain their rule, they’ll sell anything." Dina sneered, sarcastically: "Imagine, even our company’s non-weapon departments almost got wiped out, there’s nothing they wouldn’t do."

Remember they were from Bose Company, a global airline industry leader, also one of the largest civilian and military aircraft manufacturers, an undisputed giant, standard national strategic enterprise, in the past, their core researchers faced travel restrictions.

Now all but bundled to Great Xia.

If they’re affected, not to mention other projects.

This time the Alliance Country sold out completely.

In fact, not only Bose Company, aviation, space, computing and nuclear industries, related agencies also hit, affecting over a million people, along with countless advanced equipment and instruments.

This bloodless emasculation severely weakened Holy Alliance Country, unlikely to recover within ten years.

But it’s not without benefits for the Holy Alliance Country.

It’s a protection fee in disguise, stabilizing many upper echelons’ minds in the Holy Alliance Country, no longer wavering.