Chu Xuan affirmed, "If I were in that situation, I certainly wouldn't believe it either. So, let's discuss something more practical... I must obtain that Buddha statue component currently floating in the void—any part of it, whether physical or intelligence. I need you to deploy every resource currently at your disposal to achieve this for me: the military, the political, the commercial, the diplomatic—all of it. Help me retrieve the remaining pieces of that statue."

The voice on the other end of the silver metallic shard fell silent. After a long pause, several other voices could be heard briefly arguing amongst themselves from that distance. Finally, his voice returned, "I cannot grant your request. We did indeed acquire one left arm of this Buddha statue. Due to its void-floating property, several scientists have begun studying the material characteristics of this artifact. I cannot agree to your demands..." Chu Xuan chuckled, "Let me state one thing first: this statue is of paramount importance to us. It can be said that everything we have done up to this point is driven by the absolute necessity of acquiring this Buddha statue. We would slay gods and destroy Buddhas to get it. Even so, we must obtain it, do you understand? So, does your response imply that even if force is necessary, you intend to keep this statue?"

There was another halt on the other side of the metallic shard. After perhaps several seconds, the voice stated low, "Is that a military threat? Are you threatening a nation?" "No, this is not a military threat," Chu Xuan stated directly. "This is the most straightforward declaration: we are going to do this regardless. Therefore, if forced, we will use force to achieve our objective... You might also want to seriously consider my proposal. After all, a Buddha statue floating in the void isn't of much use to you. Even if you decipher the mystery of its levitation, can that truly make China rise again? Or will it win you the current war?"

The sound of discussion among the group resumed from the metallic piece. A moment later, the male voice spoke, "The statue is not absolutely essential to us either. If it's all under the grand premise of resisting Japan, we are willing to gift this thing to your side. But what do you propose to exchange for this piece of the Buddha statue?" "Not just this one piece," Chu Xuan countered. "Our goal is the complete statue. So, handing over only a small fraction of it will absolutely not satisfy us. Beyond the statue component, your intelligence network must temporarily serve us until the entire Buddha statue is found. Furthermore, you are clearly not telling the whole truth. From the intelligence I have gathered, you possess far more than just one piece of the statue. While I cannot be certain... did you gift that component as a political token to the Americans? Or did one of your high-ranking government officials pocket it?"

"Damn it..." A coarse curse erupted from the other side of the shard, and the male voice said angrily, "What difference is there between what you're saying and a threat?" "Because we possess the capability to take the statue back. It doesn't matter if you genuinely gifted it to the United States as a political favor, or if you were coerced in some way. I am merely stating a fact. There's one more thing I must clarify: this is a transaction, so our side will also offer something. You can choose one of two options. One: we will thoroughly defeat Japan, personally erasing its capital city from this world, and deliver devastating blows to the rest of its military forces. However, in return, you merely gain one less enemy, and how will you face the coming global changes? With a strong adversary suddenly removed, internal conflict might flare up immediately... Two: we provide the reward. As soon as the entire Buddha statue is recovered, we will leave behind some Golden Elixirs capable of making people stronger. You choose which offering you prefer."

As Chu Xuan spoke these words, Wang Xia, standing beside him, seemed about to speak but hesitated. He waved his hand, signaling Wang Xia to remain silent. The party on the other end of the metallic shard fell silent once more. After an indeterminate amount of time, the voice on the other side finally stated with difficulty, "Because your operations do not belong to our world, allowing you to engage in the fight against Japan might cause astonishment among international allies. Therefore, we choose the second option. However, your side must also demonstrate a measure of sincerity. Besides contributing to the overall war effort against Japan, you must also..." What followed was the haggling and bargaining from that side's personnel. Whether it was due to being awed by the combat prowess of the Zhongzhou Team or the sheer greed to obtain the Golden Elixirs, once this faction decided to ally with the Zhongzhou Team, they wholeheartedly focused on securing more tangible benefits. It seemed they had fully committed to this alliance...

"...It is indeed as I suspected. Yan Xishan does not wholeheartedly wish to integrate into the Kuomintang system. He and his warlords occupy a fence-sitter position, leaning toward whomever is stronger. He not only maintains secret contact with the Japanese but also engages with both major domestic political factions..." Wang Xia, [w-a-p-circle-net provided], ask whatever you need to. After you finish your questions, I have a mission for you."

After concluding the alliance matters with the Kuomintang, and since no message had yet arrived from Cheng Xiao, Chu Xuan began organizing intelligence again. This comprised the intelligence network held by high-ranking personnel throughout the entire Shanghai Bund, effectively covering a significant portion of China. Once all this information was consolidated, even reading at a glance, Chu Xuan couldn't process it all within twenty-four hours. Thus, he reluctantly arranged for the Kuomintang side to dispatch intelligence personnel proficient in data organization to serve as his auxiliary adjutants—the intelligence agents stationed in Shanghai being the optimal choice. This was precisely why Chu Xuan rushed to ally with the Kuomintang; every action he took, from the moment he decided on the overall plan, was centered on locating the Buddha statue, including this alliance.

Wang Xia had been deeply troubled since the alliance was finalized. It wasn't until Chu Xuan addressed him now that he finally spoke, "I can understand your reasons for aligning with the Kuomintang. In truth, I am not someone blindly loyal. Compared to a political party, I love my homeland more deeply. If... I mean if, you gave the technology originally intended for the other party to the Kuomintang as a reward for helping us secure the Buddha statue, wouldn't that be better than the other choice? After all, you are aware of the catastrophe that will plague the nation after its founding... If development had continued without disruption, wouldn't the future of my homeland... my country be much brighter?"

"Oh..." Chu Xuan looked up at Wang Xia, remaining silent, simply watching him. Wang Xia felt a chill under his gaze, but within Chu Xuan's calm and unchanging eyes, something akin to courage and fierce passion began to surge within him. His voice grew firmer as he declared, "I know these words sound somewhat treasonous... but I love my country more than the party I serve, and I am willing to die for it. To be honest, the reason I came to this World is due to this very sentiment... Perhaps you'll call me an idiot. No, you won't, because you don't possess such feelings... Many might call my actions foolish—risking my life for a hazy ideal, perhaps never even having the chance to attend my mother's final rites... But I love my country. Is wanting one's country to become stronger, wanting to realize such a vision, wrong in any way?"

"No, nothing is wrong with that," Chu Xuan finally spoke. "[w-a-p-circle-net provided] You are somewhat similar to that man from Egypt... I understand your thinking. Are you excessively worried about the future catastrophe after the nation is established? Afraid that the technology I provide will be lost because of that catastrophe? Or perhaps worried that the technology will be seized by the Soviet big brother? First, this is not our world; this is merely a reincarnation within a horror movie setting... Never mind, that won't convince you. Second, I have only four words for you: Dàshì suǒ qū (The irresistible trend of events)."

"China has always been an agrarian nation primarily composed of peasants; this remains true even in the real world of the twenty-first century... When a government representing only the wealthy upper and middle classes faces a government supported by over eighty percent of the entire nation's peasant population, even without the victory in the future Three Great Campaigns, this trend will not change—only the timeline for the founding of the nation will shift. This is the tide of history. Unless we massacre every peasant in China, the outcome will inevitably be this..."

"Second, at least for this current stage, the faction I empower with technology to serve as our logistical base is at least 'cleaner' than the faction we are currently allied with—both in terms of officials and their nascent vigor. I do not believe my choice is wrong. At least the Kuomintang government at this stage is truly steeped in corruption... Moreover, along with the technology, I have sent them a set of major historical records of China spanning the next fifty years, and a set of internal party histories. These accompanying documents, while I don't know how much they will alter the future, represent the utmost effort we could exert... Loving one's country is not wrong, and desiring its strength is not wrong either... But do not attempt to alter the grand trend with mortal wisdom, especially when you are unsure whether that trend is ultimately good or bad. The one who created me suffered immensely for this lesson, and I have suffered immensely as well..."

Chu Xuan lowered his head after speaking these words. He then looked down at the documents in his hands, paying no further attention to Wang Xia's reaction, only murmuring, "Contact Cheng Xiao. I need to speak with that other faction."

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