Chapter 36: Forming a Team

It was Liu Jinsen who answered the call. Thanks to the Level 6 item "Mysterious President's Call," the scene surrounding Liu was projected onto the screen.

Liu remained as he always was: cold, meticulous, and stern. Beside him stood Sha Ruijing, wearing the same ingratiating, flattering smile as before.

"Wen Xishu, I am here to tell you that you must log into the Ghost Tower before four o'clock this afternoon." Liu went straight to the point without a hint of wasted breath.

Wen Xishu replied, "How can my sins be atoned for? I have already done as you asked and exceeded the requirements for exploring the Ghost Tower."

"By all rights, should my merits and faults not have canceled each other out? I have saved countless lives. The Bunker Security Bureau doesn't even give me a commendation, yet they expect me to risk my life again?"

Liu Jinsen looked ashamed, a reaction that caught Wen Xishu off guard.

"I am sorry. I underestimated the depth of the higher-ups' desire for you... or rather, for the secret you possess."

"Currently, aside from the Second and Sixth Bureaus, the other four bureaus of the Security Bureau want to interrogate you. Even the five bureaus under the Administrative Bureau are all hoping to capture you."

"Thanks to the intervention of the Headmaster, along with the efforts of the directors of the Second and Sixth Bureaus, you are currently safe for the time being."

"You may continue your studies at the Three-Tower Academy, or you may move about the bunker as a free citizen."

"No department is permitted to apply for an arrest warrant against you, and none have the authority to seize you."

"All of this is due to your contributions to the lower levels. Sha Ruijing has also put in a great deal of effort in this matter. The name 'Wen Xishu' has become extremely sacred in the lower levels now."

As he said this, Liu Jinsen glanced at Sha Ruijing.

Wen Xishu had not expected Sha Ruijing to pull off such a feat. Though he did not know how famous he had become in the lower levels, nor how Sha had orchestrated it, the fact that Liu had specifically mentioned it—and brought Sha along for the call—suggested that he was meant to know that Sha had played an indispensable role.

Wen Xishu said, "Please thank Secretary Sha... oh, forgive me, Comrade Sha Ruijing. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will repay him."

Sha Ruijing, seemingly aware that Wen Xishu could see them on the other end of the line, waved at him with a beaming smile.

Wen Xishu returned to the matter at hand. "But I suspect that regardless of what I or Sha Ruijing have done, it is still not enough, is it?"

Liu Jinsen nodded. "I am sorry... it truly is not enough."

"The things involved here are very complex. Wen Xishu, I can only tell you that you are now a pawn in a game played by many sides."

Most people would be displeased to be called a pawn, but Wen Xishu was not annoyed. "Very well, Liu sir. Tell me, what else do I need to do?"

"Become stronger," Liu Jinsen said.

Wen Xishu was stunned for a moment before he understood. It was certainly a high-EQ way of putting it.

Liu Jinsen continued, "You must keep growing stronger, but you should already know the way to do that."

"The Bunker Security Bureau wants you to explore the Ghost Tower at fixed intervals. The precise interval is seven days."

"After each exploration of the Ghost Tower, you will have seven days to rest and recover. Then, seven days later, you will explore the tower again."

"Wen Xishu, I personally loathe Wen Zhaohua; the crimes he committed are too numerous to record. But I do not dislike you. Especially since you saved the lives of countless people in the lower levels not long ago."

"If I could, I would risk my career to protect you, but my position is humble and my words carry little weight. I cannot do that."

"Even if I were to stake everything, I could not change the decisions of those in the upper echelons."

"Seven days after seven days, it is foreseeable that you will be constantly plunged into danger."

"But I believe that, based on your performance the first time, you are no mere mortal. Perhaps in the future, as far as achievements in tower climbing go... you will surpass Wen Zhaohua."

"I believe that when that time comes, the Security Bureau will be far more cautious in its decision-making."

"I hope you can become a legend of the bunker."

At this moment, Wen Xishu glanced back at Albert, the "Old Madman," who was sipping red wine and bobbing his head. Wen Xishu was silent for a moment before asking, "Can you tell me what Wen Zhaohua actually did?"

Although Albert had refused to answer this question not long ago, he did not stop Wen Xishu from asking Liu Jinsen now. The Headmaster maintained his leisurely expression.

Liu Jinsen hesitated for a moment before saying, "Countless people... tower climbers in the bunker, including many on the Heavenly Ladder rankings, died because of him. He also caused nearly irreversible damage to the exploration of the Three Towers."

"I promised the Headmaster I would not tell you more than that."

Wen Xishu glanced at Albert, who smiled and waved at him. Wen Xishu said helplessly, "Fine, I understand. Do you have anything else to add regarding this afternoon's climb?"

Liu Jinsen replied, "Yes. You have already visited the Three Towers once, so this time, after you activate the terminal... you will be taken to the rest area."

"The function of the rest area..."

Wen Xishu interrupted, "I already know the function of the rest area. A place to trade intelligence, prepare for battle, and form teams."

Liu Jinsen continued, "Right. What I want to say is that there will be quite a few people in the rest area this time."

"Most of them are death-row inmates or exiles. And there are also some... well, some 'our own people'."

"You should know that those at the same level with the same mission can form teams in the rest area."

Wen Xishu chuckled softly, having already guessed what was going on.

Liu Jinsen said, "If you do not meet the criteria for a team, that is fine. But if you do... the higher-ups hope you will accept the team-up request."

Wen Xishu asked out of curiosity, "If I meet the criteria but refuse to team up... will they know? They aren't in the rest area."

Liu Jinsen’s tone turned grave. "They will. This world possesses many special items, such as the one you are currently using—this phone that belongs to the Headmaster."

"There are other items that can deconstruct parts of the terminal's data, and I have even heard that in the highest functional levels of the bunker, there are rooms where one can monitor various metrics."

"So, do not choose to defy them. Wen Xishu, I know you are certainly unwilling, but I am not advising you from the standpoint of the Security Bureau. While you are not yet strong enough, it is best to adapt to the environment first."

Wen Xishu understood. Exploring the Three Towers, which level or area one ends up in, is all unknown. One can only team up in the Desire Tower or Ghost Tower if both parties are in the same area with the same mission. In other words, as long as he was the only person to receive a specific mission at a specific time, he could not be forced to team up with anyone.

Even if a team-up were possible, his teammates might not necessarily be "monitors" arranged by the higher-ups. But the possibility always existed. If the higher-ups arranged enough people, and if he explored the Ghost Tower enough times... then eventually, there would be a time when he might be paired with these people. Once they were teammates, his process of exploring the Ghost Tower could be recorded.

The higher-ups were truly desperate to uncover the secrets of Wen Zhaohua. They were willing to gamble with many exiles, death-row inmates... and even suicide squads, even if the probability was small. Wen Xishu was becoming increasingly convinced that Wen Zhaohua possessed something the higher-ups desperately craved.

Wen Xishu said, "If I happen to be able to team up, but I kill all my teammates inside the Ghost Tower, what will happen?"

The question was blunt and straightforward. The nonchalant attitude with which he spoke of killing teammates made even Liu Jinsen freeze. A thought suddenly crossed Liu's mind: could it be that both of the Wen brothers had demons living within them?

Albert also narrowed his eyes, studying Wen Xishu.

Liu Jinsen answered truthfully, "Please do not do that. Most people who explore the Ghost Tower are criminals, but one cannot rule out the few who choose to gamble their lives to change their fate. Just like you."

"Some are innocent. Even if they are criminals, the moment they choose to enter the Ghost Tower, they are already atoning for their sins."

"You cannot know if those who team up with you are targeting you, or if they are simply seeking freedom and wealth."

"If it is the latter, they may die at the hands of the monsters in the Ghost Tower, but they should never die at the hands of their own kind."

Wen Xishu did not argue. In truth, when Liu Jinsen said "please do not do that," his question had already been answered. Wen Xishu knew that some lives were not meant to be taken, but if he were in a situation where it was either them or him, he knew he would not feel a shred of pity.

"Very well, Liu sir. I am a person with no violent tendencies; I would never do such a thing. I haven't even used violence in the Ghost Tower."

At least the latter part of his statement was true. He had not used violence in the Ghost Tower. He had only used it in the Desire Tower.