Outpost Base reception room.
Yi Chuan, who had hurried over from Embassy Street, finally caught Chu Guang just as he emerged from the shelter. The moment they met, he got straight to the point.
"McLen is in your hands?"
Chu Guang stared at him for a moment, then nodded.
"That's right."
Yi Chuan froze slightly.
He had expected Chu Guang to hedge or pretend ignorance. He had not expected him to admit it so readily.
Seeing that the man had gone silent for quite a while, Chu Guang could roughly guess what he wanted to say, but still asked politely.
"Is there a problem?"
Coming back to his senses, Yi Chuan gave a light cough.
"Uh, it's nothing major. The Council asked me to ask whether you could transfer McLen to our custody. He's an important war criminal, after all. Sending him off to mine coal... isn't exactly appropriate, and it could affect the subsequent ceasefire negotiations."
"Ceasefire negotiations?" Chu Guang gave him an odd look. "How far along are we, exactly?"
Knowing Chu Guang would react this way, Yi Chuan patiently continued.
"We've already liberated Oasis No. 9, and we captured McLen as well... The bargaining chips in our hands are enough to make the Legion sit down at the negotiating table."
"Negotiate what?"
"Withdrawal, of course. Their supply lines have already been paralyzed, and they no longer have the ability to keep attacking. On our side, we can't break through their defenses anytime soon either. If this keeps going, it'll just become a war of attrition, draining each other's living strength... A ceasefire now has a realistic foundation. They'll consider it."
Seeing Chu Guang about to speak, Yi Chuan hurriedly added.
"Don't reject it right away. Why not hear our proposal first?"
Chu Guang nodded, signaling for him