Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Eternal Life hires Lin Qi's Blackstone Security for a high-altitude excavation in the Balus region, seeking cultural relics or evidence of their belief in Eternal Life.
• The Federal forces complete their encirclement in north-central Maliro, facing a united resistance army of 200,000 troops preparing for a decisive battle.
• Lin Qi's team is tasked with ensuring the work process is not interrupted, using force when necessary but not facing a deadly threat.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi demonstrates his straightforward and pragmatic approach to business and security operations.
• The Eternal Life representative shows desperation for Eternal Life, fearing death, and is willing to use force to ensure their work is not disturbed.

Significant Themes

• Fear of death and desperation for Eternal Life among the wealthy and influential.
• Pragmatism and the use of force in security operations.
• The inevitability of conflict and the consequences of resistance against overwhelming odds.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi interacts with the Eternal Life representative, understanding their fears and ensuring his team will facilitate their work.
• Lin Qi subtly hints to his team leader about using force when necessary to protect their work process.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Federal Government and Department of Defense have been methodically executing a plan to encircle and force the Maliro Resistance Army towards Senaus City.
• The full-scale implementation of the registration system and a combination of high-pressure policies and appeasement have led to many Maliro people reporting others and cooperating with Federal policies, reducing the Resistance Army's support.
• The Resistance Army, now numbering around 200,000, has been driven into Senaus City, which is poorly equipped for a battle.
• The Federal Government plans to end the Maliro war zone by January 15th and has announced plans for reconstruction and investment in Maliro, sparking enthusiasm among Federal Capitalists.
• The Federal Army begins a final encirclement and bombing of Senaus City, with war reporters broadcasting the scenes live.

Character Developments

• The Maliro people are shown to be increasingly afraid and willing to cooperate with the Federal Government to avoid execution and gain rewards.
• The Federal Army Lieutenant General in charge of the Maliro region is willing to face a court martial to achieve his strategic goals.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between the Federal Government and the Maliro people, with the Federal Government using a combination of force and incentives to achieve its goals.
• The theme of war and its impact on civilians, with the Maliro people facing harsh conditions and difficult choices.
• The theme of capitalism and its influence on society, with the Federal Capitalists eager to exploit opportunities in Maliro.

Character Interactions

• The Maliro people interact with the Federal Government, with some cooperating to gain rewards and others continuing to resist.
• The Federal Army Lieutenant General interacts with the Maliro Resistance Army, using strategic planning to force them into a disadvantageous position.
• War reporters interact with the Federal Army, broadcasting the scenes of the battle to the public back home.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter begins with a teenage boy drinking a strong, tobacco-laced liquor called "Fist" in the final days of Senaus City.
• He starts hallucinating about his family members: his father, mother, and younger sister.
• He remembers killing his father and his younger brother's mysterious disappearance.
• A sniper from the Federal army kills the boy after he stands up, making himself a target.

Character Developments

• The teenage boy, whose name is not revealed, is shown to be troubled and possibly traumatized by his past. He's an alcoholic and has hallucinations about his family, suggesting he's struggling with guilt or grief.
• The sniper from the Federal army is portrayed as numb and desensitized to killing, having become used to the constant violence of the war.

Significant Themes

• The impact of war on individuals, leading to desensitization and trauma.
• The cycle of violence and abuse within families and communities.
• The struggle between personal beliefs and the reality of war, as seen in the boy's misguided heroism.

Character Interactions

• The boy interacts with his hallucinations of his family members, reliving past traumas.
• The sniper interacts with the boy only through his actions, ultimately ending the boy's life.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Federal Army, led by an Army Lieutenant General and his Deputy Colonel, is observing the Resistance Army in Senaus City.
• The Federal Army has trapped the Resistance Army, planning to let them starve and turn the city into a "dead city" within a month.
• A group of six fighter planes, carrying new experimental weapons called "Neil," approaches Senaus City to test their capabilities.

Character Developments

• The Army Lieutenant General is pragmatic and strategic, supporting the "Volcano Plan" to end the resistance quickly.
• The Colonel Deputy is observant and empathetic, feeling pity for the trapped Resistance Army and understanding the horrors of their situation.
• Officials from the Department of Defense arrive, secretive and dismissive of the Colonel Deputy.

Significant Themes

• The brutal nature of war and its impact on civilians.
• The strategic use of new technologies and weapons to gain an advantage in battle.
• The contrast between the experiences of those on the frontlines and those in command positions.

Character Interactions

• The Army Lieutenant General and his Deputy Colonel discuss the Resistance Army's situation and the planned strategy.
• The Colonel Deputy feels annoyed and disrespected by the officials from the Department of Defense.
• The pilots of the six fighter planes work together to test the new "Neil" weapons.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Blackstone Aviation engineers demonstrate a new type of long-range bomb, inspired by Lin Qi's paper airplane design, to Federal generals.
• The missile, named Neil-I Type Air-Dropped Missile, flies over three to five kilometers, evades Anti-Aircraft Guns, and causes significant destruction upon impact.
• The missile's design allows it to disintegrate and scatter upon reaching a certain altitude, increasing its destructive power and evading ground troops' aim.

Character Developments

• The engineer from Blackstone Aviation remains composed and professional while presenting the missile, despite the high-ranking and indifferent generals.
• An Air Force Lieutenant Colonel questions the missile's control distance and direction accuracy, highlighting the military's practical concerns.

Significant Themes

• Innovation and Technology: The paper airplane-inspired missile showcases how simple ideas can lead to advanced military technology.
• War and its Impact: The chapter emphasizes the tragic and fearful aspects of war, even for the victors, and the harsh realities faced by those resisting and those in command.

Character Interactions

• The engineer and the generals: The engineer maintains professionalism while presenting the missile, despite the generals' indifference and the Lieutenant Colonel's questioning.
• The Lieutenant General and his Deputy Colonel: The Deputy Colonel questions the Lieutenant General's order not to take prisoners, hinting at a deeper political and military context behind the decision.

Plot Points and Events

• The Federal domestic situation is calm compared to the Maliro battle.
• Blackstone Television Station and Pioneer thrive, especially after Tactical Squad's success.
• Lin Qi commissions a professor to miniaturize electrical appliances and expresses satisfaction with the results.
• Lin Qi commissions the professor for a new project to miniaturize a camera and discusses details.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi's wealth and influence grow, and he becomes a respected figure.
• The professor's research is successful, and he maintains a secret relationship with his female student.

Significant Themes

• Wealth and power are the most admired and respected in society.
• Academic achievements and research funding can lead to personal gains and influence.
• The professor's secret relationship with his student highlights the double standards and hypocrisy in society.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and the professor discuss the new project, with Lin Qi showing satisfaction with the professor's work.
• The professor considers Lin Qi's suggestion to take a vacation with his student, indicating Lin Qi's knowledge of their relationship.
• Lin Qi shows interest in the professor's academic achievements and offers him a new project, further cementing their professional relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi commissions a professor to develop a miniaturized, micro-sized lens that can convert captured images into information, store them, compare with new images, and send signals based on the comparison.
• The project aims to create a guided missile system that locks onto targets using image recognition and adjusts its trajectory accordingly.
• The professor warns Lin Qi that the project is complex, time-consuming, and uncertain, requiring a large team of experts and significant funding.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Shows interest in cutting-edge scientific research, willing to invest heavily in uncertain projects.
• The Professor: Gains recognition in the scientific community, becomes more confident in negotiating with Lin Qi, and understands the challenges and risks of the project.

Significant Themes

• The relationship between capitalists and scientists, with capitalists bearing the risk and deserving the most rewards.
• The process of scientific exploration as a continuous trial and error process.
• The potential of information storage and processing in future research.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and The Professor: Lin Qi presents the project, while the professor explains the challenges and uncertainties involved, leading to a mutual understanding of the project's complexity and potential risks.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi offers Professor a research project with a substantial budget and potential high rewards, without a deadline.
• Professor is confused about why Lin Qi chose him over more renowned experts.
• Lin Qi explains his reasoning and offers a 2% commercial profit sharing.
• Professor agrees to the project and begins talent scouting in Bu Peien.
• The Federal Army faces heavy resistance in Senaus City, leading to significant casualties.
• Lieutenant General requests Special Ammunition from Blackstone Aviation.

Character Developments

• Professor: Becomes more ambitious and driven by the potential rewards of the research project.
• Lieutenant General: Shows signs of decadence and alcoholism, struggling with the high casualty rates and the brutal nature of the war.

Significant Themes

• Power of Money: Lin Qi's generous offer motivates Professor to take on the project.
• War Brutality: The Lieutenant General grapples with the harsh realities of war and the high cost of lives.
• Ambition vs. Morality: Professor's ambition is fueled by the potential wealth, while the Lieutenant General struggles with the moral implications of his orders.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Professor: Lin Qi's straightforward and generous offer persuades Professor to take on the project.
• Lieutenant General and Colonel Deputy: The Lieutenant General relies on his Colonel Deputy for updates on the battlefield and for support.
• Lieutenant General and Blackstone Aviation Representative: The Lieutenant General requests Special Ammunition to aid in the war effort.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Maliro soldier survives a close call with a Federal sniper.
• A Federal soldier is injured and his team tries to save him.
• The Federal forces receive an order to withdraw from the war zone.
• A young soldier dies on the way back from the frontline due to excessive blood loss.
• Soldiers march to the Command Headquarters to question the Commander-in-Chief about the retreat.

Character Developments

• The Maliro soldier becomes more cautious and determined after his close call.
• The Federal Squad Leader demonstrates calm and quick thinking under pressure while trying to save his injured teammate.
• The young soldier's death affects his teammates deeply, leading them to question the Commander-in-Chief.

Significant Themes

• The harsh realities and dangers of war.
• The importance of following orders and the consequences of disobeying them.
• The emotional toll of war on soldiers and their comrades.

Character Interactions

• The Maliro soldier and the Federal sniper engage in a tense standoff.
• The Federal Squad Leader and his team work together to save their injured comrade.
• The Squad Leader and his teammates interact, expressing their confusion, regret, and determination to seek answers from the Commander-in-Chief.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lieutenant General decides to end the war in Maliro by using a controversial tactic, deploying special incendiary bombs called "Fire Spitters" that release poisonous gas after burning out.
• The bombs are dropped on the city, initially causing confusion and underestimation of their power.
• The fire spreads rapidly, burning people and replicating on contact. The poisonous gas begins to take effect, causing suffocation and death among the Resistance Army.

Character Developments

• Lieutenant General: Shows strategic thinking and willingness to make difficult decisions for the greater good, but also displays a willingness to use unethical methods against enemies.
• A young Maliro man aspiring to be a Sniper: Initially underestimates the power of the Fire Spitters, experiences excruciating pain and fear, and ultimately dies in the attack.

Significant Themes

• Warfare and Ethics: The Lieutenant General's decision to use the Fire Spitters raises questions about the ethics of warfare and the willingness to sacrifice enemies for the sake of victory.
• Hubris and Underestimation: The Resistance Army underestimates the power of the Fire Spitters, leading to their downfall.
• Pain and Fear: The physical and psychological pain and fear experienced by the Maliro people highlight the horrors of war.

Character Interactions

• Lieutenant General and his Deputy: The General stops his Deputy from reprimanding the people, showing a level of understanding and respect for their feelings.
• The young Maliro man and his surroundings: The man's interactions with his environment, from trying to extinguish the fire to his eventual death, highlight the devastating effects of the Fire Spitters.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Federal's bombing of Maliro's capital using Fire Spitter Incendiary Bombs results in widespread destruction and death.
• Twelve hours post-bombing, a team enters the city to spray a neutralizing agent and collect information.
• The next day, an information-gathering team enters the city, finding extensive damage, dead bodies, and evidence of severe suffering.
• The war is officially over, but cleanup and data collection continue.
• The Peng Joe Military Group criticizes the Federal's invasion, while the future Maliro president denies the invasion and thanks the Federal for its help.

Character Developments

• Lieutenant General reflects on his past and the cruelty of war.
• Colonel Deputy considers his next steps.
• Soldiers grapple with the reality of war.
• The future Maliro president demonstrates political prowess by calmly addressing the situation.

Significant Themes

• The cruelty and inhumanity of war.
• The dehumanizing effects of war on both soldiers and civilians.
• The political manipulation of war and its aftermath.
• The contrast between the reality of war and the political narratives surrounding it.

Character Interactions

• Lieutenant General and Colonel Deputy, both reflecting on the war's impact.
• The information-gathering team, working together to document the aftermath.
• The future Maliro president and Mr. Truman, engaging in political posturing.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mass demonstrations and celebrations occur in the streets, involving people from various classes, including the wealthy.
• Lin Qi receives a call from Lyme, who informs him about a significant profit they've made by betting on the rise of the Federal Industrial Index.
• The Federal has won the Maliro offensive, leading to a surge in the stock market, particularly in steel stocks.
• Lin Qi invites Lyme to a party, where he'll introduce Lyme to some new recruits.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: He shows empathy and understanding of the lower and middle classes despite being a wealthy financier. He remains calm and composed even after making a substantial profit, demonstrating maturity and control over his emotions.
• Lyme: Initially excited about their earnings, Lyme later regains his composure upon Lin Qi's reminder. He shows eagerness to meet new recruits, indicating his professionalism and eagerness to grow his business.

Significant Themes

• Class Divide: The chapter highlights the differences between the wealthy and the lower-middle classes, their interests, and behaviors during demonstrations.
• Financial Markets and Risks: The story explores the complexities of financial markets, risk management, and the concept of 'buying insurance' in finance.
• Wealth and Power: The chapter touches on the influence of wealth and power, with Lin Qi's connections to the President and the Military hinted at.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Lyme: Their interaction shows a level of trust and mutual respect. Lin Qi's calm demeanor helps Lyme regain his composure, demonstrating their professional relationship.
• Lin Qi and New Recruits: Though not present in this chapter, the upcoming party hints at Lin Qi's willingness to mentor and guide new talent in the financial world.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens with a description of the bustling Financial Street in Bu Peien, where financial professionals celebrate both gains and losses, as wealth is never created or destroyed but merely transferred.
• Lin Qi, a successful businessman, attends a party hosted by Lyme, a colleague who recently made a significant profit, to celebrate his victory.
• Mr. Truman, a high-ranking official, invites Lin Qi to discuss a sensitive matter: whether to publicly disclose the use of unconventional weapons in the recent war against Senaus, as it could impact the country's international image.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: He is portrayed as a wise and respected figure, sought for advice by both colleagues and high-ranking officials. He is also aware of the dynamics of social interactions, dressing down to make his colleagues more comfortable.
• Lyme: He is shown to be insecure about his disability, using his wealth to compensate and constantly changing girlfriends. His success in business has further consolidated his influence in the company.
• Mr. Truman: He is depicted as a thoughtful leader, considering the potential impacts of disclosing sensitive information on the country's image and seeking Lin Qi's advice.

Significant Themes

• Wealth and Power: The chapter explores the relationship between wealth and power, with financial professionals celebrating both gains and losses, and those in power seeking advice from successful businessmen.
• Image and Reputation: The decision to disclose the use of unconventional weapons in the war is a dilemma between maintaining a positive international image and acknowledging the victory.
• Social Dynamics: The chapter highlights the dynamics of social interactions, with Lin Qi dressing down to make his colleagues comfortable and Lyme using his wealth to compensate for his insecurities.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Lyme: Their interaction is brief but shows Lyme's excitement about his success and Lin Qi's understanding of social dynamics.
• Lin Qi and Mr. Truman: Their interaction is more substantial, with Mr. Truman seeking Lin Qi's advice on a sensitive matter, highlighting their mutual respect and trust.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mr. Truman, the Secretary of Defense, reveals the Federal's use of Incendiary Poison Gas Bombs in Senaus, expressing concern about the public's reaction.
• Lin Qi suggests falsifying the cause of deaths to avoid public backlash.
• Mr. Truman invites Lin Qi to submit Poison Gas Bomb research data to the Department of Defense and plans to launch an international agreement banning such weapons.
• Lin Qi agrees but secretly plans to continue research under the guise of a new company, Blackstone Chemical Industry.
• The Federal Government announces a tragic accident as the cause of Senaus' destruction, but leaks reveal the use of poison gas, sparking international demands for investigation.
• Lin Qi is investigated but found not responsible for the leaks. The Federal Government restricts the Lieutenant General's freedom and expresses willingness to sign an international agreement banning chemical poison gases.

Character Developments

• Mr. Truman: Struggles with the moral implications of the Federal's actions in Senaus, seeking to control the narrative and ban further use of poison gas.
• Lin Qi: Maintains a pragmatic approach, agreeing to Mr. Truman's demands while secretly planning to continue research for strategic advantage.

Significant Themes

• The moral consequences of war and the use of chemical weapons.
• The tension between maintaining public image and revealing the truth.
• The struggle between idealism and pragmatism in politics and warfare.

Character Interactions

• Mr. Truman and Lin Qi: Engage in a tense negotiation, with Mr. Truman seeking Lin Qi's cooperation in controlling the narrative, and Lin Qi agreeing while secretly planning to continue research.
• The Federal Government and the "other half of the world": Tensions rise as the other half of the world demands investigation into the Federal's use of poison gas in Senaus.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Federal Government proposes a Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Poison Gases, but it's binding only on member states.
• The use of poison gas in Senaus City is widely condemned as a tragedy.
• The Peng Joe Military Group discusses joining the convention to learn more about poison gas and avoid potential attacks.

Character Developments

• The Imperial Emperor shows strategic thinking and a willingness to learn from the Federal, despite his initial underestimation of them.
• The Prime Minister demonstrates diplomatic acumen by suggesting closer ties with the Federal for future negotiations.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between the Federal and other nations.
• The potential consequences of using chemical weapons.
• The importance of understanding one's enemy in war and diplomacy.

Character Interactions

• The Imperial Emperor and his Ministers discuss the pros and cons of joining the convention.
• The Imperial Emperor and the Prime Minister share a moment of understanding regarding the need to learn more about the Federal for future negotiations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Peng Joe Empire expresses interest in joining the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Poison Gas, sending a member of the Imperial Family for negotiations.
• A Peng Joe Empire diplomat arrives in the Federal, escorted by Federal air power.
• The Great Imperial Son's visit aims to understand the Federal society and report back to the Peng Joe Empire.

Character Developments

• The Great Imperial Son: Initially arrogant, he begins to understand the Federal's military superiority and the value of the Convention Organization for small neutral countries.
• Lin Qi: He remains indifferent to social interactions and politics, focusing on his personal goals and plans.

Significant Themes

• Diplomacy and Power Dynamics: The Peng Joe Empire's willingness to join the Convention shows their recognition of the Federal's power and the value of international cooperation.
• Responsibility and Neutrality: Small neutral countries feel the responsibility to join the Convention, even if it may not directly benefit them.
• Arrogance and Humility: The Great Imperial Son's initial arrogance is challenged by the Federal's military might, mirroring Gefra's earlier pride.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and the Great Imperial Son: Lin Qi greets the diplomat but is unimpressed by his arrogance, foreshadowing the Peng Joe Empire's future humbling.
• Lin Qi and the International Affairs Department Official: They share a moment of understanding, with the official acknowledging Lin Qi's influence and expressing goodwill.
• Lin Qi and Penny: Despite their earlier rift, they maintain a friendly relationship, with Penny returning to Bu Peien and resuming their game nights.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi, the chairman of Light of Tomorrow, wakes up late due to a night of indulgence but decides to attend the Board of Directors meeting.
• The meeting discusses the declining profit margins, particularly in the incubator projects.
• Lin Qi reveals that research and development projects require significant funding and have a high risk of failure.
• He suggests cutting losses on failed projects by finding buyers or issuing Little Yellow Sheets.
• The meeting then shifts to discussing the reconstruction projects of Maliro, a potential billion-dollar opportunity.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi demonstrates his business acumen and understanding of the risks involved in scientific research and development.
• The Board of Directors shows their lack of understanding of the intricacies of research and development, leading to poor investment decisions.

Significant Themes

• The risks and rewards of investing in scientific research and development.
• The importance of understanding the limitations of one's expertise in decision-making.
• The potential for large-scale reconstruction projects to generate significant profits.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi interacts with the Board of Directors, educating them about the realities of research and development and guiding their decision-making.
• The Board of Directors, in turn, learns from Lin Qi's insights and begins to understand the mistakes they've made in their investment strategies.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Maliro reconstruction project requires bidding, attracting numerous capitalists.
• A Maliro City Reconstruction Committee is established in Congress, with 24 members.
• The Federal Government plans to annex Maliro through a 20-year plan of capital colonization and influence.
• The Congress is set to increase seats due to population growth, with a new standing committee for Maliro-related matters.

Character Developments

• Councilor Landon: He's determined to secure a position on the Maliro City Reconstruction Committee to increase his power in Congress. He's strategic, ambitious, and aware of the political landscape's fluidity.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics: The struggle for political power and influence among Congress members, capitalists, and the Federal Government.
• Capitalism and wealth: The allure of profit and wealth drives the interest in the Maliro reconstruction project.
• Federal politics: The decentralization of power and respect for tradition are emphasized, with Congress maintaining significant influence.

Character Interactions

• Councilor Landon interacts with his group, rallying them for the upcoming vote. He also engages with the Speaker to understand the voting process for the committee's personnel selection.
• Capitalists and Congress members engage in negotiations, collusions, and betrayals behind closed doors, showcasing the cutthroat nature of Federal politics.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Senator Landon participates in the nomination process for the Maliro Reconstruction Committee.
• He fills out his nomination form, listing himself and members of his Small Clique.
• Over seventy Councilors are nominated, and a shortlist of eighteen members is compiled.
• Senator Landon is not included in the initial shortlist, ranking twenty-seventh with nineteen votes.
• A recount is requested, but the results remain unchanged.
• The Speaker announces that deals can still be made before the final list is announced.

Character Developments

• Senator Landon shows ambition and determination in securing a position on the committee but is surprised and frustrated when he's not shortlisted.
• Lin Qi remains calm and strategic, advising Senator Landon to negotiate with those ahead of him.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and manipulation within the political system.
• The influence of capital and interests on political decisions.
• The importance of strategic alliances and deals in politics.

Character Interactions

• Senator Landon interacts with members of his Small Clique, suspecting one of them of not voting for him.
• Lin Qi and Senator Landon discuss the situation, with Lin Qi advising him to negotiate with other members to secure a position on the committee.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Senator Landon's defeat in Congress was expected due to his lack of political lineage and recent entry into Congress.
• Lin Qi reflects on the unfairness of politics, comparing it to a game of "bloodline" where the rich and powerful maintain their dominance.
• Senator Landon meets with an older councilor to discuss his advancement in the list, but the councilor is uninterested in change.
• Senator Landon offers a favor and money in exchange for the councilor's support.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Reflects on the class struggles in politics, acknowledging the naked existence of class in the Federal system.
• Senator Landon: Becomes more desperate to climb the political ladder, willing to make deals to secure his position.
• Old Councilor: Content with his position, shows little interest in challenging the status quo or supporting Senator Landon's advancement.

Significant Themes

• Class Struggle: The narrative highlights the struggle between the wealthy elite and the less privileged in politics, with the elite maintaining their power through lineage and connections.
• Corruption: The deal-making and bribery between politicians underscore the corrupt nature of the political system.
• Ambition vs. Contentment: Senator Landon's ambition contrasts with the Old Councilor's contentment with his position, illustrating the different motivations driving their actions.

Character Interactions

• Senator Landon and Old Councilor: Their interaction reveals the power dynamics and deal-making within Congress, with the Old Councilor holding the initiative and Senator Landon desperate for support.
• Lin Qi and Senator Landon: Although not present in this chapter, their relationship is implied, with Lin Qi being the one to ultimately pay for Senator Landon's advancement.