The two began discussing a detailed plan to oppose the President. Lin Taichu proposed that their first step should be contacting the other forces in South City and forming an alliance.
Wang Weiwen nodded in agreement. He suggested using the Wang Family's influence in South City to secretly approach other families and factions and win their support. At the same time, they needed to gather more intelligence on the President and the "Illusory Heart Mirror" so they could find a way to counter it.
Lin Taichu and Wang Weiwen discussed matters until dawn began to break, and a preliminary plan gradually took shape. They decided to split up: Lin Taichu would contact the martial artists in South City, while Wang Weiwen would use his own resources to gather intelligence.
Lin Taichu stood before the window, his gaze cutting through the night toward the brightly lit heart of South City in the distance. He understood that the strength of the Wang Family and their current alliance was far from enough to oppose the President. They needed more support, and South City's second-largest force—the Chen Family—was undoubtedly the best choice. Though the Chen Family and the Wang Family had long been at odds, Lin Taichu believed that, when faced with a common threat, the Chen Family would see the necessity of cooperation.
Lin Taichu decided to personally visit the Chen Family and meet with its patriarch, Chen Feng. He knew this would not be an easy persuasion, but he was confident, because what he brought was not merely a proposal, but vital information concerning South City's future.
Early the next morning, Lin Taichu set out alone for the Chen Family with his written plan. The Chen Family residence stood in eastern South City, an ancient and imposing estate with high walls, deep