Chairman Nehita probably felt that bringing two generations—or even three—of core disciples into his secretarial team counted as reaching a certain understanding and alliance with the Spirit Research Society. In high spirits, he opened the floodgates.
He began with the history of the Community's struggle for independence, moved on to the origins of the various factions within the military, and surveyed the open and covert rivalries currently lurking beneath the surface. At last, he brought it all around to one conclusion: for the sake of stability across the armed forces, he had to bring Yu Lian back from the New World front.
"That's how things stand. I hope Master Tan Tai can understand my predicament. I'm only a watchdog elected by the people, after all. I don't have the unquestioned authority of the Empire's supreme ruler. Sometimes, to keep everyone happy, I can only ask one of my own people to make a sacrifice. Please, you must persuade your junior brother to put the greater good first... And please be sure to pass on my message to True Immortal Lan as well. This junior is incompetent; I simply can't satisfy everyone, so now and then I have to make a choice. If he has time, I'd be glad to visit and apologize in person."
"My master is in seclusion, contemplating the Great Dao of the Celestial and the Human. I wouldn't dare disturb him. However, as the head of the Spirit Research Society, I can assure you that its disciples will all abide by the law and do their duty. What's more, my junior brother Yu Lian is a soldier from Central Defense University. He'll certainly obey every decision made by the National Defense Committee without reservation, and he won't have a single complaint." The chairman had called himself a