Heaven Dou Government

The fireworks left behind by the soul-guided bombs took a full three days to gradually die out. The protective barrier remained for three days as well, only vanishing along with the fading fireworks.

At the moment the barrier dissipated, everyone saw the shadow of a colossal tree sweep across the sky. Gentle life energy slowly descended, seeping into every corner of Heaven Dou City.

Anyone who took a deep breath could feel a warm current rise from their dantian, warming their hearts with an aura of peace and stability.

Every household opened its windows and turned on its lights as if by unspoken agreement. At night, specks of warm light, accompanied by pale blue fluorescence drifting through the air, outlined the human world.

This was the third day after the terrorist attack.

At this critical juncture, the news broadcast channel began ahead of schedule. At the same time, the citywide broadcasting system activated.

A voice the citizens knew all too well came through the broadcast.

"Dear citizens, I apologize for disturbing you. I am Mo Wu, Governor of Heaven Dou. Regarding this terrorist attack, I will now deliver the following report."

"First, the Federation government has determined that this terrorist attack was launched by the Holy Spirit Cult. The Federation military has promised to carry out extensive, comprehensive strikes against the Holy Spirit Cult and restore a safe, peaceful environment for society."

"Second, the Federation bears an inescapable responsibility for its inadequate supervision of military weapons, which nearly led to a catastrophe. The Heaven Dou Government guarantees that every Federation citizen who was within Heaven Dou City during the attack will receive fifty thousand Federation credits in compensation, as an expression of the Federation's apology."

"Third, regarding casualties. Fortunately, because we acted in time and received support from special personnel, not a single person in Heaven Dou City died in this terrorist attack. Only ten people suffered minor injuries due to friction during the evacuation."

"Fourth, although the protective barrier has now been withdrawn, the radiation left by the missiles in the outskirts has yet to dissipate. The situation there remains unclear, and residual enemies may still be present. Therefore, Heaven Dou will enact a citywide lockdown. Supplies will be transported into the city through dedicated routes, and we will do our utmost to minimize the impact on normal production and daily life within the city until the security alert is lifted. At the same time, the Heaven Dou Government will bear full responsibility for the economic losses suffered due to the lockdown by citizens engaged in transshipment trade and related industries."

"Finally, please allow us to once again express our sincerest apologies. In our future work, the Heaven Dou Government will fully advance transparency in government affairs and accept your oversight. Thank you."

The broadcast cut off with a beep.

All of Heaven Dou heard Mo Wu's statement.

At that moment, neighborhood offices and community management centers across every district received government-issued guidelines for claiming compensation, along with detailed eligibility requirements for various special-situation subsidies.

Relevant information scrolled continuously across community terminals, while vast sums of money were withdrawn from the Heaven Dou branch of the National Bank.

Like a perfectly meshed machine, the state apparatus began operating with extraordinary efficiency as the orders were carried out.

Inside the studio of the Heaven Dou Government Building, Mo Wu rose to his feet, then quickly left the studio and strode toward his office.

After returning to his office, he wiped away his sweat.

"Dad, have some water." Mo Lan, dressed in a neat and crisp official uniform, handed him a cup, her eyes full of concern.

Mo Wu took a large gulp and let out a long breath.

Since the terrorist attack, Mo Wu had been working nonstop for three consecutive days, barely sleeping at all. He had constantly been on calls with every side, attending meetings, and giving reports. The government building had not been this brightly lit in over a decade.

The speech just now was only the first step of their work. Soon, there would be a large number of press conferences to hold, and extensive reforms to carry out within the government. The Federation Parliament could not possibly have no response to this terrorist attack. Some legislators would inevitably be forced from office. The doves would naturally fight for those seats, but the hawks were no pushovers either.

Countless thoughts flashed through Mo Wu's mind. He shook his head and looked toward the handsome young man leaning against the sofa in a daze.

When the young man had first come to see him, Mo Wu had thought he was there to toy with him. But after communications from the Tang Sect and Shrek reached his private number directly, he knew this matter was no simple one.

On top of that, his daughter knew this person, and Zhenhua had personally vouched for him. Only then had Mo Wu chosen to trust him.

Thankfully, he had trusted him. Mo Wu let out a breath of relief.

Noticing Mo Wu's gaze, the young man came back to himself and asked curiously, "Where did the Federation get so much money?"

The Federation government would not lack money, but what it lacked was reserve capital. Once government funds were collected, most of them were invested into industrial chains, and expenditures were enormous.

Heaven Dou City had a population in the tens of millions. Fifty thousand in compensation for each person was no small sum!

Mo Wu gave a bitter smile. "How could the government possibly transfer that much money from its accounts at once? Most of it was mobilized by the major families in the upper house, along with part of the emergency funds in the National Bank. Only then were we barely able to distribute the compensation."

Tang Wulin raised a brow. "You didn't need to go this far, did you?"

Mo Wu said, "The people must be reassured."

"No matter what, the Federation government cannot lose its credibility. The Holy Spirit Cult has already left people in other regions fearing for their safety. If we do not stop this trend in time, then even if the Holy Spirit Cult takes no further action, social unrest alone may play right into their hands."

"Besides," Mo Wu said with a cold smile, "the military department within the Federation government bears the vast majority of the responsibility for this matter. It is only right for those great families in the upper house to bleed a little."

By the end, this governor who was humble before the public revealed the methods and decisiveness of a politician.

In his previous life, when Tang Wulin learned that something had happened in Heaven Dou City, only Mo Lan remained of the Mo family. In this life, Tang Wulin finally had a chance to change their fate.

Tang Wulin admired a governor who cared for the people like this, and he sincerely felt that Mo Wu should not have died such an unjust death.

Tang Wulin rose and extended his hand to Mo Wu. "A pleasure working with you."

Mo Wu smiled faintly. "A pleasure working with you."

Tang Wulin said to Mo Lan, "Sister Mo Lan, I'll treat you to coffee next time I get the chance."

Mo Lan smiled. "All right. I'll be waiting anytime."

Golden light flashed, and in the next instant, Tang Wulin vanished directly from the governor's office.

After he left, Mo Lan murmured, "I still remember so clearly how he grabbed me and, red-faced, asked to borrow money from me... He grew up so much in the blink of an eye. Time really flies..."

Mo Wu had sharp ears. The moment he heard that, his eyes widened. He even forgot his exhaustion as he asked quietly, "What happened? Tell me the details."

Mo Lan gave her gossiping old father a helpless look and pushed him toward the door. "I'll tell you properly when there's time. What you need now is rest! Get some sleep. There's still a hard battle to fight tomorrow."

Tang Wulin, who had already left Heaven Dou, suddenly sneezed. Somewhat puzzled, he rubbed his nose.