A secret tea meeting across dimensions, security levels and seating arrangements

White Bone Hall, the air seemed to freeze.

Lynn's decision to agree to the meeting was silently transmitted to the terminals of the heads of various departments through the Internal Communications system.

In an instant, everyone's attention was focused on the location marked as the highest risk level— the Manhattan Community Library.

Going there means placing yourself in a completely unknown trap of rules.

In the communication channel, the first icon to light up is a dark green one representing the Stability Maintenance Office.

Hela's voice was devoid of emotion, yet every word carried undeniable weight.

"Sir, I recommend raising the security level for this contact to the highest wartime level. The first and third Undead assault teams will form the inner guard, responsible for close protection. The outer perimeter will be secured by the main force of the Undead Legion with three layers of physical defense to ensure absolute safety."

She paused, then added, "The energy shield beneath the library is essentially an enemy fortification. For such targets, the safest course of action is for us to breach it first, clear the interior, and ensure absolute safety before you enter."

This is the standard operating procedure of the Stability Maintenance Office, and it is also a calculated move by Hela to regain control of military operations.

As soon as she finished speaking, the Scarlet icon representing the Technology Integration Department began to flash.

Wanda's voice carried a hint of coldness.

"Director Hela's plan is to turn an 'informal communication' into an armed intrusion. The fact that the other party chose that location proves that they have absolute confidence in that 'rule-based barrier.' Any physical breach could be defined as a hostile act by the other party, thus destroying the basis for negotiation."

"My suggestion is that I accompany the commander. Chaos Magic can perform real-time analysis and anomaly removal of the surrounding environment without disturbing the opponent's underlying rules. If any changes occur, I can immediately construct defenses or modify reality."

Her proposal was sharp and confrontational, with every word emphasizing the decisive role of technological means in this operation.

A brief silence fell over the conference channel.

Hela wanted to turn the meeting into a show of strength, while Wanda wanted to turn it into a technology exhibition. Both of their demands were wrapped in the most righteous veneer of "ensuring the safety of their superiors."

Lynn looked at the two flashing icons on the screen but did not immediately express his opinion.

His gaze fell on the other two silent icons.

One is a white icon representing the Liaison Office, Gwen Stacy Stacy.

The other is a gold icon representing the special mission of the mind-blocking network, Jean Grey.

Lynn broke the silence by tapping her fingers lightly on the table.

"This trip is for tea, not to fight."

His voice was calm, yet it instantly eased the tense atmosphere on the channel.

"Too high a level of security would only make us look guilty. Bringing the Undead Legion out into the open tells them that we have no other options besides force. That's a poor strategy."

Hela's icon dimmed briefly, indicating no rebuttal.

"Similarly, the Technology Integration Department is also unsuitable to be on the main table," Lynn continued. "On the other side's turf, being overly proactive in energy analysis is itself a provocation. It could easily lead to unnecessary misjudgments."

Wanda's logo also dimmed.

Lynn's gaze shifted to the Liaison Office icon.

"Chief Stacy."

"Yes, sir." Gwen Stacy's voice was calm and professional.

"The other party's letter was delivered through the Liaison Office office. Therefore, this meeting will also be handled by the Liaison Office. The nature of this meeting will be defined as a 'preliminary information exchange meeting.' As the head of the Liaison Office, you are responsible for recording the entire meeting, compiling the minutes, and following up on subsequent communications. Any questions?"

"No problem," Gwen Stacy replied crisply.

A perfectly legitimate reason, an irrefutable procedure. Gwen Stacy's position was thus secured. She didn't need to fight for it, because the rules themselves were her greatest asset.

Lynn's gaze finally settled on the golden icon on the piano.

"The zither."

"I'm here." Qin's voice was weak, but clear.

How's your special task progressing?

"The basic mental shielding network has been initially constructed and can provide targeted coverage over small areas."

"Very good." Lynn nodded. "During this meeting, the other side might use unpredictable methods to test or pressure us on a psychological level. I need insurance. You'll come with me. You don't need to do anything; just maintain the mental shield network to ensure our conversation isn't overheard by any third party or subjected to any psychological interference."

"Clear."

Arrangements complete.

One was responsible for recording, and the other for security. One followed procedures, and the other followed permissions. The division of labor was clear and impeccable.

Lynn looked at the other two icons that had gone dark and spoke again.

"Director Hela."

"... Yes." Hela's voice was tense.

"Your task is more important. After I go in, the library and the three surrounding blocks will be under the full control of the Stability Maintenance Office. A maximum-level silence lockdown will be activated. I need your guarantee that not even a fly can get in before I come out, and similarly, no signal can be transmitted out from inside. This is a direct order."

"Yes, sir." Hela's voice showed much less resentment. From a main attacker to a reserve player, although she couldn't stand on the front line, the words "full control" and "a death order" carried enough weight.

"Director Wanda."

"Exist."

"The Liaison Office will set up a municipal engineering repair vehicle as a temporary command post on the street corner opposite the library. You take the key technical personnel in and keep a close watch on the energy dynamics of the entire area. Any energy fluctuations exceeding the threshold, any attempt to establish a spatial link, I need to know about it immediately. You are my eyes and ears."

"... clear."

An impending internal power struggle was averted by Lynn's simple division of labor.

Everyone has something to do, and everyone is placed in what seems to be the most crucial position. It appears that everyone's needs have been balanced, but in reality, there is a clear distinction between who gets to the table and who can only wait on the sidelines.

This is a silent form of discipline, and also an art of managing subordinates.

Half an hour later.

Manhattan Community Library.

The heavy iron door to the basement slid open silently after Gwen Stacy stepped forward and verified some kind of complex password.

Behind the door was a stone staircase leading downwards.

There were no guards, no traps, only a faint aroma of tea and the scent of old books in the air.

Lynn walked at the very front.

Gwen Stacy followed half a step behind him, holding a specially made recording terminal in her hand.

Jean Grey walked at the back, her eyes slightly closed, an invisible Psychic Power already deployed, firmly enveloping the three of them.

At the end of the stone steps was a simply furnished room.

A rustic wooden square table, two chairs, and a tea set being brewed on the table, with steam rising from it.

On the other side of the table, someone was already sitting.

The man was dressed in a well-fitting gray suit, his age was hard to guess, and he had a gentle smile on his face. When he saw Lynn enter, he simply nodded slightly as a greeting.

Lynn's gaze swept calmly over the other person.

Then he went over and sat down in the main seat.

Gwen Stacy and Qin stood on his left and right, respectively, behind him, like two silent statues.

The representative opposite seemed somewhat surprised by the seating arrangement, but his smile remained unchanged. He picked up the teapot and filled the empty cup in front of Lynn with amber-colored tea.

"Mr. Lynn, it's a pleasure to meet you."

His voice was gentle, with a peculiar rhythm.

Lynn didn't speak, but simply picked up her teacup and smelled the aroma of the tea.

Just then, Gwen Stacy, who had maintained absolute composure, stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Her gaze was fixed on the wrist that slipped out of the suit sleeve as the other person raised their hand to pour tea.

There, he wore an old silver pocket watch.

The style of the watchband, the inconspicuous scratch on the dial— Gwen Stacy will never forget them.

It was exactly the same pocket watch that her father had been wearing when he went missing.