Part 1
After stepping out of the research building, Long Yi turned to Han Yue and said,
"I've decided to begin selling the Awakener Potions. I've already asked Secretary Xu to schedule a meeting tonight at 12 AM with our key personnel — Commander Long, Secretary Wen, Shadow 1, 2, and 3, you, Secretary Qiao, Dr. Hanzo, and the others — to discuss countermeasures, pricing, and the types of bartering we'll accept or propose."
A notice had already been sent to everyone involved.
With the matter settled, Long Yi returned to his office to continue his work, while Han Yue decided to head home for the time being.
As she walked, her thoughts drifted.
"So, he's finally planning to sell the potions... That means the number of awakeners — and maybe even mutants — will rise earlier than it did in my last life. Could be good... could be bad…"
But then a sly smile crept across her lips.
"Hehe. More chaos means more fun."
Once home, she entered her room and slipped into her space. She began harvesting a fresh round of fruits and vegetables. Then, with a thoughtful hum, she moved over to the medicinal herb patch.
"Since Ruxue is here, I might as well contribute more herbs for her to play with."
She harvested the matured herbs and quickly replanted new seeds, her spiritual energy making the process smooth and efficient.
Meanwhile, outside in the real world, the signs of the Extreme Heatwave finally ending were beginning to show.
From a brutal 60°C, the temperature had begun to steadily drop — now reaching around 50°C in some regions.
The Weather Forecast Bureau was closely observing the trend and submitting daily reports to key departments. News outlets, major platforms, and city-wide alerts all echoed the same headlines:
"Extreme Heatwave Coming to an End — Prepare for the Next Phase."
Warnings to evacuate low-lying and coastal areas were still being pushed aggressively. Government employees, police, and military units were already being relocated or reassigned to higher ground — some to hills and mountains, others to tall buildings such as hotels and commercial towers.
Everyone was preparing — some more willingly than others.
Certain citizens, finally realizing the government wasn't bluffing, chose to comply and began moving. Others, still skeptical, grumbled about "schemes to take over private property" or "fearmongering," refusing to budge.
"Let them," Han Yue thought when she saw the headlines earlier. "They'll be swept away by the rain anyway."
Part 2
It was almost time.
Han Yue decided to head to the admin building early for the meeting. Well, not exactly early — it was already 11:45 PM when she arrived. She headed straight for Long Yi's office.
Inside, she found Long Yi seated with Uncle Long, deep in discussion. When they looked up and saw Han Yue walk in, Uncle Long gave a nod and a warm smile.
"Welcome back. I've heard many good things about you from the City H military base," he said.
Han Yue smiled and sat down beside Long Yi.
"Hehe. It's more convenient to let them handle arrests, interrogations, and detention anyway," she replied casually.
Uncle Long nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. Leave the messy parts to us."
Not long after, Secretary Xu entered.
"Everyone's already gathered in the meeting room."
They all stood and made their way there.
Inside the meeting room, everyone had taken their seats. The air was thick with anticipation.
Secretary Wen began.
"Dr. Hanzo has completed production of 500 Awakener Potions each at 30%, 40%, and 50% potency. This meeting is to finalize our countermeasures, establish purchasing rules, and decide the forms of exchange we're willing to accept."
The first to raise a hand was Commander Long.
"I propose we begin distribution with military bases. Their discipline and structure make them less likely to abuse such a powerful asset. While I acknowledge that we're sometimes instructed to act without mercy... most soldiers still hold to a moral compass. I trust that more than I trust civilian factions."
Several nodded in agreement.
But then Han Yue raised her voice.
"Commander Long makes a good point — but we should also remember that even the military has its own factions, loyalties, and agendas. Just like the government. I suggest we start with factions we trust or at least ones we are neutral with."
This drew murmurs of agreement from others.
Shadow 3 then added,
"No matter who we deal with — military, government, neutral parties, or others — every choice has its own risks and rewards."
Long Yi listened quietly, absorbing everyone's perspectives, while Secretary Wen recorded every word.
Then finally, Long Yi spoke.
"I understand and acknowledge all your points — and the risks involved in each."
He paused, then looked directly at Commander Long.
"But you all forgot something important."
He let the silence hang in the air for a moment before continuing.
"We're not a faction. We're a family."
Commander Long's eyes flickered with realization. He gave a slow nod.
Then Long Yi dropped the real bombshell.
"We won't sell the potions. Not yet. We'll give them to you, Commander Long."
The room gasped. Murmurs rippled across the table.
But Long Yi raised a hand to stop the buzz.
"This is not a gift. It's an investment. Our Long Family is in a position of power now — and we must secure that position with strategic precision."
Then, he laid out his conditions:
Long Yi's Three Demands
Barter: An Alliance for the Ages"I don't want money. I don't want weapons. What I want is loyalty — an unbreakable alliance. A true partnership."
Immunity and Autonomy"The Long Family and our team will have complete immunity from all current and future military or government laws. We will operate as an independent entity, not a tool or puppet."
Access to Intelligence"In exchange for Awakener Potions, I demand full access to all classified information held by the military and government — including intelligence on opposing factions, political developments, and ongoing scientific research."
The weight of Long Yi's words settled heavily in the room.
This wasn't just about potions anymore. This was about power. About positioning. And about declaring, in no uncertain terms, where the Long Family stood — above the game, not trapped within it.