"Taran, we are still short-staffed on Exorcists, keep recruiting!"
"James, John, make sure the information from the Police Department is properly coordinated, and..."
After briefing the key managers at the agency and leaving some supplies, Chu Feng hurriedly drove to the New York Police Department. He had a premonition that the 'big event' Boris mentioned was indeed significant, and he might have to take a long trip.
Over half an hour later, he was in a highly secure, small conference room within the New York Police Department. There, Chu Feng finally met Adiya, the newly appointed Chief of the New York Police Department, along with a few unidentified individuals.
"Chu Feng, let me introduce you. This is Adiya, our Police Department's new chief." Boris sat beside Chu Feng. He gestured with an open hand towards a woman in a police uniform at the head of the table. She had dark skin and an extremely stern, serious expression.
Chu Feng looked at the new chief. She had a remarkably plain face, now set in a serious expression. A black police chief! How does she compare to the previous two in terms of ability? he wondered.
"Hello, Chief Adiya," Chu Feng greeted the new chief with a smile.
"HMM."
In response to Chu Feng's friendly gesture, the new chief's expression remained stern. She merely acknowledged him with a faint sound, looking as if everyone around her owed her a large sum of money. His warm greeting met with such a cold response, Chu Feng's own expression instantly chilled. If not for Boris's reassuring gestures beside him, Chu Feng might have already stormed out.
"Enough with the pretense! Why have you called me here? Let's cut to the chase! I don't have time to beat around the bush with you all." Chu Feng's tone was filled with impatience. Although he stayed for Boris's sake, he had no desire to waste time with these baffling people.
Upon hearing Chu Feng, a short, pudgy, elderly white man, who had been sitting silently across from him, smiled and adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on his flat nose. "Chu Feng, America's First Exorcist, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The ordinary-looking elderly white man stood up and extended a hand in greeting, causing the chill on Chu Feng's face to thaw slightly. After lightly shaking hands with the man, Chu Feng asked in confusion, "And you are?"
The old man took a moment to resettle in his chair before quickly introducing himself. "Mr. Chu Feng, I am Terry, a liaison from the federal government. I'm here specifically to request your assistance."
Chu Feng was startled by the old man's identity. The federal government? What kind of intractable problem would require the American government to seek *my* help?
"I'm listening. I'd like to know what kind of issue could stump the federal government."
Terry, across the table, didn't elaborate. Instead, he took a sealed file folder from his briefcase and handed it over. "The answer is right here, Mr. Chu Feng, have a look!" Terry's previous smile vanished, replaced instantly by a serious expression.
Seeing the grave expressions on everyone's faces, Chu Feng's curiosity was piqued. He took the file folder. With a flick of his fingers, its contents spilled out.
Photos?
Picking up the photos that had fallen onto the table, Chu Feng's expression turned grim the moment he saw the first image. "How is this possible? Three Gates of Breaking Boundary?"
The images were clearly satellite photos, showing three massive, serpentine pupils located at three different points within a city. The giant, serpent-like eyes were slightly open—a clear sign that the Gates of Breaking Boundary had begun to activate.
"Why not drop the nukes immediately?" Lifting his head, Chu Feng immediately asked a question that made everyone present exchange bewildered glances.
"AHEM... Mister Chu Feng, the city in these photos is located within American territory!" After a moment of silence, Terry finally explained with an awkward cough.
"HUH? You're still worried about *that*? If those three Gates remain open, it's questionable whether America will even exist in the future!" If not for the fear that these three Gates could trigger a chain reaction affecting the entire Human World, Chu Feng couldn't care less.
Everyone present knew full well whether the federal government would dare to launch a nuclear strike. However, they didn't quite understand why the top federal authorities had ultimately chosen not to do so.
"UH... Mister Chu Feng, let's set aside the nuclear option for now," Terry said, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. "First, let's discuss whether you're willing to intervene." He looked sheepishly at Chu Feng, who was still examining the photos.
"What, does the federal government actually intend to attempt a rescue? In any case, I'm skeptical about how many people will be left alive in that city. Even if they…"
"Chu Feng, this isn't the time for your cynicism! Just tell us if you can smash those damned big eyes!" Chief Adiya, her face grim at the head of the table, angrily cut Chu Feng off.
Looking at her furious expression, Chu Feng casually tossed the photos onto the table, a slight smile gradually appearing on his face. "Destroy them? With my abilities, of course I can! But how much are you willing to pay?"
Although they had heard about the greed of Chu Feng, America's First Exorcist, those meeting him for the first time were still taken aback. Only Boris, who had been quiet for some time, silently lowered his head.
Typical Chu Feng, starting his act again. Sometimes I really wonder if he's a follower of Mammon...
The others present naturally couldn't hear Boris's thoughts.
Across the table, Terry adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, which had slipped slightly, and tentatively proposed a figure. "A total of thirty million US Dollars, with ten million US Dollars paid for each Gate of Breaking Boundary destroyed."
"Sorry, Mister Terry. For that amount, I'm afraid it will be very difficult for me to assist the federal government."
Hearing Chu Feng's rejection, Terry's expression didn't change; he still wore that slight smile. Only the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose quietly slid down a few more millimeters.
"Mister Chu Feng, please don't be so quick to refuse. Thirty million US Dollars is a substantial sum, especially since the mission only requires you to destroy three gates."
"HEH! Do you take me for a fool?" With a disdainful sneer, Chu Feng stood up, preparing to leave.
Seeing that his objective for this meeting was about to fail, Terry hastily called out, "Wait, Mister Chu Feng! How about twenty million US Dollars? Twenty million US Dollars for each Gate of Breaking Boundary!"