The Alliance Proposal
1142 Words
After Shen Chen and his entourage departed,
The hotel general manager finally let the fake smile fade from his face,
Returning to his usual stoic and serious demeanor.
And yet—
His heart still pounded violently in his chest.
Or rather—
Ever since last night’s phone call,
His nerves had been stretched taut, refusing to relax.
Because that call…
Had come directly from Jiang City’s Governor’s Office.
His name was Liu Li.
His family had been merchants in Jiang City for generations.
For businessmen like him,
Nothing mattered more than maintaining a favorable relationship with the city’s government.
Every year, the Governor’s Office released economic policies that could make or break fortunes.
Every major investment and business venture had to be carefully aligned with the government’s interests.
And his own success,
Owning the most prestigious five-star international hotel in Jiang City, Crystal Night,
Was entirely due to his family's deep ties with a high-ranking official from the Su Family.
Every year, they offered generous tributes and gifts,
Ensuring political protection and exclusive benefits.
Even though that Su Family official remained cold and indifferent,
Even the smallest crumbs of favor and insider information were enough for them to reap immense profits.
Because the Su Family was one of the most powerful aristocratic families in the entire empire.
But last night—
For the first time in his life, Liu Li had felt true terror.
Because the guest staying in his hotel was not a Su Family member.
But someone far, far beyond that.
A young man… from the Shen Family.
The most powerful dynasty in the Imperial Capital.
A family that stood at the very peak of the empire’s power structure.
When Liu Li first heard the name Shen Chen,
A surreal sense of disbelief flooded his mind,
His blood rushing with adrenaline,
As if his entire world had been upended.
“Liu, who exactly was that young man?”
A sycophantic voice pulled Liu Li out of his thoughts.
He turned to see a middle-aged man in a tailored suit,
Politely offering him an expensive cigarette.
Outside the Crystal Night Hotel,
A huge crowd had gathered, swarming around the entrance.
Countless onlookers held up their phones,
Trying to capture the departing black luxury car.
“Holy crap! What kind of car was that?! I’ve never seen that model before!”
“Am I just ignorant, or was that car some insane custom build?”
“How many years of my salary would it take to afford that…?”
“Wait a minute… Did anyone else notice it had no license plate?!”
“Yeah, yeah! I thought I was imagining it! Should we report it? There’s a 300-credit reward, right?”
“Uh… Maybe don’t?”
Liu Li waved off the cigarette and dismissed the man coldly.
But the middle-aged businessman didn’t seem offended—
Instead, he persisted with a flattering smile.
“I heard it was a young master?
"Could it be Su Xiao, the eldest young master of the Su Family?”
Upon hearing this—
Liu Li finally looked at the man properly,
And let out a cryptic smile.
Seeing his expression, the businessman immediately grinned knowingly,
As if he had figured out the answer.
But what he didn’t notice—
Was the flicker of disdain in Liu Li’s eyes.
These people… their vision is so pitifully narrow.
In their minds, the highest they could imagine was a Su Family heir.
If they knew the truth—
That the young man came from the Imperial Capital’s Shen Family…
They would probably collapse on the spot.
The crowd outside continued buzzing with speculation,
Yet Liu Li couldn’t help but scoff internally at their ignorance.
Even among the well-educated elites,
University professors, corporate executives, or top-ranking officials—
They were all just insignificant players
In the game of power that the Shen Family orchestrated.
For many of them—
Today would be the closest they would ever get to someone of Shen Chen’s status.
Suddenly—
A new commotion erupted in the crowd.
“Wait… Why is my photo deleted?!”
“Holy crap, my post got removed too!”
“The pictures I shared in my chat group just disappeared!”
“Dude, my entire account got suspended!”
“Bruh—my mom’s account is banned too!”
Inside the Black Car
“Young Master, we’ve established contact with Su Mingshuo.”
Blue Creek sat across from Shen Chen,
Her expression composed as she gave her report.
“He has extended a warm welcome for your arrival.”
Shen Chen slowly opened his eyes,
His gaze calm.
He let out a light chuckle.
“Do you think Su Mingshuo will accept our proposal?”
At his question, Blue Creek’s lips curled into a smirk.
She scoffed lightly.
“Joining our Shen Family’s ranks…
"That’s the greatest fortune Su Mingshuo could ever ask for.
"If he fails to grasp this opportunity…
"He’s unworthy of his position as Jiang City’s Governor.”
Her words carried an undeniable truth.
Within Shen Family’s strategic planning,
A proposal had already begun to take shape.
A proposal that would shake the very foundation of the empire.
A proposal that could reshape the world order itself.
The "Free Council Alliance Proposal"
Though still in draft form,
This strategic document would soon dictate the future.
And those invited into this alliance?
They weren’t just any wealthy aristocrats.
Only the most ancient and powerful families in the Imperial Capital—
Those who had stood alongside the Shen Family for centuries—
Were worthy of consideration.
And yet—
Even those great houses—
Families with nearly as much wealth and influence as the Shen Family itself—
Had been utterly shaken upon receiving the confidential briefing.
When they read the classified intelligence report—
Even the most seasoned politicians and billionaires had felt their hearts seize in terror.
Some had laughed in sheer disbelief,
Desperate to wake from what felt like a nightmare.
Because the contents of the report were beyond comprehension—
It spoke of the impending apocalypse.
An event so catastrophic,
It would erase the world as they knew it.
A dawning age of monsters, chaos, and destruction.
An age where all political structures would collapse.
An age where only those who adapted could survive.
The End of the World Was Coming.
And the Shen Family—
Would be the ones to rise above it all.
- Writer
