The consortium's subtle interference had failed.
Now, they escalated.
Lin Chen watched the city from the balcony of his primary clinic.
Three SUVs moved stealthily near the secondary nodes.
Shadow units—covert, heavily armed, but careful—were sent to disrupt supply chains and intimidate personnel.
[System Log: Consortium Countermeasure — Deployed. Threat Level: Critical.]
[Nationwide Node Network Stability: 92%.]
---
Simultaneous Challenges
Lin Chen coordinated across all nodes via secure encrypted channels:
Node 1: supply trucks intercepted
Node 2: unauthorized surveillance detected
Node 3: minor sabotage in electrical systems
Dr. Hart approached him, tense.
"They're coordinated. If they strike all nodes simultaneously, some patients could be at risk."
Lin Chen's gaze was calm.
"Then we prove our system works under pressure."
---
Countermeasures
Each clinic activated emergency protocols:
Autonomous power rerouting
Redundant medical teams
Live public feeds streaming all events
The consortium hesitated, realizing each attempt at interference only amplified Lin Chen's public visibility.
[System Log: Public Trust Surge — Node Visibility +10%. City Control Progress: 98%.]
---
The High-Stakes Procedure
At Node 2, a critically ill official's child arrived.
No hospital would accept him.
The consortium hoped disruption would prevent treatment.
Lin Chen coordinated remotely.
Dr. Hart led the surgical team.
Every movement precise.
Every monitor calibrated.
Hours later, the child stabilized.
News footage of the recovery spread immediately.
[System Log: Public Influence — Maximum. Node Network Strengthened.]
---
The Consortium's Frustration
Back in their command center, executives slammed desks.
"Every attempt at shadow strikes has backfired!"
"His network is too resilient. Authority is no longer hidden—it is undeniable!"
One operative warned,
"We can't risk open conflict, yet covert measures are useless. What next?"
Lin Chen's simple message reached their feeds:
"Authority grows with every obstacle. Adapt or fall behind."
---
City-Level Impact
Across the city, citizens began to recognize Lin Chen's clinics as safe havens.
Even previously skeptical doctors began sending patients.
Word-of-mouth and social media combined into unstoppable influence.
The battle had shifted: it was no longer about force—it was a demonstration of results versus attempted control.
[System Log: City Control Progress: 100%. Consortium Attention: Maximum. Nationwide Node Expansion: Ongoing.]
---
End of Chapter