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Chapter 1040: The Ritual Commences
Chapter 1040: The Ritual Commences
Central City, Government Hall.
Chen Chuan sat in the large office of the Security Department, illuminated by the light from the field screen across from him. The entire Security Decision-Making Team had gathered.
Before arriving, Chen Chuan had already submitted a draft report, and the team members were already aware of the situation regarding the recent battle and the new challenges that lay ahead.
Qi Weizhao spoke with great solemnity, "Director Chen, we are grateful for your efforts and those of your colleagues. The Government Hall and the Defense Department will bestow appropriate awards upon you all. I will present the report to the capital after this meeting."
Chen Chuan replied, "I'd like to express my gratitude on behalf of my colleagues who are still working tirelessly on the front lines."
Qi Weizhao continued, "Regarding the 'Old Evil' in Jiao Mountain, Director Chen, you only briefly mentioned it in your report. We currently lack a clear understanding of the specific situation."
Chen Chuan spoke earnestly, "This is something I wanted to bring up. We should avoid leaving any written or digital records regarding this Old Evil."
The security team members were taken by surprise, except for Liang Guanghai, who seemed to have an idea.
Chen Chuan explained, "The existence of this Old Evil is closely tied to the thoughts and emotions of people. The more importance people place on it, the greater the likelihood of its resurgence."
He paused, "Even our discussion about it now could potentially accelerate its return, albeit to a minuscule degree. However, if it were to be recorded on paper or in digital form, the continuous influence and acceptance by more people would undoubtedly strengthen its existence."
Yao Zhiyi spoke up, "I recall that after the arrival of the new era, many temples and shrines dedicated to demons and evil spirits from the old era were demolished, and the records were destroyed as well. This was done to prevent any chance of their revival."
Chen Chuan added, "That's precisely the reason. Additionally, we will need the assistance of professionals in this matter, so I'd like to request that Director Lei be present to provide advice."
Qi Weizhao and the other team members exchanged glances and agreed. They sent a message to the Esoteric Sect Handling Bureau, and after about ten minutes, Director Lei's figure appeared on the field screen as well.
After Director Lei arrived, Chen Chuan proceeded to explain the subsequent events they encountered, the entire process, and Lan Shengu's assessment in detail.
Upon hearing this, Qi Weizhao and the others turned solemn.
Jiao Mountain was not far from Yangzhu City, like a scar on the body of Jibei Circuit. The presence of the Old Evil there was undoubtedly a significant hidden danger.
Qi Weizhao asked, "Director Lei, as a professional in this field, what are your thoughts on how we should handle this situation?"
Director Lei pondered for a moment and replied, "Advisor Lan's suggestion is generally reasonable. The Esoteric Sect Handling Bureau will quickly organize and dispatch our most experienced personnel to Jiao Mountain to set up a protective ritual. However, the residents of Jiao Mountain must be evacuated as soon as possible.
As they have lived there for a long time, their bodies may have been contaminated by the divine infection of the Old Evil. Each person could potentially become a vessel for its power. Therefore, before dealing with the Old Evil, everyone must be isolated to prevent its power from spreading further."
In the old era, they could have simply dealt with it on the spot, eliminating the trouble and avoiding the need for further action. However, in the new era, such a direct approach was no longer feasible.
Qi Weizhao nodded in agreement, "These people must be properly taken care of."
Chen Chuan said, "I have another proposal here, which Director Zhu sent to us through the newly established Horizon-Line Field before we arrived. It concerns the handling of the Jiao Mountain residents."
He shared it with everyone present through the Field Screen.
Qi Weizhao took a look. The proposal detailed how these people would be divided and resettled, the arrangements for each area, and how they would be supported to become self-sufficient. It also mentioned the use of force if necessary, as these people might not willingly leave Jiao Mountain. Reasoning with them would be futile, as they wouldn't listen. In reality, relocating them was the only way to save them.
He nodded in approval. Zhu Xian, as an experienced bureaucrat, had indeed considered various aspects and demonstrated his skill in handling specific matters.
Furthermore, by immediately utilizing the Horizon-Line Field to transmit the document, he clearly signaled his intention to align with the Government Hall.
After reading the proposal, Qi Weizhao turned to Director Lei, "Director Lei, do you have anything to add?"
Director Lei said, "In Director Chen's report, he mentioned a group in Central City that has been purchasing 'Divine Blood' for an extended period. These substances used to be sold in large quantities to the Lower City and various company laboratories. It's likely that it will be challenging to completely eradicate them now.
I suggest establishing a long-term review mechanism, granting the Esoteric Sect Handling Bureau the authority to conduct regular inspections of company laboratories and track down the main sources."
The Esoteric Sect Handling Bureau had the power to review, but in the past, it was limited to designated inspections authorized by the Government Hall. Granting long-term review authority would significantly expand their powers.
However, given the current situation, it was deemed necessary.
The team members discussed and agreed to grant this authority.
After concluding this discussion, they moved on to another important topic.
Qi Weizhao spoke, "Longyou Circuit and Shannan Circuit have both sent us letters expressing their intention to connect to the Horizon-Line Field.
"He turned to Chen Chuan, "This time, Director Chen defeated a division of the Old Imperial Court's army and killed the General of Conquest. Initially, Shannan Circuit provided us with assistance, and their feint attack allowed the Intelligence Department to track Su Kuo's trail."
"And during their second offensive, they restrained a portion of the Old Imperial Court's forces, preventing them from sending reinforcements to the Wintergreen Plain, which allowed Director Chen to annihilate their upper echelon. This sufficiently demonstrated the strengthened connection between the two circuits and their ability to gain a significant advantage over the enemy."
The team members acknowledged this, and the success of this operation was not merely about eliminating a portion of the Old Imperial Court's upper echelon. The victory was significant, but that was secondary. The most crucial aspect was the collaboration between the two circuits.
In the past, such collaboration was almost non-existent because, although the various central cities had connections, they only maintained their self-interests and would not engage in mutual assistance or cooperation.
But now, things were different. This was a qualified and fruitful military collaboration. And this was achieved even before the Horizon-Line was established. Once the Horizon-Line is connected, the benefits of their cooperation will only increase.
If several central cities were to participate, the Old Imperial Court's pivot points in various circuits might collapse, allowing them to occupy more interpenetration zones and gain more resources.
It's important to understand that these areas have long been developed by the Old Imperial Court. By repelling them, we can quickly take over and utilize these territories.
After this incident, such a trend will become increasingly unstoppable.
At this moment, Qi Weizhao tapped his boundary talisman and sent a set of information to all members of the Security Decision-Making Team.
Erratum Note!
Chen Chuan took a look. Shannan Circuit was very keen on this idea, although there were internal disagreements. Coincidentally, Bai Gu, the representative of the Conservative Faction, had been defeated by him, and although the upper echelons intended to send another martial artist, this matter had been delayed.
He had heard from Zuan Xiansheng that the Pure Faction's higher-ups seemed to have used their political resources to slow down the process, and Shannan Circuit could seize this opportunity to join the Horizon-Line. Once they boarded this express train, there would be no turning back.
As for Longyou Circuit, they were the most enthusiastic, and their joining was highly likely.
Because Longyou Circuit was almost entirely under the influence of one of the Five Great Sectors, the Implantation Faction. With the will of this faction, the matter was almost settled.
The team members had no objections to the joining of these two central cities, and these two important issues were swiftly approved.
After the meeting, Chen Chuan returned to his villa and placed the Fengyi Hammer in the collection room. He spent some time there, feeling satisfied before leaving.
As for the Longevity Lock entrusted to him by Su Kuo, he didn't need to go himself. He could entrust the negotiation team going to Longyou Circuit to handle it.
He had a meal with Aunt Xiao and her family but didn't stay long. After making some preparations, he boarded the airship again, picking up Lei Bureau Director and several of his capable subordinates along the way, heading towards Jiao Mountain.
As the rift had not been completely closed, and the old evils' blockade had not been dealt with, he, as the Chief of Security, could not let his guard down.
When he returned to Jiao Mountain, with the help of people sent by the central city and the rear, it took five days to transport all the movable resources from the plain. As for the remaining scattered resources, they were directly detonated and burned on-site.
The next step was to evacuate the residents of Jiao Mountain. Under the conditions and military deterrence offered by the Jibei Circuit's central city, the residents began to move out in entire villages. They would board pre-arranged airships and head to various temporary resettlement areas.
This time, the newly established Ocean-Circling Pharmaceutical Company, jointly owned by the two central cities, would be responsible for the medical examinations of these villagers and provide cost-priced medication support.
Chen Chuan knew that the Pure Faction also had investments in this pharmaceutical company.
After more than twenty days, the outer Esoteric Sect ritual had been set up, and most of the residents on Jiao Mountain were finally evacuated.
There were still some stubborn and hidden individuals in the mountains. They couldn't take care of these people because Jiao Mountain was vast, and the caves and tunnels in the mountains were too numerous and complex. In a limited time, it was impossible to find everyone.
And they couldn't let the rift exist for these few people, not to mention the significant daily resource consumption with so many people stationed there.
At this time, Lan Shengu and Lei Bureau Director had already entered the Secret Repository and were carefully dismantling and disabling the secret rituals. According to their judgment, with sufficient preparation, this process might only take one or two days.
Chen Chuan arrived at the Secret Repository, leaving only Zalnik behind. Hu Kan, Xu Can, Zuan Xiansheng, and the others had already returned.
He stood outside the Secret Repository, his eyes fixed on the interior, awaiting the outcome. During this period, he could react at any time if any situation arose.
...
...
(End of Chapter)"
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