Chapter 1064: Discernment and Hidden Shadows
Chapter 1064: Discernment and Hidden Shadows
As the fleet gradually approached the land, they sent a telegraph to the central city of Selanocha Continent, informing them of the abnormal fog interference that had caused the team to deviate from their original route. They also mentioned encountering an attack by unidentified cult members during their journey and were now stranded on the coast.
According to the reception treaty signed between the two nations, the team requested assistance from the continental government to ensure a safe reception and provide necessary support.
The accompanying officials from the Federation Capital also sent an inquiry telegraph to the continental government, demanding the immediate dispatch of security forces to escort the foreign affairs team into the city and provide a detailed explanation for their failure to effectively guarantee the team's safety.
Due to their timely arrival, many traces were still preserved, and until now, the fissure remained present, providing the most direct and tangible evidence.
During the previous spiritual impact, some cult members had not died directly but had lost consciousness. These individuals were also captured and temporarily detained without interrogation.
Upon returning to the airship, Chen Chuan immediately sent a telegraph to the International Investigation Group, as he still had Skarson's contact information. He believed that with the latter's attitude, the investigation would be expedited.
After half an hour, the Federation Continental Government finally responded, instructing the Daxun foreign affairs team to remain in place. They promised to dispatch a security team to assist immediately, with an estimated arrival time before 2 PM.
The entire team stayed put, but Xie, the leader, was cautious and kept the fleet outside the coastline, refraining from directly landing on land.
Bian Zhijie and Wang Tongshan finally had a chance to observe the situation ahead. They exited the airship formation and arrived at the site of the incident, first noticing the massive circular crater on the ground.
Undoubtedly, this was likely the aftermath of Chen Chuan's battle with some unknown entity.
The two men stared at the crater as if it were the impact site of a fallen star from the heavens, their eyes filled with awe. Bian Zhijie's throat twitched, and he asked, "Was this caused by a spiritual impact?"
Despite Wang Tongshan's inner turmoil, he maintained a calm demeanor and replied in a composed tone, "Most likely."
Bian Zhijie took a deep breath, marveling, "The destructive power of Changsheng Philosophy."
He couldn't help but look around again, and no matter how many times he witnessed this scene, it always left them with a sense of shock, feeling overly exaggerated.
After observing for a while, he asked, "What exactly did Chen Chuan encounter here?"
Wang Tongshan fixed his gaze on the fissure, his expression turning somber. "It's probably something unclean from the other side."
Bian Zhijie couldn't contain himself, "I recall this place isn't far from the central city, right? It's just a few hours' drive. How could a fissure appear here? What's the Federation up to?"
After all, the central city was a crucial node in the World Ring, primarily responsible for sealing fissures. To have a sustained fissure so close by and allow something from the other side to come through was like asking for trouble.
Wang Tongshan knew more about the situation. He shook his head and said, "This is the Federation, not Daxun. In fact, apart from the capital..." He paused, then continued, "You'll get used to it."
Bian Zhijie stared at him, his eyes widening. "Can one get used to this?"
Wang Tongshan sighed, "This is the Federation, especially the West Coast. It's just like this."
Bian Zhijie was left speechless.
At that moment, Casian and Olin from the Federation team arrived at the front of the fissure. They instructed their attendants to use special filming equipment to record the fissure.
However, they remained remarkably composed, and the only thing that amazed them was the destructive power demonstrated by Chen Chuan. This, in turn, made them more confident in their own safety.
The two even took a commemorative photo in front of the fissure, their smiles radiant, as if posing at a tourist attraction.
Back on the airship, they expressed their sympathy and indignation towards the foreign affairs team's encounter. They assured the team that they had officially reported the situation to the Federation Government through a telegraph and promised to closely monitor the progress of the follow-up handling.
Xie knew these were mere formalities, as no matter how they investigated, there would be no results. He was satisfied as long as the other side showed this attitude. In fact, if the Federation Capital truly controlled the West Coast and the Sea Area, it would be a cause for concern for Daxun.
At this moment, Chen Chuan also returned to the airship. After Xie finished handling the matter, Chen Chuan promptly engaged in a conversation with him.
Xie was quick to grasp the key point from Chen Chuan's words. He pondered for a moment, "If they're not isolated, was their initial intention... to force us to change our route?"
"Chen Chuan nodded, "If we had deviated from our original course at the beginning, according to the subsequent landing location, there's a high probability we would have passed through this region, and that's exactly where we would have run into it."
Xie, the leader of the group, said, "But we didn't go through there, yet that mist still found us."
Chen Chuan said, "Based on my personal judgment, for that mist to have found us so accurately, there must be something in our team that attracted it, like a lure drawing its power towards us."
Xie immediately had a hunch and said, "If there was such a thing from the beginning, then there wouldn't have been a need for the extra effort earlier. So, the thing that attracted that existence must have appeared later..." He paused and spoke in a grave tone, "Could it be that someone in our team is responsible?"
"It's highly likely," Chen Chuan replied.
Xie was cautious. Without jumping to conclusions, he said, "But we should have secret rituals set up on the ship. Logically, nothing should be able to break through and connect with the outside world."
Although he wasn't a professional, as a member of the Foreign Affairs Department, he wasn't completely ignorant about such matters.
Chen Chuan explained, "It's not as difficult as it seems. Once the course is confirmed and no further changes are expected, throwing some special items into the sea or releasing unique pheromones or small organisms can achieve the desired effect. The other side just needs to ensure they are close enough to get a general direction."
Xie understood and spoke solemnly, "What does Chen Chief intend to do?"
"There's a problem within the team, and we can't turn a blind eye to it. We still have time, so let's have the Discipline Inspection Group investigate this matter. I'll ensure everyone's safety."
Xie considered this for a moment and asked in a grave tone, "Do they have a problem?"
Chen Chuan knew he was referring to the three martial artists who had ventured out onto the open deck. If they had any ulterior motives, it would be difficult for ordinary people to detect, and dealing with them would be a much bigger issue.
However, after speaking with Tao Huiya, Chen Chuan had kept a close eye on these three, and he could confirm they were not a problem.
"I haven't noticed any issues with them," he said, "but to ensure everything goes smoothly, I'll have them brought to my ship during the investigation."
Xie spoke solemnly, "Internal problems must be resolved promptly. Chen Chief, I agree with this decision, but I have one request: ensure the safety of every member as much as possible."
Chen Chuan agreed.
After ending the call, he contacted the woman who had been with Tao Huiya earlier.
"Tell Tao that, in light of the recent incident, we will be conducting an internal discipline inspection."
After giving the instructions, he immediately contacted the members of his own squad, instructing them to spread out and cooperate with the Security Inspection Group to investigate every suspicious person.
The task wasn't as challenging as it seemed. Apart from a few individuals, most people's public activities on the airship were monitored and recorded by non-active consciousness entities.
With the secret rituals in place, no signals or items could function within the cabin, so the focus could be on those who had ventured out onto the open deck.
This was a typical cult activity and could be considered a targeted attack.
After reviewing the report, Chen Chuan immediately stored the records as evidence, which would later be handed over to the international investigation team.
The investigation proceeded faster than expected. Within just an hour, the culprit was identified.
It was an officer from the Propaganda Office. According to his statement, someone had informed him of a blessing ritual before their departure. He was told that by performing the ritual and offering something into the sea upon reaching the Federation, they would ensure a safe journey.
The officer was currently under control, awaiting further interrogation.
After reviewing the situation, Chen Chuan didn't inquire further. He believed that the Discipline Inspection Group was responsible for solving the problem.
As for the team member who might have been sending messages to the Federation, it was unlikely they would be exposed so easily. The officer's position wouldn't grant them access to any confidential information, so they could be temporarily ruled out.
The delegation spent the entire morning preparing, and by two in the afternoon, a distant airship appeared on the horizon. The escort ship from Selanocha Central City had finally arrived.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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