https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1178-The-Treasure-in-the-Wall-Attracts-Spies/13467225/
Chapter 1179: Dark Currents Conceal Deep Shadows
Chapter 1179: Dark Currents Conceal Deep Shadows
After leaving the Feishen Fighting School, Chen Chuan felt that the matter was far from simple as he rode back. Before he left, Commander Xie had warned him that most issues at this level, especially those occurring in the Federation's capital, were never as straightforward as they seemed. What appeared on the surface was just the tip of the iceberg, with more shadows lurking beneath.
So, upon returning to Crimson Rock Manor, he instructed the telegraph operator to send a message to the Secret Operations Bureau, inquiring if there were any updates regarding the fighting school.
After sending the telegram, he didn't receive an immediate response. Instead, Shin Gorou contacted Chen Chuan, informing him that Master Wrenlier of the Migas Fighting Arena had almost immediately agreed to the meeting after receiving the invitation, expressing his honor and enthusiasm for the encounter. The meeting was scheduled for the following afternoon at two o'clock.
Chen Chuan had his attendant confirm the details and then went to meditate.
The next morning, a coded letter arrived.
Upon receiving it, Chen Chuan recognized it was from the Secret Operations Bureau. He retrieved a codebook and had his attendant decode it. Soon, the translation was in his hands.
According to the information from the Secret Operations Bureau, the incident at the Feishen Fighting School was likely orchestrated by the Strategic Affairs Department. The official reason was that the department did not want the school to fall into the hands of Da Shun.
Indeed, despite ongoing negotiations between the Federation and Da Shun, it did not mean that the upper echelons of both countries were in complete agreement. The political struggles between the eastern and western shores were just the tip of the iceberg. In reality, various departments within the Federation had their own agendas.
The Strategic Affairs Department, in particular, was a highly independent entity. Even though the current minister was appointed by the current administration and had been in office for two years, true control over such a vast department was far from achieved. The minister hadn't even managed to fully grasp the number of teams and personnel under his command, and it was unlikely he would ever do so. The department had its own funding sources, its own secret forces, and even its own laboratories in the borderlands. Some Federation companies were also backed by them.
In a sense, the Secret Operations Bureau on the western shore faced greater constraints, as its funding was entirely controlled by the Western Parliament. This often put the Secret Operations Bureau at a disadvantage in its conflicts with the Strategic Affairs Department. However, the chaos in the western shore's administration and the existence of the Cult Laboratory made the situation more complex and less transparent, providing a certain level of protection.
Given the involvement of this department, the matter couldn't be handled lightly.
Chen Chuan thought for a moment, then contacted Commander Xie. They met in the tea room at the manor, and Chen Chuan relayed the information.
Commander Xie said without hesitation, "We must protect the Feishen Fighting School, especially the one in the capital. It's crucial to us. If you need anything, just let me know, and I'll allocate it to you. If necessary, we can request assistance from the First Delegation."
"Despite the Strategic Affairs Department's involvement, from my perspective, their actions are not driven by a desire to protect national interests, but rather by their own motives. There's a difference", Commander Xie added.
Chen Chuan asked, "So, Commander Xie, you're saying this was a private initiative by the Strategic Affairs Department?"
Commander Xie nodded. "They didn't take any action to stop or restrict the transfer of the Feishen Fighting School before it happened. We were prepared for some resistance, but they just watched from the sidelines. If they were truly concerned about national interests, they would have interfered at that point, at least given some reaction. But they didn't, which suggests they were waiting for us to take over the property and then make their move."
Chen Chuan understood. "It would be difficult to take it directly from Master Luo, but it would be easier to take it from us. They could use a legitimate reason, such as national security, and even confiscate it through administrative means, potentially without spending a dime, gaining a high-quality asset for free?"
Commander Xie nodded, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "The Strategic Affairs Department on the eastern shore always needs to cloak their actions in a moral veneer, finding a sufficiently righteous reason, such as protecting national interests or ensuring public safety. The Secret Operations Bureau, on the other hand, doesn't bother with such pretenses. Their methods are more brutal and direct, which is why their reputation is worse, even though their actions are essentially the same."
Chen Chuan thought of the Secret Operations Bureau member he had killed while surveilling his team and nodded, clearly agreeing.
He said in a matter-of-fact tone, "I'll handle this."
They had invested time and money to acquire the fighting school, and it was officially under his name. He was not about to hand it over without a fight.
Even against the Strategic Affairs Department.
After noon, he took a car and returned to the Feishen Fighting School, where he was greeted by Shin Gorou.
About ten minutes later, an armed convoy stopped in front of the school. A group of people got out of the cars, with the man at the front standing two meters tall. He had neatly groomed golden hair, wore a blue checkered suit, and had a cigar in his mouth, with a camel-colored overcoat draped over his shoulders.
Master Wrenlier, the owner of the Migas Fighting Arena, a native Federation fighter.
The two fighting schools had always been in competition. He was well aware that in the capital, the rivalry between fighting schools often came down not to fighting techniques, but to their backgrounds and connections.
Of course, Chen Chuan was not someone he could afford to provoke. Secret Temple Fighters, no matter which country they came from, held a status and position that commanded respect, far beyond anything he could achieve at the moment.
However, he had an advantage over the other side: they were not Federation natives, while he had the strong support of Energy. However, these supporters were not willing to step into the limelight, so he had to take the initiative.
He glanced at the Feishen Fighting School's sign, then took the cigar from his mouth, letting it extinguish on its own. He waved his hand and led his disciples and coaches inside.
Under the arrangement of the welcoming staff Shin Gorou had prepared, they soon arrived at the spacious main hall.
His gaze swept over Shin Gorou, and he immediately saw a young man. The moment he saw him, his heart skipped a beat.
Although he had mentally prepared himself, he still felt an uncontrollable sense of panic, as if standing on the edge of a cliff, trembling and unable to take a step forward with ease.
He steadied his nerves, took off his hat, placed it over his chest, and bowed slightly, speaking in fluent Da Shun language: "Is this Mr. Chen? I am Wrenlier. Thank you, Mr. Chen, for inviting me here today."
Chen Chuan nodded in acknowledgment. "Mr. Wrenlier, hello."
Shin Gorou gestured with his hand. "Master Wrenlier, please take a seat."
Once Wrenlier and his group were seated, he said in a deep voice, "I have invited Mr. Wrenlier here today to resolve the long-standing conflict between our two fighting schools. We hope your school will cease its recent disrespectful actions and make a proper apology and compensation."
Wrenlier smiled, having anticipated Shin Gorou's demands. If a Secret Temple Fighter were on their side, his demands would have been much more severe, but that didn't mean he would immediately admit defeat.
He said, "Mr. Shin Gorou, there's no need for more words. We are all fighters, and the simplest and most direct solution is one we are both familiar with."
He fixed his sharp gaze on Chen Chuan.
"Our conflict stems from which fighting style, Migas or Feishen, is more suitable for Federation citizens. I believe we can settle this with a match."
Shin Gorou asked, "Master Wrenlier, are you challenging Mr. Chen to a duel?"
Wrenlier shook his head.
"I am well aware of the gap in strength between Mr. Chen and myself. I have no chance of winning against him. However, a victory by Mr. Chen over me does not mean that Feishen is superior to Migas."
Chen Chuan said, "Mr. Wrenlier, you mean that my skills represent only myself and not the Feishen style?"
Wrenlier did not answer directly, but his expression said it all.
Chen Chuan then looked at a young man standing nearby. "Shin Yushiro."
Shin Yushiro was taken aback but did not hesitate, stepping forward and responding with a strong voice, "Master, Shin Yushiro is here."
Chen Chuan turned to Wrenlier. "This is Shin Gorou's son. He is sixteen years old and has been trained in the most orthodox Feishen fighting techniques since childhood. I believe he best represents this style. Master Wrenlier, if you agree, you can send out someone of the same age for a match using their respective fighting techniques. If you lose, you will comply with Shin Gorou's demands. If we lose, I will no longer interfere with your activities in the Federation capital."
Wrenlier's eyes gleamed as he looked at Shin Yushiro for a moment, then thought about it and bowed slightly to Chen Chuan. "Mr. Chen, your proposal is fair, and Shin Yushiro's status is appropriate. We are willing to accept it." He called out, "Clayton!"
From the group behind him, a young man stepped forward. He was about the same height as Shin Yushiro, with reddish-brown hair and deep-set eyes. Despite his young age, he exuded a serious and disciplined demeanor, clearly the result of rigorous training and cultivation.
He said, "This is our disciple from the Migas Fighting Arena, trained in the most orthodox Migas fighting techniques. He is one year younger than Shin Yushiro, and I believe he is a suitable opponent."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
