https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1181-Provoking-the-Fight-for-Gain/13474313/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1184-Purify-Spirit-Banish-Malevolent-Spirits/13474321/
Chapter 1182: Boarding the Boat to Enjoy the Scenery
Chapter 1182: Boarding the Boat to Enjoy the Scenery
The black fire mists, sensing the change above, shot upward and clashed with the fist. But after a brief standstill, they suddenly dispersed.
With nothing to block it, the fist continued its descent, revealing what lay below.
Vehicles were driving along the street, and pedestrians were walking back and forth. The fist, now fully charged, was powerful enough to crush the entire street along with everyone and everything on it.
Chen Chuan sat in the car, his gaze calm. The white-gold light that accompanied the descending fist illuminated the area in front of him and his surroundings. Due to the speed of their actions, everyone in the car and the people outside maintained their previous expressions.
Just before the fist was about to land, everything vanished as if it were light smoke dispersing. The light and the giant hand disappeared.
The surrounding scenery and lights reappeared, and the convoy continued to drive forward normally. No one noticed any abnormality, as if everything that had just happened had been erased.
He thought for a moment. The person who appeared earlier was undoubtedly a Fighter with a Divine Aspect, and likely had reached the level of the Dongxuan Temple.
This person had arrived without any physical manifestation, only as a spirit. What he had seen was a scene created by the spirit, which, for that brief moment, had been indistinguishable from reality.
The person's appearance at this time was likely related to the Non-Corporeal Martial Hall incident, possibly a show of force and a warning.
The Strategic Affairs Department, perhaps?
To have even a Throne Fighter involved suggests their determination to take over the Non-Corporeal Martial Hall is strong, at least on the surface.
After returning to the base, he met with Commander Xie and recounted the events.
Commander Xie listened to the process and the encounter on the way, then said, "Based on my experience dealing with the Federation, the Strategic Affairs Department is bluffing and testing us, trying to gauge our resolve and strength. If we back down, they will press us harder."
Chen Chuan asked, "What do you suggest, Commander Xie?"
Commander Xie replied, "Director Chen letting the Martial Hall members fight back was a good move. If they want to escalate the situation, we'll escalate it too. If they stir up public opinion, the Federation government will work to mitigate the impact.
They might think we value the negotiations and won't make a big fuss, so they're using this to pressure us. But in reality, we were invited by the Federation's executive government.
They value these negotiations more than we do. As the invited party, we don't need to hold back.
Moreover, the head of the Strategic Affairs Department was appointed by the current executive government. This is likely the action of some individuals within the department, and they can't mobilize the entire department's resources. Even if they want to confront us, we don't need to worry."
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment. Since this was an internal move by some individuals in the Strategic Affairs Department, it might also be a way to test the content of the negotiations with the executive government.
But that was not his concern.
He only faced the immediate threat; overthinking other aspects would be futile.
Commander Xie said, "Director Chen, in the next few days, I will be meeting with several senators from the western coast. Since this is your first visit to the Federation capital, there are many places you haven't seen. This is a city where Fighters can move freely. Why not take the opportunity to explore?"
Chen Chuan nodded. Since he was in the Federation capital, he should indeed visit some famous landmarks.
After parting ways with Commander Xie, he returned to rest.
The next day, Chen Chuan, Gui Zihan, and the guard team set off in a vehicle. They arrived at the Yidu River dock in less than ten minutes.
The Yidu River connects to the Cuikelan Great Lake and links various important areas and famous attractions in the Federation capital through artificial canals.
Their tour boat was a luxury yacht capable of accommodating up to forty passengers.
This was a leisurely tour, and the atmosphere was much more relaxed and casual than before. The team members no longer acted as guards but joined as tourists. Additionally, a few security personnel from the First Delegation accompanied them.
They had already informed the capital authorities in advance, so no one would interfere with them unless there was an emergency.
The First Delegation had introduced them to a guide familiar with the Federation capital.
He was a man wearing a hat, a beige windbreaker, and a slightly pale lip, with a slightly disheveled appearance. He wore a fashionable floral tie and had a reassuring smile. He placed his hat over his chest and said in a respectful tone, "My name is Samuel Ash, and I will be your guide today.
I have lived in the capital for twenty-eight years. I have survived gunshots from drug dealers, outrun customs patrol boats, saved a suicidal girl in a rooftop storm, and almost become the main course at a cannibal feast in an abandoned cathedral."
Every corner and alley of the Federation capital are familiar to me. I will gradually reveal the city's deepest secrets, those rarely known to the public, and I hope you will find them satisfying."
This person's opening remarks gave the impression of someone with a wealth of experience, and whether or not what he said was true, he certainly piqued the interest of the group.
Chen Chuan and the rest of the team boarded the boat and took their seats on the open-top deck.
The yacht glided along the river, and after about ten minutes, Ash pointed to a long bridge spanning the river in the distance. "Look, that's the Thousand Lanterns Bridge, also known as the Angel Bridge. It's the first famous landmark we'll see."
This pedestrian bridge spanned the main river, adorned on both sides with hundreds of lamps of various designs.
As they listened to his introduction, they learned that each lamp was crafted by traditional techniques, mostly made of glass and ceramics, with a few using copper carvings, and even a few made from rare biological materials, each with a pair of small, adorable wings.
Yuan Qiuyuan glanced at the bridge and said, "I've heard of this bridge. They say these winged creatures can fly, but I don't see them flying."
Ash smiled slightly. "They are usually in a dormant state. If someone can step out different musical notes and form a melody, they will dance and fly."
As the yacht approached, the group could see small angels with white wings hanging upside down from the underside of the bridge. For some reason, the scene felt unsettling, lacking the expected holiness and instead appearing somewhat eerie and menacing.
Yuan Qiuyuan asked curiously, "Who built this bridge?"
Ash replied, "It was built with a donation from a wealthy merchant couple. In the past, there was no bridge here, and residents had to cross the river by ferry. The merchant and his lover lived on opposite banks of the river, and each time they met, they had to travel back and forth, which was very inconvenient.
The merchant was also a musician. He composed several pieces and created large reflective panels to correspond with musical notes. Whenever he missed his lover, he would raise the panels to shine across the river, and the musicians on the other side would play the music. This way, even though they were separated by distance, they could still communicate their feelings through music."
The group listened with rapt attention.
"Later, when the bridge was built, the merchant generously donated to the project. To commemorate their past, he followed the architect's suggestion and boldly used the most advanced technology of the time to create a musical walkway.
As pedestrians walk along the walkway, each step triggers a musical note, producing a melodious sound. The bridge has been standing for fifty years and has undergone expansion and renovation, including the addition of amplification equipment. It has become a place of romance and serendipity for countless couples.
Ah, on the day it was completed, the merchant's lover even composed a poem on the spot..."
Just as he was speaking, a red-bellied mountain finch flew over and landed on the bow of the yacht. It loudly recited, "Ah, my beloved, the dawn light is like a veil, the soft light like a body, my heart is as clear as the lake, yet it ripples with your presence..."
Ash, who seemed unfazed by a bird speaking, said, "Sir, that's not how the poem goes."
The red-bellied mountain finch clutched its chest. "Does it matter? Our feelings are the same right now."
"Bang!"
A gunshot echoed, and a large hole appeared in its chest. It fell straight into the lake, and one of the guards on the boat holstered his pistol and saluted Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan nodded slightly. He had already instructed that if they encountered this bird again, they should shoot it, as it would otherwise disrupt their relaxing journey and attract the attention of law enforcement.
He looked at Ash and said, "Mr. Ash, please continue your tour."
As a resident of the East Bank living in the West Bank of the Federation, Ash was well-adapted to such scenes. He bowed slightly, smiled, and said, "As you wish."
Passing under the Thousand Lanterns Bridge, he pointed to a tall, gray stone building along the river. From the boat, they could clearly see the double helix patterns carved into the outer walls.
"Allow me to introduce you to the St. Frollo Cathedral. It is the first cathedral built in the Federation capital. Initially, it was small, but it has undergone multiple expansions and is now an irreplaceable symbol of the city.
At night, the lights reflect on the river, creating a magnificent and enchanting scene alongside the bridge's shadow. The cathedral also hosts regular concerts and fireworks shows, making it a favorite destination for tourists and a place they never want to leave."
Someone in the group asked, surprised, "This is a cathedral?"
Ash replied, "To be precise, it's an old cathedral. We follow the new faith, which has long been reformed."
Chen Chuan knew that the Federation's new faith had emerged at the end of the old era, not worshiping any specific deity but rather a symbol or concept, as this was the only way to sever ties with certain entities from the other world.
He thought for a moment and asked, "Mr. Ash, the abandoned cathedral you mentioned, where the cannibal feast took place..." He glanced at the sinister spiral carvings on the opposite side. "Is this it?"
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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