Chapter 183: Boundaries
Chapter 183: Boundaries
The sedan left the All-Around District in the south of the city and entered the Xigang District after three quarters of an hour. This area, filled with abandoned factories, had become a stronghold and illegal trading hub for various gangs.
As the car navigated the bumpy road, Chen Chuan gazed at the dilapidated factories outside. He remembered coming here once with Wei Chang'an to capture Tong Qianjiang, but due to various reasons, they failed to apprehend him. It wasn't until later that they dealt with this group at the sentry post outside Caijia Village.
The car jolted again, likely due to a pothole on the road, and a faint rustling sound came from the box beside him.
Chen Chuan reached out and patted the box, and the noise quickly subsided.
After driving for a while, the driver gradually slowed down and said, "Mr. Chen, the Li'an Old Factory is ahead, but the road seems blocked by a barrier."
Chen Chuan looked ahead and saw two concrete barriers blocking the road, with the factory building visible behind them. He said, "It's just a short distance; I'll get out here."
He opened the door, stepped out with the Xuejun Blade in hand, and the driver also got out to help him with the box.
Chen Chuan checked his watch; it was 3:45 pm, and he had fifteen minutes until the agreed-upon time.
The driver came over and placed the box in front of him. Chen Chuan thanked him, picked up the box, and carried the Xuejun Blade towards the factory.
As he walked along the road, he noticed sparse trees on both sides and simple, worn-out benches by the roadside. The ground beneath his feet was uneven, covered in branches, leaves, and gravel.
Three years ago, Shen Zheng might have walked down this very path.
And today, he had arrived here as well.
But they were not the same.
He gazed ahead, taking steady and powerful strides forward, each step crushing the dry leaves underfoot with a crisp crunch. He approached the dark and gloomy factory building.
At the same time, on the National Avenue in the east of the city, a black sedan was driving towards Yangzhi City. It was evident from the direction of the vehicle that it had come from Central City.
A man in his thirties with a scar on one side of his face sat in the back seat, listening to soothing music from the car's tape player. He poured himself a glass of orange-yellow beverage and slowly savored it.
As a Combat Art practitioner, he was disciplined and abstained from alcohol and smoking. However, the technology in Central City had advanced to the point where beverages could mimic the taste of high-end liquors, allowing him to enjoy the flavors.
Just then, the car gradually slowed down.
He sensed something amiss and asked, "What's wrong?"
The driver replied, "Mr. Chi, ahead..."
Mr. Chi looked ahead and saw a robust figure standing in the middle of the wide road, his hair blowing in the wind like the mane of a lion.
He observed the man for a moment and muttered to himself, "Looks like we won't make it by 4:00 pm." He put down his drink, opened the door, and stepped out of the car. After stretching his joints, he walked towards the figure ahead.
On the other side, Chen Chuan had reached the front of the factory. Here, he noticed numerous luxury cars parked outside, some with their headlights still on. There were also private security guards standing by. At that moment, a man resembling a butler approached with a welcoming smile and asked, "Are you Mr. Chen?"
"Yes, I am," Chen Chuan confirmed.
"Please follow me," the butler said.
The butler gestured, and two security guards slowly raised a wide roller door at the factory entrance, revealing a bright light created by multiple industrial lamps inside. Two spotlights on either side intentionally shone beams from within, seemingly displaying something.
Chen Chuan, holding the Xuejun Blade, stood before the tall door. Behind him was the deep darkness of the night, while in front, a blinding light emanated from within, as if this door had split two distinct worlds.
The butler extended his hand in invitation, saying, "Please, Mr. Chen."
Chen Chuan tightened his grip on the Xuejun Blade and stepped inside. After about seven or eight steps, the roller door slowly lowered behind him, finally clicking into place on the ground.
He paid no heed to this and surveyed his surroundings. The factory's interior was vast, with metal platforms constructed from metal panels and scaffolding supported by steel frames at a height of about three to four meters. Metal staircases led to these platforms, and passages were left between them.
At that moment, people were walking back and forth on the platforms, their footsteps echoing. Spotlights at the corners and columns also illuminated the area, and as Chen Chuan approached, the spotlights turned on, bathing him in light from all directions.
Chen Chuan paused to think, then set the box down and proceeded forward with the Xuejun Blade. He stopped beneath a platform, where he saw members of the Mutual Aid Society standing above.
He recognized them instantly because they wore the Society's custom-made uniforms, adorned with golden emblems and the Society's insignia—two hands clasped together. Their attire resembled the Academy's formal wear but with a touch of added elegance.
On the platform ahead stood five or six people, and at a distance on either side, he heard whispered conversations. Additionally, throughout the factory, on other platforms and passages, he could hear numerous breathing sounds, indicating the presence of at least several dozen people, perhaps even more. He guessed they were likely security and attendant personnel.
This was understandable; without a certain level of security, these individuals would probably not dare to face him.
As it is now, these people stand at a height, seemingly to assert their dominance and status. Perhaps it's also out of fear that they intentionally maintain a distance from him.
After a few calls, Wei Jun walked to the metal railing. He slapped the railing with one hand, making a loud smacking sound, and then looked down, "Chen Chuan, you're right on time."
Chen Chuan replied, "I've never liked being late, and I don't want to be that kind of person."
Wei Jun nodded and said, "That's good, no need to waste each other's time. Since you're here, let's have a proper talk."
As Chen Chuan arrived, his anxiety from earlier lessened. They had made many preparations for tonight, with their people inside and out.
Meanwhile, in various companies and families across Yangzhi City, forces were already in motion, keeping a close eye on any potential involvement in this matter. It could be said that they would know of any slight movement or change.
However, up until now, there hadn't been any activity. With Chen Chuan entering this place alone, the situation was already under control.
"Chen Chuan, we don't necessarily need to reach this point. I know what you want, but do you really think this path is so easy to walk?"
He placed his hand on the steel railing, speaking as he moved to the side, his fingers tapping on the railing.
"I know you've received the Foreign Affairs Bureau's evaluation, and the next step is definitely to take the Infinite Defense Certificate exam. Your goal is to obtain a spot for Central City, but no matter how hard you try, you won't get that spot. Do you know why?"
Feeling like he already had the upper hand, Wei Jun's entire body seemed relaxed, but beneath the surface, there was a hint of unspoken restlessness.
In a 6-1-9-1-9-1-book-1-bar-1-wrong-1-version!
"By the way, you should've heard of Shen Zheng, right?" He suddenly turned back to look at Chen Chuan and nodded, "It seems you have heard of him, and you should've."
"He fell on this path, do you know where he went wrong?"
"That's because he crossed the line!"
Wei Jun said, pointing forcefully downward with his finger, emphasizing something, "He didn't follow the rules he should've followed. He crossed the line he shouldn't have, leading to his downfall!"
He suddenly turned around, and his hands slammed onto the metal railing, causing a vibration and a shower of dust. He stared at Chen Chuan below, "Now you're heading in this direction, and it's very dangerous, truly."
He softened his tone, "You don't have to do this. You can just retreat, follow the rules, and act according to them. We can coexist peacefully, do you understand? If you continue down this path, what you'll face won't be us...
But if you keep walking, then you'll face..."
"We're willing to talk with you because we don't want to reach that point either." Wei Jun's voice echoed from above.
"Jiang Wei invited you to join the Mutual Aid Society twice," he spread his hands, gesturing to Jiang Wei standing to the side, "Now I can invite you again.
Those complicated conditions can be ignored, and we won't ask you to do anything. Treaties and agreements are for ordinary people. We can provide you with funding, and all we ask is that you don't cross that line."
Chen Chuan merely smiled, knowing full well that these conditions were only made because they recognized his strength and had to compromise. His goal was only to temporarily stabilize the situation.
If he agreed, they would have ways to slowly erode and divide his supporters, and then calmly target him.
If he listened, he would become a Mutual Aid Society thug, dealing with those who tried to cross the line in the future. If he didn't listen, then he would face the same fate as Shen Zheng.
"Since this senior asked, I can now give you a clear answer." Chen Chuan replied, "I will continue on this path, and I'll keep walking. As for the so-called obstacles on the road..." He lifted his head, gazing at Wei Jun above and the Mutual Aid Society members, his eyes sharp, "They will all be cleared away."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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