Chapter 183: The Limit
Chapter 183: The Limit
The car drove out of Quanzhou District in the south of the city and entered Xigang District after about half an hour. This area, filled with abandoned factories, had become a stronghold for many gangs and a hub for illicit trade.
As the vehicle navigated the bumpy road, Chen Chuan gazed at the derelict 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, only managing to deal with his gang at the sentry post outside Caijiazhai later on.
The car jolted again, probably due to a pothole in the road, and a slight rustling sound came from the box next to 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 from the seat, "Mr. Chen, the Li'an Old Factory is just ahead, but the road seems to be 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 not far, I'll get off here."
He opened the car door, stepped out with the Snow Lady Sword in hand, and the driver also got out to help him with the box.
Chen Chuan checked his watch; it was 3:45, and he still had fifteen minutes before the agreed-upon time.
The driver came over, placed the box in front of him, and Chen Chuan thanked him before picking up the box and walking towards the factory with the Snow Lady Sword in hand.
As he walked along the road, he could see sparse trees on both sides and simple, old-fashioned benches by the roadside. The ground beneath his feet was uneven, covered with branches, leaves, and gravel.
Three years ago, Shen Zheng might have walked down this same path.
And today, Chen Chuan had arrived here too.
But they were not the same.
He looked ahead, taking resolute and powerful strides forward, each step crushing dry leaves underfoot with a distinct crunching sound, gradually approaching the dark factory building.
At the same time, on the National Avenue in the eastern part of the city, a black limousine was heading towards Yangzhi City, clearly coming from Central City.
A man in his thirties with a scar on one side of his face sat in the backseat, listening to soothing music from the car's stereo. He poured himself half a cup of orange-colored beverage from a bottle and slowly savored it.
As a fighter, he was disciplined and abstained from alcohol and smoking. However, Central City's technology could replicate the taste of high-end liquor in beverages, allowing him to appreciate the flavors.
Just then, the car gradually slowed down.
Sensing something amiss, he asked, "What's going on?"
The driver replied, "Mr. Chi, there's something 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 figure for a few moments and muttered to himself, "Looks like we won't make it by 4:00." He put down his glass, opened the door, and stepped out of the car. After stretching his joints, he strolled towards the figure in the distance.
On the other side, Chen Chuan had reached the front of the factory building. Here, he could see many luxury cars parked outside, some with their headlights still on. There were also private security personnel standing guard. At that moment, a butler-like man approached with a smile and said, "Mr. Chen, is that you?"
"Yes, it's me," Chen Chuan replied.
"Please follow me."
The butler gestured, and two security guards slowly opened a wide rolling door at the factory entrance, revealing a bright light inside created by multiple industrial lamps. Two spotlights on either side shone long beams intentionally showcasing something.
Chen Chuan stood in front of the tall door, holding the Snow Lady Sword. Behind him was the deep darkness of the night, while in front, the glaring light seemed to divide the world into two distinct parts.
The butler extended his hand in invitation, "Mr. Chen, please."
Chen Chuan tightened his grip on the Snow Lady Sword and walked inside. After about seven or eight steps, the rolling door slowly closed behind him with a final click as it settled on the ground.
He paid no attention to this, instead surveying his surroundings. The factory's interior was spacious, with metal platforms supported by steel frames and metal stairs at intervals of about three to four meters. Passages were left between the platforms and columns, where spotlights were also positioned. At that moment, the spotlights turned on, and over a dozen light sources illuminated the area around Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan thought for a moment, then placed the box on the ground and continued forward with the Snow Lady Sword in hand. He stopped beneath a platform where he could see members of the Mutual Aid Society standing.
He recognized them at a glance because they wore the society's custom-made clothing, embroidered with gold thread and the society's emblem—two hands clasped together. Their attire resembled the academy's formal wear but was even more luxurious.
On the platform ahead, about five or six people stood, whispering to each other. Apart from the platforms and passages within the factory, Chen Chuan could hear many breathing sounds, indicating at least several dozen people, perhaps more. He guessed they were security and attendant staff.
This was normal; without a certain level of security, these people would likely not dare to appear before him.
At this moment, these people stand atop a platform, seemingly to assert their dominance and status. Perhaps it is also out of fear that they deliberately keep their distance from him.
After a few moments, Wei Jun approached the metal railing, slapped his hand on it, and looked down, "Chen Chuan, you're right on time."
Chen Chuan replied, "I've never been one to be late, so I don't want to be that kind of person."
Wei Jun let out an 'oh' and nodded, commenting, "That's a good habit. We don't have to waste each other's time. Now that you're here, let's have a good talk."
With Chen Chuan's arrival, his urgency had lessened compared to before. For tonight, they had made extensive preparations, with their people both inside and out.
Throughout Yangzhi City, various companies and families had also been mobilized, keeping a close eye on all possible parties involved in the matter. Any hint of movement, and they would be the first to know.
However, up until now, there had been no signs of activity. Under these circumstances, Chen Chuan's solo arrival and entry into this place had already secured the situation.
"Chen Chuan, we didn't necessarily have to reach this point. I know what you want, but do you really think this path is that easy to walk?"
He placed his hand on the railing's steel pipe, speaking as he moved to the side, his fingers tapping on the surface.
"I know you got the Foreign Affairs Bureau's evaluation, and your next step is to take the Infinite Defense Certificate exam to qualify for the Central City quota. But no matter how hard you try, you won't get that quota. Do you know why?"
As if he already had the upper hand, Wei Jun's entire demeanor relaxed, but within his ease, there was a subtle restlessness.
"Oh, and you must have heard of Shen Zheng, right?" He suddenly turned to look at Chen Chuan and nodded. "It seems you have heard of him, and you should have."
"He fell on this very path. Do you know where he went wrong?"
"He crossed the line!"
Wei Jun pointed downward with his finger, emphasizing his words, "He didn't follow the rules he should have followed. He crossed a boundary he shouldn't have, and that led to his fate!"
He abruptly turned around, slamming both hands on the metal railing, causing dust to fall. He stared at Chen Chuan below, "Now you're heading in that direction, and it's dangerous, truly dangerous."
His tone softened slightly, "You don't have to do this. If you back down, follow the rules, and act accordingly, we can coexist peacefully. Do you know that if you continue, the ones you'll face won't be us... but the high dam erected by the various upper-echelon powers of Yangzhi?"
Chen Chuan stood below, looking up. He understood what this meant. This world had distinct layers, with Central City at its core, followed by outer cities like Yangzhi, then towns, and finally villages.
Each place was an independent circle with its unique way of life, seemingly capable of coexisting without interference, yet there were vast disparities between them.
The path to cross these layers was narrow, accessible only to a select few. Those qualified would suppress anyone attempting to compete for this path.
As long as one didn't dream of reaching a higher level or breaking boundaries, and stayed in their place, there would be no issues.
But once someone tried to break through those boundaries, they would face suppression.
"We're willing to talk because we don't want to go that far either," Wei Jun's voice echoed from above.
"Jiang Wei invited you to join the Mutual Aid Society twice," he gestured to Jiang Wei, standing to the side, "and now I can invite you again."
"Those tedious conditions can be ignored. We won't ask anything of you. Treaties and agreements are for the mediocre. You don't have to. We can provide you with funding; you just need to not cross that boundary."
Chen Chuan scoffed at the so-called conditions, knowing they were concessions made because of his strength, merely to temporarily placate him.
If he agreed, put down his sword, they had ways to slowly dismantle and divide his supporters, then mobilize forces against him at their leisure.
If he obeyed, he would become the Mutual Aid Society's enforcer, dealing with those who dared to cross the boundary in the future. If he disobeyed, he would face the same fate as Shen Zheng.
"Since the senior brother has asked, I can give you a clear answer now."
Chen Chuan spoke slowly, "I will continue on this path, and I will keep going. As for the so-called obstacles along the way..." He lifted his head, gazing at Wei Jun above and the Mutual Aid Society members, his eyes sharp as blades, "They will all be eliminated."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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