Chapter 189: Underlying Currents
Chapter 189: Underlying Currents
In the Wei family estate in the southern part of the city, a butler with a scar on his face walked through a corridor adorned with renowned paintings, treading on thick carpets, and arrived at the entrance of a study.
A servant guarding the door opened one of the doors and whispered, "Butler An, the master is waiting for you."
Butler An straightened his attire and cautiously entered the exquisitely furnished study. He bowed to an elderly man sitting there reading a newspaper, "Master."
Wei Hang was nearly ninety years old, but he had taken good care of himself, still possessing a head of thick, neatly combed black hair, with only a hint of white at the temples.
His face showed no signs of skin sagging, and he had a well-groomed short beard on his chin. He looked slender, energetic, and at most, only in his forties or fifties. The medications provided by Central City had ensured his physical condition.
His expression revealed neither joy nor anger, and one couldn't tell that he had just lost a younger son. He slowly put down the newspaper, lifted his head, and looked over.
"You're back, is Xiao Jun's body going to be returned?"
Butler An lowered his head and said, "The Secret Sect Bureau stated that the cause of death is still under investigation, and the body needs to be kept at their facility for some more."
"I see," Wei Hang said slowly. "Then let's leave it with them for a few days. Once this matter is concluded, they will return the body intact."
Butler An raised his head, a hint of unease in his voice, "Master, this matter with the Duality Cult might not be so easily resolved."
Wei Hang spoke slowly, "Yes, once we're involved, it's not so easy to wash our hands clean."
The biggest issue in the abandoned factory incident was the secret sect ritual, which the Great Yangzhi Government was highly sensitive about. Therefore, the Secret Sect Examination Bureau held immense power and independent funding, further isolated from other departments, making it challenging to influence.
If this matter is confirmed and further investigated, there's much to be done, and the upper echelons might use this opportunity to disrupt Yangzhi City's long-standing structure, causing the high dam they built to tremble.
A gust of wind blew, and despite it being summer, he felt a chill. "Old An, is the window open too wide?"
Butler An hurriedly said, "Master, I'll close it right away."
"Oh, there's no need to rush, the room is stuffy, and a breeze is welcome."
"Yes, Master."
Wei Hang spoke slowly, "Have you found out what I asked you to investigate?"
Butler An quickly stepped forward, respectfully placing a set of documents on the table, "Master, it's all here, but... we couldn't find any information about Chen Chuan's parents."
"Not even a trace?"
"His father isn't a native of Yangzhi City, and his mother left Yangzhi City years ago. However, she later sent him to live with her younger sister, and the details during that period are a complete mystery."
"Hmm, if there's nothing to find, then let it be." Wei Hang didn't mind this; as long as the person's background was clear, that was enough.
"But we've discovered a noteworthy situation." Butler An stepped forward, extracting a document from the file and handing it to Wei Hang.
Wei Hang took the document and put on a pair of glasses passed to him by Butler An, carefully examining the contents. His expression became solemn.
"Miss Meng and this Chen Chuan have a close relationship?"
"Yes, it's said that everyone at the school knows about it. Miss Meng hasn't denied it, and when she went to Central City, she even wanted to take him along, but he refused. Even so, before she left, she gave him a name card, and this has been confirmed by many, so the information is reliable."
Wei Hang pondered for a moment and spoke slowly, "This student must die. Otherwise, we won't be able to stand in Yangzhi City, and that high dam will crumble."
He clearly understood that the key to the situation was Chen Chuan, the sole survivor of the abandoned factory incident, the focal point of the conflict, and a crucial witness. Only by eliminating him could they shape the narrative as they wished and prevent the Secret Sect Examination Bureau from further investigation.
Looking at the swaying branches outside, he said, "If there's any development with the Meng family, I'll ask Mo Lan Company to mediate. They won't make things difficult for us over a single person."
He glanced at the clock, which showed five minutes until the hour. He closed his eyes, leaning back in his seat, appearing to rest. Butler An stood by, hands hanging at his sides.
Five minutes passed, and just as the clock began to chime, a servant announced, "Master, the guest has arrived."
Wei Hang opened his eyes and said, "Old An, please go and welcome him."
Butler An acknowledged and turned to leave. After a while, a man dressed as a company employee was brought in. Wei Hang took a cane and slowly rose from his chair.
The young man maintained a smile, "Mr. Wei, Manager Luo asked me to convey his sympathy for you and the other victims."
Wei Hang nodded.
The young man continued, "Manager Luo has heard the requests of his partners and promises to help you through this. He will assist you in pressuring the Administrative Office during the next Administrative Meeting to meet your company's demands."
Wei Hang politely said, "Please convey my thanks to Manager Luo. We will cooperate with your company in pressuring the Administrative Office during the next Administrative Meeting."
The man smiled, "Mr. Wei, Manager Luo said he's awaiting my report, so I'll take my leave." As he spoke, he stood up.
Wei Hang leaned on his cane and said, "Please tell Manager Luo that the Wei Family Corporation is his eternal friend and partner."
"I'll convey your message, Mr. Wei, please stay."
"Old An, see the guest out."
The young man left the study, walked out of the manor, and approached a sedan parked outside. He opened the car door, got in, and respectfully addressed a figure seated in the backseat, "Supervisor, Wei Hang has agreed. They will cooperate with our company from now on."
The figure in the backseat replied, "Wei Hang's death is indeed a blessing in disguise. The company's long-standing demands will finally be met this time."
The young man said, "Once these two pieces of the puzzle are in place, our company's plan in Yangzhi will be complete."
"It's not that simple," the figure said. "As for the waterworks, 'Cang Hong Sky Canal' is a state-owned enterprise, and it won't be easy to break through their defenses. We'll have to take it slow. However, the private security sector might be an opportunity to push Wu Yi out of the picture." He gestured, "Let's go."
The car started, and they drove out of the Wei family estate at a leisurely pace.
In the headquarters of the Patrol Bureau in Ding'an District, Chen Chuan sat in the middle of a spacious room, flipping through a book.
Technically, he was under the control of the Patrol Bureau, but in reality, he was under heavy protection. His meals were delivered by dedicated personnel, and the facilities here were better than those in the school dormitory.
There was a knock on the door, and Chen Chuan looked up and said, "Come in."
The door opened, and Gao Ming entered. He surveyed the room, walked over, and said with a smile, "The conditions here seem decent, but I doubt you'll be staying for long, Elder Brother."
Chen Chuan set the book aside and asked, "Any news?"
Gao Ming sat down opposite Chen Chuan and said, "Before I came, I learned that there will be an internal trial held under the auspices of the Government Hall tomorrow, primarily to discuss how to sentence you, Elder Brother."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Is the Government Hall getting involved?"
"Yes," Gao Ming replied. "I heard that many members of the Consultative Council will be present. Those influential families understand the situation well. If they want to legally dispose of you, they'll have to suppress the people or forces backing you, including Wu Yi, the Patrol Bureau, and the Secret Sect Review Bureau."
"But these departments won't be easily suppressed," Gao Ming continued. "So, most of Yangzhi City's powers will be drawn into this incident, either actively or passively. No one wants to back down."
The sunlight reflected brightly off Gao Ming's glasses as he faced the window. Smiling, he said, "Each of them will have their own interests and demands. The course of events from now on won't be solely determined by us. You, Elder Brother, are both the center and the periphery of this incident. No matter what you say or do, it seems to become insignificant in this power struggle, becoming useless."
Chen Chuan spoke slowly, "No, it's still useful."
Gao Ming smiled and said, "Yes, it's useful. So, next... is the fourth step." He opened his palms and pushed forward, "This power struggle will start with you, and it will naturally end with you."
The two discussed for a long time before Gao Ming left to make preparations.
After he left, Chen Chuan returned to his desk, picked up the book, and continued reading. He seemed relaxed, even more so than when he was at Wu Yi Academy.
Later that evening, after dinner, Guan Yuming came to see Chen Chuan. He asked his deputy to leave, and once the door closed, he sat down and asked, "Chen Chuan, how are you doing? Are you adjusting to this place?"
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Thank you for your care, Director Guan. The conditions here are good, and I feel right at home. I've even been eating more."
Guan Yuming laughed, then his expression turned serious. "You're right. The Patrol Bureau is like your home. Has your cousin told you about tomorrow's matter?"
Chen Chuan nodded.
"Don't worry about tomorrow," Guan Yuming said. "The Patrol Bureau will stand behind you. But don't underestimate your hidden enemies. They are always in plain sight. It's the unseen ones you should be wary of."
Chen Chuan replied earnestly, "Thank you, Director Guan. I understand."
"Alright," Guan Yuming said, standing up. "Get some good rest tonight. With a clear mind, you'll be able to handle whatever comes tomorrow. As long as you don't give in, the Patrol Bureau will support you to the end."
Chen Chuan thanked him, and he saw Guan Yuming out.
Outside, the patrol officers were also discussing the incident.
"Chen Chuan is amazing! He single-handedly took down over a hundred people, all of them from influential families! That's so badass!"
"Damn right, our Patrol Bureau's kid has got skills!"
"What's the word from above? Are they going to protect Chen Chuan?"
"They haven't said anything. If we don't protect our own, who will respect us in the future? Can the Patrol Bureau still stand tall? Not to mention we're in the right this time!"
At the Patrol Bureau residential area, Nian Fulifu had just returned home from the bureau. Yu Wan approached him with concern, "How is Chen Chuan? I heard he's going to the Judgment Hall tomorrow?"
Nian Fulifu reassured her, "Don't worry. The bureau will protect him this time. Gao Ming is with him. That kid Gao Ming is smart. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Yu Wan sighed, "My second sister was the same. She did so much without making a sound. I'm afraid Chen Chuan will follow in her footsteps."
Nian Fulifu waved his hand, "Enough, don't worry too much. Get some rest. We'll know the result tomorrow. Chen Chuan has the support of Wu Yi Academy, so he'll be fine."
"Okay."
Yu Wan was comforted, and Nian Fulifu stepped outside to the courtyard for a smoke. His relaxed expression from earlier was gone, replaced by a furrowed brow.
This time, nearly a dozen influential family members had died under Chen Chuan's blade. Although evidence showed that these individuals had violated weapon regulations and were even holding Secret Sect rituals, which was favorable for Chen Chuan, the incident might not be as easy to resolve as it seemed.
He thought silently, "This matter... I guess I'll have to send a telegram to Qian'er."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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