Chapter 226: Arrival
Chapter 226: Arrival
Chen Chuan strolled into the carriage and said, "It seems you're the one in charge of setting up this train."
The man, in a state of panic, scrambled backwards, grabbing the handle of the rear carriage. However, whether the door was locked or he failed to exert enough force in his haste, he struggled several times without success.
He kept banging, kicking, and pulling, but to no avail. Just as he was still trying, a hand reached out and slammed his head against the carriage door. The impact caused the secret ritual patterns on the man's face to become a bloody mess. He then slumped to the ground, leaving a trail of blood.
Chen Chuan glanced at his secondary self, whose intense etherealization had now vanished. With this ritual node captured, the lore of the secret sect would no longer be bound here.
He turned back towards the original carriage, and at that moment, screams and sounds of vomiting and shouting erupted from outside, causing the entire train to tremble.
Chen Chuan immediately realized that the passengers had been freed from the secret sect's ritual. This was likely due to Director Lei's successful disruption of the outer ritual nodes.
At that moment, Linden Berg, who had been repeating his previous words, awoke. He surveyed his current situation, feeling a bit surprised. Despite the bloodshed around him, he remained remarkably composed. He looked at Chen Chuan, who was wearing a mask, and said, "Your Excellency, am I being held?"
Chen Chuan's gaze lowered, and he replied, "You're safe now."
"Are you from the Da Shun government?"
Although it was a question, Linden Berg's tone was certain. He examined Chen Chuan's attire, nodded, and reached out to search. He found a hat on the ground, put it on, and stood up, brushing off the dust. Looking around, he said, "I guess I'm lucky."
Indeed, he was fortunate, as he was the only one alive among the three company representatives present. However, it wasn't just luck; the scraped skin on his forehead revealed a deep gray skull beneath, almost metallic in color, indicating an implanted hardened skull.
Linden Berg seemed to notice something and took a few steps forward. He opened a bag, revealing bundles of cylindrical objects with a red exterior.
"Hmm, 'Thunderfire Explosives' produced by Da Shun, incredibly powerful. Looks like they didn't have time to set them up."
He looked up and said, "Your Excellency, you arrived just in time. If you had been any later, even with this hard skull, it wouldn't have helped." As he spoke, he playfully tapped his own head.
Chen Chuan said, "I didn't come here specifically to save you."
Linden Berg replied, "Then, Your Excellency, did you come to rescue the passengers? I'm also a passenger, so I should thank you."
He removed his hat and placed it over his chest, bowing slightly. "I, Steven Linden Berg, business representative of Pollen Corporation, express my gratitude for your rescue."
Chen Chuan nodded at him and then exited the carriage with his sword. He walked through the carriage, his masked figure drawing fearful gazes from the passengers, and reached a carriage door. He yanked the iron chain wrapped around it, breaking it, and stepped outside.
The sky outside was a bit brighter than before, and the sound of gunfire had ceased on both sides of the mountain. The resistance members there had likely been subdued by their teammates.
Chen Chuan looked up at the hot air balloon floating in the sky, seemingly descending towards a specific location, and raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
However, this was a matter for Director Lei to handle, and Chen Chuan had already completed his task.
Linden Berg followed him out of the carriage, carrying a suitcase and standing a short distance behind. "Please excuse the intense bloodstains inside the carriage," he said.
Chen Chuan paid him no mind.
The passengers, initially terrified, had been too scared to move. Now, seeing that no one was stopping them and that disembarking seemed safe, they hurriedly exited the train, unable to bear the gruesome environment inside.
Just then, Chen Chuan heard the sound of approaching vehicles and turned to see a fleet of armored patrol vehicles from the Patrol Bureau.
To avoid arousing suspicion from the resistance organization, most of the patrol officers had been stationed in the city in advance. However, as soon as the telegraph was sent, Guan Yuming immediately dispatched a team he had prepared beforehand. The resistance members trying to block their path couldn't stop the large group of officers.
When the patrol vehicles arrived, the officers were startled by Chen Chuan's masked appearance. A captain approached and whispered, "Chen Xiaoqi?" He glanced into the train, "Is it handled?"
Chen Chuan nodded and presented his weapon permit, indicating that he had no intention of removing his mask to avoid unnecessary complications later.
The captain, relieved, saluted him and immediately turned to organize the officers and coroner to inspect the train carriages.
Chen Chuan quickly briefed the captain and soon after, Wei Chang'an and Ren Xiaotian descended from both sides of the mountain and reunited with him.
The atmosphere among them was relaxed, and no one appeared to be injured.
On Ren Xiaotian's side, the resistance members didn't stand a chance against the combined might of the Battle Spiders and their allies. They were swiftly subdued.
Wei Chang'an's group, however, posed a slightly more challenging situation as they had to navigate a mountainous path. Fortunately, their superior numbers, firearms, and equipment ensured an easy victory.
With the train unable to stay stopped for long and the scene already investigated, there was no need to delay further. After about three quarters of an hour, the bodies were cleared, and the officers verified each passenger's identity and ticket. Only then did they allow the passengers to reboard.
Steven Lin Dengbege approached Chen Chuan, presenting a name card with both hands, and said, "I believe this is where we part ways. This is my personal name card. If you wish to purchase implants from Pollen Corporation, you can find me in Central City. I can help you get the best prices. Pollen Corporation has an excellent global reputation for sensory and neural implants."
He was clever, never once asking Chen Chuan's name but offering the name card.
Chen Chuan accepted the card without refusal, though he had no need for it. However, if he were to go to Central City, he would inevitably have to deal with these companies.
As the passengers, trembling with fear, reboarded under the officers' instructions, Chen Chuan addressed the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, our mission is complete. We can now return."
Meanwhile, the officers had already radioed the situation back to Guan Yuming, who breathed a sigh of relief. Although most of the company representatives were dead, the majority of the passengers had survived.
Guan Yuming immediately called the bureau, and after connecting, he reported the situation. In conclusion, he said, "Director, we could have saved those people before the train was stopped."
The director's voice came through, "Save them before? For whom? We are willing to act, but we can't do it silently and expect others to know. Especially with certain people, we can't let them think our actions are a given."
"Many of the company representatives died this time."
"Foreign companies have nothing to do with us, Yangzhi City, or Da Shun. I didn't invite them. Without these people, Yangzhi will be even more peaceful!"
Guan Yuming spoke gravely, "These companies might pressure the Government Hall since this incident occurred within Yangzhi City."
The voice on the other end of the line replied with a meaningful tone, "Old Guan, I won't be in this position for long. You need to understand what those above truly want." And with that, the call ended abruptly.
As Chen Chuan resolved the situation with the train, Director Lei, along with the Mystic Patrol Bureau, rushed to the site where the hot air balloon had descended.
Despite appearing close, the mountainous terrain made the location difficult to reach. Some steep slopes required detours, and it took nearly an hour to arrive. Upon reaching the site, it was clear that the basket was empty.
An officer removed his hat, panting, and said, "Director, it seems the person has escaped."
Director Lei examined the surroundings and, after a moment of thought, said, "Not necessarily."
He turned and instructed the team, "After we return, send a telegram to the Patrol Bureau. Ask them to check the identity of everyone who disembarked from the train and verify their identities as much as possible."
On the other side, the Chang Shun Express, after three quarters of an hour of travel, finally entered the Yangzhi City Station. Once the train came to a stop, the terrified passengers rushed out as if fleeing a disaster.
Among the crowd, a young man with long hair and a painting board on his back walked calmly towards the exit, standing out from the chaotic passengers with his composed demeanor.
After exiting the station, he stood in the square, squinting at the bright sunlight. He extended his right hand, and soon, a luxury car pulled up beside him.
He opened the car door and sat in the back seat. Once the door closed, the driver asked, "Sir, how was the art exhibition?"
The man sighed, his voice carrying a hint of magnetism, "It's a shame. The exhibition was too rushed, and the flaws are too many. It's not a successful piece. I think I need to change locations to seek inspiration."
"Sir, where to next?"
The man smiled, "Let's go to Central City. There are surely more people there yearning for new colors."
"Yes, sir, please fasten your seatbelt."
The man smiled, resting his hand on the open window. He waved gently, as if bidding farewell to an unseen person, and the car slowly drove out of the station square towards the National Highway.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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