Chapter 446: Rest Stop
Chapter 446: Rest Stop
Some people around Chen Chuan couldn't help but look on with envy as they witnessed Chen Biting's invitation.
Chen Biting had long hinted at his training program, and although he himself had undergone the implantation, he couldn't take this path. However, some of his relatives and friends needed it.
Chen Biting was strict in his control, and those he accepted for guidance had to possess certain talents and pay a hefty training fee. But people like Chen Chuan, who received the invitation, were rare.
After Chen Chuan and Chen Biting spoke, he didn't linger and politely excused himself, heading towards his teammates. But just a few steps away, he heard Zhan Yi calling him from behind.
He stopped and turned, and as Zhan Yi approached, he asked, "Captain Zhan, is there something?"
Zhan Yi came closer and said, "Captain Chen, it seems the teacher values you highly, and I also have high hopes for you. So, I'd like to invite you to join our Blood Hero Squad."
Chen Chuan asked in surprise, "Blood Hero Squad?" He hadn't heard of this name before.
Zhan Yi explained, "It's a gathering of like-minded individuals, an organization of young heroes determined to serve the country. I'll send you some information later. If you're interested, you can contact me, and I can be your reference." He smiled and nodded at Chen Chuan before turning to leave.
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment. Factions and cliques existed everywhere. He had encountered mutual aid societies before, and this Blood Hero Squad was likely a similar group.
After that, there was no further interaction with Chen Biting, but some young officers occasionally approached Chen Chuan to chat and exchanged contact signals with him.
After the tea gathering ended, Chen Chuan politely bid farewell to Chen Biting and the others. He then left the lecture hall with Qin Qingque and the eager Yuan Qiuyuan.
After a brief exchange with his teammates, Chen Chuan headed back alone and returned to the reception room where he had previously met Pei Can Shi.
Pei Can Shi was waiting for him. Seeing Chen Chuan enter, he proactively prepared a cup of tea for him. Once Chen Chuan sat down, Pei Can Shi asked, "Captain Chen, how did your interaction with Chen Biting go?"
Chen Chuan replied, "It's hard to tell for now. He invited me to his training program today. I'll go back to Central City and check it out."
Pei Can Shi said, "That's good. Build a good relationship with him first. Attending his program is an opportunity to observe him closely, but remember to avoid attracting his attention. That way, even if he returns after his mandatory leave, we can arrange for you to be by his side."
Chen Chuan asked, "Can he come back?"
Pei Can Shi paused before answering, "It's hard to say. This person is too influential, and his impact on the lower and middle levels is significant. You should have seen it today, Captain Chen. The fact that he was forced to take leave is the best course of action the higher-ups could take, given the circumstances. It's truly difficult to predict the duration, as it depends on his own will."
However, Pei Can Shi continued, "This person has genuine abilities. Captain Chen, you can take the opportunity to learn from him, it'll be beneficial for you. But remember to maintain a distance and keep a record of each conversation, promptly reporting back."
Chen Chuan nodded and added, "There's one more thing. My communication channel was leaked to Zhan Yi by someone within the base camp. I asked Qin Executor to investigate, and it seems someone in the communications department violated the rules."
Chen Chuan took out a pen and a piece of paper, wrote down two names, and slid it towards Pei Can Shi. "These two people."
Pei Can Shi took the document and folded it, placing it inside his chest pocket. "I understand. I'll handle this matter."
Chen Biting and his group stayed at Outpost Four for three days before departing back to Central City. With his departure, most of the people followed, leaving the fortress once again in a state of cold desolation.
On this day, Tactical Advisor Ding Mou, who had previously assigned tasks to Chen Chuan, sought him out again.
"The command has issued an order. Your team is to head to Outpost Two-Eight-Five to investigate the situation. There has been no accurate information transmitted from there for two days."
Chen Chuan picked up the documents and skimmed through them. For two consecutive days, the only transmissions from Outpost Two-Eight-Five were meaningless electrical signals. The nearest outpost had dispatched a team, but the result was the same, indicating that there was likely a problem there.
Furthermore, there was a high possibility of an anomaly influence.
Chen Chuan recalled what Tian Yu had told him—the outpost not only served military functions but also held certain pioneering responsibilities. However, the convergence zone here was complex, and sometimes, one couldn't predict what they might encounter.
Ding Mou said, "I remember reading in your report that you understand certain mystical teachings?"
"Yes, I know a little."
"That's good. We've determined that you might encounter an anomaly issue, so it's most suitable for you to lead the team."
Chen Chuan replied, "But I'll need mystical teaching materials. The last time, I used my own, and after the mission, they were almost depleted."
Ding Mou assured him, "Don't worry about that. We'll prepare them for you. Captain Chen, the situation there is unclear, and I hope your team can set off as soon as possible to investigate and clarify the matter."
Chen Chuan agreed, "Okay, I'll prepare and set off."
He gathered the documents and returned to the dormitory, where he used the Boundary Token to notify Yuan Qiuyuan and Qin Qingque. "We have a mission. Come over, and let's discuss the arrangements."
Yuan Qiuyuan responded enthusiastically, "Okay, Captain! I'll be there immediately."
"Captain, I'm reporting for duty."
After Chen Chuan and the two others arrived at the dormitory, he showed them the documents and discussed the details, then sent them back to prepare.
In a 1619 version, there's not a single mistake!
Since this wasn't an operation against an enemy, there was no tactical advisor accompanying them. However, the same auxiliary team was still brought along.
The situation there was still uncertain, and there might be survivors and people in need of medical attention. While the three of them had sufficient combat power, they weren't skilled in handling such matters.
Two hours later, seven off-road vehicles departed from the outpost, heading towards the direction of Outpost Two-Eight-Five.
There were no railways, and the journey by car would take approximately five days. With the time for handling matters, it might be the end of the month, which would mean missing the chance to return home for the New Year. Chen Chuan considered that, within the permitted circumstances, he should quickly and properly handle this matter.
Four days later, they arrived at a rest stop, and there was only one more day's journey to Outpost Two-Eight-Five.
This outpost was relatively remote, with a distance of over two days' travel to the nearest outpost. There were only simple rest stops like this one along the way.
When Chen Chuan and his team arrived, snow began to fall from the sky, something they were accustomed to in the convergence zone. In the time they had been there, at least a third of it was spent in snowfall, and the weather was better during the pursuit of the Iron Demon.
The rest stop had soldiers on duty, a regular trio, who greeted them upon arrival. After checking their orders and documents, they were allowed entry.
Although the place wasn't large, it had been well-planned during construction, so the empty barracks were sufficient to accommodate their team.
They drove the vehicles inside and immediately assigned duties, especially for those with the biological vehicles requiring close attention, as it involved their internal communications.
Once the arrangements were made, the remaining team members preparing for departure were sent to rest, getting ready for an early morning departure.
As the captain, Chen Chuan stayed in a separate room. This time, he didn't cultivate but simply practiced his breathing technique while maintaining vigilance.
The first half of the night was peaceful, but in the latter half, a rustling sound came from the Boundary Token, and a patrol member's voice called out, "Captain, there's a situation."
Chen Chuan immediately pushed open the door and stepped out. The two sentries on duty saluted him, and he signaled for them to follow as they quickly reached the reporting location.
This was an empty warehouse, and the reporting personnel stood guard at the entrance. Upon seeing Chen Chuan, he saluted and immediately reported the situation.
"Captain, as we passed by here, we smelled a strange odor, so we came in to check, and we found them..."
Chen Chuan entered and saw three corpses. Based on their faces and clothing, they were the three soldiers who had received them earlier, but for some reason, they had suddenly died.
However, considering this situation...
He instructed, "Call the medical team to come and examine them."
Two medical team members hurried over and checked the bodies. Their expressions were peculiar as they reported, "Captain... we can't determine the specific cause of death, but..."
"But based on the traces, we estimate the time of death to be around forty-eight hours ago."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
