Chapter 451: The Gift
Chapter 451: The Gift
The airship, unaffected by terrain limitations and requiring only a straight path, traveled much faster than an off-road vehicle. However, they still had to land and rest at night due to the anomalies in the Convergence Zone during the dark hours, which couldn't be avoided from the sky.
Even so, they managed to return to the Fourth Convergence Zone Fort in just two days.
As the airship came to a stop, Captain Lai Wu arrived with his soldiers and approached Chen Chuan, saying, "Captain Chen, I'm here to take Fei Tong into custody as ordered. He's under my responsibility now."
Chen Chuan gestured, and Yuan Qiuyuan brought Fei Tong, who was still heavily injured, from the back and handed him over to Lei Wu. Yuan Qiuyuan said as he handed him over, "Take good care of him. We finally caught him, and it would be a shame if something happened to him now."
Lei Wu, expressionless, signaled the fighters behind him to take the still-wounded Fei Tong away.
Chen Chuan led his team down and, after a few parting words, dismissed them. The team members saluted him before dispersing in pairs to the rest area for some relaxation and drinks.
Chen Chuan, however, went to the operations room alone and met the waiting tactical advisor Ding Mu. He handed over a report he had written during the journey. Ding Mu was already aware of the situation through telegrams, so after a quick scan, he set it aside. "Captain Chen, you completed the mission swiftly and timely, preventing potential casualties and losses, and even capturing the traitor. I express the fort's gratitude on their behalf."
"It's my duty," Chen Chuan replied, pausing briefly before asking, "Is the fort certain that Fei Tong is the traitor?"
"Not solely, but he can be confirmed as one of the participants at that time," came the reply.
Chen Chuan nodded.
After submitting the mission report and going through the formalities, he left the operations room. Just then, a message from Pei Canshi arrived through the communicator, informing him that since the end of the year was approaching, his special medication would be distributed in the coming days. He was asked to wait a little longer.
Chen Chuan understood that, according to the rules, it shouldn't have been this quick. It was likely that Pei Canshi's faction had pulled some strings in the background, so he sent a message to express his gratitude.
Upon returning to the dorm, Chen Chuan rested for two consecutive days. On the twenty-first, Pei Canshi contacted him, saying that he had brought the medication and asked Chen Chuan to come to the meeting room.
Chen Chuan arrived at the same meeting room where they had met before. Pei Canshi shook hands with him, offered him a seat, and personally brewed a cup of tea for him, sitting across from him on the sofa.
"With the mission completed, the fort won't assign any tasks to your squad before the New Year. Captain Chen, you can return to the Central City. Your primary task there will be to connect with Chen Bitong."
"Since he has invited you to his training program, don't miss this opportunity. Try to build a good relationship with him."
"What about my team's arrangements?" asked Chen Chuan.
Pei Canshi replied, "After the New Year, if they wish to participate in missions, I'll find a way to assign them tasks. They will remain your teammates when you return. If they are unwilling, they can temporarily stay on standby, but these decisions are mainly up to you, Captain Chen. You can propose any ideas."
Chen Chuan contemplated for a moment and said, "This arrangement is fine."
Pei Canshi picked up a metal box from beside his feet and placed it on the table, "This special medication, Captain Chen, you can distribute it yourself. Oh, and there's one more thing sent to you. Remember to check it after you return."
"What is it?" asked Chen Chuan.
Pei Canshi smiled but didn't elaborate.
Chen Chuan didn't press further. After a few cups of tea and some chat about the fort, he left with the special medication.
After Chen Chuan's departure, Pei Canshi's expression turned solemn. He returned to his office, took out a key, opened a cabinet, retrieved a radio with a special serial number, and began transmitting a message.
"Executioner Chen is returning before the end of the year, preparing to approach the target. Time: December 21st, 2:10 PM. Transmitter: Huang Feng."
Back in the dorm, Chen Chuan called two team members and distributed the special medication and the bonus they had earned. As for the other team members, he would distribute their bonuses later.
Yuan Qiuyuan, after receiving the medication, couldn't hide his delight. "I knew following the captain was the right choice. I've never heard of such prompt medication distribution elsewhere."
Qin Qingque nodded seriously. As someone with a military background, she understood that special medications were rarely distributed so promptly.
Smiling, Chen Chuan said, "With the end of the year approaching, the higher-ups are showing consideration for us. I called you two here not just for this but also to discuss something else."
He paused briefly, "After the New Year, I might need to stay in the Central City for a while, which may affect our participation in fort missions. What are your plans?"
Yuan Qiuyuan replied without hesitation, "Captain, I've said it before. Apart from you, I won't follow anyone else."
Qin Qingque added earnestly, "Captain, we are your team members, and we'll wait for your return."
They both understood that following someone and following no one were entirely different matters. Even though Chen Chuan had only led them twice, he had always been at the forefront of the charge.
(End of Chapter)And this capable individual, with their fairness and care for the team, where can one find such a captain? After spending some time here, they have come to understand certain situations. Some captains push their team to the brink, and afterward, they try to reduce the drug quota, treating the team as expendable. With these comparisons, following Chen Chuan is indeed a blessing. They would never consider joining another team.
Chen Chuan looked at them and saw their determination. He said, "Since you insist, I'll make the arrangement. After I return, we'll continue the mission."
Yuan Qiuyuan and Qin Qingque stood up and saluted him.
"Yes, Captain," they replied.
After settling matters at the Outpost, Chen Chuan departed the next day, seeing his team off as he boarded the train back to Central City from the Convergence Zone.
As an Executive Captain, even without Pei Canshi accompanying him, he could travel in a private compartment, attended to by a dedicated attendant who could be summoned at any time.
No wonder many aspired to such a position; the treatment was indeed different.
The train left the Outpost and traveled for a day before entering the tunnel leading to Central City. This time, another train passed through the crossing, heading in the opposite direction.
Glancing inside, he noticed many people, seemingly an armed force, along with some well-dressed individuals in imported formal attire.
They seemed to be from the company, but their destination was unknown.
The two trains swiftly passed each other, heading in different directions.
Soon, the train arrived at the platform and slowed to a stop.
Carrying his luggage, he descended from the train and passed through the security checkpoint. The Interdimensional Connector emitted a sound, and a female voice spoke in his ear:
"Convergence Zone personnel detected.
Name: Chen Chuan.
Position: Executive Captain.
Activation Index: Zero.
This individual is permitted to pass."
The voice became more human-like: "Welcome back, Captain Chen."
Chen Chuan adjusted his wide-brimmed hat and straightened his clothes as he exited the checkpoint and walked up the passageway.
The last time he was here, he learned that various stations in Central City had special passages leading to the Convergence Zone. These passages were usually closed off, guarded around the clock, and only accessible to those who had been to the Convergence Zone, under the surveillance of Spider Mother.
This was to ensure that, in emergencies, combat personnel scattered throughout Central City could return to the Convergence Zone for defense more swiftly.
Stepping into the parking square, Chen Chuan was engulfed by the city's bustling noises and giant screen advertisements. Strangely, the atmosphere relaxed him.
In the Convergence Zone, every area was a military zone. At night, it was best to stay indoors, even within the fort, as danger lurked everywhere, preventing anyone from truly letting their guard down.
As the two worlds drew closer, the Convergence Zone expanded, and no one knew what the future held for this place and the other side.
Finding the Gaud Car, Chen Chuan opened the door and got in. As he started the car, he sent a voice message to his acquaintances, informing them of his return from the mission.
This time, he headed straight to the Mystic Palace Tower, but first, he stopped at the estate the company had provided him. He planned to store the war trophies and souvenirs he had brought back.
Upon arriving at the estate, a maintenance worker informed him that a package had arrived and was placed in the garage.
Chen Chuan recalled Pei Canshi mentioning a package. Could this be it? He was curious about its contents.
In the garage, he spotted a large wooden crate, approximately two meters long and wide.
After parking the car, he approached the crate, removed the fixed wooden pegs, and the crate's sides fell away. As dust rose, he saw a human-like figure covered by a dust cover. He lifted the cover, revealing a seated Iron Demon's Iron Armor.
Chen Chuan immediately recognized it as the Iron Demon's armor.
The entire set, supported by an articulated humanoid figure, included the Iron Mask, helmet, shoulder guard, chest armor, arm guard, belt, skirt armor, shin guard, thigh guard, and leather boots. The armor plates shone brightly, and a cloak draped over the exterior.
He noticed the armor's seated posture, with one hand extended to the side, as if gripping something. It was clear that the missing piece was a spear.
This was a thoughtful gift, considering his interest in weapon collecting. A complete "Weapon Stand" set.
It was a generous gift, indeed.
The armor couldn't stay here; it belonged in the Weapon Collection Room. He lifted it with one hand, supporting it from below, and carried it out of the garage, entering the estate.
...
...
End of Chapter.
Chapter end
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