Chapter 460: Vigilance
Chapter 460: Vigilance
The New Year's celebrations seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye, with most of it already behind them. The festive atmosphere still lingered in the air, with Spring Festival couplets and banners adorning doors, yet to be taken down.
Chen Chuan drove to the old residence alone that day, tidied up the place inside and out, stocked some new tea leaves, and then brewed a cup to enjoy in the corridor under the porch, gazing at the stream and forest ahead as the warm sun shone down.
More memories surfaced in recent days, this time depicting a New Year's scene with his mother, aunt, and great-aunt.
The great-aunt was about ten years older than her sisters and later married off to another region. He had met her a few times in his childhood, but it had been a long while since she last visited. It seemed her husband had military connections, and later, when Nian Qian was able to enter the military, it was thanks to the great-aunt's family's influence.
All these memories were from festive and New Year's occasions, closely tied to his current knowledge and feelings. Unsurprisingly, most were from the early timeline, with only those related to the brown-haired woman occurring slightly later.
This woman was likely a key figure, possibly connected to his parents' whereabouts and even the cause of his past life's death.
But he didn't dwell on these thoughts. What he was meant to know, he would eventually learn.
After all, these were matters of the past, irrelevant to his present self.
Instead, something in front of him demanded his attention.
Ni Qianxi had informed him before he returned to Yangzhi that she considered the Ferris Wheel Corporation's true intentions unknown, and thus, he couldn't assume they would give up after one failure.
He had previously considered that if they persisted, a perfect opportunity to strike would present itself on his return journey. So, this trip back to Central City required some vigilance.
After spending the morning at the old residence, he tidied up and drove home. In the afternoon, his younger cousin and Chao Ming were playing in the courtyard, while he sat in the living room reading. Suddenly, the phone rang, and he answered, saying, "This is Chen Chuan."
On the line, Ren Xiaotian's voice sounded, "Junior Brother, I've found the person you wanted."
Chen Chuan asked for the location and replied, "Okay, I'll be right there." He informed his aunt, who was mending shoes in the courtyard, and then left, driving out of the city.
Uncertain of potential dangers, he needed to prepare offerings for the Lynx Talisman. These wanted criminals were scarce within the city, so he had to look outside, and he decided to entrust the task to Ren Xiaotian, who was well-acquainted with the outskirts and wilderness.
Moreover, Ren Xiaotian was reliable and trustworthy, ensuring no complications.
After leaving the city, even after driving some distance into the usually neglected outer city area, he still spotted patrol vehicles passing by from time to time. It seemed Guan Ju had indeed intensified security inspections, as Lei Jingli had suggested.
Guan Ju was a man with a strong sense of justice, and while he appeared to be doing an excellent job since taking office, success wasn't solely dependent on him but also on external factors.
If not for the removal of Mo Lan Corporation, the biggest thorn in their side, Guan Ju's efforts would have been in vain.
Additionally, the construction of the northern railway, which employed a substantial workforce, including many from Jiaoshan, according to Lu Ke, further contributed to the improved situation.
To ensure the railway's smooth construction, Yuanan Corporation dispatched armed convoys to patrol the area, effectively deterring roaming bandits from that direction.
Chen Chuan drove towards Jiaoshan, and the further he went, the stronger the winds and sandstorms became. The sky turned gray, and the car windows rattled with the sound of sand hitting them, coating the entire vehicle in a layer of yellow dust.
After about an hour, he spotted Ren Xiaotian's vehicle parked ahead. Slowing down, he pulled up beside it and stopped. Stepping out, he walked to the rear of the car.
Upon seeing Chen Chuan, Ren Xiaotian opened the trunk and pulled out a person.
"A wanted criminal by the Patrol Bureau," Ren Xiaotian began. "Kidnapping, robbery, human trafficking, arms and prohibited substance smuggling, and involvement in armed gang activities. He's guilty of it all."
The person, initially limp and lifeless, suddenly seemed to realize the gravity of the situation and attempted to plead:
"Big brothers, please let me go. I have money; I'll give it all to you. I know where the boss hides his stash, and I can lead you there. I'm just one person; what good am I? The bounties on my boss and brothers are massive!"
Without indulging in unnecessary chatter, Chen Chuan took the person from Ren Xiaotian and carried them to his side of the car. Using the car as cover, he threw the Lynx Talisman onto the criminal.
As a Lynx shadow emerged and entered the criminal's body, the man let out a piercing, agonizing scream.
The scream, however, lasted only briefly. A minute or two later, all sound ceased, and the person became a dried-up corpse.
Chen Chuan looked up and noticed a pit not far ahead. Apparently, Ren Xiaotian had dug it himself. He walked over and threw the bandit's body into it. With the strong winds and sand, the pit would be filled in no time, saving them the effort of burying it.
After returning, Chen Chuan approached Ren Xiaotian, who had been waiting by the side. "Brother, thank you," he said.
"It's nothing," Ren Xiaotian replied.
Chen Chuan, using the vehicle as a windbreak, asked, "Brother, are you planning to take on commissions here?" Ren Xiaotian had been quiet during the meal, and Chen Chuan wasn't sure if he had the same plans as the others.
"I will go to the Central City," Ren Xiaotian said. After a moment's thought, he added, "In the past year, we've lost a lot of familiar faces. With less smuggling business in the wasteland, there will be fewer people, so I think it's better for me to leave early."
Chen Chuan smiled and extended his hand. "Brother, when you reach the Central City, find me first."
Ren Xiaotian hesitated slightly before extending his hand to shake Chen Chuan's. "I will."
Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was late January.
Chen Chuan was already preparing to return to the Central City. This time, he would bring Wei Dong and Wu Han with him, while the others had matters to attend to and would arrive a bit later, possibly in February or March.
Lei Jingli, the director, was also preparing to leave a few days earlier, so they could travel together. Of course, he wasn't the only one heading to the Central City to take up his new post; the Esoteric Ritual Review Bureau would also send escorts.
As for He Shexie and Xiao Ying, they would be brought over after Chen Chuan had settled in.
Lei Jingli was being cautious about this new assignment. Beforehand, he had specifically called Chen Chuan to his office.
"Some people might not want to see me go to the Central City, so I need to take some precautions. Chen Chuan, I plan to make some arrangements here as well. Do you agree?"
Without hesitation, Chen Chuan asked, "Director Lei, what should we do?"
Director Lei produced a stack of what looked like leather membranes. "These are the Bureau's biomimetic skins. The ritual patterns you've seen on our bodies are made possible by these.
He rolled up his sleeve and attached a piece to his arm, blending seamlessly with his original skin.
"These membranes can have the ritual patterns pre-drawn. After use, you can simply peel them off and replace them with new ones. It's very convenient. I've prepared some for you. Once you attach them to your body, you just need to connect them to the reserved rituals, like this..."
He clenched his fist, and the ritual pattern suddenly glowed with fluorescence. "...and the ritual can be activated."
He continued, "Of course, the choice of when to activate the ritual is up to you. So, choose a method that suits you; there's no need to copy exactly."
"In addition to these, there's also the clothing..."
He asked He Nan to bring over a cloak and handed it to Chen Chuan. "This is the Bureau's specialized clothing. It's very durable, woven with special silk threads that form the ritual patterns. Even if the surface is damaged, it won't significantly affect the ritual's effectiveness."
Chen Chuan took the cloak and nodded. The last time they faced the Viper Gang, he had borrowed the esoteric rituals, which proved very useful in combat, especially during the final blow against Xu Xianwen.
However, Chen Chuan had a question. The utilization of esoteric rituals seemed mature, yet few fighters used them. He wondered if this was due to the ban from above or some other reason.
After Chen Chuan raised this question, Director Lei spoke in a solemn tone. "This is mainly due to the lessons learned from the ancient era's history. While the combination of these rituals and the ability to counter strange substances can yield greater results, it can also lead to more terrifying consequences.
Honestly, if you weren't born with the ability to counter strange substances, I wouldn't let you continue to be involved with these things.
And based on what I know, some rituals can be influenced and suppressed by powerful biological fields, even those of some strong individuals.
But these are small-scale rituals. The more powerful ones are different. They often require years, even over a decade, of preparation and can't be easily dispelled.
These rituals are now sealed away, not allowed to be learned. Any involvement with them would implicate the lives of thousands, if not millions."
Chen Chuan understood. In the ancient world, every imperial house had established a state religion.
What exactly was the purpose of utilizing these esoteric rituals? Although the world's governments concealed the existence of esoteric rituals, Chen Chuan knew from his previous encounters and observations that it couldn't be anything good.
Especially with some rituals offering benefits like extended lifespan, increased vitality, and strengthened rule, how could those in power resist the temptation to use them?
Chen Chuan shook his head, temporarily setting aside these thoughts. He took the leather membranes and began to sketch the ritual patterns he needed.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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