Chapter 665: Secret Maneuvers
Chapter 665: Secret Maneuvers
Chen Chuan stared intently at the map displayed on the Field Display Screen, where An Dun had marked several potential areas that might conceal the hidden agents. Despite An Dun's support and the rough indications, it wasn't easy to pinpoint these individuals.
After all, these areas were vast, mostly located in the crevices of regions, many without even Field Interference Organisms, and were almost entirely populated by non-citizens, teeming with wanted criminals and fugitives. It was impossible to conduct a thorough search without sufficient manpower.
Unless An Dun committed all its resources to monitoring these areas around the clock, there might be a chance to identify suspicious targets.
But this was not feasible. The Handling Bureau relied on An Dun for various tasks, including information transmission, situation analysis, field detection, strategy research, personnel coordination, and weapon allocation. As the Investigation Director, Chen Chuan had access to considerable resources, but they were still limited. Only in emergencies could he request additional support.
Clearly, Lian Wei Zhong Yu had not yet reached that level of urgency.
To find these individuals, an alternative approach was necessary.
The typical solution was to have the Handling Bureau take the lead and coordinate with the city's security personnel for a joint investigation. However, this method was inefficient, drew too much attention, and became less effective over time due to the constant influx of other urgent, temporary, or higher-priority tasks.
Even at this moment, the city's security forces were already overwhelmed with an endless list of pending tasks.
This path seemed blocked, but fortunately, there was another option.
The solution was to seek out the Commission Company and the commissioner.
This was indeed convenient. Reputable commissioners would fulfill your requests if you paid them well. You wouldn't waste excessive resources, and you wouldn't be held accountable for any consequences arising from their commission.
He pondered for a moment and decided to give it a try.
After all, until his team was in place, this approach seemed the most viable.
He instructed An Dun to retrieve from the Handling Bureau's archives a commissioner who met his requirements, and the screen immediately displayed images and figures of various individuals.
Finding a suitable commissioner or commission company was not a simple task. These entities had intricate connections and operated in murky waters. Others might need to weigh and consider their options carefully, but Chen Chuan, as a representative of the powerful Handling Bureau, a force to be reckoned with, didn't have to play by anyone's rules, regardless of the commissioner or company's background.
As he scanned through the options, his gaze settled on the image of a bald man with distinct implant lines on his head. He had several neatly braided beards on his chin, full lips, a square jaw, and a robust build. He appeared to be in his forties, and his name was Huang Wei Yi.
Huang Wei Yi had once been a high-ranking member of a well-known commission company but later ventured out on his own. He was known for his strict adherence to limits and rarely withheld commission fees from his clients. If a task went awry, he would rather compensate from his pocket, earning him a good reputation in the industry.
However, those in this line of work constantly navigated the gray areas, and none had a spotless reputation. But these were not matters for Chen Chuan to concern himself with. After reviewing Huang Wei Yi's commissions, credit rating, and previous tasks, he decided on this man and immediately instructed An Dun to establish a connection with him.
On the screen, a plump gecko-like figure appeared, clinging to a wall. After a while, Huang Wei Yi's distinctive bald head came into view.
"I am Huang Wei Yi, at your service."
"I am Chen Chuan," Chen Chuan introduced himself.
Huang Wei Yi, as a commissioner, was well aware of Chen Chuan's name and immediately smiled, revealing his teeth. "When I saw this communication signal, I knew it had to be some important figure. It's an honor, Director Chen. How may I be of service?"
Chen Chuan sent him the required information, "Mr. Huang, I need you to investigate these areas and identify any suspicious individuals that might be hiding there. Can you accept this commission?"
"Of course! If Director Chen has entrusted me with this task, I'll see it through, even if it means losing my head!"
Huang Wei Yi realized that a regular commission would never warrant the attention of a Handling Bureau director. A quick glance at the content revealed a potential conflict between the government and a major company.
Although he held a position of authority among his mercenary team and independent commissioners, both the government and corporations were not entities he, as a small-time commissioner, could afford to offend. One wrong move could lead to his complete annihilation.
In that moment, he broke out in a cold sweat.
Yet, he couldn't refuse. How could he deny the Handling Bureau's Investigation Director? Moreover, this commission was both a risk and an opportunity. If he succeeded, he might establish a connection with Chen Chuan, the director in charge of operations at the Handling Bureau. Even the slightest favor could expand his business several times over, not to mention the various hidden benefits.
Chen Chuan said, "Since you're willing to take it on, it's yours. But remember, there are boundaries to what you do. Get back to me with a price later."
Huang Wei Yi hurriedly replied, "Manager Chen, you're giving me too much credit. This is my first commission, and I won't charge you for it."
Chen Chuan insisted, "No need, let's follow the rules." How could anyone be motivated without proper compensation? That's not how things should be done.
Huang Wei Yi's tone rose slightly, "Manager Chen, you're so considerate. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Chen Chuan said, "Get the information as soon as possible, and make sure it doesn't leak."
"No problem, Manager Chen. I've taken note of your words. I'll make sure to handle this perfectly!"
"Then that's settled."
On Huang Wei Yi's end, he heard the communication cut off. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a cloth and immediately sent a signal. After a while, the other end finally picked up, and a lazy, complaining voice came through, "Boss, what's up? I just went to sleep."
"Sleep? Get up right now! If you need to, take two gray pills to stay alert. Listen, we've got a big job coming our way! If we do this right, we'll be dining and wining with a big shot in the future!"
Meanwhile, Chen Chuan had another issue to deal with. After finding the people, how could he quickly deal with them? An Dun suggested calling upon the Execution Captain, which was a good idea but not the only option.
The Execution Captain was usually deployed in emergencies by the Bureau Chief or the Defense Department and was not typically involved in daily tasks. When Chen Chuan was appointed as the Execution Captain, he would only be called upon for very special operations, and even then, he would only interact with Director Wu.
The Investigation Director needed to apply for the deployment of resources and couldn't guarantee their availability.
However, if Chen Chuan could train someone himself or if the Execution Captain was willing to cooperate, that would be an option.
But this could easily lead to owing favors, so Chen Chuan decided to handle it himself. It wouldn't take much time anyway. If they were good opponents, not only could he gain insights into their power and experience, but he could also enhance his second self.
After pondering for a while, he checked other messages. Besides the Union Heavy Control, the Green Origin Ecology Company was also on the Handling Bureau's watch list.
This company operated more covertly and had even greater strength hidden within Central City than the Union Heavy Control. With his current resources, it was impossible to deal with both at once, so he had to prioritize one company and monitor the other for now.
As he was thinking, a communication sound came from the Dimensional Token. He took a look and connected the call. "Vice Chancellor Pei?"
Vice Chancellor Pei's voice sounded in his ear, "Manager Chen, I've helped you apply for the necessary permissions. The official documents will be delivered to you shortly, but please use them with caution."
Chen Chuan heard a notification sound and saw the text of the permission certificate. It was stamped by the Defense Department. He said, "Vice Chancellor Pei, thank you. But recently, I might not have the time to handle this matter."
Vice Chancellor Pei said, "I know you have a lot on your plate. The Defense Department is keeping an eye on this, and the Secret Investigation Department is also conducting secret probes. If there are any leads, I'll inform you promptly. Also, your request for a transfer has been approved by the Commissioner. Your team will arrive in the next couple of days."
Chen Chuan expressed his gratitude, "Vice Chancellor Pei, thank you. Please also convey my thanks to the Commissioner."
Recently, Chen Chuan had received some internal news from the Handling Bureau. He learned that there was a lot of activity in the Fusion Zone, and various departments were deploying resources there. It wouldn't have been easy to recall three Third Limit Fighters during this time, and it must have required a special approval from Commissioner Liang.
However, Chen Chuan did indeed need more personnel; otherwise, many tasks couldn't be carried out.
Vice Chancellor Pei said, "Manager Chen, there's no need for thanks. We share a common goal. Let's stay in touch."
"Okay, we'll keep in touch."
Chen Chuan nodded and ended the call.
After some thought, he turned off the field display screen and went upstairs to the training ground to cultivate. After just over an hour, he received a message from Lu Fang.
Lu Fang usually wouldn't contact him unless it was important. Chen Chuan immediately contacted him, asking, "Senior Lu, is something the matter?"
Lu Fang's voice came through, sounding somewhat serious, "Junior, there's been someone monitoring the Martial Arts Gym these past few days. I've been keeping an eye on them, and it seems they're targeting Chen Xiaojin. I feel something is off, so I've asked Chen Xiaojin not to come to the gym today."
Chen Chuan was slightly surprised and had many thoughts racing through his mind, but he couldn't quite make sense of it all at once. He said, "Senior Lu, please inform me if there are any developments on your end."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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