Chapter 678: Retrieval
Chapter 678: Retrieval
In the southern industrial zone of Central City's suburbs, Chen Chuan arrived alone, driving a Gard vehicle.
The industrial area was a stark contrast to the city center, devoid of flashy neon lights and billboards. Instead, it was filled with gray concrete buildings and large metal factories, with transport rails leading to the city center crisscrossing the ground.
Although each factory had a field creature, the areas were independent of each other, lacking a comprehensive information network. It was in one of these isolated factories that Fang Zhixin had mentioned the data was stored.
Chen Chuan checked the location and distinctive landmarks Fang Zhixin had provided and stopped near a specific spot.
As the sun set, the factory's metal walls glowed with a golden-red hue, softening the cold hardness of the metal.
In the alleys between the factories, lazy stray cats lounged on the warm concrete, some keeping an eye on Chen Chuan near the transport rails. Only when he approached did they jump up and leap to higher ground.
Chen Chuan paused to identify his surroundings before heading towards an old factory. It was a standalone maintenance facility, guarded by an elderly security officer. The implant on the guard's arm looked neglected, its color contrasting with the rest of his body. He eyed Chen Chuan with cautious scrutiny, his hand resting on the holster at his waist.
Chen Chuan noticed the resemblance to Fang Zhixin's description and stopped about ten steps away, stating, "I'm here to retrieve some stored items." He glanced at his watch, adding, "It's 5:45, right on time."
The old guard remained silent for a moment, then turned and led the way inside.
Chen Chuan followed, impressed by the guard's agility despite his age. They reached an inconspicuous break room, where the guard unlocked a door with a key from his keychain. "It's all inside. You can take everything. There's a cart outside for your use."
Without another word, the guard turned and left.
Chen Chuan entered the room alone. It was small, about twenty square meters, with a bookshelf on one side and a heavy, wide desk next to it. Opposite the desk was a sturdy single bed, and above it hung a safety helmet and work uniform.
The bookshelf was filled with maintenance and mechanical manuals, but Chen Chuan ignored them, heading straight to the bed. He pulled out a box from beneath it, covered in thick dust.
After wiping away the dust, he opened the box with the password provided by Fang Zhixin. Inside were neatly stacked Fusion Ground data, a jar filled with Jianyuan currency of various denominations, and some collectible badges.
However, Chen Chuan knew that the box contained both real and fake data, a mere illusion. Taking it would only result in being cheated. He retrieved a unique badge and, noticing an old, unremarkable Dimensional Token on the desk, approached it. Opening the drawer, he found the genuine data within.
To access the contents, he needed to touch the badge to the token, which he did. The token, previously inert, sprang to life, projecting faint light and shadows, revealing rows of data.
The token had been in a dormant state, weak and in need of immersion in nutrient fluid to restore its full functionality. Chen Chuan would have to take it back and slowly review the data.
He tidied up, placing the necessary items in the box and carrying it out.
After bidding farewell to the elderly guard, Chen Chuan departed, returning to his Gard vehicle. As he settled into the driver's seat, he glanced at the briefcase on the passenger seat, contemplating whether to hand over the data to the Handling Bureau. After some thought, he decided against it, untrusting of certain individuals within the bureau despite its seemingly reliable appearance.
Moreover, Chen Bitong had hidden the items here instead of surrendering them to the government, indicating his reluctance to do so. Chen Chuan respected his decision.
Just as Chen Chuan was about to start the vehicle, the Dimensional Token received a communication signal. He answered it, connecting the call, "Ling Assistant? What's the matter?"
Ling Assistant's voice was crisp and clear in the car's environment.
"Chen Supervisor, do you remember our previous conversation about the Linax Federation delegation's desire for an exchange match with the Wu Yi Academy? The exchange is happening in the next few days, and I was wondering if you'd be available."
Chen Chuan declined, "I'm afraid not. My department has an urgent task, so I won't be able to make it. I'm confident that even without me, the Wu Yi Academy will hold their own against the delegation, especially with Ling Assistant's presence."
Ling Assistant smiled slightly, "Very well, Chen Supervisor. Our previous agreement still stands. I'll contact you again when the exchange match is near."
Chen Chuan replied, "I'll be waiting."
Ending the call, he looked out the window. The sun had set, and darkness enveloped the factory. Lights from the building and streetlamps illuminated the path ahead.
Chen Chuan started the vehicle and slowly drove out, heading back towards Zhong Xin Cheng.
The next day, while Chen Chuan was using the Dimensional Token to organize and review the Fusion Ground data, he received a message from Wu Bei. The message stated that the Allied Heavy Duty Branch's leader and key personnel might be traveling to the Ocean to discuss a business deal.
Chen Chuan's mind quickly made a connection. The Allied Heavy Duty Branch had been quiet for the past few days, but now they were suddenly heading to the sea, and the timing was right after his actions yesterday. This close succession of events couldn't help but spark his curiosity.
At that moment, he also thought about the Fusion Frontier. They were also planning to go to the Ocean in October, seemingly for business expansion. After some consideration, he decided to contact Yan Yi.
After connecting, Chen Chuan said, "Yan Assistant, you mentioned before that Meng Shu might be going to the Ocean in October. How confident are you about this business deal?"
Yan Yi replied, "We're very confident. This time, we have the full support of the Government Hall. We've already made significant progress in our negotiations. Although other companies are competing with us, if it's just a business negotiation, their chances of success are slim."
Chen Chuan understood that the Fusion Frontier had likely secured the business deal on the commercial negotiation front. Commercial competition wasn't limited to the negotiation table; it also involved other aspects, including team safety.
If they themselves didn't exist, then the business negotiation would naturally be invalid. Similarly, every company today had their own military backing.
The Government Hall had already provided commercial support, so security was now in their hands.
He couldn't be sure of the Allied Heavy Duty Branch's true intentions, but necessary security precautions needed to be taken.
"Mr. San Cheng is very familiar with Ocean matters, but he's still just one person. I'll assign another capable person to your team," Chen Chuan said.
He decided to send Su Wei before their official departure to ensure everything went smoothly.
"Additionally, I'll provide you with two more contacts," Chen Chuan said, tapping the Dimensional Token. He sent a Relay Contact and two telegraph frequencies to Yan Yi.
"One is Gu Haiting from the Public Relations Department of Canglong Corporation. You can contact him directly if you encounter any issues in the Ocean, and tell him I sent you.
The other is Talu, the Pavilion Master of Danliu Pavilion, a capable Third Limit Fighter. If your company can provide sufficient funding to their fighting hall, you can request her assistance."
Upon receiving this information, Yan Yi sincerely expressed her gratitude, "Thank you so much, Supervisor Chen, for your support to our company."
She was well aware of the magnitude of Chen Chuan's assistance this time. Although the Fusion Frontier Company currently had ample funds, they lacked competent Fighters they could rely on. Among Meng Shu's entourage, only Aunt Yu could be truly trusted.
In Zhong Xin Cheng, with Chen Chuan's presence, most problems could be resolved even without his direct involvement. However, going to the Ocean was different; the connections and influence of Zhong Xin Cheng would be of no use there.
According to Chen Chuan's arrangement, with Aunt Yu and at least four Third Limit Fighters by their side, along with the hired help from the platform, their safety should be adequately ensured.
The most crucial aspect was still the connections of Canglong Corporation. Once in the Ocean, it was essentially the territory of Canglong and Ocean Pioneer. With Canglong's connections, operating in the Ocean would undoubtedly be smoother than before.
"As the company's security supervisor, this is something I should do," Chen Chuan said. "Additionally, I'd like to remind the company that even if the Government Hall sends personnel to the Fusion Ground, you should not deeply involve yourselves."
Yan Yi immediately replied seriously, "I'll convey your message to Miss Meng."
After ending the call, Chen Chuan noticed that the information team hadn't produced any results yet. He decided to continue with his morning training. He left the Mystic Palace Tower and, within ten minutes, arrived at the airship dock in Wuding District. Soon after, he boarded the airship and headed out to sea.
The day's training went smoothly. After a morning of practice, as he watched the rift slowly close, he sheathed the Snow Empress Saber. However, at that moment, he suddenly felt something unusual.
This was...
He sensed it, and to his surprise, his Second Self had already developed psychic abilities.
Previously, although his Second Self had reached the Third Limit, it hadn't yet attained the stage of possessing psychic abilities. Now, it seemed that he was not far from achieving that level with his current strength.
After the Second Self merged with the True Body, the power it could exert was undoubtedly greater than before. However, his main body's spiritual cultivation still had some way to go before reaching true perfection.
But at this rate, it wouldn't be long.
He looked out of the airship. The bright sunlight of late September shone through the airship's porthole, bathing him in a dazzling light both inside and out. He knocked on the airship's door and said, "Let's head back."
Soon after, the airship slowly turned around in the clear sky and headed back to Zhong Xin Cheng, carried by the sea breeze.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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