Chapter 679: Meeting
Chapter 679: Meeting
After the airship returned to Central City, Chen Chuan put on his dimensional token again and noticed an unreturned communication. He checked and saw it was from Xu Chan.
His heart stirred slightly. After the last urgent matter at the Crisis Management Center, they had exchanged messages a few times, but only through voice messages. This sudden contact seemed to indicate something important, so he tapped on the other party's avatar.
After a while, the connection was established, and he asked, "Captain Xu? You're looking for me?"
Xu Chan's voice came through, "Manager Chen, I apologize for the intrusion. I wonder if Manager Chen is available. I would like to invite you to dinner."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "If Captain Xu is treating, I'll definitely come."
Seeing that Chen Chuan had agreed, Xu Chan immediately arranged a meeting place.
Chen Chuan glanced at the location; it was a well-known noodle restaurant in Fengde District. Coincidentally or not, it was less than a mile from the headquarters of the Heavenly Forgiveness Gang.
He pondered for a moment. Once the airship returned to the dock, he drove straight to the location. About an hour and a half later, he arrived at the agreed spot.
Xu Chan had already arrived and was sitting in his car. Seeing Chen Chuan's car approach, he got out and greeted him through the car window.
After parking his car, Chen Chuan got out and shook hands with Xu Chan. The latter pointed to the noodle restaurant ahead and said, "This is my favorite noodle shop. It's been open for twenty years. When I first came to Jinbei Route, I had my first meal here, and it really suits my taste. I wonder if Manager Chen will like it."
Chen Chuan looked up and saw the sign that read "Southern Kingdom Noodle House" in gilded letters. He said, "I've never been here before. Since Captain Xu recommends it, I'll try the food today."
Inside the restaurant, Xu Chan ordered two bowls of noodles and a few side dishes after asking about Chen Chuan's preferences.
Soon, two steaming bowls of noodles were brought to their table.
Xu Chan handed Chen Chuan a pair of sealed chopsticks and pointed to the thin, evenly white noodles, saying, "This is 'Spring snow noodles.' The dough is kneaded like a comb and shaped like a fishback, hence the name 'fishback comb.' Sprinkle some green onions and pour the secret sauce made from minced meat, and the flavor is unmatched. Manager Chen, try it."
Seeing the clear, fresh broth, Chen Chuan felt his appetite increase. He took out the chopsticks from the wrapper, stirred the noodles, and took a bite. The noodles were smooth and delicate, with a perfect texture, each strand infused with the rich, savory broth. It was indeed worth trying.
He noticed that most of the customers who came in didn't talk much, just focusing on eating their noodles. The room was filled with the sound of slurping, and everyone was sweating profusely.
However, as fighters, they didn't feel hunger or fullness from ordinary food, so they were purely enjoying the taste.
The side dishes were soon served. They ordered a bowl of duck blood vermicelli, a plate of meat-filled spring rolls, a bowl of crystal shrimp, and a bowl of lotus root and fish balls soup, accompanied by two bottles of osmanthus honey syrup.
Xu Chan poured a cup of osmanthus honey syrup for Chen Chuan, explaining, "This isn't alcohol; it's just a sweet drink from the south. I wonder if Manager Chen likes it."
Chen Chuan took a sip, finding it cool, sweet, and sticky, with a lingering sweetness and a faint osmanthus fragrance. He nodded in approval, "It's indeed good." He then asked, "Captain Xu isn't from Jinbei Route?"
Xu Chan said, "I'm from Huainan Route. I also went to Wu Yi there. Later, I joined the military and was transferred to Jinbei Route. This year marks exactly twenty years. Time really flies." He looked around, "Apart from the old sign, almost nothing has changed here."
He glanced outside, and for a moment, he felt like he was still that young, ambitious officer.
"Is Captain Xu's family here?"
Xu Chan took out a name card holder, opened it, and showed a photo inside. It was a young woman holding a pair of twins. He said, "My wife and two children are in Huainan Route. I haven't been back to see them in a long time. I can only keep in touch through phone and telegraph."
Chen Chuan didn't ask why he didn't bring his family over. The situation in Central City and the work Xu Chan did often made him vulnerable to enemies. Living in Huainan Route, his family would be safer.
Xu Chan then put down his chopsticks, looked outside, and said to Chen Chuan, "Look there."
Their table was by the window, giving them a clear view of the outside. Chen Chuan looked and saw several armed vehicles passing by, with the words "Heavenly Forgiveness" boldly displayed on their bodies.
Xu Chan took a sip of the honey syrup and said, "The largest gang in Fongde District is the Heavenly Forgiveness Gang. They produce a large number of fighters every year. A few join the military, most enter companies, but the true elites always try to enter the Central City government. This is a force that cannot be ignored."
Chen Chuan nodded slightly. He had met Wei Wusheng, Chang Kuanghai, and others from the Heavenly Forgiveness Gang, leaving a deep impression on him.
Xu Chan said, "The Heavenly Forgiveness Gang has two elders. One is Yu Hongming. This old man is over a hundred and ten years old and has honed his spirit and body to the extreme. He was a famous expert seventy or eighty years ago. The older he gets, the sharper he becomes. Even though his blood and qi have declined, and his adaptation organs have withered, his seasoned combat experience cannot be overlooked.
Fortunately, although he was fierce and violent in his youth, he was very law-abiding. Now that he's old, he's even less fiery. He and his disciples mainly handle the gang's affairs. He's a very traditional fighter."
Chen Chuan's gaze shifted slightly. If the Heavenly Forgiveness Gang was just a simple gang, the Handling Bureau might not target them so specifically. But with such deep connections to the Municipal Parliament, they could almost be considered a subordinate armed force of the parliament. It was only natural to seek their dissolution.
Xu Chan said, "Aside from going to the Fusion Zone for missions, I'll be stationed in Fongde District during my off-time. My main task is to let the Heavenly Forgiveness Gang know that I'm here, to deter them from acting too recklessly." He spoke solemnly, "The limits of a gang should never be underestimated, especially when they have the backing of power."
Xu Chan paused for a moment before continuing, "However, I'll be heading to the Fusion Zone soon, and I might not return until the end of the year. During this time, the Heavenly Forgiveness Gang might make some small moves."
He looked at Chen Chuan and said, "Supervisor Chen, I know you're very capable, perhaps even more than me. After I leave, I might have to rely on you for certain matters."
Chen Chuan nodded, "Director Wu also mentioned this to me. I'll handle it properly."
Xu Chan, seeing his agreement, relaxed slightly. He continued, "There's one more thing. The Municipal Parliament is currently in deep conflict with the Government Hall. The Government Hall has recently introduced some regulations to plug loopholes from the past. If successful, the power of the Municipal Parliament will be further curtailed. There's one person who is crucial in this matter."
He tapped the Dimensional Token, and a middle-aged man with a serious expression appeared on it.
"This is Yao Kang, an important official in the Government Law Hall. He has a strong sense of justice and refuses to be swayed by the Municipal Parliament's lobbying. He firmly enforces the laws issued by the Government Hall. The Handling Bureau has been protecting him for several months, mainly through one of my team members."
"They know he's my teammate. While I'm here, some people dare not make any moves. But if I go to the Fusion Zone, I might not be able to deter them in time."
Chen Chuan glanced at the token and said, "I understand, Captain Xu. I'll keep an eye on this matter after you leave."
Xu Chan raised his cup, "Thank you."
Chen Chuan also raised his cup and clinked it with Xu Chan's.
After taking a sip, Xu Chan tapped the token again, and Chen Chuan saw a list of personnel being transmitted through the token.
"This is..."
Xu Chan explained, "It's a list of people the Bureau trusts. I've already spoken to them. If you need anything, they'll follow your instructions, Supervisor Chen."
Chen Chuan knew that Xu Chan was a senior member of the Bureau and could easily refuse a promotion to become an investigation supervisor. These people were likely his former subordinates.
Chen Chuan asked about some of the people on the list, and Xu Chan provided detailed information. After a while, the two finished their meal and exited the restaurant.
Outside, Chen Chuan looked down the street towards the entrance of the Heavenly Forgiveness Gang's headquarters. He said, "Captain Xu, intimidating the Heavenly Forgiveness Gang isn't a difficult task." As he spoke, he turned towards the other side of the street and slowly walked in that direction.
Xu Chan was initially startled but quickly realized what Chen Chuan intended to do. After a moment of thought, he remained standing in place.
At that moment, in the Eternal Life Pavilion located high up in the Heavenly Forgiveness Gang's headquarters, Yu Hongming stood in front of a field screen. On one half of the screen, he watched the figures of Chen Chuan and Xu Chan, while on the other half, an elderly man appeared.
The elderly man was tall and thin, with a braided beard. In contrast to Yu Hongming's amiable appearance, his eyes held a hint of arrogance.
Yu Hongming, gazing at the screen, said, "Xu Chan might be heading to the Fusion Zone. This time, they sent two people to demonstrate and warn us not to cause trouble. After he leaves, this person will likely be in charge of keeping an eye on us."
The tall, thin elder took a look and said, "The Handling Bureau's investigation supervisor, that kid named Kuang Hai, was probably caught by him, right? Old Yu, your own disciple was beaten and is still in custody, and you can tolerate this?"
Yu Hongming, unperturbed, replied, "They chose their own path. As their teacher, I can only teach them skills. How they use them is beyond my control."
The tall, thin elder scoffed, "I wonder where your youthful fire has gone."
Yu Hongming spoke slowly, "Perhaps it's just a matter of having more respect."
"Respect?" The tall, thin elder was unconvinced. "I have some regard for Xu Chan. After all, he's truly capable. But to think that a single young man can intimidate us, what does he rely on? Just the title of an investigation supervisor?"
At that moment, Yu Hongming suddenly noticed something and focused his gaze. He saw Chen Chuan walking towards them.
The tall, thin elder also spotted Chen Chuan. When Chen Chuan reached the street corner, the elder stopped and watched them from a distance, puzzled. "What is he up to?"
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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