Chapter 680: Intimidation
Chapter 680: Intimidation
Chen Chuan stood at the street corner, about two hundred meters away, across a wide avenue and a parking lot, was the main entrance of the SkyForgiveness Gang.
The architecture of the gang had an old dynasty style, with curved eaves and black tiles, and a vermillion gate. Above the six-pillar archway was a plaque with the words "SkyForgiveness" written in a cloud-and-thunder dragon design.
The entrance was guarded by fully armed security personnel, patrolling both inside and out. Although it was a gang, SkyForgiveness had its own security company, ensuring professional protection.
Beyond the main entrance was a large arena capable of holding tens of thousands of people. At this moment, the square was bustling with tourists and passersby, as well as young people who had come to learn martial arts skills.
SkyForgiveness Gang did not prohibit tourists from visiting; they were free to explore the area outside the mountain. The gang's primary business was cultivating fighters, regardless of background, talent, or ability to learn. They even offered unlimited time, teaching various techniques as long as the students paid the fee, which attracted a constant stream of learners.
Only the most exceptional students would be recruited by the gang's higher-ups, but the core fighting force was cultivated within the gang itself.
Chen Chuan's gaze extended backward, and behind the square was a straight stone-paved mountain path leading from the central axis of the main entrance to the top of the mountain, where the Eternal Life Pavilion stood. The small mountain was about four hundred meters high, and with his keen eyesight, he could clearly see the characters "Eternal Life" written in a dynamic style on the plaque above the pavilion.
Chen Chuan took out a polished stone pebble from his pocket.
Holding it in his hand, he stared at the peak, shifted his body to the side, took a small step back, and then his body twisted and stretched, sending the stone flying towards the mountain with tremendous force.
A blast sounded in the air, followed by a long, piercing whistle. The stone, in an instant, flew across the street and parking lot, through the main entrance of the gang, across the square, and continued rushing towards the mountain.
The pedestrians on the square and street instinctively covered their ears. The security guards were startled and immediately assumed a defensive stance.
Before they could react, the flying stone had already soared along the mountain path, causing the bushes, rocks, and even the dust in the air to swirl in the powerful air current, leaving an invisible tunnel in its wake.
As the stone passed through the first building on the mountain, the window glass shook, some shattering into pieces that fell to the ground with a clatter.
The servants inside were startled and covered their ears, looking around in confusion, unsure of what had happened.
Some fighters who were training also stopped, searching for the source of the disturbance with uncertainty. They only saw scorched leaves behind the pavilion, spinning in circles and forming an invisible trail that seemed to extend upwards.
At this moment, the stone had already reached the Eternal Life Pavilion. It grazed the plaque above, causing the roof tiles to be plowed into a neat furrow that radiated outwards, accompanied by countless shards of tiles shooting outwards, finally landing in an open main room.
A crisp sound echoed.
Yu Hongming extended his hand and firmly caught the stone, but his thick white eyebrows twitched. He glanced at the domain screen, where he saw Chen Chuan standing there, seemingly staring directly at him.
Yue Hongtao, through the domain screen, witnessed this scene and said coldly, "He's greeting us."
Yu Hongming nodded, "Very useful."
Yue Hongtao, however, seemed unconvinced. "Is this all it takes?" Throwing a stone from the foot of the mountain wasn't difficult, even for a third-limitation fighter with some ability.
Yu Hongming shook his head, "He made me catch it." As he spoke, he opened his palm, revealing a perfectly intact stone resting peacefully in his hand.
Yue Hongtao was initially startled, then his expression changed slightly.
Indeed, throwing the stone with such force and causing destruction wasn't particularly challenging. However, to suddenly dissipate the kinetic energy and deliver the stone intact required not only physical strength but also spiritual power to attach to the stone.
To achieve such a feat, one must have mastered the art of heart strength in combat.
Yu Hongming examined the stone, an ordinary polished pebble with no signs of wear, cold and unblemished, not even retaining the heat from its flight. This was a demonstration of control, a display of power, and a warning to them to be mindful of their actions. Yu Hongming praised sincerely, "Impressive."
Yue Hongtao stared at the stone for a while but remained silent.
Yu Hongming sighed, "I never expected that after Xu Chan, there would be another like him, barely twenty years old," he shook his head, "The world is becoming more and more incomprehensible to me."
"What's so incomprehensible?"
Yue Hongtao's voice turned cold, "As long as we follow the leader, we won't stray or fall."
Yu Hongming sighed, "But the leader may not be the one who can truly reach the shore."
Viet Hongtao did not argue with him on this point, as they had always disagreed on this matter. He simply asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Yu Hongming replied, "Retreat if necessary. Why bother fighting? What's the point?"
Viet Hongtao hummed in response.
Yu Hongming looked outside, and they both knew they were getting old. With their past vigor gone, he didn't bring up Viet Hongtao's insistence on fighting. Now, they felt that things like face, pride, and honor were meaningless.
In nearly a hundred years, he had witnessed the collapse of the old era and the arrival of the new. He had seen too many storms and experienced the rise and fall of people and things. He could now pass on his past experiences and insights to the younger generation, but he himself could no longer do what he used to.
Chen Chuan waited outside for a long time but never saw anyone from the SkyForgiveness Gang come out, nor was there any movement. So, he withdrew his gaze and turned to leave, returning to where Xu Chan was waiting. "Captain Xu, let's go."
Xu Chan sighed, "This method is actually quite good."
This action was like a slap in the face, but it was subtle. Only those of a certain level could understand their meaning, but the two elders should have gotten it. Now, without anyone coming to invite them and with no response or movement, they were implicitly acknowledging their weakness.
Once the two men got into their respective cars, Chen Chuan received a message from Xu Chan in the World Credential: "Supervisor Chen, I know of another good place. I'll invite you again after I return from the Convergence Zone."
"Okay," Chen Chuan replied.
He started the Gard Car and drove back, checking on the Legal Affairs Bureau's Yao Kang, who Xu Chan mentioned. Indeed, there was a Third Limitation Fighter with a team providing 24-hour protection.
The problem wasn't inside the Legal Affairs Bureau but outside. If someone deliberately targeted them, many situations could be hard to predict.
After considering this, Chen Chuan said, "An Dun, put this person under surveillance. I want to know his information at all times, and report any suspicious activity to me immediately."
"Received, An Dun."
Unlike Xu Chan, as the Investigation Director, Chen Chuan had access to more resources. He could have An Dun monitor this situation, which was much better than simply deploying manpower. Moreover, monitoring just one person wouldn't require much Domain resources.
After returning to the Wu Ding District, he took the time to check on Chen Xiao Jin and give him some guidance for the next steps. Around 3:00 p.m., the information team sent a message.
They sent a report stating that based on the underground passages and the burrowing worm's traces, they had located several suspected high-energy nutrient storage sites and highlighted several locations where the mother worm was likely to be nearby.
After reading the report, Chen Chuan knew that the faster they handled this, the better. So, he immediately notified Yuan Qiuyuan, the other team members, and the nearby city security to blockade and evacuate the area where the suspected high-energy nutrients were stored.
Within three quarters of an hour, he arrived at the scene, and the other team members also arrived around the same time. Upon arrival, they dispersed according to the execution plan provided by An Dun.
Chen Chuan stood in an open area while Chao Ming circled overhead.
Their objective was clear: find and eliminate the burrowing mother worm. In fact, the three of them could handle the worm alone, but it was hard to say if the unseen "Captain" would show up.
This person was likely very strong, beyond the capabilities of the three of them, so Chen Chuan had to be there.
Unnoticed, a light rain began to fall from the sky, quickly dampening the streets. The recently dug pits soon became muddy, hindering the search operation. However, as the combat creatures ventured into the newly searched passages, sounds soon emanated from within.
One by one, the recently bred larvae were discovered and swiftly eliminated by experienced team members, indicating they were on the right track. The mother worm was likely nearby.
Through the World Credential, Chen Chuan monitored every corner. At this moment, Yuan Qiuyuan's excited voice came through, "Captain, we've found something! This seems to be a warehouse..."
Along with the voice, several pictures were sent.
Chen Chuan took a look. The place they had discovered seemed to be a simple residence, nothing out of the ordinary. After opening the door, the furniture and decorations were also normal.
However, behind a row of plastic soft curtains, there was a separate room containing high-energy nutrient cans, filling an entire wall. It was clear that there had been even more cans originally, and many opened cans had been discarded on the spot. There was also a huge pit on the floor.
After reviewing the situation, Chen Chuan immediately contacted An Dun through the World Credential, "An Dun, send the combat creatures in for surveillance. Also, investigate the identity of the house owner and the source of these high-energy nutrients."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
