https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-775-Gathering-Light-and-Suppressing-the-Battle/12981371/
Chapter 776: The Ebb and Flow of Tides
Chapter 776: The Ebb and Flow of Tides
After disembarking from the airship, Chen Chuan reunited with Xu Chan and the others, who had rested for the night. They prepared to return to the central city during the open hours of the fusion zone's passage.
As they arrived at the train with their luggage and equipment, they found Mr. Pei, the Shen Shi, waiting for them. He shook hands with Chen Chuan and greeted him before turning to Xu Chan and the others, "Director Chen, and everyone, I'll need to take up some of your time."
"What's the matter?" Chen Chuan asked.
Mr. Pei explained, "It's like this. Since you've been to the unknown region, the situation there is quite complex. With the breach in the World Ring not yet sealed, we need to conduct necessary inspections on everyone returning to the central city to prevent any external contamination."
Mr. Pei spoke with a hint of seriousness, "This is an essential procedure, and it's better for us to do it ourselves rather than leaving it to others. This way, we can avoid unnecessary trouble."
Chen Chuan, having undergone similar inspections before, understood his implication. "Where do we need to go for the inspection?" he asked.
Mr. Pei smiled, "Right here on this train. For convenience, we've already set up the equipment here, and it won't take up too much of your time."
"That's good," Chen Chuan replied.
After the arrangements were made, the group followed Mr. Pei to the rear of the train, where an entire carriage was occupied by the detection organism.
As the inspection required individual checks, Xu Chan and the others entered the carriage. The process was quick, taking less than a minute for each person, including Lian Chao Ming, and no issues were found.
Chen Chuan had anticipated this situation, especially given the circumstances of the latter half of their journey, where they were all enveloped by the radiance of the relic.
This relic seemed to have a powerful repelling effect on contaminants, even eliminating parasites on certain items they carried.
The group, now cleaner than those who had been stationed in the fusion zone for an extended period, waited for the majority of the people to complete their inspections. Finally, it was Chen Chuan's turn, but a problem arose.
As Chen Chuan was about to enter the carriage, the detection organism reacted as if it had encountered something terrifying. It emitted sharp, piercing noises and desperately retreated, as if it wanted to escape from the train car had it not been reinforced.
Mr. Pei found this strange and asked the person in charge, who seemed dazed. Then, as if realizing something, he glanced at Chen Chuan with a look of suspicion. He used the World Gateway to communicate with Mr. Pei, who, upon hearing the message, was shocked and incredulous.
After a moment's thought, Mr. Pei turned to Xu Chan and the others, "You can leave now."
However, Lv Zuo disagreed and spoke up, "What's going on? Tell us here. Chen Chuan has been with us all along, and there's no way he could have a problem!"
Hu Zuo immediately stepped forward, as Chen Chuan had saved them all. If they needed help, they would not hesitate.
Xu Chan seemed to understand something, and he stopped Lv Zuo from saying more, "No need for explanations. We'll return to the train; nothing will happen to us there. And we should trust Director Chen."
These words had an effect, and after exchanging glances, Lv Zuo and the others followed Xu Chan away.
Mr. Pei turned to Chen Chuan and, instead of asking directly, took a breath and spoke slowly, "I just inquired, and this detection organism can inspect up to the third limit and below for fighters. But if the subject is a fighter master, it's beyond the capabilities of this equipment."
As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan replied casually, "If that's the case, then this detection organism indeed has no effect on me."
Mr. Pei's eyes widened, and his expression was a mix of excitement and disbelief. After a moment, he managed to steady his fluttering heart and spoke with a voice still trembling slightly, "Director Chen, you... you've already..."
"I came back on Principal Yao's airship and had a meal with him," Chen Chuan explained.
Mr. Pei understood immediately and nodded vigorously, his heart filled with excitement. After a pause, he said, "I understand! I get it!"
He was well aware of the significance of a fighter master, and after the Old Imperial Household Army in Jinbei Dao's fusion zone was cleared, the next target would be the Municipal Parliament. With an additional fighter master on their side, they could ensure an absolute upper hand, and the opportunity to resolve Jinbei Dao's long-standing issues might be within reach.
After calming himself, Mr. Pei spoke solemnly, "Director Chen, I apologize, but this news is crucial, and I feel I must report it to my superiors."
Chen Chuan didn't mind, "It's no trouble. Mr. Pei, just do what you need to do."
He understood that the presence of a fighter master involved various aspects and couldn't be overlooked. Therefore, he hadn't intended to hide this fact, but he wouldn't proactively advertise it either.
Scholar Chen, with a relaxed expression, sincerely said, "Thank you for your understanding, Director Chen. In that case, I'll take my leave now."
Director Chen nodded, and as he saw Scholar Chen leave, he also headed back to his own carriage. At this time, the train had already entered the Central City area, and a notification sound suddenly came from his World Gateway. He connected to it, and a deep voice inside said, "Director Chen, this is Wei Huan."
"Director Wei?"
Director Chen recognized the voice; it was Director Wei from the Handling Bureau. Due to his advanced age, Director Wei was semi-retired, and in recent years, the specific affairs of the Handling Bureau had been handed over to Deputy Director Wu. After the breach appeared in the World Ring, Director Wei had led a group of people to guard the front line.
It was during his last visit when he was promoted to Investigation Director.
"Director Wei, is there something you need to instruct me on?"
Director Wei politely said, "Director Chen, Principal Yao has already informed me of your situation through a telegram. I will be transferred to the Central City soon, and the future affairs of the Central City will be in the hands of you younger folks. Your future position is not within my jurisdiction, but there are some matters I think I can help with before I leave my post."
Just as their train was returning to the Central City, within the span of a few hours, numerous violent crimes occurred in various districts of the city, many of which involved the shadows of fighters.
The Handling Bureau deployed personnel in all directions due to the shortage of manpower, and some situations were particularly severe. In the end, even Captain Zou Jin Xing, who was responsible for overseeing matters at the Bureau, personally led a team to handle the situation.
About an hour after his departure, Wang Weiguang, who had been detained by the Emergency Task Center since the last detection incident, arrived at the headquarters with a team of people.
The official reason for his detention was exposure to an invasive substance, but in reality, it was a move made at the suggestion of the Municipal Parliament. However, due to the lack of concrete evidence and the fact that he had been kept in custody and processed, his position was not revoked, and his access was intentionally or unintentionally preserved by Han Fu.
After entering the headquarters, An Dun said, "Captain Wang, the Emergency Task Center's accusations against you have been withdrawn. Captain Wang, welcome back. Please go through the necessary procedures for your return."
A smile curved Wang Weiguang's lips as he said, "First, help me register these people behind me. They are my privately hired team members."
"Identity verification in progress, no criminal or wanted records, no civilian identity... Captain Wang, identity registered..."
After the registration was complete, Wang Weiguang stepped forward to complete his return procedures. He then said, "On my way here, I received a case related to Han Fu, the former Director Han. I need to understand the situation from him. Can I meet with him?"
"I'm sorry, Captain Wang. Questioning Director Han requires sufficient authority. Please apply to your superiors first or wait here for the relevant director to return."
Wang Weiguang's eyes flickered, and he said, "Alright, then I'll wait for a while."
At the entrance of the underground passage, the train slowly pulled into the station and came to a stop. Scholar Chen, Scholar Chen, and their group descended from the train and passed through the scanning area, climbing the stairs. However, just as they reached the exit, they saw an armed team waiting ahead, led by a man in a foreign-style suit and sunglasses.
The man removed his sunglasses as they approached, signaling his team to stay back, and stepped forward alone. He showed his credentials and introduced himself, "I am Li Xie, the External Liaison of the Emergency Task Center. This time, I am here specifically to wait for you all according to the arrangements of the Task Center."
He looked at everyone and spoke seriously, "Since you are heading to the Fusion Zone and have ventured into unknown regions, we need to conduct inspections to prevent harm to the Central City."
Scholar Chen stepped forward and presented a detection report to Li Xie. "Liaison Li, these individuals have already registered and been inspected by the Defense Department. I believe there's no need to go to the Emergency Task Center again, right?"
Li Xie's expression changed slightly. In theory, there was no need for another inspection after the Defense Department's check, although they retained the right to re-inspect. However, without concrete evidence of a problem, forcibly taking people away would be inappropriate, and procedurally, there was no issue if the other party refused.
Just then, a sound came through the World Gateway, and he looked up at the crowd in front of him, smiling. "I'm sorry, but of course, we trust the Defense Department's inspection. However, there's one situation I need to clarify.
Recently, our Task Center discovered new parasitic objects in the Central City, and our detection organisms have undergone some recent biological information recordings. So..." He looked at Scholar Chen and smiled, "We need to conduct another inspection. I hope you can understand."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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