https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-875-Probing-the-Hidden-Mechanism/12983069/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-877-The-Gathering-of-Desires-and-the-Sudden-Demon/12983071/
Chapter 876: Journey and Traces
Chapter 876: Journey and Traces
The armed convoy parked opposite the hotel, triggering heightened security alerts. As Chen Chuan walked toward them, his demeanor was calm and natural.
On the contrary, as he approached, the people in the convoy felt uneasy. Those who had been chatting and laughing stopped, their facial expressions stiffened, and they subconsciously tightened their grip on their weapons, with some even pointing their guns forward.
This wasn't because they had detected anything specific, but rather due to their long-term exposure to life-and-death situations, which had honed their sense of danger.
Chen Chuan's biomagnetic field did not spread outside at all, but his confident and relaxed gait, and the ease with which he faced everyone, created a subtle pressure that made them feel uncomfortable.
Corn, who noticed this immediately, raised his hand and made a downward pressing gesture, saying, "Relax, guys, this is our employer, the one we're escorting today." Hearing this, the group looked at each other and relaxed slightly.
Corn then turned to Jasmine and gestured, and she approached, holding a jacket. "Commander, this is for you. Don't worry, it's been cleaned, it's very clean."
Chen Chuan thanked her, took the jacket, and put it on, covering his body. This made him blend in more with the others, making him less conspicuous.
However, even so, just standing there, he still felt different from the people around him.
Corn then called out, inviting him to sit in his vehicle. He then leaned forward and shouted to the front, signaling the lead car to start and drive off, with the rest of the convoy following in sequence.
Corn turned back and apologized with a smile, "Commander, our squad is a bunch of roughnecks. We never think before we act. Don't take offense at what happened."
Chen Chuan said, "Captain Corn, I understand." People who often risk their lives value self-preservation above all, and this isn't something they can control.
Corn said, "That's why you're the commander, you have a big heart."
Chen Chuan glanced at the rearview mirror, noting that the team members in the back were silent, showing no signs of whispering. Clearly, they were highly disciplined. He asked, "Are these all your team members?"
"Directly under our squad, there are about twenty members, and we've recruited about thirty more, split into two teams. Commander, rest assured, they are all people we work with frequently and are absolutely trustworthy.
There may seem to be a lot of people, but it's unsafe outside the city. The fused land creatures are one thing, but the biggest concern is other mercenary teams, especially at this time of year. There might be another squad on the road trying to take advantage of us."
Chen Chuan asked, "Earlier, you mentioned you had a job to go there. What is it?"
Corn looked back at a transport vehicle following behind and said, "People."
Pausing, he explained, "There are large farms and bio-farms near that village, and they need a lot of labor. We are responsible for delivering a batch.
Don't worry, they aren't from our side, but captives from the old imperial army. These captives are their favorite, they live longer, adapt to the environment, and don't worry about activation."
Chen Chuan didn't comment on this. Some things that are not allowed outside might be very common here. Moreover, the soldiers of the old imperial army were already a different species compared to them, and most were used as labor at the front lines of the army.
The convoy left the city smoothly. Outside, the fused land creatures that once thrived had been mostly cleared away, and there was little vegetation, with only black-red soil visible on both sides of the road.
Along the road, some people wearing face masks and carrying black baskets wandered, using some kind of hook to flip the ground, occasionally pulling out a fat, multi-legged insect and stuffing it into their baskets.
The vehicles in the convoy periodically changed positions, and Chen Chuan noticed that their actions were well-coordinated. They were equipped with vehicle-mounted radios, and someone was specifically responsible for monitoring the activation index.
Due to their long-term exposure to this environment and the special implants, these people had strong resistance to activation. Their activation indices were not only low but also had a narrow range of fluctuation.
They did indeed encounter other armed groups, but possibly due to the reputation of the mercenary squad or their heightened vigilance, no attacks were launched against them.
As they traveled further, the buildings on both sides gradually decreased, and the vegetation became denser. The fused land creatures also increased, with some even following the convoy. At such times, people in the convoy would occasionally fire a few shots, clearly to intimidate these creatures.
Corn said, "Commander, if everything goes smoothly, it will take us about half a day to get there. We definitely won't be able to return today and will have to spend the night there." He then whispered, "If the Commander needs anything, just let us know."
(End of chapter)
"Chen Chuan, I'll let you know before I take action."
"Hehe, thank you, sir."
They set off at eight in the morning and by noon, they could see the town in the distance, located on a highland with numerous checkpoints surrounding it.
Chen Chuan noticed something crawling in the grass, resembling a winged beetle with a dark, glossy shell, about waist-high. As the convoy passed by, its long antennae swayed.
Bao Mi explained, "These black beetles are raised by the locals. Their shells are thick, and ordinary firearms can't penetrate them. They're fast and numerous, ensuring the locals' survival here."
Chen Chuan nodded. Without these beetles, the town would have likely fallen to the old imperial assault squad long ago. It was clear that there was a Third Limit Fighter present, in addition to these creatures.
After navigating a bumpy stretch of road, the convoy reached the main entrance to the town, where roadblocks and barbed wire barricades were set up, along with a trench filled with spikes.
As the checkpoint guards signaled with flags, the well-prepared mercenary group gradually stopped their vehicles. Fully armed personnel emerged from the checkpoint, instructing everyone to disembark for inspection.
Bao Mi was prepared and signaled to Jasmine, who approached the checkpoint official with a swaying waist, negotiating and offering them something.
The official's demeanor softened upon receiving the item, and he no longer insisted on everyone disembarking. He went to inspect the "cargo" they had transported.
Then, he led his men to each vehicle, individually verifying the occupants' identities and asking for their names.
Bao Mi frowned slightly, as this level of scrutiny was unusual. While they could continue offering bribes, they couldn't afford to give too much. Fortunately, as a seasoned team, they were prepared for such situations.
The checkpoint official approached their vehicle and recognized Bao Mi. He asked cautiously, "Who's this?"
Bao Mi smiled and replied, "Our team's employer, here to experience something new." He gave the official a knowing look.
The official, unconvinced, asked, "What employer? Name and identity, please?"
Bao Mi signaled a phone call, "I can't disclose that, but you can ask 'Old Seven.' I've already informed him."
The official observed him, instructing his men to keep watch while he made a call. After a while, he hung up and signaled his armed personnel to let them pass.
Bao Mi sighed in relief, "It's settled."
Chen Chuan nodded slightly.
The convoy smoothly passed the checkpoint and ascended the slope. Once they reached the top, Chen Chuan glanced outside, surprised to find the town more prosperous than expected.
A large field screen stood in the square, currently displaying a combat show between a fighter and a converged land creature. The fighter stumbled, and the creature pinned him down, devouring his head in an instant.
The surrounding crowd reacted with cheers and jeers, some throwing objects in anger.
Bao Mi commented, "The local authorities emulate Deep Valley City, but only trusted clients are taken there. We must stay within their designated area. Let's find accommodation first, then contact the informant to confirm the situation."
Chen Chuan looked towards a specific spot and said, "No need to find the informant. You all move away and prepare for combat."
"Hmm?"
Bao Mi tensed, not questioning Chen Chuan's intentions but nodding resolutely, "Understood!"
Chen Chuan exited the vehicle and headed in a specific direction.
Hongfu conveyed that the True Form Tree was indeed here, but not on the surface—it was beneath the highland!
Hongfu's judgment was likely correct, as she had recorded the tree's field when Ling Assistant opened the converged land.
With this knowledge, their actions wouldn't violate the agreement, and he needn't conceal his intentions further.
Guided by Hongfu, he ignored the watchtower personnel and located a spot. He focused on the ground, then raised his fist, which began to glow faintly.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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