Chapter 954: The Rightful Path
Chapter 954: The Rightful Path
Radiant District, by the lakeside of Green Park.
Chen Chuan and Old Feng sat on a bench by the lake, with a few leisurely fishermen under the willow trees in the distance, people boating on the lake, and many children running and playing nearby.
Even while sitting, Old Feng did not lean back, his upper body remained straight. Facing the cool breeze blowing across the lake, he said, "Oh, it's been about three years, hasn't it? Even when I was elsewhere, I often heard about your affairs, Chen Chuan. The developments in Jinbei Province were truly unexpected. I never thought you would actually pull it off. When you made the decision to push forward, I was genuinely worried for you."
"You don't know," Old Feng continued, "the other Central Cities have been verbally attacking you. If words could drown a person, Jinbei Province would probably be submerged."
Chen Chuan replied, "If words alone could knock someone down, then we wouldn't be standing here."
Old Feng smiled and said, "Chen Chuan, you're still as confident as ever." He paused, "Hmm, this time I came here not only to catch up with you, but also to deliver a message from someone above."
Upon hearing this, Chen Chuan raised his hand and placed it on the World Token, intending to instruct the Vermoth to block the surrounding domain. However, he discovered that the information domain around them had already lost its effect.
He looked at Old Feng and noticed a subtle change in his demeanor.
Old Feng gazed at the distant lake and said, "Regarding the investigation team, Cao Specialist had initially uncovered some traces. But with the sacrifice of two members, all leads were cut off. He knew about these people, but he had no way to continue the investigation. It wasn't their fault."
Chen Chuan's heart stirred, and he asked, "Who did this?"
Old Feng didn't answer directly but said, "You should know about the Provisional National Committee, right?"
Chen Chuan nodded and said, "Yes, it's the predecessor of the Daxun Republic."
Old Feng explained, "Over a hundred years ago, a massive anti-imperial struggle swept across the world. Here in the Eastern Continent, the influence of the old imperial family was immense. To concentrate our forces and overthrow the old imperial family as soon as possible, the early rebels and idealists were willing to accept all available power.
This included various political factions, large corporations, local powers, some originally loyal officials of the old imperial family who favored reform, and even... the old imperial family's military and the many high-ranking military officers who led them.
Thus, the Provisional National Committee was formed. At the time, this choice wasn't wrong. With the Great Collision approaching, the Grand Alliance's formation required a unified and complete authority dedicated to maintaining the world. All nations were doing the same, not just us, but the inevitable hidden dangers were also sown.
Since the establishment of the Republic Executive Government, internal struggles have never ceased. The conservative forces are stubborn and powerful, causing considerable obstacles to government centralization. Given the circumstances, we can only gradually reform from within. Over the past century, we've been both struggling and compromising.
We have our grand strategies and directions, and they have their own ideas. If it doesn't involve principles, we can temporarily tolerate them, but their actions often contradict our own."
Chen Chuan stared at the rippling lake, and although Old Feng didn't explicitly mention who it was, Chen Chuan didn't need to ask further.
In fact, both of them, as well as the members of the decision-making group, were well aware that the greatest enemy of Daxun was never external but internal.
The current scale of Daxun was not something that could be shaken by mere external disturbances. Throughout history, every powerful nation has first bred internal fissures before eventually collapsing.
Chen Chuan said, "Our time is running out."
Old Feng agreed, "Yes, time is not on our side. If we had another hundred years, we could take it slow, but even a decade from now is uncertain.
Before the Great Collision arrives, we must concentrate all available forces, even if it means employing more radical means. This is already the best outcome we can strive for while avoiding war."
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment and asked, "The Skyline?"
Old Feng nodded, "The Skyline is crucial and must be advanced. With it, we can maximize efficiency and concentrate our forces. But what ultimately decides everything, including the direction of the world, is martial power."
His tone turned slightly more serious, "It's not an exaggeration to say that the Chief Security Advisor Committee determines the country's direction. Although the advisors don't participate in direct decision-making or execution, their opinions and stances often profoundly influence the judgments and choices of the top leadership.
Currently, in the Chief Security Advisor Committee, our forces are evenly matched with the other side, and after these years of effort, we've temporarily gained the upper hand.
However, the other side has deep reserves. After the collapse of the old imperial family, they gained control of many resources, occupied numerous secret caches that should have been handed over to the nation, and have been continuously cultivating talents. Although we also have no shortage of brilliant individuals, in terms of foundation and accumulation, there's still a gap."
As he spoke, Old Feng turned to look at Chen Chuan and smiled, "But fortunately, we've been moving in the right direction all along. We never stopped, and we have people like you catching up."
Chen Chuan, we may one day fall on the road ahead, but with you all here, I believe that the torch held high will never fall."
He reached into his pocket and took out something like a business card, handing it to him, "This is for you."
Chen Chuan took it.
"This is a thousand-year-old secret treasury we discovered in the country. It may contain some treasures of the Ancient Religion. If you have time, you can go and take a look."
Chen Chuan took a glance. The item seemed to be made of white jade, and with a touch of spiritual power, a wisp of ethereal clouds emerged, forming a three-dimensional map of mountains and rivers.
"If you can get the things inside, then keep them with you. These things are only useful in the hands of those who can make them work. Just be careful, there are some things from the old era, and perhaps someone else is also eyeing this place."
"Chen Chuan, I look forward to the day we meet."
After saying this, he turned his face towards the lake. After a while, Old Feng suddenly raised his head and pointed at the fisherman in front of him, casting his rod, and said with delight, "Hey, Chen Chuan, look, it's noon, and there's still a catch. It's not easy."
Chen Chuan looked over and said, "Yes, it's not easy."
He realized that someone had just borrowed Old Feng's body to speak to him. Judging from the tone and content, it should be someone from the higher-ups.
Old Feng, with a hint of sentiment, said, "When I was young, my father often took me fishing. But I didn't like sitting still, and I didn't understand. Later, when I tried it myself, I also grew to like it. Because as long as you have patience, preparation, and focus, you will have a catch. It's addictive. It's been so many years, I almost forgot the feel of holding a fishing rod."
Chen Chuan said, "Old Feng, the waters of Jinbei Province are deep and full of fish. I'm waiting for you to catch a few more."
Old Feng smiled and said, "Rest assured, I promise to catch a few more big fish for you."
Chen Chuan stayed with Old Feng for more than an hour, chatting about the situation in Jinbei Province. After that, they had a meal together and then took the special car back.
In the book, there is no mistake!
Upon returning to the study, he opened the box that Skarson had given him. Aside from the expected ingredients and high-energy nutrients, there was also a small object in the upper right corner. It was an icicle-like object, resembling a bird's claw, about the size of a child's fist.
Sensing the field emanating from it, he was slightly surprised. Was this... the relic from that day? He picked up the sticky note next to it, which explained in simple Daxun language that this item was called "Frostclaw," a Tier Three Relic, and was the investigation team's way of expressing gratitude for his mercy.
The note also described its specific functions. This item could affect fighters, Convergence Zone super-limit creatures, and even have an impact on the opposing existence, hindering their actions.
When using this item, it could be placed in a certain location beforehand, or it could be integrated into the user's body. However, the latter method of use required a certain degree of physical endurance, with endurance times ranging from a few seconds to over ten minutes.
He couldn't help but nod. Although he had now mastered the Great Sky Style and the Great Brightness Style, and had ways to restrain those things, relics didn't require him to expend his own strength. They could be activated without any signs, making them extremely useful.
Next, he planned to go to the hunting ground. With this item, he could save a lot of energy.
He took out Frostclaw separately, closed the box, and then went to the storage room to put the items away. When he came out, the World Token sounded a prompt.
He glanced at the World Token, which was a message from the Government Hall. It said that a Nordland fighter magazine journalist wanted to present him with an award and visit him. The journalist had contacted him before and was currently in Central City.
He thought about it. Indeed, there was such a thing. This foreign magazine wanted to present him with an award for being the most influential person of the year, and he had sent a reply.
So he sent a message back, saying that he was available now and asking the other party to come over.
After more than half an hour, two magazine journalists, who had undergone multiple checks, arrived at the villa under the escort of a guard.
After meeting Chen Chuan, they introduced themselves. One was named Stormark, and the other was named Osne, both of them from Wings Magazine as journalists and business representatives.
After exchanging greetings and sitting down, Stormark, wearing thick glasses, apologized, "Mr. Chen, we didn't make an appointment with you this time, and it's a bit presumptuous. But we've been here for five days, and we couldn't find a way to contact you, so we could only come after the public meeting ended and contacted you through the Government Hall."
Chen Chuan said, "The Government Hall has been quite busy recently. I hope you two can understand."
"We understand, we understand."
The two of them seemed a bit tense and restrained in front of a fighter. Stormark gestured to his companion, who first froze and then came to his senses, immediately handing over the box he was holding.
Stormark held up the box and said, "Today, we're here to present this award to you and to deliver the trophy."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
