Chapter 714: Encounter

Chapter 714: Chapter 65: Encounter

Huang Weiyi quickly agreed, promising he would follow the instructions, hold his ground, and wait for Chen Chuan’s arrival.

After the call ended, he took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow. ‘This job is no walk in the park,’ he thought.

In fact, when he had mentioned his subordinate’s abilities, he had been worried Chen Chuan would want to poach the man. But if he hadn’t said anything, he would have had no way to prove the source of his intelligence.

Beyond not wanting to lose such a talented individual, there was another reason: the man had been wronged by the government in the past and deeply distrusted anyone in an official capacity. Huang Weiyi had promised to protect him. If Chen Chuan were to ask for him, he would have to politely refuse, which ran the risk of causing offense.

Thankfully, Chen Chuan never brought it up, allowing Huang Weiyi to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

After disembarking from the airship, Chen Chuan contacted Yuan Qiuyuan and the others to inform them of a fairly important mission.

He then notified Wei Chang’an, Wu Han, and Luo Kaiyuan, telling them there was a mission and that Yuan Qiuyuan’s group would be leading them.

He decided not to involve anyone from the Processing Bureau in this operation. Firstly, to maintain the element of surprise and prevent any information from leaking. Secondly, to use this as an opportunity to sharpen his own team.

Although he suspected the targets were already aware of being watched, he wasn’t worried. It was daytime. If they planned to move or make any major plays, they would most likely wait for the cover of night. That gave him plenty of time to make his preparations today.

At the same time, Weidong was in the Training Ground practicing his techniques. Each punch and kick was smoother and more powerful than usual. His progress was obvious.

Last semester, he had studied under Teacher Wang from the Central Hospital. This semester, with a grant from the Fusion Boundary and some of his own savings, he had purchased a course from a certain Teacher Jin.

This teacher had unique skills in Horizontal Training. He was particularly adept at Inner Refining, a method that used the Mutated Organization to strengthen internal organs to the point where they could resist damage from weapons.

But today, Teacher Jin noticed something strange. He saw that Weidong’s skill level had suddenly leaped forward, which was highly unusual. ‘Could it be?’ he wondered. ‘Has his Mutated Organization entered a rapid growth phase?’

‘But on second thought, that doesn’t seem right either.’

He held high hopes for Weidong and paid close attention to his progress. He clearly remembered checking Weidong’s Mutated Organization not long ago, and it certainly hadn’t entered a rapid growth phase. ‘This kind of improvement shouldn’t be possible.’

Then, a possibility suddenly occurred to him.

When Weidong finished his training, Teacher Jin asked casually, “Weidong, has someone else been teaching you recently?”

“Yes,” Weidong said. “Chen Chuan gave me some pointers.”

“Chen… Oh, Manager Chen.”

It dawned on Teacher Jin. He looked at Weidong and said, “No wonder. Manager Chen may be a new teacher, but a manager from the Processing Bureau is bound to be highly skilled.”

However, even though he knew Chen Chuan and Weidong were former classmates and there was nothing wrong with him giving Weidong a few pointers, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of professional jealousy.

‘If the advice had been bad, that would be one thing. But for just a few pointers to have such a dramatic effect… it makes me look incompetent by comparison.’

‘No, wait,’ he thought, trying to console himself. ‘Without the foundation I built for him, Weidong could never have improved this quickly. The techniques he was just using are still the Force Techniques I taught him. There were no major changes.’ Thinking about it that way, he felt a little better.

He cleared his throat and said, “Weidong, as an Investigation Chief for the Processing Bureau, Manager Chen has a lot on his plate and is very busy. I noticed only three students signed up for his course. I think it’s probably best not to trouble him in the future.”

Weidong replied, “I didn’t bother him. He just gave me pointers for a few minutes.”

“A few minutes?”

Teacher Jin’s eyes went wide. ‘With that rate of improvement, you’re telling me it only took a few minutes of pointers?’

‘Is the gap in our teaching abilities really that huge?’

He couldn’t help but feel frustrated. In his eyes, Weidong was a diamond in the rough that he had discovered—a student with immense potential who trained as if his life depended on it. If Weidong just stuck with him for a few years, he was certain the boy would one day amaze the world. But now it seemed this gem could shine brightly elsewhere, too, which completely ruined his sense of accomplishment.

He asked, “Weidong, do you think Manager Chen… er, Teacher Chen, is a good teacher?”

Weidong answered without a second thought, “He’s great.”

Teacher Jin coughed again. “And what about me? Am I a good teacher?”

Just then, Weidong’s Realm Token chimed. A voice came through, “Weidong, are you free? We have an urgent mission.”

“Teacher, it’s an urgent mission,” Weidong said.

“Oh, that. Yes, yes, go on.” Teacher Jin watched him turn and run off. He waited a moment before calling after him, “Be careful! And don’t be the first to charge in!”

Chen Chuan took a private car back to Wuyi Academy and used the opportunity to check on the progress of his three students.

They had actually been in contact consistently over the past few days, and he would point out their mistakes through the online platform.

It seemed all three were progressing without any issues.

It would take Fan Cheng and Kong Yao at least a month or two before they showed any significant results. Jiang Xin, however, was a highly perceptive student. Over the past twenty-some days, his progress had been remarkably fast. He also made sure to carefully and respectfully ask Chen Chuan questions from time to time.

In truth, these were questions he could likely figure out on his own with enough thought, yet he still came to Chen Chuan for guidance, maintaining the appearance of a diligent student with only limited natural talent.

Chen Chuan just smiled, paying no mind to the boy’s little games. As long as he asked, Chen Chuan would answer truthfully. Besides, Jiang Xin knew not to overstep his bounds; he didn’t ask too many questions, nor did he ask them too frequently.

Aside from these three, no other students had signed up for his course.

This was because other students weren’t familiar with him, and most had already chosen their mentors for the term. Unless someone changed their mind midway through, like Fan Cheng and Kong Yao, or the academy made a special recommendation, it was unlikely he would get any new students for a while.

He was content to let things be. All he had to do was ensure at least two of his students passed.

After taking care of some matters at the academy, he changed his clothes, picked up the Snow Monarch Blade, and left the Profound Palace Building. He then got into a private car and headed for the location Huang Weiyi had provided.

He had specifically brought Chaoming along this time. Chaoming could provide him with eyes in the sky, allowing him to better track the enemy’s movements.

Meanwhile, he maintained contact with Yuan Qiuyuan and the rest of the team.

“Our objective is to encircle and capture an elite enemy squad and their associates. This squad is extremely strong. To improve our own team’s coordination and to ensure operational security, I have not included any personnel from the Processing Bureau.

“Based on the layout of the location, I will now assign your specific roles.”

As he spoke, a complete and detailed mission briefing was sent to each person’s Realm Token. It specified each member’s designated position, their duties, and the appropriate responses for various potential scenarios.

The briefing had been strategically compiled by An Shield based on Chen Chuan’s parameters. It took into account that their targets were likely powerful Fighters from Lianwei Zhongyu, who would be well-armed and equipped. Therefore, Chen Chuan himself would handle the primary targets in any direct confrontation.

The other team members were tasked with interception, dealing with any hidden enemy operatives, and securing the surrounding area. If necessary, they would also be responsible for civilian evacuation.

The mission wasn’t just about capturing the enemy; ensuring the safety of civilians in the vicinity was the absolute top priority.

After reviewing the plan, they all committed it to memory.

Chen Chuan waited for a long moment before asking, “Does everyone have their assignments memorized?”

They all replied in unison, “Memorized.”

The vehicle had now reached the edge of the residential district. The roads ahead were not only congested but proceeding further would likely alarm the residents. “Stop here,” Chen Chuan ordered.

After the car parked, Chen Chuan stepped out. A series of vehicles pulled up behind him, and his team disembarked. They each methodically checked their gear, then immediately fanned out, moving swiftly toward their assigned positions.

Chen Chuan adjusted the brim of his hat, and with the Snow Monarch Blade in hand, walked directly toward the targets’ location. He had just received word from Huang Weiyi: the three men were still inside and had not made a move.

A sharp whistle sounded from the Realm Token in his ear. In the sky, a black dot shot forward. Chaoming would arrive over the target first and transmit an aerial view back to him via the Realm Token.

At that very moment, the three elite Lianwei Zhongyu Fighters were inside a building. It was actually a safe house Lianwei Zhongyu had established long ago, with personnel permanently stationed there to provide cover.

This squad was under direct orders from their head office, with their own strategy and objectives. During the mission, they were to have no contact with the local branch.

Using physical correspondence and a clandestine radio, they maintained constant contact with their head office, waiting for the right moment to enter the Merging Land.

Just as Chen Chuan had suspected, they were aware of the surveillance. They hadn’t reacted immediately because the area was teeming with local gangs and factions who would often come snooping around.

Furthermore, the surveillance was unprofessional. Central City’s security forces would never be so clumsy. They concluded it likely had nothing to do with the government.

There was also a practical concern: external monitoring throughout the city had recently intensified. A hasty relocation would be more likely to expose them. In the end, they decided to stay put.

The three men were currently engaged in Focused Meditation, a type of mental training that allowed them to keep their bodies and minds in peak condition at all times.

Just then, the tense voice of their lookout crackled through their comms. “Someone’s approaching. Can’t identify any affiliation from their clothes, but they’re definitely a Fighter. Looks powerful. Not sure if they’re coming for us.”

All three men’s eyes snapped open. Highly trained, they instantly grabbed the weapons beside them and assumed a state of high alert.

But just as they did, a wave of invisible Spiritual Power slammed violently into their minds.