Chapter 719: Meeting

Chapter 719: Chapter 70: Meeting

After the Airship returned to Central City, Chen Chuan put his Realm Token back on and noticed a missed call. He checked it and saw the message was from Xu Chan.

He paused. After the incident at the Emergency Affairs Center, they had exchanged a few voice messages, but that was it. ‘This sudden call must mean something,’ he thought, and tapped Xu Chan’s profile picture.

After a moment, the call connected. He asked, “Captain Xu? You were looking for me?”

Xu Chan’s voice came through. “Manager Chen, sorry to bother you. I was wondering if you’re free. I’d like to treat you to a meal.”

Chen Chuan smiled and said, “If you’re treating, Captain Xu, then I’ll definitely be there.”

Since Chen Chuan had agreed, Xu Chan immediately arranged a place for them to meet.

Chen Chuan checked the location. It was a famous noodle shop in Fengde District. He wasn’t sure if it was a coincidence, but the Celestial Forgiveness Gang’s headquarters was just a short distance from there.

Lost in thought, he waited for the Airship to reach its mooring point, then drove straight to the location. He arrived about an hour and a half later.

Xu Chan was already there, waiting in his car. Seeing Chen Chuan’s car approach, he got out of the driver’s seat and greeted him with a wave.

After parking, Chen Chuan got out of his car and shook Xu Chan’s hand. Xu Chan pointed at the noodle shop ahead. “This is my favorite noodle shop. It’s been open for twenty years. It was the first place I ate when I came to Jibei Dao, and it was perfect for my tastes. I hope you like it, Manager Chen.”

Chen Chuan looked up at the gilded words “Nanguo Noodle House” on the sign. “I’ve never been here before,” he said. “But since you’re recommending it, Captain Xu, I have to try it.”

Inside the shop, Xu Chan, clearly a regular, ordered two bowls of noodles. After asking about Chen Chuan’s preferences, he also ordered a few side dishes.

Before long, two steaming hot bowls of noodles were brought to their table.

Xu Chan grabbed two pairs of chopsticks from their paper sleeves and handed one to Chen Chuan. He pointed to the fine, uniform white noodles. “These are Spring Snow Noodles. The noodles are gathered like a fine comb and fold over like the back of a fish—that’s why this style is called a Fishback Comb. Top it with a sprinkle of scallions and our secret meat sauce… the taste is incredible. Go on and try it, Manager Chen.”

Chen Chuan saw the broth was glistening and clear, and its aroma was appetizing. He took his chopsticks out of the sleeve, stirred the noodles a bit, then picked some up and tasted them. They were smooth and delicate, perfectly soft. Each strand seemed to be soaked in the sweet and savory broth. It was indeed worth savoring.

He noticed most of the customers didn’t talk much, instead focusing solely on their noodles. The air was filled with the sound of SLURPING, and everyone was eating with enough gusto to break a sweat.

However, as Fighters, they couldn’t feel hunger or fullness from ordinary food, so for them, it was purely about savoring the flavor.

Just then, the side dishes arrived. The two of them had ordered a bowl of duck blood and vermicelli soup, a plate of meat-filled spring rolls, a bowl of crystal shrimp, a serving of water shield and fish ball soup, and two bottles of Osmanthus Honey Dew to go with it all.

Xu Chan poured him a glass of the Osmanthus Honey Dew. “It’s not alcohol,” he explained, “just a sweet drink from the south. I hope you’ll like it, Manager Chen.”

Chen Chuan lifted his glass and took a sip. It was cool and sweet with a smooth texture, leaving a pleasant aftertaste and the faint fragrance of osmanthus. “It’s very good,” he said with a nod. Then he looked up. “You’re not from Jibei Dao, Captain Xu?”

“I’m from Huainan Path,” Xu Chan said. “I also attended the Wuyi there, then joined the army, and was eventually transferred to Jibei Dao. This year marks my twentieth year here. Time really flies.” He looked around. “Other than the sign getting older, this place has barely changed.”

He looked outside, and for a fleeting moment, he felt he was still that high-spirited, ambitious young officer.

“Is your family here too, Captain Xu?”

Xu Chan took out a Name Card holder and opened it to reveal a photograph. It showed a young woman holding a pair of twins. “My wife and two children are in Huainan Path. I just haven’t been back to see them in a long time. I can only contact them by phone and telegram.”

Chen Chuan didn’t ask why he hadn’t brought his family over. Given the situation in Central City and the nature of Xu Chan’s work, it was easy to make enemies. They were safer where they were.

At this point, Xu Chan put down his chopsticks, looked outside, and said to Chen Chuan, “Look over there.”

They were sitting right by the window with a clear view of the street. Chen Chuan looked over and saw a convoy of armored vehicles driving past. The word “Tianshu” was emblazoned on their hulls, the lettering bold and domineering, radiating an air of contempt.

Xu Chan took a sip of his Honey Dew and said, “The biggest gang in Fengde District is the Celestial Forgiveness Gang. The Celestial Forgiveness Gang trains a large number of Fighters every year. A few join the army, most go into corporations, but the true elites all find a way to enter the Central City Government. They’re a force that can’t be ignored.”

Chen Chuan nodded slightly. The likes of Wei Wusheng and Chang Kuanghai, whom he had encountered before, had all come from the Celestial Forgiveness Gang and left a very deep impression on him.

Xu Chan continued, “The Celestial Forgiveness Gang has two elders. One is Yu Hongming. The old man is over 110, and he’s long since honed his mind and body to their absolute peak. He was a famous master seventy or eighty years ago, and he’s only gotten sharper with age. Even if his vitality is declining and his Mutated Organization is atrophying, his wealth of cunning combat experience can’t be ignored.

“Fortunately, although he was fierce and violent in his youth, he’s always been one to abide by the rules. Now that he’s old, he’s even more detached from worldly affairs. He and his disciples mainly handle the gang’s internal matters now. A very old-school Fighter.

“The other elder is named Yue Hongtao. He’s actually from the same generation as Yu Hongming, but a bit younger, only in his nineties. Compared to Yu Hongming, this man is extremely utilitarian, you could also say very calculating. He has deep connections with the City Council. He played a very important role in the Celestial Forgiveness Gang’s long-term survival.

“Many of the City Council’s important armed security forces come from the Celestial Forgiveness Gang. Nominally, these people have left the gang and obtained legal status, but in reality, they still have innumerable ties to Yue Hongtao’s faction.

“The Celestial Forgiveness Gang has been firmly rooted here since the old days. With those two at the helm, they’re nearly impossible to dislodge. The Bureau’s long-standing strategy has always been to divide and conquer.”

Chen Chuan’s eyes flickered. ‘If the Celestial Forgiveness Gang were just a simple gang, the Processing Bureau probably wouldn’t be so focused on them. But with ties this deep to the City Council, they’re practically the Council’s armed wing. Of course the Bureau wants to dismantle them.’

Xu Chan said, “Aside from missions in the Merging Land, the rest of my time is spent stationed in Fengde District. My main job is to let the Celestial Forgiveness Gang know I’m here, to keep them from acting too outrageously.” His voice turned solemn. “You can never overestimate a gang’s restraint, especially when they have power backing them.”

After a pause, he added, “But I have to go to the Merging Land soon, and I might not be back until the end of the year. During that time, I’m afraid the Celestial Forgiveness Gang might try to pull something.”

He looked at Chen Chuan and said, “Manager Chen, I know you’re very strong, possibly even stronger than I am. After I leave, I may have to rely on you for some things.”

Chen Chuan nodded. “Director Wu has also spoken to me about this. I’ll handle it.”

Seeing him agree so clearly, Xu Chan’s expression relaxed slightly. He then said, “There’s one more thing. The City Council currently has a deep conflict with the Administrative Affairs Hall. The Administrative Affairs Hall recently introduced some regulations to close up old loopholes. If they succeed, the City Council’s power will be further curtailed. There’s a key person in this matter.”

He tapped his Realm Token, and the image of a serious-looking middle-aged man appeared.

He said, “This is Yao Kang, an important official in the Administrative Law Hall. The man has a strong sense of justice and refuses to be swayed by the City Council’s lobbying. He’s determined to implement the decrees issued by the Administrative Affairs Hall. The Processing Bureau has been protecting him for several months, mainly handled by a member of my team.

“They know it’s one of my team members. As long as I’m here, some people don’t dare to make a move. But if I go to the Merging Land, I might not be able to deter them in time.”

Chen Chuan looked at the image and said, “I understand, Captain Xu. I’ll keep an eye on this after you leave.”

Xu Chan raised his glass. “Thanks.”

Chen Chuan raised his glass as well and clinked it against his.

After taking a sip, Xu Chan tapped his Realm Token. Chen Chuan then saw a list of names being sent to his own Realm Token.

“This is…”

Xu Chan said, “A list of people in the Bureau who can be trusted. I’ve already spoken with them. If you need anything, they will follow your orders, Manager Chen.”

Chen Chuan knew Xu Chan was a Bureau veteran. Becoming an Investigation Chief would have been easy for him if he hadn’t turned down the promotions. These people were likely his former subordinates.

He asked about a few of the people, and Xu Chan went through them one by one. After a while, they finished their meal and left the restaurant.

Outside, Chen Chuan looked down the street and could see the main gate of the Celestial Forgiveness Gang’s headquarters. He said, “Captain Xu, if it’s just about intimidating the Celestial Forgiveness Gang, that’s not so difficult.” As he spoke, he turned in that direction and began to walk slowly toward it.

Xu Chan was taken aback at first, but then he realized what Chen Chuan was about to do. After a moment of thought, he stayed where he was and didn’t move.

Meanwhile, high up in the Celestial Forgiveness Gang’s Changsheng Hall, Yu Hongming stood before a Domain screen, watching the figures of the two men. On the other half of the screen, another elderly man appeared.

He was a tall, thin old man with a braided beard. Compared to Yu Hongming’s amiable appearance, his eyes held a hint of arrogance.

Yu Hongming looked at the screen and said, “Xu Chan is probably going to the Merging Land. The two of them have come to make a show of force, to warn us not to cause trouble. After he leaves, this other one will likely be the one assigned to watch us.”

The tall, thin old man glanced over and said, “The Processing Bureau’s Investigation Chief. That kid Kuanghai was captured by him, right? Old Yu, your own disciple was crippled and is still locked up, and you can just tolerate this?”

Yu Hongming said with unruffled calm, “They chose their own paths. As their master, I am only responsible for teaching them their skills. How they use them is not something I can control.”

The tall, thin old man said in a snide voice, “I really don’t know where the fire you had in your youth has gone.”

“I’ve simply gained a bit more reverence,” Yu Hongming said slowly.

“Reverence?” The tall, thin old man was dismissive. “I can at least respect Xu Chan; after all, he has real ability. But this kid thinks he can intimidate us all by himself? On what grounds? Just because he has the title of Investigation Chief?”

Just then, Yu Hongming suddenly noticed something. He focused his gaze and saw Chen Chuan walking right toward them.

The tall, thin old man saw it too. He watched as Chen Chuan reached the street corner, stopped, and looked at them from a distance. He couldn’t help but feel puzzled. “What is he trying to do?”