Chapter 463 1: Returning to the Homeland, Overlooking All Living Beings

Rhombus Ring City Circle.

The Red River tributary flowed through the high walls, passing the barren concrete buildings of the Iron Ring District straight to the inner city port.

The freighters docked at the shore were a pale gray. Red and blue shipping containers were lifted by cranes and unloaded from the decks. The waiting area near the port bustled with people; some were checking or picking up luggage, while many passengers were disembarking.

[River Transport: River Transport Flight H-52 is delayed for fifteen minutes due to unforeseen circumstances...]

[Ring Daily: It is reported that the war in the Red Maple City Circle has achieved a phased victory, successfully capturing the Rebel Base in Crow Valley...]

[Alliance News: The Yao City Committee has issued a statement that an encirclement and suppression campaign will be launched against all Rebel Bases within the borders of the Alliance Country. The Patrol Departments of all regions will fully cooperate with the operations of the Superpower Bureau...]

In the port's security checkpoint area, large screens hung on the walls, broadcasting both the latest river transport schedules and news from the Alliance Country.

"Are we going to an all-out war with the Rebels?"

"Obviously. What did you think?"

"Sigh, to think we just finished dealing with Lu Shan, and now another war is starting. When will this ever end?"

The crowds in the security and roadside waiting areas murmured among themselves, mostly with gloomy expressions. However, before they could continue discussing these topics, a brief commotion broke out by the port's roadside.

"What's going on?" The crowd looked over in curiosity.

Soon, a motorcade was seen driving in from the street entrance at the outermost edge of the port. Several black jeeps belonging to the Superpower Bureau drove in perfect order, led by blue and white patrol cars with flashing lights clearing the way.

At some point, many on-duty patrol officers had appeared in the port area. Wearing blue uniforms and bulletproof vests, and carrying firearms, they dispersed the congested crowd and maintained order. Finally, when the motorcade came to a halt, one Ring City assemblyman and Superpower Level expert after another—figures who could normally only be seen on the news—stepped out of the vehicles and walked toward the port, surrounded by the crowd.

"That's Director Liu, isn't it? I just saw him on TV last night."

"That's not all! Even Assemblyman Zhang is here. He's the head of the Political Affairs Department, and he actually came too."

"And Group Leader Yue from the Superpower Bureau is there as well. Damn, who are they here to welcome?"

Voice after voice of curiosity completely overshadowed the previous news broadcast. Everyone's face was filled with curiosity and surprise; such a scene was rare in Ring City.

"Captain Yang, over here..."

In the noisy and crowded environment, a burly patrol officer walked to the side of the road and waved his hand. A patrol car arrived somewhat late. Yang Wangtao could be seen walking hurriedly, leading a few figures from outside the cordoned-off crowd area. Even though he was rushing, his hair was still meticulously combed, and his square face looked as stern as always.

"Xiong Cheng, thanks for your hard work." Yang Wangtao nodded slightly and patted the man on the shoulder.

Hearing this, Xiong Cheng scratched his head. "Captain Yang, you flatter me. It's just part of my job. Oh, by the way, Director Liu specifically instructed that you go over as soon as you arrive. He said the VIP today is very important and will be here any minute."

"Alright." Yang Wangtao nodded before walking briskly, gradually catching up with the group of big shots who had appeared first.

Witnessing this scene, Wang Shisong, who had followed along, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he said, "Damn it, we were almost late. You don't know about the case on West Street. We only managed to take it down because Captain Yang handled it personally."

As former members of the Third Squad, both of them were trusted confidants of their grand captain, Yang Wangtao.

Xiong Cheng grinned upon hearing this and scratched his head again. "Brother Wang, it looks like you're really going to be a squad captain this time," he said with some envy.

Wang Shisong scoffed lightly and patted his shoulder. "You rascal, don't worry. Captain Yang is about to take over as branch director, so he has to promote a few people under him, doesn't he? I heard him say that you're reliable. If you can break through to the Professional Level in the future, he'll definitely try to save a squad captain position for you too."

Hearing this, Xiong Cheng's face filled with surprise, followed by repeated thanks. He even turned around gratefully to look at the retreating back walking into the port, taking note of this favor of appreciation.

"But then again, I wonder who the VIP arriving this time could be." Wang Shisong was a bit curious, standing alongside him by the roadside at the port to maintain order, occasionally peering toward the riverbank.

Xiong Cheng did the same, even unable to resist gossiping in a low voice. "I heard from other brothers in the department that it seems to be a special commissioner from the Yao Capital passing through our Ring City. Brother Wang, what kind of background do you think this person has? To think even Director Liu came to welcome him personally."

He found it somewhat hard to comprehend. Director Liu was already a prominent figure in Ring City. For this person's status to be even higher—just how high could it be?

"I heard from Captain Yang that it seems to be a special commissioner from the Special Investigation Group," Wang Shisong smacked his lips, his expression somewhat awe-struck.

Xiong Cheng merely let out an "oh," not feeling much in response. People at that level were impressive, but they were too far removed from his own life. With that thought in mind, he couldn't help but fantasize. "Brother Wang, do you think if Captain Lu comes back one day, he'd get this kind of grand reception?"

After all, according to the news Chen Xiao occasionally passed back, their old captain was already a Superpower Level expert.

Wang Shisong paused, then sighed and shook his head with a bitter smile. "That... I really don't know. I just hope Captain Lu is safe." His face filled with emotion as he thought of the previously announced news.

It turned out that Ruan Hui was actually killed by Captain Lu. This had undoubtedly exceeded everyone's expectations. Even Captain Yang—he still remembered the man's bewildered, shocked expression, and how he had immediately gone to find Director Liu afterward, instinctively wanting to plead for leniency and protect him.

"True..." Xiong Cheng sighed and nodded in agreement.

He didn't dare to hope for too much. He only hoped that Chen Xiao and the others' guesses were true. He hoped that Captain Lu was indeed being protected by the Superpower Bureau, temporarily in hiding, and completely safe.

SPLASH!!

The river waves surged continuously as a white ferry passed through the high wall gates, gliding along the surface of the Red River tributary and entering the city circle.

"Iron Ring District," Lu Chao muttered. Wearing a black trench coat and carrying a black duffel bag, he stood on the deck with a complex look in his eyes.

The concrete buildings along both sides of the route were incredibly familiar. An ordinary-looking family of three was taking in the view by the shore, while gang thugs with cybernetic prosthetics squatted in a bridge underpass, smoking. The steel bridge that had been blown up during Lu Shan's invasion and the Rebels' sabotage had somehow been completely rebuilt. As the ferry passed by, it glided right over his head.

Scene after scene of his past in Ring City resurfaced in his heart. From a distance, Lu Chao could see the bustling sights at the port, along with a heavily guarded welcoming party.

At the same time.

"Ms. Weiwei, the company has arranged for vehicles to wait at the port. Rest assured, we'll escort you all the way back," said a group of guards from Hengjia Security, carrying luggage and clustering around Lin Weiwei and her sister. The young man leading them was very steady, continuously arranging the follow-up details.

"Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Du," Lin Weiwei said gratefully, before feeling a tug on her hand.

"Sister, look!"

Her heart stirring, she looked in the direction Lin Keke was pointing. The port's riverbank was bustling with activity, yet it simultaneously gave off an unusual vibe. The patrol officers isolating the crowd and maintaining order were well-trained. In addition, there was a group of figures surrounded in the center, clearly holding a high status.

"Mr. Du, is the port usually this lively?" Lin Weiwei asked tactfully.

She hadn't returned to Ring City in two or three years. Many of the faces here were unfamiliar, leaving her feeling a bit estranged.

Hearing this, the young man addressed as Mr. Du looked up and quickly noticed the abnormality on the riverbank. As his gaze swept over the figures, he remained fairly calm at first. However, when he saw the three figures at the very front, his pupils contracted. All the steadiness on his face transformed into sheer astonishment.

"This..." It was his first time witnessing such a spectacle.

"Mr. Du?"

"Miss..."

With a complex expression, the young man named Mr. Du took several seconds to recover his wits. Meeting her curious gaze, he smoothly introduced the identities of those people.

The elderly man in the white uniform shirt with graying hair standing on the far left looked lean and ordinary, but he was none other than Liu Xun, the Director of the Patrol Department for the entire Rhombus Ring City Circle. The middle-aged man on the far right, also in a white shirt and smiling, was astonishingly the head of the Political Affairs Department, Assemblyman Zhang Pingtai.

And there was no need to even mention the figure standing dead center. It was the branch director of the Superpower Bureau, who also served as the head of the combat group—the Superpower Level expert, Lion Yue Zhenhong.

To put it bluntly, a casual word from any of these men could instantly resolve the internal conflicts tearing Hengjia Security apart. A casual stomp of their feet would make Ring City tremble heavily.

"Is that so..." Lin Weiwei's expression shifted, the palm holding Lin Keke's hand turning a little sweaty.

After leaving the Yao Capital Academy, she had no choice but to rely on her family's support. Unfortunately, her clan's company had been left with many hidden troubles due to the expedition team incident back then, leading to quite a few messes this year. If only she could get to know these big shots, everything would be fine.

SPLASH!!

While she was lost in thought, the ferry finally reached the shore and gradually docked. The river waters beat against the banks with surging waves.

One by one, the ferry passengers grew impatient, hurrying off the boat and heading toward the riverbank. Though their footsteps were rushed and the crowd was dense, many eyes subconsciously drifted toward the waiting welcoming party staring in their direction.

The gazes sweeping over them were somewhat authoritative, carrying an inherently imposing aura. Seeing this, the crowd instinctively quickened their pace and lowered their heads, not daring to take a second look.

As soon as the dense crowd stepped ashore, they were dispersed by the patrol officers and port staff maintaining order. The people from Hengjia Security didn't dare to linger either. They obediently surrounded and escorted Lin Weiwei and her sister, planning to leave as soon as they passed through the security checkpoint.

"Sister!"

Suddenly, the doll-like Lin Keke spoke up, stopping in her tracks and pointing backward.

The young security guard escorting her experienced a slight change in expression, terrified that this action might make the surrounding Superpower Bureau people overthink things. Just as he was about to advise against it, he saw that Ms. Lin Weiwei had also stopped and turned around to look.

The next moment, he noticed her somewhat stiff expression, along with a deep-seated look of shock and bewilderment. Sensing something was amiss, he turned his head to follow her gaze. He saw the black-clothed figure—the very same person he had previously prevented his young miss from interacting with—walking at the very back, carrying a black duffel bag.

Yet, contrary to the treatment he and his group had received, the moment that person stepped off the deck, those prominent figures broke into beaming smiles. Filled with awe and eagerness to please, they went up to greet him.

"You've worked hard, Special Commissioner Chen."

"Hello, Special Commissioner Chen!"

"Thank you for taking the time to visit Ring City and guide our work, Special Commissioner Chen..."

As the smile-filled voices reached his ears, the young man known as Mr. Du looked bewildered and completely stunned. That person was actually the VIP these big shots were waiting to welcome? Then didn't that mean his previous actions had...

His gaze stiffened as he spotted the black cat perched on the man's shoulder. Its beastly eyes were as bright and clear as rubies. Right now, they glinted slightly, revealing an almost human-like trace of mockery.

His face turning pale, he quickly looked behind him. Ms. Lin Weiwei's face was full of regret at having brushed past such an opportunity to befriend a major figure.

Seeing this, the young man forced a bitter smile. A trace of regret couldn't help but rise in his heart.