Chapter 470 - 5: Fortress Mountain City

CLANK, CLANK...

A tram rolled over the tracks, passing through the street.

Lu Chao blended into the crowd, quietly hiding his aura as he silently watched the elderly figure in a brown martial arts uniform return to the boxing hall.

"Master Luo..."

"YOW~~"

Seemingly sensing his complicated mood, Ghost Element, resembling a black cat, quietly appeared and stood on his shoulder.

An invisible spiritual power affected everything around them. It had actually been accompanying Lu Chao the entire time. However, due to its spiritual interference, no one had noticed it from the very beginning. Even just now, it was because of its concealment that Luo Qianshan had returned empty-handed, failing to discover Lu Chao.

"YOW~~"

Ghost Element purred softly, the pitch of its voice shifting subtly, revealing a trace of confusion. It didn’t quite understand how humans interacted with each other, and at the same time, it was curious why Lu Chao refused to reveal himself and reunite with his master.

"It’s not time yet." Lu Chao shook his head, the complicated emotions in his eyes gradually calming down. He seemed to be responding to Ghost Element’s curiosity and inquiry, but it also felt like he was talking to himself.

Because... his gaze shifted toward the Inner Ring City Circle further away. The building of the Biotechnology Subsidiary stood tall and unyielding, and there were still matters he needed to resolve.

Transcendence Level.

He had to reach the Transcendence Level as soon as possible.

But before that...

STEP, STEP!

Lu Chao turned and strode away, completely leaving Jinshi Boxing Hall and this once-familiar neighborhood behind. The potion he had left for Master Luo was enough to fully heal his injuries. He could finally set off for Fortress Mountain City with peace of mind to complete the negotiation and integration of the warlords.

WHOOSH!!

The autumn wind blew past, fluttering the clothes of the pedestrians. Lu Chao’s eyes were calm, and the goal in his heart grew ever clearer.

Two days later.

Below the Superpower Bureau building in the inner city of Ring City.

Several flagpoles stood tall in the open square, with the flags of the Alliance Country and the Superpower Bureau fluttering in the wind.

And below them...

Numerous figures could be seen standing and waiting. There were Superpower Level experts like Yue Zhenhong, as well as many high-ranking officials from the Political Affairs Department and the Patrol Department. Their reverent gazes gathered in one place, all looking at the figure in the black trench coat walking out of the building.

"Special Commissioner Chen."

The crowd surged forward, scrambling to show their goodwill and make their presence known. Some glances swept over the black cat on his shoulder, unable to see anything unusual about it, and simply continued to express their concern for Lu Chao, bidding him to take care.

"Everyone, there’s no need to see me off any further," Lu Chao said with a smile, walking down the steps and arriving at the open square below the building. He was setting off for Fortress Mountain City today to officially represent the Alliance Country in negotiations with several warlord factions in the upper reaches of the Red River.

"Please take care of yourself on this trip, Special Commissioner Chen.

"The Superpower Bureau and the City Defense Department are always prepared. We only await your command to march on Fortress Mountain City!" Yue Zhenhong said in a deep voice, his face full of concern and admiration.

The other high-ranking officials of the City Guard Department felt the same, their eyes filled with awe as they looked at Lu Chao.

Although the negotiation matters on this trip were not complicated, the corresponding risks were not low. With war imminent, they needed to integrate the warlord factions as much as possible. Moreover, Fortress Mountain City’s location was highly unique, serving as a crucial strategic position in the northwest region. Considering this, and to avoid provoking the sensitive nerves of those warlords and causing unnecessary trouble, this initial phase of negotiations was not suitable for a large group of people to attend.

"Rest assured, everyone," Lu Chao said with a calm smile.

The final plan for the negotiation had been decided by him. Having fewer people had its advantages. First, it could avoid intensifying conflicts. Second, if anything unexpected happened, he could easily protect everyone else.

VROOM!

As he spoke, a motorcade drove up. A black off-road vehicle from the Superpower Bureau escorted them from the front and the back, with a single black Sharp Light sedan situated in the middle.

Amidst soft footsteps, a group of seven or eight people gathered and approached him. Among them were several Elite Level Superpower Captains clad in black combat uniforms and armed with live ammunition, as well as elite men and women in suits serving as drivers or assistants.

"Special Commissioner Chen.

"The entourage is assembled and on standby. The backup supplies have been checked, and we are ready to depart at any time," the leading Superpower Level man reported proactively as he stepped forward. He had a middle-aged face, wore a dark combat uniform, and possessed a tall and sturdy build. His facial features beneath a buzz cut were quite square, exuding a sense of righteousness, and even made Lu Chao feel a bit familiar.

"Thank you for your hard work, Leader Yan," Lu Chao said with a faint smile, naturally recognizing him.

Yan Zhengfeng, the leader of the investigation team of Ring City’s Superpower Bureau, and also Captain Yang’s former instructor. Back when Lu Chao was still at the Professional Level, he had been assassinated by the God-Worshiping Church. Yan Zhengfeng had shown up in passing to investigate the matter and had a conversation with him.

At that time, Lu Chao couldn’t see through his strength. Now, relying on his intuitive senses, he could tell that Yan Zhengfeng was still stuck at the Peak of Limit-Breaking.

"You’re too polite, Special Commissioner Chen.

"To be able to accompany you to Fortress Mountain City for the war negotiations is a blessing for the Rhombus Ring City Circle, and an honor for me and the others," Yan Zhengfeng said sincerely and respectfully, standing in front of the group.

He had no idea that the person standing before him was the same young man he had once praised for his good talent after a brief encounter. The people behind him were the same, all wearing expressions of awe. Some stood in place awaiting his orders, while others proactively stepped forward to take his suitcase and open the car door.

Seeing this, Lu Chao nodded and didn’t say anything more. He took one last look at this Superpower Sub-Bureau, his gaze sweeping over the familiar city circle and the architecture of his hometown.

Finally, a smile graced his lips as he met the gazes of Yue Zhenhong, Liu Xun, and the others, saying, "Farewell, everyone."

VROOM!!

The motorcade drove out of the high walls, leaving the Rhombus Ring City Circle behind.