Chapter 683 - 34: Investigation

Chen Chuan reached out and shook the man’s hand. He could feel the man’s broad, powerful palm, a sign of considerable strength. He greeted him in return, "Hello, Mr. Chang. You said you’re... the new person-in-charge?"

"Ah, that’s right."

Chang Dong said with a chuckle, "Here in Jibei Dao, our Pure Sect has very few members. To be precise, Jibei Dao is the territory of the Refinement Sect and the Fusion Faction."

He sighed. "It wasn’t always like this. Fifteen years ago, when the previous person-in-charge was still around, he gathered most of our members in Jibei Dao for an operation to eliminate a very dangerous target.

Unfortunately, the operation failed. Not only did the target escape, but we also suffered heavy losses. Almost no one made it back alive.

The incident had major repercussions, and some internal members were implicated. For more than a decade since then, our Pure Sect has only had a nominal branch in Jibei Dao Central City. The person-in-charge wasn’t even a Fighter. We did, however, keep some people in the Edge Cities, which the other two factions don’t pay much attention to..."

Chen Chuan immediately thought of Instructor Wen and Teacher He, who had joined later. ’No wonder I always sensed the Pure Sect had some influence, but I never saw any of its people. So that’s why.’

Chang Dong patted the vehicle. "My visit this time, besides delivering this Pure Essence to you, is to act as your exclusive contact within the sect and to handle the task of rebuilding our Central City branch. Chen, I hope for your full cooperation in the future."

Chen Chuan nodded. Since he had joined the Pure Sect, he understood that enjoying the sect’s benefits meant he also had to contribute. He said, "I will. What do you need me to do?"

"Hmm, you don’t need to worry about the specifics. I’ll handle securing funds, recruiting personnel, and developing our membership. You just focus on your own duties, and..."

Chang Dong’s expression turned serious. "And we must resolutely eliminate and annihilate those beings who come from the other side, as well as anyone who colludes with them."

Chen Chuan said, "Even if they are current high-ranking officials?"

"Even if they are current high-ranking officials!"

Chang Dong’s tone was resolute.

"Of course, even if we are to take action, we still need evidence. We can’t just do things arbitrarily. Generally, once we have proof, we’ll follow procedure if we can. If procedure is blocked or too slow, and the matter is urgent, then we have no choice but to act preemptively.

Manager Chen, infiltration from the other side can cause us immense damage. That’s why swift decisions are sometimes necessary. Otherwise, it could lead to many unforeseen consequences. And your position, Manager Chen, is perfectly suited for this, because it falls right within your jurisdiction."

Chen Chuan nodded.

After their brief conversation, he invited the man into his residence. After pouring tea and sitting down, he said, "Mr. Chang, I have a matter here that may involve the Refinement Sect. If you hadn’t come today, I would have tried to contact the sect. Now that you’re here, I need to tell you about it."

Hearing that it was related to the Refinement Sect, Chang Dong immediately became serious. His stout body, which had been sinking into the plush armchair, straightened up. "What is it?"

Chen Chuan then explained the situation to him, adding that the other party had tried to contact him through several people.

Chang Dong listened, then immediately asked, "Is that radio still with you?"

"It is," Chen Chuan said. He had left the people at the Processing Bureau, but the radio was too important. He always kept it with him. He got up at once and retrieved the item.

Chang Dong took it and examined it, his expression growing even more grim.

He had a talent for spiritual matters and possessed very unique skills with Spiritual Power, but at this moment, he couldn’t see anything at all. If Chen Chuan hadn’t deliberately concealed something or misspoken, then there was only one possibility.

He said in a low voice, "Manager Chen, it seems I’ll need to take this and make a trip. Manager Chen, don’t worry about this matter. The other side clearly crossed the line first this time. I’ll send a telegram back right away. The sect will handle this for you."

He pushed the briefcase at his side forward, along with a paper form. "Two units of Pure Essence are in here. Manager Chen, the delivery is made. Inspect it, then sign this form. I’ll take your signature back with me this time."

Chen Chuan nodded. He took the case, inspected it with his Spiritual Power, and confirmed there were no issues. He then took a pen, signed the form, and handed it back.

Chang Dong packed everything up, left him a telegram frequency and number for contact, then stood, shook his hand, and took his leave.

Once outside, he looked up at the Sun hanging high in the sky and the brightly lit road. He rubbed his soft belly with a troubled look. ’I just got here, and now I have to run back already. All this running around... I’m probably going to lose a few pounds.’

After seeing him off in the SUV, Chen Chuan turned back. Carrying the briefcase, he went straight to his training room. He opened the case, revealing rows of glass vials. Inside each, streams of light flickered back and forth, looking like tiny fish darting about.

According to some accounts, Pure Essence was a kind of living thing and possessed some of a living being’s characteristics. Based on his previous experience, there was some truth to this claim.

There was also a small note next to the vials with some instructions, detailing points of caution and things to avoid when consuming it.

After reading it, he took out a vial. He first enveloped it with his Spiritual Power, then uncorked it, tilted his head back, and poured the contents into his mouth, swallowing it down.

’This feeling...’

He could immediately tell that the effects of this Pure Essence were much weaker than what he had consumed before—and not just by a little. It was very likely that the Pure Essence had lost much of its original purity after entering this world.

This was almost inevitable. Things from the world on the other side were affecting them, and their world was likewise affecting the other side. The appearance of the Merging Land was the best proof of this.

But thankfully, it was still Pure Essence, and there was enough of it.

He had originally based his calculations on the potency of the previous Pure Essence. At this rate, it seemed even two full units wouldn’t be enough. Fortunately, the sect had implied they would provide more if he ran out. Plus, with more Pure Essence still occasionally appearing, he didn’t have to worry about a shortage.

For the next two days, he didn’t go anywhere. He stayed home, absorbing the Pure Essence, training his spirit, and practicing his daily Fighter cultivation. Although he deliberately slowed his pace, he still used up all the Pure Essence within those two days. He then used the contact frequency Chang Dong had left him to send a telegram, requesting another two units of Pure Essence from the sect.

On September 1st, Chen Chuan changed into his manager’s uniform and took his dedicated car to the Processing Bureau early in the morning. He had received a message from the bureau yesterday notifying him of a high-level meeting he was required to attend this morning.

At ten in the morning, he stepped into the Processing Bureau. All along the way, employees stopped to salute him. He nodded in acknowledgment as he walked. When An Shield guided him to the conference room, he saw that the seven district managers were already present.

Central City had eight districts, and every district except for White Bird District had a manager. However, these administrative managers usually had little presence and were just there to make up the numbers in meetings, doing whatever was decided from above.

An Investigation Chief like Chen Chuan, responsible for violent enforcement, was the one who actually had the right to make suggestions and decisions. Including him, the Processing Bureau currently had three Investigation Chiefs. The other two entered the conference room around the same time. After their eyes met, one of them, Manager Wen, took the initiative to greet him.

The other, Manager Han, was lukewarm and gave him only a faint nod.

After they each took their seats, they waited a short while before Director Wu walked into the conference room. They stood to salute, then sat down again, and the meeting began.

Director Wu then said, "Manager Chen just returned from leave, so he may not be up to speed on some things. An Shield, send a copy of the detailed file to Manager Chen."

"Yes, Director Wu."

Lines of text immediately appeared on Chen Chuan’s Realm Token. He read through it and learned that another Federation delegation was scheduled to arrive in late September. At the same time, the Lynx Federation would be sending a diplomatic delegation, and their first stop would be Jibei Dao Central City.

It was obvious that neither party was coming in peace.

Further down was information he had seen before: the Processing Bureau would conduct a thorough investigation or place companies like Lianwei Zhongyu and Green Source Technology Company under strict supervision.

Lianwei Zhongyu was a given; it was involved in transporting the splintered entity, and the Processing Bureau wasn’t going to let that go easily. As for Green Source Technology, according to the file, it was highly likely that some of the insects now spreading everywhere were connected to them, requiring close monitoring in the next phase.

While he was reading the file, Director Wu was also summarizing the situation before assigning specific tasks.

"Manager Han, you have a good network and relationships with the various companies. I’m putting you in charge of matters related to the Federation delegation."

Manager Han nodded without a word.

Director Wu then looked at Manager Wen. "Manager Wen, you will be responsible for the security of the Lynx Federation’s diplomatic team."

Manager Wen responded with a serious "Yes."

Finally, Director Wu looked at Chen Chuan. "Manager Chen, you will be in charge of the investigation into Lianwei Zhongyu and Green Source Company. These tasks may be time-consuming and require a lot of digging. If you’re short on manpower, you can make a request."

Chen Chuan thought for a moment. "I need the bureau to increase my personnel allocation quota."

Director Wu said, "Done. I’ll give you ten additional slots to start. If that’s not enough, you can request more. I’ll also approve an extra budget for your operational expenses."

Chen Chuan said, "Then I have no other issues."

Director Wu then proceeded to assign tasks and outline key points for the administrative managers. About an hour later, the meeting concluded, and everyone prepared to leave.

Just as Chen Chuan stood up, Director Wu called out to him, "Manager Chen, please stay behind. I have a few things to discuss with you." Chen Chuan stopped, while the other managers glanced back before leaving one by one.

Once they were the only two left, Director Wu came down from the head of the table and sat near him.

"Manager Chen, you’re the one who brought those men in, correct? The moment they were processed, a whole group of Litigation Masters showed up. The City Council has also been calling nonstop, demanding we release them. And after meeting with their Litigation Masters, the three of them are now claiming you attacked them first and are preparing to sue you in return."

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