Chapter 742: Ambush

At 10:12, Manager Wen arrived at the designated location by train.

He and his team disembarked and headed toward the passageway entrance.

Besides his usual trusted subordinates, the men he brought with him this time also included personnel provided as reinforcements from other Central Cities.

Manager Wen had no intention of using these men as his main force. Instead, he designated them as reserves.

For one, men from other Central Cities were unlikely to give their all. Also, since the other cities had placed their trust in him, he couldn’t just use their men as cannon fodder.

As they reached the position, a squad immediately came forward and saluted. “Manager!”

Manager Wen returned the salute and asked, “Is everything ready?”

“Everything is ready.”

Manager Wen scanned his surroundings, then tapped his Realm Token. Communications were clear, and personnel at all key positions responded. He involuntarily nodded in satisfaction.

For this operation, he had sent men in advance to survey the terrain and set up scouts. They had long since deployed Domain Creatures, jamming creatures, and a few simple, hidden fortifications.

Just seventeen or eighteen minutes away was a local garrison, from which much of their ammunition and food supplies had been transported. In fact, if the City Council didn’t control this passage, the garrison would have been built much closer to monitor all comings and goings.

But the reality was the opposite. The area was obscured by a dense forest, making it impossible for the garrison to see them. The closest structures were a simple maintenance checkpoint and a watchtower on high ground.

Manager Wen glanced at the distant watchtower on the high slope. It provided a view of the entire area, making it a critical position. However, due to the distance, it was difficult to contact directly with the Realm Token. He asked, “Is that position set up?”

A subordinate replied, “It’s set. Manager Han has already sent men, and we’ve sent our people there as well. They confirmed via telegraph ten minutes ago.”

Manager Wen paused in thought for a moment, then said, “Contact them again using a coded message.”

“Yes, sir!”

A moment later, the subordinate returned and reported, “Manager, confirmed. No issues.”

Manager Wen said, “Remember to confirm one more time before the operation begins.” The subordinate acknowledged the order.

“Also…”

Manager Wen tapped his Realm Token a few more times, arranging for several vehicles to be stationed at these positions. They were to maintain contact by telegraph and retreat toward the garrison immediately if they saw the emergency signal.

“Understood!”

After finalizing all the arrangements, Manager Wen went to meet with Manager Han to reconfirm the deployment of their forces.

This time, Manager Han was responsible for blocking the retreat route, while he would launch an attack from the flank.

They had set up numerous mortars and machine guns for this operation. It was essentially a battle on a prepared battlefield, giving them an absolute advantage. As long as they could prevent the enemy’s powerful Fighters from launching a counter-assault, there would be no problems.

And if the powerful Fighters did come, that was precisely what they hoped for. They would personally intercept and kill them. Once those individuals were eliminated, the rest would be of no concern.

After personally inspecting the positions, Manager Wen parted ways with Manager Han and returned to his own post. He checked his watch: 11:22. If the intelligence was accurate, the personnel from the Lynx Federation would arrive in about ten minutes.

But at that very moment, an armored vehicle approached from the direction of the railway. Since the area had already been cordoned off by them, members of the Processing Bureau immediately moved to stop it. However, after the people in the vehicle showed their credentials, the guards had no choice but to let them pass.

Manager Wen was somewhat surprised when he heard the identity of the visitors. He sent a message to Manager Han via his Realm Token, saying, “Something’s come up. I’ll go deal with it.”

Manager Han had also seen the vehicle. “Handle it quickly. They’re almost here.”

Manager Wen waved his hand and walked toward the armored vehicle. Two men in fedoras and black trench coats stepped out.

As they approached each other, one of the men presented his Name Card.

“We’re investigators from the General Affairs Bureau. We have a case that requires Manager Wen’s cooperation. Please come with us.”

The other man presented an “Investigation Order.”

Manager Wen was even more surprised. Although the General Affairs Bureau had the authority to inspect and question officials, it depended on rank and position. For someone of his level, even if there was an issue, he should have received prior notice. They shouldn’t have just shown up abruptly and demanded he be taken away.

However, an Investigation Order was typically issued in emergencies, and even someone of his rank was obligated to cooperate.

He said, “Gentlemen, I’m in the middle of a rather important mission. Could you please wait? I’ll leave with you as soon as this is over.”

One of the General Affairs Bureau members shook his head and said in a very serious tone, “I’m sorry, Manager Wen. It’s not that we’re unwilling to be flexible, but the matter we’re investigating is directly related to what you’re doing right now. Otherwise, our superiors wouldn’t be in such a hurry to see you. Therefore, we must ask you to return with us for questioning immediately. We ask for your understanding.”

Manager Wen frowned. He glanced back. A few minutes had passed during their brief conversation. As things stood, if the operation went smoothly, they could intercept the people from the Lynx Federation right here.

If he left, the entire operation could fall apart. He really didn’t want to give up.

Just as he was about to try and negotiate further, Manager Han, who had apparently noticed the problem, drove over. After getting out of his car, he said, “Manager Wen, less than three minutes left. We’ve already spotted the Lynx Federation’s advance party. We need to get ready now.”

He looked at the two men from the General Affairs Bureau. “General Affairs Bureau?”

Manager Wen nodded helplessly.

Manager Han said, “The General Affairs Bureau wants to see Manager Wen? Did you give any prior notice?”

The men from the General Affairs Bureau ignored Manager Han’s question and stared at Manager Wen. One of them said slowly, “Wen Xianchu, Director Wu also hopes you will cooperate.”

Manager Wen was stunned. Director Wu was currently under questioning. According to procedure, he shouldn’t be able to communicate with the outside world or issue orders to his subordinates. ‘Does this mean the order was given before the questioning began?’

And “Wen Xianchu” was the correspondence name he used to use, a name only Director Wu knew. He didn’t know Director Wu’s intentions, but as one of Director Wu’s old subordinates, he wouldn’t question it.

So he said, “Alright. I’ll go back with you.”

Manager Wen turned back and said apologetically to Manager Han, “Old Han, I’m sorry. I have to go with them. But I’ll place my men under your command. Have them give you their full cooperation.”

Manager Han looked at the two General Affairs Bureau agents and asked, “Can I have a word with Manager Wen?”

The two agents glanced at each other. They didn’t answer, but their silence was clearly a tacit approval.

Manager Wen walked to the side with Manager Han, apologizing as he went, “Old Han, I’m truly sorry about this. But it’s Director Wu’s wish. I have to obey.”

“I understand. This was unexpected. No one could have predicted it. Some things just don’t go according to plan. But it’s fine. There are still ways to make up for it…”

As Manager Han spoke, he suddenly threw a punch at Manager Wen’s chest.

The punch was unbelievably fast, especially at such close range.

With an explosive BANG, Manager Wen managed to raise his hand and catch the fist under nearly impossible circumstances. A ring of Power erupted outward from the point of impact.

Their Heart Forces collided at that instant. But Manager Wen was on the defensive, not the attacker, so he bore the brunt of the exchange.

His defending palm and arm were covered in long, thin cuts, as if slashed by countless blades. A large hole burst open on his back, and the clothes and overcoat there ripped apart with a SNAP.

This was Manager Han’s specialty: “Three-Phase Force.”

This type of Power had three variations. The first was like a fine thread, piercing straight into the opponent’s heart to detonate it from within. The second could slice through flesh and bone like countless blades. The third could ensnare an enemy, making escape impossible. Which of the three variations was used depended entirely on the will of the Transporter.

This made Dissipating the Force a true test of an opponent’s skill. An incorrect judgment or the wrong dissipation technique could allow the Power to invade the body completely. It was an incredibly difficult Power to defend against, and its danger was magnified when unleashed so suddenly.

With that block, Manager Wen had not only accurately judged the Power’s variation in a critical moment, but had also hastily redirected it to erupt from his back, preventing it from settling inside his body.

So, while he looked to be in a wretched state, his injuries were not actually severe.

Moreover, during the collision, Manager Han was also struck by his Power. He was forced back a step, unable to follow up with another move. He couldn’t help but stare at Manager Wen and say, “Fixed Void Force…”

Fixed Void Force was a Power that excelled at restricting an opponent. Once struck by this Heart Force, a person would involuntarily become stiff and numb, completely unable to muster their own reactions, speed, or strength.

They had been colleagues for three years, yet he had never known what Manager Wen’s Power was. As a result, he was slightly affected. However, because his opponent had acted in such haste, the effect wasn’t significant. After instantly dispelling the residual Power, he pushed off his toes and charged at Manager Wen again.

At the same time, the men from the General Affairs Bureau saw the sudden turn of events. They reacted extremely quickly, immediately drawing their guns. But before they could even move their muzzles, gunshots erupted from Manager Han’s car, which was parked nearby. Two shots, BANG! BANG!, blew their heads apart one after the other.

Manager Wen’s expression turned grim. At the same time, he noticed a rustling static in his ear. The communications were being jammed by Domain Creatures.

He didn’t ask Manager Han why he was doing this. From the moment the attack began, such questions were no longer important.

Just as he was trying to readjust and prepare for Manager Han’s next attack, a figure suddenly dashed out of the private car. The person arrived at his side in an instant, bringing with them an exceptionally strong sense of pressure.