As Xu Chan walked forward, he suddenly felt an inexplicable pressure, as if his body had grown noticeably heavier. The closer he drew to the silhouette ahead, the more intense the sensation became.
Yet clearly, the other man was not transmitting any domain signals or spiritual force; merely standing there was enough to evoke such an impression.
*Section Chief Chen must have made substantial gains in his cultivation this time,* he thought. Arriving beside the seawall, he drew a light breath and said, "Section Chief, you're back?"
Chen Chuan withdrew his gaze from the distant Yuanren Company skyscraper and nodded. "Just got back a little while ago." Looking at Xu Chan, he smiled. "I received the news, Old Xu. Congratulations."
Xu Chan said, "Thank you, Section Chief."
A deep swell of emotion rose within him. His ability to break through to the rank of martial artist this time owed not only to his accumulated groundwork over the years, but most crucially to the support Chen Chuan had provided, which had drastically improved his chances of success. And, of course, there had also been Mr. Zhuan's assistance and guidance.
Even just one of these advantages would have been of immense help; having all of them fall into place together had made this breakthrough remarkably smooth.
He was sincerely grateful for the help from Chen Chuan and Mr. Zhuan. Left to his own devices, he would only have chosen to remain an enforcement captain and a third-limit combatant, likely for the rest of his life.
Granted, he had occasionally wondered whether he could climb higher and do justice to his hard-earned foundation. Yet he had seen too much and knew too well that advancing further required making certain choices—compromises he was unwilling to make. But just when he thought he had given up and need no longer dwell on it, a new path had unexpectedly appeared before him.
Now that he had become a martial artist, it meant he could determine his own path. His family would benefit as well, their destiny reshaped alongside his.
Chen Chuan asked how he was feeling now and discussed the potential issues he might encounter, but made no inquiry into what bound oath Xu Chan had sworn. That was a private matter for any martial artist; unless the person chose to share it of their own accord, there was no need to ask.
Of course, it was also possible that with Xu Chan's solid foundation and the aid of the materials provided, he hadn't needed to resort to an oath at all. That, naturally, would be the ideal outcome.
After chatting briefly, Chen Chuan turned the conversation toward official business.
"Old Xu, I've gone over the telegrams and newspapers. The past six months have been very peaceful. You and our colleagues have done a remarkable job."
Having risen through the ranks himself, Chen Chuan understood full well that keeping things uneventful was the true mark of doing a job well; one did not need crises to demonstrate one's worth.
Xu Chan said, "Section Chief, although nothing major has happened in the city recently and transport between the two Dao has been smooth, there's one matter that feels off to me. I wasn't entirely certain about it, so I wanted to report it to you."
Chen Chuan asked, "What is it?"
Xu Chan tapped his boundary credential and transferred a file over to Chen Chuan. It contained all the intelligence he had gathered regarding Green Source Ecology during this period, along with some of his own assessments.
"I now have partial authorization for Andun, so I had him help me analyze it. The conclusion also confirmed that this company has major problems and could pose a danger to Center City. It's just that, as before, they operate with extreme caution, carrying out all external dealings through third parties without leaving any explicit evidence on the surface.
"Earlier, I sent a report to the Defense Department proposing a comprehensive inspection, but that might stir up unpredictable repercussions. With you away, Section Chief, none of the three deputy chiefs dared make the call.
"In the two months since my breakthrough, I've also been preparing an operation. If higher-ups didn't approve it and you hadn't returned, I was ready to act on my own."
Chen Chuan nodded and thought for a moment before saying, "What you've brought up certainly warrants serious attention. I've noticed it as well—ever since the breach appeared in the Ring of the World, Jibei Dao's environment has diverged completely from its surroundings, making it exceptionally favorable for companies to conduct technical trials.
"They won't be able to hold back. There must be many corporations making discreet moves right now, and Green Source Ecology has always been on our priority watchlist."
He paused, his eyes sharpening. "This month's security policy meeting hasn't taken place yet. I'll push for a vote of no confidence against this company at the meeting, first demanding an internal audit from them. If they can't resolve their issues on their own, then the Defense Department and the Disposal Bureau can help them solve them."
In the past, taking such measures would have been difficult. Other companies in Jibei Dao would worry that the Government Affairs Department might treat them the same way, prompting them to unite in resistance, while the Municipal Council would intervene and voice opposition.
Now, things were different. The Skyline Project was a success, and enterprises across the world were scrambling to board this express train.
When the Disposal Bureau established a branch in the White Bird District, those companies had made empty threats to cut back on investments, but in reality, not a single one pulled out. They knew that if they wanted to make money and secure profits, they had to stay here—and staying here meant abiding by their rules.
Xu Chan reflected on this. If handled that way, the problem would indeed become much easier to address. Indeed, circumstances were no longer what they used to be; at least here in Jibei Dao, they no longer needed to dread the influence of corporate conglomerates as they once had. A measured application of administrative authority would suffice to suppress and scrutinize them, without having to resort immediately to forceful measures.
Still, this also stemmed from his background. He had spent years as an enforcement captain before being promoted to Investigation Supervisor, conditioning him to solve problems through direct field action. He hadn't yet shifted his mindset to viewing and managing issues from the perspective of the upper echelon.
Looking at the same problem from another angle and handling it with a different approach could yield vastly different results.
Xu Chan said, "Minister, my advancement to martial artist has already been reported to headquarters through Mr. Zhuan. Headquarters recently sent some messages saying that after your return, they will conduct an inspection of the Jibei Dao branch."
Chen Chuan gave an acknowledging sound. With two martial artists emerging from the branch at once, headquarters would certainly not remain indifferent. Furthermore, following the killing of Zhao Zhenye last time, headquarters would likely dispatch personnel to investigate and confirm the details as well.
However, if headquarters dispatched another martial artist over at this time, it would likely provoke heightened wariness and scrutiny from other sects, and the upper echelon would undoubtedly take notice. It remained to be seen how arrangements would be made when the time came.
He said, "I'll handle this matter."
Xu Chan indicated that he understood. With official business concluded, his expression relaxed somewhat. "Section Chief, you must not have eaten yet since returning. I know a great spot with wonderful food. Why don't we go try it together? My treat."
Chen Chuan smiled. "Sounds good. I'll leave the dinner arrangements to you, Old Xu."
***
Mount Motie, Cao family estate.
In his study, Cao Guixi was gently leafing through a scroll book. These were out-of-print books Chen Chuan had sent over earlier, among which were many unique copies, rare volumes, as well as painting scrolls and zither scores lost since the Middle Antiquity era, which delighted him immensely.
After reading for a while, he seemed to have verified something and was in high spirits. He put down the book in his hands, setting it aside carefully, then changed into a fresh pair of gloves. He called in Uncle Ding, and with his help, slowly unrolled a silk painting.
This was a three-meter-long scroll. Watching the scene gradually unfold across the silk, he said, "Uncle Ding, look. This is Su Tuizhi's *Painting of a Thousand Birds over a Calm Lake*, remarkably well-preserved.
"Below lies a calm lake shrouded in misty rain, while above hover a thousand birds. It is said that no two birds share the same posture or species. In the past, I have only ever seen copies made by later generations and never had the chance to view the original. Now, that regret can finally be mended."
Uncle Ding looked closely. Though he was no connoisseur of painting, he could appreciate its beauty. Every single bird hovering over the lake was vivid and lifelike. To have so many distinct species appear across a single canvas without feeling mismatched in the slightest, blending together in seamless harmony—that was truly a testament to the master's skill.
Once it was fully unrolled, he said, "Young Master, this is indeed a fine painting. But you call it the 'Thousand Birds,' Young Master—are there truly a thousand birds in it?"
Cao Guixi replied, "There have been differing accounts in later generations. I just counted them: there are nine hundred and ninety-eight discernible birds depicted on the painting, which matches what Du Kai recorded in his *Record of Worldly Treasures*."
Uncle Ding remarked, "Then it falls short of a thousand."
"Uncle Ding, that is only half the story."
Cao Guixi said with a smile, "Legend has it that once Su Tuizhi had finished painting the nine hundred and ninety-eight birds, he had exhausted every species known to him. Try as he might, he could no longer depict any bird with an appearance distinct from the ones before.
"Later, Su Tuizhi became implicated in the Prince of Liang's rebellion case. Though friends campaigned to secure his release, his family estate had already been confiscated, and this painting was consequently scattered abroad. It was not until his son, Mr. Haizhai, reached the ripe old age of seventy that it was finally tracked down.
"Knowing that his father's lifelong regret was leaving this painting unfinished, Mr. Haizhai used special pigments to paint an exotic sparrow in the upper right corner—a bird he had spent half his life pondering. He then concealed it beneath a seal stamp, such that the full bird could only be discerned by viewing the silk from both front and back. In this way, he comforted his ancestor's longing while avoiding defiling his father's brushwork through any shortfall in his own skill."
Uncle Ding examined it closely. Sure enough, beneath the seal there was the faint form of a bird. He couldn't help asking, "Then it's still one short, Young Master. Is there one more?"
Cao Guixi smiled. "That brings us to another curious tale—"
Just as he was speaking, a servant entered and said, "Young Master, a visitor has arrived. They presented a token plaque." As he spoke, he offered it up with both hands.
He added, "Young Master, it's someone from that side."
Cao Guixi frowned, looking thoroughly displeased.
Uncle Ding said, "Young Master, shall we see him? Or should I go send him away?"
Cao Guixi considered it for a moment, then said coldly, "Let him in. If I don't grant them an audience, they won't give up and will just keep coming. Besides, I'd like to see what they are really trying to pull."
A short while later, an elderly man in foreign formal dress walked in, led by Uncle Ding. His hair was frosted white, yet styled into an old-fashioned topknot, and he possessed a thick beard. His eyes gleamed with razor-sharp brilliance, and an old-style longsword hung at his waist.
Upon seeing Cao Guixi, he bowed in traditional fashion and said respectfully, "This humble one is Hu Zhanshan. Entrusted by my master, I have come to pay my respects to the young master."
Chapter 1014