Ever since retreating from Jibei Dao the last time, the former imperial household had made no further moves. Compared to Great Shun, they were deficient in both resources and top-tier combat power, placing them essentially on the defensive in their long-term standoff.
Lacking the ability to launch an offensive on their own initiative, they could only resort to harassment and sabotage to defend their existing borders.
Therefore, going by conventional thinking, this current situation was likely another such move. After all, with the advancement of the Skyline, more Center Cities would inevitably join in, bolstering Great Shun's national strength—something the former imperial household definitely did not wish to see.
As Jibei Dao was the birthplace of the Skyline, it would come as no surprise if the former imperial household targeted this region. The crucial questions were what they would do and how much of an impact this secret repository or fissure could truly have.
Qiao Weiting spoke up. "Allow me to say a few words. I don't know where this fissure is located, but from a military perspective..."
He tapped his boundary credential, projecting the locations of Jibei Dao's Three Mountains.
"To the north lies Mount Zhang, to the southwest is Mount Jia, and to the southeast is Mount Xie," he said. "They happen to encircle Yangzhi, leaving an opening only to the south. If the fissure appears anywhere among these Three Mountains, the former imperial household needs only to seize Yangzhi City and take the other two mountains along the way, giving them an exceptional position that is easy to defend and difficult to attack."
The members of the security team turned grave. Yangzhi City had a large population, a solid industrial base, roads connecting it to other counties and cities, and convenient transportation along open waterways. Moreover, nestled within the Three Mountains were numerous fortress complexes left over from the Great Pioneer Era. If seized, it would effectively become a natural military stronghold.
In fact, during the Great Pioneer Era, the army had built its military hub around this very area. This location could never be allowed to fall into the hands of the former imperial household.
Liang Guanghai pondered briefly before saying, "If that's the case, could the former imperial household's sudden move be because the field information network has recently been extended to Yangzhi?"
The team members nodded. This was highly probable. Once Yangzhi City and its surrounding counties were incorporated into the Skyline, information could reach every corner, enabling them to react at any moment.
Yao Zhiyi chimed in, "Not just that. Section Chief Chen has been away from Jibei Dao for the past six months, which gave them courage. Otherwise, even if the information field expanded there, they wouldn't dare act rashly."
The team members considered this and realized it made complete sense. The former imperial household was well aware of the threat the Skyline posed to them, yet had delayed taking action for so long. Chen Chuan's deterrent presence had likely been the primary reason.
After all, when the three martial artists previously besieged Chen Chuan, the former imperial household had stayed completely out of sight. That they were suddenly surfacing now was likely due to this very factor.
Chen Chuan thought it over and said, "If they have truly decided to make a move this time, they will certainly have taken all kinds of circumstances into account."
He looked up and added, "Perhaps they have even considered how to deal with me."
The team members felt a chill in their hearts. If that were truly the case, the former imperial household would inevitably commit substantial force.
Qiao Weiting said, "Doesn't the Cao family have half of a key? If we obtain the suspected location of the secret repository, could we locate the place? If so, we could snuff it out at the inception and eliminate the problem entirely."
As an expert in this field, Liang Guanghai said in a deep voice, "Half a key alone is useless. Even if it were complete, one would still need to know the specific location of the secret repository and the method of entry. Relying on this alone will accomplish nothing."
Qiao Weiting pondered for a moment, then asked, "Should we question the Caos once more?"
Qi Weizhao spoke up. "Let us not disturb the Caos. The Government Affairs Hall promised them a peaceful life; reporting this information was already a major contribution. What comes next is our responsibility."
He looked around at all the team members and said, "The Government Affairs Hall will work to expedite the rollout of the information field across Yangzhi and its surrounding towns, and will station a military force in Yangzhi City to monitor the surrounding area. Furthermore..." He looked toward Chen Chuan.
"Aside from a limited few, no one else knows that Section Chief Chen has returned. Section Chief Chen, would you be willing to make a trip to Yangzhi?"
Everyone considered this and agreed it was the best approach. If the Three Mountains area was secured, then even if the fissure was not here and the former imperial household surfaced elsewhere, there would be no cause for serious concern.
Chen Chuan thought briefly and replied, "I have no problem with that. However, I will need to use a confidential channel in the name of the Government Affairs Hall to contact Yuangan Company. I may need to transfer two people from there."
Without asking whom specifically he intended to transfer, Qi Weizhao said gravely, "I will arrange it. I was already planning to contact them anyway."
The other team members nodded upon reflection. Yuangan Company was currently the largest state-owned enterprise in Yangzhi, and they could not be bypassed in this matter.
Moreover, north of Yangzhi lay the military port of Hangu City, and the railway construction between them was handled by Yuangan Company. With their cooperation, Yangzhi's retreat route to the north could be sealed off, further tightening control over the area.
Of course, it was also possible that the fissure lay elsewhere. But given the geographical conditions of the other counties and cities, which lacked such an enclosed and advantageous terrain, Center City could respond in the shortest possible time should an incident arise.
Once the decision was finalized, they discussed a few more details and concluded the meeting.
Looking at the screen, Chen Chuan suddenly recalled something.
That day at Old Master Cheng's eightieth birthday banquet, the old gentleman had been unable to stop himself from speaking of his eldest son.
Back then, Teacher Cheng's eldest brother had been exceptionally talented, carrying high expectations and regard from his family and elders, which had fostered a rather self-centered temperament in him.
Old Master Cheng was a man who prized rules and decorum. Quite dissatisfied with his eldest son, he had sent him off to Yangzhi in hopes of tempering his character.
However, that brother was not one to sit idle. On one occasion, for reasons unknown, he went on an excursion to Mount Jiao and subsequently vanished without a trace.
The Cheng family subsequently organized numerous search parties, but they never managed to find him. Mount Jiao was ill-suited for long-term human habitation, making it impossible to station search teams there permanently; nevertheless, the Chengs still went back once a year to search around.
Considering the current circumstances, could that have something to do with the secret repository?
He would need to find time to ask about this matter, and he would also need to find people familiar with the terrain of Mount Jiao.
As it happened, he knew a few such individuals.
After a moment's thought, he tapped his boundary credential. "Is this Senior Brother Ren? It's Chen Chuan. Is now a good time to talk? ...Yes, I'd like to ask a favor of you."
***
In the convergence zone.
A temple complex stood there, aged in appearance yet of considerable scale. Along the mountain path, devotees wrapped entirely in coarse linen could be seen from time to time, prostrating themselves as they ascended the mountain step by step.
From within the temple came soothing chants and mantras that brought peace to the spirit, while fragrant incense curled from the censer before the entrance.
Zhao Zhenye ascended the stone steps, passing the devotees until he arrived before the temple. Standing outside was a Chan practitioner with hair bundled in a topknot, clad in a patchwork robe.
Though his skin was visibly slack with age, the man nonetheless gave off an impression of vigorous vitality, his eyes especially bright and remarkably clear.
Upon seeing Zhao Zhenye, he brought his palms together and bowed. "The patron has returned." His voice was gentle yet resonant, bringing ease to the mind.
Zhao Zhenye nodded and said, "Master, I have already paid respects to all Six Great Venerables. Whom should I pay homage to today?"
Lately, he had been experiencing auditory hallucinations and seeing bizarre, inexplicable visions. He knew this was the influence of the energy he had absorbed, and very likely the entities on the other side attempting to communicate with him through these phenomena—something that could not be avoided.
However, this issue was easily addressed. The Chan Sect possessed sacred chants and mantras capable of dispelling such hallucinations, which was why he had been coming every day recently, gradually suppressing them.
The practitioner listened intently. After a moment, he smiled and said, "Patron, today's tone is even. You should go to Venerable Wuguo Miaosheng."
Zhao Zhenye nodded. He took two steps, then paused and turned back to ask, "Master, I have listened so many times and gained something each time, but why can I never attain complete tranquility?"
The practitioner smiled. "That is for the patron to answer: do you wish to hear those sounds from beyond the heavens, or do you not?"
Zhao Zhenye pondered this, remaining silent.
The practitioner chuckled and said, "Confusion and delusion, fear and doubt—these are knots of the heart. The patron begins with ignorance, which gives rise to all that follows. If you can untangle the root cause, none of this will remain."
Zhao Zhenye nodded. "Thank you, Master."
Entering the temple, he arrived before the statue of Venerable Wuguo Miaosheng. The statue was solemn and serene, with downcast eyelids and a countenance of boundless compassion.
He sat down before it. After a short while, he once again heard faint, muffled murmurs. Previously, for the sake of his cultivation, he had sought to avoid distraction by external sounds and actively resisted them; now that his cultivation was approaching completion, he no longer resisted. Within moments, he began to make out many things he could understand.
Yet he was the only one hearing these sounds, and having no way to respond, they would normally persist. But once he understood their meaning, they suddenly diminished to a faint murmur, becoming nearly imperceptible.
If his mind resisted, the struggle would only amplify the disturbance; now that he had grasped their message, he could listen or not as he pleased.
He looked up and saw that the Venerable's expression remained filled with compassion. Standing up, he clasped his hands, bowed deeply toward the statue, and walked out.
Outside, the practitioner asked, "Did the patron gain anything?"
Zhao Zhenye said, "Thank you, Master. I have gained what I sought."
The practitioner smiled. "No thanks are needed. The mortal realm is a sea of suffering, and we are all adrift upon it. In helping the patron, the patron also helps me."
"Master, I will come again," Zhao Zhenye said.
The practitioner merely pressed his palms together in a silent bow, watching as Zhao Zhenye made his way down the mountain.
Zhao Zhenye walked all the way to the foot of the mountain and looked ahead. Stationed there was a fully armed force, clearly an elite military contingent belonging to the former imperial household.
Gai Shuhe stood to the side, cradling a helmet in his arms. "Brother Zhao," he said, "I have been waiting for quite some time. Shall we move out?"
Chapter 1017