When the Disposal Bureau personnel went forward to examine the corpses, the Old Imperial Court men in the distance spotted them. Sensing something was wrong, they immediately sent one man back to report.
The middle-aged man was waiting for news. The moment he heard this, he knew the two dead men had likely been nothing more than decoys.
There was no telling what those two might have been carrying, and word had probably already leaked. In that case, even if they tracked down the culprits, it would do no good. All he could do now was enter the secret depository as quickly as possible, open the fissure before Yangzhi City and Center City could react, and expand it as much as he could.
In a harsh, frigid voice, he said, "Forget about what's going on outside! Everyone, follow me inside!" With that, he strode quickly toward the stone wall where the doorway had already been opened. The men behind him rushed to keep up, and before long, every last one had vanished inside.
Over the course of the day, the information field in Yangzhi City had largely stabilized and was steadily expanding outward from every district. Every so often, another area was integrated into the overarching field.
On the eastern stretch of the National Highway, the armored vehicle remained parked. The telegraph operator received a message, quickly transcribed it, and handed it to Chen Chuan, who was sitting in the rear.
"Chief, it's an urgent telegram from Director He of the branch bureau."
Chen Chuan took it and read it over. After a moment's thought, he said, "Send a telegram asking where Consultant Cheng and his team are now."
The operator transmitted the query at once. A short while later, a reply came through: Cheng Shang's party had already reached the foot of Mount Jiao.
Chen Chuan said, "Tell them the suspected secret depository should be on Mount Jiao, and it may have already been opened at this very moment. Instruct them to ascend immediately, make every effort to eliminate the Old Imperial Court personnel, and secure the fissure there."
"Understood!" The operator acknowledged solemnly and immediately tapped out the message to Cheng Shang's squad.
***
On the outer perimeter of Mount Jiao, Cheng Shang and his group had arrived and met with He Fen.
Their party did not merely include members of the Cheng family who were familiar with Mount Jiao's terrain; it also included two enforcement captains from the Disposal Bureau, the Lan siblings, and a detachment of personnel from the Esoteric Cult Examination Bureau.
Upon receiving the directive from the rear, Cheng Shang looked up at Mount Jiao before him. His nephew had vanished here decades ago—could that have been connected to this secret depository? Part of him hoped it was, yet another part hoped it was not.
Taking a deep breath, he said in a low, steady voice, "Up the mountain!"
Because the Cheng family had come here every year to search for their lost relative for forty years, many of the villagers on Mount Jiao were thoroughly acquainted with them. Following their usual custom, they had brought an abundance of supplies needed by the mountain hamlets. The villagers were overjoyed, and the group encountered no obstacles whatsoever as they ascended.
Once they reached the village on the mountain, they unloaded the goods and paused only briefly before heading out toward higher ground. The villagers found nothing strange in this, though they pointed and murmured amongst themselves that the newcomers looked formidable, assuming there must be a master tracker among them.
Hearing this chatter, some villagers secretly hoped the Cheng family would finally find their long-lost kin, while others wished they would fail again so they would continue bringing supplies year after year.
After leaving the village, the Lan siblings promptly brought out their ritual instruments to take measurements. Having pinpointed the correct direction, in less than half an hour they found the excavated corner of the secret depository and led the party safely to the entrance without incident.
Lan Shengu warned, "Everyone, the situation inside the depository is unknown. Be careful once we enter." He emphasized, "We may encounter bizarre phenomena. Do not attempt to force your way through them; I will find a way to dispel them."
Everyone knew that secret depositories carried inherent dangers that could not be overcome by brute force alone. Seeing that the Lan siblings were seasoned experts in esoteric rituals, they all agreed to follow their lead.
As Cheng Shang made his way along the path, he noticed the nearby villagers either sitting or standing with dull, vacant expressions, looking like walking corpses.
Experienced as he was, he deduced that at least one of their adversaries was skilled in spiritual power. Judging by the footprints, however, not a single one among them was a third-limit martial artist.
That was good news, but it was no reason to let down their guard.
Putting on a jade pendant handed to him by a junior to ward off spiritual power, he stretched his limbs, looked up, and said, "This old man hasn't seen action in a long time. Looks like I'll have to expend a bit of effort today." With that, he took the lead and stepped into the depository, with the others following closely behind.
***
Chen Chuan soon received a telegram confirming that Cheng Shang and the others had entered the secret depository, so he waited patiently.
It was impossible for the Old Imperial Court to mobilize substantial forces out of the convergence zone. If his judgment was correct, the manpower they had deployed here consisted of sleeper agents already lying low outside, and their strength would not be excessive.
The team Cheng Shang led included four third-limit fighters, which was more than enough to handle the situation.
After a four-hour wait, a telegram finally came through. The operator reported, "Chief, Consultant Cheng reports that they have captured all the Old Imperial Court personnel inside the depository and discovered a fissure. They are requesting further instructions."
Chen Chuan gave an affirmative nod. "Instruct Consultant Lan to take over and stabilize the fissure there, and interrogate the prisoners for detailed intelligence as quickly as possible."
"Yes, sir."
Another half hour later, a second telegram arrived.
Chen Chuan read through it. The primary leader of the Old Imperial Court group had been stubborn to the end and was slain on the spot. According to the remaining prisoners, this fissure, once unlocked with a specific key, led directly to the Dongqing Plain within the Old Imperial Court's domain.
These men had heard that a massive army was currently stationed there, waiting only for the fissure to open so they could surge forth, seize Mount Jiao, and sweep across the entire Three Mountains region.
As for who was leading the army or which Xuanji martial artists were involved, the prisoners had no idea.
After reading this, Chen Chuan fell into thought. If the other side truly intended to conquer the Three Mountains region, the army was secondary; they would certainly assemble substantial high-tier power, or they would never be able to hold what they took.
He could not help thinking of General of Eastern Subjugation Su Kuo. If an opposing Xuanji martial artist at the realm of the Longevity View was truly involved, then in theory, even if all the martial artists of Jibei Dao were bound together, they would be no match for him.
However, the fissure was now under their control. And if the enemy could come through from that side, then they could cross over from this side as well.
He touched his boundary credential and sent a message toward Center City. Then he said to the driver, "To Mount Jiao."
The armored vehicle immediately turned around and set off toward Mount Jiao. Behind it, two transport trucks carrying Zarnik and his companion followed close behind.
***
High above Center City in Jibei Dao, aboard a combat airship, Xu Chan had been waiting. Upon receiving the message from Chen Chuan, he looked forward and said in a deep voice, "Destination: Mount Jiao, Yangzhi. Full speed ahead."
***
In the southern industrial district, Mr. Zhuan also received a telegram. After reading it, he picked up the mask that had reverted to its original appearance, put it on, and stood up. "Old Tang, time for us to move."
The mask spoke: "Say, is there some big fish this time?"
Mr. Zhuan replied deeply, "A fissure inside a secret depository is never a simple matter."
"Fair point," Mr. Tang agreed.
Mr. Zhuan added, "Besides, I can't shake a certain unease in my heart."
"You mean...?"
"We might find out this time." Reaching out, Mr. Zhuan picked up a suitcase and walked out of the warehouse. As soon as he stepped outside, the roar of spinning rotor blades echoed overhead.
***
At the foot of Mount Jiao, He Fen and a squad of Disposal Bureau personnel were waiting, gazing ahead from time to time. Before long, he saw an armored convoy approaching from the distance.
His spirits lifted. He immediately ordered his men to form orderly lines on both sides while he went forward to meet them.
The convoy drew to a slow halt. An orderly stepped down to open the door, and Chen Chuan stepped out of the vehicle. Zarnik and his female companion dismounted from the transport truck behind, flanking Chen Chuan on either side.
Both were Visage of the Aberrant martial artists. Now fully nourished, their ordinary standing height hovered around four meters. Combined with their innate savagery and bloodlust, they radiated an overwhelming sense of oppression to everyone present.
Suppressing his discomfort, He Fen walked forward, saluted, and said, "Chief."
Chen Chuan returned the salute. "Old He, well done."
Secretly thrilled, He Fen snapped to attention and said respectfully, "Chief, this was only my duty." Pausing, he added, "I sent men earlier to establish contact with those two scouts. Word just came back that they are safe and sound; they simply took an alternate mountain trail down, where communications were spotty. I have already dispatched a vehicle to meet them."
Chen Chuan nodded. Suddenly, he heard a low hum from his boundary credential. Glancing around, he asked, "The field network has reached here?"
"Yes."
He Fen said, "Governor Zhu said long ago that Mount Jiao is also part of Yangzhi and should not be neglected, so establishing this was the result of all our colleagues' joint efforts."
Chen Chuan nodded. Though Director He's personal combat strength was unremarkable, he had certainly demonstrated ample administrative competence this time.
Just then, an incoming signal chirped through his boundary credential. He checked it and accepted the connection. A gruff voice boomed through: "Brother Chen, remember me? It's Hu Kan!"
Chen Chuan said, "Brother Hu?"
"Haha, who else! The company commissioned me to come assist with your operation, and I'm on my way right now!"
Chen Chuan understood at once. After the Skyline was established between Jibei and Haidong Dao, the two regions had signed a mutual-assistance security agreement. Since Haidong Dao might not be able to dispatch official forces directly on short notice, they had enlisted personnel from state enterprises instead.
The situation with the Old Imperial Court remained unclear, but the more strength they gathered on their side, the greater their odds of victory. He said, "Excellent. Brother Hu, I'll send you the coordinates. Contact me as soon as you arrive."
"Understood! I'll be there shortly!"
Chapter 1023