Looking at the briefcase held out to him, Chen Chuan reached out and accepted it, saying solemnly, "Thank you, seniors. And please pass along my thanks to the senior who helped us."
Mask said, "Don't worry, I'll make sure of it! And honestly, some people in our faction just piss me off. Once bitten by a snake, ten years afraid of a rope! Commissioner Chen, your contributions are there for everyone to see—aren't they worth this kind of investment? If you ask me, the faction should've covered everything you need. Handing over just this little bit makes me thoroughly irritated. If I had enough strength, I'd give those bastards a few hard slaps across the face!"
Mr. Zhuan ignored Mask's complaints and said, "Commissioner Chen, our influence is limited; this was all we could manage to secure. As for the remaining resources, you will have to seek them out on your own."
Chen Chuan said earnestly, "Having this is already wonderful. You two seniors have helped me so much along the way, and I will always remember it. I may be abroad for quite some time, so please, seniors, take good care of yourselves."
Mr. Zhuan nodded silently.
Mask said, "Don't worry, Commissioner Chen, we know what we're doing. And listen, if you can't find the rest of the resources right away, send a telegram back. We'll help you look for ways. After all, we have plenty of connections. Even if things really don't work out at first, waiting a while won't hurt. There's always a way, so whatever you do, don't rush."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "All right. If it comes to that, I won't hesitate to trouble you both again."
Mask said with satisfaction, "That's the spirit! Don't stand on ceremony with us. Have a safe journey, Commissioner Chen. Off you go, don't mind us—our next train will be here shortly anyway."
Mr. Zhuan said, "Have a smooth journey."
Chen Chuan said, "Thank you." He shook hands with Mr. Zhuan, bid farewell to them both, and turned to leave with his suitcase in hand.
The two watched as his back gradually merged into the crowd flowing out of the station. Mr. Mask let out a sigh and said, "Old Zhuan, looking at him go, I feel a mix of joy and a touch of melancholy."
Mr. Zhuan pondered for a moment and began walking toward the waiting hall. "Perhaps it's because the next time we meet, Commissioner Chen may no longer need our help."
"Now that you mention it, that makes sense. But shouldn't we be happy about that?"
"Aren't you happy already?"
"Old Zhuan, you've got a point this time! Hey, hey, this way, this way—by the sign—"
***
After leaving the station, Chen Chuan boarded an airship and returned to the Golden Maple Court villa district.
Everything that needed arranging had been arranged, and everyone he needed to bid farewell to had been seen. All that remained was preparing for tomorrow's departure.
He returned to his study, took out the Xuejun Saber and his rarely used short blade, and wiped them down thoroughly.
Once that was done, he walked into the collection room. He strolled slowly past each weapon, occasionally picking one up to examine it.
Finally, he looked around the entire room. Going abroad on this trip meant he likely wouldn't see these for a very long time. He couldn't help wondering whether, if given the opportunity, he might build one in the Federation as well.
Having finished looking, he reluctantly stepped back outside. As he closed the door, he took a jade slip and inserted it into a slot in the wall. Instantly, the ritual diagram inscribed upon it lit up.
Because the collection room was of great importance, he had set up a ritual here to prevent anyone from breaking in during his absence.
This ritual was without question the one into which he had poured the most effort to date. To that end, he had not only consulted Director Lei once again, but had also referenced numerous esoteric grimoires and incorporated items like the pivot pillar obtained from Protector You. As a result, his skill with esoteric rituals had improved considerably along the way.
He pushed against the shut door with his hand, and upon confirming there were no issues, nodded in satisfaction. Returning to his room, he had just poured a cup of tea when an incoming connection signal appeared on his boundary credential—it was from the Wansong Company.
After connecting, a gentle female voice said, "Greetings, Section Chief Chen. We understand you will soon be traveling abroad. To facilitate our services for you, if you agree, we will send you a contact frequency shortly. Should you require our company's services while in the Linakes Federation, you may reach us through this signal. Lastly, we wish you a pleasant journey."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment, then tapped confirmation. Soon, the other party transmitted the contact signal over.
He mused to himself that Wansong Company's influence truly was substantial; not only did it operate within Great Shun, but it could also provide services over in the Federation.
If it was a global corporation guided by a single unified leadership, it might well surpass ordinary megacorporations in scale and power.
Yet it was also possible that it was a conglomerate whose branches in various nations operated independently of one another, merely sharing intelligence, supplies, or resources—and that seemed the most probable scenario.
Other countries aside, Great Shun would certainly keep its guard up against an enterprise of such magnitude and suppress it, never permitting it to expand unchecked.
After becoming a committee member of the Security Affairs Department, he had actually attempted to use his clearance to review the company's dossier. However, the department informed him that because confidential information was involved, none of it was recorded in field data, nor was it suitable for transmission via telegram or field communications. If he wished to inspect it, he would have to travel to the capital to view the physical files in person.
Under those circumstances, he had no choice but to shelve the idea for now. He lacked the time to make a trip to the capital, and given that even the Department handled the archives with such caution, the waters ran deep indeed. There was no need to pry into it for the time being, and so long as Wansong did nothing out of line, he didn't need to pay it much mind.
Putting the matter out of his head, he sat by the window and leafed through a book. When nine-thirty arrived, he closed the volume and placed it into the packed suitcase nearby.
He went to take a shower. Upon stepping out, he glanced at the brilliant lights beyond the window, drew the curtains, and turned off the lights. This time, instead of regulating his breathing, he lay down on the bed and soon drifted into a deep sleep.
***
At five o'clock the next morning, Chen Chuan awoke from his deep slumber. After rising and washing up, he first prepared water and food for Chaoming, then went downstairs to have breakfast with his aunt's family.
His aunt's family was seeing him off today, so his younger cousins had also gotten up early, yawning sleepily.
After finishing breakfast, he returned to his room, changed into a crisp new uniform, took the Xuejun Saber from its weapon rack, picked up his suitcase, and came back downstairs. By now, his aunt and uncle were nearly finished getting dressed, and Gao Ming was already waiting on the ground floor. Greeting him, Gao Ming said, "Good morning, Cousin."
Chen Chuan nodded with a smile. "Morning, Gao Ming."
In the Federation, many affairs required dealing through a legal advocate. As Chen Chuan's exclusive advocate, Gao Ming was naturally accompanying him on this journey.
Once the final preparations were settled, an orderly stepped forward to take his suitcase and pushed open the main door.
Chen Chuan walked out into the morning sunlight. Right before the villa area, armed personnel stood lined up in orderly ranks on both sides.
Yuan Qiuyuan, Qin Qingque, and Su Wei stood at the very front, all clad in pristine uniforms. Facing him, they snapped a synchronized salute and barked, "Captain!"
On paper, they were now Chen Chuan's personal security detail, meaning they theoretically followed wherever he went; thus, they were traveling with him to the Federation this time.
Standing on the steps, Chen Chuan returned the salute. His gaze swept outward: Wei Chang'an, Wu Han, Wei Dong, Luo Kaiyuan, Feng Xiaoqi, and the others were all dressed in Disposal Bureau uniforms today. Farther off stood Ren Xiaotian and several technical personnel.
He couldn't help recalling the missions they had carried out together. Most of the people who had stood with him then were gathered here now. Smiling, he descended the steps, followed by his aunt's family.
Guards saluted in succession along the path they took. The orderly had already stowed the luggage ahead of time and opened the doors to the armored motorcade vehicles.
The departure point was the mooring tower in Jiyang District, where everyone would assemble to set out together. The airships had already arrived in advance, and there were handover procedures at the port, so they traveled directly by motor vehicle.
The transit route had long since been secured. Just over half an hour later, as morning sunlight spread across the ocean surface, the motorcade pulled into the Jiyang District port.
At that moment, Xie Xinmin, head of the diplomatic delegation, and the two deputy heads were speaking with Qi Weizhao. Seeing the motorcade round the bend and approach, Qiao Yang stepped forward and said, "Minister Xie, Administrator Qi, Section Chief Chen has arrived."
The armored convoy drove directly into the plaza's designated parking area, and the guards beneath the mooring tower raised their rifles in salute.
Once the vehicles came to a halt on the plaza, the doors opened, and Chen Chuan stepped out. He looked ahead, spoke a brief word to his aunt's family, and walked over toward Xie Xinmin and Qi Weizhao.
Upon drawing near, Delegation Head Xie took the initiative to step forward and shake his hand. "Section Chief Chen, hello. I am Xie Xinmin. It is an honor to meet you." The two deputy heads behind him also came forward to shake hands.
One of the two was a department director from the Ministry of Industrial Resources named Lu Guangde, and the other was He Yishan, deputy director of the Propaganda and Regulation Office. Both were around fifty years old and appeared in high spirits.
Delegation Head Xie said, "Section Chief Chen, on this delegation's journey across the ocean to foreign lands, we will inevitably be relying on you for our security along the way."
Chen Chuan said, "I have heard Minister Xie has led missions abroad several times, all completed successfully. Both your experience and that of the deputy directors far exceed mine, so I hope you will offer plenty of guidance when the time comes."
"You are far too modest, Section Chief Chen."
The group exchanged pleasantries for a while before going over several itinerary details. Some matters had already been communicated beforehand and were now formally reconfirmed.
In particular, the Linakes Federation delegation was returning alongside them, and the Shun delegation's armed contingent was tasked with escort duties, which meant there was a considerable amount to coordinate.
Once everything was verified, Delegation Head Xie checked his watch and said, "Thirty minutes until departure. Let us take our positions."
Everyone nodded and dispersed. Chen Chuan walked back over to Nian Fuli, Yu Wan, and his younger cousins. Smiling, he said, "Aunt, Uncle, Lu, Momo, I'm heading out now. Once I reach the Federation, I'll send you a telegram."
Yu Wan came forward, rising slightly on tiptoe to adjust his collar, and said, "Chan'er, take good care of yourself over there."
Chen Chuan nodded. "I will, Aunt."
Nian Fuli said, "Xiao Chuan, just focus on doing your job well out there. Don't worry about things at home. Your uncle isn't old yet—I can take good care of the household."
Chen Chuan hummed in acknowledgement. "All right, Uncle."
He patted the heads of the two little ones and said with a smile, "Study hard. When your cousin comes back, I'll bring you presents."
With that, he looked up at Yu Wan and Nian Fuli. "Aunt, Uncle, I'm off."
Yu Wan's eyes reddened slightly as she nodded. Nian Fuli said, "Go on, Xiao Chuan."
Both little ones waved to him. "Goodbye, Cousin!"
Chen Chuan nodded. Turning around, escorted by a cohort of armed personnel, he strode across the plaza, ascended the mooring tower, and boarded the large airship assigned to him.
As he stepped into the cabin, he glanced back and saw Nian Fuli, Yu Wan, and his cousins still waving to him from afar. Smiling, he waved back toward the ground before stepping inside.
Before long, to the droning hum of propeller blades and into the morning swells and ocean breeze, one airship after another detached from the mooring towers. Watched by the well-wishers at the port and bathed in brilliant sunlight, they sped away toward the far shore of the ocean.
(End of Volume 3)
Chapter 1056