The Tawatinian delegation was ambushed mid-journey, and from top to bottom, they were convinced the Great Shun delegation was the mastermind behind it. After all, they had come specifically to target the Great Shun delegation, so an ambush by the latter seemed entirely reasonable. In fact, even if it was not them, they intended to pin the blame squarely on the delegation's shoulders.
The very day of the incident, spontaneous protests erupted across the Tawatinian enclave. Some individuals even stormed straight into the Eastern Continent enclave. In accordance with their prior agreement, the Eastern Continent residents called upon the city guard to intervene. Once mobilized, the guard showed no mercy whatsoever, killing numerous Tawatinian rioters who had breached the settlement.
After passing through layers of embellishment and reaching Tawatinia, the incident was ultimately portrayed as a massacre—a slaughter committed by Eastern immigrants against Tawatinian immigrants.
As public opinion simmered and exploded, martial artists of Tawatinian descent across the globe turned their eyes toward the situation.
The Tawatinian delegation also stepped forward. They publicly declared that they would take a hardline stance on the affair, confronting Great Shun to the bitter end until justice was served.
The Great Shun delegation swiftly denied all accusations and demanded that the Tawatinian delegation produce concrete evidence, warning that failure to do so would be treated as malicious defamation. Furthermore, the Great Shun side emphasized that, in defense of national prestige, they might take even more severe countermeasures.
Gui Zihan immediately issued a formal challenge to the martial artist in the Tawatinian delegation. While this step seemed to escalate the conflict—and in other places might have been considered irrational, crude, and overly aggressive—here in Center City, Vea State, such an act was held in high regard.
In their eyes, all rules and principles were upheld by force. A contest between martial artists decided whose might was more absolute, serving as an efficient means of settling disputes.
Once Gui Zihan's challenge was delivered, the Tawatinian martial artist naturally could not refuse. However, he stated that he needed to invite a witness from his home country, using the time to request reinforcements from abroad while rallying global sympathy and support.
Anyone with discerning eyes could see this was a stalling tactic, yet it was undeniably effective. At the very least, numerous martial artists of Tawatinian heritage active throughout the Federation rallied to the call. Meanwhile, Tawatinia's home region convened an emergency council, planning to dispatch a martial artist of sufficient strength and prestige to Center City to handle the matter.
On the second day after the incident, a train rolled into the station on the outskirts of Center City, Vea State.
When the carriage doors opened, the waiting members of the Great Shun delegation immediately stepped forward to meet him. Flanked by guards presenting arms in salute, Chen Chuan emerged from the train car.
"Section Chief!"
Seeing him, the delegation members saluted one after another, their spirits instantly lifted. Over the past few days, events had unfolded at a dizzying pace and the situation had grown tangled and complex. Though they felt no fear, they had lacked confidence when making major decisions.
Now that Chen Chuan was back, they immediately felt anchored.
Chen Chuan glanced over the crowd and said, "I'm already briefed on the situation. We'll talk back at our quarters."
"Yes, sir!"
Almost simultaneously, word of his return reached the Tawatinian delegation.
The Tawatinian enclave had still been staging various demonstrations and publicly denouncing the Great Shun delegation's supposed crimes. But his arrival placed palpable pressure upon them, forcing them to rein in some of their activities.
After all, this was a Secret Palace martial artist who had displayed a dazzling record of combat since arriving in the Federation. Their boldness earlier had ultimately stemmed from the fact that Gui Zihan's strength was not quite enough to intimidate them.
Back at the delegation's station, Chen Chuan first familiarized himself with the current situation, then contemplated their options. Under normal logic, the best way to resolve the matter was to track down the original attackers.
During his journey back, he had received constant updates from the delegation, along with intelligence from the secret service suggesting that the ambush was likely carried out by the local resistance organization.
However, the present crisis was actually the culmination of long-festering friction between the two immigrant communities, and it had already escalated to the level of national dignity.
Setting aside whether the true culprits could be found on short notice, it wouldn't change anything even if they were caught—the opposing side would simply claim the captives were scapegoats arranged by Great Shun.
Tensions on both sides had reached a fever pitch and needed an outlet. A clash between the two factions appeared inevitable.
If this was what the resistance wanted to see, what were they truly after?
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment. With too few clues, no firm conclusion could be drawn. Regardless, handling the immediate crisis was paramount. After considering his options, he contacted Ryan first.
Once the connection went through, he stated his stance bluntly:
"Mr. Cafferty, what is your stance regarding the dispute between us and the Tawatinian delegation? Does Center City have a proposed resolution?"
Ryan said with a smile, "Mr. Chen, Vea State is a paradise for fighters. If both parties are willing to resolve your conflict through the traditional methods of Vea State, we welcome it wholeheartedly.
"Of course, we are equally committed to maintaining basic order. That is the cornerstone of Center City's existence; we will neither disrupt it nor allow anyone else to do so."
Chen Chuan understood his implication. They had no objection to the duel and in fact supported it; once an outcome was decided, they would stand fully behind the victor and prevent the loser from stirring up further trouble.
Of course, this represented only the stance of Vea State. As for the public outrage and political fallout across the Federation and the world, they couldn't care less.
Still, that was enough.
"As a goodwill delegation, I will respect your traditions and established rules," Chen Chuan said.
Ryan smiled. "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Chen."
After Chen Chuan hung up, an intelligence operative tapped his boundary credential. A curtain of light descended, displaying personal dossiers and video recordings of various figures.
"Section Chief, we have received word that following Team Leader Gui's challenge, several martial artists of Tawatinian nationality have expressed their desire to take part in this clash."
Chen Chuan glanced through them. There were surprisingly seven or eight such martial artists. He hadn't realized before, but Tawatinia possessed quite a pool of talent.
However, almost all of them had been absorbed by the Federation or other nations, with very few remaining in their homeland.
He swept his gaze across the list. Only one person warranted serious attention: a resolute-looking old man with silver hair and a vertical scar across his face.
Dayel Rossard.
He was a venerable and renowned veteran Secret Palace martial artist who currently served as a security consultant within the Federation's West Coast Government.
This man had been active in these lands as far back as the Old Era and had participated in the founding of the Federation. Had he not adamantly refused to renounce his nationality, one of the statues lining Pioneer Avenue would likely have borne his likeness.
It was no exaggeration to say that half of Tawatinia's martial reputation was held up by his name alone.
A little over an hour ago, this man had dispatched a telegram to both delegations, stating that he would guarantee the fairness of the challenge match, and that if necessary, he would step forward in person.
Chen Chuan raised an eyebrow. A little over an hour ago—that was right around the time he had stepped off the train.
In truth, those words were meant for his ears. The man was informing him that, if necessary, he would enter the ring himself.
He gave a slight nod. A veteran martial artist of such caliber surely possessed real capability. If the man truly came, hopefully he would offer a pleasant surprise.
"Reply with a telegram," Chen Chuan instructed. "Tell him I await his arrival. Follow his precedent and forward a copy to the Tawatinian delegation as well."
The delegation members held their breath. When martial artists exchanged words like these, a clash between them became inevitable.
The communications officer saluted and promptly departed to transmit the message.
Many of the fighters present exchanged glances, reading the excitement in one another's eyes. It seemed they would once again have the privilege of witnessing their Section Chief fight.
Standing among the crowd, Gui Zihan's eyes also reflected a long-absent anticipation. During the previous battles, he had barely been able to comprehend the exchanges. Now that his own strength had grown, would he be able to see more this time?
After arranging the immediate affairs, Chen Chuan dismissed the group and had Gui Zihan remain behind, intending to gather more details from him.
While the two sides were stirring up a storm, three armored transport vehicles were driving into Center City, Vea State. Painted on their hulls was the emblem of a two-handled amphora.
Anyone familiar with the affairs of Vea State knew that this was the insignia of the Center City Ancient Museum, signifying that another batch of significant antiquities was being delivered.
When the armed guards stationed before the museum noticed the arrival of the transports, they were taken aback. This time, they had received no advance notice, nor had they heard any word of incoming shipments.
Every artifact displayed inside the museum possessed a profound history, and certain items harbored immense unpredictability, mostly requiring rituals to keep them contained. Thus, whatever was being delivered today was either completely mundane or of paramount importance, necessitating absolute secrecy without a single leak.
They went forward to inspect the vehicles, finding all documentation fully compliant. With the security supervisor above confirming clearance, they opened the barricade.
The massive double doors parted slowly. The armored vehicles rolled inside, traversing an internal tunnel until they reached the storage vault area. Under the watchful gaze of two rows of armed guards and numerous modified creatures, a gloved man stepped down from the vehicle carrying a case, escorted by two guards outfitted with external implants.
The man handed an identity card to the inspector before him. After verifying the credentials, the inspector saluted, gave instructions to unlock the heavy doors to an isolated vault, and let the man walk inside carrying the case.
Chapter 1137