The figures closing in all carried rifles, wore respiratory protective masks, and had external implant packs strapped to their backs.
These implants connected directly to nerves and skeletal frames, capable of rapidly adapting to different circumstances to provide their hosts with tailored protective effects.
Upon arriving, most of them immediately trained their muzzles on the Yingzhou giant pigeon on the ground. Though their faces were concealed, their rigid postures betrayed tense vigilance and solemn urgency.
Another contingent moved according to preset tactical formations, attempting to encircle Chen Chuan.
At that exact moment, the security escorts behind Chen Chuan surged forward, forming a defensive perimeter around him.
The instant the gunshot had rung out, the escort members had pulled down their flexible protective visors, drawn their firearms, and aimed them straight at the encroaching operatives.
At a single order from Chen Chuan, they would annihilate the squad before them without hesitation—paying no heed to whether this was the Federation's capital, nor to the operatives' official identities.
As a diplomatic mission, they represented the government of Great Shun. If their delegation or key figures faced sudden threats or ambush, they would show no restraint whatsoever.
Within this escort detail were at least four third-limit fighters, along with numerous Second Limit fighters and elite soldiers. Even here in the Federal Capital, they formed a formidable force capable of exerting immense deterrence.
Moreover, they wore uniform livery and protective dusters emblazoned with Great Shun insignia; any seasoned observer could recognize their allegiances in an instant.
The armed operatives sensed that something was amiss as well. Yet caught in a tense standoff, and bound by their rigorous training, they kept their weapons gripped tight and refused to yield an inch even after realizing the blunder.
Spurred by sensory and psychic tension, their external implant packs rapidly activated, enveloping their vital areas in armored sheaths.
The atmosphere grew razor-sharp in an instant.
The surrounding travelers noticed the anomaly immediately—or rather, they had already been on high alert the moment the gunshot sounded.
The Federal Capital was a global crossroads, and with high-level negotiations underway, diplomatic delegations from various nations were gathered here, alongside swarms of spies, intelligence agents, and saboteurs. Ordinary civic order could only be maintained through heavy armed force, and train stations were notorious flashpoints for trouble; travelers were long accustomed to such scenes.
People backed away in alarm and caution, scattering in haste to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
Right as the powder keg threatened to blow, a voice shouted from outside: "Hold your fire!"
The armed operatives swiftly lowered their weapons and parted. A stern, middle-aged man sporting a neat mustache strode into view.
Glancing at the armed guards around Chen Chuan, he spread his empty hands and slowly made a calming downward-pressing gesture. "This is a misunderstanding," he said.
He could have relayed orders to his squad via communicator; both his shout and his explanation were spoken aloud in Great Shun speech, meant specifically for the escorts around Chen Chuan.
In truth, the moment he had caught sight of the uniforms worn by Chen Chuan and his guards, he had recognized their origins.
Chen Chuan raised a hand, and his guards stepped back at once.
Relief flickered across the middle-aged man's face. He removed his hat, pressed it against his chest, and bowed slightly. "Our apologies for the offense. We are an apprehension squadron under the Federal Strategic Affairs Department, tasked with capturing high-priority fugitives. An alert came in moments ago indicating that a wanted criminal was near the station, so we mobilized immediately. There was no time to properly verify everyone in the area. Please forgive us."
Chen Chuan glanced at the Yingzhou giant pigeon on the ground. Noting his gaze, the man followed up smoothly: "Indeed, that is the fugitive we are after. He is an exceptionally dangerous rebel, leaving us no choice but to resort to aggressive measures. I saw him speaking with you just now. May I ask if he said anything? Pardon me—we do not mean to question your Excellency, but merely hope to glean any leads that might serve the safety of the public."
Chen Chuan replied, "He is a Federation citizen; you surely know him far better than I do. As for protecting the Federation's safety, that is your duty, sir. I am afraid I cannot be of assistance."
Without another word, he walked away. His guards followed closely behind, several rushing ahead to clear a path.
The middle-aged man waved urgently, and his operatives peeled to the sides. At the same time, he tapped an earpiece, ordering the units posted outside to let them pass unimpeded.
He couldn't help shaking his head internally. He knew who Chen Chuan was, and knew the delegation was slated to arrive in the capital today, but hadn't known the precise timing, nor had he anticipated such an unfortunate coincidence.
Besides, during the visit, the diplomatic mission enjoyed a degree of diplomatic immunity. Even if they wanted to detain them, they had no power to do so.
Delegation Leader Xie was waiting outside. When he had sensed trouble earlier, he had immediately contacted the First Delegation while ordering his own escort to stand ready. Had a firefight erupted inside, he would have ordered his men to open fire without hesitation.
Seeing Chen Chuan and the others emerge, Xie walked up to meet him. Scanning Chen Chuan and the guards, he asked, "Section Chief Chen, is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine," Chen Chuan replied.
Xie said grimly, "I have already lodged a formal complaint with the Federation's Department of Foreign Affairs."
As they spoke, the synchronized crunch of combat boots echoed from ahead. A contingent of heavily armed Great Shun personnel marched into view. Deputy Delegation Leader Tu Haisheng, clad in military dress uniform, was walking toward them. His men carried a chilling, lethal aura, every soldier visibly primed for combat.
Seeing them, Delegation Leader Xie stepped forward to shake hands, then turned to introduce him to Chen Chuan. Tu Haisheng shook Chen Chuan's hand and said, "The delegation leader and Deputy Delegation Leader Chu are tied up in treaty negotiations today, so I was assigned to receive you. I heard about what just happened; it appears to have been an unfortunate coincidence. My apologies for the alarm it caused. We were held up on the road by a few complications and arrived a step late, or this would never have occurred. I have already raised this with the Federation Foreign Affairs Department, and they promised a satisfactory explanation and account."
Delegation Leader Xie replied, "Deputy Delegation Leader Tu, you are too courteous."
Tu Haisheng nodded. "Gentlemen, please take my vehicle. We can talk on the way."
Xie arranged the personnel, then boarded Tu Haisheng's dedicated vehicle alongside Chen Chuan. The limousine was specially modified; its spacious interior was large enough for a small conference, while heavy exterior armor could withstand conventional artillery fire.
Once the vehicle began moving, Tu Haisheng began, "I looked into the matter. The man they were pursuing was Derek Valchi, a high-priority federal fugitive and a Dongxuan View martial artist. He is mercurial and often possesses birds to deliver demagogic speeches from the skies. Quite a few people in the Federation revere him fanatically, and a cult devoted to him has even sprung up in the capital and surrounding districts. The apprehension squads shoot down any bird they see, which is why you rarely see birds in the skies of Center City nowadays."
Hearing this, Delegation Leader Xie turned to Chen Chuan. "Section Chief Chen, in your previous report, didn't you mention encountering that man?"
Chen Chuan nodded. "It was him."
Delegation Leader Xie frowned. "Deputy Delegation Leader Tu, is someone like that not bound by the treaty?"
Tu Haisheng replied, "In the past, he handled illicit tasks on behalf of the Federation and the Yono people, so loopholes were deliberately left in his binding ritual. Fortunately, the ritual restraints still hold; up until now, he hasn't done anything truly out of line."
"How long has this been going on?" Xie asked.
"About a year."
Xie's expression grew graver. "A whole year? If this is allowed to continue, things could turn ugly."
Tu Haisheng nodded in agreement.
Ritual constraints gradually eroded over time as a martial artist resisted them from within. No one knew how much longer the high-level pact would hold him; if the Federation did not find a resolution, it would soon lose the power to constrain him altogether.
Chen Chuan knew the matter was far from simple. Thanks to their heightened bodily vitality, Dongxuan View martial artists were already exceptionally difficult to deal with, let alone one walking the path of the Visage of the Divine like Valchi.
If they moved against him and succeeded, well and good; but if they struck and failed to capture him, the fallout would be disastrous.
Delegation Leader Xie had wondered whether the Federation had attempted negotiations, but remembering that the man hailed from the Nature faction, he shook his head. Followers of the Nature faction believed in giving free rein to their innate desires and impulses; they had always been the most difficult sort of people to deal with.
Tu Haisheng looked toward Chen Chuan and said, "Section Chief Chen, regarding your recent actions, our delegation leader commended you for upholding your personal rights and national dignity, and our members hold you in great admiration. However, there is one matter I must advise you on: in the coming days, numerous retained advocates are likely to seek you out. Most of them represent major corporations or foreign states, so I hope you are prepared."
Chen Chuan raised an eyebrow. "For what purpose?"
"Because you defeated Crossal. That outcome sent tremendous shockwaves through the highest international circles. Many nations and corporations are now calling for swift revisions to the treaty, pushing to add supplementary clauses."
Tu Haisheng spoke with a sigh of emotion. "Your very existence makes them uneasy, Section Chief Chen. They can hardly wait to bind your hands and feet.
"Yet amending and supplementing the treaty is no simple endeavor. It requires a summit of the world's top leadership; even if everything goes smoothly, pushing it through could take years. But there is an exception." He paused. "If the individual targeted by the proposed terms voluntarily submits a declaration of self-restraint, it can be incorporated as an addendum. That bypasses the broader treaty and is treated merely as a procedural formality.
"Therefore, they will certainly come looking for you, and they will undoubtedly bring lucrative terms to negotiate with you."
Chapter 1174