The moment Zhu Mian stood up, he drew the attention of the entire hall.
As he walked forward with a smile, he simultaneously used his internal field to have his people attempt to breach the jammer and establish contact with the outside.
He believed that as long as external communications were restored, any problem could be resolved; all he needed to do now was buy some time.
However, the resonators inside the venue quickly informed him that this was impossible. The opposing resonators were numerous and technically superior, far beyond what his hired security team could match.
Zhu Mian did not give up, trying instead to mobilize the martial artists responsible for security to make contact outside.
Yet they all reported that a mental field had enshrouded the entire venue earlier, and anyone attempting to leave would be intercepted and attacked immediately.
Since they had no idea what was actually going on, they advised against such an action.
Their choice was only natural. Waters ran deep in Zhongjing; as long as the lives of the individuals they were contracted to protect were not threatened, they would remain passive whenever possible.
Zhu Mian cursed under his breath, but the smile on his face never wavered as he kept his stride even and looked at the approaching man.
Chen Chuan stood there with profound, quiet eyes. A single glance was enough to make Zhu Mian feel his breath catch in his throat.
Judging by his uniform and epaulets, this was an administrative commissioner of the Ministry of State Security.
This struck fear into Zhu Mian's heart. After all, the reputation of the Ministry of State Security preceded it—even his father could not interfere with such a department. Before someone like this, the only thing he could rely on now was his status in the Nature faction.
Aside from those in the know, no one else present immediately linked Chen Chuan to the world-class Dongxuan View martial artist. Still, everyone who recognized him tightened their expressions, sternly warning their subordinates and security details not to meddle in this affair.
Inside the private box, Elder Du noticed the commotion outside and asked in a low voice, "What is going on?"
A subordinate security officer immediately reported to him.
"The Ministry of State Security?"
Elder Du said displeasedly, "Outrageous. Why wasn't I notified before the operation? I'll have to ask Minister He how he arranges things." At the same time, he sent a message to security, ordering them to find out what was happening.
Once Zhu Mian reached the front, he plastered on a smile, bowed slightly, and said, "Officer, may I ask how I should address you?"
Chen Chuan looked at him and said in a flat voice, "Ministry of State Security, Administrative Commissioner Chen Chuan."
Zhu Mian had no way to access the database now, but standing before Chen Chuan, he felt a chilling sense of terror.
He had never felt such dread even when facing powerful martial artists within his own faction. This proved beyond doubt that this man's identity was far more than just a commissioner on paper.
He forced a smile. "I am the organizer and host of this event. As you can see, this is an arts awards gala tonight. It doesn't involve any political propaganda, nor is it a political rally. What's more, we filed a report beforehand and obtained approval from higher authorities.
"Besides..."
He extended his arm, gesturing toward the crowd.
"We have invited many distinguished guests from home and abroad, all people of status and standing. We truly do not wish to disturb them. If there is anything you need our assistance with, we will do our utmost to cooperate."
Chen Chuan looked at him and swept his gaze across the room. Everyone his eyes grazed felt their hearts thump wildly, subconsciously averting their eyes from his.
Standing nearby, Captain Fang Shucheng said, "Mr. Zhu, we brought our men here today because certain people in this room pose a threat to the nation. We need to take them into custody. Please cooperate."
At that moment, a message came through his boundary credential. He looked up. "Commissioner, the targets have been located. Requesting permission to arrest."
Chen Chuan raised a hand. Fang Shucheng immediately spoke into the boundary credential: "Move!"
Over by Song Shicheng, the operatives from the ministry showed the arrest warrant from the State Security Investigation Department to the circle of people seated there.
"Upon investigation, an incident concerning state security involves you all. Please accompany us."
All the individuals to be arrested were seated right here, allowing them to round them up in a single sweep.
Song Shicheng and the others changed color. One person sprang to his feet, shouting indignantly, "Arresting me? Do you even know who I am?"
Another yelled, "I want an advocate!"
A few others joined in the clamor.
Yet in the very next instant, the shock of a field's force made their eyes roll back, and they collapsed limp to the floor. Operatives stepped forward at once, cuffed them, and hauled them out like dead dogs.
The captain in charge of the arrest wasted no words on them; once the formal procedure was observed, they moved without hesitation.
Song Shicheng's face darkened further, but he offered no resistance, allowing himself to be cuffed and walking out in full compliance.
He knew resistance was pointless. Since they had come to arrest them, they obviously knew their identities; there was no need to suffer immediate hardship.
Outside, seeing them being led out under guard, Zhu Mian's cheek twitched slightly. He was the host of this gala; if he let them drag people away right in front of his eyes, he wouldn't be able to show his face in Zhongjing again.
Steeling his resolve, he immediately fired off a message to a certain person: *Elder Chai, can you help me intercept this?*
An aged voice soon replied: *Young Master Zhu, I apologize. The state only tasked me with protecting the safety of your family. I will not involve myself in anything else.*
Zhu Mian felt a surge of rage, but he knew he could not command the man. Gritting his teeth, he looked at Chen Chuan and said in a hushed voice, "Commissioner, could you give me some face?
"I will make sure these people report to the ministry afterward, I swear! Consider this a favor owed to you by the Zhu family!"
Chen Chuan said flatly, "State law is not child's play. Neither you nor your Zhu family has the standing to negotiate this with me."
Zhu Mian's face flushed bright red. To him, these words were an intolerable humiliation; no one had ever dared speak to him like this. He turned to the security firm, tore at his bow tie, and roared, "What is wrong with you? Are you just going to let them take our guests away?"
The head of Giant Shell was sitting in a VIP box. Looking solemn, he exchanged thoughts with an inactive consciousness on his external implant. After weighing the pros and cons, he quickly made his decision.
If the company did not step forward, its reputation would be utterly ruined. But if they did, even if they took a loss, the company would make a name for itself. The newcomer was no ordinary figure—he was a Throne martial artist with worldwide influence.
Stepping forward despite knowing they were outmatched would vividly demonstrate the company's commitment to protecting its clients.
At his signal, a mixed-race man stood up immediately, walked forward, and blocked the corridor.
Speaking in Great Shun speech marked by distinct Noros Theocracy accents, he said, "Wait, please. I am the security supervisor of Giant Shell Defense and Security Company. Our company handles the security for this banquet. We cannot simply allow you to take the guests away."
Chen Chuan had already seen in the dossiers that this was a security company under the Nature faction, with operations across the globe.
Moreover, the Convergence and Refinement factions held shares in the company as well. With world-class major factions backing it, it was no wonder they possessed a bit of backbone.
However, it was utterly meaningless.
He merely cast a glance at the man. A sudden daze crossed the man's face, followed by a limpness in his frame. With a thud, he sank to his knees, his arms falling slackly to the floor, his head slumping onto his chest.
At that moment, the onlookers watched in horror as the aberrant tissues inside his body burst frantically through the surface of his skin, squirming and spreading outward as though trying to flee this place. Yet unable to truly break free, they only caused his entire body to twitch and spasm where he knelt.
The martial artists present took in the scene with grim expressions. None of them had ever witnessed anything like this.
Even though they knew an ordinary martial artist was mere decoration before a Dongxuan View martial artist, Chen Chuan had not overtly unleashed his power. He seemed to simply stand there doing nothing at all, and it was precisely this that made it so terrifying.
Chen Chuan then turned his gaze to Zhu Mian. Fang Shucheng stepped forward immediately and said to him, "Mr. Zhu, please come with us."
Startled and furious, Zhu Mian backed away two paces. "What do you mean? What are you trying to do?"
Fang Shucheng said, "Instigating non-state armed personnel to obstruct the official duties of the Ministry of State Security. We have the authority to arrest you."
"Are you out of your minds?!"
Zhu Mian had not wanted to believe that they would dare arrest him too, but now it seemed they were doing it for real.
Spurred by the gruesome scene moments ago and the suffocating pressure, he finally lost his composure. Stumbling backward, he yelled, "Stop them! Stop them for me!"
Yet no one moved. The martial artists present held transcendent status; so long as the matter did not involve them, there was no reason to stick their necks out.
Furthermore, had it been Vice Minister of Finance Zhu, they might have extended him some courtesy, but there was no such need for Zhu Mian.
Besides, they knew full well whom they were facing; stepping forward would achieve nothing.
Just then, a voice rang out: "You really have piqued my interest. I just can't hold back anymore."
The voice reached everyone's ears with absolute clarity. People turned their heads to look, only to find someone sitting less than ten meters away from Chen Chuan, though none knew when he had arrived.
The people around him had collapsed haphazardly as if unconscious, leaving a wide open space where he sat.
The man wore a trench coat heavy with religious motifs, adorned with patterns of ancient mythical beasts. Rings and studs pierced his nose and ears, and he stared intently at Chen Chuan.
In an excited, greedy tone, he said, "I've only heard that you're strong, but I really want to test it myself."
When Zhan Jiyue caught sight of the man, his expression tightened, and he immediately sent a mental transmission to Chen Chuan.
"Commissioner, that is Liang Qin of the Nature faction, a Dongxuan View martial artist and a senior director of the National Interim Special Action Committee."
Liang Qin grinned, then lunged violently toward Chen Chuan. He knew perfectly well what kind of destructive force a clash between two Dongxuan View martial artists would unleash, but he didn't care.
He cared only about fighting formidable opponents. Now that he had finally encountered his long-sought target, he could no longer suppress the craving within his heart, wanting nothing more than a hearty, all-out brawl. As for anything else, it mattered nothing to him.
Even if everyone here died, or his own life ended as a result, he would not care in the slightest.
Watching him rush forward, something in Chen Chuan's pocket suddenly shattered, and a burst of light bloomed outward.
In that instant, every person and object in the hall seemed to freeze and turn monochrome, leaving only him and the charging Liang Qin in vivid color. It was as if they had been sectioned off into a separate world.
This was a ministry relic Ren Xinshan had entrusted to him. During operations, it could generate a semi-rift-like field space akin to the entities on the other side, partitioning away anyone not on the same tier.
Chen Chuan calmly watched the oncoming fist. Reaching out, he caught the fist with pinpoint precision, his five fingers snapping shut as the sound of splintering bone echoed from the grip.
With a single tug, he pulled the man toward him and drove a fist hard into his chest and abdomen.
Under the blow, the opponent shattered into a cloud of drifting, multicolored vapor.
At that exact instant, another spectral figure appeared on his left, and yet another materialized on his right, as if the man had split into several people in a split second.
A Visage of the Divine? No, an Aberrant Visage. This was aberrant power, for the offensive force behind them was entirely real.
Chen Chuan lowered his eyelids slightly, ignoring the charging phantoms. His hand settled on the hilt of the Xuejun Saber. In the next breath, a brilliant flash of light flared.
In a flash, the partitioned space seemed to shatter abruptly. The two figures lunging from left and right suddenly froze, then dissipated into nothingness. In an empty space where no one had appeared to be, a severed head tumbled down, followed by the sudden manifestation of a headless corpse.
The head and body crashed to the floor simultaneously, bursting into a mess of flesh and blood with a sharp splat before rapidly turning into a scatter of black powder.
Chen Chuan twisted the blade, and with a crisp clatter, the Xuejun Saber sheathed itself in an instant. Throughout it all, he had not moved an inch from his spot; only his uniform swayed gently in the draft.
Chapter 1370