Chen Chuan put down the receiver and said to Huang Quji, "Commissioner Huang, I still have some business to attend to here. Please excuse yourself."
With that, he tapped his boundary credential, and Huang Quji's projected figure instantly dissolved before his eyes.
Chen Chuan turned the matter over in his mind. What Huang Quji had expressed followed its own internal logic. While he appeared to lament the state of the world and pity the people, he was ultimately still taking the side of the Conservative Faction.
Yet Chen Chuan could sense that the man had merely spoken those words as a superficial formality; there had to be some other motive lurking underneath.
Was it to extract a definite answer from him?
If so, there was no harm in letting him know. After all, word of this would break sooner or later, and he already planned to make a trip to the convergence zone in person.
Regardless of what this person truly thought, anyone who did not stand with them and instead opposed them was naturally an adversary.
The general offensive against the Former Imperial House was already underway. Once that crowd was wiped out, there would be time enough to turn back and purge the internal ranks.
He rose from his seat, straightened his clothes, took his hat, put it on, and walked out.
Meanwhile, in another location, Huang Quji sat in his office chair. His earlier harsh demeanor and interrogative tone were nowhere to be seen; instead, he was lost in thought.
Between his fingers, he twirled a slender rod, which upon closer inspection was formed from condensed black radiance.
Just then, He Shugang's figure materialized on the field screen before him, asking, "Commissioner Huang, how did it go?"
Commissioner Huang continued to spin the object in his hand and said casually, "It was indeed his doing. But really, there was no need to verify it. At present, who else could pull off something of that scale besides him, right?"
He Shugang said, "I just checked the records. Yesterday, there was indeed an entry showing he used his authorization to leave. That means he must have known in advance. This military conflict was premeditated."
Commissioner Huang dismissed the thought: "Isn't that obvious? What good does pursuing it do now? Even if you prove those people deliberately orchestrated the conflict, so what? The equilibrium we worked so hard to maintain with the Former Imperial House no longer exists, and the higher-ups won't allow anyone to dig up the truth right now."
He added wryly, "Keep in mind, this is a major victory. You can't overturn a victory. At most, you'd cause him a minor headache. You might as well not bother; it's completely insignificant."
He Shugang said in a low voice, "It is not without meaning. The reason he is uncontrollable right now is because no restraints have been placed upon him. The leadership has been stalling on this matter so they can secure better bargaining terms from the other nations. But with this evidence in hand, we can use it as leverage to bind him sooner, preventing further uncontrollable incidents from arising. Commissioner Huang, do you really want to see an unrestrained, formidable adversary standing before you?"
Huang Quji's fingers paused, and his tone turned slightly more serious. "I certainly don't want to see that. However, I think that fixating on this will accomplish very little."
"Why do you say that?"
"Intuition."
"Intuition?" He Shugang frowned. "Is it the kind of martial artist ability I'm thinking of?"
Commissioner Huang shook his head. "It's not an ability, just my personal judgment."
He continued in a slightly solemn tone, "The more one learns about the details of that battle at Tianji Peak, the more terrifying this man appears. He has already become the kind of martial artist who cannot be judged by common sense. Will restraints meant for ordinary people truly work on him? In any case, I'm not optimistic."
He Shugang was not swayed by his words. He said resolutely, "What must be done must still be done."
"If it pleases you, go ahead. Let's leave it at that."
Huang Quji had clearly only been airing his thoughts, indifferent to whether anyone listened. With a wave of his hand, He Shugang's projection vanished. At the same time, he instructed Shenyu to delete the log of their conversation.
The slender rod began twirling in his fingers once more. After a moment, he suddenly pulled it back and pressed another button.
"Shenyu, connect me to this platform. Block all other external connections. Terminate the call and delete the records in five minutes."
"Shenyu acknowledges. External connections blocked. Five-minute countdown initiated—"
Huang Quji promptly logged onto a platform. Inside a certain bar in Zhongjing, his projected figure appeared before a table, though it was extremely blurred, flickering occasionally so that his exact features could not be discerned.
Seated across from him was another person, a young man who looked to be in his twenties. It was evident, however, that he was merely using a standard avatar template rather than his true appearance.
"Greetings, Mr. Huang. The platform welcomes you."
Huang Quji dispensed with pleasantries and said bluntly, "Confirmed. Yesterday's incident was indeed his doing. However, in my view, his actions actually work in our favor. Only when the existing order is shattered can our operations truly benefit. As for him personally, I've tested him. Unfortunately, he currently shows no intention of doing what we had hoped. In truth, I rather wished he would genuinely break the rules or throw a punch at me—that way, he would realize sooner or later what he truly needs. A person like him ought to be a fellow traveler of ours. Only by tearing apart the old rules can an ideal world be created."
The person opposite listened quietly without interrupting, only saying at the end, "Mr. Huang, your remarks have been recorded. Do you have any further suggestions?"
Huang Quji replied, "Suggestions? Let's wait and see. No one remains unchanged forever. Perhaps one day he'll abruptly change his mind and stand with us; who can say?"
The man answered in an emotionless tone, "Very well, Mr. Huang. If there is nothing else, I will report this back to the company."
Huang Quji nonchalantly replied, "Fine."
The man said, "Wansong Company appreciates your efforts."
Then both figures vanished in an instant, and that table in the bar went dim. At other tables around the room, people similarly appeared from time to time to converse, only to vanish once again.
***
When Chen Chuan stepped out of his office, Ren Xinshan was also walking out accompanied by Secretary Pei. The two walked together, and upon emerging from the dedicated passage, their respective official vehicles were already parked waiting.
Ren Xinshan thought for a moment and said, "Commissioner Chen, ride in my car."
Chen Chuan knew he had something to discuss, so he nodded and entered Ren Xinshan's car. The two sat facing each other on the spacious rear seats, while Secretary Pei took a seat in the front.
As the car drove slowly out of the passage, a rare smile appeared on Ren Xinshan's face.
"Commissioner Chen, you people did splendidly. When I received word from you, I wanted nothing more than to knock back a few drinks. Anbei Dao joining Skyline is an absolute breakthrough. Once Skyline connects with Zhongjing into a unified whole, the rollout of the entire plan will be unstoppable."
Chen Chuan remarked, "It will also draw the fiercest backlash. The enemy will not sit idly by and submit."
Ren Xinshan's smile faded, and he nodded solemnly. "You are right, Commissioner Chen. The real test still lies ahead. It truly is not time to relax; there is still much waiting for us to do."
He glanced outside, then checked his watch. "Let me brief you on the situation. The one who wishes to see us this time is Vice Chairman Jin. The specific portfolios under his charge include liaison and administrative arrangements with Center Cities, as well as coordinating relations between the Center Cities and the Defense Department. He was once one of the primary superiors of Administrator Qi, whom you know, Commissioner Chen. Because Anbei Dao joining Skyline effectively forms an 'encirclement' around Zhongjing, and because you personally participated in launching and advancing Skyline, as well as publicly expressing your support, he likely wants to consult you regarding the specific situation and your views on future developments. Vice Chairman Jin belongs to no faction; his political leaning is relatively neutral, and he conducts affairs impartially. Whatever he asks, Commissioner Chen, simply answer as you see fit—there is no need for excessive caution."
Chen Chuan pondered briefly, then nodded to indicate he understood.
Ren Xinshan added, "There is one more thing. It's almost the end of the year, and the list of nominees for the Supreme Advisory Council will be finalized soon. So prepare yourself. You may be asked to sign the agreement either later this year or early next year."
Chen Chuan nodded slightly.
An agreement would inevitably have to be signed; that was true in any country. However, it would be best to hold off until after crushing the Former Imperial House, which would minimize any encumbrances. Besides, once the Former Imperial House was destroyed, if he could obtain what he desired, he would enter a new cycle of cultivation and likely wouldn't concern himself with other matters for the time being.
After the two discussed several other related matters, the light outside suddenly brightened.
Chen Chuan looked out to see that the car had arrived at Zhongjing National Plaza.
The plaza was vast and level, capable of accommodating gatherings of hundreds of thousands of people, with guards on patrol throughout. On a raised pedestal in the center of the plaza stood the "Mingzheng Grand Tripod," cast from the melted bronze cauldrons of past dynasties.
North of the plaza rose the grand and solemn Tianyuantang Administration Court.
This was the central seat of Great Shun's national administration, situated to the east of the old imperial palace, Dachen Palace.
Chiqiu had been considered the center of the realm since antiquity, and the palaces established here had mostly shared the same location. After entering the new era, to distinguish itself from the old order, the state had designated the original palace complex as the National Museum and constructed Tianyuantang beside it.
The main hall of the Administration Court sat atop an elevated terrace built of light-gray stone monoliths, facing majestic mountains to the north and looking out across sweeping rivers to the south—lofty and imposing. Facing directly ahead of the main hall, two gate towers stood opposite each other on the east and west, their architecture archaic and heavy, carrying a unified grandeur.
Occasional birds arriving from Yuhai and Jinchi winged past the front of the hall, casting fleeting silhouettes between the clear sky and the stone pillars while leaving behind clear, prolonged cries, lending a touch of vitality and grace to the solemn surroundings.
The car glided slowly across the broad plaza, passing through the central gate passage between the towers amid salutes from guards on either side, entering the inner plaza.
At the same time, Chen Chuan sensed several strands of spiritual power landing on him. Without question, these belonged to Dongxuan View martial artists. However, these forces withdrew the instant they touched him, lingering no further. Instead, upon entering the inner plaza, he felt an immensely vast power enveloping the place. This was remarkably similar to what he had experienced in the Federation—without doubt, a higher-tier power.
The car came to a slow halt in the designated spot.
Ren Xinshan said, "Commissioner Chen, we've arrived. Let's get out."
Chapter 1393