Although Zhan Yi had completely recanted what he had just said, effectively slapping his own face in public, he did not feel the slightest embarrassment.
Everything was for the company's benefit. What did personal honor or humiliation matter?
Down below, however, people began to cry out in grievance. "Mr. Zhan, how can what you just said not count? Where is Molan Company's credibility?"
"Yes, we are also partners of Molan Company. We hope the company will give serious consideration to the pleas of its partners," someone else pleaded solemnly and earnestly.
Zhan Yi cast a cold glance at them. *For the company's sake, I've thrown away my own dignity. Can't you show some understanding for the company's predicament?*
Chen Chuan glanced at the anxious members of the patrician families, looked away, and then turned his gaze back to the black card. He picked it up and slipped it into his jacket pocket.
He had previously entrusted Gao Ming to investigate this card, and in the end, he had discovered its origin and purpose.
Initially, he had worried whether there was something wrong with it, but the investigation confirmed that the name on the card was indeed his. He was its true owner, and it was a legacy left behind by the parents of this life.
However, there was actually a flaw with the card. But that no longer mattered; it had already served its purpose.
Seeing that he had remained silent for a long while, Zhan Yi ventured, "Mr. Chen?"
Chen Chuan looked at him and said slowly, "I trust what happens here in the Tribunal no longer concerns your company."
"Indeed. What happens here has nothing to do with Molan Company."
Zhan Yi nodded immediately. He believed he understood Chen Chuan's meaning. Since the decision had been made, the life or death of these people was none of their concern.
"In that case, Mr. Chen, I take my leave." He gave Chen Chuan another polite nod, then waved his hand and led all the Molan Company security personnel straight out of the courtroom.
Outside the Tribunal, Supervisor Luo was lightly tapping his knee with one hand, seemingly waiting for something. After quite a while, the communications operator took off his headset and said, "Supervisor, the reply has arrived. They said the card is indeed a recommendation card from Origin Corporation, and the owner is indeed this student's name, but..."
"But what?"
"The officer on their end said the card was canceled ten years ago after the holder was presumed dead."
Supervisor Luo froze, his gaze turning sharp and stern. "Presumed dead? Canceled ten years ago? Can that be confirmed?"
"They're still looking into it. They said their local records show that, but they cannot rule out errors due to the passage of time. They dared not make a definitive conclusion and said they need to verify it with their headquarters. At the fastest, that will take three to five days."
Supervisor Luo sank into thought. If the cardholder was presumed dead, the card had no practical validity. Yet Chen Chuan was clearly alive. The situation was complicated—had he assumed another person's identity, or was there some other reason?
Regardless, if the cardholder was officially deemed deceased, Molan could simply refuse to acknowledge it, and Origin Corporation would not trouble them over such an issue.
Should they inform those people afterward that Molan Company had changed its mind and was willing to continue protecting them? But such back-and-forth vacillation would destroy any remaining trust, to say nothing of getting them to cooperate; they might even...
Just as his thoughts reached this point, he suddenly realized a far more severe problem. His heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat broke out across his forehead.
"Not good!"
He immediately urged the driver, "Go back! Back to the company!"
"Aren't we waiting for Assistant Zhan?" the driver asked instinctively.
"I told you to drive!" Supervisor Luo's voice was violently suppressed, forced out from the depths of his throat.
"Yes, sir!" Frightened, the driver hurriedly started the car.
On National Boulevard, near the outskirts of Yangzhi City, a long convoy was traveling forward.
Commissioner Cao received a freshly decoded telegram. Updates from the Tribunal were being relayed here in real time. Seeing that Chen Chuan had produced that black card, he did not appear surprised in the least.
What caught his attention was something else: the moment Chen Chuan took out the card, the Molan Company personnel had backed down almost instantly.
His eyes sharpened, like a predator spotting its prey.
Though Origin Corporation was vast, its domestic influence was not necessarily superior to Molan's. Yangzhi was Molan's home turf, especially now when Molan was carrying out a critical strategic deployment. Choosing to concede at such a juncture—did that mean it could be confirmed...?
No, perhaps that was not enough.
Guided by instinctive caution, he took out a pen, wrote several names on a slip of paper, and handed it to the assistant beside him. "Send a wire. Immediately detain these people—"
*Wait! That's not right!*
Before the assistant could take it, he snatched the paper back. After thinking deeply for a moment, he said, half-amused and half-exasperated, "That kid handed us a blade. It seems the net has to be pulled in early..."
At that moment, by another radio set, an operator took off his headset, handed over a translated wire, and turned around. "Commissioner Cao, telegrams just came in from Canghong Grand Canal and Yuangan Company."
Commissioner Cao took them at once. After scanning the two similar messages, he said in a low, focused voice, "As expected, they noticed too." He looked ahead, his gaze even sharper than before. "Contact the constabulary. No need to wait any longer—begin making arrests immediately!"
Back inside the Tribunal, after the Molan Company personnel departed, the members of the board of trustees were left in extreme embarrassment.
They had just openly taken a side. But now that they had climbed onto the roof, Molan Company had pulled the ladder away, leaving them stranded.
Should they still insist on expelling Chen Chuan? Seeing Molan Company's reaction, they clearly feared Chen Chuan had some formidable background. If even Molan Company had withdrawn, were they supposed to push forward on their own? Doing something that offered zero benefits and carried a high risk of crashing into an iron wall was something they would never do.
Just then, the agents from the Disposal Bureau standing among the audience rose to their feet. In full view of everyone, they walked up to the trustees, and one of them said solemnly, "Gentlemen, we suspect you of conspiring privately with Molan Company and certain families to harm Wuyi students, and you are also implicated in a cold case from three years ago. We request that you accompany us for an investigation." With that, he extended his hand toward the aisle. "This way, please."
"An investigation?" The trustee who had been the first to support the company gave him an incredulous look and let out an angry laugh. "What authority do you have to take me away?"
Another trustee spoke up as well. "We are trustees recognized by the Municipal Administration. Without an arrest warrant from the Main Academy, you have no right to detain us!"
Standing there, the members of the board looked coldly at the Disposal Bureau agents, showing no intention of complying. They were not afraid of the Disposal Bureau resorting to force. Not only was the room filled with their own allies, but as trustees of the academy, they were all qualified combatants in their own right.
"If they don't have the authority, what about me?"
As a deep, calm, aged voice rang out, everyone turned around. An unremarkable old man stood up from among the seats. He had been sitting right there with them all along, yet before he spoke, no one had noticed him, as if their senses had automatically filtered him out.
When the people from Wuyi Academy caught sight of him, they froze in shock. "Old Principal?!"
This unassuming old man was none other than Wuyi Academy's former principal.
The moment he stepped forward, the hearts of every trustee who recognized him leaped into their throats. Officials from the Center City Disposal Bureau had appeared here in such a manner, and now this man had emerged; they could faintly sense that things were taking a terrible turn.
Cheng Shang said leisurely, "Go along with them. Staying inside for a while might not be a bad thing for you."
Dejected, the trustees exchanged glances and abandoned all thought of resistance. It was not merely because of the authority Cheng Shang represented, but also the sheer martial prowess he commanded. They knew full well that even if everyone present joined forces, they would be no match for this slight, aged man.
The Disposal Bureau agents stepped forward, binding them with specialized combatant restraints before leading them out.
Cheng Shang then turned to Chen Chuan. "Young man, did you see this coming beforehand?"
Chen Chuan knew what he was asking and nodded.
Cheng Shang's frosty brows twitched slightly. "How did you figure it out? Did someone tell you?"
Chen Chuan replied candidly, "No. And I wasn't the only one who saw it. I believe many people noticed; they simply made different choices."
"Mm. There are many clever people in this world, but some are too clever for their own good." Cheng Shang nodded in agreement, then asked slowly, "Young man, will you be coming?"
Chen Chuan answered with complete certainty, "Of course!"
Cheng Shang nodded. "Then I will wait for you at the academy." With his hands clasped behind his back, he strode toward the Tribunal exit. Several individuals who had gone unnoticed until now rose from their seats and followed him out.
Their exchange left most people baffled, but a few caught on. Their expressions shifted subtly, and they stood up to leave in haste.
Chen Chuan watched the scurrying crowd with a calm gaze. When he and Gao Ming had drawn up their contingency plans, they had realized there was an unavoidable entity.
Molan Company.
The Mutual Aid Society had moved against him. When he clashed with them, it was bound to implicate Molan Company eventually, because the factions behind those students were inextricably linked to the corporation.
Yet as they dug deeper, analyzing information Gao Ming gathered from various channels alongside recent shifts in the city, they pieced together clues they had previously overlooked. When those clues formed a coherent picture, they reached a surprising conclusion.
Perhaps... they did not need to worry about Molan Company at all.
Molan Company was currently facing a coordinated siege from rival corporations and unidentified forces. Its position was precarious, and it could barely look after itself.
In truth, many signs had already appeared. The most obvious was the Blood Mark Gang. As Molan Company's guard dog, it had suffered frequent attacks, its branches had been bombed, and over a dozen leaders had perished at the hands of the Skull-Splitting Demon—a suspected biological combat weapon. Its upper echelon was more than half hollowed out.
This was a clear pruning of peripheral wings, a step-by-step probing of Molan Company's bottom line.
Previously, Molan Company had been aggressively contesting water management interests with the state enterprise Canghong Grand Canal, using various illicit means to eliminate surrounding water plants and effectively usurping numerous posts within the water administration. Just as Molan was on the verge of achieving its goal, Canghong Grand Canal had shown no reaction at all. Such unnatural silence was the most abnormal sign of all.
When Chen Chuan took the examination for the unlimited defense license, Commissioner Cao had shown particular interest in him and Yangzhi City, hinting that higher-level attention was steadily converging on this place.
All clues pointed to an unprecedented storm on the horizon.
Therefore, they had no need to fear Molan. In fact, they could ride the momentum of this overarching trend and seize the opportunity to accomplish their own aims.
Interestingly, back at the constabulary, Guan Yuming had repeatedly assured him of total backing, speaking with unusual certainty and hinting that as long as Chen Chuan held his ground, he would come to no harm.
At that time, Chen Chuan had not yet revealed his unlimited defense license, yet the leadership of the constabulary possessed extraordinary confidence.
Bureau Director Lei had consistently encouraged him to go to Center City and had promised his safety multiple times when he faced the threat of numerous patrician families.
At Wuyi Academy, there was an easily overlooked detail from early in the year, and even when the Mutual Aid Society escalated things to such a scale, the higher-level Disposal Bureau had mounted no real intervention, remaining silent throughout the entire process except for mobilizing a few students to attend. Everything carried an unusual undertone.
All indications suggested that every enforcement body in Yangzhi City already knew something and had long been making preparations. Chen Chuan made a bold inference: these agencies were likely participating in the encirclement against Molan Company, and even if it had not reached its final phase, they had already secured the upper hand.
What Zhan Yi had said earlier had not affected him in the least.
Molan Company could barely save itself; what was the point of talking about all that?
Was it of any use?
Those who chose to stand with Molan Company at this moment would only die faster; opposing it was the only sound path.
In truth, he could have done nothing today and simply waited for the outcome. But he did not want to merely drift along with the tide; he wanted to be a driving force.
He wanted to accelerate this process rather than wait another six months or a year.
After conferring with Gao Ming, he had identified the single juncture where an individual could intervene and exert leverage within the clash of major powers!
That was producing the Origin Corporation recommendation card inside the Tribunal.
He had not presented the card to protect himself, but to test Molan Company's strength on behalf of all the watching factions.
It was like holding a razor-sharp blade and flashing its tip before the company's eyes.
If Molan stood its ground when faced with Origin Corporation's name, it would prove it still held confidence. But by backing down today, it had laid its weakness completely bare!
More crucially, it had exposed this vulnerability under the bright sun, rolling over to reveal its soft underbelly. The surrounding beasts—prowling, hesitating, and waiting for an opening—would immediately rush forward to tear it apart and devour it.
When Cheng Shang asked whether he would join, he was asking if Chen Chuan wanted to take part in the operation to encircle Molan Company. How could he miss such a monumental event? He was definitely going to take part!
If this were an ordinary commission, such an opportunity might not come along in years. It could allow him to obtain his armor license ahead of schedule and accumulate substantial merits.
As the attendees left one after another, the Tribunal grew empty and quiet. Chen Chuan smoothed his jacket, straightened his collar, turned toward the judge still seated at the bench, and spoke politely: "Your Honor, you have not yet announced the verdict."
The tribunal judge started, then adopted a solemn expression. Straightening his black-and-red robes, he picked up the drafted ruling, slowly rose to his feet, and began to read aloud:
"This court pronounces: Student Chen Chuan of Wuyi Academy acted in lawful self-defense throughout the events at the abandoned factory. The charges against him do not stand. If there are objections, an appeal may be lodged with the High Court. The hearing is adjourned. Yangzhi City Tribunal, August 21st, Year 93 of the Republic of Great Shun."
With that, he brought the bronze gavel down upon the base of the xiezhi statue with a crisp *clang*. Looking at Chen Chuan, he said warmly, "Student Chen, the trial is concluded. You may go."
Chen Chuan nodded to him, turned around, and walked out under the judge's gaze amid the lingering resonance of the bronze base.
Stepping into the front hall, he saw that most of the people who had just exited were being led away one by one by constables. Gao Ming walked over from the side with a smile. "It's coming."
"Yes," Chen Chuan said.
Gao Ming said, "Cousin, as I said, this game started with you, and it will end with you."
Chen Chuan smiled and looked outside, taking in the clear sky and the sunlight shining down upon everyone. "It's not an end, but another beginning."
At a constabulary outpost near the Tribunal, Guan Yuming was on the telephone. "Chief, everyone has been taken into custody."
"Keep a close watch on them. The storm will break at any moment, and we must hold our ground."
"Understood." Guan Yuming thought for a moment, then asked, "Chief, why make our move early?"
"The snake has been startled; we had no choice but to act."
Guan Yuming mulled it over, understood, and lowered his voice. "Because of Little Chuan's card...?" He couldn't help asking, "Chief, what kind of card was that, exactly?"
"I already looked into it. It was a recommendation card from Origin Corporation, but nothing more than an expired, canceled card."
"A useless card?"
Guan Yuming let out a startled laugh. "Then why did he bring it out...?" Halfway through his sentence, his eyes flickered, realizing Chen Chuan's true intention. Both amused and exasperated, he muttered, "Well, would you look at that... that kid..."
They had originally planned to tighten the net slowly, probing repeatedly over a prolonged period. Facing a behemoth like Molan, no one wanted to rush.
With Chen Chuan having killed so many members of the Mutual Aid Society, they could have used that pretext to arrest a selective group without putting Molan Company on high alert.
Yet Chen Chuan's single maneuver had slammed on the accelerator. Every major power had been shoved hard from behind; they were all about to move, and they had no choice but to move!
Chapter 192