Director Wu said, "Enforcement Officer Chen, if Meng Huang truly has contact with an entity on the other side, then he and the people around him may be extremely dangerous.
"There have been prior examples of this where even third-limit fighters were not necessarily able to safeguard themselves. Therefore, at a critical juncture, we permit you to abandon the objective."
Beside him, Deputy Director Fang also said, "You might wonder why, since we already suspect him, we didn't strike sooner. That is because we still cannot be completely certain of Meng Huang's situation.
"Without sufficient evidence, moving against the primary person in charge of a medium-sized company like this would provoke far too many uncertainties, and various parties wouldn't permit it either. We can only start from within the company."
Chen Chuan said, "I can understand."
A medium-sized enterprise supported by the government could not simply be allowed to run into trouble so lightly, as too many interconnected interests were involved. Without ample evidence, directly disposing of Meng Huang would arouse suspicion and apprehension among other companies.
Moreover, once a company of such scale abruptly collapsed, if preparations were inadequate, the surplus interests and assets left behind could easily be targeted and carved up by other corporations—something that would be very difficult to prevent.
The multifaceted interests and entanglements involved were not something the Disposal Bureau could bear alone.
Deputy Director Fang said, "It's good that you understand."
When carrying out certain operations, especially against major organizations and powers, the entire board had to be taken into account at times. To individuals, certain actions could seem unreasonable and incomprehensible.
In truth, there was nothing incomprehensible about it—it simply boiled down to the fact that the people and interests being balanced did not include them.
Yet when dealing with a third-limit fighter, one could not be so crude and overbearing. Especially with a fighter like Chen Chuan, who possessed formidable strength and tremendous potential, issues had to be handled as much as possible through conversation and negotiation, soothing him so that one could expect his full cooperation.
Chen Chuan then said, "Regarding this matter, I have another question. The Disposal Bureau couldn't intervene directly before because you feared provoking a drastic reaction from Meng Huang. How, then, should my identity and status be handled?"
Deputy Director Fang said, "There is no need to do anything special. Meng Huang knows we have our eyes on him, and your connection with Meng Shu merely reduces the likelihood of him taking sudden action. Even so, it doesn't guarantee he won't do it, so our main concern is to present a plausible explanation to the outside world."
Chen Chuan thought about it and understood. With or without that connection, an internal corporate invitation and a forced intervention by the Disposal Bureau were two completely different matters.
Since he was a classmate of Meng Shu—one of the heirs—and had been invited of her own accord, on the surface it remained a rivalry between corporate successors. Outsiders would have no justification to intervene or meddle, even if they knew what was truly going on behind the scenes.
In this way, it would be difficult for Meng Huang to exploit other external conditions for a time, allowing them to concentrate their efforts on dealing with Meng Huang alone.
Deputy Director Fang then cautioned, "Enforcement Officer Chen, but precisely because of this situation, we inevitably cannot offer you much overt assistance on the surface. You may have to overcome the difficulties on your own.
"Considering the grim situation you face, we can provide aid in other areas. We will assign you a three-person squad of resonators, offer guidance on dealing with long-range weaponry, provide certain drugs to bolster your strength, and customize equipment and weapons according to your specifications.
"If there is anything else you need, as long as it lies within our power, we will do our best to help you resolve it."
Chen Chuan considered it and said, "I have a resonator who frequently coordinates with me. I hope he can be permitted to join the team and serve as the operational commander."
Director Wu said in a deep voice, "I give my approval on this." He knew very well that people who worked together often shared a tacit rapport and greater mutual trust; at critical moments, such individuals were the most dependable.
Chen Chuan added, "My cousin Gao Ming is my personal solicitor. He needs a certain degree of clearance regarding this matter."
Deputy Director Fang checked the records on his boundary credential. "Enforcement Officer Chen, did you previously designate him as the relative authorized to receive disclosed information?"
"Yes."
Deputy Director Fang said, "Then as long as you ensure he does not disclose specific details, that will be fine. In fact, even if you hadn't brought this up, we were planning to assign you a legal advisor.
"Because once you enter Convergence Boundary Company, matters concerning corporate operations come into play. Violent methods against staff and subordinates are actually not common; more often, people are handled through commercial and legal maneuvers. Under those circumstances, even martial power is difficult to exert, so you must be on guard against such tactics.
"If you encounter problems down the line, you can bring them to us. Even if certain matters enter legal litigation procedures, we can temporarily help delay or suppress them for you."
Hearing this, Chen Chuan felt there were essentially no further issues and said, "Those are roughly all my requests. As for the rest, I'd like to go back and think it over."
Director Wu said, "As you should. This matter is of great importance. Think it through carefully, and make as many preparations in advance as possible."
Deputy Director Fang added, "However, be as quick as possible. Meng Huang's side surely knows about your meeting with Meng Shu yesterday. If he is on the extreme side, he might make a move within a very short time.
"Fortunately, that classmate of yours is clever. After meeting with you that day, she went to Wansheng Financial Firm to negotiate a business deal and remains there even now.
"Although Wansheng Financial Firm doesn't offer outsourced security services, its own security is top-notch in Center City, so there is no need to worry about anything happening inside. However, this will also give Meng Huang time to adjust. Therefore, once the business negotiations conclude, problems are likely to arise along the road back to the company.
"We can conduct screenings and maintain vigilance along the route, but as you know, the bureau's manpower is limited. Even if we can filter out potential long-range gunmen and demolition teams, keeping proper surveillance on skilled fighters is very difficult. That part will require you to find a way to deal with it."
Chen Chuan nodded. "Thank you for letting me know, Deputy Director Fang. I will do what needs to be done."
After the three discussed and confirmed a few more points of caution, Chen Chuan took his leave. Reaching the parking lot, he contacted Gao Ming first. "Gao Ming, the Disposal Bureau did make arrangements, but the situation is somewhat different from what we previously thought. Let's talk in person."
According to Gao Ming's initial analysis, Convergence Boundary cooperated heavily with the government and was practically a downstream firm of state enterprises, whereas the current person in charge, Meng Huang, harbored other intentions. Hence, Gao Ming had believed Meng Shu ought to receive government backing.
Thus, after Meng Shu submitted an application to the Disposal Bureau, the bureau would most likely go with the flow and arrange things accordingly, ensuring neither side would lose anything.
The current situation deviated from that initial analysis, yet the outcome appeared to be the same.
Chen Chuan drove straight to the foot of Gao Ming's apartment building. Not long after he pulled over, Gao Ming opened the car door, slid inside, and asked, "Cousin, what's the situation now?"
Chen Chuan recounted what had just happened.
Having listened, Gao Ming adjusted his glasses and analyzed, "It seems the infiltration from that world is even more severe than I thought. If the person holding power in a medium-sized company can contact an entity across the Ring of the World, then members of senior management in large corporations and certain figures in the government surely can as well. It's merely a question of overstepping boundaries and regulations."
Chen Chuan said, "It could also be a matter of differences in the entities they contact."
"Mm, that's possible. Right now we have too little information to judge, and inferring out of thin air might stray far off the mark. Fortunately, we don't need to worry about that for now. Cousin, the situation is different from before, and the danger rating is higher. Are you confident you can handle it?"
Chen Chuan said, "I haven't seen things from the other side, so it's hard to say before encountering them. But even if Meng Huang can exploit such powers, he himself is distinct from an entity from across the ring.
"Besides, as a fighter and a member of the Disposal Bureau, I'll have to face these things sooner or later. This time we're prepared, and it's on our home turf. That isn't necessarily a bad thing—perhaps I can take this opportunity to learn more about them."
Gao Ming trusted his judgment; after all, Chen Chuan was the professional in such matters.
Chen Chuan said, "Reply to Meng Shu's side for me. Tell them I will take over her security system once I head over."
Gao Ming said, "I'll contact them right away."
Chen Chuan then contacted Wu Bei and gave him a brief rundown of the situation. Naturally, he omitted classified details, mentioning only that he needed technical assistance.
This truly excited Wu Bei—this was the big leagues, and he could finally show what he was made of once more!
He patted his chest. "Don't you worry, Brother Chen! Just leave everything concerning field data to me. I guarantee I'll keep it running smoothly for you."
After speaking with him, Chen Chuan saw his boundary credential flash. Gao Ming had sent over an icon that looked like an arc of light superimposed upon a semi-curved surface, resembling two planetary surfaces overlapping—dim light in front, with intense brilliance shining behind.
This was the corporate logo of Convergence Boundary Company.
He focused his gaze on it, and after a moment, the Convergence Boundary platform materialized.
Immediately, he noticed that his status had updated: beneath "Disposal Bureau Enforcement Officer," a new line reading "Convergence Boundary Company Security Consultant" had appeared.
Moreover, he could view the current configuration and roster of security personnel assigned to Meng Shu. Yet the fact that he could see it meant those with higher authorization within the company could see it as well.
No wonder Meng Shu felt uneasy. If an attack occurred, any slight lack of cooperation from these people could pose a grave threat to her.
Thus, alongside the corporate security detail, Meng Shu likely retained a privately hired security team. While sufficient for handling ordinary situations, against a third-limit expert, they would serve merely as an obstacle to buy time.
It couldn't have been easy for Meng Shu to hold out until now. She likely had the backing of her grandfather and certain internal factions, or perhaps Meng Huang harbored misgivings of his own.
Yet when Meng Shu attempted to strike back and external forces began to step in, everything changed. The Disposal Bureau's assessment was spot on: right now was indeed the most likely moment for him to strike.
While he was pondering this, his boundary credential suddenly flashed—a contact was attempting to add him.
……
……
Chapter 372