Inside the Disposal Bureau, after concluding the call with Chen Chuan, Deputy Director Fang turned to Director Wu and said, "Meng Lai is still trying to grasp the reins of the situation. He wants both heirs to dance to his script.
"That old fox is far from simple. He probably wants to settle the matter once and for all.
"At this point, Meng Shu hasn't had the time to leverage the fallout from this incident to secure her foothold, yet we still have to protect the old man. He isn't giving us any breathing room at all."
Director Wu said, "It fits his style. It seems he truly hasn't been compromised, which is actually good news. Our primary concern is guarding against that certain entity on the other side. As long as that line isn't crossed, everything else can be tolerated for now."
Deputy Director Fang could not agree more.
Director Wu's voice turned grave. "Still, with Enforcement Officer Chen heading to Meng Lai's estate this time, if Meng Huang reacts, he is extremely likely to face that kind of entity. We just don't know which one it will be."
Deputy Director Fang shook his head. "It isn't clear yet. But according to the Defense Department's assessment, it shouldn't be one of the higher-tier ones. I've already dispatched someone to deliver some necessary items to Enforcement Officer Chen."
Director Wu nodded and instructed, "Director Fang, have our personnel on standby and notify the Defense Department as well. If Enforcement Officer Chen can confirm anything on his end, proceed without hesitation and act immediately. We must strive to protect both him and Meng Shu. If that proves impossible, we must at least ensure Enforcement Officer Chen makes it back."
Deputy Director Fang said somberly, "Understood."
***
After ending the call with the Disposal Bureau, Chen Chuan returned to the main residence and explained the bureau's general thoughts. He added, "The bureau's stance is that if you decide to go, I will accompany you. If you choose not to go, no one will force you."
Yan Yi looked at Meng Shu. "Miss?"
Meng Shu raised her eyes to Chen Chuan. "Chen Chuan, do you think I should go?"
Chen Chuan said, "Considering your personal safety, you really should stay here right now. But that depends on what you want. Whatever you want, you have to pay the corresponding price."
Meng Shu rose, walked to the side, and gazed out at the maple leaves swirling in the wind. After a long moment, she said, "It isn't about what I want, but what the people around me want. They want me to go, and the Disposal Bureau wants me to go, so I must go. Sister Yan, go make the arrangements."
Yan Yi bowed. "Yes, Miss." With that, she stepped out.
After Yan Yi left, Meng Shu continued looking outside and said, "Do you remember what I said that day? I'm just the person standing at the bow of the ship. I can't decide where it goes, and I can't make it stop."
Chen Chuan said, "Don't overthink things for now. If Meng Lai really poses a problem, leave it to me to deal with."
Meng Shu turned around. "Thank you."
Chen Chuan nodded and walked out. Back in his villa, he began reviewing the materials sent over by the Disposal Bureau regarding Meng Lai and the estate where he resided.
During this time, a member of the Disposal Bureau arrived and delivered a package. Chen Chuan opened it to find a specially crafted, clasping bracelet resting on top, alongside a hanging pendant. Both seemed carved from some peculiar jade. An attached note explained that these were meant to ward off certain entities.
Beneath them was a specialized boundary credential equipped with an emergency channel capable of transmitting brief messages outward even when field communications were jammed. Aside from these, there were several tools designed to assist him in specific circumstances.
He pondered the items. He had not yet participated in any defense missions involving the Ring Screen, so he had never witnessed what those things were truly like. But just as he had told Gao Ming, encountering such things within the Ring of the World was actually an advantage.
The next morning, once preparations were complete, Chen Chuan stepped out of the villa and entered Meng Shu's extended luxury vehicle. Escorted by armored vehicles front and rear, they departed Mount Motie.
The residential sector of Meng Lai, the helmsman of Convergence Boundary, was located in Bainiao District—the island sitting just outside Center City. The majestic overpass in Center City, spanning the waters like a flying rainbow visible from afar, led straight there.
It was the home of top executives from various Center City corporations and key branch heads of megacorporations—the very echelon standing at the pinnacle of Jibei Circuit Center City.
As the convoy mounted the cross-sea bridge, Yan Yi remarked, "There are numerous smaller islets skirting the outer edges of Bainiao Isle, but those are private properties. We suspect Meng Huang's clandestine dealings with the Outer Ocean Islands took place on one of them, though we haven't confirmed which island it was, nor who provided him with the location."
Chen Chuan nodded. Glancing sideways toward the harbor, a prominent Ferris wheel caught his eye.
Ferris Wheel Company.
This enterprise had been propped up by the Outer Ocean Islands, though local capital was inevitably mixed in; otherwise, it would have been impossible for them to secure a foothold in Great Shun's Center City.
During this operation, the company had visibly coordinated with Meng Huang, forcing the Disposal Bureau to divert attention to monitor them.
Now that Meng Huang had lost the Viper Team, if he wanted to gather forces again, he might very well seek assistance from the Ferris Wheel Company. Chen Chuan knew he had to keep that possibility in mind.
As they drove toward their destination, the Disposal Bureau tracked their movement. All indications showed that everything was normal and no one was tailing them.
Half an hour later, the convoy descended from the overpass. After passing through a heavily fortified security checkpoint, they entered Bainiao District.
Excluding Center City behind them, this place could truly be called a garden metropolis. While most districts in Center City had abundant greenery, the vegetation here had clearly been manicured and landscaped with exquisite care. A rich tapestry of colors stretched out before the eyes, pleasing and refreshing, conveying an immediate sense of comfort and refinement.
The air was remarkably crisp, with a subtle, uplifting floral fragrance constantly lingering in the breeze, shifting subtly along different stretches of road.
Aside from the cluster of high-rises surrounding the executive council building in the central area, built-up areas occupied only a small portion of the island. Most of the terrain consisted of forest parks and upscale recreational zones.
Center City concentrated the bulk of the surrounding territories' resources, and a substantial portion of those resources was concentrated right here in Bainiao District.
As the convoy navigated the district, biological weapons could frequently be seen soaring overhead. In addition to the armored patrol cars on the roads, patrol airships drifted across the sky from time to time—a level of security absent from most parts of the metropolis.
Half an hour later, the convoy wound along a gentle mountain road and pulled up before a T-shaped estate manor perched atop a summit. Two small airships were moored on the open tarmac out front.
A few individuals were conversing below, surrounded by heavily armed security guards. Spotting Meng Shu, a middle-aged man dressed in imported formal attire broke into a smile and walked over to greet her warmly. "Little Shu, you've arrived."
Meng Shu greeted, "Seventh Uncle."
Yan Yi relayed a message to Chen Chuan via boundary credential: this was Meng Xu of the Meng clan, Meng Lai's seventh son, who was primarily responsible for managing family affairs.
He appeared amiable and approachable with everyone, but privately, he was reportedly very close to Meng Huang.
Chen Chuan noticed that although Meng Xu was greeting Meng Shu, his eyes kept casually drifting toward him. The glances were discreet, yet Chen Chuan caught them clearly. The man seemed to be wearing something similar to Meng Shu's protective charms, preventing Chen Chuan from sensing his emotions or field status.
Meng Xu smiled and said, "The old master is waiting for you. Go on inside."
Meng Shu took her leave, instructing her security detail to remain behind while she proceeded toward the estate with only Yan Yi and Chen Chuan.
Once they walked past, the smile faded from Meng Xu's face. His gaze lingered on their backs for a moment before he turned away and muttered a few words through his boundary credential.
As Chen Chuan followed Meng Shu toward the estate's grand entrance, a woman who appeared to be in her early thirties, exceptionally well preserved, stepped out from within. She wore a high-collared embroidered short jacket with flared bell sleeves paired with a pale, flowing skirt. Smiling gently, she offered a slight curtsy to Meng Shu. "Miss Shu."
Meng Shu responded with immediate courtesy, "Aunt Yu." Her demeanor was visibly more solemn than when addressing Meng Xu earlier.
Aunt Yu smiled. "Miss Shu, please follow me." She then glanced at Chen Chuan and gave him a polite nod.
Chen Chuan could tell that Aunt Yu was a fighter—and one of the third limit stage. Her exterior appeared unremarkable, and her gait had been deliberately adjusted, but her field could not lie.
Although she had not deployed her field and kept it tightly restrained, that very mastery of restraint only confirmed her identity.
Yan Yi explained through the boundary credential: "Aunt Yu looked just like this back when Miss's father was still around. No one knows her true age. She is Lord Meng's true confidante; he takes her everywhere he goes, and messages are often conveyed through her."
Chen Chuan nodded. After following Meng Shu into the interior of the building, he realized immediately that the boundary credential had lost all external connection. The interference here was highly targeted, boasting an intensity far surpassing anything encountered at the Mount Motie Estate.
Passing through a magnificently furnished, classical grand hall, they took an elevator all the way up to the ninth floor. Aunt Yu led them through an anteroom adorned with crystal chandeliers and turned into an arched corridor lined on one side with stained glass.
Standing before the carved pilasters of the corridor was a line of sword guards clad in antique armor. Visors concealed their faces, and tall white plumes were fastened to their helmets. Both hands gripped hook-bladed polearms, holding them ramrod straight and motionless. Though they resembled statues, Chen Chuan could clearly sense the vital signs of life within them.
Walking behind Meng Shu, Chen Chuan studied the guards and asked Yan Yi through the boundary credential, "Are these dolls?"
Yan Yi replied, "They are combat dolls custom-ordered from Paper Doll Corporation, heavily outfitted with implants. Their loyalty belongs entirely to the master of this estate, whoever happens to occupy that seat."
Chen Chuan asked, "I recall you mentioning that the implant encryption keys for many company employees are held in Meng Lai's hands?"
"Yes. That includes these sword guards."
At that moment, the group finally reached the end of the corridor. Aunt Yu pushed open the ornate, grand double doors ahead and said with a smile, "Please enter. The old master is waiting for you."
Chapter 390