Contingency Plan

Driving on the way back, Chen Chuan suddenly realized he had developed more insights into martial techniques. Offering guidance to Lu Fang and the other two seniors had also served to sort through everything he had learned. Instructor Jiang had once said that theory outside of practical combat was equally important, and it was indeed true. Not only did it help one understand where the road ahead led, but it also allowed one to review and organize what one had acquired. Seen this way, holding an instructor post in the future seemed like a fine idea as well. He accelerated slightly, passing beneath the kaleidoscopic light screens cast across the skyscrapers on either side, making his way back to Wuyi. After returning to his dorm, he washed up, then unfastened his original boundary credential, took out the one Commissioner Liang had given him, and put it on. Once activated, a light screen projected before his eyes. Initially, two intersecting wavy lines swayed across it like oceanic tides before parting upward and downward. Yet at the extended ends on both sides, they appeared to link together at the far edges, seeming both separate and joined. Once the transition finished, an internal platform appeared before him, accompanied by a voice: "User identified as Secondary Enforcement Officer Chen Chuan of the Disposal Bureau. Enforcement Officer Chen, do you wish to access the ring curtain defense platform?" He said, "Access." Upon his confirmation, his identity credentials flashed across the display, followed by the platform's internal interface. A vast amount of information regarding the Ring of the World and related topics was displayed. There was an immense volume of content, and a single glance revealed numerous points worthy of attention. However, as he browsed through, he discovered that most sections required clearance to view. There was also a dedicated discussion channel with quite a few participants. From their credentials, they all appeared to be Third Limit fighters participating in the defense of the Ring of the World. Since he had not yet formally taken part in defense missions and had not received defender certification, any content involving defense matters displayed insufficient clearance. At that moment, he noticed a document marked as received; it was likely the one sent over by Commissioner Liang. He reached out and tapped it, and instructions and regulations regarding entering the defense of the Ring of the World immediately popped up. Beneath this was basic information about Chen Bitong, the person Commissioner Liang had told him to watch out for. This man had been stationed at the front line of the ring curtain since the age of twenty, over twenty years ago. He had repeatedly declined promotions and had guided and taught numerous juniors, earning considerable prestige within the ring curtain. Moreover, the man possessed deep background connections and appeared to belong to a certain faction. The breach that occurred in the ring curtain was a serious incident, and Chen Bitong had been subjected to an investigation as well. Yet when the investigative department sought to probe deeper, not only did many defenders below vouch for him, but figures from above also spoke on his behalf, securing his early release. He also recalled Commissioner Liang mentioning that this person was approaching the level of a martial artist. Chen Chuan seemed to recall hearing the title of "martial artist" somewhere before. He searched the platform, and this time, no special clearance was required; the results appeared immediately. A "martial artist" was the title given to a fighter who had honed their physical body to perfection, solidified their conviction, and sublimated their spirit, thereby mastering limit-transcending martial techniques. However, what these limit-transcending martial techniques actually entailed was not detailed in the entry. Chen Chuan pondered. Senior Cao had once told him that the Third Limit was roughly the threshold of human cultivation, which meant a martial artist could be understood as someone who had transcended this constraint. Chen Bitong had been explicitly identified as someone about to become a martial artist. Chen Chuan could well imagine that even if such a figure was currently still a Third Limit fighter, both body and mind had undoubtedly reached the absolute pinnacle of this limit—far beyond anyone he had faced before. He could not help thinking that if he could cross hands with such a person, it would surely help him comprehend the road that lay ahead. There would surely be an opportunity. He took another look at Chen Bitong's photograph, swiped past it, and browsed through the rest of the material he needed to read. Then he logged out of the platform. Seeing how late it had gotten, he practiced his breathing technique for a while and went to sleep. His leave lasted through until mid-November. Because he had remained relaxed during this period, quite a bit more content from the memory medicine had been unlocked, most of it related to martial arts. This aligned with his earlier suspicions. Part of these memories had likely been left by his original body's parents for learning martial techniques. In all likelihood, they had assumed he would obtain the item when he was just starting out in martial arts. In fairness, had events unfolded that way, it truly would have yielded twice the result with half the effort. Yet something had gone awry, causing him to inherit the medicine only after having already reached the Third Limit. If that were the case, the clues he truly needed to investigate might only emerge after this portion of the memories ran its course. Still, he was in no hurry. As time passed, he was growing steadily stronger. He believed that even if problems arose, he would be able to handle them with far greater composure when the time came. Two days later, on November 17, Chen Chuan received a message from Yan Yi. "Mr. Chen, the day after tomorrow, Lord Meng will formally announce Miss Meng as the head of the company. All members of the Meng family will be present. The company will deploy security forces to meet her, but primary security still requires your presence, Mr. Chen." Chen Chuan replied, "Understood. I will head over today." *** Inside a villa in Yinglu District, Sister Huan listened to a report from one of her team members. "Sister Huan, based on the non-active conscious entity simulation, after factoring in Jiang Huowang, our win rate remains steady above seventy percent. The few failures were due to unpredictable variables on his end." The team member said excitedly, "Sister Huan, with Jiang Huowang, if he cooperates normally, we can maintain a win rate of over ninety percent!" Sister Huan, however, remained cool-headed. When a team member had proposed bringing Jiang Huowang in last time, she had not agreed at first. Although that man was exceptionally strong, his personality was flawed. He was intensely self-centered, entirely driven by whim; once his temper flared, he stopped following orders altogether. Adding him to a team often did more harm than good. Yet the results of the previous simulation had changed her mind. From the simulation's perspective, even including Jiang Huowang did not make the outcome any worse. If Jiang Huowang performed well this time, they would consider it a gain. If he performed poorly, they would simply execute their own roles and treat him as if he were not there. She said, "Refine and supplement the details according to this plan." Just then, an urgent voice sounded from her boundary credential: "Sister Huan, we detected the target on the move. The day after tomorrow is Convergence Boundary Company's announcement meeting for their new executive. The target will definitely head to Bainiao District first, then escort Meng Shu to the company the day after tomorrow. "His route is now clear, and we have rehearsed it multiple times. Should we intercept him on his way to Bainiao District?" Sister Huan immediately pondered the matter. As things stood, Chen Chuan was alone, his route was confirmed, and the plan was ready. It truly seemed like the best opportunity... Yet she did not make a hasty decision. After a moment of thought, she asked, "What if we strike the day after tomorrow—on the road while he escorts Meng Shu to the company? I believe we prepared a contingency plan for that as well?" The team member sounded somewhat puzzled. "Yes, we did, but doing so drastically increases the difficulty. Moreover, we might encounter more than one Third Limit fighter, which puts us at a disadvantage. The Disposal Bureau could also intervene rapidly..." "No," Sister Huan analyzed calmly. "The reason our previous simulations failed was that he would retreat once he sensed the situation turning against him. But if we strike while he escorts Meng Shu out of Bainiao District, he won't be able to pull away because he must protect Convergence Boundary's heir. That makes it a better opportunity." "But with Jiang Huowang, that might not be necessary..." Sister Huan said, "Jiang Huowang isn't necessarily dependable; we must be prepared to disregard him. Furthermore, although Convergence Boundary has security forces, our team members are all Third Limit fighters. Once real combat begins, there's no need to worry about ordinary people—they won't be able to interfere with us anyway. "According to the contingency plan, after we launch the assault, once the target realizes the attack is primarily aimed at him, he will certainly step forward to draw our attention. That will be our opening." "But in that case... our window of time might be very brief. The personnel stationed nearby by the Disposal Bureau will surely rush over in short order." "If he doesn't flee, how long can he hold out under our coordinated assault?" "Around five to ten minutes." Sister Huan said, "That's enough. Run the simulation again based on this plan and refine the details. In addition, add an order to the contingency plan: to ensure the safety of our personnel, the entire operation is strictly capped at ten minutes. After ten minutes, regardless of whether the target is eliminated, withdraw immediately." "Understood." After ending the transmission, Sister Huan considered for a moment, then contacted another individual. After a short while, a voice filled with grievance came through from the other end: "Listen, higher-ups have pressed me multiple times. When on earth do you plan to make your move? I've been stalling here the whole time. If you didn't contact me soon, I was going to come looking for you." Sister Huan said straightforwardly, "We plan to strike the day after tomorrow." "The day after tomorrow?" The voice perked up, then quickly caught on: "...You plan to strike on the road?" Sister Huan said, "We have prepared a thorough contingency plan this time, and we've brought in Jiang Huowang to ensure success. When the time comes, I will take action personally as well." The other side turned serious. "If that's the case, what coordination do you need from me?" Sister Huan said, "If possible, just help divert some of the Disposal Bureau's attention." The other side seemed somewhat hesitant, but finally replied, "I'll do what I can. Pay close attention to the road section you choose—preferably not anywhere garrisoned by Disposal Bureau security personnel." Sister Huan said, "I don't need you to remind me of that. Furthermore—" She walked to the side and looked out at the turning Ferris wheel ahead. "To ensure our chances of victory, hire two more people for me from the platform..."