Intent

Before the gradually stabilizing fissure, Fang Zhixin checked his watch and said, "The situation here should have already been detected by the Municipal Administration and the Defense Department. Within twenty-five minutes at the latest, people will arrive—most likely a reaction force." He looked toward Yu Lie. "Major Yu, when the time comes, dealing with them will be up to you. Any problem with that?" Yu Lie sneered inwardly, but replied without hesitation on the surface, "Leave it to me." After his commission had been transferred to the Temporary Special Committee, the higher-ups had granted him discretionary authority for special missions, allowing the use of extreme measures in the field and granting post-mission immunity from the Military Tribunal. In essence, to ensure the success of the mission, any obstacles or individuals encountered could be handled as necessary depending on the operation's difficulty. As for this matter with Chen Bitong, from what he had seen so far, it had undoubtedly escalated to a level threatening the safety of Center City itself. Naturally, this authority applied. Therefore, to complete his ultimate objective, even if he truly had to slaughter every last one of these people, he would not hesitate. Fang Zhixin asked, "Major Yu, I've always wanted to ask: why do you admire Teacher so much?" "Does admiring Teacher Chen require a reason?" Yu Lie spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world, playing the part of a true fanatic. "Everything Teacher Chen has done—which of it isn't worthy of admiration? There are far too many examples to count!" "I recall someone from the Military Police Guard Division once tried to recruit you, but you turned them down. Why? Is that place not good enough?" Yu Lie's heart gave a slight jolt, but he showed only disdain on his face as he said, "Don't lump me in with those people. Even being assigned to the State Administration Bureau would be far better than doing security work." Fang Zhixin remarked, "Yet what we're doing today is rather similar to security." Yu Lie replied decisively, "If it's serving Teacher Chen, I'll do whatever it takes without a second thought." *** At that very moment, a reaction force of about fifty personnel was rapidly approaching guided by information markers. However, as they were about to enter the area, they found several vehicles parked horizontally across the road, blocking their path. A man wearing a fedora stood there, immediately putting them on high alert. Along their way here, they had been ambushed multiple times by unidentified forces, which had caused considerable delay. Just then, a chime rang from the boundary credential, followed by the transmission of an official document authorizing a takeover of this area. The captain in charge glanced at it, and a chill ran through him—the document bore the official seal of the State Administration Bureau. Despite his apprehension, duty compelled him to verify it in person. He stepped out of the vehicle alone and walked over to the man in the fedora to negotiate. The man proved unexpectedly easy to talk to. At the captain's request, he produced his identification card and said, "Turn back. What lies ahead is not something your unit can handle. Another department has taken over." Confirming that the man indeed belonged to the State Administration Bureau, the captain still had no intention of leaving immediately. Terrifying though the bureau's reputation was, he was also acting on orders. He said cautiously, "My apologies, but we need to consult our superiors." The man looked at him. "Go ahead and ask." The captain did not contact the Municipal Administration; instead, he immediately reached out to the Defense Department to ask how to proceed. When Commissioner Liang received the report, combined with the intelligence he had gathered earlier, he understood that this location was almost certainly where Chen Bitong had gone. This was indeed far beyond what an ordinary reaction force could handle. He instructed, "Have the reaction force hold on the perimeter. Do not leave, and keep a close watch on every movement inside. Cordon off the outer perimeter and prepare to receive the emergency team arriving shortly." Upon receiving official orders, the reaction force promptly fell back and deployed around the perimeter. *** While the reaction force held its ground, Mr. Chu arrived near the area along another route by car, reaching a stronghold they had prepared well in advance. In truth, the committee maintained similar safehouses across every district of Center City. Once inside, he climbed to a high vantage point and used binoculars to observe the nearly stabilized fissure in the distance. With a cold, grim expression, he said, "Chen Bitong is indeed up to something. This time, we will strike before the State Administration Bureau and eliminate him first." He turned and asked, "Old Hu, if you lead the men up there, can you handle him?" Old Hu was a man nearly two meters tall clad in a black overcoat. His shoulders were exceptionally broad, making his upper body look like a flattened inverted trapezoid and giving the impression that his frame was deceptively stout. He wore black leather gloves, and a mask concealed the lower half of his face. His eye sockets were deeply sunken, yet his skin was strikingly pale. He wore no hat, leaving his stiff, disheveled hair unkempt, trailing down his neck and over his back from long neglect. In a raspy voice, he answered, "Boss, he and I are old acquaintances. I will take care of him." Mr. Chu said, "Remember to take A-Han with you." Old Hu did not object, but asked, "Boss, what charge should be written on Chen Bitong's arrest warrant?" Mr. Chu said, "A man of Chen Bitong's standing cannot carry any criminal charges. Once you dispose of him, we will find a suitable explanation for his death." "Understood, Boss." Seeing that Mr. Chu had no further instructions, Old Hu turned and went downstairs. Mr. Chu then addressed the four men beside him who had previously been defeated by Yu Lie: "You four, go with Old Hu and follow his commands." "Yes, sir." The four bowed slightly to him and followed Old Hu down. At the foot of the stairs, a squad of mercenaries was waiting. A burly man leading the group stepped forward upon seeing Old Hu emerge. "Uncle Hu." Old Hu glanced at him and said, "Let's go. Time to take care of Chen Bitong." He took the lead, and the two squads swiftly fell in behind him. *** Before the fissure, Chen Bitong stood watching the shimmering light, lost in thought. He was wearing his garrison military greatcoat, a peaked cap, and a half-face mask, his spine perfectly erect. The air currents gushing from the fissure were immensely powerful, yet they merely rustled the hem of his coat, unable to budge him in the slightest. Yu Lie studied his back for a moment. Suddenly, he sensed something—a flicker ran across the fissure as if stirred by movement, instantly putting him on guard. Moments later, numerous dark specks appeared within the fissure, followed by a flock of monstrously large, vicious birds bursting out. Earlier, many small creatures had already scurried out, highly aggressive, but all had been dealt with. This flock, however, was different; they seemed to be fleeing in panic, paying no attention to anyone and soaring straight into the sky. Yu Lie immediately realized that something was behind them. He fixed his gaze upon the fissure. After a brief wait, a dark silhouette slowly took shape behind the opening. Then, the head of a horse wearing a halter emerged, its solid hooves stepping onto the stone pavement with a heavy, resounding thud. As the steed paced forward, a tall cavalryman clad in full plate armor gradually revealed himself. Yu Lie was stunned. *Is this... cavalry of the former imperial house?* *Could it be that Chen Bitong did all this just to bring people from the former imperial house here? Is he colluding with them?* He did not yet know what was transpiring outside Jiyang District; otherwise, his shock and alarm would have been far greater. Yet even if he had known, there was nothing he could do right now. Fang Zhixin spoke up: "Major Yu, what do you think?" Steadying his nerves, Yu Lie put on a cool demeanor and said, "My allegiance is to Teacher Chen himself. Whatever he does, he must have his reasons." Fang Zhixin said, "In that case, Major Yu, get ready." Because a visor covered the cavalryman's face, his features were hidden; only a pair of sharp, piercing eyes could be glimpsed through the narrow slit in the armor. Once out, he reined in his mount, first glancing at the jade stakes ahead, then slowly shifting his gaze toward Chen Bitong. After staring for a moment, he nodded to him and extended a hand. Fang Zhixin retrieved a metal plaque from his bag. Its design and the cloud-and-thunder patterns along its borders radiated a distinct classical style. He walked forward and handed it to the rider. The cavalryman appeared immensely haughty. Even as Fang Zhixin presented the plaque, he did not dismount. Taking it, he inspected it, then patted the dragon-snout horse beneath him. The beast immediately let out a neigh that could be heard miles away. Right then, movement stirred within the fissure once more. Another rider emerged, followed by others, one after the next, until twelve had stepped through—a standard assault cavalry squad of the former imperial house. Seeing these cavalrymen emerge, Fang Zhixin gave a polite nod to the squad leader before him and turned as if to walk away. Yet the instant he turned, his hand drew a weapon from his waist in a fluid motion, and a razor-sharp flash of light swept across the cavalry leader. The knight was still holding the metal plaque. A fraction of a second later, the horse's head and the rider's upper torso from the chest up slid smoothly downward. At the same time, Fang Zhixin bellowed, "Strike!" Yu Lie had no idea why Fang Zhixin had turned murderous after appearing so amicable just a moment ago. But there was no time to ponder; the instant the shout went up, he kicked off the ground and lunged toward one of the cavalrymen. The riders did not panic at the sudden death of their captain. The vanguard drove forward to form an offensive line, covering their comrades who were retreating back toward the fissure. In a blur of motion, Fang Zhixin arrived at the fissure first. He fully unleashed his weapon—a flexible, whip-like longsword nearly two meters long. With a single sweep, it drew multiple circular arcs of blood through the air. The cavalrymen attempting to charge through him or ride past were decapitated and sliced to pieces, their heads and severed torsos crashing to the ground before the fissure in a heap of gore.