The armed convoy completed a seven-hour journey and reached the Yangzhi City checkpoint near noon. After a brief halt, it drove toward the city ahead amidst the salutes of the checkpoint inspectors.
At the same time, He Fen, director of the Yangzhi Disposal Bureau branch, and Guan Yuming, chief of the constabulary, were waiting before the city entrance stretch of National Boulevard.
As an Investigation Supervisor of the Disposal Bureau and a third limit fighter, Chen Chuan had announced his trip to the Yangzhi authorities beforehand, instructing them to make prior arrangements.
Guan Yuming stood at the intersection, gazing at the wide, straight National Boulevard with mixed emotions.
Chen Chuan could be considered a junior of the constabulary. Guan Yuming had watched him rise step by step and had even lent him a helping hand along the way. He had known all along that this was an exceptionally gifted young man who was bound to reach higher ranks in the future.
Yet who could have imagined it would come so fast?
When Chen Chuan had last returned, it was with the rank of enforcement captain, which was already one grade higher than Guan Yuming. Now, however, he had become an Investigation Supervisor—a true superior official. In all of Yangzhi City, only the Civil Administrator stood on that level.
He Fen looked into the distance and checked his watch, estimating they would arrive in just a few minutes.
Transferred here from elsewhere only this year, he was not yet intimately familiar with Yangzhi's affairs. Unlike Guan Yuming, he had no deep sentimental reflections, harboring only the mindset of receiving a superior.
Turning his head, he asked, "Director Guan, I heard Supervisor Chen originally came from your constabulary?"
Guan Yuming nodded. "He is the nephew of our Captain Nian Fuli. Raised from childhood by Nian Fuli and his wife, he is truly a son of our constabulary."
He Fen smiled. "Then Director Guan is also Supervisor Chen's elder. I've never met him before, so once we meet, I'll have to ask you to put in a good word for me."
Guan Yuming said, "Supervisor Chen serves in the Disposal Bureau. Director He's words carry far more weight than mine."
As they spoke, a high-pitched, distant cry suddenly echoed from the sky. He Fen glanced up and then looked toward the end of the road. A glint flickered in his eyes, and he said with certainty, "He's here."
A moment later, Guan Yuming saw a dark speck gradually emerge along National Boulevard ahead. It grew clearer and clearer—a motorcade driving toward them.
Leading the way was an armored vehicle mounted with a machine gun, followed by the extended armored limousine and the escort vehicles trailing behind.
Spotting the people waiting ahead, the lead armored vehicle immediately reported back using the convoy's field organism, pulling over to the roadside after reaching a certain distance.
The limousine cruised forward, gradually slowing before coming to a stop. The door opened, and Chen Chuan stepped out.
He wore a peaked service cap, protective gloves on his hands, and the military greatcoat of an Investigation Supervisor. Borne by the upright posture unique to fighters, he looked exceptionally formidable and heroic.
Upon his appearance, someone in the reception party barked, "Salute!" All the constabulary and Disposal Bureau personnel present snapped to attention with a crisp, unified salute.
Chen Chuan stood still, returned the salute, and then walked forward until he reached the two men. He greeted Guan Yuming first: "Director Guan." Then, looking at He Fen, he extended his hand. "Director He, greetings."
He Fen immediately stepped forward half a pace, clasping Chen Chuan's hand with both of his, and warmly said, "Supervisor Chen, I've heard colleagues speak of you constantly. Deputy Director Fang even called me earlier specifically commending your achievements. Hearing of them has filled me with the deepest admiration."
Chen Chuan understood; this man was Deputy Director Fang's subordinate. He said, "I am merely returning home for a visit. The higher-ups required advance notice, but I did not intend to disturb either of you."
He Fen said, "Supervisor Chen is an officer from headquarters. For a subordinate like me to come out and welcome you is only proper. Otherwise, people would say I don't know my place."
Guan Yuming said, "On official duty, you are a superior; in private, you are the finest prodigy to come out of our constabulary. By reason and sentiment alike, I ought to come greet you."
Chen Chuan said, "Director Guan is too modest."
Guan Yuming took on a solemn expression. "Also, before I left, Civil Administrator Zhu gave me a call specifically to convey his regards."
Chen Chuan gave a slight nod. "Then please convey my thanks to Administrator Zhu."
"I will pass it along," Guan Yuming said.
He Fen beamed and added, "Supervisor Chen, we've prepared a banquet for you at the bureau branch to welcome you and wash off the dust of travel. We hope you will grace us with your presence."
Chen Chuan replied, "Back when I lived in Yangzhi, I never had the chance to visit the branch. As a member of the Disposal Bureau, now that I'm back in Yangzhi, I should certainly share a meal there."
He Fen's smile broadened even further. "This subordinate will be sure to host you properly, Supervisor."
After finishing their pleasantries, Chen Chuan and the others returned to their respective vehicles. The cars merged together and, guided by the lead clearing vehicle, drove off toward the Yangzhi Disposal Bureau branch.
Inside the Yangzhi Municipal Administration, Civil Administrator Zhu Xian was currently on the phone.
"He's been received? My regards delivered? Good. Be sure the reception arrangements for Supervisor Chen are handled flawlessly."
Putting down the receiver, he could not help but sigh with deep emotion. A few years ago, he had met Chen Chuan once. At the time, he had merely considered him an exceptional youth and hadn't given him much thought afterward. Who would have guessed that in such a short time, Chen Chuan would stand as his equal?
Not even three years, was it?
He himself had crawled and clawed through the local administration for decades before reaching this position.
Yet he understood as well that the times were different now. Capable fighters rose fast indeed; sometimes, a single opportunity could send one soaring into the sky. Over the years, he had seen many such examples.
While in terms of practical authority, they might not compare to a local administrator governing millions of people, once major conflict and confrontation erupted, figures of the martial faction were the ones given priority throughout the overarching system.
His secretary beside him ventured, "I wonder whether Supervisor Chen is returning in glory or has some other purpose in mind?"
Zhu Xian said, "It isn't that complicated. In the eyes of Center City, Yangzhi is merely a small backwater. Without Molan Company, they wouldn't spare it a second glance." He waved his hand. "Just receive him according to protocol." After a pause, he added, "If anything unusual happens, notify me immediately."
The secretary nodded.
During Chen Chuan's previous two visits to Yangzhi, he had only made a phone call to his aunt's family, causing no stir.
This time, however, before he had even arrived, word had spread across the constabulary residential compound. Everyone knew Chen Chuan had assumed a higher office in Center City, and that even Chief Guan had gone out in person to greet him at the city approach.
Astonishment and envy filled every heart, everyone marveling that the Nian household was truly rising in the world.
And it was not just the constabulary and the Disposal Bureau. Wuyi College had received word as well; after all, Wuyi College and the Disposal Bureau were two sides of the same coin, and Chen Chuan was an alumnus of Wuyi. They shared in the honor.
Cheng Zitong had received the news early on, beaming with pride wherever he went these past few days. The moment he heard Chen Chuan's convoy had entered the city, he snatched up the phone and dialed a number. "Lao Qian, I'm looking for Senior Brother."
The reply came immediately from the other end: "Supervisor Cheng, the Master isn't here."
"Not here? Where did he go?" Cheng Zitong was rather surprised.
Lao Qian answered, "Well, the school term is drawing to an end, and a new semester will be starting soon. The Master got in touch with Center City and arranged to take the Young Master there so he could acclimate early. So, two days ago, he set off for Center City with him."
"Oh... isn't Senior Brother in a bit too much of a hurry? Why didn't he mention it to me beforehand so I could see him off?"
Lao Qian said, "The Master said that with the semester ending, Director Cheng would be at his busiest, so there was no need to trouble you."
Cheng Zitong sighed. "Senior Brother is always so considerate of me. All right then. Whenever Senior Brother gets back or calls, let me know. Don't forget, Lao Qian."
Lao Qian replied respectfully, "Director Cheng, of course."
Hanging up the phone, Lao Qian turned around. Qiao Linhu was sitting right there, accompanied by his student, with packed luggage sitting all around them.
He said, "Master, Director Cheng has been informed."
Qiao Linhu grunted in acknowledgment.
Hearing a car horn honk outside, he stood up at once and said in a low voice, "Let's go."
With that, he walked swiftly toward the exit.
His disciple hurried after him.
Once Qiao Linhu got into the car, waiting only until his disciple and all the attendants had boarded and every bag and case was loaded, he urged in a low voice, "Go. Don't take the main gate—leave through the college's back entrance."
His demeanor made everyone intensely nervous; those in the know knew he was going to Center City, while those who didn't would have thought he was fleeing for his life.
Not long after his car departed, before the scent of algae oil had even dissipated, another vehicle drove up and pulled over in front of the residence's gate.
Cheng Zitong stepped out, took off his sunglasses, and looked at the firmly locked gate. "Ah, he really left. Well, so much for mooching a free meal."
Looking toward the distance, he shouted at the top of his voice, "Senior Brother, safe travels!"
His voice carried far on the wind.
He stood there watching for a moment, then chuckled, put his sunglasses back on, got back into the car, and drove away.
The convoy drove into the city. As they passed through the city center, Chen Chuan glanced toward the former site of the Molan Company Building.
It had clearly undergone a major overhaul. The exterior walls were a uniform, gleaming metallic silver, and at the center was the emblem of Yuangan Company—resembling a metallic gear chassis overlaid with protruding, overlapping faceted plates.
In the middle of the plaza stood an all-metal sculpture featuring several support legs, its upper section seemingly covered by a folded carapace.
An ordinary person might not be able to tell what it was, but to him, it bore a certain resemblance to an active conscious entity.
Chen Chuan observed it for a moment, cast another look toward the top of the building, and finally looked away.
The convoy swept past beneath the plaza sculpture and, under the watchful eyes of the armed personnel in the plaza, drove into the Disposal Bureau's nearby administration building.
Chapter 609