Edge

Chen Chuan was not at all surprised by the countercharges brought by Ji Xinmin and his two companions. It was a well-worn trick. Not only were there countless precedents, but he had encountered something similar before. No evidence, you say? If there was no evidence, it could be fabricated. Then a steady stream of new evidence and witnesses would be produced, followed by endless rounds of verification and inquiries in an unbroken loop. With the backing of certain legal technicalities, the matter could be dragged out indefinitely, ensuring it would never reach a definitive conclusion. Seeing Chen Chuan's calm demeanor, Chief Wu knew he was already well aware of how things worked. Even so, he cautioned, "The Grey Shell Affairs Agency is closely tied to members of the Municipal Council, so you must stay on guard. "These people have ample financial backing and manpower. They are very likely to keep tangling with you over this, constantly draining your time and energy. "Behind the scenes, they may prompt people you know to persuade you, or resort to even dirtier, underhanded methods to apply pressure until you back down or admit defeat on your own." Chen Chuan asked, "Does Chief Wu have any advice?" Chief Wu replied, "In a matter like this, the choice ultimately rests with you. If you intend to see it through to the end, the bureau will back you. That isn't just my stance—it's the consensus of the other chiefs as well. "The bureau can step forward as guarantor to shield you from subpoenas. Any legal costs for appearing before the Tribunal can also be covered under public expenditures. On this point, we are united: we will protect our own personnel. "However, this could drag on for years, or even longer, before yielding any resolution. Even if you aren't subpoenaed, they'll find other ways to disrupt you. Don't underestimate this; over time, the cumulative toll on your focus and schedule can be immense." His voice dropped lower. "There have been precedents before, and more than one. In the beginning, they were just as confident, believing they could fight to the bitter end. But in the end, they either requested a transfer or agreed to terms and settled with the opposition, which left the bureau in an awkward position." Chen Chuan gave a slight nod. He understood. If the bureau's support ended in defeat time and again, then having it would eventually be no different from having none at all. While it caused little apparent harm to the Disposal Bureau on the surface, it dealt a severe blow to internal cohesion and morale. However, what set him apart from those previously forced to compromise was that Ji Xinmin and his companions were from the Refinement School. Knowing full well that he had joined the Purist Faction, they had still attempted to win him over, even resorting to extra underhanded methods. Seen in a broader light, this was already entangled in a sectarian struggle. After exhausting the pure substance, Chen Chuan had sent a telegram via the frequency Chang Dong had given him. While agreeing to allocate him more pure substance, the faction had also informed him that someone would be sent to handle this matter within a day or two at most, telling him to simply sit tight. In truth, even if no resolution was reached, it hardly mattered. There was no telling when the Great Collision would strike. What did dragging things out for years matter then? When that day came, whether existing rules would survive was anyone's guess. In the end, martial might would decide everything. Still, he was grateful for Chief Wu's well-meaning advice and assistance. "Thank you, Chief Wu." Chief Wu said, "You are one of our Disposal Bureau's own, and you hold both the evidence and proper justification. The bureau will definitely support you. Still, I must remind you: while we can protect you personally, we cannot cover every front. Supervisor Chen, you need to consider how to handle what comes next." Chen Chuan nodded. "I believe I can find a way." Chief Wu studied him, then asked abruptly, "Do you know who is behind them?" Aware that Chief Wu was referring to their true affiliations, Chen Chuan gave an affirmative answer. "I do." Chief Wu nodded and patted him on the shoulder. "As long as you know what you're doing. If you run into anything you truly cannot handle on your own, remember to turn to the bureau for help." Chen Chuan agreed. With their conversation concluded, he stepped out of the conference room. As he walked down the corridor, his thoughts unexpectedly drifted to Supervisor Han, whom he had met earlier. Although that supervisor had maintained a cold exterior, Chen Chuan had sensed an underlying hostility directed at him. He had his suspicions. Pulling up Han's file, he found only basic information concerning age and career history. Supervisor Han had graduated from a local Wuyi academy and likewise risen through the ranks from the bottom. He had distinguished himself repeatedly in his youth, yet his position had remained unchanged until he turned thirty-five. Over the past decade, his career had advanced steadily, and he had held his current post as supervisor for three years. Beyond that, there was little else. After a moment's reflection, Chen Chuan paused by a corridor window and contacted Ni Xixi. A moment later, the call connected. "Sister Ni?" Ni Xixi gave a soft exclamation and said hurriedly, "You're a supervisor now. While we're at the bureau, address me by my title." Chen Chuan smiled. "All right, Officer Ni. There's something I wanted to ask you about." He paused, then asked, "What do you know about Supervisor Han?" "Supervisor Han?" Ni Xixi thought for a moment. "Hold on a second." Chen Chuan heard the click of high heels as she stepped outside. A moment later, her voice returned. "I hear Supervisor Han was quite famous in his youth, but he was wounded during an operation and transferred to an idle post, essentially shelved for over a decade. "However, his grandfather's generation supposedly held very high offices, reportedly handling corporate affairs. Word is that because of this connection, he can still reach corporate executives today, including contacts with some foreign entities..." Chen Chuan listened intently. Ni Xixi did not know a great deal, and much of it was unverified office gossip, yet several points were worth pondering. When she finished, he thanked her, promised to treat her to a meal another day, and ended the call. Walking out of the corridor, he looked up and saw Officer Qiu waiting for him. The latter offered a smiling salute. "Supervisor Chen, there are a few documents that require your signature." Chen Chuan took them and looked them over. They were exemption forms regarding both state conscription and Confluence conscription. Under normal circumstances, as a third limit fighter, responding to such calls was an obligation. Now, however, as an Investigation Supervisor of the Disposal Bureau, he was considered an upper-middle official of Center City, having effectively stepped back from the front lines of direct combat. Unless an emergency mobilization was declared, or he requested a transfer or volunteered, he would no longer be subject to mandatory service. Even so, in the event of an extreme emergency, everyone in the Disposal Bureau from top to bottom—regardless of status—was expected to take the field so long as they retained combat capability. It was simply that such a crisis had not yet occurred. After reviewing them, he accepted the pen Officer Qiu offered and signed both documents. Officer Qiu took them back and presented another sheet. "Supervisor Chen, there is also this one. Please sign here as well." Chen Chuan took it and glanced over the details. It pertained to the distribution of his cultivation resources, especially special medicine. Even if he did not venture into the Confluence, his current post entitled him to a designated quota. He could not help but reflect inwardly. Frontline combatants might receive substantial rewards, but a clear gap remained between them and true administrators, for the latter held the power to control and allocate resources. If not for joining a faction or signing certain agreements with the government or corporations, the post he currently held would have been the ceiling of his advancement. He signed that form as well and handed it back to Officer Qiu, who gave another salute before departing with the documents. Chen Chuan made his way outside. Leaving the Disposal Bureau and returning to his car, he considered his situation. The medicines supplied by Convergence Boundary Company were already sufficient for his daily training. In truth, his physical cultivation had drawn close to his true personal limit. Consuming the pure substance had expanded his potential once more, raising that ceiling slightly, but on the whole, the next step was already in sight. It might take only a few months; all that remained after that would be the pure refinement of his spirit. And then there was his second self. His plan was for the second self to match his present level, merge back into a single whole, and only then take the step beyond the limit, transcending theoretical perfection. To achieve such an ambition, solitary training alone would not suffice; he would need worthy opponents. In Center City, however, that was perhaps the one thing never in short supply. Not to mention that mid- to late September would see the arrival of diplomatic delegations from the Consortium and the Linax Federation—only a couple of weeks away. One could well imagine that Center City would be far from peaceful then. Once he no longer required the special medicine himself, he could bestow the excess upon capable, promising individuals. Those who commanded resources naturally drew strength to their side. *** Just as Chen Chuan departed the Disposal Bureau, Wei Dong and Wu Han were making their way toward an abandoned residential building on the fringes of Shenwei District. Today, the two had taken on a contract to rescue a hostage held by gang members. Both carried their customary weapons—Wu Han held a short spear, while Wei Dong wore customized gauntlets—and each wore a protective suit purchased out of pocket. Approaching the flank of the building, Wu Han used the cover to glance upward. "Junior brother, usual routine. You draw their attention from the front, and I'll slip in from the side to secure the hostage." They had handled many such commissions. Bandits like these rarely possessed high-level martial prowess. After all, if someone had reached an impressive level, why would they be reduced to common kidnapping? A sudden ambush was usually all it took to settle the matter. Uncharacteristically, Wei Dong did not reply. Wu Han glanced at him, puzzled. Wei Dong said quietly, "I have a bad feeling." Wu Han looked at him in surprise. Wei Dong was never one to back down from a fight, yet his instincts were consistently sharp. If he claimed to have a bad feeling, there was an eighty percent chance something was off. Having carried out numerous missions together, they had braved plenty of perils. Wu Han trusted Wei Dong implicitly. Moreover, he suddenly recalled that Chen Chuan had recently warned them to exercise extreme caution in everything they did. Glancing up at the building, Wu Han made an instant call. "Then we don't go in. Fall back!"