After the banquet concluded, the delegates of the Corporate United Syndicate filed out of the banquet hall one after another.
One delegate, however, seemed to have been delayed by some matter. It was not until half an hour later that he finally exited the hall accompanied by several aides.
In front of the hall, a man who had been waiting for quite some time stepped forward, extending both hands. "Mr. Chi, welcome to Jibei Dao."
Mr. Chi shook his hand and said, "I have brought greetings from Sir. Regarding the previous matter, Sir expressed his gratitude for your branch's handling of things. Before I set out, he specifically instructed me to convey his apologies for the trouble brought upon you."
The man respectfully replied, "It was only our duty."
Mr. Chi reached behind him. An aide immediately placed an item into his hand, which he then passed to the man before him.
"This is a token of Sir's appreciation."
The man promptly received it with both hands, bowing slightly. "Sir is far too gracious." He added, "If there is anything our Jibei Dao branch can do, please do not hesitate to ask. We will cooperate fully."
Mr. Chi said, "Aside from conveying Sir's apologies and regards, there is one more thing." He paused for a moment before continuing, "According to reliable intelligence and analysis, there is a very high probability that an item internationally known as a Steyrel-class—a Grade 3 relic—will appear this time."
The man started, his expression visibly shifting.
Internationally, relics were categorized into five grades. Grade 5 held a degree of research and reference value. Grade 4 possessed relatively high practical potential, significantly contributing to the advancement of corporate biotechnology.
When it came to Grade 3, or the Steyrel-class, every single appearance in the past had spurred groundbreaking technological leaps. Its strategic value was immeasurable.
The emergence of such an item would unquestionably draw the attention of nations across the globe.
Inwardly, he could not help but think of the Linax Federation diplomatic delegation's imminent arrival. Though there was no conclusive evidence, he suspected that their delegation might also be here because of this.
He asked, "What do you need us to do?"
Mr. Chi checked his watch. "I have another meeting shortly. After it concludes, I will coordinate the specifics with our colleagues at the branch."
The man immediately replied, "Then we shall eagerly await your presence at any time."
Mr. Chi shook hands in farewell. Flanked by his aides, he walked down the wide, long flight of steps and entered the armored limousine waiting below. Once the vehicle started, it drove across the plaza toward the prearranged conference hall, trailed closely by a convoy of armored security vehicles.
Ten minutes later, the convoy arrived in front of the conference hall arranged for them in Bainiao District. The venue had long been cleared and subjected to comprehensive security sweeps. Dozens of field-interference organisms were stationed at key positions to ensure no external field surveillance could breach the perimeter.
Upon the steps, elite Syndicate security personnel lined both sides. The area had been entirely secured and manned by their own forces.
When Mr. Chi entered the conference hall, the other ten-odd Syndicate delegates were already present. One remarked, "Mr. Chi, we were just waiting for you."
Mr. Chi offered a brief apology and took his assigned seat.
The head of the Syndicate delegation was Osbert Godwin from the Ocean Life Company. Around sixty years of age, he wore a charcoal-gray gentleman's suit, with thick silver hair and a matching beard. His eyes were deep and discerning, and upon his cheeks and neck ran extremely fine, etched implant lines.
Once Mr. Chi settled in and the doors were shut from the outside, Osbert spoke: "Now that everyone is here, let us review the current situation.
"The emergence of a Steyrel-class is enough to reshape portions of the existing technological landscape. Even if we fail to secure the relic ourselves, under no circumstances can we allow it to fall smoothly into the hands of the Great Shun government.
"Our primary task is to obtain detailed geographical data on the Jibei Dao Confluence.
"We have already conferred with numerous corporate representatives and executives in Center City, Jibei Dao. They will supply us with a portion of their exploration data, and the Municipal Council will also provide us with some assistance."
Yet even the Jibei Dao Municipal Council would not disclose all of its critical intelligence. Not out of any fierce loyalty to Great Shun, but because they understood the immense value of a relic and held their own ambitions.
At this point, one of the delegates spoke up: "Since official records remain out of our reach, perhaps we can approach this through private individuals. According to the intelligence gathered, the person most familiar with the Jibei Dao Confluence—and with the most comprehensive understanding of it—is a man named Chen Bitong.
"He was part of the Pioneer Team for many years, penetrating deep into the Confluence. In the past, a vast amount of intelligence was provided by the pioneer squad he led.
"However, according to official Great Shun reports, he sacrificed his life several months ago to hold back the forces of the old dynasty. Many of his former pioneer teammates now hold high positions in military and critical departments; they will certainly not step forward to assist us.
"Nevertheless, we have learned that Chen Bitong had a capable right-hand man who stayed by his side for years. Suspected of violating Great Shun law, he is currently on the run, and he is very likely in possession of detailed records concerning the Confluence.
"Furthermore, Chen Bitong left behind a young son, who might also hold relevant information."
Osbert tapped his knuckles on the table, producing a hollow rap. "Then our next step is to locate both of them!"
***
Around noon, the airship *Snow Goose* returned to a mooring tower in Jiyang District and docked.
Chen Chuan descended from the airship carrying the Xuejun Saber and checked the messages sent to his boundary credential.
Most of the updates had come from personnel at the Disposal Bureau.
Over the past two days, technical staff had kept Lianwei Heavy Control under continuous surveillance, transmitting every move the company made directly to him.
Several entries warranted close attention. For instance, Lianwei Heavy Control had submitted an application report to the Defense Department requesting permission to re-enter the Confluence for coordinated defense operations.
This was an obligation that every corporation was required to take part in. Regardless of how nations and corporations feuded among themselves, on the surface they maintained a unified stance against the other world. This was an obligation expected of any company established in Center City, in exchange for which they enjoyed the right to conduct commercial operations there.
Previously, because Lianwei Heavy Control had been implicated in transporting a split sub-body, the Defense Department had shut off their access, stripping them of both their duty and their privileges.
Yet through political maneuvering within the Municipal Council, the Defense Department's stance had begun to soften. The Government Affairs Hall might still manage to delay the matter, but stopping the process altogether was no longer feasible.
After all, participating in the defense against the outer world was a universally recognized principle—one virtually impossible to block.
Further down in the messages, he saw that Lianwei Heavy Control was attempting to contact the Elephant Gang, a group they had collaborated with in the past, seemingly aiming to bring them back under corporate control as a subordinate asset.
*The Elephant Gang...*
He pondered for a moment, then tapped his boundary credential to contact Tu Nai, who was now the chief of the Elephant Gang. Once the call connected, he said, "Mr. Tu, this is Chen Chuan."
Tu Nai's voice came through: "Supervisor Chen, how may I be of service?"
Chen Chuan said, "I received word that people from Lianwei Heavy Control are trying to reach out to you. I do not wish to see you cooperating with them."
"Understood!" Tu Nai agreed without a second thought. "I will not cooperate with them."
Chen Chuan said, "Mr. Tu, thank you for your cooperation."
Tu Nai immediately replied, "It is only natural. Even setting aside the fact that you helped both me and Xiaoxin, Supervisor Chen, the very fact that you reached out to tell us this personally already gives our Elephant Gang immense face."
After ending the call, Chen Chuan examined the remaining intelligence, which had been pieced together by analyzing communications and personnel contacts.
The Bureau's analysts believed that Lianwei Heavy Control intended to contest a portion of the business operations left behind by the Ferris Wheel Company.
He considered this carefully. If they were to suppress Lianwei Heavy Control, they absolutely could not allow the company to smoothly claim those Outer Ocean ventures.
While he was still turning over the details, a communication signal chimed on his boundary credential. Seeing that it was from Chang Dong, he promptly accepted the call. "Mr. Chang?"
Chang Dong said, "Supervisor Chen, the new team member assigned to us from above has arrived. However, there are some circumstances that you probably need to look into and handle yourself."
Chen Chuan answered at once, "Understood. I'll head over right away."
He left the mooring tower and boarded an armored company car sent to fetch him, returning first to his residence in Wuding District. From there, he drove alone in the Jiade car that Pan Xiaode had previously arranged to return, heading toward Hongsheng District.
He accelerated this time, reaching the open ground before their station in just over half an hour. From a distance, he could see that in the span of just a few days, Chang Dong had already overseen the erection of a simple prefabricated board house.
At the moment, Chang Dong was standing in the open space ahead alongside a woman around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.
Chen Chuan stepped out of the car and walked toward them. Chang Dong and the woman came forward to meet him. Chang Dong said, "Allow me to introduce you. This is Gao Yanjun, the new team member dispatched to us from above.
"Comrade Gao, this is Supervisor Chen. For now, until our branch is formally established, he serves as our interim head."
Gao Yanjun extended a hand. "Supervisor Chen, a pleasure."
Chen Chuan shook her hand, taking the opportunity to size her up. The new member wore decorative glasses, and her attire resembled that of an office administrator at most corporations—wavy hair cascading down, a black uniform, and high heels. Though quite attractive, her expression and tone were exceedingly solemn.
She was by no means a weak fighter. Even though she was only at the Second Limit, her fundamentals were visibly solid.
Chang Dong said, "Comrade Gao is exceptionally capable in archives management, intelligence analysis, and administrative affairs. She is also a specialist in combat nutrition and a medical orderly. With her assistance, there are many matters I will no longer have to worry about."
Chen Chuan nodded. "Mr. Chang mentioned there were circumstances I needed to know about?"
Chang Dong glanced at Gao Yanjun. "Comrade Gao, why don't you explain?"
In a flat, measured tone, Gao Yanjun said calmly, "Supervisor Chen, on my way here, I discovered that someone was tailing me the entire time.
"By my assessment, it is a Third Limit fighter. And the techniques he used bear a striking resemblance to the secret arts of our Purist Faction."
Chapter 661