Ambush

At 10:12, Supervisor Wen arrived at the agreed rendezvous point by train. The group stepped down from the train and walked toward the entrance of the passage. Among the personnel he had brought this time, in addition to his usual trusted right-hand men, there were also people supplied to them by other Center Cities. Supervisor Wen had no intention of using these newcomers as his main force, instead relegating them to the reserves. For one thing, personnel from other Center Cities were unlikely to give their all. Furthermore, since others had placed trust in them, they could hardly treat another city's men as cannon fodder. When they reached the position, a squad immediately stepped forward and saluted. "Supervisor!" Supervisor Wen returned the salute and asked, "Is everything ready?" "Ready, sir." Supervisor Wen surveyed his surroundings and tapped his boundary credential. Finding the communication channels clear and receiving responses from personnel stationed at every key point, he nodded slightly. For this operation, he had sent people ahead to inspect the terrain and post scouts, and they had long since deployed field organisms, jamming organisms, and a few simple, concealed fortifications. A local garrison lay just seventeen or eighteen minutes away, and a substantial portion of their ammunition and food supplies had been transported from there. In fact, had this passage not fallen under the Municipal Council's control, the garrison would have been even closer to keep constant watch over who came and went. Yet the reality was quite the opposite. Lush woods blocked the view all around, making it difficult for the garrison to see this spot. The closest structures were a makeshift maintenance checkpoint and a watchtower perched on high ground. Supervisor Wen glanced toward the watchtower on the distant high slope. It commanded a clear view over the entire area, making it a critical position. However, because of the distance, direct communication via boundary credentials was difficult. He asked, "Is that side secured?" An aide answered, "Secured, sir. Supervisor Han sent men there, and we also posted our own people. They confirmed by telegraph ten minutes ago." Supervisor Wen pondered briefly, then said, "Contact them once more via ciphered wire." "Yes, sir!" A moment later, the aide returned to report, "Supervisor, everything is confirmed clear." Supervisor Wen said, "Remember to check once more before the operation begins." The aide acknowledged the order. "Also..." Supervisor Wen tapped his boundary credential several times, stationing several vehicles at designated positions to maintain telegraph communication at all times. If an emergency signal was sighted, they were to retreat toward the garrison immediately. "Understood!" Only after making all necessary arrangements did Supervisor Wen head over to meet with Supervisor Han and reconfirm the deployment of their respective forces. This time, Supervisor Han was responsible for cutting off the retreat route, while Wen would launch an assault from the flank. They had deployed numerous mortars and machine guns, fighting on a prearranged battlefield where they held an absolute advantage. As long as they prevented the enemy's powerful fighters from mounting a counter-charge, nothing could go wrong. And if powerful fighters did advance, that was precisely what they wanted to see. When the time came, they would step in personally to intercept and eliminate them. Once those threats were purged, the remaining host would pose no concern. After inspecting the defensive positions in person, Supervisor Wen parted ways with Supervisor Han and returned to his post. He checked his watch: 11:22. If the schedule held, personnel from the Linax Federation would arrive in about ten minutes. Just then, an armored vehicle drove up from the direction near the railway tracks. Because the area had long been cordoned off, Disposal Bureau operatives moved forward to halt it. Yet after the occupants presented their credentials, the guards were forced to let them pass. Surprised to hear the identities of the newcomers, Supervisor Wen flagged Supervisor Han over his boundary credential. "Something's come up. I'll go handle it first." Supervisor Han saw it as well. "Handle it quickly. They'll be here soon." Supervisor Wen waved a hand and walked toward the armored vehicle. Two men wearing fedoras and black trench coats stepped out. As they approached, one of them showed his identification badge. "We are investigators from the General Affairs Bureau. There is a case that requires Supervisor Wen's cooperation. Please come with us." The other man held out an investigation warrant. Supervisor Wen grew even more puzzled. While the General Affairs Bureau held the authority to inspect and question officials, rank and post still mattered. For someone of his standing, even if there were an issue, advance notice was customary. They should not have blindsided him like this, much less demanded to take him away. However, investigation warrants were usually issued in emergencies, and even at his rank, he had an obligation to comply. He said, "Gentlemen, I am currently engaged in a critical mission. Could you wait a short while? Once this matter is resolved, I will leave with you." One of the General Affairs Bureau agents shook his head and said in a grave tone, "Apologies, Supervisor Wen, but it is not that we are unwilling to accommodate you. The matter we are investigating is directly connected to what you are doing right now. Otherwise, higher-ups would not have sent us in such haste. We must ask you to return with us immediately to cooperate with the inquiry. Please forgive us." Supervisor Wen frowned. He glanced back; after just a few sentences, several minutes had slipped by. Under current circumstances, as long as the operation went smoothly, they stood a real chance of intercepting the Linax Federation operatives right here. If he left, the entire operation might collapse at the final hurdle. He truly did not want to abandon it. Just as he was about to press his case further, Supervisor Han appeared to notice the trouble and drove over. Stepping out of his car, he said, "Supervisor Wen, less than three minutes left. We've already spotted the Linax Federation's advance party. We must finish preparations immediately." He looked at the two arrivals. "General Affairs Bureau?" Supervisor Wen gave a helpless nod. Supervisor Han said, "The General Affairs Bureau wants Supervisor Wen? Did you provide prior notice?" The agents ignored Han's question and kept their eyes on Supervisor Wen. One of them said slowly, "Wen Xianchu, Chief Wu also hopes you will cooperate." Supervisor Wen froze. Chief Wu was currently undergoing questioning; protocol barred him from communicating with the outside or issuing directives to subordinates. Had this been before the inquiry? Furthermore, "Wen Xianchu" was a pen name he had used in correspondence long ago, known only to Chief Wu. He had no idea what Chief Wu intended by this, but as an old subordinate, he would not question it further. He said, "Very well. I will go back with you." Turning back, Supervisor Wen spoke apologetically to Supervisor Han, "Old Han, my apologies. I'm going with them, but I'll transfer my personnel to your command so they can support you with everything they have." Supervisor Han looked at the two agents. "May I have a word with Supervisor Wen?" The two agents exchanged glances and offered no objection, tacitly consenting. Supervisor Wen stepped aside with Supervisor Han, apologizing as they walked, "Old Han, I'm truly sorry, but this is Chief Wu's intent. I have to obey." "I understand. Unforeseen developments happen; no one could have anticipated this. Some things simply cannot go one hundred percent according to plan. But it doesn't matter. There is still a way to make up for it..." As Supervisor Han reached this point, he abruptly threw a punch toward Supervisor Wen's chest and abdomen. The strike was impossibly fast, made all the more lethal by the close distance. With a booming crash, Supervisor Wen managed against all odds to raise a hand and block the blow. A ring of surging qi erupted outward from the point of impact. Their Mind Jin collided in that instant, but because Supervisor Wen was defending rather than initiating, he bore the brunt of the disadvantage. The palm and arm he used to block felt as though sliced by countless blades, fine lacerations splitting across his skin. A large hole burst open across his back, his clothing and protective coat tearing apart with a sharp crack. This was Supervisor Han's signature technique: Three-Phase Jin. This jin possessed three variations: one as fine as gossamer thread, drilling straight into an opponent's heart to detonate it from within; the second like countless blades shearing bone and flesh; the third ensnaring the foe, leaving them no way to break free. Which variation manifested was entirely governed by the practitioner's will. Deflecting and neutralizing such force severely tested an opponent's judgment. If one misjudged the variation and applied the wrong defensive technique, the invading force would penetrate unchecked. It was exceptionally difficult to guard against, and launched from such sudden ambush, its lethality doubled. By parrying the blow, Supervisor Wen had not only accurately read the shifting jin in the nick of time, but had also managed in that frantic heartbeat to divert the invading force through his back to erupt outward, preventing it from settling inside his body. Thus, though he appeared battered on the surface, his actual injuries were not severe. In that clash, Supervisor Han was likewise jarred by Wen's retaliatory force. Staggering backward, unable to follow up immediately, Han stared at Wen and muttered, "Void-Anchoring Jin...?" Void-Anchoring Jin excelled at restricting opponents. Once struck by its Mind Jin, a target would involuntarily seize with numbness, their reactions, speed, and power completely stifled. In three years as colleagues, Han had never learned what kind of jin Supervisor Wen practiced. He had been slightly affected as well, but because Wen's force had been mobilized in extreme haste, the hindrance was minor. Instantly dissipating the lingering force, Han pushed off his toes and charged toward Wen once more. Meanwhile, the General Affairs Bureau agents reacted swiftly to the sudden turn of events, drawing their sidearms. Yet before they could aim, gunshots rang out from Supervisor Han's parked car nearby. Two sharp cracks shattered their skulls one after the other. Supervisor Wen's gaze turned grim. At the same time, he noticed a harsh static buzzing in his ears—a sign that their communications were being jammed by a field organism. He did not bother asking why Supervisor Han had turned on him. From the moment the blow was struck, questions no longer mattered. Just as he tried to adjust his stance to meet Supervisor Han's next strike, a figure suddenly burst from the dedicated car, appearing beside him almost instantaneously. Arriving with that figure was an extraordinarily overwhelming sense of oppression.