After returning to the Disposal Bureau, Chen Chuan first had Supervisor Wen's remains sent to the mortuary hall and instructed staff to notify Wen's family. Once the arrangements were made, he walked toward his office.
By now, the signal on his boundary credential had been restored, and Andun's voice sounded:
"Supervisor Chen, Andun at your service. By authorization of Bureau Director Wei and Deputy Director Wu, you have assumed the bureau's highest authority. What are your orders?"
Chen Chuan said, "Andun, find out the identities of everyone Han Fu tried to contact just now, as well as those brought by Wang Weiguang."
"Understood. Initiating check..."
Chen Chuan entered his office and drew back the curtains, looking out across the plaza below toward Center City in the distance. The airships outside had already withdrawn, and all the arrest personnel and vehicles that had been rushing toward the scene had vanished without a trace.
That Wang Weiguang had been able to obtain authorization and release Han Fu was by the bureau's deliberate design, with one primary purpose: to purge all internal rot within the Disposal Bureau once and for all.
If they had relied on ordinary methods to weed them out slowly, there was no telling how long it would have taken, and the vermin lurking in the shadows might never have been flushed out so cleanly.
In times like this, only strong medicine could yield immediate results.
And the premise of all this was the backing of absolute martial might, capable of swiftly severing any external interference and ensuring the matter could be brought to a safe and definitive conclusion.
As Center City's organ of state violence, once the Disposal Bureau was free of internal trouble, more than half of the government's domestic problems were resolved.
Just then, the boundary credential chimed. A list of names appeared on the screen, all of them individuals Han Fu had contacted moments ago. Several held key posts; one was even a supervisor of equal rank to Chen Chuan, albeit an administrative supervisor in charge of daily affairs.
He immediately ordered their duties suspended, directing that all of them be arrested and transported to headquarters.
As for the people brought by Wang Weiguang, their identities had also been uncovered: every single one belonged to the Gray Shell Agency.
Chen Chuan nodded. No wonder Wang Weiguang had managed to gather so many capable fighters at once. He recalled that this agency worked for the Refined Practice School. Last time, they had paid a price to slip away, but since they had meddled in the Disposal Bureau's internal affairs this time, this was the perfect opportunity to seize on it and tear them up by the roots.
Another call came through the boundary credential. Glancing at the caller ID, he answered.
"Director Wei?"
Director Wei's voice came through: "I already know what just happened, and I've informed Principal Yao. Principal Yao asked me to pass along a message: the Municipal Council will likely reach out to you for negotiations very soon, Supervisor Chen.
"Principal Yao said to fight for whatever benefits ought to be fought for. If they offer you certain things, don't refuse them when the time comes. Some problems can't be solved in a single stroke. Solidify your own position first, and secure whatever you can get your hands on."
Chen Chuan immediately understood. He nodded and said, "Director Wei, please let Principal Yao know that I understand."
"Good. Keep in touch. If there is anything you find inconvenient to handle personally, just say the word and I can step in for you."
"All right. Thank you, Director Wei."
After ending the call, Chen Chuan noticed that with communications restored, his device was inundated with voice messages and texts from people he knew well.
Among them were squad members such as Yuan Qiuyuan and Wei Chang'an, as well as classmates from Wuyi Academy like Tan Zhi and Pan Xiaode—and one of them was from Chen Xiaojin.
He opened them and replied one by one, finally dialing Gao Ming's number. When the line connected, Gao Ming's voice came through:
"Cousin, the Consortium and the Linakes Federation have withdrawn their charges and requests for questioning against you. Do you want me to follow up on this, Cousin?"
Chen Chuan said, "Gao Ming, let's hold off for now. We can discuss it when we meet later."
Meanwhile, media outlets throughout Center City quickly broadcast explanations and clarifications on behalf of the Municipal Council, claiming that the returning personnel were entirely blameless and that someone had willfully slandered and framed them.
It had now been verified, they asserted, that the Crisis Affairs Center had committed administrative errors, leading to this severe incident. The Crisis Affairs Center bore full responsibility, and before long, the principal figures involved and councilors appeared on screen to issue public apologies.
Whether they were actually the real individuals was anyone's guess.
Yet many people cared little about that. The true impact of the clash on the plaza was the astonishing destructive power Chen Chuan had displayed.
Many could not fathom what had just occurred. Some speculated whether it was due to some extraordinary implant, yet it remained nearly impossible to conceive that such power could belong to a single human being.
In truth, even among third limit fighters, very few had ever witnessed a martial artist in action, but that did not stop certain fighters from understanding what it meant.
Shivers ran through the bodies of many. Gazing at the frozen silhouette on their screens, their eyes filled with a kind of fanaticism and reverence, alongside a yearning for higher limits—an emotion and atmosphere that steadily spread throughout the city.
Meanwhile, on the Consortium's side, the field screens before their delegates continued to flicker intermittently.
This was caused by the impact of a martial artist's spirit and field power, which interfered with the surrounding field signals and might take some time to dissipate completely.
One delegate spoke gravely: "Fellow delegates, we must now reevaluate whether continued support for the Municipal Council aligns with our interests.
"A martial artist who has never appeared before, and one who has held key government positions at that, is unquestionably aligned with the Great Shun government. Not to mention, he already has considerable friction with the Municipal Council.
"This means Jibei Dao now has two martial artists present simultaneously. At this stage, the Municipal Council is at a disadvantage in top-tier martial power. I strongly doubt whether they can still adhere to their previous decisions and the agreements reached with us."
Someone raised a counterpoint: "For now, the Municipal Council has not abandoned their stance. They are still trying to seek our aid. But if we do not give a positive response, it will indeed be difficult for them to withstand such pressure. I remind you all that in that case, the greatest loss will still be our own interests."
Other delegates voiced their opinions on the matter as well. Amid the debate, one delegate interjected: "Gentlemen, before we settle that, shouldn't we consider having Mr. Prabhakar move closer?
"As you know, we don't know what that martial artist is thinking, but I suspect it was precisely his presence that caused us to fail in competing for the relic. In that case, he may harbor hostility toward us. We need to guarantee our own safety."
The delegates fell silent for a brief moment, but then almost everyone voiced agreement.
A martial artist had accompanied the Linakes Federation diplomatic mission to Jibei Dao. At present, he was staying on an island not far from White Bird District—or more precisely, aboard an airship moored there.
Although this martial artist did not belong to them, they and the Linakes Federation diplomatic mission were allies in the current affair, and only having another martial artist closer to them could give them a sufficient sense of security.
The Consortium immediately contacted and conferred with the Linakes Federation team. Having secured their consent, they dispatched a liaison officer, who flew on a small airship to the airship docked at the anchorage.
Granted permission to enter, the liaison stepped through the doors and was greeted by the sight of an immense figure lying on his side on a divan with eyes closed, resting his head on one hand. At a glance, he was over five meters long.
He had deep-set eyes, a prominent nose, a broad, heavy build, and thick, powerful limbs. Beaded bracelets encircled his wrists and ankles, and he wore loose robes, bearing distinct physical traits of the Chiluojiaduo people.
Several handmaidens draped in gossamer veils were applying medicinal fluids to his body and striking various parts of his frame with heavy mallets. Each of these busy maidens was tall and slender, yet before him, they appeared remarkably diminutive.
The liaison bowed respectfully. "Master Prabhakar, forgive me for intruding upon your cultivation."
Prabhakar opened his eyes. They were dark brown, yet like polished gems, gleaming with a soul-stirring brilliance. In a deep, measured voice, he said, "You would not come to me unless it were urgent. Speak."
The liaison quickly explained the situation in Center City. "Due to past tensions, the delegates are very uneasy. We hope Master Prabhakar can relocate closer to White Bird District."
Prabhakar said, "If the Great Shun government permits it, I don't mind moving closer. It is dull here anyway. But in my view, you needn't be so terrified, for this gentleman's actions are actually quite gentle."
"Gentle?"
The liaison was thoroughly astonished. "Master, you say he is gentle?"
"Is he not?"
Prabhakar said, "If he truly acted without restraint, he would not have targeted only those who attacked him. He would have slaughtered everyone he could kill and destroyed everything he could destroy. I have seen such things before. After all, a beast lurks within the heart of every man; when the cage binding it ceases to exist, it devours all the flesh and blood around it."
A chill ran through the liaison, and he said hurriedly, "In that case, all of Center City could be destroyed..."
"Yes, that is an attachment—your attachment, but not necessarily his," Prabhakar said with a faint, enigmatic smile. "If one does not care and does not mind, then there are no attachments.
"If you wish to ensure your safety, then consider what he needs and what can appease him. Restraint born from within is often far more effective than force applied from without."
The liaison grew thoughtful. "I think I understand."
Prabhakar said, "Of course, I will have the airship move forward as you request. I know that no matter how much comfort I offer, so long as I do not appear there, they will never truly be at ease, and you will find it hard to give an account back home."
Pressing a hand to his chest, the liaison bowed deeply and said with gratitude, "Thank you for your understanding, Master."
Half an hour later, the massive airship rose slowly into the upper sky and drifted toward White Bird District. It did not approach entirely, however, halting and hovering at a spot plainly visible to anyone in White Bird District who glanced up.
Chapter 781