That evening, everyone from the Purist Faction's Jibei Dao branch shared a meal together, followed by a brief meeting where they outlined their general development strategy going forward.
For now, their primary focus was on expanding the branch, recruiting members, and gathering strength, avoiding any deliberate conflicts with other schools.
As for the branch's funding, since it was still in its founding stages, headquarters would allocate an initial sum, though the branch itself would also cover a portion of its expenses.
Chang Dong currently held investments in multiple ventures, especially now that companies like Yuanren Company were moving into Hongsheng District. Their ambitious project aimed to renovate more than half of the aging district, making this the prime moment to buy in.
Around eight in the evening, Chen Chuan drove Xu Chan back to his residence in Weiguang District. Once home, he hung a conceptual sketch of the branch that Chang Dong had given him on the wall in the lounge area.
The drawing showed that once completed, the branch would center around a tower-like structure set atop a raised platform, surrounded by various supporting buildings.
According to Chang Dong, Purist Faction branch architecture typically followed this exact layout. This central tower was called the "Pivot Pillar," and its primary purpose was defense.
This was a tradition handed down from the old era. In the early days, Purist Faction members frequently ventured into the Melded Lands or crossed directly into the world beyond to battle the entities there, and during that period, the Pivot Pillar served as a foothold and refuge situated right at the mouth of a fissure.
If the site ever required expansion, outer layers could be added tier by tier, complete with internal passageways and checkpoints. If the outer perimeter fell, defenders could retreat inward, effectively creating a compound fortress. Beyond the aboveground structures, several underground tunnels were also built for emergency evacuation.
For the time being, the branch's blueprint called for only six or seven stories—just enough to be functional without any excess embellishments. Yet the evacuation routes had not been forgotten; excavation and construction had begun immediately.
In Chang Dong's words, if anyone ever attacked the branch, there would be nothing to worry about as long as Chen Chuan was there. And if he wasn't, there would be no point in putting up a desperate defense; abandoning the post would be better. People were what truly mattered, and there was no need to fight to the death over mere walls.
Of course, that was also because the branch currently had very few members and little of high value. Once it expanded down the line, matters would be different.
Chen Chuan gazed at the sketch. Whether now or in the future, the opponents and enemies the Purist Faction faced were far from simple.
One thing at a time; first, he had to resolve the matters before him.
Right now, he needed to find the mentor of his host's mother and ask about the events of the past. To locate her, he simply had to inquire with Old Lady Ni, who had gifted him the Xuejun Saber back then.
He immediately stepped over, picked up the telephone receiver, and instructed his dedicated telegraph operator to dispatch a wire back to Yangzhi City.
Since it was already late, he assumed Old Lady Ni had gone to sleep, so rather than wait by the receiver, he returned to the underground training hall to cultivate.
Around eight o'clock the following morning, the telephone in the living room rang.
Chen Chuan was feeding Chaoming. Hearing the chime, he came upstairs, lifted the receiver, and said, "Chen Chuan speaking."
Old Lady Ni's voice came through. "Young Brother Chen, I received your telegram. This old woman wakes early; I hope I didn't interrupt your rest."
Chen Chuan replied earnestly, "Not at all, Senior. It is I who am disturbing you."
He remained deeply grateful for the gift of the Xuejun Saber. Mutated weapons were not easy to come by; among the adversaries he had faced, nearly all who possessed such armaments were accomplished adepts of the third limit.
Old Lady Ni did not indulge in lengthy chatter. After a couple of pleasantries, she cut straight to the point: "Back then, my junior sister Fang Zhuoying and I studied under Master Chi Yun, a renowned northern martial artist of the old era. My junior sister upheld our master's principles, and after he passed away, she went abroad to promote our school's martial philosophy.
"She has established an academy and takes disciples in Ba'erketu Center City of the Biesa Khanate, where she is a well-known martial arts teacher. We haven't spoken in a very long time, but if you wish to find her, you can contact her by telegram..." She then gave him the telegraph address.
Chen Chuan said solemnly, "Thank you, Senior."
"No need for thanks. Being able to help you young people shows this old woman is still of some use. Go attend to your business; if I keep talking, I'll never stop. I'm hanging up now."
Chen Chuan offered his sincere thanks once more. After hanging up, he fell into thought. Those past matters likely could not be explained clearly over telegraph lines, and confidential secrets were probably involved. Frequent telegram traffic would only invite leaks.
It seemed he would have to make the trip in person.
A martial artist traveling abroad was no simple matter. There were far too many complications involved, enough to keep higher authorities and both nations busy coordinating for quite a while.
Fortunately, the person he sought resided in the Biesa Khanate.
That nation bordered Great Shun and was deeply influenced by it. Exchanges and travel between the two countries were frequent, and Great Shun's language was widely spoken there, making a trip far less cumbersome.
Had the destination been the Palanio Faith Region or the Noros Theocracy, matters would not have been so simple. The appearance of a martial artist was enough to provoke vigilance and prompt local authorities to place him under intense scrutiny, requiring adjustments on all fronts. Without a thoroughly justified reason, an outright denial of entry was the most likely outcome.
He looked up the route. Taking the dedicated airship line would require roughly six or seven days each way. Even if everything went smoothly, the round trip would take the better part of a month.
The duration was manageable.
Considering it was already early December and the end of the year was fast approaching, he decided to set out as soon as possible. Having made up his mind, he submitted an application to the Government Affairs Hall, citing a solid justification: paying respects to a senior acquaintance.
If the Government Affairs Hall approved the request, it would consult and register with the Martial Arts Council on his behalf, sparing him an extra layer of procedural bureaucracy.
He had expected the review to take at least a few days, but the approval came through that very afternoon—almost as soon as he had submitted it.
Even with a Level 5 agreement, clearance rarely moved this fast, leading him to suspect there was more to the story.
Just then, the telephone on the desk rang. He answered it, and a solemn voice came through the receiver. "Hello, Chief Chen. There is a matter I need to discuss with you in person. Do you have some time?"
"Commissioner Cao?"
Chen Chuan turned the thought over in his mind. The swift approval must have come from the State Administration Bureau, which meant confidential matters were definitely involved.
He glanced at the time. It was already around two o'clock. "Commissioner Cao, let's meet at three this afternoon by the entrance of Wuyi Academy."
Commissioner Cao said, "Very well, Chief Chen. We'll see each other then."
After hanging up, Chen Chuan changed into plain clothes and went down to the underground parking garage. The old cars, previous vehicles, and private cars allocated to him by the Government Affairs Hall were all parked there.
Since he was meeting Commissioner Cao, he decided to take the old car. He walked over to the Jiade car, unlocked it, climbed in, and drove out.
Three-quarters of an hour later, he pulled over along a stretch of road just ahead of Wuyi Academy. After waiting a short while, he spotted Commissioner Cao approaching from behind in the rearview mirror. Commissioner Cao opened the door and took the passenger seat. Once settled, they exchanged handshakes, and Cao said with a grave expression, "Chief Chen, I'm here under orders from higher authorities to discuss a few things with you."
Chen Chuan said, "Please, go ahead, Commissioner Cao."
"This year, the state had a batch of goods scheduled to transit through the Biesa Khanate. However, due to interference from local opposition and resistance groups, the shipment has been held up there for over two months. The higher authorities learned you are traveling to the Biesa Khanate, and they hope that, if convenient, you might bring the cargo back with you."
Commissioner Cao added in a deep voice, "This is not a mandatory mission, merely an interdepartmental request for cooperation. If it proves inconvenient, Chief Chen, you may decline."
Chen Chuan did not ask what the cargo was, only saying, "Commissioner Cao, do you have the relevant materials?"
Commissioner Cao handed him a dossier. "This is only the preliminary briefing. If you agree, we will arrange for our personnel to contact you once you arrive, and a more detailed briefing will follow."
Chen Chuan looked it over and grasped the essentials. A faint flash of light flickered across his hand, and the documents crumbled entirely into ash. In a calm tone, he said, "I understand. I'll bring the goods back."
Commissioner Cao glanced at him and said, "The airship providing your transport will arrive tomorrow, furnished by the Martial Arts Council. Higher authorities will also supply the high-energy nutrients you'll need throughout your journey."
With that, he extended his hand. "Chief Chen, I wish you a smooth operation."
Chen Chuan shook his hand once more. Commissioner Cao gave a nod, pulled down the brim of his fedora, and stepped out of the vehicle.
After walking a few paces, he stopped at the corner of the street and watched Chen Chuan's car slowly pull away into the distance. A wave of sentiment stirred within him. That former student was now the Chief of Security Defense. In barely three years, the change had been astonishing.
At that moment, a black stretched car pulled up beside him, its door opening from within. He climbed inside, sat in the rear seat, and instructed the telegraph operator in front, "Wire the higher authorities: Chief Chen has agreed. Request their assistance in coordinating subsequent arrangements."
Upon returning home, Chen Chuan began packing his essentials, while directing Fumu to organize and handle departmental affairs and notify the Government Affairs Hall.
A Decision-Making Group meeting was held in Jibei Dao Center City once every month, though the exact date was flexible—sometimes mid-month, sometimes toward the end. As a member of the Decision-Making Group, he was theoretically required to attend, but that would simply have to wait until his return.
Chapter 826