After looking over the affairs of the Defense Department, Chen Chuan thought for a moment and contacted a supervisor in charge of dispatch and attendance at the City Patrol. The call was answered almost instantly, and a fawning voice came through: "Director, what can I do for you?"
The Defense Department was the direct, true superior of the City Patrol. That had never changed even back when the Defense Department's authority had been curtailed, despite a period when the City Patrol had almost ended up as a subordinate unit of the Disposal Bureau.
Chen Chuan asked, "How are the three people assigned to your place earlier doing?"
"Them?"
The supervisor perked up. The trio had been recommended in quite some time ago, and the higher-ups had seemed to ignore them completely, but it appeared they were being watched after all.
"The people Director recommended are truly outstanding! All three are very capable and quick learners. I'm not just flattering you, Director—they handle tasks neatly and efficiently. Compared to the slackers muddling through their days in the City Patrol, the difference is like night and day! It takes someone like you, Director, looking out for our City Patrol and recommending such talent. Truth be told, I only wish we could get a few more like them."
These words were completely genuine. Originally, he had assumed the three were placed there just to occupy sinecures and draw a salary. Back then, he couldn't possibly refuse Chen Chuan, who was the Disposal Bureau's Investigation Supervisor—and after all, Chen Chuan hadn't been the only one pulling strings like that. But contrary to expectations, the three proved highly capable, and by now they had become indispensable backbones of the patrol.
Chen Chuan said, "Good, I understand. In that case, let them stay with you for now."
The trio consisted of Geng Zheng, Tai Dongwei, and Deng Fu. After hearing Wu Han mention them previously, Chen Chuan had asked Wei Chang'an to approach them on his behalf and recruited them into the City Patrol.
Although many people looked down on the City Patrol, it was government-salaried employment that offered temporary citizen status upon entry, so naturally the three raised no objections. Having roughed it in the Center City for quite some time, they knew very well what such perks meant, not to mention that this arrangement came directly from Chen Chuan—how could they possibly refuse?
Chen Chuan intended to gradually grant Center City citizen status to the people who followed him. The first batch had already been settled, and if these three performed well, they would be in the second. Ten quotas a year might not seem like much, but in practice, they could accommodate quite a few individuals.
As for these individuals, he would have them train beneath his residence. Fumu's field resources could be put to appropriate use to help the team members elevate their strength.
Once outside matters were settled, he could focus on his own affairs.
From what he had learned from Fang Zhuoying, the teachers hired by his current body's parents were very likely the He siblings. The two of them might have been tangled in some trouble, which was why they had fled abroad long ago.
Even setting that aside, many eyes were likely fixed on him right now. If he investigated using official channels directly, it might leave traces behind.
Fortunately, there was a department that could assist him with this matter without any fear of information leaking.
He walked over to the telephone, picked up the receiver, and dialed a confidential number.
Commissioner Cao's solemn voice came through: "Director Chen, what instructions do you have?"
Chen Chuan said, "Commissioner Cao, I need your help finding the whereabouts of two people."
Without asking further questions, Commissioner Cao replied, "Understood. Please go ahead, Director Chen."
Chen Chuan said, "They are a brother and sister named He Ruihai and He Zhilan. They were disciples of the Wujian School and likely went abroad over a decade ago. They once studied under the renowned master Fang Zhuoying..."
Commissioner Cao said in a deep voice, "Director Chen, the information has been recorded. Please await a follow-up reply."
"Thank you, Commissioner Cao," Chen Chuan said. Once the other end hung up, he set the receiver down.
Strictly speaking, this was a private affair. However, a martial artist's private business was effectively public business; under certain circumstances, it inevitably exerted significant influence on others. Giving them advance notice would instead relieve certain departments of burdens and unnecessary speculation.
Now, all that remained was to wait for word.
He picked up the bundle packed with cooking ingredients and high-energy nutrients and headed toward the elevator, tapping his boundary credential to notify Gao Yanjun and ask her to help process the ingredients.
As for the specific effects of that relic, he planned to test them out as well.
As the elevator descended toward the training ground, a chime came from his boundary credential. Glancing at it, he saw that the previously seen message from Wansong Commission Company had arrived once more.
Previously, he hadn't had the time to bother with it. But now, after a moment's consideration, he tapped to connect. Before long, the gentle, middle-aged woman's voice he had heard in the earlier voice message came through:
"Hello, Mr. Chen. We are the Wansong Commission Company. Thank you for contacting us. Given that this is your first time establishing communication with our company, if you have any questions, we will do our best to provide answers to your satisfaction."
Chen Chuan asked, "In your introduction, you stated that you are a commission company serving martial artists?"
"Indeed. Our company's founders are veteran martial artists themselves, so we understand the needs of martial artists intimately and can provide whatever assistance lies within our power.
"For example, when it comes to the procurement of nutrients—a matter of paramount concern to martial artists—or even obtaining target items themselves, we can find ways to supply them. If you possess such items that you have no need for, we can also arrange barters or equivalent exchanges with other martial artists.
"Our company currently serves many martial artists, and our reach is not limited to Great Shun. Therefore, you need not worry about our company's capabilities, Mr. Chen."
Chen Chuan asked, "Earlier, you stated that you were commissioned by a client who wished to speak with me. May I ask who this person is?"
"We apologize, Mr. Chen, but we cannot disclose our client's information. If you are interested in communicating, we can arrange it for you shortly."
Chen Chuan did not respond right away. Instead, he said, "I don't have the time at present, so let's leave it at that. If I have any need, I'll contact you again."
"Certainly, Mr. Chen. We welcome your inquiries and commissions at any time. We have sent a service pack to you containing detailed explanations and information services. If convenient, feel free to review it later."
Chen Chuan tapped his boundary credential and ended the call.
He pondered for a moment. This platform was by no means simple. On the surface, it appeared to be a service for martial artists—a platform for circulating and trading resources, as well as issuing commission invitations to certain martial artists.
Yet when considered more deeply, a platform like this could influence the movements and actions of martial artists through the distribution and manipulation of intelligence and resources. If harnessed properly, it represented an exceptionally formidable force.
Furthermore, it took little thought to realize that the faction standing behind such a company could not be ordinary. For the time being, he had no intention of interacting much with this platform. He would wait until he achieved his current cultivation goals.
Ding. The elevator reached the bottom, its doors parting to either side. Carrying his bundle, he stepped out into the training ground.
The night passed.
At noon the next day, a tightly sealed package was delivered to his residence, bearing only the recipient's name and no sender's address.
Chen Chuan examined it. It was likely sent by the State Administration Bureau. Their efficiency was truly extraordinary—he had only placed the call yesterday, and the parcel had arrived today.
He unwrapped the package. Inside was a stack of dossiers and photographs, all regarding the He siblings. Their experiences over the past decade and the places they had stayed were clearly detailed within.
The two had indeed been out of the country before. Over the past decade or so, they had lived in the Chiluojiaduo Confederation before spending time in several smaller countries. Two months ago, they had arrived out on the Outer Ocean. The place where they were currently staying was called Red Crown Island, not far from the Eastern Continent. By airship, it was merely a journey of a day or two.
In other words, when he had gone to the Outer Ocean on his mission, the siblings were already there, though he hadn't known it at the time.
His thoughts shifted. It seemed he would need to make another trip out to sea.
With a dozen or so days left before the end of the year, he could still spare the time. However, having just returned, leaving immediately wouldn't do; he could wait until after attending the Decision-Making Group meeting.
So he sent a message to the Government Affairs Department indicating he was available to attend the meeting soon. While communicating with them, he also received a notice:
"Director Chen, Mr. Gu Haiting, Director of Canglong Company's Public Relations Department, and Mr. Song Yuan, External Consulting Liaison for the Ocean Exploration Group, would like to pay you a visit in the near future. Would you happen to have time?"
Chen Chuan felt a faint surprise. Both companies were looking for him together? Was there some pressing matter?
Both companies had cooperated with him multiple times in the past, and going overseas later might well require dealing with them again. Mulling it over, he checked the time and said, "I'm free around three o'clock. If that works for them, have them come by then. I'll wait for them here."
"Understood, your message has been relayed... Mr. Gu and Mr. Song have replied; they will come visit you at the appointed time."
Seeing how swiftly they answered, Chen Chuan knew the two companies indeed had an urgent matter to discuss.
Around three o'clock, several stretched vehicles drove into the parking lot in front of the villa. After stepping out, Gu Haiting and Song Yuan entered the villa under an attendant's guidance.
Chen Chuan stood waiting for the two in the hall. Gu Haiting had provided him with intelligence and assistance during the effort to bring down the Ferris Wheel Company,
while Song Yuan from the Ocean Exploration Group was also an old acquaintance—the person responsible for coordinating Chen Chuan's logistics during his previous mission to the Langtao and An'yao Arenas. Since both parties were already acquainted, a great deal of tedious etiquette could be spared. After exchanging a few polite pleasantries, Chen Chuan invited them inside and had the staff brew tea.
The cleaning and service personnel here were all assigned by the logistics department of the Government Affairs Department. He hadn't replaced them, as it was virtually impossible for these people to pry into his secrets, and when he had no need of them, they would never set foot in his private living quarters.
After a brief chat, Gu Haiting stated the purpose of their visit: "We have come today on behalf of our companies to discuss a matter mutually beneficial to us both." He paused, looking at Chen Chuan. "Mr. Chen, you have presumably heard of the Skyline Project?"
Chapter 835