Over in the garrison residential quarters, though the battle along the lakeside had ended, the onlookers' eyes remained dazed. The scene left in the wake of the clash between those two was simply too staggering.
Even though quite a few people here had seen combat on battlefields, and a rare few had even viewed video recordings of martial artists, watching through a screen was an entirely different experience from witnessing it up close with one's own eyes.
After a long while, a gust of wind blew past, causing a few people whose heads and faces were wet from falling droplets to shiver involuntarily.
They had no idea what was happening right now, yet they could faintly sense that the upper echelons of Center City seemed to be carrying out some sort of operation. What occurred here was merely one link in the chain. However, with virtually no information available, they could only make wild guesses as to the exact situation.
In fact, many had been trying to make phone calls from the start to contact the outside world, but received no response. Clearly, the lines had been deliberately cut, which stoked greater panic among the crowd.
A number of people had even attempted to drive away, only to quickly discover that the roads heading into Center City and toward the garrison forces were completely blockaded. The route leading toward the rim cities was still relatively clear, but traveling there was far, and information was even more restricted, offering even less personal security.
This situation left most residents in the quarters deeply uneasy—not only for themselves, but even more so for their relatives serving in the military.
Right then, several people suddenly recalled something and turned to look at Han Kuang, hoping to glean some information from him. Yet when taking a step forward, they hesitated. Only after quite some time did one person finally muster the courage to walk up to Han Kuang and say cautiously, "Old Han... Staff Officer Han... that, that Section Chief Chen..."
At the mention of Chen Chuan, he lowered his voice instinctively. "He's your nephew, isn't he? What on earth is going on here? You... you know, right?"
Han Kuang shook his head. "I don't know."
The man clearly didn't believe him, but since Han Kuang wouldn't speak, there was nothing he could do. After all, who could argue when the one standing over there was Han Kuang's nephew? With an awkward smile, he scurried away in a panic.
Han Kuang thought for a moment and said to Nian Qian beside him, "Xiao Qian, you head back first. I'll go over to Xiao Chuan's side to take a look and ask about the situation."
"Alright."
Nian Qian was far calmer than anyone else. Unlike the garrison families here, he had genuinely led a company into battle on the Outer Ocean; within moments, he had reined in his emotions. He added to Han Kuang, "Uncle, you can rest assured."
Han Kuang looked at him, gave a nod, and waved his hand. "Go on back." He turned around and walked toward the lakeshore alone. Many noticed his movement, craning their necks to watch, while whispers broke out among the crowd.
Chen Chuan had already returned to the practice hall. Built of reinforced concrete, the structure was exceptionally sturdy; the aftershocks of the battle had barely affected it, aside from snapped branches strewn across the ground from the surrounding trees and a damp patch covering the ground before the entrance.
He walked across the open space, went to the side to pour himself a hot drink, and then returned to the open doorway, standing there to sip it slowly.
This battle had expended a bit of his energy, but since it was in cooperation with the request of a fellow comrade from the Purist Faction, there would certainly be compensation afterward, so he hadn't needed to hold back during the fight.
Seeing Han Kuang walking over slowly, he greeted him, "Eldest Uncle."
Noticing Chen Chuan's relaxed and natural demeanor, Han Kuang sighed inwardly. It was truly difficult to imagine that the smiling young junior before him and the martial artist who had displayed such earth-shaking might just moments ago were the same person.
The closer he drew, the more clearly he could see the severe devastation wreaked upon the area. If the two hadn't fought primarily across the surface of the small lake, it was hard to imagine what the surroundings would look like now. Even so, the ground here had been reduced to a quagmire of mud, forcing him to trudge forward unevenly, stepping into deep and shallow puddles alike.
He looked Chen Chuan up and down and asked, "Xiao Chuan, are you alright?"
Chen Chuan smiled. "I'm fine, Uncle."
Han Kuang looked across the lake and caught sight of Bai Gu lying on the far shore, vaguely discerning her wretched state. He couldn't help asking, "That is Consultant Bai... Is she..."
Chen Chuan said, "She's fine as well. Martial artists possess very tenacious vitality."
Han Kuang froze. *Fine even like that? Half her body is practically gone, isn't it?*
Soon, he shook his head. The matters of martial artists were beyond his comprehension; it seemed one truly couldn't view them through the lens of ordinary human beings.
He turned back and asked tentatively, "Xiao Chuan, regarding today's matter... can you tell me what's going on?"
Chen Chuan said, "Uncle, as long as you haven't taken part in those affairs, nothing will happen to you. You only need to wait; there will be an outcome very soon, it won't take long. Tell Eldest Aunt, Youngest Aunt, Youngest Uncle, and my cousins not to worry."
Han Kuang felt a jolt in his heart. *So it truly is over those matters?*
In fact, as a staff officer skilled in intelligence analysis, he had already sensed something amiss over the past few days. However, he hadn't anticipated that the operation from a certain faction would be launched so swiftly and abruptly—and that an essential participant would be his own nephew standing right before him...
Then again, when thinking about it, wasn't this entirely reasonable?
He had once told Yu Jie that a single martial artist was equivalent to an entire army. When this "army" appeared near a location, it was bound to bring about corresponding deterrence or set off a chain reaction.
He drew a breath and said, "Xiao Chuan, since you're fine, I'll head back first."
Chen Chuan agreed, then added, "Uncle," looking at Han Kuang, "with me here, nothing will go wrong."
Han Kuang nodded solemnly and retraced his steps.
Chen Chuan stood at the entrance, raised his cup for another sip of the warm beverage, and cast his gaze toward Center City of Shannan Dao.
From what he had gathered over the past few days, the political landscape of Shannan Dao was similar to that of Jibei Dao: the Government Affairs Department and the Municipal Council held sway over Center City, locked in mutual confrontation and maneuvering. This operation had undoubtedly been initiated by the government side, but its target was not the Council; rather, it was directed at the largest armed organization in Shannan Dao—the local garrison forces.
From Han Cheng's scattered words, it was evident that the local garrison had severe issues.
He did not know the exact internal situation, but he could deduce that Consultant Bai was likely an enormous obstacle in this matter.
Comrade Chang's primary request had been for him to find a way to stall Bai Gu when meeting her, thereby facilitating their operation.
And the likelihood of Consultant Bai coming to see him had been very high. An unfamiliar outside martial artist remaining outside Center City for an extended period would inevitably cause unease among certain parties. They would most likely send their own martial artist to make contact, assess the situation, and display a measured deterrence to ensure nothing went awry.
In his view, Comrade Chang—or the local government authorities—had acted with remarkable decisiveness, striking immediately at the first opportunity. In such a short span of time, the factions entangled with the garrison's interests wouldn't have time to react; by the time they came to their senses, the dust would have already settled.
He waited until dusk was approaching, when an airship flew over from the distance. Drawing near, it slowly descended, and several figures leapt down from it. The man in the lead carried a briefcase in hand.
This man appeared to be a third limit fighter. Upon landing, he first glanced over at Bai Gu lying in the distance and couldn't help sighing softly. Only then did he steady his composure and walk over toward Chen Chuan. Arriving before him, he bowed slightly and said, "Councillor Chen, I am Teacher Chang's student, Jiang Kui."
Hearing him address him as Councillor, Chen Chuan knew this man had to be a member of the Purist Faction. He nodded in response and asked, "Has your matter been settled?"
Jiang Kui said, "It has been taken care of. Teacher is immensely grateful for your assistance, and specifically instructed me to bring this to you, Councillor Chen." As he spoke, he raised both hands and offered the briefcase forward.
Chen Chuan knew this was compensation for his intervention, so he reached out and took it. However, the briefcase felt slightly heavy in his hands, unlike the weight of things he had encountered previously. His mind stirred; whatever was inside was likely out of the ordinary.
He asked, "Where is your teacher?"
Jiang Kui said apologetically, "Teacher originally intended to meet you in person, but the Confluence cannot be left unattended for long. So after handling the matter, he returned directly to the Confluence. Before departing, Teacher gave strict instructions that, since he could not come to thank you personally, I must convey his apologies to you."
Chen Chuan nodded. He understood this well. Shannan Dao was situated in the heartland of Great Shun and had a dense population. Unlike Jibei Dao, it had not yet eliminated the threat of the former imperial house. Leaving for even a short while might allow the opposing General of State Subjugation to press in, which could inflict catastrophic losses upon the entire army.
He cast a glance toward Consultant Bai and asked, "When you set out, did Councillor Chang mention how to handle her?"
Jiang Kui replied, "Yes, Teacher gave instructions before we came."
Chen Chuan gave an affirmative sound. With so many members of the garrison families witnessing the scene, there were bound to be people from the State Administration Bureau among them. They must have reported the situation here to the rear long ago, meaning Jiang Kui and his team had come prepared.
Jiang Kui gave a wave of his hand. Two people behind him moved briskly toward Bai Gu's side. Seeing her state up close, the two could not help casting Chen Chuan an awe-filled glance. Then, murmuring an apology toward her, they drew out a long needle vividly imbued with spiritual radiance and drove it directly between her eyebrows.
Having done this, both visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Kui also relaxed slightly. Bowing toward Chen Chuan, he said, "Councillor Chen, I shall take my leave now."
Chen Chuan said, "Please pass along my regards to Councillor Chang."
Jiang Kui replied solemnly, "I certainly will."
Chapter 866