The intelligence obtained by the Government Affairs Department indicated that one of the two martial artists involved in the covert operation came from the Refined Practice School. Now that an additional member from the Convergence faction had appeared, Qi Weizhao could not help but wonder: had these two factions joined forces?
Ever since entering the new era, the unprecedented pressure brought by the Great Impact had elevated global security and defense issues to the foremost priority, which in turn drastically raised the status of martial artists.
Over the years, the pure combat schools of the old era had either faded, merged, or reorganized. By now, the largest branches had transformed into political factions that used martial force as their foundation to advance their own ideologies.
In Center City of Jibei Dao, both the Refined Practice School and the Convergence faction held substantial influence across politics, the economy, and even the military.
It was not hard for Qi Weizhao to surmise that the operation mounted by members of these two factions against Chen Chuan was very likely because Chen Chuan belonged to the Purist Faction. On the surface, it seemed to be a dispute between opposing factions.
Yet Chen Chuan was also the Chief of the Center City Security Defense Office in Jibei Dao, as well as a Decision-Making Committee member and military advisor.
In Qi Weizhao's view, regardless of faction or ideology, national interests always came first. Chen Chuan was currently serving the country and fully backed their current overarching direction and strategy, which placed him squarely on the side of national interests.
Therefore, this ambush could by no means be viewed merely as a clash between factions. In this matter, there were only two stances for anyone involved.
One either stood with the Government Affairs Hall, or against it.
He asked, "Principal Yao mentioned that you have evidence directly confirming their identities, Chief Chen?"
Chen Chuan replied, "I brought back biological tissue from the three martial artists who attacked me, along with their personal belongings. With these, combined with the intelligence previously gathered by the Government Affairs Hall, it should be enough to confirm their identities. The body of the martial artist whose identity remains unknown to me is the best preserved of the three. It shouldn't be difficult to trace his origins."
Qi Weizhao glanced several times at the trunks that had been wheeled in alongside Chen Chuan. Were the remains of those martial artists inside those boxes?
Truth be told, as Administrator, he had weathered plenty of storms, but having the remains of three martial artists laid out right before him was genuinely a first, and it delivered quite a shock.
Yet a surge of excitement immediately rose within him. With this physical proof added to their prior intelligence, they possessed solid, incontrovertible evidence that no one could brush aside or cover up.
From all available information, the Municipal Council was deeply implicated in the affair.
The Municipal Council might try to plead ignorance, but this time, matters would not be settled by their word alone. No matter what, allowing two martial artists to slip across the convergence zone under the council's control was an egregious breach that escalated straight to the level of absolute national security. No country would tolerate such an act.
Even if taken onto the international stage, other nations would outwardly support holding them accountable, for otherwise their own national security could not be maintained. Even the Consortium could not openly object in the court of public opinion.
Qi Weizhao said, "Chief Chen, when you warned us earlier, we were already discussing how to handle and resolve this matter properly. The Municipal Council has constantly obstructed and meddled with the various initiatives we've been pushing forward, and what we must do is remove this stumbling block as quickly as possible.
"We cannot allow them to hold back Jibei Dao's progress any longer. Before the Great Impact arrives, we must pool every ounce of strength we can muster and stop certain factions from holding us back. And this time, Chief Chen, you've created an exceptionally favorable situation for us."
Chen Chuan asked, "Has the Government Affairs Hall made up its mind?"
Qi Weizhao answered solemnly, "Yes. Our minds must be made up." He tapped his boundary credential and transmitted a classified file to Chen Chuan over a close-range link.
"This is the rough operational plan we hope to carry out. It's a collective decision formulated between Commissioner Liang, Principal Yao, Superintendent Qiao, myself, and several others. Please look it over, Chief Chen. If you spot any oversights or issues, bring them forward, and we will discuss and refine it further."
Chen Chuan skimmed through the document. The primary objective targeted the majority of current Municipal Council members, outlining detailed, precise measures for dealing with each key member.
Out of political considerations and the influence of current international investments, the Municipal Council would be preserved—but merely preserved. It would no longer possess any significant voice or military authority, nor could it obstruct major policies. It would exist solely as a symbolic formality acknowledged by all parties.
Regarding the concrete execution, the Decision-Making Council required that all available forces be mobilized within a brief window to settle the matter at maximum speed, before domestic or international factions could react.
Seeing this, Chen Chuan nodded. The longer such an affair dragged out, the more troublesome it became, and unpredictable variables would multiply at every turn. If it could be wrapped up in an extremely short span, all subsequent problems would be much easier to manage.
Qi Weizhao said, "What we must ensure is that Center City suffers no major turmoil. Even if there is any, it must be contained within a minimal scope. Furthermore, we must resolve this entirely with our own forces from Center City. That way, before and after the fact, no external factions will have the opportunity to intervene or object.
"I will handle the political affairs. Commissioner Liang has the Defense Department covered, Superintendent Qiao will secure the military, and external threats will be managed by Principal Yao. Now, we are only waiting on your response, Chief Chen."
Chen Chuan continued reading. The plan took into account potential counterattacks from the former imperial house, intervention from the Consortium, meddling by various factions, and even the martial artist still in the capital as part of the Linax Federation delegation, providing corresponding countermeasures for each.
It was exceptionally comprehensive, undoubtedly drafted with Principal Yao's counsel.
In fact, the former imperial house had not dispatched any State-Conquering Generals this time, nor had there been any unusual troop movements, which demonstrated that they had no intention of retaking the Jibei Dao convergence zone by force in the near future.
As for the martial artist from the Linax Federation, Mr. Xue was accompanying him every step of the way; even if he passed through Jibei Dao on his return journey, he would be unable to cause trouble. Meanwhile, neither the Consortium nor the domestic Convergence and Refined Practice factions currently had martial artists stationed in Jibei Dao, meaning they posed no immediate threat.
The only remaining concerns were the active conscious entity possessed by the Municipal Council, along with another active conscious entity potentially delivered by the Consortium.
While neither entity posed a significant danger to Chen Chuan, both possessed considerable destructive potential. Center City required a stable environment; it must never become a battlefield, nor could they afford to give external powers any pretext through this incident.
After thinking it through, Chen Chuan looked up and said, "Administrator Qi, personally, I see no issues with this strategy. During this phase, I can guarantee the security of Center City. Moreover, I can assure you..."
His expression remained calm as he continued, "Once the locations of the two active conscious entities are confirmed, they will not be given the opportunity to cause large-scale destruction to Center City."
Qi Weizhao nodded vigorously. He had complete faith in this.
Not only had Yao Zhiyi called to state that the decision-making team could trust Chen Chuan's strength unconditionally, but the remains of the three martial artists resting not far away served as proof more compelling than anything else.
He said, "Chief Chen, regarding the precise locations of the active conscious entities, our covert departments have already determined their approximate whereabouts, and further confirmation is currently underway."
With that, he glanced at that trunk again. "We will identify these three martial artists as quickly as possible, after which we will convene another decision-making session. For now, we must ask you to bear with staying in the Government Affairs Hall for a brief period. You need not worry about your family, Chief Chen; they will receive our strictest protection."
Chen Chuan was not worried about that. Those guarding his family included not only Center City's armed forces, but also personnel stationed nearby by the Martial Arts Council—more than enough to handle conventional combat below the level of a martial artist.
Even so, he offered a reminder: "Wuyi Academy's vice principal, Tan Weixing, is compromised. He is very likely entangled with the Municipal Council, so keep an eye on him during the operation."
Qi Weizhao replied gravely, "I will treat that with the utmost seriousness. In fact, Principal Yao brought this up to us earlier as well. We will handle him along with the rest this time."
Chen Chuan nodded. "Then I have nothing more to add."
Qi Weizhao immediately instructed his secretary, Qiao Yang, "Chief Chen has had an exhausting journey. Escort him to rest." Qiao Yang stepped forward at once.
Chen Chuan stood up, shook hands with Qi Weizhao once more, and left behind the trunk containing the remains of the three martial artists. He then followed Qiao Yang toward the resting quarters alongside an orderly who had just entered.
Qi Weizhao looked at that trunk, feeling a renewed surge of confidence. He tapped his boundary credential. "This is Qi Weizhao. Connect me to the Martial Arts Council. I need to request an identification procedure... Correct."
After temporarily settling into the quarters, Chen Chuan did not continue cultivating. Instead, he took the opportunity to rest, knowing that another battle likely awaited him ahead.
Judging by the time, Yuangan Company should be close to having results, but since it was inconvenient for him to contact the outside world right now, he would deal with that after resolving the Municipal Council crisis.
As for formally codifying the convergence zone's hunting grounds in writing, that too could wait until afterward.
He sat down, drew the Xuejun Saber, and began slowly wiping the blade.
The identification of those three individuals would primarily be handled by the Martial Arts Council. The council possessed identity records for most domestic martial artists, and by analyzing their biological tissues, they would quickly ascertain their identities and origins.
The council could even deduce where they had traveled and what actions they had taken through certain mutated tissues, which would provide collateral evidence.
The Martial Arts Council had always operated with high efficiency in such matters, and Chen Chuan was confident he would not have to wait long.
Chapter 908