As the airship descended, the members of the investigation team made no move to disembark. Instead, they remained seated around the long table in the main cabin, their expressions exceedingly solemn.
The team leader, Thorlaksson, hailed from Huansuo Island. Sixty-nine years old, he had pale silver hair receding into a mountain-shaped peak above his brow and a jaw covered in dark stubble. Despite his advanced age, he was hale and vigorous. His blue eyes were stern and penetrating, instantly giving the impression of an exceptionally austere and difficult man.
Just moments ago, they had received the latest dispatch from Jibei Dao: last month, Center City had detected and eliminated yet another entity from the other side.
Even without a breach in the Ring of the World, entities often leaked through from across the divide. After all, as the two worlds drew closer, more fissures were constantly opening up. Ordinarily, this would not have been cause for alarm, but occurring at such a critical juncture, it inevitably commanded their serious attention.
Thorlaksson said grimly, "If I recall correctly, this is already the third crossing incident since the breach appeared in Jibei Dao."
An investigator with distinctly Eastern Continental features replied, "They most likely all escaped through the breach after the Ring of the World was compromised last time. For now, it appears they still possess the capability to handle them."
Thorlaksson made no commitment either way.
Another investigator at the table pointed an index finger toward the floor below and declared harshly, "I don't agree. The breach has been plugged, but are these all the vermin that slipped in? Jibei Dao managed to handle them previously, but can they guarantee there won't be issues going forward? You must remember, they just overthrew the Municipal Council! Their current political situation is highly unstable. International public opinion is full of condemnation, and even within Great Shun, voices of opposition abound. Can the Government Affairs Department's administration continue to function normally? The situation is perilous! We cannot take this lightly under any circumstances; we must shoulder our responsibilities! We must never allow this place to become a breakthrough point for the other side to overrun us!"
As he reached the end of his outburst, emotions running high, he slammed his fist repeatedly onto the table with loud thuds.
The previous investigator countered, "Whatever the true state of affairs in Jibei Dao may be, we won't know until we have investigated. It is too early to draw conclusions now—and an investigation is precisely what we are here to do."
He then drew forward a paper dossier. "This is the latest intelligence provided to us from within Great Shun. I had it printed out. Take another look, everyone."
The investigators picked up the documents. They detailed the measures implemented during this period and provided an overview of Center City's current conditions. To the team's surprise, what they saw differed sharply from the chaos and rampant conflict they had feared before arriving. They could hardly be blamed for expecting the worst; they had seen far too much of it over the years.
Yet according to the dossier, no such disaster had transpired. Instead, the city showed signs of burgeoning prosperity.
If the reports were accurate, their impression of Jibei Dao's Government Affairs Department improved somewhat.
An elderly man wearing gold-rimmed spectacles reviewed the papers, set them down, and remarked, "Written records are static and easily altered. Even if true, could it be merely temporary? Or put on as a show for our benefit? We need an in-depth, meticulous inspection."
Meanwhile, aboard another airship, two powerfully built martial artists in investigation team uniforms sat at opposite ends of a table.
One was the world-renowned martial artist Aldric Skarson. Forty-six years old, he possessed ice-blue eyes and dark brown hair. The thick knuckles of his large hands were encrusted with heavy calluses. His demeanor radiated steady composure and quiet restraint; seated there, he resembled an unshakeable mountain.
Facing him sat a young man with slightly long, gently curling hair, looking relaxed and at ease. This was Ignatius Corva, likewise a world-renowned martial artist. With firm, chiseled muscle, he exuded confidence and vigor.
They had taken no part in the investigation team's formal discussions, as their responsibility and focus lay strictly with Jibei Dao's current martial strength.
In their view, the specific form of government was of little consequence; it was merely a tool to provide basic order and logistical support. The true foundation upholding Center City's stability was armed might.
However, files on martial artists were typically classified at the highest levels. After all, they involved the core interests of nations and the martial artists themselves. Even as members of the investigation team, they had not been granted access in advance.
It was only this morning that they had finally obtained detailed dossiers from the Martial Artists Council.
"Currently, two martial artists are stationed in Jibei Dao's Center City," Skarson said, his voice deep and resonant.
"One is Yao Zhiyi, principal of Wuyi Academy. A senior martial artist who has guarded Jibei Dao for over twenty years. His combat power is average, but coming from the academy, he has broad connections, faithfully discharges his duties, and has never made a misstep.
"The other..."
He shifted his gaze to the table. "...is Section Chief of Jibei Dao's Security Affairs Department, Chen Chuan."
There, Yao Zhiyi's photo and file occupied only a small corner, while the rest of the table was covered with dossiers and photographs concerning Chen Chuan.
Among them were records of him slaying the old imperial house's General of Conquest Wei Guochan, effortlessly defeating Refined Practice School member Long Xiang in a duel, defeating two Blade Masters in succession in the Outer Ocean, conducting special operations in the Biesa Khanate, and battling Bai Gu in Shannan Dao's Center City...
Beyond those were photographs of him destroying the monster airship during his first appearance in Center City after returning from the Confluence, and sketches of him eliminating active conscious entities in White Bird District. Every single image was brimming with raw tension and destructive power.
Skarson said gravely, "He only became a martial artist in the latter half of last year. Right after breaking the limit, he exhibited an exceptionally aggressive style. He appears to be someone who upholds martial force above all else. To date, he has clashed with no fewer than ten martial artists, and at least half of them have fallen dead at his hands."
In his eyes, this was an astounding combat record.
Yet, it was also a deeply unsettling one.
After all, martial artists stationed in a Center City typically numbered only one or two. Depending on circumstances and geographical location, that number might fluctuate slightly, but it rarely exceeded two.
Some martial artists might not encounter that many peers in a decade, let alone a single year. And Chen Chuan?
This was merely the publicly available information; whether there were additional unreleased records kept under wraps remained unknown. Martial artists typically avoided exertion whenever possible to conserve their strength, yet if Chen Chuan's record were widely circulated, almost anyone would agree that he was a battle fanatic.
Corva looked on with keen interest. "Remarkable, isn't it?"
Skarson's expression grew heavy.
"In such a short span of time, multiple martial artists have fallen here. That is an enormous security concern. The deaths of these martial artists have weakened the world's collective defensive strength."
Corva shrugged. "From the files, most of those people were security disruptors themselves. In the vast majority of cases, this Section Chief Chen was acting in self-defense. He was appointed by the Great Shun government, and judging by the records, his work since taking office has been orderly and without slip-ups."
"It is precisely his official position that worries me," Skarson replied severely. "His actions against Langtao Arena and Anyao Arena in the Outer Ocean were clearly taken to aid the Great Shun government in vying against the Linax Federation over maritime interests. Out there, he and another martial artist loyal to a state enterprise killed yet another martial artist. Such infighting and slaughter could entirely have been avoided."
Corva said dismissively, "He is a Great Shun national. Isn't it only natural for him to serve Great Shun? Skarson, he isn't like us. People like him must serve their country's interests first and foremost. At least while he is around, Jibei Dao's security has no vulnerabilities. His immense martial strength ought to be cause for relief, shouldn't it?"
Skarson shook his head, evidently disagreeing. In a low voice, he said, "It is his martial strength that concerns me most. Once he grows accustomed to such methods, even more martial artists will die at his hands in the future. That is an alarming trend. Corva, you are only looking at what is right before you, but the pointless deaths of more martial artists serve only to undermine our entire defensive front."
Corva shrugged again, choosing not to debate further. In his mind, all they needed to concern themselves with were the immediate security and defense issues. As for the rest? That was beyond their jurisdiction. So long as Section Chief Chen possessed the strength to hold the line, whatever he did was justified. Why fret over all the rest?
His partner, however, possessed a fierce sense of moral duty, always viewing global security as his personal responsibility. Skarson believed the world's nations could not afford to squander their combat potential in senseless infighting, and thus felt obligated to defuse disputes wherever possible so the oversight organization could fulfill its intended purpose.
Yet this was no longer the era of the Grand Alliance, Corva thought to himself. Expecting nations to cast aside their rivalries was sheer fantasy. Besides, was the investigation team truly free of political influence from any nation? Hardly.
Still...
Whatever.
Lacing his hands behind his head, Corva leaned back lazily. He would let his partner fret and scheme as he pleased. You're stronger, so you call the shots.
At that very moment, beneath the mooring tower, Qi Weizhao stood waiting alongside a gathering of officials from the Government Affairs Department. Yet even after the airship docked, the members of the investigation team were in no hurry to show themselves, prompting quiet discontent among several officials.
Qi Weizhao, however, showed no sign of displeasure. He understood clearly that their task now was cooperation, not confrontation; antagonism would only work against them.
The mandate for international investigations was granted by the various nations under the righteous banner of safeguarding the Ring of the World. Under this universally recognized principle, not just Great Shun, but even the Linax Federation or the Norland Northern Alliance would face an investigation if problems arose within their borders.
Once the protocol was initiated, it had to undergo international scrutiny. In truth, this delegation was also accompanied by observers dispatched from various nations, as well as press and media correspondents from abroad. However, lacking airspace flight clearance, they had to be vetted and approved by Great Shun before entering the borders.
As for handling this investigation, they had already prepared numerous contingency plans.
Just then, Qi Weizhao saw the airship's hatch finally slide open, and a detachment of guards stepped out.
He turned to his secretarial officer, Qiao Yang. "Inform Section Chief Chen that the investigation team has come out. If he has time, tell him to come and meet them. Over the coming days, we'll be dealing with them quite a bit."
Qiao Yang replied, "Understood. I will notify Section Chief Chen immediately."
Chapter 941