Chen Chuan's answer was not polite in the slightest, yet it stood firmly on reason. The footing for all his actions rested on his unlimited defense license—a document recognized internationally, another artifact passed down from the era of the Grand Alliance.
As successors to the Grand Alliance, the International Investigation Team operated on the paramount premise of upholding everything from the Grand Alliance's past. Thus, while they could say Chen Chuan had struck with excessive ruthlessness, they had no ground to claim what he did was wrong.
Skarson remained silent as well.
Chen Chuan added, "Besides, I would like to say one more thing. We are all martial artists. In battle, holding back is cruelty to oneself. I imagine the two of you understand that."
Corva agreed completely. When someone was trying to kill you, holding back would only ensure that you were the one who ended up dead.
That was why Chen Chuan could still stand here speaking with them today, while those who had been killed were buried in some forgotten dirt, denied even the chance to stand here and be questioned.
Skarson looked at Chen Chuan and asked yet another question: "Then tell me, Director Chen: do you value the security of your own country more, or the security of the Ring of the World? If problems arise simultaneously at both the Ring of the World and your country, and attending to one means forsaking the other, would you choose to rush to the defense of the Ring of the World, or choose to preserve your nation?"
Corva turned to watch. This was by no means a question that could be answered lightly. Choosing one or the other might seem simple on the surface, but these words would go straight into the investigation team's evaluation report.
The team's assessment of a martial artist did not just affect their local reputation and standing; it also had far-reaching consequences for international opinion and even the stance of various international organizations toward them.
Because information concerning martial artists was so opaque, the international community often relied on the neutral stance of the International Investigation Team to form an impression of any given figure.
If this were someone who cared deeply about reputation, answering such a question on the spot would be terribly difficult, or they would be forced to give the most "politically correct" response.
Yet an interrogator could easily discern whether an answer went against one's true heart, so a correct-sounding reply was not necessarily the right move.
So what kind of answer would this man give?
For a moment, not even the pretty girl passing by on the sidewalk could hold Corva's attention.
Chen Chuan showed none of the awkward hesitation Corva expected. Instead, he answered straight away, "I generally refrain from passing judgment on events that haven't happened. But if you desire an answer, I can give one."
Looking across at Skarson, he said, "If a problem occurs at the Ring of the World and it is my assigned responsibility at the time, I will resolve it. If it is not my responsibility, then I will only protect my country and my loved ones."
Skarson gazed at him with grave intensity and asked in a low voice, "Then, Director Chen, if one day you are called upon, would you be willing to sacrifice part of your country's interests, or even your loved ones, for the safety of the Ring of the World?"
Another sharp, pressing question.
Corva could see that his partner was closing in step by step, seeking to deduce Chen Chuan's genuine convictions and practical stance.
In Chen Chuan's shoes, Corva would have found it difficult to answer as well.
Chen Chuan said calmly, "If such a situation truly came to pass, it generally wouldn't be up to me as an individual to make the choice. Mr. Skarson, it seems you have asked the wrong person. And when I possess the power to make that choice, it won't be anyone else's place to ask me this question. Therefore, in my eyes, your question holds little real meaning. Of course, if you still want an answer, I can give one."
He looked straight at Skarson and said without evasion, "My answer is: in my heart, my loved ones come first. You may write that down exactly as it is, Mr. Skarson."
Corva was amazed by Chen Chuan's frankness. He knew he could never have faced such an interrogation so nonchalantly.
It was plain to see that Chen Chuan did not care in the slightest how the investigation team viewed him, nor what they would write upon their return.
The subtext seemed to say that once he grew strong enough, others would have no choice but to bend to his will, rather than him fretting over gains and losses to make agonizing choices.
Skarson's expression grew even more austere. Chen Chuan's utterly indifferent attitude was precisely what worried him most. It meant that public opinion and reputation could exert no restraint over him whatsoever. It was not that he was merely careless, but rather that he possessed an unshakeable conviction—a belief that he would inevitably reach greater heights, at which point dilemmas of that sort would be wholly unnecessary.
To Skarson's eyes, this was a clear reflection of a mentality that prized martial power above all else, aligning exactly with his initial assessment.
It was not hard to imagine how many seasoned martial artists might fall along the way as this man's martial might ascended—warriors who originally should have served as bulwarks defending the Ring of the World.
Seeing the atmosphere turn heavy, Corva simply stripped off his uniform coat, slung it over his shoulder to reveal the casual shirt beneath, and spoke with easy familiarity: "Director Chen, we're not familiar with Center City. If there's anywhere fun around here, you could recommend a few spots to us, and we could go check them out."
Chen Chuan said, "Jibei Dao probably doesn't have places that would interest the two of you."
There were cities in the world dedicated to entertaining martial artists, but in Center City, Jibei Dao, competitive arena fighting was the most popular attraction. Though it was currently the peak season for tournaments, to genuine martial artists, such bouts were child's play.
If one had to point to something more thrilling, there were only the matches between Deep Valley City people and creatures of the convergence zone, and he certainly could not bring these two there.
Corva shrugged. "That's a shame. Then could we find somewhere scenic to grab a drink, chat, and dream about our ideals? This is my first time in the Great Shun, and I'm very interested in the local customs, culture, and history. Look—"
He pulled a dedicated compact camera from his uniform pocket and waved it. "I even brought my camera. I can't very well go back empty-handed, can I?"
Chen Chuan said, "Then follow me."
He led the pair out of the park and boarded his personal airship. Departing Weiguang District, they traveled to Split Wave Canyon in Fengde District. Beyond the canyon lay Chaocai Lake, the largest inland lake in Center City, Jibei Dao. It was summer now; white egrets and flocks of black wild ducks were everywhere, and the boundless surface of the water mirrored the golden gleam of the warm sun.
Although the weather was quite hot, that meant nothing to them. Moreover, high in the sky aboard the airship, the gentle breeze was remarkably cool.
Corva looked down, snapping photos with great enthusiasm. "The scenery here isn't bad at all," he praised.
Skarson had not uttered a single word the entire way, remaining as rigid and cold as a stone slab. Now that they had arrived, he finally spoke, though his question picked up right where they had left off.
"Director Chen, am I to understand that if you encounter a similar situation in the future, you will still strike without mercy?"
Chen Chuan said, "As long as others do not provoke me, I will not actively target them. I don't have that much energy to waste on such people."
Corva thought to himself, *Exactly. Fighting a martial artist takes so much out of you. Who'd want to waste energy for nothing?*
Skarson said in a deep voice, "Then could I ask that when Director Chen encounters such circumstances in the future, you merely mete out discipline to those weaker than yourself rather than delivering lethal blows?"
Chen Chuan replied, "I'm sorry, but I cannot give you that promise. When I kill an opponent, it is usually because I have a compelling reason that they must die. It has nothing to do with whether they are weak or strong. Of course, if you can convince every martial artist in the world to abide by this principle, I wouldn't mind observing it as well. But if it is only me, I'm afraid I cannot do so."
Skarson gazed at him for a long moment, then nodded. "Director Chen, we are both martial artists. I would like to propose a wager match between martial artists. I wonder if you would be willing to grant me this opportunity?"
Chen Chuan had sensed this intention from him earlier, which was why he had brought them out to this vast, deserted lake. He said, "Mr. Skarson still wishes for me to hold back in the future?"
Skarson answered with absolute certainty, "Yes. If I win, then I ask that when you encounter enemies in the future, you hold back as much as possible, and no longer casually take the lives of martial artists who are inferior to you. If I lose," he said in a low voice, "I can present you with a cherished old-era weapon from my collection, or give you the one I personally use. Rest assured that win or lose, all expenditures incurred during the match will be compensated by me personally."
Chen Chuan generally welcomed duel invitations from fellow martial artists. It verified what he had learned, helped maintain his condition, and could aid in elevating his second self.
According to his judgment, this man had probably not yet reached the realm of the Longevity View.
Even against a martial artist who had reached that realm, with his current level and the assistance of his second self, he would not shrink from a fight.
He nodded and said, "Mr. Skarson, I accept."
Corva let out a long whistle, instantly revitalized. Wasn't this infinitely better than sightseeing on a lake?
In truth, after reviewing Chen Chuan's file, he was also very curious about him and wanted to see what the man's strength was truly like.
Chen Chuan reached up to touch his boundary credential and contacted Zou Handan of the Secret Snake Cult.
"Mr. Zou, this is Chen Chuan."
A respectful reply came through immediately: "Director Chen, is there anything the Secret Snake Cult can do for you?"
Chen Chuan said, "I am about to spar with a martial artist over Chaocai Lake. Although there are few people here, please have your cult secure the perimeter so no one draws near and gets caught in the crossfire."
Zou Handan answered at once, "Director Chen, please leave this to us. We guarantee no one will disturb you."
The airship traveled more than ten kilometers further out, reaching the lake's deeper reaches. Because it was morning and not a rest day, no pleasure boats were visible nearby.
Upon reaching this spot, two figures leaped down from the airship. As they neared the surface of the lake, both paused their descent, settled gently, and came to a steady stand atop the water, facing each other across a distance of over a hundred meters.
Before long, blazing, dazzling flames of light rose from both their bodies at once, and the glistening, clear lake water seemed to split instantly into two starkly distinct colors.
Chapter 943