Time flew, and soon it was nine in the morning on August 30th.
Observers from various nations and members of the press had gathered in the assembly hall of the former Jibei Dao Municipal Council, waiting for the Investigation Delegation to announce the results of their inquiry.
On this day, the eyes of the entire world were focused here.
Yet, to the dissatisfaction of journalists from many countries, only high-ranking executives from a handful of prominent media outlets and press agencies were permitted to enter the hall and participate throughout. The rest would only be notified of the findings after the meeting concluded, sparking a wave of protests.
Unexpectedly, no one took their side this time. The various nations of the world seemed to share a tacit understanding on this matter; no one cared about their grievances, and in the end, they could only lower their banners and fall silent, waiting indignantly outside for the outcome of the meeting.
This was because matters involving the Great Impact and the Ring of the World could not be disclosed to the general public; ordinary journalists could only receive limited information.
In fact, the "truth" as they understood it was merely that the Jibei Dao Government Affairs Hall had dissolved the Municipal Council, breaking the political system of co-governance between the Central Government and local authorities that had lasted for over ninety years in the Republic of Great Shun.
They were concerned about whether Great Shun would fall into internal turmoil as a result. As a major world power, internal problems within Great Shun would inevitably affect other countries and even shift the global landscape—neighboring nations, in particular, would bear the brunt of the fallout.
In the eyes of the general public, the Investigation Delegation was renowned for upholding global order, quelling local disputes, and maintaining the old system established following the Grand Alliance. In the minds of many, the fact that the world had seen no major wars for so many years—only minor regional conflicts at most—was thanks to organizations like the Investigation Delegation. Thus, it carried considerable weight among the populace.
In reality, the Investigation Delegation did not care about specific local political structures. They only looked at whether the Center City government was capable of maintaining its own stability, and whether internal turmoil would leave it unable to guard this vital node along the Ring of the World.
At ten o'clock, all members of the Investigation Delegation arrived.
Surprisingly, not only did the delegation take the stage, but a group of former councilors led by Councilor Ai of the previous Municipal Council also made an appearance. They explained that the council had merely undergone a restructuring and that they would continue to serve as councilors in the newly formed Municipal Council; rumors that the parliamentary system was being abolished were entirely false.
Even more astonishing to the "visiting observers" from other center cities was that Quan Zengming—the former speaker of the Municipal Council, who had supposedly been arrested and detained—actually showed up as well!
While one might still argue that Councilor Ai and the others had been coerced by the Government Affairs Hall, Quan's appearance rendered many completely unable to refute anything. Countless pre-prepared speech drafts could only be tucked away.
During the meeting, Speaker Quan stated that he was advanced in years and stubbornly averse to receiving implants to maintain his physiological functions. Therefore, he had decided to step down in favor of worthier candidates, allowing the council to elect a new speaker.
He maintained a stance of support and approval toward the Government Affairs Hall's recent initiatives, expressed satisfaction with the security and public order achievements made thus far, and hoped that the next council would better reflect the public's demands and voices—and so on and so forth. This thoroughly crushed the hopes of many.
Afterward, Delegation Leader Thorlakson announced the investigation's conclusion. He declared that Jibei Dao Center City harbored no security hazards, had performed its duties admirably, and possessed no apparent vulnerabilities in its current administrative structure, deeming it sufficient to maintain the status quo.
Next came the Q&A session. Observers from various nations raised a succession of pointed questions, but because the Government Affairs Hall had communicated privately with the Investigation Delegation beforehand, both sides possessed great tacit accord. Every question was either refuted or reasonably answered one by one.
Throughout the proceedings, effective management on-site and the presence of numerous professionals called in to mediate ensured that nothing spiraled out of control, keeping the overall atmosphere relatively harmonious.
Once the questions and debates concluded, the Investigation Delegation issued its final verdict: Jibei Dao Center City was trustworthy in terms of security defense, and they looked forward to the Government Affairs Hall fulfilling its guarding duties even better.
With this announcement, Center City had effectively secured the delegation's endorsement. International public opinion would no longer be a one-sided condemnation. Not only would this quell domestic unrest, but it also meant external interference could no longer find any legitimate pretext or justification. Should any such incident occur again, force could be resorted to directly.
Though this left many people and factions disappointed and displeased—with some shouting loudly about foul play, claiming the Investigation Delegation took money from the Government Affairs Hall and made backroom deals—it was nothing more than impotent rage. Furthermore, whoever uttered such words was immediately hauled away by the security personnel present.
High above the Municipal Council Building, in the main cabin of an airship, Chen Chuan watched the entire public meeting through a field screen.
During that time, it wasn't that no one attempted to disrupt the venue, but they were all quietly restrained and taken away. No assaults or violent incidents broke out. Aside from the thorough security measures, the instigators behind the scenes were well aware that with a martial artist like him personally overseeing the scene, it was impossible to pull off anything disruptive right under his nose.
He looked down at his hand, holding a report previously delivered by the clandestine department. It noted that someone had indeed made covert contact with certain members of the Investigation Delegation, but the other party had been extremely cautious; that trail had gone cold and could no longer be pursued.
However, judging by the veiled language in the report and certain matters Qi Weizhao had shared with him later, this issue was not merely external; it very likely involved high-ranking figures and factions within the country's upper echelons.
As he was thinking, the doors to the Municipal Council hall swung open, and the crowd of journalists waiting outside surged forward.
At that moment, his boundary credential received a message. He glanced at it; it was from Skarson, asking if he had time and wished to meet.
He replied, "Mr. Skarson, I'm right above the building. Please come up. I'll have them open the security passage for you."
Before long, Skarson appeared on the roof of the council building carrying a case. Grabbing the long cable hanging down from the airship, he gave it a gentle tug and ascended smoothly, landing on the airship's lower deck. Led by an orderly, he entered the main cabin.
Chen Chuan was standing there waiting. Seeing him enter, he raised a hand and gestured, "Mr. Skarson, please have a seat."
Skarson thanked him, and the two sat down at opposite ends of the table. Once the orderly who poured them tea departed, he said apologetically, "Mr. Chen, we've caused you too much trouble. I hope the results announced by the delegation can ease some of your difficulties.
"However, I must emphasize one thing: the conclusions reached by the Investigation Delegation this time were not a favor in return, but a fair and impartial verdict."
Chen Chuan said, "All we ever asked for was a fair assessment. What the Government Affairs Hall has been striving to do was never to win praise from outside, but because we believe it is the right thing to do."
"Just doing what one believes is right..." Skarson fell silent for a moment before saying, "I used to think that was simple."
Chen Chuan asked, "Whether it's hard or simple, I don't think you will stop, Mr. Skarson, will you?"
Skarson looked at Chen Chuan, conviction and determination welling up in his eyes. "Yes, I will keep doing it. No matter how difficult, I won't back down—just as, even at this very moment, I still don't agree with some of your methods, Section Chief Chen."
Chen Chuan smiled faintly. "Though we may have disagreements, our goal is the same."
Skarson nodded. He wholeheartedly agreed with that. Though they had their differences, both were defending the Center City perimeter and safeguarding the security of the world.
He picked up the case beside him, set it on the table, and slid it toward Chen Chuan.
"Although the Investigation Delegation possesses some resources, they've all been poured into defense work. This is to thank the Government Affairs Hall for keeping the matter quiet and handing that person back to us to deal with. We are deeply grateful, and this is a personal token of appreciation from the delegation to you, Section Chief Chen."
Chen Chuan did not refuse. He nodded and said, "I accept." Then he asked, "Now that he has been handed over to you, has the delegation uncovered anything?"
Skarson shook his head. "Upon examination, his cognition and memories were stripped away through a ritual. It was done alongside the deflection protocol, and he accepted it willingly."
"Willingly?"
"Yes," Skarson said in a heavy voice.
Chen Chuan pondered this. That was far from simple. To make a martial artist willingly strip away his own memories meant either the person or organization behind him was someone he trusted implicitly, or their power was so colossal that he didn't dare implicate them.
He couldn't help but think back to the dead lead from the clandestine department. Domestic actors alone likely couldn't accomplish such a feat.
Skarson said, "We will send over the investigation findings and interrogation report shortly. If your side wishes to verify them, you can send someone over. Naturally, if you come personally, Section Chief Chen, you'd be all the more welcome."
Chen Chuan nodded. "Alright. Mr. Skarson, let's leave it at that for now." With that, he extended his hand.
Skarson knew the conversation was at an end. He stood up, shook Chen Chuan's hand, and said, "Well then, Section Chief Chen, until we meet again."
"Until we meet again."
Chen Chuan watched him depart. Once all the attendees and security personnel below had vacated the area, he descended from the airship, landing on the municipal square carrying the case. Just as he was about to head to the Defense Department, an unfamiliar contact signal reached his boundary credential.
He patched it through, and a familiar, cheerful voice came over: "Trainee Chen?"
The moment Chen Chuan heard the voice, he recognized it immediately: "Old Feng?"
The caller was none other than Special Commissioner Feng, with whom he had interacted back when earning his unlimited defense license and later cooperated to take down Molan Company.
Sensing something, he turned around and saw a black sedan driving over from across the way, stopping not far in front of him.
The car door opened, and Old Feng stepped out, dressed in his usual trench coat and fedora, a smile on his face.
Chen Chuan smiled as well, walked over, shook his hand, and asked, "Old Feng, what brings you here?"
Old Feng grumbled, "Who else but Old Cao? I was doing perfectly fine where I was, but he just had to reassign me here." Then he added brightly, "We haven't seen each other in ages. How about we find a place to sit down and catch up?"
Chapter 952