Free Web NovelChapter 430: Chapter 160: Improvement and Contact
Within half an hour of Chen Chuan’s return, the security personnel outside the manor had received their bonuses. Those with outstanding performance records were also given promotions, making everyone even more eager to work.
After all, raises and promotions offered not only tangible rewards but also a psychological boost more invigorating than any stimulant.
Furthermore, thanks to Chen Chuan’s well-laid plans, everyone had reacted swiftly when the attack began. They had reached their fortified firing positions almost instantly, leaving the perimeter entirely to the bio-weapons. As a result, the incident concluded with zero casualties. This left their morale exceptionally high; they felt ready to fend off another surprise attack right then and there.
Chen Chuan emerged from the main house. After nodding to the saluting guards at the entrance, he returned to his own villa. He set Broken Spear aside, scrolled through his Realm Token’s contact list, and found Zou Handan of the Secret Snake Sect. Once the call connected, he said, "Mr. Zou, thank you for the support and information you provided."
The Viper Corps was a splinter group of the Secret Snake Sect, so the easiest way to learn about them—besides obtaining files from the Processing Bureau—was to ask the Sect directly. Of course, the Secret Snake Sect only offered superficial information for free. Everything else came at a price, a cost he naturally didn’t have to bear himself, as it was covered by the Processing Bureau.
This included the solution the Secret Snake Sect had provided for dealing with the recent problematic shipment of food ingredients and daily supplies.
Zou Handan replied, "You’re too kind, Mr. Chen. We hope you’ll bring more business our way in the future."
Chen Chuan said, "I will, if the opportunity arises."
He had looked into it before. The Secret Snake Sect offered numerous services for Third Limit Fighters. In addition to higher-level medicinal snakes for strengthening one’s physique, they also provided ritual services to cleanse residual toxins and external taints after consuming special concoctions. This was in keeping with their origins in Esoteric Buddhism. He would check it out if the need arose.
After thanking him, Chen Chuan ended the call. He then rinsed off in the shower, changed into some casual clothes, sat down, and brewed a cup of light tea, which he sipped slowly.
This confrontation with several Third Limit Fighters had been as intense as it gets. It wouldn’t have gone so smoothly without detailed intelligence and sound tactical planning.
’And if Xu Xianwen had been with his team, I would have had no choice but to hold my ground. It’s hard to say how many I could have taken down, but Xu Xianwen would most likely have escaped unscathed.’
’Then again, you become a corps leader to enjoy the perks. Of course you’d leave the dirty work to your subordinates. Why would you charge onto the front lines yourself? Otherwise, what’s the point of being the leader?’
’Someone like Xu Xianwen, who has already built a fortune, can’t be viewed as a pure Fighter, despite his strength. The moment he sensed something was wrong, he didn’t try to find a way to complete the mission. Instead, he immediately retreated and never stopped running.’
He had gained a great deal from this battle. The valuable combat experience was a given, but he had also used this opportunity to fully consolidate the fruits of his recent training. Moreover, he had acquired a new way of observing his opponents.
Most importantly, his Second Self had once again received a significant boost. The current overlap period had reached nine days, and the Second Self’s power was gradually approaching the level he himself had possessed back at the Second Limit.
At the same time, he sensed that the closer the Second Self’s power came to his own, the slower its rate of improvement became.
However, once power reaches a certain level, even the slightest improvement provides immense help. So, he wasn’t in a hurry. As long as he continued down this path, it would inevitably grow stronger, bit by bit.
Having just gone through a high-intensity battle, he decided to forgo training for the day and rest instead. Just as he was leisurely finishing his cup of tea, a call came in from Ni Qianqian.
"Brother Chen, you really did it this time! The Bureau won’t even need to assemble a task force to deal with the Viper Corps now that you’ve wrapped it all up yourself. They’ll have to give you a commendation for this, and a pay raise."
Chen Chuan said, "I think so, too."
Ni Qianqian laughed for a bit before saying, "I’m calling to let you know the Bureau has made a decision. Your duties will remain the same, but you’re getting promoted one rank. Normally, that takes at least a year, but Director Wu pushed it through himself. After all, you handled this beautifully."
Chen Chuan nodded. "Please thank Director Wu for me."
"I will. But you should still thank Director Wu in person when you get back. Okay, that’s all I had to report. You get some proper rest now."
Chen Chuan thanked her and ended the call. He then took a file to the window and began to slowly flip through it, framed by the view of the red maple forest outside.
The leisurely afternoon passed. That evening, Yan Yi sent him a message via her Realm Token. "Mr. Chen, there is an urgent matter I wish to discuss with you."
He replied, "I’ll be right there."
He left his villa and went to the living room of the main house. He found Meng Shu and Yan Yi sitting there, the latter with a particularly grave expression. "What’s the matter?" he asked.
Yan Yi stood up and said, "Mr. Chen, a message just arrived from Lord Meng. He wishes to see the Young Lady tomorrow. It didn’t say what about."
A glint appeared in Chen Chuan’s eyes. "Are you sure it was him?" he asked.
Yan Yi nodded grimly. "It was definitely Lord Meng. While he didn’t make contact directly, the message was relayed by his most trusted confidant, using the private channel reserved for communication with the Young Lady. It’s just..."
Her instinct was to do nothing. If Meng Huang was powerless against them, then the longer they waited, the more the situation would favor them. They could simply sit back and wait for things to develop.
As the man at the helm of the company, Meng Lai surely understood this. And yet, he was summoning them now. This could only mean one thing...
"Lord Meng might be planning to intervene," she said, frowning. "But that goes against his usual methods. We can’t be certain what his intentions are..."
It could be a good thing, but they couldn’t rule out the worst-case scenario.
Meng Shu looked to Chen Chuan. Having fully entrusted her security to him, she would maintain her absolute faith in his judgment. If he decided she shouldn’t go, she wouldn’t.
Even though this decision could jeopardize her position as heir, she distinctly remembered something her grandfather, Meng Lai, had once told her. ’At a critical juncture, if you truly don’t know which path to choose, put your faith in the person you trust most. Their advice is often more reliable than your own instincts.’
Chen Chuan thought for a moment. ’The situation is complicated. I need to discuss this with the Bureau.’ He also had a feeling that since the head of the Meng Family was making this move, he must have already taken the Bureau’s involvement into account.
He said, "I need to step out for a moment."
Meng Shu and Yan Yi understood what he intended to do and nodded.
After leaving the main house, Chen Chuan contacted the Bureau and reported the intelligence. A moment later, he received a notification.
"Mr. Chen, please find a secure Boundary Point nearby."
Chen Chuan glanced around. There was a Boundary Point right beneath the manor—the same spot where the Viper Team had placed their Domain-disrupting creature. He walked directly out of the manor, approached the Boundary Point, and stepped onto it. After re-establishing the connection with the Bureau, a massive screen of light unfolded, revealing the figures of Director Wu and Vice Director Fang.
Vice Director Fang said, "Mr. Chen, we’ve received your report. Since the situation could change at any moment, we’ll keep this brief."
He added emphatically, "After discussion, we believe Meng Shu should go."
Director Wu said, "In supporting Meng Shu as the heir, the struggle for succession is the crucial part.
You’ve done an excellent job so far. Right now, everyone knows Meng Huang has just suffered a major setback. Apart from his die-hard loyalists, everyone else is bound to be watching from the sidelines.
By summoning Meng Shu at this juncture, Meng Lai is already showing a degree of preference for her. This will bolster her status and prestige within the Meng Clan and the company."
He paused. "If our guess is correct, he is likely coordinating with us."
Chen Chuan considered this. This all hinged on the assumption that Meng Lai was truly thinking along those lines. Was that really the case? He asked, "Can you confirm that Meng Lai isn’t being controlled?"
Vice Director Fang said, "We previously suspected the very thing you’re suggesting, but after some investigation, we were able to rule out that possibility.
However, it is highly likely that Meng Lai is aware of Meng Huang’s situation. For the overall benefit of the company, he likely made certain compromises, ceding some power to Meng Huang while simultaneously propping up another heir. This was done to stabilize the rest of the company and the clan, preventing everyone from flocking to Meng Huang’s side."
Director Wu said, "Mr. Chen, with the Viper Corps eliminated by you, Meng Huang has very little armed power left at his disposal. Therefore, we can afford to make a mistake. This gambit is worth a try."
He added in a heavy tone, "However, this still depends on Meng Shu’s own decision. You can relay our analysis to her, because this meeting is not without its risks."
Vice Director Fang said, "We still haven’t obtained concrete evidence of Meng Huang’s collusion with the opposition, so we can’t move against him yet.
But based on our assessment of Meng Huang, this turn of events could provoke him. If he overreacts, there’s a chance he might expose the entity backing him."
Director Wu said, "We’ve also made the necessary preparations. We currently have Meng Huang’s residence, the Fusion Boundary, the Ferris Wheel Company, and several other key locations under tight surveillance.
If Meng Shu decides to go, we will dispatch a team to follow you. You won’t have to worry about anything on the road, at least.
Once you arrive at Meng Lai’s estate, however, you’ll have to play it by ear. The security at his manor is too high for us to penetrate. If an emergency arises, you are authorized to use extreme measures."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment, then nodded. "Since those are the Bureau’s arrangements, I will explain everything clearly to Meng Shu."
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