The Processing Bureau’s assignnt for Chen Chuan was just an assessnt; they hadn’t entrusted the entire matter to him. To ensure Xiong Jianyi’s capture, they had simultaneously dispatched a small team, which was the originally planned capture squad.
This team had been monitoring Xiong Jianyi ever since they received news of his impending return to Dashun.
However, the team mbers were not happy that the higher-ups had arranged for a newcor to handle the capture.
Although this was standard practice for the Processing Bureau, no one wanted it to happen to them. A newcor ant less experience, unreliability, and too many uncertainties.
Moreover, in recent years, practically none of the students sponsored by the Processing Bureau had perford well right out of the gate. It wasn’t that they lacked ability, but that many were too precious with their own safety and wouldn’t charge headfirst into danger.
This was, in fact, the smart choice, but it wouldn’t earn them a high evaluation.
So, when they heard the news, many team mbers grumbled about having to play babysitter again, but Captain Li Fusheng expertly placated them.
"Captain Li!"
A team mber hurried over and handed a telegram to Li Fusheng. "We’ve received a ssage. Xiong Jianyi will be arriving at Ji Yang Port aboard the Gongshi’s ’True Treasure’ cruise ship."
"Gongshi?"
Captain Li’s brow furrowed in surprise. "How is Xiong Jianyi on a Gongshi ship?"
He glanced at the telegram. It stated that the Wish Carrier ferry, which Xiong Jianyi had been on, had broken down mid-journey. All the passengers were left adrift at sea, forced to send out telegrams for help.
The closest vessel happened to be the passing Gongshi cruise ship, the ’True Treasure.’ It picked everyone up and began heading for the port. It seed the Gongshi family even planned to alter their original itinerary to Weinan Path, having sent a telegram ahead to arrange a business eting with the Yuan’an Company.
Based on the timing, it would arrive tomorrow morning.
After reading, Captain Li imdiately ordered, "Go get the Gongshi’s nautical charts."
A mont later, a route map was transmitted to his Realm Token. According to the map, the Gongshi cruise ship had indeed passed through that area at that exact ti. It really looked like a coincidence.
He couldn’t help but recall the Gongshi family’s background. In the old days, they were the royal family jointly supported by the mariti islands. They had even been ennobled during the Dashun Empire. After the Dashun Republic was founded, they were given an honorary title for proactively aligning themselves with the new governnt. To this day, they still hold great prestige throughout the Outer Ocean Islands.
Furthermore, the Gongshi family held shares in many major corporations, weaving a vast network of connections and wielding imnse influence.
However, the man in charge of the cruise this ti, Gong Zhanyi, was not the heir of his generation. He was simply a key mber of the Gongshi family who often represented them on visits to various countries and in business negotiations.
The Gongshi family also had significant influence in Central City’s Yinglu District. Now that they were coming to Jibei Dao Central City, it was highly likely that their target, Xiong Jianyi, would use the family’s influence as cover. If that were the case, things would beco complicated, especially with the Gongshi family planning to negotiate with the Yuan’an Company.
One of his subordinates asked, "Captain Li, what should we do?"
Captain Li considered it for a mont. "We proceed as planned for now."
The team mbers instantly brightened, high-fiving each other.
’Their thoughts were simple. Why worry so much? They’re just so big family from an island nation. Does Dashun need to save face for them? We’re arresting a criminal; what’s it got to do with you? We’ll make the arrest as planned. Oh, you lost face? Well, who told you to bring a criminal along in the first place?’
Captain Li, however, had more to consider. He sensed this matter wasn’t so simple, but until he saw the situation unfold, he wouldn’t let his own plans fall into disarray.
In his dorm at the Profound Palace Building, Chen Chuan was thodically making preparations.
On February 2nd, at ten o’clock at night, Ni Qianqian contacted him. "We’ve received an update," she inford him. "The passengers from the Wish Carrier have been transferred to a Gongshi cruise ship. This might complicate things."
"Gongshi?"
Ni Qianqian explained the Gongshi family’s background to him, then added, "Based on Xiong Jianyi’s history, he’s both savage and cunning. Now that he’s on a Gongshi ship, he’ll most likely try to blend in with their entourage for cover."
Chen Chuan asked, "I have a question. Since he’s a wanted criminal in Dashun and the Gongshi are the Island Royal Families, the two should have no connection. Why not inform the Gongshi family ahead of ti so they can steer clear of this matter?"
"Well, how should I put this..." Ni Qianqian thought for a mont before saying, "Capturing criminal Fighters is the business of our Processing Bureau, but dealing with the Gongshi family is the job of the Foreign Affairs Bureau."
"If we want to engage with the Gongshi family, we have to go through the Foreign Affairs Bureau, and things might not go our way. In our Processing Bureau, Xiong Jianyi is a heinous, wanted criminal. But to the Foreign Affairs Bureau, he might be just a trivial matter. They might even resent us for stirring up trouble and order us to halt the operation."
"But... is this really a trivial matter?"
Chen Chuan said slowly, "It’s not."
’He had read the case file. After Xiong Jianyi committed his cris, so had suspected he was suffering from Functional Disorder Syndro.’
’But the investigation later revealed this wasn’t the case. More than ten dismbered skeletons, arranged in a specific pattern, were hidden in his room. They were carved with religious symbols, leading to the speculation that this was part of an ancient, bloody ritual popular on the outer islands—a clear act of a Cult.’
’And that was only what they knew. Given the situation in Central City, there were likely many more unknown victims.’
"Exactly, it’s not. Brother Chen, whether we can bring this man to justice tomorrow is all up to you. The Bureau’s recomndation is to execute on sight. We don’t need him alive. Otherwise, there’s a chance he could get away with it."
Chen Chuan understood. If a man like that were put through the legal process, he might actually survive, maybe even get acquitted. He said slowly, "I will do my best."
「February 3rd」A luxury cruise ship arrived at Ji Yang Port. The group consisted of one hundred twenty people: thirty-nine mbers of the Gongshi entourage, with the rest being drivers and security.
After passing through the inspection point, the group boarded pre-arranged vehicles and headed for the Ferris Wheel Company’s offices in the Yinglu District.
Gong Zhanyi was under thirty, with healthy, wheat-colored skin. Though not a true Fighter, mbers of prominent families like his were required to undergo combat training, so he radiated vitality.
He asked, "Is the man still with us?"
The steward beside him answered respectfully, "He’s in the seventh car back. Our n are with him. We likely couldn’t hide this from Dashun, but we did give the Foreign Affairs Bureau a heads-up."
Gong Zhanyi asked, "Did he behave normally before?"
"Yes, but as we were leaving the port, soone from the Celestial Forgiveness Gang ca to et with him. We investigated; the man was his senior brother, Wei Wusheng."
Gong Zhanyi grunted in acknowledgnt. After a mont, he gave a short order: "Make the arrangents. No mistakes."
The steward respectfully replied, "Yes, sir."
anwhile, on a section of the road connecting Ji Yang District to Yinglu District, Chen Chuan had already arrived at a three-story house by the roadside—a location arranged by the Processing Bureau.
The Processing Bureau had confird that Xiong Jianyi would be leaving the port with the Gongshi convoy, so they had set up roadblocks and inspections at other intersections to force the motorcade down this route. This particular stretch of road had several sharp turns, which would force the vehicles to slow down. That would be his chance.
Chen Chuan checked his surroundings, then contacted Ni Qianqian. "I’ve reached the designated position."
Ni Qianqian replied, "Their convoy is less than ten kiloters away. You should see them in twenty minutes, tops. Our technicians have taken a look; the target should be in the seventh car from the back. However, there are also two security guards and one attendant in there with him. How do you plan to handle them?"
Chen Chuan thought for a mont, then asked, "Will I have to pay for any damage to the vehicle?"
Ni Qianqian giggled. You could just imagine her roaring with laughter on the other end of the Realm Token; she was always so easily amused. She quickly composed herself, though. "We’re already being generous by not charging them with harboring a fugitive, and they’d want us to pay for the car? In their dreams. As long as you take care of the target, the rest is just a war of words with the Foreign Affairs Bureau. That’s not our problem."
"Then I have no other questions," Chen Chuan said.
"Good. It’s all up to you, Chen."
After ending the call with her, Chen Chuan imdiately contacted Wubei. "Brother Wu, what’s the situation on your end?"
Wubei said, "It’s great being able to use a public Boundary Point. I’ve got a clear view from here. The convoy is heading your way. ETA... sixteen minutes."
"There might be a tech expert on their team, so we might face so interference. But it won’t be easy for them to hijack the Boundary Point. It’s rare for to have the ho-field advantage like this, so I’m not scared of them."
Chen Chuan could hear the excitent in his voice. That was a good sign. He checked his equipnt one more ti, and after waiting for about ten minutes, a long convoy appeared in the distance.
At the Processing Bureau’s nearest outpost, Captain Li was tracking the convoy’s advance on his Realm Token. The technical staff had been monitoring the group’s every move, from the mont they disembarked the cruise ship to the present.
Normally, the technical support available to them was limited. But because the Gongshi family was suddenly involved, the Bureau had temporarily boosted their support. Still, their orders were only to monitor, not to interfere.
As the convoy approached the designated ambush point, he contacted all his squad mbers. "Everyone ready?" A chorus of powerful, affirmative responses ca back.
Captain Li nodded, his expression grave. This situation was more complex than anticipated. If Chen Chuan’s capture attempt failed, his n would imdiately move in.
He stared at the convoy on the light screen. But just as it neared the ambush point, his Realm Token suddenly went dark. Curses erupted from the team mbers around him.
"What’s going on?"
Captain Li imdiately shut off his Realm Token’s display.
"Captain Li," a technician reported at once, "we’re being hit with Domain interference."
Captain Li’s expression changed. This wasn’t a diplomatic summit. How could the Gongshi family deploy Domain interference within Central City limits? It was a blatant violation of regulations.
"Sothing’s wrong. Tell Chen to—" He suddenly realized the Realm Token couldn’t transmit ssages, and hurriedly ordered, "Shao Heng, take a team and provide backup for Chen! Now!"
"Yes, sir!"
A burly team mber acknowledged the order and rushed out with a group of n.
Captain Li stared in the direction of the intersection, a sense of unease growing within him. ’I hope nothing goes wrong...’
At that sa mont, Chen Chuan’s Realm Token suddenly went dark. His connection with Wubei was severed. In fact, all his connections to the outside world were cut.
He imdiately recognized it as Domain interference.
’If there’s interference, it ans the enemy might know about our operation. Even if they don’t know the specifics, the fact that they’re deliberately jamming communications ans they’re prepared. Should I still proceed with the mission?’
He looked at the approaching convoy. ’According to the Processing Bureau’s ergency protocols for field agents...’ he thought, raising the Snow Monarch Blade.
The first car drove past, then the second, the third...
He slowly drew the blade partway from its scabbard. ’Unless a Law Enforcer receives new orders or an ergency notice...’ The fourth, fifth, and sixth cars drove past.
’...then the original plan must be executed!’
He flung the scabbard aside. As the blade cleared its sheath, he lunged forward and vaulted off the balcony, raising the long blade high with both hands and bringing it down on the car below!
...
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