Celestial Human Diagram

Chapter 362 - 93: On Duty

On June 7th, Chen Chuan received a notice from the Processing Bureau at six in the morning. He put on the Bureau-issued uniform, finished getting ready, and left the Profound Palace Building.

At six-thirty, an armed patrol car from the Processing Bureau pulled up and stopped a short distance in front of him. After the door slid open, someone inside gestured for him to get in.

After Chen Chuan got in, he glanced around. Besides the driver up front, a logistics staff member in an auxiliary uniform sat in the passenger seat. Both of them nodded at him but didn’t say a word.

In the spacious rear compartment sat a single young man, about eighteen or nineteen years old, also wearing a Processing Bureau uniform. This person had a sharp gaze. He glanced at Chen Chuan and spoke first. "Sun Rao."

Chen Chuan nodded. "Chen Chuan."

After he found a seat and closed the door, Sun Rao said, "I know who you are." He paused. "I’m also a sponsored Wuyi Student. I joined the Processing Bureau half a year before you did."

Chen Chuan said, "So you’re Senior Brother Sun."

Sun Rao gave him another look and said, "You’re not what I expected. I thought you would be an arrogant person."

Chen Chuan asked, "Why would you think that, Senior Brother?"

"Because most of the outstanding people I’ve met have a temper." As Sun Rao spoke, the vehicle started moving again. He glanced outside. "Junior Chen, it seems you’ve never been dispatched on a mission before, have you?"

Chen Chuan answered honestly, "That’s right."

Sun Rao said, "You’re a highly skilled fighter, but actual duty is different. Some things can’t be solved by force alone. The Bureau assigned me as the team leader for this mission, so my decisions will be final during the operation. If you have any objections, you can bring them up after our shift is over. But while we’re on duty, I expect your full cooperation."

Chen Chuan nodded. "I will."

’I agree with Sun Rao,’ he thought. ’During a mission, the biggest danger is a lack of coordination, with everyone doing their own thing. Since this is a team, it naturally needs a leader. I’m not familiar with this kind of work, so it only makes sense to follow the arrangements of someone with experience.’

Seeing that he agreed so readily, Sun Rao said, "You’re easier to deal with than Ancheng."

"Ancheng?"

"Another one of the sponsored students," Sun Rao said. "I can tell that you not only said it, you meant it. If Ancheng were here, though, he might agree with his words, but what he’d actually do is another story."

’I get it,’ Chen Chuan thought. ’This Senior Brother An is the proud type.’

Sun Rao said, "Our mission today is still related to the Wei Wusheng case. There are two Fighters..." As he spoke, he first added Chen Chuan as a contact, then sent two files over via his Realm Token.

Chen Chuan glanced at it. Two profiles immediately appeared on his Realm Token. One was a well-muscled man in his twenties with short hair, brimming with vitality. The other was a woman whose physique was no less impressive than the man’s, her arms packed with taut muscles that looked ready to explode.

The two looked vaguely familiar. In fact, he had seen them before. They were among the spectators with him on the Rhino Cruise Ship, and he had defeated both of them.

Sun Rao said, "Our focus for today’s patrol is Yinglu District. In this district, they’re the only two who were on the cruise ship. The problem is, they’ve refused to accept the Processing Bureau’s protection and surveillance."

"That Tong Daguang is the head of the Swordfish Gang, and Zhe Rong is a coach at Tuoli Martial Arts Hall. Both of them are usually surrounded by protectors, which is probably why Wei Wusheng hasn’t come after them yet."

Chen Chuan’s mind churned. ’I’m not so sure about that,’ he thought.

’I’ve read the previous case files. Setting aside the martial arts hall that was attacked first—back then, no one knew Wei Wusheng was seeking revenge, so there were no precautions. But among the later victims, one was a security captain for a certain company. He was killed while fully equipped and surrounded by his teammates.’

’This suggests that Wei Wusheng doesn’t choose his targets based on how well-defended they are.’

Sun Rao continued, "Most of the remaining Fighters are in the Deep Unexplored, Wuding, and Ji Yang districts, so those areas are the Bureau’s top defensive priority. The majority of our personnel are stationed there."

"Our job is to watch these two in Yinglu District. If Wei Wusheng actually shows up, we need to try to stop him and notify the Bureau immediately."

Then he asked, "Did you bring a gun?"

"I did," Chen Chuan said.

Sun Rao said, "One you bought yourself? Let me see it."

So Chen Chuan took out his "Thunder Shock."

The moment Sun Rao saw it, his tone filled with surprise. "A ’Thunder Shock’ from Longyin Company?"

Seeing Sun Rao staring at it, Chen Chuan simply inverted the pistol, barrel pointing inward, and handed it over. Sun Rao took it carefully and began to examine it closely, as if appreciating a work of art. He then looked at the serial number on the bottom of the grip.

"Every Thunder Shock from Longyin Company has a serial number. It’s said that only three thousand were ever produced domestically. This one’s number is 3552... that’s a fairly early model. Chen, where did you get this?"

"A senior gave it to me as a gift," Chen Chuan said.

Sun Rao said, "Then your senior must be quite somebody. This gun isn’t just powerful, it’s also highly collectible. If I were you, I’d keep it at home and never take it out."

Chen Chuan said, "A gun is meant to be used. When my senior gave it to me, he said it was for fighting enemies."

Sun Rao looked extremely envious. With a soft sigh, he reluctantly handed the gun back, unable to resist adding, "Well, be careful with it. Remember to clean and maintain it meticulously every time you use it."

Chen Chuan put the gun away. "I will."

After a moment of thought, Sun Rao pulled a gun case out from under his seat. He opened it, took out a rifle, and held it up.

"This is the ’Poison Letter,’ made by Monster Python Company. It took me forever to find one. It fires four-inch rounds. Even against someone like Wei Wusheng who has Horizontal Training Strength, a single shot will blow a hole right through him, even if it doesn’t kill him."

Chen Chuan looked at the rifle. ’He has a point,’ he thought. ’Against someone like Wei Wusheng, a gun is undoubtedly the best weapon. Even if a shot isn’t fatal, anything that weakens his combat strength is a plus.’

’The old Wei Wusheng’s style was all brute force; he wouldn’t even bother dodging bullets. But that might not be true anymore.’

Sun Rao raised the rifle, aimed outside for a second, then immediately lowered it. "If he shows his face, I’ll give him a warm welcome." He glanced at Chen Chuan and added, "Don’t you worry, Junior Chen. I’m an excellent shot. And the moment he appears, I’ll take my meds. I’ll definitely be able to keep up with his speed."

Chen Chuan nodded. "If he appears, I’ll create an opening for you, Senior Brother."

Sun Rao said, "If anyone else said they were going to engage Wei Wusheng, I’d probably assume they were joking. But you, Junior Chen, I’m willing to believe you this once. I heard you’re the one among all us students most likely to break through to the Third Limit."

"You have no idea. When Ancheng heard about it, he became dead set on surpassing you. But this sort of thing comes down to talent; it’s not something you can achieve just by wanting it. He’d have an easier time if he just accepted reality."

As the two of them talked, the armed patrol car arrived in Yinglu District half an hour later. A towering Ferris wheel appeared in their line of sight.

Sun Rao said, "Ferris Wheel Company. They’re the backers of the Swordfish Gang and a target the Bureau keeps an eye on. But for now, when it comes to regional stability, they’re on our side. If necessary, they’ll offer some level of cooperation. Let’s patrol a few key locations first."

The armed patrol car first made a loop along the main roads of Yinglu District. They didn’t need to do anything specific; just letting people know the Processing Bureau was watching at all times was enough.

If nothing out of the ordinary happened, this was all that was required of them.

"That place over there..."

As they passed a street corner, Sun Rao pointed to a building. "That’s Coach Zhe’s martial arts hall. She usually stays inside all day."

Chen Chuan looked over. The building’s light-screen wall displayed the conspicuous word "Tuoli." The sounds of sharp exhalations and powerful shouts echoed from within from time to time. Many security guards patrolled the vicinity, and there was plenty of foot traffic. This part of the city could be considered a busy downtown district, not far from Teacher Wu’s hidden residence.

Sun Rao said, "We’ll cruise around here for a while first. This afternoon, we’ll go check on the Swordfish Gang’s stronghold, where Tong Daguang is. If nothing unusual happens, that will be our entire shift for today."

"We’ll also have to see how the main operation is going. If it goes well, we’ll be rotated out in three days, max. If things don’t progress smoothly, we might have to come back here every day for a while."

After circling the area once more, the armed patrol car slowed and pulled over to the side of the road. While they prepared to get out for some fresh air, the driver and the logistics staffer went to a streetside shop to buy some drinks.

Chen Chuan remained in the car. From his angle, he had a clear view of the martial arts hall’s main entrance.

Business at the martial arts hall seemed to be booming. Many cars were parked outside, and people constantly came and went. After watching for a short while, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance, and a tall figure emerged. He recognized her at a glance: it was the coach, Zhe Rong. She was followed by numerous students from the hall, all dressed in training uniforms.

Zhe Rong shouted a few commands at the entrance. Under her lead, they all boarded several vehicles, which then drove out of the parking lot one after another.

Sun Rao swore. "Knew they couldn’t sit still. We’re following them!" The driver and the logistics staffer rushed back to the car, and the patrol car pulled out to follow.

"Where are they going?" Chen Chuan asked.

Sun Rao said, "They teach combat. Even with Wei Wusheng targeting them, they have to put on a fearless front. So they haven’t been laying low at all. They’ve been constantly holding exchange events with other martial arts halls."

He sneered. "They probably think Wei Wusheng wouldn’t dare show up somewhere crowded. They think they’re being clever, but the more people there are, the easier it is for him to make his move."

Chen Chuan agreed with this assessment. ’Especially the Wei Wusheng of now, who has become much more stealthy. An event like a martial arts exchange is bound to draw a large crowd of spectators, creating the perfect opportunity for him.’

However, just as their vehicle began to follow, a message from the Bureau appeared on both of their Realm Tokens simultaneously, flashing insistently.

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