Chapter 635 - 374: Closing and Healing

Chen Chuan glanced at the Name Card. He had encountered people from this department back in Yangzhi City, and it was people from this very committee who had previously interfered in Chen Bitong’s affair.

From what he understood, it was a department with immense supervisory and investigative power, one that was especially tenacious when it came to cases it handled.

He said sincerely, "I’m sorry, but I don’t have time right now, and I’m unable to answer your questions."

The man from the committee spoke in a cold voice. "I must remind you, Captain Chen, that when the Action Committee investigates any case involving national security, all related personnel are required to cooperate unconditionally."

Chen Chuan said, "I was assigned by the Defense Department to resolve this matter. I’ve already submitted all relevant reports to them. Until the Defense Department grants permission, I will not disclose any specific details.

"If you two truly wish to know, you can retrieve the report from them. It contains what you’re looking for. If you still wish to question me after that, I am willing to cooperate, provided the Defense Department permits it."

The other committee member stared at him, his tone hostile. "We will retrieve the report, but there are certain things we need you to recount personally, Captain Chen. Are you refusing our investigation? Are you trying to hide something?"

Chen Chuan tapped his finger lightly on his Sword Scabbard. "In that case," he said peacefully, "I have no comment."

The committee man glanced at the Long Blade in Chen Chuan’s hand, his eyelid twitching. Just as he was about to say something more, a sharp question echoed from a distance:

"Who are you two?"

A nearby emergency response unit on patrol came jogging over, their guns aimed at the two committee members. The pair immediately held up their Name Cards.

"We’re from the Special Action Committee."

The emergency unit soldiers were unmoved, their guns still raised. ’Special Action Committee? Never heard of it.’

The captain in the lead didn’t even glance at the Name Cards. He just said stiffly, "We don’t recognize any Action Committee. We’re on active duty. Uninvolved personnel are not to interfere. Leave immediately, or we have the right to open fire."

The two committee members’ faces paled slightly. The Action Committee held significant sway in certain departments, but it was true that few at the lower levels had ever heard of it. These grunts might actually kill them on the spot.

Just then, one of the men’s Realm Tokens chimed. A deep, solemn voice came from inside: "Return for now." The man instantly let out a sigh of relief. "Yes, sir."

He said to his partner, "Let’s go." Before leaving, they glanced back at Chen Chuan. "Captain Chen, you..."

"Quit your yapping!" a soldier stepped forward and shoved him, making him stumble.

Anger flared within him, but then he saw the gun muzzle practically pressed against his face. He clamped his mouth shut. The two were then escorted away at gunpoint by the soldiers.

The captain turned to Chen Chuan, his face breaking into a smile. "Captain Chen, you okay?"

Chen Chuan replied, "I’m fine. Thanks."

"Heh, don’t mention it. You just get some rest, Captain Chen. No one else will come bother you." The captain then barked at his squad, "You all hear that? Keep your eyes peeled."

The soldiers all roared in agreement.

They had all heard the stories. This was the man who had killed the active Consciousness Body, the one that could knock you out or kill you in an instant. Without him, none of them would have been safe. Their families might have been collecting their death benefits instead.

’As for some committee, who cares? We’ve never heard of it. If the captain’s not afraid to confront them, then neither are we.’

Chen Chuan returned to his vehicle. ’Since the Action Committee came for me,’ he suddenly thought, ’they might go after my squad members too.’

He used the vehicle’s comms to contact his squad and ask if they had run into any trouble.

Yuan Qiuyuan answered the call. He said everything was normal, nothing out of the ordinary. They were still handling a few things and were en route to a suspected stable Rift.

Chen Chuan nodded. He warned them to be wary of the Action Committee. If they ran into any trouble, they were to refer them to the Defense Department and not get involved themselves.

Yuan Qiuyuan said he understood and told him not to worry.

After giving his instructions, Chen Chuan ended the call. He took a moment to think. He had already drafted and submitted a report to the Defense Department about Chen Bitong’s affair right after he emerged from that Rift.

This wasn’t a simple matter concerning one person; it had wide-reaching implications. The final classification would likely have to wait for a decision from the higher-ups.

He refocused his mind, casting his spirit into the Opposite World to continue absorbing the dispersing Pure Essence. No one disturbed him again after that.

Time ticked by. With the Ferris Wheel Company—the single greatest threat—eliminated, emergency response forces were no longer stretched thin. As a result, the various government departments operated smoothly over the next dozen or so hours.

The Fumu’s reproductive fission continued for fifteen waves before finally ceasing completely around two in the afternoon. Nearly all of the subsequent offspring were either successfully recovered or destroyed.

At the same time, the once-ubiquitous Rifts vanished one by one. The swarms of insects that had filled the sky now seemed to have lost their vitality, growing listless and weak.

Inside the vehicle, Chen Chuan clearly felt a new barrier form in his connection to the other side, making it harder to capture Pure Essence.

He instantly realized the Celestial Gate must be closing.

In fact, if he hadn’t yet achieved Spiritual Sense, he probably wouldn’t be able to sense the other side at all anymore.

But his spiritual elevation was now high enough, and his reach into the other side deep enough, that as long as the breach in the World Ring remained open, he could theoretically still channel Pure Essence.

He just didn’t know how long this state would last. ’The world’s governments and major corporations have probably noticed by now and are starting to take action.’

He pushed the car door open and stepped out, standing in the plaza and gazing upward. High in the boundless sky, the torn rift was slowly knitting itself shut. The crimson glow was fading, and the heavens were gradually returning to a pure, clear azure. Everything seemed to be returning to normal.

His Realm Token chimed with a notification. Seeing it was Counselor Pei, he accepted the call. The counselor’s voice sounded markedly more relaxed and cheerful:

"Captain Chen, we’ve finally made it safely through the Fumu fission period. The Defense Department is grateful for your efforts. Go get some well-deserved rest. I may have something for you in a few days; we’ll talk specifics then."

Chen Chuan said, "Alright."

The operation had only lasted two days, but it had felt much, much longer. He felt no physical fatigue, but deep down, all he wanted was to go home, take a hot shower, drink a warm cup of tea, and sleep.

But there were a few things he needed to take care of first.

He tapped his Realm Token but found the Domain network still wasn’t fully restored. He returned to the armored vehicle and used its equipment to contact Yuan Qiuyuan and his two teammates.

He asked a few questions and learned their mission was also complete; they were in the process of regrouping. "Since you’re done," he said, "head back and get some rest. You can stay at my house for now. I’ll treat everyone to a meal another day."

Yuan Qiuyuan said, "Alright, Captain."

Chen Chuan then asked, "By the way, is Mr. Mishiro with you?" He’d heard that Mishiro Ara had been operating with his team and had been a great help.

"He is, Captain," Yuan Qiuyuan replied. "Mr. Mishiro is with us."

"Then please invite him to join us."

There was a brief pause on the other end before Yuan Qiuyuan’s voice returned. "Mr. Mishiro says he’s very grateful for your invitation, Captain. He says he will definitely be there."

Chen Chuan grunted in acknowledgment.

Yuan Qiuyuan added, "Oh, right, Captain. I’m keeping that captured sword you left with us safe. I’ll bring it back to you later. And as for the war banner, I’ve already had it sent to the Defense Department, just as you ordered."

Chen Chuan nodded. "Good. That’s all for now."

After he ended the call, a member of the emergency response unit approached, saluted, and said, "Captain Chen, the order came down to stand down. Do you have a destination? My squad leader told me to escort you back."

"Thank you," Chen Chuan said. "In that case, please take me back to Wuyi Academy."

「At the same time, on Qingding Mountain.」 Chu’an had also finished his absorption. He hadn’t been able to take in much Pure Essence, so he had spent most of his time simply refining what little he had.

Now that the Celestial Gate was closed, he couldn’t sense even a trace of it.

Still, he felt he had gained a great deal just from what little he had managed to absorb.

The old man had been watching the changes in the sky. When he saw the Rift close completely, he knew the Fumu fission event was over. "With these extra benefits you’ve gained," he said, "you should be able to catch up to your brother and sister."

Chu’an had benefited, but he still sounded a little wistful. "Teacher, what about all that dispersing Pure Essence...?"

The old man shook his head. "Don’t dwell on it. The corporations and governments won’t let it simply dissipate. We should be going as well. Even collecting this leaked Pure Essence is forbidden. We need to leave quickly, before Central City can react."

After their group quickly packed up and departed, the last stick of long incense on the altar had yet to burn completely out. Above it, the previously motionless Mo Divine Statue seemed to smile, the corner of its mouth hooking upward.

On the coast outside the Ji Yang District, Xue Shou was still facing off against the General of Conquest from the Old Imperial Family.

But as the Rift in the sky gradually sealed itself, the Rift behind the general also grew unstable, and from it came the low blast of a horn.

Hearing the call, the General of Conquest pulled his reins, turned his steed, and rode step by step back into the Rift.

Xue Shou stood motionless, watching him depart. As the general entered the Rift, the tens of thousands strong Cavalry Army turned to follow. They grew hazy as they retreated into the distance, and then, after a few violent flickers, the entire fissure vanished.

On the coast before him, nothing remained but the tide washing endlessly upon the shore.

Xue Shou stood for a moment longer, hands in his pockets. He ran a hand through his hair, then turned and began walking back through the surf. His figure grew faint with each step until a gust of sea breeze blew past, and he vanished from sight completely.

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