Chapter 650 - 1: Homecoming

The armored convoy traveled for seven hours, arriving at the Yangzhi City checkpoint close to noon. After a brief stop, it drove toward the city ahead amidst the salutes of the station’s inspectors.

Meanwhile, He Fen, the director of the Yangzhi City Processing Bureau, and Guan Yuming, the director of the Patrol Bureau, were waiting at the entrance to the city on National Path.

As the Investigation Chief of the Processing Bureau and a Third Limit Fighter, Chen Chuan’s visit had been announced to Yangzhi City in advance, and they had been asked to make the necessary arrangements.

Guan Yuming stood at the intersection, gazing at the straight, wide expanse of National Path before him with mixed feelings.

Chen Chuan could be considered a junior from the Patrol Bureau. He had watched Chen Chuan’s rise, even giving him a helping hand along the way. He knew Chen Chuan was an exceptionally talented young man who was destined to reach the upper echelons.

But he never imagined it would happen so fast.

The last time Chen Chuan returned, it was as an Execution Captain, already a rank higher than him. Now, he was an Investigation Chief—a true high-ranking official. In all of Yangzhi City, only the Civil Affairs Chief held such a rank.

He Fen glanced into the distance, then at his watch. He estimated they would arrive in just a few minutes.

He had only been transferred here from another post this year and wasn’t very familiar with Yangzhi City. Unlike Guan Yuming, he wasn’t filled with nostalgia; he was simply focused on welcoming his superior.

He turned and said, "Director Guan, I hear this Manager Chen got his start in your Patrol Bureau?"

Guan Yuming nodded. "He’s the nephew of our bureau’s captain, Nian Fuli. He was raised by Nian Fuli and his wife, so he’s one of the Patrol Bureau’s own."

He Fen smiled. "In that case, Director Guan, you’re a senior figure to Manager Chen. I haven’t met him before. When I do, I’ll have to ask you to put in a good word for me."

Guan Yuming replied, "Manager Chen serves in the Processing Bureau. Your words will carry more weight than mine, Director He."

Just as they were speaking, a high-pitched, distant cry suddenly echoed from the sky. He Fen glanced upward, then toward the end of the road. A glint of light seemed to flash in his eyes as he said with certainty, "They’re here."

A moment later, Guan Yuming saw a black dot gradually appear on the National Path ahead. It grew clearer and clearer, revealing a convoy heading in their direction.

In the lead was an armored vehicle with a mounted machine gun, followed by a stretch armored car and its escort vehicles.

The lead armored vehicle spotted the waiting party and immediately relayed a message back via the convoy’s Domain Creature. Once it was within a certain distance, it pulled over to the side of the road.

The specialized armored car drove to the front, gradually slowed, and came to a stop. The door opened, and Chen Chuan stepped out.

He wore a service cap, protective gloves, and the military greatcoat of an Investigation Chief. Combined with the characteristically upright posture of a Fighter, he cut an exceptionally imposing figure.

As soon as he appeared, someone in the welcoming party shouted, "Salute!" All personnel present from the Patrol Bureau and the Processing Bureau snapped to a crisp, unified salute.

Chen Chuan stopped and returned the salute. He then walked forward until he was in front of Guan Yuming and He Fen. He first addressed Guan Yuming, "Director Guan." Then he turned to He Fen, extending a hand. "Director He, a pleasure to meet you."

He Fen immediately stepped forward and took Chen Chuan’s hand with both of his. "Manager Chen," he said enthusiastically, "I’ve long heard my colleagues speak of you. Vice Director Fang even called me personally to tell me about your great accomplishments. I was deeply impressed."

Chen Chuan understood. ’So he’s one of Vice Director Fang’s men.’ He said, "I’m just returning home for a visit. The higher-ups required I give advance notice, but I didn’t wish to trouble you both."

He Fen said, "Manager Chen, you’re an officer from Headquarters. It is my duty as a subordinate to come and welcome you. Otherwise, people would say I have no sense of propriety."

Guan Yuming said, "Professionally, you are my superior. Personally, you are the most outstanding talent to have ever come from our Patrol Bureau. By any measure, it was my duty to come and welcome you."

"You’re too kind, Director Guan," Chen Chuan said.

Guan Yuming’s expression turned serious. "Also, on my way here, Mayor Zhu called me personally. He asked me to give you his regards."

Chen Chuan nodded slightly. "Then please thank Mayor Zhu on my behalf, Director Guan."

"I will relay the message," Guan Yuming said.

He Fen, beaming, spoke up again. "Manager Chen, we’ve prepared a welcome banquet for you at the bureau. We hope you’ll grace us with your presence."

Chen Chuan replied, "Back when I was in Yangzhi City, I never had the chance to visit the local bureau. As a member of the Processing Bureau, it’s only right that I have a meal there now that I’ve returned."

The smile on He Fen’s face widened. "I will be sure to host you well, Manager."

After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Chuan and the others returned to their respective cars. The various vehicles merged into a single convoy and, led by a guide vehicle, headed toward the Yangzhi City Processing Bureau.

Inside the Yangzhi City Administrative Affairs Hall, Civil Affairs Chief Zhu Xian was on a call.

"Have they received him? Was my greeting passed on? Good. Be sure to arrange Manager Chen’s reception perfectly."

After hanging up the phone, he couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. He had met Chen Chuan once, a few years ago, and had thought of him merely as a talented young man. He gave it little thought afterward, never imagining the young man would become his equal in rank so quickly.

’Has it even been three years?’

He himself had to claw his way up through the local ranks for many years to reach this position.

But he also understood that the times were different now. Capable Fighters were indeed promoted quickly; sometimes, a single opportunity was enough for them to skyrocket. He had seen many such cases over the years.

In terms of real authority, Chen Chuan couldn’t compare to him, a regional administrator responsible for millions of people. But when a major conflict erupted, it was the military faction that took precedence in the grand scheme of things.

His secretary spoke up beside him. "I wonder, is Manager Chen’s return a glorious homecoming, or does he have some ulterior motive?"

"It’s not that complicated," Zhu Xian said. "In the eyes of Central City, Yangzhi City is just a small town. Without the Molan Company, they wouldn’t give it a second glance."

He waved his hand. "Just host him according to protocol." After a moment’s thought, he added, "Keep me informed of any developments."

The secretary nodded.

The last two times Chen Chuan had visited Yangzhi, he had only called to inform his aunt and her family, causing no stir whatsoever.

This time, however, news had spread throughout the Patrol Bureau Family Area before he even arrived. Everyone knew Chen Chuan had taken a higher post in Central City, and now even Director Guan himself had gone to the city entrance to welcome him.

Everyone was filled with surprise and envy, remarking that the Nian family was truly on the rise.

It wasn’t just the Patrol Bureau and the Processing Bureau. Wuyi Academy had also received the news. After all, Wuyi Academy and the Processing Bureau were two sides of the same coin, and since Chen Chuan was a graduate of Wuyi, they shared in his glory.

Cheng Zitong had gotten the news early on and had been beaming for days. Upon hearing that Chen Chuan’s convoy had entered the city, he immediately picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Old Qian, I’m looking for my senior."

The person on the other end replied immediately, "Manager Cheng, the old master isn’t here."

"Not here? Where did he go?" Cheng Zitong asked, surprised.

Old Qian explained, "It’s almost the end of the academic year, with the new term starting soon. The old master made arrangements with Central City to send the young master there to get acclimatized. He took him to Central City two days ago."

"Oh... Wasn’t my senior a bit hasty? Why didn’t he tell me beforehand? I would have seen him off."

"The old master said the term is ending and you’re at your busiest, Director Cheng, so he didn’t want to disturb you."

Cheng Zitong sighed. "My senior is always so considerate. Alright then. Let me know when he gets back or calls. Don’t forget, Old Qian."

"Of course, Director Cheng," Old Qian said respectfully.

After hanging up, he turned around. Qiao Linhu was sitting right there, accompanied by his student, surrounded by luggage that had been packed long ago.

"Master," he said, "I’ve spoken with Director Cheng."

Qiao Linhu grunted in acknowledgment.

Just then, he heard a car horn outside. He shot to his feet and said in a low voice, "Let’s go."

With that, he strode quickly outside.

His disciple hurried to keep pace behind him.

After getting into the car, Qiao Linhu waited until his disciple and all their attendants were aboard and every last bag had been stowed. Then he urged in a low voice, "Go. Don’t take the main gate. Use the academy’s rear exit."

His demeanor made everyone else extremely tense. Those in the know understood they were heading to Central City; anyone else would have thought they were fleeing for their lives.

Not long after his car departed, before the smell of its algae-oil fuel had even dissipated, another car pulled up and stopped at the residence’s gate.

Cheng Zitong stepped out, took off his sunglasses, and looked at the tightly locked gate. "Ah, he’s really gone," he said. "Well, so much for getting a free meal."

He gazed into the distance and shouted, "Safe travels, Senior!"

His voice was carried far away on the wind.

He stood there watching for a moment longer, then suddenly smiled. Putting his sunglasses back on, he returned to his car, turned it around, and drove away.

As the convoy drove into the city and passed through the downtown area, Chen Chuan glanced at the former site of the Molan Company Building.

The building had clearly been renovated. Its exterior walls were now a uniform, shimmering silver. In the center was the logo of the Yuan’an Company: it resembled a metal gear base, overlaid with prominent, ridged plates.

In the plaza stood an all-metal sculpture. It had several supporting legs and was topped with what looked like a folded carapace.

The average person probably wouldn’t know what it was supposed to be, but to him, ’It looks a bit like the form of an active Consciousness Body.’

Chen Chuan watched it for a moment, his gaze drifting up to the top of the skyscraper before he finally looked away.

The convoy drove past the sculpture, under the watchful eyes of the plaza’s armed guards, and proceeded into the nearby administrative building of the Processing Bureau.

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