When he was testing for the Unlimited Defense Certificate, Specialist Cao had paid special attention to him and Yangzhi City. This subtly revealed that the Upper Layer’s focus was steadily converging here.

All the clues indicated that an unprecedented storm was on the horizon.

Therefore, they didn’t really need to worry about Molan at all. They could even ride the momentum of this greater trend and use the opportunity to accomplish what they wanted.

What was interesting was that back at the Patrol Bureau, Guan Yuming had repeatedly told him that he would fully support him. His words were unusually firm, implying that as long as Chen himself didn’t budge, nothing would happen to him.

And back then, he hadn’t even mentioned that he had an Unlimited Defense Certificate, yet the Patrol Bureau’s upper management seemed uncharacteristically confident.

Director Lei had been constantly encouraging him to go to Central City and had, on several occasions, promised to guarantee his safety when he might face threats from numerous powerful families.

Then there was Wuyi Academy, where there was an easily overlooked detail. At the beginning of the year, the third head, Principal Yan, was transferred away and replaced by the older and more senior Fan Shoulu. Even earlier than that, the former’s son, Yan Xiaojing, was sent abroad under the guise of an exchange program and had yet to return.

And then there was the matter of the Mutual Aid Association, which had caused such a huge uproar. Yet, the Processing Bureau above them never made any decent response or intervention. They remained completely silent throughout the entire process, at most only encouraging a few students to come forward. Everything about it felt unnatural.

All signs indicated that every enforcement agency in Yangzhi City already knew something and had made preparations long ago. This led him to a bold speculation: these agencies were likely also involved in this encirclement of Molan Company. And even if the final stage hadn’t been reached yet, they had probably already secured the upper hand.

In reality, the words Zhan Yi had said to him earlier had not affected him in the slightest.

’Molan Company can barely save itself, and you’re telling me this?’

’What’s the use?’

’Right now, siding with Molan Company is just asking for a quick death. Opposing them is the correct move.’

He could have done nothing today and simply waited for the results. But he didn’t want to just go with the flow; he wanted to be the one pushing things forward.

He wanted to accelerate the process, not wait another half a year or a full year.

After discussing it with Gao Ming, he had found the one crucial point where he, as an individual, could intervene and interfere in the grand game between the major powers!

That was to present this Recommendation Card from the Original Man Company at the Judgement Court.

He didn’t present the card to defend himself, but to probe Molan Company’s true strength on behalf of all the other powers that had their eyes on it.

It was like taking a sharp knife and flashing the tip in front of its face.

After the Original Man Company’s name was brought up, if Molan had stood its ground, it would have shown they still had some fight left. But their concession today completely exposed their weakness!

More importantly, it had blatantly revealed this weakness, exposing its soft underbelly. The giant beasts that had been circling, eyeing it covetously and hesitating, would now rush in to tear it apart and devour it.

When Cheng Shang asked him earlier if he wanted to join, he was asking if he wanted to join the action to take down Molan Company. How could he possibly miss out on an event this big? Of course he was going to participate!

A mission of this scale wouldn’t come around for years. He could probably get his Armor Certificate ahead of schedule, and he could also use this to increase the overlap time with his Second Self.

As the people in the gallery left one after another, the Judgement Court gradually emptied. Chen Chuan tugged at his clothes, straightened his collar, then turned and politely addressed Judge Shen, who was still seated. "Your Honor, you have not yet announced the verdict."

Judge Shen paused for a moment, his expression turning solemn. He also straightened his judicial robes, picked up the prepared verdict, slowly rose to his feet, and began to read:

"This court hereby declares that the actions of Wuyi Academy student Chen Chuan during the old factory incident are ruled as self-defense. The charges are dismissed. Any objections may be appealed to a higher court. This judgement is final. Yangzhi City Judgement Court, August 21st, the 93rd year of the Dashun Republic."

After speaking, he picked up the Copper Hammer and struck the base of the xiezhi statue with a loud CLANG. He then looked at Chen Chuan and said in a gentle tone, "Chen, the judgement is over. You are free to go."

Chen Chuan nodded to him, then turned and walked out under Judge Shen’s gaze, the lingering echo of the hammer’s strike still in the air.

Upon reaching the antechamber, he saw that most of the people who had just left were being led away one by one by Patrol Officers from the Patrol Bureau. Gao Ming came over from the side, smiled, and said, "It’s starting."

Chen Chuan said, "Yes, it is."

Gao Ming said, "Cousin, I told you. This game would begin with you, and it will end with you."

Chen Chuan smiled and looked up at the clear sky and the sunlight shining down on everyone. "This isn’t the end," he said. "It’s another beginning."

In a Patrol Bureau station near the Judgement Court, Guan Yuming was on the phone. "Director, we’ve arrested them all."

"Keep a tight watch. The storm is about to hit, and we need to hold our ground."

"Yes, sir." Guan Yuming thought for a moment, then asked, "Director, why did we move ahead of schedule?"

"Someone beat the grass and startled the snake. We were forced to move."

Guan Yuming thought about it and understood. He said in a low voice, "Was it because of Xiaochuan’s card...?" He couldn’t help but ask, "Director, what exactly was that card?"

"I’ve already asked. It was a Recommendation Card from the Original Man Company, but it was just a voided card that had been canceled long ago."

"A voided card?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Guan Yuming couldn’t help but laugh. "Then why did he show it...?" He trailed off, his eyes flickering as he realized Chen Chuan’s true intention. Both amused and exasperated, he said, "No wonder... that kid..."

Their original plan had been to slowly close the net, testing the waters repeatedly. It might have taken several more attempts, and the whole process could have dragged on for a long time. After all, when facing a behemoth like Molan, no one wanted to be the first to charge in.

With Chen Chuan killing so many people from the Mutual Aid Association, they could use it as a pretext to selectively arrest some individuals without arousing too much suspicion from Molan Company.

But with this move, Chen Chuan had basically slammed his hand on the fast-forward button. He gave every power a hard shove from behind, forcing them all to make a move. They had no choice but to act!

...

...