After decapitating the man with a single slash, Chen Chuan walked over. He used his blade to peel open the burly man’s outer coat, revealing a thick, black suit of Protective Armor underneath.

The gear looked high-end. It seemed capable of blocking a blade even without being reinforced by Power. The man had clearly intended to use this to catch him off guard. An ordinary person truly wouldn’t have been able to react in time.

He hadn’t even used his Heavy Slash Blade Force then. Still, this was just Protective Clothing owned by a corporate team. It was easy to imagine that the Molan Company’s Blood Ink Guard undoubtedly wore even better gear.

’If I run into them, it won’t be an easy fight. I’ll need to really think about how to handle them.’

While they had been fighting, the men from Antan Company had retreated without a moment’s hesitation. In a battle of this caliber, others couldn’t help even if they wanted to; they wouldn’t even know where to shoot. Besides, they had just made a hefty sum and were thinking about going back to enjoy it. Why would they risk their lives fighting someone to the death?

Up on the high slope, the squad leader saw the situation and asked, "Special Envoy, should we pursue?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

But Old Feng shook his head. The mission only required them to ensure the cargo was intercepted. There was no need to waste manpower and resources wiping out the Antan Company’s people. After all, if they killed one batch, another could just be sent.

They had intentionally left behind a person of some standing, not only to prevent being pursued themselves, but also to give the other side someone to answer to.

He instructed, "Send a telegraph. Tell Old Tian he can make his move." Since Molan’s receiving team had been intercepted, there was no longer any need for that camp they had encountered earlier. They could just destroy it.

A team member beside him nodded and immediately went back to send the telegraph.

At the same time, gunfire erupted on the opposite slope. The two flanking squads had launched their attack on the unidentified armed team.

Old Feng could tell just from the sound of the gunfire that his side’s attack was very rhythmic, with proper coordination between close-range and long-range fire. They even left openings for skilled combatants to charge in.

In contrast, the other side was a complete mess with very little coordination. Some of them were just pulling the trigger nonstop, almost on the same level as some of the teams out in the wasteland.

’For a team like that to survive, they either have to be skilled fighters or equipped with decent Implants.’

But it was useless. His team had plenty of ways to deal with people like that. Not to mention, the flanking force included the squad Chen Chuan had brought with him. Those men were excellent for surprise attacks once they put on their Protective Clothing.

So after listening for a while, he stopped paying attention to that direction and led his men down to the battleground below.

First, a few team members went forward to put a final bullet in the men on the ground. Then, he personally walked over to inspect the cargo. Opening the back doors of the transport truck, he could see it was filled with High-Energy Nutrient Supplements.

’Looks like the entire external order of High-Energy Nutrient Supplements is here. As for the Combat Mantises, there aren’t as many as expected—only ten stacked crates tucked into a corner. That makes sense. No matter how many Combat Mantises you buy, they can’t move without the High-Energy Nutrient Supplements.’

After confirming there were no issues, he felt at ease. The mission was a complete success. Just then, the people beside him turned their heads, and he turned to look as well, seeing Chen Chuan walking back.

He praised him, "Brother Chen, that was beautifully done!"

Chen Chuan said, "It was Special Envoy Feng and everyone here who created the opportunity for me."

Old Feng smiled. This was one of the reasons he was so optimistic about Chen Chuan. The young man didn’t have that "I’m strong, so I don’t need to care about anyone else" kind of arrogance. Old Feng himself didn’t care about such things, but many others did.

He then turned around and said, "The mission was a success. After we get back, I will request commendations for all of you from Specialist Cao."

The team members immediately responded, "Thank you, Special Envoy!"

The mission had actually been quite easy. Although Chen Chuan appeared to be the main force, and it was clear that Old Feng was intentionally promoting the young man, they had no complaints.

’What’s wrong with completing a mission without having to do too much? Fighting to the death might earn a bigger bonus, but if you get yourself killed, all you’d get is a death benefit.’

When it was time to go all out, they would. But when they could conserve their strength, they would do that too.

Just then, the two flanking squads that had been sent out returned. The captain came up and reported, "Special Envoy, the unidentified armed team has been completely annihilated. Thirty-four were killed on the spot, and five were captured."

"Where are the prisoners?"

The captain waved his hand back. "Bring them up."

The five prisoners were immediately pushed to the front. Xiaoxiao was bound with special restraints. Both of his hands had been severed, exposing the cross-section of his Implant tissue, which was still leaking fluid.

His eyes were defiant as he was brought over, but when he saw Chen Chuan standing there with his blade and remembered the scene from before, a look of fear and apprehension crossed his face, and he lowered his head.

Mr. Ling was clearly the leader, so he was brought before Old Feng. The latter asked, "Which company are you from?"

Mr. Ling gritted his teeth and said nothing.

Old Feng said, "We have many ways to make you talk. It’ll just be easier for you if you speak up yourself. Even if you don’t, I can find out with a little effort." As he spoke, a team member pulled out a pistol and pressed it against Mr. Ling’s head, as if he’d fire if the answer wasn’t right.

Mr. Ling wasn’t a particularly resolute person, but speaking up the moment he was asked would make him seem too cheap. Seeing that the situation was dire, he immediately answered, "Ferris Wheel Company."

Old Feng thought for a moment. He had some recollection of it. It was a small, newly-risen company that had produced all sorts of miscellaneous things. Currently, the General Affairs Bureau’s attention was focused on the major corporations, so a small company like this normally wouldn’t be worth their notice. But since they had run right into them, they couldn’t just pretend they hadn’t seen them.

He said, "Take them all back, open a file, and keep a closer eye on this company in the future."

After the men were dragged away, he asked again, "Have you identified the team that attacked the Molan Company people earlier?"

"We have. They’re just a hired team, but they don’t know who their employer is."

Old Feng said, "There must be a handler coordinating things. Otherwise, a team like that would have taken the money and disbanded for sure. Old Zhao, find a way to dig him out."

"Yes, sir," a lean, capable-looking team member responded.

Just then, a telegraph operator came over, saluted him, and said, "Special Envoy, Specialist Cao sent a telegraph asking if the situation has been handled."

Old Feng glanced at his watch. "It’s just past four and he’s already sending a telegraph. Old Cao is a bit too impatient. Send him a reply that everything has been handled. Everyone else, clean this place up quickly. We’re heading back."

The team members responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"

Half an hour later, after the scene was cleaned up, the group began their journey back. By the time they returned to Yangzhi City, it was almost nine in the morning.

This time, the General Affairs Bureau had established a temporary base inside the Patrol Bureau Headquarters. The place had a complete fortress and underground fortifications preserved from the Great Expansion era. Even if they encountered unexpected trouble, they could hold out for a very long time.

As Old Feng led Chen Chuan inside, a discussion about the strategy against Molan Company seemed to be underway. A deep, powerful voice said, "My opinion is that we concentrate our forces and attack the Molan Company Building directly. That way, none of them can escape, and we solve all our problems in one fell swoop!"

Specialist Cao’s voice followed. "The Molan Company’s building is in the city center, just a kilometer away from the Administrative Affairs Hall’s conference building. It’s also a densely populated area. If we choose to start a war there, many people will die."

"Can’t we just evacuate the area beforehand? Besides, you can’t do this kind of work without some sacrifices. The faster we resolve it, the fewer casualties there will be. If you keep dragging this out, I think the higher-ups will replace you sooner or later."

"I still insist on the proposal I originally submitted: let Molan Company come out of that turtle shell on their own, and then we’ll encircle and annihilate them outside."

"And how do you plan to make them come out?"

Specialist Cao simply said, "They will come out."

"I’ll be waiting. You have ten days. If you can’t handle it within ten days, then I will activate the secondary plan at any time. When that happens, the sacrifices you’re so worried about will only be greater."

After the argument ended, the man who had been speaking strode out. Chen Chuan saw a burly man about two meters tall and in his fifties. He had a vertical scar by the corner of his eye, his lips were pressed into a thin line, and the muscles of his body strained against his uniform. The floor seemed to vibrate as he walked.

The man met their gazes, his eyes sweeping past Old Feng before landing on Chen Chuan. He looked him over and said, "You’re Chen Chuan? I saw what you said at the Judgement Court. Very good! When dealing with these unstable elements, you should strike first and leave none alive! After the national conscription ends, you can come find me. I have a stage far more suited for you to perform on."

After speaking, he strode away without waiting for Chen Chuan’s reply.

Chen Chuan asked Old Feng, "Who was that?"

Old Feng said, "Someone from the National Temporary Special Action Committee. He was entrusted by the higher-ups to supervise our work this time. The man is a bit of an extremist; try to stay far away from him. Not many of the people who follow him meet a good end." He gestured inside. "Let’s go in."

The two of them walked in and found themselves in a spacious combat conference room. A huge map of Yangzhi City hung on the front wall, with certain areas specially marked with black lines and red dots. In the middle of the room was a scaled-down terrain model, the most conspicuous feature of which was the Molan Building.

Specialist Cao was standing by the terrain model, seemingly studying something. When the two entered, he spoke without looking up. "The mission was completed very well. Molan Company should have gotten the news by now. I expect they will start making their move by tomorrow or the day after at the latest."

Old Feng asked, "Old Cao, are you sure they’ll leave?"

"If they stay here, it’s a dead end. Why wouldn’t they leave?"

Old Feng said, "Ten days..." He pondered for a moment. "Even if you force them out, how do you plan to deal with them outside? Encircling and annihilating them out there will undoubtedly be much more difficult."

Specialist Cao said, "I already have a plan." He looked at Chen Chuan. "I received Old Feng’s telegraph just now. You did well this time. There’s another mission, and you’ll be participating."

Chen Chuan asked, "What is it?"

Specialist Cao said, "Participating in the assault on the Molan Company Building. Even if they retreat, they’ll leave some people behind to guard the place and tie up some of our forces."

Chen Chuan said, "Specialist Cao, may I ask when?"

Specialist Cao said confidently, "Within three days. Go back and prepare well. During a national mission, the state will provide you with any supplies you consume. Make sure you seize this opportunity."

Chen Chuan nodded. This seemed to be a perk of participating in a national mission. He said, "If there’s nothing else, then this student will take his leave." After bidding the two farewell, he left the room.

For a moment, only Specialist Cao and Old Feng were left in the conference room.

Old Feng’s face showed some worry. "Old Cao, wiping out Molan Company is important, but getting our hands on the ’item’ is just as important. In fact, the higher-ups care more about that. If you let them leave, finding it will be many times more difficult."

Specialist Cao calmly analyzed, "Even if they’re in the building, they have ways of sending it away. We might as well let them carry it." His gaze fell upon the terrain model as he said coolly, "They won’t get away."

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