Chen Chuan immediately sensed something was unusual. He asked, "Specialist Cao, am I the only one you’re sending?"

Specialist Cao said, "I will arrange for Old Feng to go with you."

Chen Chuan asked, "May I ask the reason for this?"

Specialist Cao said in a low voice, "Luo Qi likely has records of his private dealings with government officials over the years, as well as those of the Molan Company. He’s probably also carrying a large sum of gold notes. With these assets, certain people in the government will choose to take him in.

And once he’s inside the government, with someone backing him, it won’t be long before he transforms into a high-ranking official, sitting face-to-face with us. That’s why we must eliminate him before he’s accepted."

Chen Chuan thought for a moment, then nodded. "Understood, Specialist Cao. I’ll set out at once."

Specialist Cao said, "It’s 2:30 now. If you leave from the Patrol Headquarters, you should be able to get there in half an hour. Their scheduled meeting time is 4:00, but we can’t rule out the possibility that his contact will arrive early. So, you might only have half an hour to solve the problem."

He paused, then added, "As the head of the operations department, Luo Qi hasn’t fought anyone in a long time. His condition won’t be any better than Tan Wang, whom you’ve faced before. But he has equipment to make up for it. So, whatever you need, you can request it now. As long as it’s beneficial for this fight, I can approve it."

Chen Chuan understood his meaning. As long as he took on this task, even an excessive request would be granted. He said, "Alright, Specialist Cao. I’ll go make my preparations now."

Specialist Cao said grimly, "Just do what you have to do. There will be no record of this matter afterward."

Chen Chuan looked at him and nodded.

He then turned and left the conference room. ’It doesn’t matter whether there’s a record or not,’ he thought. ’The world is full of restraints, one way or another. When I’m strong enough, I’ll naturally be able to break free of them.’

After leaving the room, he found Old Feng already waiting for him. Accompanied by the latter, he requested a large batch of drugs from the logistics personnel.

This time, he was facing a true Third Limit opponent, and he only had half an hour. So, he didn’t hold back, requesting many items, including the best Protective Clothing currently available.

Ten minutes later, he was in a car, speeding toward North City.

On the way, he constantly drank from a water bottle, his other hand gripping the Snow Monarch Blade tightly. This time, it wasn’t just water; he had mixed in a large quantity of drugs.

’Others might worry about the damage,’ he thought, ’but the existence of my Second Self makes me immune to the harmful effects of the drugs, letting me use them without reservation.’

Old Feng watched him with some concern and reminded him, "Chen, you should try to use those drugs as little as possible in the future."

Chen Chuan thanked him sincerely, "Thank you, Special Envoy Feng. I know."

Old Feng grunted in acknowledgment and said gravely, "Even if Luo Qi didn’t have that information, we couldn’t let him live. He should be eliminated as soon as possible. As the head of Molan Company’s external operations department, I have records of his activities over the years, including numerous instances of killing civilians.

Some of those killings weren’t company missions, but simply him venting his personal frustrations. A man with no bottom line like him shouldn’t exist in this world. We may not represent justice, but we cannot tolerate such evil."

Chen Chuan nodded and said seriously, "I will take care of him."

Around 3:15, the car passed through Wu Family Town and began approaching the docks.

"It’s just ahead."

Old Feng said, "If you go over now, he’ll probably think we were sent to meet him. Can you use that to your advantage?"

Chen Chuan considered it. "I’m afraid not. He probably recognizes me. Even with a mask on, his eyesight is good enough to identify me by my build. There’s no chance for a surprise attack. I’ll have to face him head-on."

Old Feng’s expression turned serious. "Then be careful. I’ll provide support from behind. If things go south, retreat toward the car. If nothing else, my Spear Technique is decent enough. I should be able to hold him off for a bit." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Thank you, Special Envoy. If I need help, I won’t hesitate to ask."

Chen Chuan tossed the empty water bottle aside, put on his mask and fedora, and tied his scarf securely. This was to protect against various poison gas agents he might be carrying. Such things were often impossible to defend against. ’Although my Second Self can resist them,’ he thought, ’I should still use conventional protection whenever possible.’

He then picked up the already-warmed Snow Monarch Blade, pushed open the car door, and stepped out. After a glance at the warm afternoon sun, he took a case from Old Feng and started walking down the wide, flat concrete road toward the container terminal area.

’Last time I defeated Tan Wang, my Second Self gained five hours of overlap time in one go. After wiping out those people from the Mutual Aid Association, I gained another two hours, bringing the total to fifteen hours.’

’But this time, I only have half an hour.’

’However, if I can win this fight, the time gained should be even greater, bringing me one step closer to the goal of twenty-four hours of overlap.’

’Opportunities like this are actually quite rare. Especially before entering Central City, it’s hard to find an opponent I can face head-on with logistical and backup support.’

’So, the battle strategy I’ve decided on is to trade injury for injury, life for life. I’m definitely no match for Luo Qi in terms of skill. The only way I can possibly win this fight is by meeting his offense with my own.’

He had read Luo Qi’s file before.

The man wasn’t from Wuyi; he was a talent produced from a more orthodox, old-style lineage. He had secured the position of operations department head mainly through his own abilities, not his martial prowess. He was famous for being ruthless, cruel, and having no moral bottom line. For years, he had been responsible for Molan Company’s dirty work.

However, he indeed had no combat record in recent years. Once a Fighter neglected to spar, even for just a few days, their condition would decline rapidly. After several years of inactivity, it was certain he couldn’t have maintained his peak state from back then.

’But this man can use Implants and drugs to compensate for his shortcomings, so I still have to be as careful as possible.’

Near the docks, Luo Qi was waiting, slowly smoking a cigarette.

He wore black gloves and a Molan Company uniform, with a Long Sword at his waist. Beside him was a metal case, while a simple underwater respirator and a submersible membrane suit were tossed to the side.

Just then, he noticed Chen Chuan approaching and looked over from a distance.

Chen Chuan had never met the man in person, but he had seen photos. Luo Qi was forty-six, but he looked to be only around thirty. His features were handsome, but there was a hint of malice in his eyes. He perpetually wore a stern expression, giving off a very gloomy vibe.

As he walked over carrying the Snow Monarch Blade and the case, Luo Qi flicked away his cigarette and stood there casually. "You guys got here fast."

Chen Chuan said, "We’re in a hurry."

Luo Qi’s gaze fell on the case he was carrying. "Did you bring what I asked for?"

Chen Chuan set the case down, then stood his Snow Monarch Blade upright on the ground. "Cut the act, Manager Luo. You must have recognized me at first glance."

Luo Qi raised an eyebrow and let out a wry chuckle. "Clever." His eyes darted behind Chen Chuan. "What, you came alone?"

Chen Chuan looked up at him. "Of course not."

Luo Qi said, "Is that so."

He stretched his neck and shoulders, staring at Chen Chuan. "If someone was really coming after me, they’d send more than just a few of you. So, I’m guessing someone else sent you to intercept and kill me, to stop me from getting to the government, am I right?"

Chen Chuan didn’t answer him. He gripped the hilt of the Snow Monarch Blade, and as he walked forward, the blade was slowly drawn from its Sword Scabbard.

There wasn’t much time; he wasn’t going to waste it on pointless talk.

Before this, and during the journey over, he had been continuously communing with the Snow Monarch Blade. He hadn’t even taken it off when meeting with Specialist Cao. Now, he had attuned himself to the point where he could channel its Sword Force at any moment.

Luo Qi watched him, muttering to himself, "That guy from the Secret Snake Sect who came from Central City... you’re the one who took him down, right? Interesting. Looks like you were already using the drugs the General Affairs Bureau gave you back then. You must be the person they’re grooming, aren’t you? Hmm, yes, that must be it. I’d like to see just how long the effects of your drugs can last."

He reached out, grabbed the hilt at his waist, and drew the Long Sword with a SHING. Its black blade reflected no light under the sun.

Chen Chuan slowly advanced, raising the Snow Monarch Blade. At first, they only locked gazes, but as he closed the distance, both men moved at almost the same instant. In that moment, it was as if they both vanished from where they stood.

Luo Qi chose to wield his sword with both hands, thrusting it straight forward. Chen Chuan, also using a two-handed grip, brought his blade down in a frontal slash. From the looks of it, he had no intention of dodging.

Seeing that Chen Chuan wasn’t dodging, Luo Qi—whose speed had seemed comparable to Chen Chuan’s—suddenly accelerated after just two steps as the modified tendons in his legs activated.

Yet upon witnessing this, Chen Chuan’s expression remained unchanged, and the downward motion of his blade didn’t alter in the slightest.

Luo Qi narrowed his eyes. If this continued, his blade would inevitably pierce Chen Chuan’s chest. Even with Chen Chuan wearing Protective Clothing, he was confident he could run him straight through.

But if Chen Chuan didn’t die instantly, that downward slash would land on him. With his keen perception, Luo Qi could tell at a glance that this blade was extraordinary; it gave him a strong sense of threat.

So, when he saw Chen Chuan still refusing to dodge at the last second, seemingly willing to perish together, he had no choice but to change his move just before impact. He flicked his wrist upward, raising his sword vertically to parry the descending blade.

But because he had changed his move in haste, while Chen Chuan’s attack was relentless, fully powered by a two-handed grip, he only felt a violent vibration through his sword, as if it would fly from his grasp. A wave of Power surged directly into his body.

He felt a tightness in his chest and hurriedly mobilized the Mutated Organization in his body to absorb the force layer by layer. At the same time, he used the resilience of his implanted tendons to propel his body several steps to the side, using the opportunity to dissipate the Power.

Chen Chuan also felt a wave of Power transfer from the sword and penetrate his body. But as his Second Self flickered into a non-corporeal state for a split second, he was completely unaffected. Twisting his waist, he reversed his grip and swung the blade in a diagonal upward slash, a flash of light streaking toward Luo Qi’s neck!

...

...