Four days later, Director Wang delivered a message: radio transmissions on a certain frequency had become frequent. Though many of the coded messages were unintelligible, it was clear they were preparing to make a move.

According to analysis from the communications bureau’s experts, the operation would likely take place within the next two days.

The corporate conferences in Yangzhi City were scheduled from the end of the month to early November. Representatives from foreign companies would be arriving one or two days early by train.

The timing lined up perfectly.

Chen Chuan was already back in his school dormitory. After hanging up a call from Director Guan, he glanced at the calendar on the wall. It was October 28th of the 93rd Year of Jianzhi, with just over two months left in the year.

According to his teacher, Cheng Zitong, the approval for his spot should come through around the end of the year. That meant he could probably go to Central City next year.

This operation would likely be his last major mission in Yangzhi City.

’To avoid the resistance organization’s spies, I’ll need to move into the wilderness ahead of time. I can get started now,’ he thought.

So, he picked up the phone again and began calling his team members one by one. Once everyone was notified, he walked to the sword rack and took down the Snow Monarch Blade. He returned to the sofa, unsheathed the blade, and took out a jar of ointment he had received during the national conscription. Then, he spread it evenly along the edge.

This blade maintenance ointment was said to improve a weapon’s quality. The effect hadn’t been obvious at first, but after several applications, he could definitely feel a difference. For starters, the blade’s warm-up time was slightly shorter. It was a minuscule change, but any improvement was welcome.

Once the ointment was completely spread along the blade, he gripped the hilt and held it horizontally before him. He took a few measured breaths and immediately felt a faint vibration emanate from the blade.

After a moment, he reached out and gently stroked the flat of the blade, and the vibration subsided. Only then did he slowly slide the blade back into the Sword Scabbard.

Then he rose and began to inspect the gear he would be taking. This time, he was bringing everything: the Martial Halberd and the Stone Bullets he had polished in advance.

After these preparations were done, he began to get dressed. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

First, he put on a shirt with numerous Secret Ceremony Patterns drawn on the inside. Over that, he pulled on a form-fitting, high-grade suit of Protective Clothing. He added a Secret Ceremony Liner on top of the Protective Clothing, and finally, he donned the black Anti-stabbing Windbreaker, which also had patterns drawn on its interior.

After that came a scarf and gloves, which had also been treated with a Secret Ceremony. The mask, covered front and back with dense ceremonial patterns, could be set aside for now; he would put it on when he encountered the enemy.

By the time he had prepared and checked everything, it was almost 4:30 in the afternoon.

He was scheduled to meet the others at five, so it was time to leave. He took hold of his Snow Monarch Blade and rose to his feet. On his way out, he grabbed a case by the door and stepped outside.

He had just stepped outside when he saw Feng Xiaochi and Luo Kaiyuan already waiting. "All set?" he asked. They both nodded. "Then let’s move out."

The three of them left the dormitory building and walked to the school gate, where the car He Nan had arranged was already waiting. Wei Chang’an’s team, Ren Xiaotian, Wu Han, Weidong, and the others had also arrived ahead of time.

Chen Chuan looked ahead to the square, where the maple trees on the other side were a blaze of fiery red. A strong gust of wind swept through, making the branches sway like waves. Crimson leaves twirled into the air, their fluttering forms merging with the sunset’s glow, trailing brilliant red streaks across the sky.

He gazed into the distance for a moment before looking away. "Everyone, let’s move out," he said to the group. He climbed into the first SUV, and the others quickly boarded the remaining vehicles. The convoy then drove off down the main road.

An hour later, the convoy had driven into the wilderness. This time, they didn’t venture deep inside, instead choosing to stop in a secure location. Everyone disembarked from the vehicles.

Chen Chuan gathered everyone. For security reasons, he hadn’t been able to explain the specifics of their task earlier. Now, however, he began to lay out the main objectives of the mission.

When he was finished, Wu Han’s eyes went wide. "So we’re not taking down some armed smuggling ring this time? We’re going up against Esoteric Buddhism and the resistance organization?"

Chen Chuan nodded.

Wu Han chuckled. "Now this is what I’m talking about!"

Chen Chuan looked at the others. "I’ll be responsible for the Esoteric Buddhism followers and for disrupting their ritual. Your job is to deal with the members of the resistance organization. Someone will notify us with the specifics when the time comes, but we also need to conduct our own reconnaissance beforehand."

His gaze shifted, landing on Ren Xiaotian, who was standing alone a short distance from the group. "Senior Brother Ren, I’ll leave that part to you."

Despite the fading light, Ren Xiaotian was still wearing his sunglasses. "Got it," he said in a steady voice.

Chen Chuan gave a few more specific instructions, then went to his vehicle and dragged out a heavy crate. He opened it to reveal shirts emblazoned with Secret Ceremony Patterns, all prepared beforehand by the Esoteric Review Bureau.

"These are a precaution," he said. "If you accidentally wander into the range of an Esoteric Ritual, this clothing will keep your mind clear for a limited time. If that happens, you just need to find a way to retreat to a safe distance."

He turned to Wei Chang’an. "Brother Wei, you can bring out the gear now."

Wei Chang’an laughed. "So that’s what all this is for! I was wondering why you had me bring so much gear. Junior Brother, you’re planning something big, huh? Once again, you’re the one leading your old Brother Wei. You really know how to look out for your friends."

He gave a shout and led a few men to his vehicle. They began unloading crate after crate. When opened, the crates revealed various models of firearms, as well as grenades, Smoke Bombs, Crossbow Arrows, Protective Clothing, Anti-stabbing Suits, helmets, goggles, and a whole range of other munitions and protective gear.

Chen Chuan said, "There’s a set of protective gear for everyone. They’re sized for each of you, and your names are on the labels. Just find yours and take it. The higher-ups gave us full authorization for all this."

Wu Han’s eyes lit up with excitement. "Now this is the good stuff!"

He and Weidong loved to be on the front lines, but only those who’ve done it know how much it sucks. You can never really cut loose. With this Protective Clothing, though, things would be different.

Meanwhile, Bao Yuan’s group had secretly returned from Shangbu City to their wilderness outpost outside Yangzhi City. At that moment, he too was distributing a drug.

These drugs all came from the Land of Chaos. Any Second Limit Fighter who took one could briefly gain the ability to keep up with a Third Limit Fighter.

However, without a special constitution, the effect only lasted from a few seconds to a few dozen seconds. The user would be left extremely weak afterward, and might even die. But it was a necessary precaution. Otherwise, a single Third Limit Fighter wearing Protective Clothing could potentially wipe out their entire group.

After distributing the drugs, he gave his instructions. "This time, after we blow up the railway, we need to take the foreign corporate representatives and everyone else on the train hostage. We’ll make it impossible for their conference to proceed."

His men seemed a little disappointed.

"Captain, we’re just taking them hostage?"

"Yeah, can’t we just waste ’em all? That’d be way more satisfying!"

Bao Yuan said, "They’re more useful to us alive than dead. If we kill them all at once, those officials in the Administrative Affairs Hall will just pretend to be outraged while secretly celebrating and calling us morons. Then they’ll hunt us down without a second thought. Only by keeping these people alive can we force their hand. Only then can we make our voices heard."

He seemed to think of something then, turning his head to ask, "Old Fan, is everything ready on your end?"

A voice immediately responded, "Boss, it’s all ready. The moment you start your speech, they should be able to hear you in Yangzhi’s Central City and several surrounding cities.

If we’re lucky, and our organization’s secret relay stations pick up the broadcast, then maybe half of Dashun—no, the entirety of Dashun—might hear your voice."

"Good. That’s exactly how it should be!"

Bao Yuan grew incredibly excited, a thrill running through his entire body. The last time he’d felt like this was fourteen years ago in Central City, watching from a distance as the Molan Company was blown up from within.

He thought for a moment and asked again, "Old Fan, how are things with Old Tian? Has any news come in?"

"Captain, Old Tian’s had his hands full. Those ’gray dogs’ are swarming the city center, making it hard for him to find a chance to plant the explosives."

Bao Yuan said, "Fine. Just tell him to stick to the plan and not get exposed. Also, send a message to the Painter. Ask him for a status report."

He knew the Painter was the key. Due to disagreements, the organization hadn’t given the Painter much support; he’d had to acquire his own weapons and recruit his own men. As for himself, Bao Yuan had spent over a decade building this crew and creating this opportunity with almost no help. Now, he was ready to bet it all on one big gamble.

Those corporate representatives would have qualified security details, even on the train. The representatives themselves might even have Combat Implants. His group was too small to take them on directly.

But he had an ace up his sleeve: the Esoteric Ritual the Painter had been preparing for a long time. It would weaken their enemies, shatter their minds, and make them lose themselves in confusion.

He didn’t have to wait long this time. Within minutes, the radio operator picked up a reply. He handed over the decoded message. "Captain, a reply from the Painter..."

Bao Yuan strode forward and snatched it away. On it was the decoded message, four words:

"Painting delivered. Unfurling tomorrow."

"Good!"

He crushed the message in his fist and looked up at the faintly star-dusted night sky. "Tomorrow!"

Meanwhile, back with Chen Chuan’s team, Lin Xiaoti sat before a radio set in one of the vehicles, wearing headphones. Suddenly, her expression changed. She quickly transcribed the transmission she was receiving, then decoded it using a codebook.

She listened to it several times to be certain she hadn’t missed anything, then took off her headphones. She got out of the vehicle, ran to Chen Chuan, and handed him the message. "Brother Chen, the message is here."

Chen Chuan took it and scanned the page with a single glance. He then looked up at everyone. "Everyone, get ready tonight. We leave tomorrow morning. Our destination..." He gazed toward the southeast. "Xieshan!"

...

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