Celestial Human Diagram-Chapter 145 - 130: The Team

Wei Chang’an grunted. ’Is this a trick from some adventure novel?’ The plan wasn’t completely without merit, but the coordination would be complicated, and there were too many unknown variables.

Besides, the Maka delegation weren’t fools. You couldn’t just claim you had it. They would definitely want to confirm, and if you refused to show it, they’d know immediately something was wrong.

But he didn’t want to dampen Feng Xiaochi’s enthusiasm. He used to be the same way, always thinking his ideas were brilliant, but the actual execution was another story entirely. So, he said tactfully, "We can consider it."

Chen Chuan treated everyone equally. Since Feng Xiaochi had offered a suggestion, he asked for the others’ opinions. Luo Kaiyuan stated he didn’t have any good ideas.

Wu Han’s idea was simple and crude: find a way to kidnap a member of the delegation and force them to reveal where the Maka fugitives were hiding.

To be fair, if they were desperate and threw caution to the wind, it actually had a chance of succeeding.

As for Weidong, he basically said he didn’t understand any of it. He just needed to know who they were fighting and where to find them. That was all.

When it was Wei Chang’an’s turn, he stroked his chin and stared at the map. "There are three major checkpoints on this stretch of the National Path leading to the port. The first one is under Yangzhi City’s control and will definitely conduct strict inspections. If I were part of the delegation, I certainly wouldn’t choose this section of the road for a handoff."

"The last checkpoint is run by Yuanwang Port. While its inspections might not be as strict as Yangzhi City’s, security in the surrounding area is tight to combat smugglers, making it difficult for ordinary people to get close."

"So, the most likely place for the handoff is the stretch in between. Worst-case scenario, we bring radios and split into teams. One team can lie in wait near a checkpoint, while the others patrol the road before the delegation sets out. Or we could just tail them from a distance. We might find a clue."

Chen Chuan considered it. The approach was a bit rigid, but it wasn’t operationally complex and actually had a chance of success. However, it also carried a high risk of conflict with the delegation.

Director Lei had reminded him to pay close attention at the checkpoints for a reason. It was also a hint about how to handle the situation.

After all, for something so important, the Maka delegation’s demeanor would surely be different before and after they received it. Careful observation could reveal a lot.

At the checkpoint, the delegation would have to stop and get out of their vehicles for inspection. They wouldn’t be carrying firearms at that point. His team could station themselves there in advance under the authority of the Administrative Affairs Hall. If they noticed anything suspicious, they could immediately move in for a thorough search. Even if the delegation resisted, they would be much easier to deal with without weapons.

But doing so would be an all-or-nothing gamble. If they found nothing, it could cause a diplomatic incident, and they wouldn’t get another chance to conduct an additional search.

As he was mulling it over, there was a sudden knock on the door.

He walked over and opened it. Sure enough, Ren Xiaotian was standing outside, accompanied by the cheerful Lin Xiaoti, who waved at him. "Hi, Brother Chen."

Chen Chuan smiled and nodded, then said to Ren Xiaotian, "Senior Brother Ren, we’ve been waiting for you. Please, come in."

Ren Xiaotian followed him inside. He paused slightly upon seeing so many people in the living room, and his posture stiffened.

Chen Chuan first introduced everyone, then returned to his seat. "Senior Brother Ren, your timing is perfect. We were just discussing our plan and wanted to hear your opinion." He summarized their discussion and then asked, "Senior Brother Ren, what do you think?"

Although Ren Xiaotian sat down, his small frame remained bolt upright, and he never took off his sunglasses. "To find those fugitive Maka Students, I think there’s a target worth looking into. You can take a look." As he spoke, he took out a notebook that looked very familiar to Chen Chuan and handed it over. "Here."

Chen Chuan took it and flipped through the pages, his expression shifting slightly.

The notebook Ren Xiaotian gave him detailed the situation in the wilderness on the way to the port. It was teeming with armed groups, most of which were involved in smuggling, human trafficking, and other illegal activities.

The more powerful of these groups trafficked illicit drugs, human organs, and weapons from abroad into the country. They even dealt in experimental biological Implants.

These groups, regardless of size, were all generally involved in trafficking people and contraband, or doing dirty work for the rich and powerful.

However, in the last year or two, a new group had emerged. Its leadership consisted entirely of Maka People or those of mixed Maka descent. Because they liked to wear green armbands and had bronze-colored skin, outsiders called them the Copper Rust Corps. Over time, they had come to accept the name themselves.

Many of the weapons they used were manufactured by the Maka People, so it was certain that even if this group wasn’t directly backed by the Maka Government, it was inextricably linked to it.

After reading, Chen Chuan came to a conclusion. He looked at Ren Xiaotian and said, "So if those Maka People escaped Yangzhi City with the item, the most likely destination for them would be the Copper Rust Corps? They can bypass the main road, are familiar with the wilderness, and have their own base of operations?"

Ren Xiaotian nodded.

Chen Chuan thought for a moment, then added, "It might be more than that. This group only appeared in the last year or two. Could they have been set up in advance by the Maka, with the primary purpose of securing the Oak Leaf?"

Based on how much the Maka People valued this thing, the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. He hadn’t expected Ren Xiaotian to bring him such a pleasant surprise. He’d definitely made the right choice asking his senior brother to join this commission.

As for whether this was true, they could find out by raiding the group ahead of time. There was no need to wait for the delegation to depart.

The others were still confused, so Chen Chuan explained the situation to them. After thinking it over, they all agreed it was a strong possibility.

Chen Chuan asked, "Senior Brother Ren, do you know where these people are located?"

Ren Xiaotian nodded. "I do."

Lin Xiaoti said, "For this, my mentor made a trip into the wilderness himself to pinpoint the Copper Rust Corps’ location before coming here to see you, Brother Chen."

Chen Chuan looked at Ren Xiaotian and said seriously, "Senior Brother Ren, we owe you a great deal for this."

Ren Xiaotian shook his head. "We don’t have a result yet. No need to jump to conclusions."

Chen Chuan said, "Right. Senior Brother, do you know how many people are in this Copper Rust Corps? What’s their equipment like?"

Ren Xiaotian walked over and pointed to the Copper Rust Corps’ approximate location on the map.

It was a stronghold about 150 kilometers to the southeast, near the Huo River, which provided a convenient water source. It used to be another gang’s base before this group took it over.

Then he detailed their specifics. The Copper Rust Corps had roughly forty to fifty members. About a quarter of them carried Maka firearms and old, self-made guns, but a significant portion used crossbows. They had about nine vehicles, two of which were custom-modified armored cars.

The good news, however, was that the Maka People were a culture that deeply revered nature. This philosophy was ingrained in them, so none of these people had Implants.

Ren Xiaotian added a final, cautious reminder, "If they were set up by the Maka Government, they might have experts among them."

Chen Chuan deeply agreed. Last time he fought Duma, he was bare-handed and had to rely on brute force. This time, however, he planned to be armed.

No matter how skilled they were, even if they wore protective clothing, if they couldn’t withstand a blade, they’d be cut in two all the same. Still, some precautions were necessary. He decided to go through Cheng Zitong to get a few powerful Crushing Rifles, just in case.

He said decisively, "We don’t have much time. Since there’s a high probability the Copper Rust Corps is hiding the fugitives, we should act as soon as possible." He looked up at the others. "Even if they aren’t there, it doesn’t matter. We’ll just treat it as taking out an armed smuggling ring."

Wu Han was the first to agree, a look of disgust on his face. "Exactly. It doesn’t matter if we’re wrong. We’ll just be clearing out bandits. Every last one of those groups that survives in the wilderness has blood on their hands. Is there a single one of them that isn’t wanted?"

Wei Chang’an smiled, thinking to himself: ’Actually, it wouldn’t matter even if they weren’t wanted. After we take them down, we can just have the Patrol Bureau write up a warrant.’

Luo Kaiyuan asked cautiously, "Chen, do we have enough people?"

Wei Chang’an spoke up. "I can call my team, too. There are about six of them, all completely trustworthy."

His team consisted of his old, trusted friends from Wuyi Academy, as well as other close acquaintances. Almost all of them came from Patrol Bureau families—they knew each other’s relatives, friends, and elders. They were all dependable.

Feng Xiaochi said, "We’ll also need enough firearms and vehicles."

No one objected. Out in the wilderness, even without a Weapon Permit, who would know who was using the guns? As long as someone on the team had a permit, it was fine.

Wei Chang’an said, "That’s easy. I’ll figure out how to get a batch of firearms and borrow some Anti-stabbing Armor. It’ll increase our odds." Although Anti-stabbing Armor didn’t offer much protection against guns, it was somewhat effective against melee weapons and Crossbow Arrows.

Chen Chuan asked, "Brother Wei, will that be a problem?"

Wei Chang’an gave him a reassuring look. "Junior Brother, don’t worry. Your Brother Wei has a Weapon Permit. It’s not hard at all to get a batch of decommissioned firearms from the Patrol Bureau."

An idea occurred to Chen Chuan. "Brother Wei, can you get Smoke Bombs?"

He had seen the resistance group use Smoke Bombs in the square the other day and thought they were very useful. They would be well-suited for a team like theirs, which lacked coordinated teamwork but possessed high individual skill.

Wei Chang’an said, "I’ll see what I can do. It shouldn’t be a problem. If not, I can find someone at the bureau to make them."

Chen Chuan said, "Okay. Just let me know how much they cost, Brother Wei."

"Will do!" Wei Chang’an replied crisply. He wouldn’t have minded fronting the money himself—he owed Chen Chuan a favor, after all—but he also knew that since they were a team, it was best to settle financial matters clearly beforehand.

Lin Xiaoti walked up to Chen Chuan, tugged on his arm, and whispered, "Brother Chen, I have something to tell you."

Chen Chuan excused himself from the group and followed her aside. "What is it?"

Lin Xiaoti handed him a piece of paper and whispered, "My teacher asked me to give this to you. She said you might need it for this commissioned mission."

Chen Chuan took it and saw that it was a vehicle rental agreement. The fee had already been paid in advance. Whenever he needed the vehicles, he just had to make a phone call ahead of time.

He understood. This was from Senior Sister He, a way to repay her debt to him—on behalf of Director Lei, of course. He thought for a moment and decided not to refuse.

He had actually already figured out how to get firearms and vehicles and had even made the arrangements beforehand. He hadn’t expected that he wouldn’t have to worry about it now.

He said, "Thank my senior sister for me."

"Okay, Brother Chen." Lin Xiaoti raised her hand in a playful salute. "Will do."

Chen Chuan walked back and discussed the details with the others. Once they confirmed there were no more questions, he said, "Alright, we’ll set the time for the day after tomorrow. Everyone, get prepared tomorrow. We’ll set out at one o’clock the day after and try to resolve this within twenty-four hours!"

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