Atlas of Heaven and Man

Two hours later, Caijia Village.

The people from the Patrol Bureau had moved in, and Liu Xuechang's body was also found in the rubble.

His body was covered by the somewhat tattered protective umbrella, and his protective suit was mostly intact. The fatal wound was a broken crossbeam that had fallen on top of him.

He died in a posture of propping himself up on the ground, with a child under him that he was tightly protecting. Although the child was also unconscious, thanks to the space he had forcefully created, he was still breathing and appeared unharmed.

The female Xuechang said in a low voice, "We've figured it out. Several rooms around here were actually tied up with villagers, and there were remote-controlled explosives buried on the road. They probably wanted to lure people in to rescue them, and then detonate the explosives. Fortunately, we moved quickly..."

Speaking of this, her eyes turned a little red as she said, "He could have left."

The male students around her were silent.

Chen Chuan looked around. At least five or six houses had collapsed due to the explosion. The child in this house was saved because of Liu Xuechang's self-sacrifice, but the villagers in those houses were also buried underneath.

At this time, Han Guo walked over and said, "Regarding Liu Xuechang's death, I will write a truthful evaluation."

Wu Xuechang snorted and said, "The person is already dead, what's the point?"

Han Guo said, "A person leaves a name behind after death. What he did still has meaning. The Corpse Committee will also help with the arrangements." She looked at the others, "Also, I want to inform you that the designated assignment has been cancelled."

The students present were all shocked and looked at her together. The female student stared at her intently, "What do you mean?"

Han Guo said indifferently, "The literal meaning. Don't ask me why, I don't know either, but you will still get the scores you should have. I think, maybe Councilor Fang's son was rescued?"

Wu Xuechang sneered and said, "Rescued? He's not here."

Chen Chuan had also heard about this just now. While the Patrol Bureau was searching with all its might, Councilor Fang's son was playing darts at a classmate's house, skipping class. So at first, they thought he had been kidnapped. The two children thought it was fun after they found out and deliberately hid, and it wasn't until a long time later that they were found.

If it weren't for this, I'm afraid there wouldn't have been such a big commotion.

Han Guo said, "Although the designated assignment has been cancelled, the assignment is still there, but it has been transferred to the Patrol Bureau. Whether to continue or leave is up to you. The Review Committee will not interfere."

The female student said, "What exactly is the situation now?"

Han Guo said, "Fang Dawei and his group didn't run far. They have now escaped to a highland in the north. There is an abandoned sentry fort left over from the Great Exploration Era, but the entrance is narrow. The Patrol Bureau has tried to charge up several times but failed. You can decide what to do. Those who want to leave can leave with me. I'll wait for you for ten minutes."

After speaking, she left directly.

The others stood silently. After a long while, the female student said, "I quit."

A male student also lowered his head and said, "Me too."

"I quit too." Another male student looked at the others and said, "I admit I'm scared. If Liu Tongxue hadn't died, I would have stayed. I advise you to leave too. In that kind of terrain, we can only rely on us to break through, but how can we break through? Besides, the designated assignment has been cancelled, why bother? I advise everyone to think clearly."

"I..." Wu Xuechang seemed to want to stay, but he couldn't seem to make up his mind. He looked at Chen Chuan and asked, "Chen Xuedi, what about you?"

Chen Chuan looked at these Xuechangs. It seemed that they also hoped that he would quit together, but before he could answer, a girl's voice came over, "Chen Tongxue, is that you?"

He looked over and saw a fair-skinned, quiet, and thin girl standing there. She had two braids and was wearing ordinary rural girl's clothes, but she had a sense of maturity beyond her age. He was a little surprised, "Guan Xiaohui?"

He thought for a while and said to the Xuechangs, "Xuechangs, you go first."

Seeing that he had met an acquaintance, the Xuechangs didn't say anything more, looked at each other, and left.

Chen Chuan walked over and said, "Guan Xiaohui, is it really you? Do you... have relatives here in Caijia Village?"

At the class reunion, he heard Ding Jiao mention that Guan Xiaohui had to hide in the countryside because her father owed gambling debts and her stepmother ran away with her daughter. Could it be here?

Guan Xiaohui nodded gently. She said, "Chen Tongxue, why are you here too?"

Chen Chuan said, "I was admitted to Wu Yi University. I came here this time because I took on an assignment from the Political Affairs Office."

Guan Xiaohui glanced at him, very surprised, as if she didn't recognize this classmate anymore.

After a while, she said, "I understand." She said softly, "My mother's family is from Caijia Village, but the village was occupied by a group of people a few days ago. My uncle and I were able to escape because we were outside at the time.

Chen Chuan looked at her, then looked at the collapsed houses around him, and slowly said, "I will stay."

In the outpost command post, Guan Yuming looked at the map. Although Fang Dawei and his group escaped quickly, he had arrangements on the periphery, so these people were now trapped on a highland.

It's just that this place is not easy to attack. Three sides are steep slopes, and the sentry fort also has some water and food stored because villagers often settle there, so don't expect this group of people to be unable to hold on in the short term.

Moreover, he could feel that as Councilor Fang's son was found, the Political Affairs Office's concern and support for this place was becoming less and less.

The situation is still deadlocked here. It's okay during the day, but at night, there may be other problems, especially since a large number of patrol officers are being dragged outside. If this incident is a resistance organization, will there be problems in the city?

"Guan Ju." An assistant walked in and said to him, "A group of villagers have come outside, old and young, all saying that their relatives died at the hands of the bandits and want to ask us to help solve those bandits."

Guan Yuming walked out, looked at the villagers standing outside the security line below the outpost, and said in a deep voice, "Tell them, I will do my best."

The messenger patrol officer chased after him at this time and said, "Guan Ju, the director is on the phone."

Guan Yuming walked back, picked up the telephone receiver, "Hello, this is Guan Yuming."

"I'm telling you something, Molan Company's security team is already on the way to you."

Guan Yuming frowned and said, "What are they doing here?"

"Because our progress is slow, the Political Affairs Office is quite dissatisfied. Molan Company has convinced the Political Affairs Office to let them take over and capture Fang Dawei and his group."

Guan Yuming's expression changed, and he said, "Director, how can this matter be handed over to them? This matter clearly has..."

But the other side interrupted him without hesitation, "I ask you, since you knew that Councilor Fang's son was not there, why did you stay in the village for so long?"

Guan Yuming explained, "There was an explosion in the village, and many villagers were buried underneath. There may still be survivors, so I asked the patrol officers to clean up and rescue them by the way."

"You don't care about what you should care about. What does the life and death of those villagers have to do with you?"

Guan Yuming took a breath and said, "Director, our duty is..."

"Don't talk to me about duty, I know better than you. You've already left the city, why are you worrying about that?"

Speaking of this, the other side's tone softened a little, "Okay, Lao Guan, the people from Molan Company will be there in a maximum of forty minutes. If you can solve it, solve it. If you can't solve it, let Molan Company's security team solve it. That's it."

With that, he hung up the phone directly.

Guan Yuming frowned, staring at the map, his mind seemingly occupied with thought. At that moment, his adjutant walked in. Seeing that he was preoccupied, the adjutant stood behind him, hesitant to speak.

Without turning his head, he asked, "What is it? Speak."

The adjutant said, "One of Wu Yi's students claims he is willing to cooperate with us in raiding that watchtower."

Guan Yuming slowly turned around and said, "Didn't they leave already?"

"There's one left."

"One person?"

Guan Yuming was somewhat disappointed. People commissioned by the company had tried before, but all had failed. A single person wouldn't make much of a difference.

The adjutant said, "He says he can get up there."

Guan Yuming thought for a moment and said, "Let him come over. I want to ask him a few questions."

"Yes, sir."

Soon after, Chen Chuan walked in.

Guan Yuming looked at him, his eyes sharp, and asked, "I want to know, now that they've all left, why did you stay? Don't tell me it's for the mission. The designated assignment has been canceled."

Chen Chuan didn't offer much explanation, only saying, "My uncle is Nian Fuli, and I am also a member of the Patrol Bureau's family."

Guan Yuming was taken aback, slowly straightening his body. The adjutant also looked at him. They had some doubts at first, but upon hearing his self-introduction, a sense of trust immediately arose in their hearts.

The adjutant excitedly said, "Director Guan, I knew it! In crucial moments, the Patrol Bureau's family members are the ones we can rely on!"

Although Chen Chuan said this to the two men, he knew in his heart that he wasn't doing it for the Patrol Bureau or any assigned mission, but simply because these people deserved to die!

Guan Yuming glanced at the long saber in his hand and said to the adjutant, "Go get my protective suit!"

"Yes, sir!"

Guan Yuming looked at him and said, "I just received a call. The Molan Corporation's security team will be taking over the aftermath. We only have about forty minutes. Are you confident?"

Chen Chuan raised his head and said, "Forty minutes is enough!"

Soon after, the adjutant walked in with a light-colored protective suit. Chen Chuan took off his coat and put on the protective suit.

The protective suit covered his neck, torso, and limbs, including a pair of gloves. However, it didn't feel airtight, and after a few movements, it fit his body perfectly. Upon closer inspection, there seemed to be fine, indiscernible lines on it.

Guan Yuming said, "This protective suit was distributed to me by the headquarters. It's Central City technology. It can even withstand machine gun fire from a distance."

Chen Chuan said, "Director Guan, then I'll head over now."

Guan Yuming walked up, patted Chen Chuan on the shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "If the resistance is too great, it's okay if you don't succeed. You have a bright future. Knowing when to retreat is a form of advancement. There's no need to risk everything here." After speaking, he said to the adjutant, "Use my car. You take him there."

"Yes, sir!"

Chen Chuan clasped his fist in salute to Guan Yuming and turned to leave the outpost under his gaze.

Guan Yuming said to the messenger patrolman, "Tell the brothers below to fully cooperate."

The messenger patrolman saluted, paused as he went out, and turned his head to say, "Director Guan, no need to tell them. The brothers below will do it!"

Guan Yuming hummed in acknowledgement, looked at his watch, and thought to himself, "Only half an hour left. Is there enough time...?"

As Chen Chuan left the outpost, he saw the group of villagers. Guan Xiaohui was also there. As their eyes met, Guan Xiaohui asked loudly, "Wait, Chen Chuan, where are you going?"

Chen Chuan paused, walked over, and said, "To do what needs to be done. Is there anything you want to say, Guan Xiaohui?"

Guan Xiaohui hesitated and said, "There's a hidden passage under the fortress, but only one person can pass through at a time. A person can go up from there, but I don't know if it will be useful to you."

Chen Chuan didn't know why she hadn't told the Patrol Bureau about this. Was it because of distrust? He nodded and said, "Thank you."

Just then, he saw a figure walking towards him and couldn't help but be a little surprised. He looked and said, "Senior Wu? Didn't you leave?"

Senior Wu walked up to him, cursing, "I really can't swallow this anger. Damn it, even if I have to give my life, I will avenge Brother Liu! Junior Chen, are you planning to attack that watchtower? I, Lao Wu, will do this with you!"

Chen Chuan looked at him and didn't stand on ceremony. He said, "Okay! Then please do me a favor, Senior Wu."

"Okay! Junior Chen, I've heard about you. I believe you can do it. Today, Lao Wu, I'm selling my life to you."

Chen Chuan instructed him a few times. After listening, he nodded repeatedly and patted his chest, saying, "Don't worry, leave it to me!"

At this time, the adjutant drove the car over. Chen Chuan walked over in a few steps, opened the door, and jumped into the car.

As soon as he got in, the car immediately sped up. On the way, the adjutant briefly discussed tactics with him and also told him the specific situation obtained after the previous battle. It was determined that there were a total of six people in Fang Dawei's group with implanted bodies, and the rest were only wearing protective suits, so these six people required extra caution.

The vehicle traveled all the way to the bottom of the watchtower's high ground. The surrounding area had been excavated by the Patrol Bureau's patrolmen into trenches, and simple earth垒 had been built.

Wei Laohu was in charge of this direction. He had already learned about the situation through a temporary phone call. Seeing the adjutant and Chen Chuan get out of the car, he took the initiative to walk over, looked at Chen Chuan, and said, "You're Xiao Chuan, right? I've met you once. Do you still remember Uncle Wei?"

Chen Chuan said, "I remember. I always hear Brother Wei mention Uncle Wei."

"That kid definitely doesn't say good things about me." Wei Laohu looked at him. "Xiao Chuan, can you do it?"

Chen Chuan said, "Don't worry, Uncle Wei, I'm confident."

"That's good! Chang'an says you can do it, and I believe you too!"

Chen Chuan said, "It's not just me, Uncle Wei." He looked around. "There are so many seniors from the Patrol Bureau here. Isn't this our home field? What's there to be afraid of?"

"Xiao Chuan, you're right!"

"Brother Chen is right!"

"Damn it, that's right!"

Some patrolmen from the Patrol Bureau were standing around, and they were all stirred up by his words, feeling that they absolutely couldn't lose face in front of the younger generation.

At this time, Chen Chuan looked at the watchtower. He could see a winding path leading to the top. There was only one door to enter from the front, but it was dilapidated due to disrepair, and there were several holes in the top and other places.

He didn't plan to take the hidden passage below, but was preparing to break through directly from the front.

He tightened the scabbard of his saber. Under the gaze of Wei Laohu, the adjutant, and more than six hundred patrolmen from the Patrol Bureau, he walked alone to the front of the uphill road and stood there.

He first looked up at the sun above, then at the watchtower on the high hill. He exerted force on his hand, inserted the Xuejun saber's scabbard into the ground, burying half of it. Then, he grabbed the hilt of the saber and slowly pulled it out. The friction sound of the saber being drawn slowly spread out. Finally, with a clang, a snow-bright blade flashed in the sunlight.

He slowly adjusted his breathing, feeling that the saber in his hand seemed to be eager to move, and the protective suit on his body seemed to be contracting and expanding with his chest and abdomen. At this moment, he couldn't help but recall what Wei Chang'an had said to him before:

"With weapons and armor, there are no taboos!"

His eyes fixed on the watchtower above, he tightly gripped the hilt of the saber, then leaned forward, took a step, and at the moment his foot heavily landed, his second self behind him instantly merged with him. With a bang, smoke and dust exploded from the ground, and a figure rushed towards the top!