Hu Xian stuffed the gold draft into her pocket. "Deal's a deal. This is extra work, so whether it pans out or not, I'm taking an introduction fee afterward."
"Naturally," Chen Chuan said.
"All right," Hu Xian said. "That's why I took a liking to you, little brother. You understand how tough it is for folks like us to make a living. I'll get this sorted for you."
Leaving the room, she headed downstairs to the room below, found the middle-aged man, and relayed Chen Chuan's request. The man asked, "You agreed to it?"
Hu Xian said, "He pays, I deliver. It doesn't break any rules of the assessment. Higher-ups told me to cooperate as much as possible with the examinee, so aren't I cooperating with him right now?"
The middle-aged man looked toward the floor above. "I hope he knows what he's doing."
Hu Xian said casually, "It's just a slightly bold reconnaissance run. Did you think he'd just charge in and strike right away? Don't make me laugh. That kid looks very cautious—he's not that reckless."
After thinking it over, the middle-aged man agreed.
He figured Chen Chuan was using this deal to observe Fist Lion and his crew up close. By showing his face once, he could establish a preconceived identity in their minds, with a follow-up plan surely waiting down the line.
This approach seemed perilous, especially since Fist Lion was notorious for ignoring rules, but right at this moment, there was actually nothing to worry about.
Fist Lion was currently scouring everywhere for a buyer, and this deal determined whether his crew could successfully slip into the Chaotic Lands and establish a foothold. He couldn't afford to kill a prospective buyer now; otherwise, who else would dare trade with him?
Of course, all kinds of people inhabited the Chaotic Lands, and one couldn't rule out folks who might appreciate such cutthroat behavior. But someone like Fist Lion only disliked following rules himself; it didn't mean he enjoyed others breaking them against him.
The middle-aged man admired Chen Chuan's bold yet cautious conduct, believing this was precisely the caliber an applicant for an unlimited defense license ought to have. Considering the student was only in his first year at Wuyi, the evaluation deserved to be bumped up another notch.
After Hu Xian left, he pulled a dossier from the cabinet behind him. Inside were the assessment record files concerning Chen Chuan's trip, though most of the contents remained blank.
He took out a fountain pen, uncapped it, and conscientiously jotted down his impressions and evaluation. After a moment's thought, he added a final line, noting that a student like this was worth serious attention and intensified development.
Night fell. Inside his room, Chen Chuan was meticulously wiping down the Xuejun Saber. When a knock sounded at the door, he sheathed the blade and said, "Come in."
Hu Xian pushed the door open and walked in with an unlit cigarette dangling from her lips. She cast a sharp glance at the Xuejun Saber on the table, then looked at Chen Chuan. "I contacted them. The gold draft has been handed to Fist Lion, and they agreed to meet you tomorrow."
"What time tomorrow?" Chen Chuan asked.
Hu Xian waved a hand. "Didn't say. Said to wait for their word. But the way I see it, with a juicy bone tossed right in front of them and their dog noses catching the scent, the fact that they could hold back from coming after you tonight isn't their usual style."
Chen Chuan pondered this. It was true—this crew clearly needed ready cash. Knowing that he had money and was right nearby, yet showing no rush to meet him, was indeed somewhat strange.
"You're experienced, Ms. Hu. What do you think is their reason for choosing this?" he asked.
"If you want my opinion..." Hu Xian thought for a second. "I'd say they probably found another buyer, so they're figuring on bringing both parties together to drive up the price."
Chen Chuan considered it. "Makes sense."
"So what do you say?" Hu Xian asked. "Are you going tomorrow?"
"Since the day is set, I'll go take a look tomorrow," Chen Chuan said in a relaxed tone.
Hu Xian took the cigarette from her mouth. "Even if you're just going to take a look, you can't let your guard down. Need to bring anything? If you're short on gear, just let me know."
Chen Chuan thought about it and asked, "Ms. Hu, do you have smoke grenades here?"
Hu Xian perked up. "Smoke grenades? Yeah, what kind do you want? Fog screen or colored smoke? Want the spiked ones? Guaranteed to clog Ran Xiaoli's dog nose right up!"
"The latter type, then. How much?" Chen Chuan said.
"Fifty a piece. Strictly no credit."
Chen Chuan considered it. "Give me four."
"What, you don't think that's expensive? Not even going to haggle?" Hu Xian eyed him.
Chen Chuan said sincerely, "I'm a stranger in an unfamiliar place. Even if I wanted to buy these, I'd have nowhere to go. Ms. Hu being able to provide them is already the biggest help to me."
Hu Xian waved her hand and said happily, "Fair enough! Seeing how straightforward you are, buy two get one free—I'll throw in two more for free!"
"Thank you, Ms. Hu."
Hu Xian asked, "Need any firearms? Rifles, pistols, submachine guns—I've got them all."
"I brought my own."
"That works too. You're only going to negotiate a deal anyway, and they wouldn't let you bring heavy iron inside. Let me know if you need anything else." Hu Xian gave a wave, walked out, and pulled the door shut behind her.
Once she was gone, Chen Chuan sat back in his chair, drew the Xuejun Saber again, and continued oiling and maintaining it. Holding the hilt now, he could feel a faint, rhythmic vibration within it, like breathing.
As he sank into his focus, he looked toward the window and noticed flecks of white snowflakes drifting down.
It was snowing.
He looked back at the Xuejun Saber. The snow-bright blade reflected his silhouette, gleaming with a chilling, cold light.
Tomorrow was bound to be freezing.
After Hu Xian came down, she spoke with the middle-aged man once more. After confirming that Chen Chuan only wanted smoke grenades, the man felt certain of his prior judgment: this time, Chen Chuan was indeed only going to scout them out. Smoke grenades would be truly convenient for making an escape.
Still, as an examiner, regardless of what the student chose to do, he had to find a way to observe the contact with the targets in order to record his evaluation properly.
Meanwhile, in a four-story building some three hundred meters away, the gang's ringleader, "Fist Lion" Katu, was listening to a report from one of his lackeys.
He possessed a burly, imposing physique, his thick chest and back muscles stretching his tight vest taut. The exposed muscles were sharply defined and gave off an intensely solid impression, as though packed with blocks of solid stone. The hair behind his head was braided into small dreadlocks that swayed with a wild, savage flair.
"Boss, there's no mistake. Mr. Blue Sparrow from the Chaotic Lands always keeps his word. If he said he's coming to inspect the goods tomorrow, he definitely will."
The two-bodied man Tuoqi sat on a square stool, looking like two men joined back to back. The one in back was idly playing with cards, while the one in front glared at the minion and said dissatisfiedly, "He didn't give you a deposit or anything?"
The lackey said awkwardly, "No." He was just an errand boy—where would he get the guts to demand money from a boss of the Chaotic Lands? Returning in one piece was already lucky enough.
Bee Woman Ran Xiaoli reclined on a couch to the side and remarked, "Boss, looking at it this way, that business introduced by the Fox Fairy is still the more sincere one."
Fist Lion remained noncommittal. To the lackey, he said, "Good job. Go collect your pay."
Although he constantly broke the rules, he was generous to those who worked for him. He knew these brothers were the very foundation that kept him alive and established; only with them could he trample over those detestable rules.
"Thanks, Boss!" The minion left happily.
Fist Lion looked toward Ran Xiaoli. "Did the guy Fox Fairy introduced confirm he's coming tomorrow?"
"Word just came back. Said he'll show up tomorrow."
"Then let them meet and see who's more sincere." A malicious look surfaced on Fist Lion's face. "No idea where this guy comes from, but if he's not tough enough, there's no reason we can't swallow him whole while we're at it. We happen to need a property around here anyway, and Fox Fairy's place looks pretty damn nice."
"That Fox Fairy is a real looker, too," a few lackeys chimed in, prompting lewd chuckles from the rest.
Ran Xiaoli warned, "To open a shop here, Fox Fairy's background isn't simple."
Tuoqi said dismissively, "Isn't it just some old fling with 'Da Ma' from the Chaotic Lands? I looked into it long ago. Da Ma can barely look after himself lately, let alone stretch his reach all the way out here. Once the boss makes contact with that person, who knows who'll be answering to whom."
Fist Lion then reminded Ran Xiaoli, "Where are the goods? Condition it into the pre-awakened state. We might need it tomorrow."
"Over by the window, Boss." Ran Xiaoli pointed toward a case resting on a table in the corner.
Fist Lion said, "Keep a close eye on it."
"Don't worry, Boss, I'm watching it."
With that sudden voice, a patch of the wall unexpectedly detached itself. As it stepped forward a bit, everyone realized it was a man—his colors blended so seamlessly with the wall that not a single person present had noticed him until now.
Ran Xiaoli grimaced in disgust. "Fuck's sake, Song Zhi, you sick pervert, pulling that stunt again. Don't let me catch you somewhere you shouldn't be."
The minions seemed to catch her drift and snickered.
"What the fuck are you laughing at?" Ran Xiaoli swept her gaze around, a ruthless look flashing across her pretty face. Her eyes abruptly narrowed, and multiple pupils seemed to shimmer within them, sending a chill down everyone's spine.
The lackeys instantly shut their mouths.
Ran Xiaoli glanced at Fist Lion, whose expression remained deep and unreadable. In the past, she would have blown their heads off on the spot, but Fist Lion looked after his men and forbade casual killing among them. She had no choice but to hold back for now, planning to find some other outlet for her temper once this business was concluded.
Fist Lion picked up a drugged beverage from the table, downed it in a single gulp, and crushed the metal cup in his grip with a casual squeeze. "Tomorrow's business comes first. Get out, all of you. Don't cause trouble tonight, and don't you fucking dare show up looking half-dead tomorrow."
"Yes, Boss!" The minions hurriedly scattered.
Back in his room, Chen Chuan opened his suitcase and took out a small box of medicine.
This was what Cheng Zitong had mentioned—specially formulated marching powder. It wasn't meant for ordinary people, but for elite fighters in the military executing special operations. It could replenish depleted nutrients and rapidly boost combat strength in a short window of time. Being a mature formulation, the side effects were minimal.
On top of the pillbox was a phone number, with a note saying that if any issues arose, he could contact this person.
He didn't plan on using it right now, but he stowed it away to carry on his person. Then he sat there, slowly guiding his breath to adjust his condition while waiting for word from Hu Xian.
Around ten in the morning, Hu Xian knocked and came in. She saw Chen Chuan sitting before the desk, wearing an ochre scarf and a light brown trench coat, his long saber resting beside him. Bright sunlight streaming through the window fell across him, radiating a sharp clarity amidst his profound stillness.
Her eyes lit up involuntarily. "Tsk, tsk. Little Brother Chen, you look quite sharp in that getup."
Chen Chuan looked up. "Is it time?"
Hu Xian nodded. "It is. That's why I'm here. If you're ready, we'll head out right now."
Chen Chuan stood up, took the Xuejun Saber in hand, and said, "Let's go."
Chapter 148