As Chen Chuan walked outside, waves of cheering erupted in the distance. The Wuyi students had clearly received word that he was safe and sound. Although it wasn't the announcement the tribunal judge had made, the outcome was the same.
Stepping out onto the terrace in front of the Tribunal, he was immediately spotted by the crowd.
"He's out! He's out!"
The students below watched him with excitement and swarmed forward.
Chen Chuan looked down at the vibrant young faces. There was nothing complicated in their hearts; they had come here entirely out of pure passion and conviction. Though young, every one of them held an honest, unvarnished sense of right and wrong.
He truly understood Shen Zheng's approach now. Shen Zheng had set an example of himself. Even in failure, he had shown those who came after that a possibility existed. No matter how slim that chance was, as long as one person stepped forward to continue down that path—even if they succeeded only once—a road would be paved.
Chen Chuan had not followed Shen Zheng's old path, yet he had arrived at the other side through a different way.
He had not achieved this alone; he had received help from many people and, more importantly, rode the prevailing tide. But that didn't stop him from becoming part of that tide—from becoming the highest, fiercest crest that battered and broke the dam blocking their way!
Looking at his fellow students, he did not give a long speech. Instead, he raised his hands and cupped them in a formal salute.
The students below were taken aback for a moment, but excitement quickly flared again. One after another, they raised their hands and returned the salute.
Lowering his hands, Chen Chuan stepped down from the platform. The students parted willingly to make way for him. Just before climbing into the car, he looked back and smiled. "See you in the new semester, everyone!"
With that, he stepped inside.
"Senior, see you in the new semester!"
"Junior Chen, see you then!"
"See you in the new semester!"
Voices rang out across the plaza. They were not just saying goodbye to Chen Chuan, but encouraging each other, looking forward to the new term.
Watching all this from a distance, Lu Fang felt his eyes grow warm. How wonderful it would have been if Senior Shen were here too. Turning around, he addressed the members of the Fenxin Society. "Everyone, I leave the Fenxin Society in your hands from now on."
"Don't worry, Senior. This is the society Senior Shen built; we'll take good care of it."
Lu Fang smiled. "I know you will."
Farther off, Tai Dongwei suddenly remembered something and murmured, "Hey, do you think we should still take the test for the unlimited defense license?"
Deng Fu looked at him like he was an idiot. "Of course! Why wouldn't we? We already signed up, so why not go? Nobody's forcing you to throw the match anymore. Wouldn't you be an idiot not to take it?"
Tai Dongwei jerked his head up. "The exam is tomorrow! If we catch a ride today, we should still make it in time!"
"Exactly," Deng Fu said. "So quit dawdling and let's go." He took only a couple of paces before a voice called from behind: "Brother Deng."
Deng Fu glanced back and saw Geng Zheng looking at him. Puzzled, he asked, "What is it?"
"Brother Deng, you're right," Geng Zheng said with utmost sincerity. "As long as we stay alive and live long enough, we can see anything happen."
Deng Fu paused, then burst out laughing. "Looks like my words really carry some weight!" He sighed, as if a thought had just struck him. "Hey, what if..."
Tai Dongwei started, and Geng Zheng went pale. Both lunged forward to stop him. "Brother Deng, don't say another word! Can you at least wait until after the exam?"
Looking at the two of them pinning him in grappling holds with panicked expressions, Deng Fu said helplessly, "Fine, fine. I wasn't even going to—I just wanted to say..."
"Don't say it!"
***
Riding in Gao Ming's car, Chen Chuan soon arrived at his aunt's house. The moment he entered the courtyard, Yu Wan grabbed him and looked him over from top to bottom. Only after seeing that he was completely unharmed did she let out a sigh of relief.
Chen Chuan said, "Aunt, I made you worry."
Yu Wan feigned nonchalance. "What was there to worry about? Don't look down on your aunt. Lao Nian's been getting called out on sudden cases in the middle of the night for years, sometimes not coming home for days on end. I got used to it ages ago."
Chen Chuan smiled. "Don't worry, Aunt. I'll take good care of myself."
"Cousin's back! Cousin's back!" His two young cousins clapped their hands in unison.
Smiling faintly, Chen Chuan reached into his pocket, pulled out a handful of candies he had bought on the way, and tossed them over. The two little ones leapt with joy, catching them before happily unwrapping the sweets to eat.
After reassuring Yu Wan with a few more words, Chen Chuan turned on the radio. It was currently broadcasting news of today's tribunal hearing. The report detailed how the scions of influential families had conspired against a student of Wuyi Academy, how their families had attempted various underhanded schemes to cover it up and even frame the student, and how they were now being taken into custody by the constabulary for investigation.
This broadcast made one thing clear: the public narrative that once belonged to certain individuals had now been seized and controlled.
As he was lost in thought, the telephone in the living room suddenly rang. His aunt's voice carried over: "Chan'er, it's for you."
Chen Chuan walked out to take it. "Hello, Chen Chuan speaking."
"Student Chen Chuan." A familiar, stern voice came through the receiver. "Take your unlimited defense license and come to the alley entrance."
Chen Chuan's heart stirred. Hanging up the receiver, he called out a brief farewell to his aunt and stepped out of the courtyard. When he reached the mouth of the alley, he saw the same luxury sedan he had seen before parked there, flanked by individuals in black trench coats. A few among them were faces he recognized from here and from the edge of the wasteland.
One of them stepped forward, opened the car door, and gestured inside. "Student Chen, please get in."
Chen Chuan offered his thanks and stepped inside. As soon as he entered, he saw Commissioner Cao sitting in the back seat. He nodded respectfully. "Commissioner Cao."
Commissioner Cao gave a slight nod. Once Chen Chuan was seated and the door clicked shut, he said in a grave voice, "Student Chen Chuan, when you received your unlimited defense license, I told you that holding it makes you half an enforcer of the law.
"With authority comes duty. Now, in the name of the Special Commissioner of the Great Shun State Administration Bureau, I issue you a state conscription. What is your response?"
Chen Chuan looked up and answered firmly, "This student submits to state conscription."
Commissioner Cao's face remained impassive, but satisfaction flashed in his eyes. "Then consider yourself on standby starting now. Await my orders at any moment."
Chen Chuan nodded and asked, "Commissioner, may this student know the objective of the mission?"
Commissioner Cao held out a hand, and an aide immediately handed him a document bearing the official seal of the Great Shun State Administration Bureau and the words 'State Conscription.' Once Chen Chuan took it, Cao said in a low voice, "You've probably guessed the mission by now: to surround and eliminate Molan Kaolin Company.
"Molan Kaolin Company's headquarters is in Center City, but you don't need to concern yourself with that. Someone will handle it, and that place is little more than an empty shell anyway. Two years ago, Molan Company secretly transferred its primary implant development equipment and core technical data to its branch here."
Chen Chuan asked, "Is there something in Yangzhi that Center City can't offer?"
"Yes."
Commissioner Cao said in a deep voice, "Yangzhi's water possesses a unique quality that is of immense value to Molan Company's implant development. That's why they've been scheming to control Yangzhi's water sources. And if pushed to the brink... they could release a specialized toxin into the water supply, holding the lives of over ten million people in Yangzhi City and the surrounding counties hostage!"
Chen Chuan's gaze hardened.
Commissioner Cao said gravely, "That is a line they must never be allowed to cross. Yet over the past two years, through bribery, infiltration, and sabotage, they have forcibly seized control of multiple stretches of the waterways. This leaves us no choice but to strike."
Chen Chuan nodded. It suddenly occurred to him that his classmate Han Shu's family worked in the Water Affairs Bureau, and Han Shu had later become a trainee at Molan Company. Molan must have begun laying the groundwork back then.
If they truly controlled the water supply, Molan Company would indeed hold the Great Shun government by the throat. The government could never allow tens of millions of citizens to be held hostage and controlled by a corporation.
At the same time, however, Chen Chuan sensed that Commissioner Cao hadn't told him the whole truth. There were clear signs of other companies' involvement here, far beyond just Canghong Grand Canal. If this were purely a governmental concern, those corporations would have had no reason to take part. There had to be something else at stake.
Still, since Cao didn't mention it, Chen Chuan knew better than to ask. Some matters likely touched on state-level secrets.
Commissioner Cao gave another signal, and his aide handed Chen Chuan a briefcase. "Inside is intelligence regarding Molan Company's armed forces. Take it back, study it thoroughly, and familiarize yourself with it."
Chen Chuan took it. Then, Commissioner Cao asked abruptly, "If that recommendation card of yours were still valid, would you have used it?"
Chen Chuan replied without hesitation, "No."
Commissioner Cao looked at him. "Oh? Why? Wouldn't going to those corporations be a good path? Or even becoming a recommended student—with that card, your starting point would have been far higher than anyone else's."
Chen Chuan answered candidly, "Because whether it's joining a corporation as a manager or becoming a recommended student, that's never decided by a single card. It's decided by the resources and background behind the student. Those come first, and the card comes second, not the other way around. Since I had nothing to begin with, my choice was already very clear."
Commissioner Cao stared at him for a moment before giving a slow nod. "Student Chen, you may return. Be ready for my orders at any moment."
The car door beside him opened once more. Chen Chuan gave a nod, stepped out, and carried the briefcase across the street toward the alley.
Through the window, Commissioner Cao watched his straight back fade into the distance. The aide beside him asked, "Commissioner, can his words be trusted?"
Commissioner Cao said, "Does it matter? He has already answered the state conscription, which makes him an enforcer of the state. As long as he obeys and serves the country, that is enough. We don't need to pry into what he truly thinks; we only need to watch his actions.
"Besides, his words just now were candid enough. He's far better than those who shout slogans about serving the nation but only want others to step into the line of fire when the moment comes. Let's head back. There's still much to do today."
"Understood."
As the operatives outside climbed back into their vehicles, the sedan slowly pulled out into the street. Merging with the convoy waiting at the intersection, they drove together toward the Municipal Administration.
Chapter 193