Application

At three in the afternoon, Chen Chuan helped Lu Ke see Yu Gang out of the alley, where a car was already waiting. The vehicle had been arranged by the Iron Chain Gang. Rather than discarding Yu Gang after using him, they had shown at least some human decency. This time, the Iron Chain Gang had picked the right side. They had lost quite a few members in the process, but more importantly, their participation in the operation to eliminate Molan counted as a merit earned. The collapse of Molan Company and the downfall of dozens of powerful families had left behind vast assets and numerous market vacancies—a choice cut of prime meat. Although the lion's share had likely already been divvied up by the higher-ups, leaving only unappealing broth and scraps for those below who had pitched in, even that was more than enough to give them a satisfying fill. While helping Yu Gang into the car, Chen Chuan asked, "Teacher Yu, if I may ask—are there many people who know this kind of throwing method?" Yu Gang replied, "In truth, so long as one wants to practice, a fighter can pick up a bit of it, more or less. But very few possess an authentic lineage. "This throwing technique of mine came from a deceased old friend. He held a proper legacy, which is why the manual details how to exert and direct force, as well as how to apply medicinal treatments. "However, if you're trying to track someone down through their throwing technique, and if you have the means, I'd suggest checking with the Disposal Bureau. They keep the most comprehensive archives, with records on every fighter who has appeared in public spaces along with their specialties." Chen Chuan said, "Thank you, Teacher Yu." Yu Gang said, "You possess talent, and your willpower is steadfast. Some troubles in front of you—if they do not hinder your cultivation—can be set aside for now. There will always be chances to resolve them down the road." Chen Chuan nodded. After helping Yu Gang settle into the car, Lu Ke stepped out and asked, "Brother Chen, I heard Master say you're definitely going to Center City?" Chen Chuan gave an affirmative answer: "I will." Lu Ke reached out, saying excitedly, "That's great! Then, Brother Chen, we'll head on ahead. See you in Center City!" Chen Chuan high-fived him with a smile. "All right, see you in Center City." After bidding farewell, Lu Ke climbed back into the car. The engine soon started. Through the rear windshield, Lu Ke waved at him, and Chen Chuan waved back, standing at the street corner and watching the car carrying the two men slowly drive into the distance. Once the vehicle disappeared from sight, he returned to the small training ground in front of the House of Fists. It was empty now, yet walking here, the scenes from a year ago felt like yesterday—vivid and fresh. Just then, a flock of birds flew overhead, leaving behind a flurry of fluttering wingbeats. He looked up at the azure sky above the building, walked over to fetch his bicycle, wheeled it out of the alley, mounted it, and rode back home. In about ten minutes, he was back home. Since only a few days remained before the new term began, he packed and sorted the belongings he would need. The next few days were uneventful, though the news broadcasts were quite lively. Almost all the reports centered around the factions entangled with Molan. A few days earlier, it had only touched companies that cooperated with Molan Company; now it was gradually implicating officials in the Municipal Administration, indicating that this purge was entering its final phase. On the thirty-first, he arrived at the school carrying his suitcase. When he walked in this time, many students who were already on campus eagerly came up one after another to greet him upon seeing him. Chen Chuan politely responded to everyone who greeted him. Only after he entered the dormitory building did things begin to return to normal, though students passing by in the halls still called out greetings from afar from time to time. There was no helping it. He had single-handedly upended the entire Mutual Aid Society and then walked away from the Tribunal completely unscathed. In the eyes of the young students, nothing was more worthy of veneration. What mattered most was that the majority of them had personally participated, leaving them with memories they would cherish for the rest of their lives. And as this affair simmered and fermented over the past several days, unbeknownst to him, his renown had reached heights unmatched by any student in the history of Wuyi Academy. Even the instructors, upon seeing his name, would pause to give it solemn thought. When he arrived at the dorm supervisor's desk to register, the supervisor handed him a registration form and said with a smile, "Well? Being a celebrity isn't easy, is it?" Chen Chuan took it and replied, "It really isn't easy. But it doesn't matter. Once the term starts, they won't have the spare energy to dwell on all this." The supervisor agreed heartily. "You're spot on. Right now they're just too idle, with restless energy and nowhere to vent it. Once classes begin and all kinds of training regimens come crashing down, I guarantee they'll hit the pillow and fall asleep every night with no mind left to overthink." Filling out the form with a pen, Chen Chuan remarked, "There seem to be more freshmen this year than usual?" The supervisor said, "A few more each year—that's the general trend. But I think there'll be even more next year." As he spoke, he gave Chen Chuan a meaningful look. Chen Chuan knew what he meant. In the wake of the old factory incident, it was not merely a matter of losing thirty-seven recommended students; a large group from the board of trustees and the academy's benefactors had also been arrested, utterly upending the old status quo. Right now was a transition window. The administration could completely ignore the rules and constraints that had previously demanded compromise, treating this as a special situation in extraordinary times, which conveniently allowed them to recruit more students. After completing the registration form, he handed it back to the supervisor. The latter took it and remarked, "In my years doing this job, seeing more students move in should make me happy—more people means more students under my watch. But then I think, doesn't that mean more chores for me to manage? My burden's gotten heavier again." Chen Chuan smiled. "You should apply for a raise, sir." "Now that's what I like to hear! A pity, though—there's an age limit on becoming principal. By the time you become principal, I'll probably be retired." The supervisor gave a mock sigh. Chen Chuan smiled faintly. "No matter. When the time comes, I can raise your pension, sir." "Aha, I'll hold you to that!" After chatting with the supervisor, Chen Chuan left the counter, entered the elevator with his suitcase, and went up to the seventh floor. Just as he stepped out of the elevator, he spotted Zhuang Zhi and the others in the communal training area. Seeing them look over, he gave a nod and headed down the corridor. Zhuang Zhi and his companions felt complicated emotions, mixed with a hint of bewilderment. The Mutual Aid Society seemed to have vanished overnight. People like them had broken free of its constraints; they had pocketed the benefits the society had provided earlier, yet now they didn't have to fulfill the prior agreements. On the surface, it seemed they had gained an advantage and ought to thank Chen Chuan. However, because the Mutual Aid Society was now thoroughly discredited, anyone who had ever joined had to undergo questioning by the school administration. Although nothing punitive would be done to them, their reputation in school was tarnished, and having that stint on record would always remain a blemish. They were currently searching for ways to wash away this stain, and someone had suggested joining the Fenxin Society. Unfortunately, the Fenxin Society didn't accept just anyone, and they showed no kindness to those who had once voluntarily joined the Mutual Aid Society. Consequently, they had recently been discussing forming their own society to band together. The roles of the two sides back then now seemed entirely reversed. After Chen Chuan entered his room, he set his suitcase down by the wall and looked around at the unchanged furnishings. He remembered that just last year, he had walked in in the very same way, but now everything was different. He walked to the French window, gazing out at Spring and Autumn Lake below. Tomorrow would be a brand-new day. After standing there for a while, he returned to unpack his things from the suitcase. Following a brief tidy-up, he set off to carry out his daily combat training. On September first, the term at Wuyi College officially began. After the opening ceremony for first-year freshmen concluded, Cheng Zitong came looking for him, placing a stack of documents onto the desk. "Xiao Chuan, take a look." Chen Chuan picked it up and flipped through it. It outlined his general experiences since enrolling at Wuyi Academy, including the commissions he had undertaken, evaluations from three departments, and certifications for the weapons license and unlimited defense license he had acquired. There was an abundance of material, densely covering page after page. Without even realizing it, he had accomplished so much in just one year. Cheng Zitong said, "This resume makes for very pleasant reading. It's just missing an armor license—otherwise it'd be even more impressive." Chen Chuan looked up and said, "Teacher, I might still get it." Cheng Zitong looked at him and smiled. "Looks like you've been up to something again these past two days. Well, I'll wait for your good news and add it to this resume when the time comes. But you can fill out that application form at the back first. I'll submit it right away so the principal and the others can sign off on it before submitting the supporting materials later." Chen Chuan nodded. The matter of state conscription was bound by confidentiality principles and could not be disclosed during the mission—especially since, in theory, the conscription period had not yet officially ended. He couldn't speak of it to Cheng Zitong yet, but once it concluded, there would be no problem, and it could be openly and legitimately added to his resume. The application could be filled out in advance to get approval from the school's leadership first; before submitting it to the Main Academy, they could send up the updated resume alongside it. He conscientiously completed the form, verified the details, signed his name, stamped his personal seal, and handed it to Cheng Zitong. Cheng Zitong reviewed it, and seeing no issues, cleared his throat, picked up a pen, and solemnly inscribed his name in the column for advising instructor. Then he picked it up to look at it again and remarked with emotion, "I never imagined that among the students heading to Center City, my name, Cheng Zitong, would be listed in the advisor's column." He smiled and said to Chen Chuan, "I know my own limits. My teaching ability is only so-so. Being able to hold my head high this time is entirely thanks to you, Xiao Chuan." Chen Chuan replied earnestly, "Without you, Teacher, I wouldn't be where I am today." These were sincere words from his heart. Cheng Zitong had been remarkably willing to give him free rein and was wholeheartedly supportive of his ideas. Had it been another instructor who placed restrictions on him—such as disagreeing with his choice of jin technique—the trajectory of his future might have turned out very differently. Cheng Zitong looked at him and nodded. "The best decision I ever made was becoming your advisor." At this point, a touch of regret colored his tone. "A pity, though, that Old He's name can't be written on here." Chen Chuan thought for a moment and said, "I think Teacher He probably wouldn't care for it anyway." "True. Old He isn't someone tied down by worldly concerns, and he wouldn't care. But if Shen Zheng hadn't met with disaster back then, Old He's name would have been on such a form as well." Hearing him mention Shen Zheng, Chen Chuan said, "Teacher, that day in the old factory district, I learned something from Wei Jun's mouth. On the day Senior Shen Zheng was targeted, his long-lost younger sister was found by the Mutual Aid Society, and afterwards she seemed to have been taken to Center City by people from the society."