Once the notice from the Main Academy arrived, Chen Chuan began preparing for his departure to Center City. To avoid unnecessary distractions, he moved into Cheng Zitong's martial arts training hall in the southern district for his daily combat training.
The location was close to the commission company, so he found time to invite Ren Shu and the others out for a meal to let them know he would soon be leaving for Center City.
Though Ren Shu felt reluctant and wistful to see him go, he showed full understanding, his heart filled with envy and admiration. Several members who held immense respect for Chen Chuan could barely hide the adoration and excitement in their eyes.
After all, that was Center City. Even among the scions of influential families who had long been held up as role models, only a rare few ever earned the chance to study at the Wuyi Main Academy.
Yet Chen Chuan possessed no prominent family background; relying purely on himself, he was walking toward Center City. He was the kind of person they dreamed of becoming, yet never could.
Before leaving, Chen Chuan handed them a small booklet he had written in his spare time. Drawing from *Legends of the Three Mountains* and some of Cheng Zitong's reference materials, he had compiled and summarized methods for dealing with various urban legends. If Ren Shu and the others intended to keep taking on such commissions, it would surely prove useful.
Having wrapped things up with the company, he considered that matter settled and returned to the training hall to devote his full attention to martial arts practice.
Time flew by. On December fifteenth, Chen Chuan changed into formal attire and took a car to a private clubhouse in the southern part of the city.
Today was the wedding of Bureau Director Lei and Senior Sister He Nan, an event he naturally had to attend.
Due to Bureau Director Lei's position, the wedding was kept extremely low-key, with fewer than twenty guests in total.
Having inherited her family business from a young age, He Nan had no living parents. Aside from her disciple Lin Xiaodi, only a distant elder attended on her side as a witness.
Bureau Director Lei was not a local, and the circumstances surrounding his parents were unknown; representing his side was a superior from Center City.
Surrounded by the guests' blessings, the two drank the nuptial wine, concluding the wedding ceremony, and then went around to toast the attendees.
As a martial artist, Chen Chuan did not drink alcohol. He Nan had thoughtfully replaced his cup with a wine-like beverage beforehand. He drank a cup with the couple, wishing them a hundred years of harmony together.
Once the toasts were over, Bureau Director Lei came over leading a five- or six-year-old boy by the hand.
"Xiao Ying, this is the big brother you've been wanting to meet. He was the one who chased away the fake Xiao Ying so Daddy could bring you back."
Xiao Ying looked up and said, "Big Brother, if Daddy ever makes a mistake and loses Xiao Ying again, can you help him find Xiao Ying?"
Bureau Director Lei had always maintained rigid emotional restraint before outsiders, but now his eyes reddened slightly as he gently stroked his son's head.
Chen Chuan said gently, "That fake Xiao Ying has been locked up by Big Brother. He will never be able to come out again, and your father has found a way to tell the two of you apart. He will never lose you again."
Xiao Ying brightened up. "Really?"
Chen Chuan said seriously, "Really."
Though young, Xiao Ying could sense Chen Chuan's sincerity. He said politely, "Thank you, Big Brother!"
He Nan stepped forward and took Xiao Ying's hand. "Big Brother and Daddy still have things to talk about. Xiao Ying, come with Mommy."
"Oh," Xiao Ying replied, waving to Chen Chuan. "Goodbye, Big Brother." He obediently followed He Nan away.
Bureau Director Lei smiled and said, "Student Chen, let me introduce you to someone." He led Chen Chuan over to the elder guest and introduced him: "This is Deputy Director Cao of the Esoteric Cult Examination Bureau in Center City. Uncle Cao, this is Student Chen."
Deputy Director Cao was a lean, wiry old man. Though his skin was loose and his cheeks hollow, he had thick eyebrows and wide eyes that were remarkably sharp and spirited, while his stiff, grizzled hair bristled with vitality.
Chen Chuan greeted him politely, "Deputy Director Cao."
Deputy Director Cao looked him up and down. The sharp look in his eyes softened a bit, seemingly pleased with how he addressed him. He said, "Young man, Guangcheng has mentioned you to me constantly. I was quite curious about you and wanted to meet you. Seeing you today, you're even better than I expected.
"Guangcheng says you'll be heading to Center City before long. Once you're there, if you run into any difficulties or trouble, feel free to come find me directly."
Chen Chuan did not feign modesty. "Since you have said so, Deputy Director Cao, this student will keep it in mind."
A faint smile appeared on Deputy Director Cao's face. He liked young people who spoke straightforwardly without being timid or evasive.
He picked up his hat, put it on, straightened it, and turned to Bureau Director Lei. "I still have business in Center City, Guangcheng, so I'll be taking my leave. Little He is a good woman. Don't be too stubborn in your work from now on; dedicate more thought to Little He and the child.
"Only by sitting securely in your position can you accomplish more. Don't try to cram a lifetime's worth of work into a single breath. Keep things steady."
Bureau Director Lei said solemnly, "Guangcheng will firmly remember Uncle Cao's guidance."
"All right, go accompany those you should accompany. No need to look after an old man like me anymore. And as for you, young man..."
Deputy Director Cao turned and proactively extended a hand to shake Chen Chuan's, saying, "Actually, I hope you never have to come find me. That would mean everything is going well, wouldn't it?"
Chen Chuan could tell that beneath this gentleman's stern exterior lay an easygoing nature. Bowing slightly, he replied, "Then this student can only do his best."
Deputy Director Cao let out a chuckle and walked out under the protection of two guards waiting at the door.
Although few people had attended the banquet, most were familiar and trustworthy acquaintances, making for a pleasant atmosphere. By eight thirty in the evening, the banquet drew to a close.
Chen Chuan exited the venue alongside several guests and said his farewells to Bureau Director Lei and his wife at the entrance. He then boarded the car He Nan had arranged beforehand to head back to the training hall. Not long after setting off, he noticed snow beginning to fall outside. By the time he returned to the training hall and stepped out of the vehicle, the ground was already coated in a silver layer of white.
Standing outside, he inhaled a lungful of cool, crisp air and watched the snow flurries drifting down from the sky. The New Year was almost here. Smiling faintly, he walked into the training hall.
Ten days later.
Chen Chuan returned to the school that day, accompanied by Cheng Zitong to the Admissions Preparation Office. In the presence of Master Gao, Bian Feng, Yue Hong, and the others, he filled out the application form for early graduation from Yangzhi Wuyi College.
Once he finished writing, he handed it to Cheng Zitong, his advising instructor, to sign. Master Gao took the document, glanced over it, and looked up. "Student Chen, once this stamp is pressed and the principal signs it, you will no longer be an enrolled student of our Yangzhi City Wuyi College, but a student of the Center City Main Academy.
"Before this stamp is applied, let me say a few words. Since you are departing from Yangzhi Wuyi, wherever you go in the future, the students of Yangzhi City will look to you as a role model. So think carefully about your actions. Whatever you do, whether good or bad, will cast a profound influence upon them.
"Still, I cannot hold you back. The hearts of martial artists are inherently centered on the self. How you choose to act ultimately depends on you. I am merely saying what a teacher ought to say."
With that, he spoke no further. He directly pressed the stamp onto both copies and instructed Yue Hong, "Take these to the principal's office."
Yue Hong nodded, took the documents, and walked out.
Master Gao then pushed forward the pre-prepared diploma. "Keep it safe."
Chen Chuan stepped up to receive it. "Thank you, Supervisor Gao."
Cheng Zitong said, "Little Chuan, the procedure here is complete. Let's go."
Chen Chuan said his goodbyes to Master Gao and Bian Feng. He had walked barely ten paces out of the office when Bian Feng's voice called out from behind. Halting his steps, he turned and asked, "Teacher Bian, is there something else?"
Bian Feng walked over and said, "Student Chen, stay true to your own heart as you forge ahead. Just be yourself. There is no need to be swayed by the words of others, nor is there any need to shoulder too heavy a burden." Looking at Chen Chuan, he added, "Compared to yourself, no one has the right to dictate anything to you."
Chen Chuan understood what he meant; what happened to Senior Shen in the past likely still weighed heavily on this teacher's mind. He said earnestly, "Teacher Bian, you don't need to put it that way. You all have helped me greatly throughout, and I know it well. Thank you." With that, he took a few steps back and bowed respectfully to Bian Feng.
The support he had received at the school came from far more than just Cheng Zitong; the administrative teachers had continually backed him as well, without which he never could have secured so many privileges.
Bian Feng said, "Work hard, Student Chen. May you find whatever you seek in Center City."
Chen Chuan thanked him once more, then departed with Cheng Zitong. Not long after the two left, Yue Hong walked over and remarked, "Hey, Old Bian, why did he bow to you just now and not to me?"
Bian Feng replied, "Who told you to be absent just now? Don't worry, your share is included, as is Master Gao's. I was merely accepting it on behalf of us all."
Yue Hong said with utter solemnity, "Old Bian, doesn't that mean you owe me a third of a bow? I'll accept Master Gao's share on his behalf, so just give me half a bow."
Bian Feng glanced at him, turned toward the office, and said as he walked, "Some other time. I'll give you three bows then, how about that?"
"Hey, Old Bian, what's that supposed to mean?!"
Chen Chuan and Cheng Zitong emerged from the administration building. The latter said, "I've already contacted the Main Academy. We can depart on the tenth of the first month. I'll see you off for part of the journey, and someone will meet you upon arrival in Center City. Little Chuan, remember to prepare well in advance."
Chen Chuan replied earnestly, "Understood, Teacher. I'll keep it in mind."
Parting ways with Cheng Zitong there, he headed straight back to his dormitory. He packed up the rest of his belongings, paused in thought, and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window. Looking down at Spring and Autumn Lake and the distant scenery beyond, he stood there for a moment. Then he turned, picked up his suitcase, and gently pulled the door shut behind him.
Upon reaching the ground floor, just before heading out, he handed his room key back to the dormitory supervisor. "Teacher, this student is leaving."
The supervisor smiled and said, "Student Chen Chuan, they asked me to give this to you." He pushed a photo album across the counter.
"This is..."
Chen Chuan took it and flipped through the pages. Inside were scenic photographs of the campus along with pictures of familiar classmates, beneath which were words of blessing: from Wu Han, from Feng Xiaoqi, from Luo Kaiyuan, and from Wei Dong. The dormitory supervisor's picture was also included near the back, captured in an exceptionally handsome pose—by far the most stylish photograph in the entire album.
He smiled and said, "Thank you, Teacher."
The dormitory supervisor chuckled. "Just remember to get your teacher's pension raised in the future."
Chen Chuan chuckled again, bid him farewell, and stepped out of the dormitory building. With the winter break fast approaching, very few people were on the pathways, leaving the grounds remarkably quiet.
Yet when he reached the main entrance of the academy, he discovered a large crowd of students waiting there. There were familiar faces and unfamiliar ones alike. Shu Han stepped forward from the crowd and said, "Junior Chen, we heard you were leaving, so we came specifically to see you off."
Chen Chuan looked at everyone and said, "Thank you, everyone. Thank you for coming to see me off."
"Goodbye, Senior Chen!"
"Safe travels, Student Chen!"
"Junior Chen, remember to come back and visit whenever you have time!"
The students called out one after another. Seeing the yearning and hope gleaming in their eyes, Chen Chuan knew they were projecting their own aspirations and longings for Center City onto him.
As he reached the school gates and was just about to step outside, he suddenly halted his footsteps. Turning around with the vast sky at his back, he looked upon everyone before him and declared in a resonant, powerful voice:
"Everyone, before our generation, there are no limits!"
Having said this, he strode out into the wider world.
Not long after he walked away, the loud voices of the students behind him echoed across the air, repeating his words. The sound rustled the treetops, and a flock of birds swept across the square, soaring into the high sky behind him.
Just as he reached the edge of the square, a silver-gray Tuotu sedan drove up and stopped before him. The door opened, and Wei Chang'an stepped out, smiling as he patted the car's roof. "Junior Chen, Brother Wei gave you a ride when the school year started, and now that you're leaving, Brother Wei is giving you a ride once more."
Chen Chuan smiled, opened the door, and got in.
Back at the constabulary residential compound, Chen Chuan bid farewell to Wei Chang'an at the entrance of the alley and returned home. During the final stretch of time before setting off for Center City, he would stay with his family.
His older cousin Nian Qian was still unable to return this year, but he had sent a telegram saying that once the railway opened to traffic next year, he should be able to make it back, while also offering his congratulations on Chen Chuan's departure for Center City.
Over the next few days, Chen Chuan did not venture out, spending the New Year quietly at his aunt's home.
In the blink of an eye, the ninety-fourth year of Jianzhi of the Republic of Great Shun arrived.
During the New Year festivities, he accompanied Nian Fuli and the others on visits to friends, watched arena tournaments, and also met up with Ding Jiao and his old friends for a meal. The rest of his time was spent preparing the necessities for Center City.
On the morning of the tenth, Cheng Zitong's call came through. "Little Chuan, are you all ready?"
Chen Chuan replied, "Teacher, I'm ready."
"Good. I'm coming to pick you up right now. I'll be there shortly."
Putting down the receiver, Chen Chuan looked toward Nian Fuli and Yu Wan. "Aunt, Uncle, I'm setting off now."
"Chan'er, remember to call once you arrive."
Chen Chuan said, "I will, Aunt." Turning to Nian Fuli, he said, "Uncle, I'm off." Nian Fuli replied, "Out there, your family won't be by your side. Take good care of yourself, Little Chuan."
"Goodbye, Big Cousin!" the two little ones chimed in together.
Chen Chuan nodded at them with a smile. After bidding farewell to his aunt's family, he carried his suitcase, held the Xuejun Saber in hand, and stepped out of the courtyard, walking away under the watchful eyes of his family.
Arriving at the alley entrance, within a few minutes Cheng Zitong's car pulled up. The window rolled down to reveal his noticeably chubbier face. "Little Chuan, put your things in the back."
Chen Chuan agreed, stowed his luggage in the trunk, then took the front passenger seat and buckled his seatbelt.
Cheng Zitong asked with a smile, "All set?"
"All set."
"Good, let your teacher send you on your way once more."
"Thank you, Teacher."
"You, my student, are simply far too polite."
The car started slowly. Under the bright sun following the snowfall, it traveled along the thoroughfare, passing straight through the entire city as it drove toward a distant horizon—brighter, and ever more dazzling.
Chapter 229