Chen Chuan got in touch with Teacher Xue before long. After Chen Chuan explained his situation, Teacher Xue replied, "Trainee Chen, your progress is quite fast! Tomorrow, then. Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, wait for me at the usual spot."
"All right, Teacher. I will definitely be on time," Chen Chuan said.
"Good, good. See you tomorrow."
After ending the call, Chen Chuan thought it over. Fortunately, he had planned ahead and scheduled his meeting with Counselor Pei for the evening; that way, no matter how late Teacher Xue arrived, things wouldn't drag on until nightfall.
And since tomorrow was a rest day, he didn't need to attend the training class, so the timing worked out perfectly.
He turned around and first stepped over to change Chaoming's food and water. He noticed that Chaoming had grown a bit bigger again, the feathers covering its body noticeably more vibrant and lush.
He walked over to the scenic window and pushed it open. A gust of strong wind immediately rushed inside. Chaoming let out a chirp and flew out. Nowadays, he let Chaoming fly a few circuits outside every day, though not too far from the Xuangong Building and not too high, so as to avoid any mishaps.
Meanwhile, he was pondering something: the creatures of the Confluence all possessed mutated tissue, which was likely the reason they could exist there long-term. Could Chaoming also come to possess it?
If Chaoming also possessed it, the assistance it could provide him would be immense. Being able to fly in the air was an enormous advantage; perhaps not so useful within the city, but exceptionally helpful in the wilderness.
The last time they returned from Center City, it was precisely because Chaoming had spotted the other side's movements in advance that they had been prepared beforehand.
Furthermore, if Chaoming had mutated tissue, it would effectively possess offensive capabilities. Even if it didn't attack targets, its physical capabilities across the board would undoubtedly be enhanced.
In this regard, perhaps he could ask the Secret Snake Cult about it sometime.
At this moment, in the sky garden near the top of the building, Assistant Ling stood by the window with his hands in his pockets, gazing at the forest of high-rises ahead. Speaking into his boundary credential, he said, "The time is approaching. Make your preparations as quickly as possible over there."
Just then, he caught sight of that soaring silhouette, raised an eyebrow, gave an amused smile, and continued speaking to the other end of the boundary credential: "It's hard to say specifically, but soon."
On Chen Chuan's side, he practiced meditation for a while first. Once Chaoming returned from flying its circuit outside, he took the elevator down, got in his car, and drove all the way to Lu Fang's training hall.
Lately, Xiao Jin came here every day to learn and train. Every time he came, Fang Zhixin arranged someone to drop him off and pick him up. Although Fang Zhixin had previously found out that Lu Fang lacked citizen status, he understood that having no status didn't mean having no ability—especially since Chen Chuan had made the introduction, which made him basically trustworthy.
When he arrived, Chen Chuan parked the car and walked into the combat gym, just in time to see Xiao Jin being pulled up from the floor by Chu Wu. The two bumped fists and began another bout.
Lu Fang walked over and handed him a glass of water. "Passing through?"
Chen Chuan thanked him, took it, and said, "I originally planned to come tomorrow, but I have appointments lined up tomorrow, so I came by today to have a look. How has Xiao Jin been doing lately?"
Lu Fang said, "Very hardworking, and his progress is fast too. However, I feel he might be lacking a bit of natural flair in combat."
This actually meant he was somewhat rigid and stiff in a fight. Combat talent was something that defied logic; some people looked weak, yet in battle they could create opportunities, find openings, and overcome the strong from a position of weakness.
In his mind, Chen Chuan was the most naturally gifted person he had ever seen in this regard.
Xiao Jin, however, fell somewhat short in this area. His opponent, Chu Wu, had actually stumbled along a rough path to get here, only managing to begin his training with Lu Fang's help. His foundation was far inferior to Xiao Jin's.
Yet when the two sparred, Xiao Jin was constantly on the back foot. At first it was due to a lack of experience, but now that he had gradually adapted, something still felt lacking.
Chen Chuan said, "Combat ability can be cultivated through massive amounts of training and suitable opponents. As long as one doesn't give up in one's heart, there will always be a chance."
Lu Fang nodded. "That's true."
Xiao Jin had been knocked down so many times and had hardly ever won. An ordinary person would have long grown disheartened and begun doubting themselves, but Xiao Jin was never like that. Every single time, he maintained the same original drive to win. Sometimes Lu Fang didn't even know where that drive came from. But that was Xiao Jin's strength—and a very rare strength at that.
Looking at it from this angle, as long as Xiao Jin didn't fall along the way, he was bound to go very far in the future.
Chen Chuan asked, "When do you plan to teach him jin, Senior?"
Lu Fang thought for a moment and said, "I plan to hone him a bit more. With his current combat experience, acquiring jin too early wouldn't be a good thing. He would only rely on jin to knock down opponents, and his combat technique would fall behind. That might let him bully people who haven't trained jin, but if he encounters someone at the same tier, he'd still struggle to hold his own."
Chen Chuan nodded. "That is the right approach."
"As for Chu Wu, what do you think of him, Junior?" Lu Fang asked.
Chen Chuan said, "Although he started training at a slightly older age, he's very sharp and has plenty of ambition."
Most of the students who came to learn at this combat gym would end up running the streets, working as muscle or low-level bosses for gangs the moment they started training, earning money right away.
Yet Chu Wu, despite being fully capable of doing the same, hadn't done so. Instead, he chose to follow Lu Fang. That foresight alone surpassed many people. Moreover, Chen Chuan had noticed that as soon as he arrived, Chu Wu glanced at him and performed with immense dedication; perhaps he recognized him.
That was entirely possible. After all, many people had seen the recording of him defeating Wei Wusheng.
He didn't dislike that. Having the drive to climb upward was a good thing; without a persistent resolve sustaining them, a fighter was destined never to go far.
Lu Fang said, "I plan to teach him as well when I teach Xiao Jin jin, to see how far he can go on his own. Having each other as sparring partners during the First Limit will also allow them to spur each other on."
Chen Chuan said, "You've thought this through very well, Senior."
After waiting about ten minutes, during which the two on the mat sparred two more bouts and stepped down to rest, he spoke with Xiao Jin for a bit, sat with Lu Fang for a while, and then took his leave.
Chen Bitong's situation was hard to say. The higher-ups were watching so closely, and one could also sense it from the man's attitude toward him. Even if nothing happened now, he might not be able to pass scrutiny in the future.
Since that man had taught him so much, looking after his son along the way was the least he could do.
After coming out of the combat gym, seeing that it was nearly noon, he contacted Ni Xixi to treat her to lunch, but she was busy, so they could only leave it for another day.
Just as he was about to head back to Wuyi, an incoming transmission arrived on his boundary credential. He glanced at it, saw that it was Uncle Ding, and immediately answered. "Uncle Ding, is something the matter?"
"Captain Chen, the young master has something he wishes to give you. He asked me to let you know that you can come pick it up whenever you have time."
Chen Chuan said, "I'll head over right away."
An hour later, the Gaade car came to a stop in front of Senior Cao's manor gate. Uncle Ding was waiting at the entrance. As Chen Chuan walked over, Uncle Ding said courteously, "Captain Chen, the young master is admiring the blossoms on the back hill. Please follow me."
Chen Chuan followed Uncle Ding to the rear of the manor. It was now mid-to-late March, and this area was filled with blooming peach blossoms. Looking out, they appeared in gorgeous profusion, brilliant as glowing clouds of rosy dawn.
Clad in a dark cyan outer robe, Cao Guixi was playing the qin beneath a peach tree.
Chen Chuan halted his steps and listened from a distance. The melody felt leisurely and otherworldly, like ascending mountain stone steps, embracing the mist, and gazing upon the clouds—yet looking back, it seemed tinged with a wisp of longing for days gone by.
Only after the piece came to an end did he walk forward.
Pressing his hands against the strings, Cao Guixi let out an emotional sigh. "This 'Chant of the Long Journey' was originally meant to portray young scholars heading out on a spring excursion, high-spirited and overflowing with vigorous youthfulness. Yet my heart is burdened with lingering concerns, and I find it difficult to resonate with that emotion, instilling in it a weary twilight air instead. Truly a pity."
Chen Chuan came forward and smiled. "Morning rises and dusk descends, the tide ebbs and flows. Today, Senior, you played the twilight of spring; who is to say tomorrow you won't play the vitality of autumn?"
Cao Guixi gave a slight smile and said, "What you say is true, Junior. Yesterday's regrets build today's worries, yet tomorrow's hopes can dispel today's troubles. Please, have a seat."
Once Chen Chuan took a seat, Cao Guixi said, "The reason I invited you over today is that I obtained a compounding medicine that happens to combine with your Gaotian jade core."
He took a casket and a scroll from Uncle Ding's hands and placed them on the table before them.
"Recorded within this scroll is the method for preparing the compounding medicine. The steps aren't difficult, but you will need to prepare some tools in advance and arrange a ritual. If I recall correctly, you know a few esoteric rituals?"
Chen Chuan said, "A few. If it's a simple ritual, I can arrange it."
"Feel free to take a look first."
Chen Chuan picked it up and unrolled it. Seeing that it indeed wasn't very complicated, he nodded and said, "No problem."
Cao Guixi said, "Then take it back with you. You'll need it later, and keeping this compounding medicine here only takes up space."
Chen Chuan said solemnly, "Thank you, Senior."
Cao Guixi merely smiled.
Uncle Ding brought over tea just then. After setting it down, a sudden breeze blew past, sending peach blossom petals fluttering down. A few landed on the agarwood table. Cao Guixi glanced at them and said, "April is almost upon us. Junior, you must act with caution in the coming days."
Seeing that he didn't elaborate, Chen Chuan felt a slight stir in his heart. He nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior. I will."
Senior Cao said, "The reason I called you over today is that in a few days, I will close off the manor and receive no outside guests. This may last until May, or perhaps even longer. If anything comes up, you can contact Uncle Ding." He glanced at Uncle Ding, who tapped his boundary credential.
Chen Chuan immediately received a communication channel. Uncle Ding said, "Captain Chen, if you need to get in touch, just use this channel. If it cannot be connected right away, you can come to the foot of Mount Motie."
Chen Chuan nodded to indicate his understanding. After that, the two spoke no more of such matters, instead spending the time admiring the blossoms and drinking tea. It was not until the afternoon that he departed.
Leaving the manor, he glanced into the distance. Strong gusts blew across, making the sea of trees on Mount Motie surge incessantly. It suddenly occurred to him: could what Senior Cao mentioned be related to what Counselor Pei was going to tell him tomorrow?
Either way, he would find out soon enough.
He opened the car door, slipped inside, started the engine smoothly, and drove back toward the central city district.
Chapter 499