Application

In front of the former site of the Ferris Wheel Company, Chen Chuan held an umbrella and watched the surging waves in the distance. Over the past few days, the wreckage of the original Ferris wheel had already been cut apart and salvaged away. Although such a landmark was gone, an obstruction had vanished with it, allowing him to see the distant sea and sky much more clearly. He had plenty to do during these three months of leave. First, he needed to return to Yangzhi to meet with Instructor Wen. Last night, he had spoken on the phone with his uncle-in-law, Nian Fuli, and learned that Nian was still at the constabulary. Heading over this time would be an ideal opportunity to ask about the specifics. In addition, he had looked into the matter of a teaching credential over the past few days. Generally speaking, there were two paths. As a Wuyi student, if his evaluations during his time as a student were high enough, he could use internal channels to first apply as a teaching assistant, then rely on seniority to be promoted to an academy instructor. This process varied depending on the individual; the fastest typically took three to five years, while a slower route took five to ten. The other path was exceptional admission, which required the student to be exceptionally outstanding. After submitting an application, one only needed to pass a single assessment to qualify. However, this required a recommender—preferably an active teacher at Wuyi, though the head of a relevant department would also do. For that, he could easily approach several teachers he was acquainted with. Finding a departmental head was just as simple; either Deputy Director Wu or Old Mr. Cheng would suffice. If all else failed, he could even write a recommendation for himself. His primary goal wasn't actually to teach, but merely to gain access through Wuyi's platform to conveniences that couldn't be found outside. If nothing else, sparring resources like Hongfu alone made securing a credential well worth the effort. In fact, he had learned from internal information that quite a few mid- to high-level officials in the Disposal Bureau held Wuyi teaching credentials, and they set aside a certain amount of time each year to teach at the academy. However, the end of the semester was drawing near, and because the process required a review period, he thought it over and decided to submit the application within the next day or two. If there was enough time, he would get it handled as early as possible; if not, he could address it after he returned. Just then, a communication chime rang from his boundary credential, and Andun's voice sounded promptly: "Signal detected originating from the Elephant Gang in Yinglu District. No field wiretapping or surveillance equipment present. Supervisor Chen, do you require me to block it?" Chen Chuan said, "No need. Connect it." Once the connection went through, a pleasant female voice sounded on the other end: "Captain Chen, is that you? This is Deng Xin." Chen Chuan said, "Miss Deng, is something the matter?" "Captain Chen, I'm sorry to disturb you. It's like this: I heard that you led the team that took down the Ferris Wheel Company, so I'm calling today specifically to thank you." Chen Chuan said, "There's no need to thank me. Given everything Ferris Wheel did, they were doomed not to last." Deng Xin said gratefully, "Regardless, I have to thank you. All these years, I've been hiding everywhere, unable to go anywhere. But now I can go where I want to go. I feel like I can finally stand under the sun..." Her voice choked up slightly. When the Ferris wheel had been sliced open by Chen Chuan's blade, she felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her chest. Ever since fleeing Ferris Wheel, she had never felt so relieved. After a moment, she composed herself and said apologetically, "I'm sorry for talking so much and taking up your time. I just wanted to say that while I don't have much to offer you, I do have a modest ability to foresee danger. Captain Chen, if you ever have need of me, please be sure to let me know." Chen Chuan could hear the sincerity in her voice and replied with an affirmative. Looking out at that moment, he saw that the rain was gradually letting up, and a shaft of sunlight broke through a rift in the overcast clouds above the sea. "Miss Deng, live well from now on," he added. "Until next time, if the opportunity arises." He turned around. The motorcade and armed security personnel were waiting behind him. Seeing him approach, one of them opened the car door for him. After settling inside, he said, "Back to Wuding District." The car started slowly and drove all the way back to his residence in the district. Once they arrived, he didn't have the car pull straight inside. Instead, he stepped out and gave a few instructions. Yu Xiao saluted him and remained waiting by the vehicles, while an orderly helped carry four small cases inside. As Chen Chuan walked in, Yuan Qiuyuan, Qin Qingque, and Su Wei stepped out from within. Since the division and reproduction of the Fumu, they had been resting here, awaiting further orders. Seeing him return, they all saluted and said, "Captain!" Chen Chuan returned the salute. Yuan Qiuyuan looked curiously at the orderly behind him, then glanced out at the motorcade outside. "Captain, what's that?" Chen Chuan said, "The bureau just appointed me as an Investigation Supervisor. The official notice should arrive in a little while. That armed motorcade is responsible for my security." Yuan Qiuyuan's eyes widened. "Captain, you got promoted again?" Chen Chuan nodded. Yuan Qiuyuan said excitedly, "You sure rise fast, Captain!" This was great news; the faster their captain rose, the faster they could progress alongside him. But then, as if something suddenly crossed his mind, he hesitated. "Uh, Captain, now that you've been promoted, the higher-ups won't assign us a new enforcement captain, will they?" At those words, Qin Qingque and Su Wei couldn't help looking toward Chen Chuan as well. Honestly speaking, they all felt that staying under Chen Chuan was wonderful, and none of them wanted an unfamiliar superior swapped in. Chen Chuan said, "If you're willing, you can continue following me." Qin Qingque said earnestly, "I want to follow you, Captain." Yuan Qiuyuan said, "Say no more! Except for the captain, we won't answer to anyone else!" Su Wei nodded. He had been recruited by Chen Chuan, so naturally he would only follow Chen Chuan—not to mention that he held genuine respect and admiration for Chen Chuan himself. Chen Chuan said, "Good, then it's settled." He turned to Qin Qingque. "Qingque, help me reserve a private room at the Shutianxia Hotel. I mentioned treating you all before, and since everyone is here today, we might as well go together." "Yes, Captain!" Chen Chuan then said to Yuan Qiuyuan, "Also, help me notify Mr. Sancheng. If he has time, tell him to join us for a meal at Shutianxia." "Right away, Captain, I'll let him know!" More than half an hour later, the four arrived at the Shutianxia Hotel. Sancheng Huang had arrived as well, standing straight with his hand resting on the hilt of the blade at his waist. Seeing the four approach, he stepped forward and bowed. "Mr. Chen." He then politely greeted Yuan Qiuyuan and the others one by one. Chen Chuan acknowledged him, then led the four into the pre-booked private room. Once they were seated, he said to Sancheng Huang, "Mr. Sancheng, thank you for lending a hand earlier." Sancheng Huang did not presume to claim credit. "Even without this one, it would not have been difficult for Mr. Chen to deal with those people. What this one did was merely adding icing to the cake." Chen Chuan said, "Stepping forward voluntarily at such a critical moment was by no means an easy choice. I have already seen Mr. Sancheng's sincerity. Therefore, Mr. Sancheng, I would like to invite you to join my team. Would you be willing?" Sancheng Huang looked up and asked, "Is this one truly permitted?" Chen Chuan said, "There was originally a slight issue with your identity, Mr. Sancheng, but that was before. Now that Ferris Wheel has fallen, there is no issue at all." Great Shun had long proclaimed publicly that the peoples of the outer ocean island nations were also subjects of Great Shun, but that was merely official rhetoric rather than the actual state of affairs—intended simply to reduce governance and administrative costs. In reality, they were hardly treated as equals. However, Sancheng Huang was a third-limit expert. If he was willing to pledge allegiance to Great Shun, Great Shun would gladly accept him. While the Ferris Wheel Company had still been standing, there might have been reservations, but that problem no longer existed. Sancheng Huang leaned forward in his seat and said solemnly, "I am profoundly grateful for Mr. Chen's recruitment. This one is willing to join!" Chen Chuan nodded. At that moment, he brought over the cases and pushed them in front of the group. "These are the rewards from the higher-ups for the success of our operation. Aside from a sum of bonus money, there is also some special medicine." He handed one of the cases to Sancheng Huang. "Mr. Sancheng, I applied for a share for you as well." "This one receives one as well?" Sancheng Huang was astonished. Chen Chuan smiled and said, "You genuinely contributed, Mr. Sancheng, so it can count as hired service. Besides, haven't you agreed to join my squad? It is only right that you receive a share." Sancheng Huang fell silent for a moment. He slowly rose, rested his hands against his sides, and bowed deeply to Chen Chuan with a grave expression. "I am exceedingly grateful to Mr. Chen. This one indeed has urgent need of this medicine, so I shall accept it with humble thanks." Chen Chuan nodded. What he appreciated about Sancheng Huang was that the man was never pretentious; when it was time to set aside pride, he did so without hesitation. He turned to Yuan Qiuyuan and the other two. "I have three months of leave this time, and I happen to have a few matters to handle. You three can carry out missions in the confluence zone for now and wait for my return." Yuan Qiuyuan was the first to respond: "Understood, Captain, we'll follow your lead!" He added, "Captain, make sure to come back soon. Without you around, we won't have any drive at all." The others nodded in agreement. Chen Chuan smiled. "Alright, let's eat first." The meal lasted until after two in the afternoon. After parting ways with them, Chen Chuan had the armed motorcade drive toward the Winged Blade Light Nest Company. Back then, Supervisor Zhuang had said that Chaoming needed another two to three months of observation; as long as the mutated tissue did not lapse into dormancy, everything would be fine. Counting the days, the time was just about up. Supervisor Zhuang knew in advance that he was coming. When the motorcade stopped outside and Chen Chuan entered the company lobby, Zhuang came forward of his own accord to receive him. After greeting him warmly, Zhuang said, "Supervisor Chen, we have taken very good care of your pet. Please follow me." Chen Chuan wasn't surprised that Zhuang knew about his promotion. The corporations in the central city naturally possessed their own information channels, not to mention that he was one of their clients, so they kept track of him at all times. Following him to the incubation area from before, Chen Chuan saw Chaoming resting inside a specially made nest. The creature was noticeably larger than before, and one could directly feel a vigorous life force surging within its body, though it appeared to be deep in slumber. Supervisor Zhuang said with a smile, "Supervisor Chen, your pet has now passed the observation period. Its mutated tissue has preliminarily stabilized. Moving forward, just like a fighter, it will require matching medicine to grow properly. In a few more days, if there are no abnormalities, it will be ready to leave with you."