Chen Chuan pinched a handful of fish feed between his fingertips and tossed it out. Concentric ripples spread across the pond as golden-red shadows flicked their fins and tails beneath the surface, darting over in a flurry to compete for the food.
He said, "Someone mentioned the pure substance to me. And because of the recent breach in the Ring of the World, quite a bit of it leaked out, so they had me and a few others go in for testing earlier."
Cao Guixi looked surprised. "Pure substance leaked?" Then he shook his head. "It will be sealed up soon enough."
After scattering another handful of feed, he handed the container to Uncle Ding, took a cloth napkin from the older man to wipe his hands, and said, "Come with me." With that, he walked outward.
Chen Chuan followed him outside toward the pond's outlet. A winding stream flowed outward from the grounds, lined with weeping willows in vibrant green. Moored by the embankment was a compact, exquisite pleasure boat.
Cao Guixi stepped onto the wooden gangplank and made his way to the private booth inside the pleasure boat. He gestured for Chen Chuan to join him and sat down. Servants waiting inside immediately poured freshly boiled water into teacups.
Uncle Ding boarded as well and signaled the servants to untie the heavy mooring ropes. From the stern, the boatman pushed off with a long pole, and the craft drifted slowly from the bank.
The pleasure boat glided with the current, rounding a protruding sandbar. Ahead, the waterway gradually widened until the river, reflecting the green shadows of both banks, stretched all the way into the inner lake of Mount Motie. A few egrets burst from the woods, skimming swiftly across the water's surface.
Cao Guixi said, "Factions and power blocs exist everywhere. If you aren't part of one, you won't be able to climb. After all, paths and connections are limited. If you aren't one of their own, they won't just offer them to you."
As the boat moved forward, the scenery on the banks slid slowly backward. Looking at the dark, distant mountains and the layered greenery near and far, he said, "In truth, the new era is far better than the old. Back then, junior, you wouldn't even have had the chance to reach where you stand today.
"You probably don't know this, junior, but during the former dynasty, unless you belonged to the imperial clan, titled nobility, or a handful of prominent houses, even hereditary officials had to pay a marrow tax and blood tribute each year."
Chen Chuan turned the words over in his mind. "Marrow tax and blood tribute?"
Cao Guixi said, "Literally what it sounds like. A martial artist's vital essence and bone marrow could be used to brew medicines, refine medicinal pills, and tame and feed beasts. Mutated tissue could also be forged into all kinds of weapons and implements. So the imperial court classified them as tribute and tax.
"The former imperial house did this for those purposes, but mainly to suppress and weaken powerful families outside the imperial clan. A martial artist subjected to this every year inevitably suffered severe depletion of vitality. That kept them from building significant martial strength and posing a threat to the imperial family and the nobility.
"This policy was exceedingly harsh at first, but over time it became lax. The powerful clans found ways to submit the vital essence and marrow of commoners or fighters they kept in secret, stockpiling their own strength in the shadows.
"Meanwhile, thanks to legacies left behind from several past Periods of Flux, many powerful forces and major martial schools remained among the populace, including quite a few individuals of outstanding talent. After enduring long periods of exploitation, resentment ran deep. Following the Algae Solution Revolution, both groups became major forces in toppling the former imperial house.
"With the dawn of the new era, the Great Shun government learned from this. They provided low-level fighters an avenue for advancement while collecting the resources scattered during the Period of Flux. Coupled with technological advances and changes in global geopolitics, they virtually monopolized all resources for martial cultivation.
"Nowadays, if a fighter wishes to grow stronger, relying on personal grit and hard work might carry them as far as the third limit. But taking another step beyond that without attaching oneself to some faction is virtually impossible."
Hearing this, Chen Chuan asked respectfully, "If I intend to continue advancing, senior, do you have any suggestions?"
Cao Guixi said, "I won't comment on the government or the corporations. Given your current rank, you'll come to understand them sooner or later. But if you want my advice, I think you might try joining a martial school."
"A school?" Chen Chuan's thoughts stirred. This aligned with his own previous thinking.
Cao Guixi said, "When the Grand Alliance was founded, it wasn't just corporations and governments involved—several major schools participated as well. They have influence within both corporations and the government, and they share common tenets. Legally, they are equal members of the Grand Alliance. Therefore, the resources they grant are recognized by both the corporations and the government—and they have no choice but to recognize them."
He extended a hand. Uncle Ding stepped forward immediately and placed an object in his palm. Cao Guixi handed it to Chen Chuan. "If you truly can't find another way in, you can take this token and try the Refined Practice School.
"However, if you have any other choice, you'd best avoid them. And this item is merely a stepping stone; it doesn't guarantee you'll be accepted. Even if you do get in, don't put too much stock in their words. Just take what you need from them."
Chen Chuan accepted it and looked. It was an exquisite wooden medallion with a red tassel. It felt surprisingly heavy in his hand. No writing was visible on the surface, but tracing it with his fingers revealed extensive text carved into the wood. He didn't inspect it closely right now, merely saying earnestly, "Thank you, Senior."
Cao Guixi warned him gravely, "If you can't get what you need there, or can't get in at all, then you'd be better off leaning toward the government rather than taking the corporate path."
Chen Chuan nodded.
Cao Guixi lifted his teacup, took a sip, and sighed. "After the Ring of the World was sealed off, the pure substance didn't actually diminish. It's just that the avenues for acquiring it narrowed, which ended up choking off so many people."
Uncle Ding chimed in suddenly, "Young Master, have you forgotten the secret depositories? Perhaps that could be an option as well."
Cao Guixi pondered for a moment and nodded. He looked at Chen Chuan. "Regarding the secret depositories, junior, you could certainly look into them."
He paused briefly before continuing, "The former imperial house plundered the world. Unable to consume all the resources they amassed, they sealed most of them away in inner vaults. Later, when they retreated into the Confluence, they took part of them along.
"However, there wasn't just one inner vault. Secret depositories were hidden throughout various regions and even overseas, left behind as escape routes for the imperial family.
"In truth, it wasn't just the imperial house; regional vassal kings and even former foreign dynasties established similar secret vaults. Previous dynasties throughout history did the same.
"That's why rumors of secret vaults being unearthed have circulated for decades, both across the world and within Great Shun itself.
"In the old era, the imperial court and civilian organizations constantly searched for these caches. Nowadays, both the government and the corporations encourage people to explore and uncover them. If you locate one and turn it over, the discoverer legally gets to keep a portion."
Chen Chuan looked thoughtful. "I seem to have heard rumors like that."
Cao Guixi said, "Tales of hidden treasures are everywhere, and they are essentially extensions of the secret depositories. Every year, various factions, organizations, and cult groups fix their eyes on these places. Whenever confirmed news surfaces, the government and corporations dispatch teams to track them down as well.
"If you ever come across such a place, you can take a look. But many eyes are on them, and ancient defense mechanisms may still linger inside, so if an opportunity truly arises, exercise the utmost caution."
Chen Chuan nodded.
After that, they dropped the subject, spending the rest of the time boating across the lake, drinking tea, and taking in the view. As dusk approached, the vessel returned to the estate, and Chen Chuan took his leave.
After seeing Chen Chuan off, Uncle Ding returned and said, "I thought you would tell Supervisor Chen about that secret depository, Young Master."
Cao Guixi shook his head. "I don't know its exact location, and the things inside are exceedingly dangerous. Besides, that item is very likely in there. The stakes are far too high, with both the corporations and the government watching closely. Telling him would only put him in harm's way."
Uncle Ding said, "I've heard that man has been searching for that place all these years."
Cao Guixi said, "Then let him search. Even if he finds it, what difference will it make? The pavilions and towers of the past have long since crumbled into ruins and rubble. They can never be pieced back together. Even if barely propped up, a single push would bring them down."
He clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at the distant evening glow floating across the sky. "You saw it yourself, Uncle Ding. When the fissure opened, the former dynasty's General of State Subjugation and his cavalry appeared, yet a single man held them off, leaving them helpless to accomplish anything more. The era has changed long ago. What ought to be discarded should be discarded."
***
After returning from the Cao family estate, Chen Chuan contacted Wei Dong and Wu Han, planning to get together with them for dinner. Once Chaoming woke up in a couple of days and a few remaining trivial matters were wrapped up, he would head back to Yangzhi.
When Wu Han heard he was treating, he recommended a restaurant he visited frequently, saying it was lively and run by a Yangzhi native whose cooking was authentically flavorful.
Hearing that, Chen Chuan agreed to the plan.
The next day, he went without the official car and security detail, driving to the restaurant on his own. As he parked, he swept a casual glance around.
Dense clusters of data instantly popped up on his boundary credential.
Ever since connecting with Andun, all sorts of promotional spam—including ads pushed by major corporations like Qingnang Jade Workshop—had been directly blocked. Moreover, a casual look at anyone immediately brought up their detailed profile, including criminal records and active warrants.
After turning onto this street, at least a third of the people had records, most indicating affiliation with the same gang.
However, that was normal for Center City, so he paid it no mind and walked into the restaurant. Pushing open the door, he looked around and spotted Wu Han and Wei Dong already there. The two were seated by a window, chatting away, and waved vigorously when they saw him approach.
Chen Chuan looked at the two of them. Wei Dong looked much the same; since he was right there at Wuyi Academy, Chen Chuan ran into him every few days.
Wu Han, on the other hand, was someone he hadn't seen in months, having only kept in touch over the boundary credential. He looked a bit different now—his skin was tanner, and he had grown some stubble beneath his chin, giving him a more mature air. Chen Chuan walked over, exchanged greetings with them, and took a seat.
Chapter 607