Past the middle of October, Cheng Zitong checked Chen Chuan's training progress and gave an optimistic assessment. At his current rate, he might master the jin technique by the end of the month, or by mid-November at the latest.
Once the commissioned tasks were completed, he could apply to test for his weapons license.
However, Cheng Zitong also reminded him that after passing the First Limit, the growth of mutated tissue typically slowed down, requiring a period of observation.
In some people, mutated tissue simply ground to a halt. In others, after a prolonged lull, it would begin growing again, as though that downtime were merely a phase of recalibration and gathering momentum. Extra vigilance was needed during that window; if growth resumed, one had to prepare to cross into the next limit ahead of schedule.
Chen Chuan had no idea how things would unfold for him. His progress was entirely sustained by the uninterrupted breathing technique rather than any innate "talent." Theoretically, maintaining the basic breathing technique for twenty-four hours a day was the pinnacle; beyond that point, it might no longer be capable of spurring further development.
In fact, that was merely the most optimistic estimate. It was entirely possible that the technique's effectiveness would gradually taper off well before he reached that stage.
What then? Would he have to rely on drugs, or turn to other means? Though it was still early to worry about this, it was something he needed to start keeping in mind.
When his rest day arrived, he prepared to take on his second commission.
Ren Xiaotian was leading him again.
Just after ten in the morning, Chen Chuan received a call from Ren Xiaotian. He headed downstairs, and the moment he stepped outside, he saw the familiar off-road vehicle parked steadily by the curb.
He walked over and greeted Ren Xiaotian in the driver's seat. Beside him in the passenger seat sat a lively looking young woman with short-cropped hair who, at first glance, could easily be mistaken for a boy. Upon spotting him, she waved. "Hey there! I'm Lin Xiaodi. Just call me Xiaodi."
Chen Chuan said, "Hello."
Ren Xiaotian explained, "Senior Sister's apprentice. Today's commission calls for her." Once Chen Chuan climbed into the back, Ren Xiaotian handed him a notebook. "Today's mission."
Chen Chuan took it and flipped smoothly to the end of the previous entries. First was the mission description: the daughter of a wealthy merchant named An had been frequently sneaking out to watch the underground ring matches run by the Blood Mark Gang, often staying out all night.
The merchant had tried every means to persuade his daughter to return, to virtually no effect. Later, he attempted forceful measures, but his men were all driven off by the bodyguard at her side. She had hired this bodyguard using her own allowance, and the woman possessed formidable martial skill. Unwilling to resort to extreme violence, the father found himself at an impasse and filed a request with the commission agency to bring her back.
While the task appeared straightforward, it was actually tricky. Most people avoided anything tied to the Blood Mark Gang like the plague. Even with the handsome pay being offered, very few were willing to take it on.
Ren Xiaotian's plan was for them to go in first, assess the situation, and attempt persuasion while avoiding physical conflict if possible. If a fight proved unavoidable, the two of them would handle the bodyguard, leaving Xiaodi to escort the merchant's daughter away.
It was a sensible arrangement, and bringing Xiaodi along was essential. Forcing the girl to leave would inevitably involve physical contact, and having Xiaodi handle that side of things averted unnecessary complications.
At the very bottom, two key points were underlined in red pen:
First, members of the Blood Mark Gang might interfere; exercise caution.
Second, self-preservation comes before all else.
After finishing, Chen Chuan handed the notebook back to Ren Xiaotian. The senior disciple took it and glanced back at him several times. When their eyes met for the third time, Chen Chuan grasped his meaning and said, "Senior Brother Ren, I have no objections."
Only then did Ren Xiaotian turn his attention back to the road and focus on driving.
Leaving the academy grounds, the off-road vehicle traveled south before turning west. After about ten minutes, they arrived at the underground ring operated by the Blood Mark Gang.
The venue was located right on the border between Baofeng District and Daping District to the southwest, not particularly far from the bustling heart of the city.
The term "underground ring" merely denoted a non-professional fighting venue. Though unrecognized by the fighting association, it was a licensed competitive entertainment venue openly operated within Yangzhi City, paying formal taxes to the Municipal Administration.
The exterior resembled the training halls at Wuyi. Even though it was broad daylight and far from peak hours, quite a few cars were already parked outside.
When they stepped in to buy tickets, the security guard on duty eyed them briefly but made no move to question them.
Passing inside without incident, they walked up an inclined ramp and through a circular corridor. After following it around, they reached a large gate guarded by several security personnel. Stepping beyond it into the main arena, the air instantly filled with a wall of noise—the pounding rhythm of percussion instruments and guttural roars rising and falling in waves.
About twenty meters ahead, Chen Chuan saw a ring elevated over a meter off the floor, illuminated by harsh, glaring spotlights. Two heavily muscled brawlers were locked in combat, trading brutal blows before grappling into a tangle where sweat and blood became indistinguishable.
A scattered crowd of several dozen spectators encircled the ring, clapping, cheering, and whistling. On the padded benches around the perimeter, patrons sprawled in various states of disarray, surrounded by discarded liquor bottles and tin cans.
Lin Xiaodi intercepted a passing server, slipped him a banknote, and asked, "Which private box is An Qingqing in?"
The server pocketed the cash with practiced ease, pointing in one direction. "Second floor, Box Seven."
Chen Chuan was busy taking in the layout of the surroundings, noting the positions of the security guards and gang members. Ren Xiaotian tugged at his sleeve and shook his head when Chen Chuan looked back. "Not a good spot to linger. We'll take a look once we're upstairs."
Chen Chuan nodded.
The three of them exited through a stairwell off the central floor and climbed the rear staircase to the second floor, navigating past bands of colorful neon lighting until they located Box Seven.
Lin Xiaodi stepped forward and knocked on the door. "Miss An, are you in?"
The occupants inside seemed completely off their guard, or perhaps the sound of a young woman's voice failed to raise their suspicions. Footsteps approached, and the door swung open, revealing the burly figure of a woman.
She stood more than half a head taller than Chen Chuan, easily exceeding two meters in height. In a deep, muffled voice, she asked, "Who are you?"
Lin Xiaodi held up the commission form. "Mr. An sent us to see her."
Before the bodyguard could speak, a voice called from inside. "Sent by the old man again? Just let them in."
The bodyguard stepped aside. Chen Chuan and his companions walked in to find a girl of seventeen or eighteen lounging on a sofa. She wore an oversized shirt and fitted canvas pants, sporting thick eyelashes and brilliant lipstick flecked with fine shimmer. She was quite pretty.
With both hands propped on the cushions beside her, she swung her lower legs back and forth while watching the match below. Without bothering to look at them, she said, "You might as well head back. I already told the old man I'm not going home until I've had my fill of fun."
Lin Xiaodi asked, "Miss An, what counts as having your fill?"
"What counts as... hmm?"
An Qingqing glanced back casually, intending only a fleeting look. But when her eyes landed on Chen Chuan, she paused and gave him a thorough once-over. A spark of interest lit up her face. She knelt on the sofa, resting one hand along the backrest and propping her chin with the other, her gaze flitting across them. "You're all trained fighters, aren't you?"
She spoke with sudden enthusiasm. "How about this? There's a round-robin tournament coming up soon. Pick one of you to go up. Win the match, and I'll go back with you."
She broke into a grin. "Of course, you could also try taking me by force. Beat Xiao Zhen, and I won't resist at all."
Chen Chuan could tell her proposal was merely an excuse. She simply wanted to watch them fight to stir up more excitement and cheap thrills.
Resorting to force was the worst possible option. Dealing with the female bodyguard was manageable, but things were hardly so simple. An Qingqing was currently a paying customer of the Blood Mark Gang; if they started a brawl, the gang would never sit by and watch.
Without a word, Ren Xiaotian turned on his heel and walked straight out. Chen Chuan didn't know what his senior had in mind, but he had no intention of making trouble and followed without hesitation. Lin Xiaodi waved cheerily at An Qingqing. "Goodbye, Miss An."
An Qingqing curled her lip, looking instantly bored, and slumped back into her seat.
Once in the corridor, Ren Xiaotian pressed a slip of paper into Lin Xiaodi's hand. "Xiaodi, wait outside for half an hour. If we aren't out by then, call the number on that slip."
Lin Xiaodi took it without asking questions. Waving to both of them, she strode briskly toward the exit.
Ren Xiaotian then walked over to a Blood Mark Gang member who appeared to hold some authority, produced the commissioner's business card, and said, "I'm here to see your boss."
Chapter 63