Reporting Upward

After pondering for a moment, Chen Chuan looked at Tian Rui, who seemed to have long since given up on himself, and asked, "Then Senior Tian, what was the deal with that letter you sent out a few days ago?" Tian Rui clutched at his hair and said, "A few days ago, news came from the camp saying the branch had been reestablished and that you people even captured one of theirs, warning me to be careful. "Yet, Supervisor Chen, do you know... the moment I heard that news, I didn't feel afraid. Instead, I felt truly happy and excited. But..." He looked down at his trembling hands, as if a layer of blood had once more washed over his vision. "I remembered that scene back then all over again. I didn't want you to clash with him again. He's too powerful. You won't be a match for him. The branch will only suffer another massacre." Chen Chuan said, "I know that person is very strong. However, if he has already reached a certain level, we won't have a chance to face him directly anyway. And if he hasn't reached it, there's nothing to fear." "But," Tian Rui said with sudden urgency, "even if he doesn't make a move himself, you still won't be able to defeat him!" Chen Chuan raised his eyes to look at him. "Is it because of that Marsh Training Camp?" Tian Rui nodded vigorously. Chen Chuan said calmly, "By that training camp alone, I'm afraid that's still not enough." As Chen Chuan said those words, Tian Rui felt his breath catch in his throat. Although Chen Chuan had curbed his spirit, at this moment, Tian Rui nonetheless felt a powerful sense of oppression. He seemed to have felt this kind of sensation from that man in the past. He could not help looking at Chen Chuan, a glimmer of hope involuntarily appearing in his eyes. But after only a moment, he shook his head, and the light in his eyes dimmed once more. He said, "The team leader has a student by his side. It's a younger brother he once rescued, named Qi Qianyang. Because of his exceptional natural talent, the team leader kept him by his side all along, and we all met him before. "Although he didn't join the Purist Faction, we all believed he would join sooner or later. "This student of the team leader has extraordinary talent—even the team leader praised him relentlessly. Afterward, he remained with the team leader all along. When the team leader came here to see Xiao Wo, he brought him along several times. He is also one of the two instructors at the Marsh Training Camp. "Not long ago, he came to my place—just three days ago." He looked up at Chen Chuan. "At that time, he was sitting right where you are sitting now, Supervisor Chen. His strength is immense, truly formidable. He reminded me of the team leader back then. You..." He shook his head. "...cannot possibly be his match." Chen Chuan neither agreed nor disagreed with his assessment. He said, "This information is very useful, but as for how the branch will handle this matter, you don't need to worry, Senior Tian. I have one more question: regarding the Marsh Training Camp, do you know anything about the others there?" "I know a little bit. Apart from Qi Qianyang, the others might be decent, but their strength is quite ordinary." Chen Chuan nodded and said, "One more question. When I found you earlier, Senior Tian, Tian Wo seemed very agitated. Why? Do you have enemies?" Tian Rui suddenly looked somewhat embarrassed. "Apart from being able to repair a few things, my combat skills are passable. Over the years, I've often stepped forward to help and financially support some friends, which brought quite a bit of trouble. My wife and Xiao Wo told me not to associate with them, but whenever someone comes begging, I just can't bring myself to refuse. "As for Xiao Wo..." He hesitated. "...people from the training camp also often told him that someone has been searching for us, father and son, all along, warning him to be careful. And he believed them..." Chen Chuan glanced at him. Seeing him lower his head again, it wasn't hard to guess his thoughts: he was afraid that when the Purist Faction came, it would be bad for Tian Wo, so he had tacitly allowed that explanation to stand. He offered no comment on this, merely asking a few more questions. Once he had a general grasp of the situation, he stood up from his seat. "Senior Tian, I have recorded the answers you provided. I will head back and explain the situation to the faction. If there is anything else that needs clarifying, I will return to question you." Tian Rui looked up in astonishment, asking in disbelief, "You... aren't you going to take me back?" Chen Chuan said, "I only came today to learn the inside story. Although you did commit violations of our rules, how specifically to handle it isn't something I alone can decide. It requires waiting for the faction's ruling on this matter. Therefore, I will report the matter upward first. Before that, I will not take any action against you. "However, I also hope you will not leave as you please." Tian Rui nodded repeatedly. "Yes, this time I won't run away again! It's just Xiao Wo... what about Xiao Wo..." At this point, he looked intensely anxious. Chen Chuan said, "Xiao Wo's situation is very peculiar. Although he appears completely normal right now, it is hard to say for sure. I apologize, but this is likewise not something I can decide. However, I can promise that at least for now, nothing will be done to him." He knew very well that when it came to things involving those entities, one truly could not judge solely by appearances. Without thorough testing, no one could reach a definitive conclusion. Furthermore, even if actions were to be taken, full preparations had to be made, because doing so might provoke an extreme reaction from that man. For now, he decided to maintain the status quo and see how things stood after explaining the situation to the faction. Hearing his words, Tian Rui appeared crestfallen, but he also knew that since Chen Chuan had found his way here, there was no way this matter would simply blow over so easily. At this moment, sounds suddenly came from the stairs above, and a small head peeked out. "Daddy, is my skateboard fixed yet?" Tian Rui glanced over and said with some irritability, "Xiao Lei, what's going on? Didn't Daddy tell you just now not to come down?" Seeming to realize his tone had been a bit harsh, he added, "I'm sorry, Xiao Lei. Daddy isn't scolding you. Daddy has a guest. The skateboard will be fixed in a little while. Go back up first, okay?" Chen Chuan said, "Senior Tian, spend time with your son. I will be taking my leave now—no need to see me out." After a brief farewell to Tian Rui, he declined the man's offer to walk him out and exited the house. Once outside, he immediately saw Tian Wo sitting on the wooden platform across on the large lawn. He drew back his gaze and walked toward his car. Tian Wo jumped down, however, and walked straight up to him. "Who on earth are you?" Chen Chuan looked at him. Regardless of anything else, Tian Wo was currently living as a human, and no abnormalities could be seen for now. He replied, "Regarding that, your father will tell you." Tian Wo glared at him and said, "No matter who you are, you're not welcome to disturb our family's life. Even though I can't beat you right now, don't get too full of yourself—I will definitely beat you." Looking at the unyielding defiance in the boy's eyes, Chen Chuan thought that setting aside his origins, purely in terms of raw talent, he was indeed extraordinary. It was just that his technique was very ordinary; he appeared to have never undergone systematic training, unable to fully unleash his talents. Tian Rui had likely never properly taught him, and that so-called father seemingly hadn't either—probably not wanting him to stand out too much. However, if he could understand what he lacked and work hard to make up for it, the combat power he could unleash would certainly exceed what he showed today. He said, "I look forward to it." With that, he opened the car door and got in. The car started up promptly, driving outward under Tian Wo's watch before finally disappearing into the somewhat glaring afternoon sunlight. After driving out, Chen Chuan glanced to the side and once again caught sight of Liu Yin. Liu Yin was chatting with someone on the roadside, glancing over toward this side of the road from time to time. When he saw Chen Chuan's car, he waved. Chen Chuan slowed the car and rolled down the window. Liu Yin walked over. "Leaving, Supervisor Chen?" Chen Chuan nodded. Liu Yin quickened his pace of speech and said, "I might be entering the Disposal Bureau next month." Chen Chuan knew that among those from martial families, the most outstanding would enter the Disposal Bureau. There were quite a few people with such backgrounds in the bureau, such as Ni Xixi. This faction was actually very influential within the Disposal Bureau. People like Cheng Shang, for example, were departmental consultants in the bureau, possessing not only a certain amount of sway, but also deep networks of connections in the military and Wuyi Academy. He said, "Congratulations. It seems we'll soon be colleagues." Liu Yin sighed. "It's just that the path I'm taking is one they arranged long ago. My grandfather walked this path, and so did my uncle. It's a fine path, but I can see the end of my life at a single glance, so I really don't want to walk it according to their design." Chen Chuan said, "I have a squad. Interested?" Liu Yin asked in pleasant surprise, "Can I?" Chen Chuan said, "If your elders don't object." Liu Yin said, "They won't! Even though they made arrangements, they said my talent is greater than theirs, so they're willing to respect my wishes. Besides, I think if it's to follow you, Supervisor Chen, they won't stop me at all." He looked at Chen Chuan sitting there. Although doing this deviated from the established path, he felt it had far greater prospects. Chen Chuan said, "Young Liu, once you get to the bureau, submit a report directly to me." "Yes, sir!" Liu Yin offered a salute, mimicking his elders. The window rolled up slowly, and the car started again, heading out along the road. After leaving the residential district, Chen Chuan headed straight back to the apartment where their team was temporarily staying, found Chang Dong and Gao Yanjun, and briefed them on the situation he had uncovered. After hearing it, Chang Dong sighed and said, "So that's how it was back then. But..." He frowned slightly. "There are still some dubious points and peculiarities in all this." Chen Chuan said, "According to Tian Rui's account, he did not take part in the encirclement of the target. Moreover, because he wasn't a core member at the time, there are many things he isn't clear on either." Chang Dong said, "Regardless, we need to report the information we've gathered concerning Tian Rui upward first, and then await the decision from above."