Gao Yanjun tapped her boundary credential and sent over a list. "This is the list of ingredients and nutritional supplies used by the martial artist I used to follow. Minister, you can use it for reference."
Chen Chuan asked, "Won't there be any issues?"
From what he understood, every martial artist had unique requirements closely tied to their cultivation. Conversely, others might be able to discern one's methods or deduce the stage one might have reached from such information.
Gao Yanjun said, "No. These are all standard ingredients and nutritional supplies that every martial artist needs to use. At most, there are slight differences in the details. Any unique ingredients that might involve the secrets of one's personal cultivation aren't included here.
"Furthermore, when a martial artist reaches a critical juncture in their training, the precise amounts and combinations of various ingredients required follow specific ratios each time—things outsiders could never deduce."
Chen Chuan nodded. If they were standard, then it was fine. He opened the list and looked through the items recorded on it one by one.
At the bottom, however, was a note from that martial artist listing certain special ingredients and high-energy nutritional supplies she required, along with her telegraph contact information, stating that if anyone had or came across information regarding these ingredients, she was willing to purchase or trade for them.
After reading it, he asked, "Sister Gao, how does our Purist Faction headquarters arrange for these ingredients and nutritional supplies? Do you know?"
Gao Yanjun replied, "From what I know, the faction does have channels to procure them, but there might be restrictions and conditions. The martial artist I followed rarely obtained them from within the faction; most of the time, she traded with others."
Chen Chuan nodded. According to the telegram, the faction would send someone over, so he could ask about that later. What he cared about most, however, was his cultivation.
He pondered for a moment. "Sister Gao, draft a telegram for me to inform headquarters of my decision. And while you're at it, inquire about how to access the faction's cultivation knowledge."
"Understood, Minister. I'll start drafting it right away," Gao Yanjun said. She went to the side and began typing on a typewriter.
Chen Chuan picked up his teacup and asked, "Old Chang, how is the branch's progress coming along?"
Chang Dong said, "Progress is very smooth. At this rate, it'll take another three to four months to finish the main structure. During this time, I'll recruit some peripheral members."
Chen Chuan asked, "Are the funds still sufficient?"
Chang Dong replied, "The funds allocated by headquarters are sufficient for now. The higher-ups place great importance on re-establishing our branch, so if it's not enough, we can apply for more." He smiled and added, "Now that you've become a martial artist, Minister, and have chosen to stay here, headquarters will value this branch even more and will certainly increase their investment."
Chen Chuan said, "Before coming over today, a martial artist from the Refined Practice School sought me out. I had a duel with him outside the city."
"A martial artist from the Refined Practice School?"
Chang Dong was startled. He looked at Chen Chuan and said, "Minister, you..."
Even Gao Yanjun, who was typing nearby, couldn't help looking over upon hearing this.
Chen Chuan said, "Don't worry, I didn't suffer any loss in that fight." He tapped his boundary credential. "I've already dictated the general course of events. Old Chang, help me file it into the archives so it's convenient for future reference."
"Understood!"
Chang Dong agreed with great solemnity. Seeing Chen Chuan's understated demeanor, looking not at all like someone who had just fought a martial artist, he couldn't help but admire him immensely.
In just a short while, Gao Yanjun finished drafting the telegram. She brought it over for Chen Chuan to review, and once he confirmed there were no issues, she sent it out.
It didn't take long for headquarters to send a reply. They approved Chen Chuan's decision, then stated regarding cultivation matters that they would entrust his guide to come and instruct him; he could inquire about specifics with his guide. Of course, if he was dissatisfied with his guide, he could request a replacement, though that would require waiting for some time.
Chen Chuan gave it some thought. His guide was Mr. Zhuan. Only two days had passed since Chen Chuan's return, so Mr. Zhuan was likely still in the convergence zone. It seemed he would have to wait until Mr. Zhuan returned.
As for replacing him, he had no such intention. Not only was he currently still in the stage of continuous self-metamorphosis and in no rush, but he also knew that a guide and the guided shared a naturally close bond—a mutual trust that others could not match.
Moreover, as someone from Wuyi, even if there was truly something he didn't understand, he could always seek guidance from Principal Yao or Teacher Xue.
Once he finished handling everything here, he went out for a meal with the two of them before leaving Weiguang District and returning to the bureau.
After arriving at his office, he contacted Xu Chan via his boundary credential. "Old Xu, are you at the bureau? Do you have time? There's something I'd like to discuss with you. I'm in my office."
After a brief wait, an orderly outside pushed the door open, and Xu Chan walked in. Chen Chuan walked over to the sofa on the side and greeted him, "Old Xu, make yourself comfortable."
Xu Chan sat down. The orderly poured tea for both of them, stepped out, and closed the door behind him.
Chen Chuan got straight to the point. "Old Xu, you've probably guessed it. I called you here today for nothing else than your job transfer. The bureau's intention is to ask you to take up the post of Investigation Supervisor."
Xu Chan remained silent for a moment before speaking. "Supervisor Chen, you know me. I'm not someone who likes taking sides. I just want to do my own job well."
Chen Chuan said, "I understand that. But Old Xu, you can't dodge this. Your capability is right there for all to see. Think about it—aside from you, is there anyone more suitable in the bureau right now? However, when it comes to this matter, I might be able to offer you another choice."
He looked at Xu Chan and asked, "I presume you know of the Purist Faction?"
Xu Chan looked at him and nodded. As a veteran enforcement captain, of course he knew of it. At this moment, he could already faintly guess what Chen Chuan wanted to say to him.
Chen Chuan said, "My current position is councillor of the Purist Faction, as well as the minister of the Purist Faction's Jibei Dao branch. Old Xu, I won't mince words—as a guide, I would like to recommend you to join the Purist Faction.
"The Purist Faction doesn't have so many twists and turns. What it mainly requires is maintaining and safeguarding oneself, and confronting those people or things that come from outside or have been tainted by the outside. This is fundamentally consistent with what we do on a daily basis. The specifics are here..."
As he spoke, he tapped his boundary credential and sent over some of the Purist Faction's requirements and guidelines.
While Xu Chan was reading, Chen Chuan said, "Old Xu, the Great Impact is drawing closer by the day. The Municipal Council will never sit by and wait for death, nor will the various factions simply watch the government reclaim its power. The situation the Disposal Bureau has to face next is likely to grow increasingly severe. Right now, the bureau urgently needs capable and prestigious individuals occupying the upper ranks, and the people below need someone trustworthy to lead them.
"You're also well aware that with my current status, I won't be able to stay in this position for much longer. Who knows when an appointment might come down and I'll have to leave, at which point there will be vacancies in the bureau again. So this time, you must make a choice whether you want to or not."
After finishing all the detailed rules Chen Chuan had sent over, Xu Chan said in a deep voice, "Supervisor, you're entirely right. When the time comes, certain choices must be made whether one likes it or not. Fortunately, just as you said, Supervisor Chen, the requirements listed in the guidelines aren't very different from what I have always done."
He paused, then said solemnly, "I accept your invitation, Supervisor, and am willing to join the Purist Faction."
Chen Chuan smiled and stood up, extending his hand to shake with Xu Chan, who had also stood up. "Old Xu, welcome. Welcome aboard."
Xu Chan said, "Before going to the convergence zone, I remember telling you, Supervisor Chen, that there's a great place to eat and that I'd treat you once I returned. I wonder if you have time, Supervisor Chen?"
Chen Chuan gave a slight smile. "Of course I have time. That restaurant you took me to last time was quite good, Old Xu, so this is a great chance to enjoy another meal with you. It also gives me an opportunity to fill you in on some of the branch's matters."
Once they had agreed, they packed up and left the Disposal Bureau without any escorts. They drove toward Fengde District, heading this time to Center City's largest inland lake, Chaocai Lake, to have boat cuisine, with dishes consisting entirely of delicious, tender lake fish and freshwater delicacies.
Although it was already dusk by the time they arrived, many people were still boating on the lake. By the time the dishes were served, the sky had darkened completely. Yet at that moment, floating sky lanterns drifted upward one after another, and bright, daylight-like illuminations cascaded down in strings from above Split Wave Canyon in the distance. The faint flickers of light and these glows reflected in the lake water, making it feel almost as if they were sailing across a river of stars. Even without mentioning the flavor of the boat cuisine, the atmosphere alone was wonderful.
Because this place was already on the edge of Center City's southwest field, talking here was very private and convenient; they had no fear of secret information being overheard and could speak freely.
By the time the meal was finished, it was past nine in the evening. Chen Chuan and Xu Chan drove out from the area, and upon returning to Wuding District, bid each other farewell. After parting ways, Chen Chuan returned alone to his mansion in the district.
He washed up first, then carried his travel pack to the collection room. One by one, he took out all the weapons captured from the convergence zone, wiped them clean, and carefully arranged them on the weapon rack.
Among them, Wei Guochan's spear undoubtedly held the highest collectible value. Neither its materials, craftsmanship, nor aesthetic appeal could be matched by any of the other weapons, so he stood before it and admired it for quite a while.
He only felt a slight pity that the duel during the day had merely been a spar, and Mr. Long hadn't brought any weapons. Otherwise, he could have added another piece to his collection.
But thinking about it, there would surely be other chances in the future.
Yes.
Having finished his inspection, he stepped out of the room with satisfaction, returned to the living room, drank a cup of hot beverage, and opened his boundary credential.
At this time, only a day had passed since he shot down the monster airship. The event was still fermenting across the public sphere, with people discussing it everywhere.
However, because many people were limited by their level, most were merely watching the spectacle without anything of much value to offer. Thus, after looking at it for a little while, he closed it, then sat there and closed his eyes to rest. Before long, scenes of the past began to surface one after another in his mind.
……
……
Chapter 790