Chapter 101: The Strange Commission
Chapter 101: The Strange Commission
The next day, despite staying up late the night before, Chen Chuan still woke up at his usual time. This wasn't a big issue for him; with a few rounds of breathing techniques, he quickly adjusted his state to its optimal level.
Starting today, he planned to temporarily put aside the sword training at the training hall and focus on correcting his shortcomings, as instructed by He Xiaoxing. After all, this was the foundation of everything.
Only by solidifying the foundation could he build upon it.
For over twenty days, he quietly practiced in his dormitory, correcting each weakness and oversight one by one.
Besides himself, Cheng Zitong also came to help review and discuss issues in his cultivation. As his mentor, Cheng Zitong had far more experience, and even if he couldn't immediately identify problems, he could provide valuable insights.
Chen Chuan felt he had gained a lot during this time. Even without an accurate comparison, he could sense that he was now significantly stronger than before.
The most noticeable change was in his altered tissue, which, after nearly a month of training, had become even stronger. This clearly meant it could withstand more damage and exert greater force.
He walked over to his desk and picked up a notebook, flipping through it.
This notebook had arrived ten days after his meeting with He Xiaoxing. It had no return address, but according to Cheng Zitong, it was likely sent from a new location.
The notebook, not too thick, was filled with valuable insights into his future cultivation, with not a single unnecessary word.
Just the self-inspection techniques for breath control alone listed numerous special methods, each applicable to different situations.
Many used the breath control method, which contained the experiences of many seniors. However, knowing which technique was useful in a specific situation was either a matter of self-discovery or guidance from a teacher. He Xiaoxing's instructions were clearly a perfect solution.
Before following these instructions, even he hadn't realized how many issues he had. Using the techniques, he identified and addressed each flaw.
Cheng Zitong had told him that the old era's term for the first stage was "building sinew bridges and bone beams," but in reality, it was a two-stage process.
The first stage focused on strengthening the altered sinews, while the second stage involved allowing the altered sinews to further permeate the bones, even altering some of the skeletal muscles.
Many force techniques relied on the support of the bones, and different techniques required the reinforcement of different bones. However, his technique required strengthening all of them, which might take longer.
This didn't bother him, as in reality, others had far less time to train than he did.
Many training sessions required recovery periods, so they had to take breaks, and the daily training time was limited. Moreover, drug stimulation also required gradual adjustment.
But he didn't need that. Any damage could be endured by his second self, and as long as his second self could handle it, he could continue training without interruption. If he wanted to go to the extreme, he could even reduce his sleep time, but there was no need for that yet.
Just then, he heard distant cheers and commotion coming from outside the window. These days, the Class B Student tournament was also underway, starting from the latter part of the month and continuing until the end of the year, with the real semifinals and finals taking place after the new year.
Of course, these matches were only among Class B Students. Class A Students didn't engage in such public confrontations. While Class B Students' learning leaned towards normal athletics, Class A Students focused on pure martial power.
Wei Chang'an's words from before were entirely accurate. The path of Class A Students was indeed aimed at becoming enforcers. In his conversations with Cheng Zitong, he sensed that these students might have other roles within the upper echelons, but his current position didn't grant him access to that level.
This brought up the "Infinite Defense License." Chen Chuan realized that another function of this license was to provide access to the upper echelons when needed by the state.
Whether it was for the license's inherent functions or the potential upward mobility it offered, Chen Chuan was determined to obtain it.
After that day, he looked into it further. In reality, the license was divided into Class A and Class B, with Class A being a lifetime license, but that's not something to aim for. It's directly granted by the state and not something one can simply pass a test for. When the upper echelons decide to grant it, the assessment is just a formality.
He was well aware of the challenges ahead, especially if he wanted to avoid the same fate as Shen Zheng. It wasn't just about physical strength; he needed to work behind the scenes as well, utilizing all available resources.
Fortunately, he still had ample time to prepare. But physical strength was his top priority, so he decided to push himself to his limits first and then consider other aspects later.
He flipped through his notebook for a while, then put it down and returned to his training.
As noon approached, Cheng Zitong arrived at the dormitory and found him. "It's almost the New Year," Cheng Zitong said. "I was planning to let you adjust and give you an assignment next year, but someone has already pulled some strings to get to me. I looked into it, and the assignment isn't as dangerous as it seems if you exercise caution. So, I brought it for you to consider. If you think you can handle it, take it; otherwise, I'll decline on your behalf."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "I was about to come to you, Teacher. I need a lot of medicine for my training, and I can't just sit around and do nothing."
Cheng Zitong laughed. "The school's scholarship won't overlook you, especially after your newspaper announcement. Who else deserves it if not you? This is a sure thing. Since you've decided to take it, let's talk about the assignment."
He took out a stack of documents from his briefcase and handed them to Chen Chuan. Chen Chuan flipped through the papers, surprised to find such a thing existed. "I thought these were just urban legends or gimmicks made up by movie theaters."
Cheng Zitong smiled. "While there may be some exaggeration and distortion in the rumors, it is real. If you take this assignment, you'll see it for yourself. I've only witnessed it once before."
Chen Chuan nodded and said, "I'm also interested, Teacher. I'll go and check it out today."
"Then be careful and don't take it lightly," Cheng Zitong said, standing up. "It's a busy time of year, so I have to go. The contact card is in the documents. Use it to call the manager."
Chen Chuan bid farewell and saw Cheng Zitong off. He then carefully reviewed the documents from start to finish, ensuring nothing was missed. Finally, he took out the contact card and went to the public phone outside, dialing the number on it.
The call connected quickly, and after a brief conversation, the other party informed him that a car would be sent to pick him up. Chen Chuan went to the cafeteria for lunch, then returned to his room to freshen up and change clothes. He took the Xue Jun Sword from the sword rack and placed it in his bag.
He went to his desk, opened a drawer, and took out the "Wu Ji" handgun that Cheng Zitong had given him some time ago. He loaded the bullets into the magazine and inserted it into the pistol.
Instead of putting the gun in its holster, he placed it directly in his bag, as it was just a backup. His primary weapon was the Xue Jun Sword.
After preparing, he left the dormitory building, holding the sword as he walked out of the school gate. A car was already waiting for him in the front square, and it honked as he approached.
Chen Chuan walked over and opened the car door. A man emerged and bowed, saying, "Mr. Chen? Manager Huang sent me to pick you up, sir."
Chen Chuan nodded. "Thank you."
"No problem, sir. Please get in," the man said.
Chen Chuan got into the car and fastened his seatbelt. The vehicle started and headed south towards the city's most prosperous area, just outside the city center.
South City was the most bustling part of Yangzhi City, home to nearly half the city's population and most of its wealthy residents. It was a stark contrast to the north, with a more vibrant atmosphere.
After driving for over twenty minutes, the car stopped at a place called Orchid Fragrance Cinema. Chen Chuan noticed a large billboard featuring a heavily made-up woman with her eyes closed, blowing a dandelion. The fluffy seeds floated outward, creating a poetic atmosphere.
The cinema was relatively large, and although the building wasn't tall, the entrance extended for at least three hundred meters.
The driver drove the car directly into the cinema's arch-shaped entrance and parked in the internal parking lot. As Chen Chuan stepped out with the Xue Jun Sword, adjusting his clothes and taking in the surroundings, people passing by couldn't help but stare at him with widened eyes. Some security guards, upon seeing Chen Chuan, also focused their attention on him, a mix of tension, curiosity, and surprise in their eyes.
They all knew that openly carrying weapons outside was a privilege granted to those from Wu Yi Academy who held weapon permits.
The driver hurried out of the car, standing tall and proud. "This is Manager Huang's guest. Make way, please." He gestured to Chen Chuan respectfully. "This way, Mr. Chen."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
