Chapter 1043: The Difficult Debate
Chapter 1043: The Difficult Debate
A train was traveling towards the Jibei Circuit.
In one of the reserved compartments, a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance, yet exuding a sense of amiability, sat alone.
His leather shoes were polished to a shine, and he wore a slightly old but well-maintained imported suit. A top hat rested by his side, and his hairline was slightly receding.
On his face, one could see the embedded lines of an implanted body, a rare sight among the Purification School's martial artists.
Zhan Jiyue, a martial artist with a divine appearance, was currently possessing this body, one of his many vessels. However, this particular vessel held the most sentimental value.
Within the Central City of Jibei Circuit, the number of gathered Purification School martial artists was already substantial, making it unwise to dispatch another powerful martial artist. Yet, sending someone of insufficient stature would fail to demonstrate the headquarters' attention. Thus, a compromise was made, and Zhan Jiyue was chosen as the special envoy for this mission.
His current possessed body was bound by an agreement, limiting the utilization of his full power. At most, he could negotiate and convey information, and his choice of traveling by train instead of airship further emphasized his restrained approach.
At this moment, he was reviewing Chen Chuan's profile.
Despite having read it multiple times during the journey, he couldn't help but marvel at it, just as he had the first time.
Indeed, a remarkable talent.
He muttered to himself, "No wonder the headquarters find this situation challenging."
Although Chen Chuan had joined the sect recently, within just two to three years, he had not only revitalized the nearly defunct Jibei Circuit Branch but also achieved numerous accomplishments that the branch hadn't seen in years.
Furthermore, one of the new members he recommended had also become a martial artist this year, an even more impressive feat. Every martial artist was worthy of attention, as even the strongest started from humble beginnings. When Chen Chuan recommended that member, they weren't even a martial artist yet, but his eye for talent was exceptional.
After all, every year, there were third-tier fighters who became members, and many were highly regarded. But how many of them eventually became martial artists?
Very few.
But that wasn't all; the key was that Chen Chuan himself...
His gaze shifted to the profile.
The Eternal Life Realm.
Once again, he couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
Upon reaching the Eternal Life Realm, even among martial artists, one was set apart from the ordinary.
There was more to it. The Jibei Circuit Branch was also entangled with the past traitor, Zhao Zhenye, which further complicated matters.
The complexity of the situation gave him a headache even before he left the headquarters.
When he departed, there was a significant debate within the headquarters regarding the attitude towards the Jibei Circuit Branch and Chen Chuan himself.
The debate primarily divided into two factions. One faction believed that since Chen Chuan had demonstrated his strength and value, the Purification School's tradition should be upheld—rewarding those who contribute.
Their suggestion was to support the Jibei Circuit Branch as much as possible. As the birthplace of the Horizon Project, the Purification School should actively invest resources and strengthen the branch. Director Chen Chuan's exceptional vision and capabilities should be acknowledged, and he should be rewarded and promoted within the sect accordingly.
The other faction advocated for caution, arguing that Chen Chuan's immense power was precisely why they should proceed with caution. The past troubles caused by Zhao Zhenye served as a cautionary tale. Even if there was a need for recognition and rewards, there was no rush.
Zhan Jiyue understood that this wasn't a matter of the headquarters being unaware of Chen Chuan's contributions and value. Within the sect, those who had been cultivated from a young age were considered the most trustworthy. Chen Chuan, having joined midway, faced challenges in gaining access to the core of the sect, at least for the time being.
However, Chen Chuan's exceptional talent overshadowed many of the sect's own cultivated members, leading to intense discussions.
He knew that the debate wasn't solely about the present situation; at its core, it was a struggle for resource allocation. With the Great Impact approaching, several major martial streams were nurturing their reserve talents. Yet, the primary criterion for talent was their loyalty to the sect.
From the Purification School's mainstream perspective, even if their cultivated members were slightly less capable, it wasn't a significant concern. After all, they had experienced the consequences of such situations in the past.
Some resources, especially those related to higher-level cultivation, were extremely scarce, even unique. If one person obtained them, others would be deprived. This was a competition among the pre-selected internal candidates.
The rapid rise of the branch director, Chen Chuan, was remarkable. Not only did he surpass his peers, but even those older than him struggled to match his achievements. This made it impossible to ignore him, and he inadvertently became a symbol of recognition for many who had joined the sect later in their lives. This, in turn, made it even more crucial to prevent him from easily entering the sect's core, as any misstep could lead to greater divisions within.
However, a portion of the headquarters still held a favorable view of Chen Chuan. As a result, when Zhan Jiyue departed, the two factions had yet to reach a consensus, leaving him with the challenging task of handling this delicate situation.
Councillor Zhan Jiyue emerged from his thoughts at the reminder from his entourage. He glanced outside, and the train was slowly pulling into the station, with the signboard of the Southern Industrial District passing by.
He had actually arrived the day before, but on his way here, he received another message.
After slaying the General of Conquest from the Old Imperial Court, the Minister of the Jibei District Branch successfully sealed another "Old Evil" that had existed since ancient times.
This led to further discussions above, and an urgent telegram was sent to communicate with him, causing him to stay an extra day. Now, he wondered if there would be new developments if he had arrived a few days later.
After the train came to a stop, Zhan Jiyue alighted with his suitcase. The air quality in the industrial district was not ideal, making his body, accustomed to the Central City, feel slightly uncomfortable.
At that moment, a faint sound reached him through his boundary talisman, informing him that he had entered the Horizon-Line range of the Jibei District's Central City. Outside the city, a fee was required to access communication services.
"The Horizon-Line," Zhan Jiyue murmured.
He looked up, gazing at the invisible yet omnipresent line. It was this Horizon-Line that ensured signal coverage even outside the city.
Although he had heard about it during his journey, it was only upon arriving that he truly felt the impact. He couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if all the central cities were interconnected, forming a seamless network across the entire Dashun Kingdom.
Even he couldn't resist envisioning such a scene.
Ironically, the person who had pushed for this plan and provided significant assistance was none other than this very Minister.
As he was lost in thought, a member of his entourage asked, "Councillor, do you need to rest?"
Zhan Jiyue assessed his physical condition and decided to take a break, allowing others to make some preparations. He nodded and said, "I'll prepare and send a message to the Jibei District Branch.
And..."
He added, "Let's meet outside the city. I won't be entering."
On this trip, he would be meeting with Zuan Xiansheng and others. If the latter wanted to enter the city, the application process would be complicated. It was better to meet outside, as it would avoid raising too many suspicions.
"Alright," the entourage member agreed.
They contacted the others, and soon a message arrived confirming the meeting time in the afternoon at a warehouse-turned-residence in the industrial district.
After confirming the arrangements, Zhan Jiyue took a moment to rest. Following lunch, he boarded the internal transportation vehicle of the industrial district and headed towards the warehouse.
As he stopped in front of the warehouse, he noticed several people already waiting. He stepped out of the vehicle and surveyed the group, his attention immediately drawn to a tall, handsome young man with striking eyebrows and bright, sharp eyes.
Beside him stood his old friend, the masked man, Zuan Xiansheng. On the other side was a middle-aged man who appeared mature and robust but seemed to have a reserved personality.
Zhan Jiyue had seen his photo and recognized him as the new martial artist.
Behind them stood several other members of the branch.
Zhan Jiyue removed his hat, holding it to his chest, and said with a kind smile, "Director Chen, Zuan Xiansheng, Mr. Tang, and Xu Xiansheng, greetings to all of you."
The masked man spoke up, "Old Zhan, it's you, as I thought. I truly dislike your smile and your fake politeness."
Zhan Jiyue shook his head, "I don't like it either, but it keeps me alert."
Chen Chuan said, "Mr. Zhan, please come in and sit down. The residence is a bit crude, but I hope you don't mind."
Zhan Jiyue smiled, "I'm not too particular about external comforts."
"Of course," the masked man seemed to have a grudge against him, "Since you don't need these comforts, why bother with the pretense? It's like flirting with a blind man."
Zhan Jiyue maintained his composure and followed the group into the warehouse. Although it appeared similar to many other places in the industrial district, the interior had undergone several renovations, giving it a distinct residential feel.
Once seated, he removed his hat and placed it on the table. Gao Yanjun approached and poured tea for both sides.
Zhan Jiyue quickly thanked him and took a sip.
He surveyed the surroundings and said, "I truly admire Director Chen's ability to manage the branch so effectively."
"You don't need to admire me. Councillor Chen's achievements are evident, and we don't need your empty words here."
Zhan Jiyue seemed a bit helpless and turned to Zuan Xiansheng, "Brother Zuan, may I have a private conversation with Councillor Chen?"
Zuan Xiansheng said nothing and stood up, walking outside. The other members also dispersed.
The masked man continued to grumble, "Old Zhan is always up to something shady. Councillor Chen, don't fall for his tricks. Whatever he says, don't believe it. Listen to me, and you won't go wrong."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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