https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1055-Meeting-with-Subtle-Insights/13150470/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1057-A-Journey-to-Foreign-Lands-Under-Clear-Skies/13206449/
Chapter 1056: Memories of Mu Guangchen
Chapter 1056: Memories of Mu Guangchen
Time flew by, and it was already late September. In just one more day, the Daxun delegation would set off on their journey.
Early in the morning, when the sky was still dim, Chen Chuan arrived alone in Yangzhi City. He followed the dilapidated streets into the old district in the west of the city, heading towards the place where he had once learned martial arts from Teacher Yu.
The area hadn't changed much since he left. Private housing modifications were still everywhere, the ground remained uneven, and above, tangled wires and clotheslines crisscrossed.
This old district was about to be demolished and rebuilt, and most of the residents had already relocated. As he walked, he occasionally spotted a few households still there, and even a calico cat perched on a roof, watching him.
When he reached the entrance to the narrow alley, he saw the wooden utility pole with the "House of Fists" sign still there. Although it had faded slightly, the words were still clearly legible.
After a glance, he walked into the narrow alley, thinking about how he had come this way before.
In that moment, he felt as if he were merging with his past self. Back then, he had walked down this crooked alley with curiosity and wonder, determination, and dreams, only to collide headfirst with this world.
Although several years had passed in a flash, that belief remained unchanged.
It seemed like only a short time had passed before he had walked out of the alley and arrived in the spacious training ground.
The area hadn't changed much since he last left.
From the concrete building ahead, the sound of punching sandbags echoed, just as he had heard it on his first visit.
He walked inside and entered the room, where Lu Ke was striking a hanging sandbag. He had a pair of hand wraps on, and his body was already glistening with sweat. Seeing Chen Chuan, he smiled.
"Chen, catch!" Lu Ke said, tossing a pair of boxing gloves towards him.
Chen Chuan caught them and immediately recognized them as the same gloves he had used before.
He smiled and momentarily used his spiritual power to temporarily lower his physical condition to when he first started practicing martial arts. He walked forward and stood in the same position he had once occupied, punching the sandbag.
At this moment, he didn't care about anything else; he was immersed in the process of wholeheartedly training, experiencing the initial hardships, fatigue, dedication, and the mixed emotions of hope and determination.
After a long while, as the morning light gradually brightened and the dust danced visibly in the rays, the sound of punching the sandbag stopped.
The two sandbags continued to sway, and the echoes lingered in the room.
Chen Chuan exhaled, removing the boxing gloves and about to set them aside when Lu Ke clapped his hands together and said, "Chen, take the gloves with you. Last time, you didn't take them with you."
Chen Chuan looked at him and agreed.
Lu Ke chuckled, untying the hand wraps and waving him over. "Come on, let's go up and have a drink."
Chen Chuan nodded and followed Lu Ke up the stairs they had climbed many times before, reaching the rooftop.
The morning sun rose through the gaps between the buildings, its rays shining from one side and illuminating the entire rooftop.
Lu Ke took a few quick steps and grabbed a bottle of soda from a plastic basket below, tossing it to Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan caught it, recognizing the Sha Zhen soda they used to drink together. He flicked the bottle cap open with his thumb and took a sip, feeling refreshed.
He walked to the side and looked at the chair he had sat on before, asking, "Are all these things still here?"
"They are," Lu Ke replied, patting the chair. "We've talked to the Iron Chain Gang, and they've agreed to leave everything for us. I came here yesterday and cleaned everything up, making sure it's spotless."
Chen Chuan couldn't help but recall the times he had followed Yu Gang to practice, and how Lu Ke would have everything cleaned and prepared early in the morning.
Lu Ke picked up the soda bottle, took a big gulp, and wiped his mouth with his arm. "Back then, hey, I could even hold my own against you, Chen!"
Chen Chuan smiled and agreed.
"How's Teacher Yu doing lately?" Chen Chuan asked.
"He's doing well. The implant suits him perfectly, and his strength has recovered. He's no longer thinking about advancing further; he just wants to teach a few good students who can carry on his martial arts. I'm also working hard; I can't let my junior brothers and sisters laugh at me, right?" Lu Ke's spirits were high as he spoke, recounting some of the things that happened when they first arrived in the lower district and the experiences they had later on.
Chen Chuan listened quietly, hearing some stories he had heard from Lu Ke before and others for the first time.
"Everyone is doing well, and they asked me to say hello to you. Oh, and this..." Lu Ke took out a photo from his pocket. "We took this together. It's for you."
Chen Chuan accepted the photo, which included Yu Gang, Lu Ke, Lan Shen Nan, and other students in training uniforms, likely Yu Gang's new students. He thanked Lu Ke and kept the photo.
By now, the sun had fully risen, and golden rays bathed the entire old district, warming them.
Lu Ke turned and looked into the distance, pointing towards a faint grey shadow on the horizon, "Look, Jiao Mountain!"
His expression, no longer clouded with gloom, now carried a sense of relief.
He had left that place, not just physically but also mentally, freeing himself from his emotional burdens.
"And over there, the Great Kindergarten, the only one around. I used to hear children's songs from there. And there, the Deng family's steamed bun shop. I'd definitely bring one for my master every morning. He loved them, but unfortunately, Chen Xiao needed to take medication with his meals, so he couldn't eat them."
"And here, Lu's Bicycle Repair Shop. Some people were so mischievous, scattering nails on the road. I always went to him for repairs, and he did a great job."
Lu Ke enthusiastically pointed out the familiar places of his past, some still inhabited, many now deserted.
After finishing his tour, a sense of melancholy settled upon him.
At that moment, his arm was tapped, and turning around, he saw Chen Chuan handing him a bottle of soda. Lu Ke smiled, thanked him, and took a swig, wiping his mouth afterward. "Ah, that hits the spot."
Then, he asked, "Chen Xiao, do you think this place will become better in the future?"
Chen Chuan nodded affirmatively. "Yes, once the reconstruction is complete, everyone who used to live here will return."
Lu Ke raised the bottle, saluting the sun, and took another refreshing gulp.
"What's your plan next, Lu Xiao?" Chen Chuan inquired.
"I'll be working for Hui Road Logistics. Our business has expanded to the ground, and we aim to cover the entire Central City and all the surrounding cities." Lu Ke replied with enthusiasm.
In his eyes, one could see a passion for life, hope, and the youthful vigor befitting his age.
As the sun rose higher, its rays illuminated the area, brightening the entire place. The two men sat down, chatting and finishing the soda bottles.
When the last empty bottle was placed in the basket, Chen Chuan stood up. "I should be going. Lu Xiao, goodbye. Give my regards to Teacher Yu when you see her."
"Chen Xiao, I will. Goodbye." Lu Ke also stood up.
Chen Chuan waved goodbye and then leaped off the rooftop, landing gracefully and walking briskly away.
Lu Ke took a few steps forward, standing on the rooftop, and waved vigorously. "Chen Xiao, have a safe journey!"
Chen Chuan waved back without turning around and exited the alley, following the path he had taken before.
On his way out of the city, he passed by Wuyi Academy. He paused briefly, gazing at the unchanged school gate, as if seeing his past self standing there with a bicycle. He looked up, watching birds flying overhead.
With a faint smile, he left, walking all the way to the National Avenue. A flying ship hovered there, and as he approached, the cabin door slowly opened. In a flash, he was inside the cabin.
The ship's propellers spun, and the cabin door closed as the ship headed back to Central City.
At noon, the rapid airship arrived at Central City, but it didn't stop there. Instead, it flew through the city's sky, heading towards the industrial area in the south.
Upon reaching the industrial zone, the airship docked at the Anchoring Tower. Chen Chuan disembarked and walked towards the station.
Zuan Xiansheng had sent a report two days ago, informing that the items had been obtained and would arrive before the afternoon. Judging by the time, they should be close.
After the Horizon Project connected the city, the flow of travelers increased, with more people coming to Central City. The station bustled with passengers carrying large and small packages, requiring security personnel to maintain order.
Chen Chuan waited for over half an hour at the station before hearing the whistle of an incoming train. Another train pulled in, and as it slowed to a stop, passengers poured out like a flood, filling the station with noise.
Zuan Xiansheng shouted, "Chen Specialist, over here!" He had circled a few times, squeezing through the crowd, and now he spotted Chen Chuan.
"Chen Specialist, here." Zuan Xiansheng called out, his voice carried through the Boundary Talisman, unnoticed by those around them.
Chen Chuan spotted them both and approached. "Specialist Zuan, Elder Qi, your journey must have been tiring. Shall we return to our base?"
"We've already booked the next train back. Time is tight, so we won't stay. We came specifically to deliver this to you." Zuan Xiansheng said, lifting the suitcase in his hand. "We asked a senior from our sect to speak on our behalf, and we've obtained support from headquarters. This is a box of Yugubao, the highest quality. Chen Specialist, you can take it with you."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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