Chapter 147: The Exam
Chapter 147: The Exam
By the end of May, Chen Chuan had made all the necessary preparations for his upcoming assessment. He had informed his aunt's family in advance, explaining that he would be going on a special training trip with Cheng Zitong and might venture into the wilderness, making communication difficult.
Chen Chuan had also written several letters beforehand, which he would ask Cheng Zitong to mail later. This way, he could reassure his family and create the illusion that he was staying in one place.
These letters were not only for his family but also for acquaintances at the company and fellow students at the academy, including his old classmate Ding Jiao and others. However, to avoid appearing too deliberate, these letters were merely a precaution and didn't need to be sent if unnecessary.
Chen Chuan had to be cautious, especially after what had happened to Shen Zheng, who had already obtained the Infinite Defense Certificate by that time. Chen Chuan, who had not yet achieved the same, needed to be doubly careful.
For the students he knew well, Chen Chuan had casually mentioned in previous conversations that he would be training with his instructor. Therefore, when he brought it up now, it didn't seem out of place, and many wished him success in his cultivation.
On the evening of the 30th, around 11 PM, Chen Chuan carried a suitcase and boarded Cheng Zitong's car, along with the Snow Lady Sword in its sheath.
The car headed west out of Yangzhi City, driving for over six hours to reach Shangbu City, located southwest of Yangzhi and at the junction of two prefectures. It was also an important transportation hub for water and land travel.
According to the assessment procedure, Chen Chuan needed to make a phone call here. A member of the assessment team would then arrive, providing him with a train ticket and instructing him to take the train to the next designated stop.
From this point on, he would have to make his way to the exam location independently.
After getting off the car, Chen Chuan said to Cheng Zitong, "Teacher, you can go back now. From here on, I'll have to continue the journey on my own."
Cheng Zitong looked at him with a hint of sentiment and said, "You've grown taller since last year. Time flies, hasn't it?" He stepped forward and added, "Focus on the assessment. Don't worry about the school or your family; I'll handle things here. Also, be careful out there. I'll be waiting for your news in Yangzhi." As he spoke, he patted Chen Chuan's shoulder firmly.
Chen Chuan nodded and said, "I'll keep that in mind, Teacher."
"I'm heading back now. Oh, and I left something in the box for you. You might find it useful. Take a look when you have time."
Cheng Zitong waved goodbye and got back into the car. As the engine roared to life, he drove off, leaving Chen Chuan to watch him depart. Chen Chuan adjusted his hat and turned towards the nearby station square.
He checked his watch; although it was not yet 6 AM, the square was already bustling with people carrying large and small bags. The morning sun shone from behind him, illuminating the sturdy walls of the train station.
Chen Chuan looked around and found a row of phone booths at the edge of the square. He walked over and waited for the person inside to finish. Then, he entered a booth, picked up the receiver, and inserted a coin. He dialed the number provided by the assessment team and waited. After a while, the call connected.
"I've arrived at the designated location," Chen Chuan said.
The voice on the other end replied, "Wait there." The call was then abruptly ended.
Chen Chuan left the phone booth and, passing by a newsstand, casually picked up a newspaper and two story magazines. He sat on a waiting bench in the square.
Half an hour later, a man of average appearance sat down beside him and naturally handed him a train ticket, saying, "This is for the 7:50 AM train. After you arrive, call this number. Before entering the Chaotic Region, someone will check your belongings and ensure you're not being assisted or followed. Any questions?"
Chen Chuan took out a piece of paper with a phone number from behind the ticket and thought for a moment. "What if the phone number is wrong, or I can't reach anyone after arriving at the destination? What should I do then?"
The man replied, "You can call me again, and I'll make alternative arrangements. The time spent won't count against your assessment, but you'll have to cover any additional expenses yourself. The assessment team won't be responsible for that."
Chen Chuan nodded. "I have no further questions."
The man rolled up the newspaper and stood up, walking away and quickly blending into the crowd.
Chen Chuan didn't leave immediately but continued reading the newspaper for a while before getting up and entering the station.
Inside the waiting hall, he glanced at the schedule and chose a seat near the edge. After more than an hour, the announcement informed him that his train had arrived, and he could board with his ticket.
Chen Chuan stood up and smoothly passed through the ticket gate. Outside, a black train stood there. He let a food cart pass by and entered through the narrow entrance. After walking a few carriages, he found his seat and placed his suitcase and the Snow Lady Sword on the overhead rack.
The assessment team seemed to be on a tight budget, as he had to travel almost a full day, but the ticket they gave him was not for a sleeper berth but a seat.
However, Chen Chuan didn't mind. As a resilient fighter, his requirements for comfort were minimal. He could rest even while standing.
He tore open a nutrient paste and ate it, continuing to read the newspaper.
This was Chen Chuan's first time traveling far from home. Usually, the news and papers in Yangzhi City were all about local affairs, and there was little information about the outside world. Even now, the local news from Shangbu City dominated, but as a transportation hub, there were at least some updates from cities along the railway line.
At this moment, a short man approached with a ticket, searching for his seat. His luggage bag seemed heavy, and despite standing on tiptoes, he struggled to lift it several times, making it slip down. With a pained expression, he asked Chen Chuan, "Buddy, can you give me a hand?"
Chen Chuan lifted the suitcase effortlessly with a slight raise of his hand.
"Thanks, buddy," the man said. "You're really tall, and with that build, you must be a martial artist, right?" He admired Chen Chuan and glanced at the sheath containing the Snow Lady Sword on the luggage rack. He took out a cigarette and offered it to Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan declined with a gesture and sat back down. The man didn't mind and started chatting, asking Chen Chuan about his destination. Chen Chuan gave vague answers, and the man continued, talking about his family, the business he was traveling for, and how the journey was never easy.
The man talked incessantly, but his eyes darted around, constantly glancing at his surroundings. Chen Chuan, however, remained unbothered, engrossed in his newspaper.
Suddenly, several men with unfriendly gazes approached, eyeing Chen Chuan with suspicion. After a moment of hesitation, they whispered something and quickly left.
The man seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
After a while, the train's whistle sounded, and the train beneath them began to move slowly. The man fell silent, gazing at the passing scenery.
Three stops later, the man reached his destination. He swiftly put on his hat, grabbed his luggage, and just before leaving, whispered, "Thanks, bro."
Chen Chuan glanced at him and nodded.
As the train continued its journey, the passengers across from him kept changing, and the sky outside gradually darkened, eventually enveloping everything in pitch blackness.
Chen Chuan realized it was time and headed to the restroom for a quick wash. Returning to his seat, he closed his eyes to rest.
At that moment, he realized that after the transformation of his internal organs, they weren't merely merged but rather functioned as an additional set of organs. This new set could alternate with his original organs, allowing them to rest.
When one set was dormant, the other could remain active. This was a perfect adaptation for combat situations.
As a result, any slight disturbance or environmental inconsistency would immediately trigger his senses, prompting a swift response.
Perhaps it was his intimidating appearance or the invisible aura of a fighter, but even in the crowded train, no one dared to provoke him. Even potential pickpockets kept their distance, sensing his alertness.
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight appeared on the horizon, Chen Chuan opened his eyes. Looking outside, he noticed the landscape had become desolate, and the train carriage was sparsely occupied by silent passengers, some of whom clearly had a background in combat.
Chen Chuan understood that these individuals likely shared his destination—the chaotic region—a place where self-defense skills were a necessity.
Around six in the morning, the train finally arrived at the last stop of his journey. The friction between the wheels and the tracks gradually diminished as the train slowed to a halt, releasing steam through the valve. A long hiss escaped from the exhaust pipe, and the surrounding sounds became clearer.
Chen Chuan retrieved his luggage and slung the case containing the Snow Lady Sword over his shoulder. As he stepped off the train and exited the station, a cold wind greeted him. The ground was covered in residual snow, and most people were bundled up in thick clothing. Chen Chuan, however, felt comfortable, but to avoid drawing attention, he wrapped a scarf around his neck.
The travelers in the station were in a hurry, rarely lingering. On both sides stood security guards with guns, their eyes sharp, scanning the crowd.
After a few glances, Chen Chuan found a woman with a coin-operated phone at the edge of the square. He inserted a coin and dialed the number the man had given him. Once connected, he said, "I've arrived," and provided the code from the paper.
A husky female voice responded, "Come right away."
In less than a quarter of an hour, a modified off-road vehicle approached and stopped a short distance away. The driver gestured for him to get in.
Chen Chuan saw a woman in her late twenties, wearing a short jacket and a wind-resistant visor. She was quite attractive, but her eyes bore the marks of a weathered life, and her gaze was sharp and intimidating.
Chen Chuan approached the vehicle, opened the door, and took a seat. The woman spoke first, "You must be the test candidate, Chen Xiao Ge?" Chen Chuan nodded and asked, "May I ask your surname?"
"No need for formalities. I'm Hu Xian."
Chen Chuan said, "So, you're Ms. Hu, and you're here to pick me up. Are you also part of the review team?"
Hu Xian replied casually, "That's right. I'm the reviewer, and I'm responsible for providing you with intelligence, logistics support, and..." She glanced at the rearview mirror, "body retrieval."
As she spoke, she fixed her gaze on Chen Chuan, as if searching for something in his expression. But Chen Chuan's eyes remained calm. She continued, "It's clear you have experience, but every year, there are candidates who get seriously injured or even die during the assessment. I hope you won't be one of them, saving me the trouble."
Chen Chuan asked, "Have you been here long, Ms. Hu?"
"It's just a job. No one else wants to come to this godforsaken place, and I don't have any connections to transfer out. I've been here for a while, and each time a new leader comes, they see my record and think I'm doing a great job. Hey, I'm a senior employee now, never made a mistake. You can stay here."
Hu Xian mocked herself briefly, then stepped on the accelerator. The off-road vehicle sped off, and within ten minutes, they arrived at an old-style inn. She led Chen Chuan inside and asked the receptionist, a pretty woman, for a key, which she then tossed to Chen Chuan.
"This inn is mine. The first three days are free, but after that, you'll have to pay. If you need anything, talk to Old Wan—the bearded guy at the entrance. Don't be fooled by his rough appearance; he's actually very attentive. He's got eyes in the back of his head and fingers that can embroider."
Chen Chuan followed her upstairs to a room. The living room had a thick carpet, a chandelier hanging above, and a long wooden table in the center. On the wall hung a dartboard.
Hu Xian walked over and opened the window, "The view is okay, and you can get some sunlight. If you don't like it, we can change rooms, but this is the best condition you'll get here."
Chen Chuan looked around and nodded, "No need to change." He put down his suitcase and asked, "Do you need to inspect it? The person who sent me said there's a procedure for this."
Hu Xian glanced at him and said, "No need. How much stuff can you bring here? And what can't you find in this place? Wait a moment." She turned and left, returning shortly with a stack of documents, which she tossed onto the table, saying, "Your assessment targets."
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(End of Chapter)
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