Chapter 152: Certificate Issuance
Chapter 152: Certificate Issuance
In the room upstairs, Chen Chuan was cleaning the Snow Lady Sword behind the desk and applying maintenance oil to it.
After today's battle, he could clearly feel that the connection between man and sword had deepened, and a faint bloodline had appeared on the spine of the sword.
This was likely due to the transformation of the altered tissue within the sword, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
As he wiped the sword, he also reviewed the day's battle in his mind, examining his shortcomings and considering how he could improve.
In reality, Fist Lion allowing him to get so close meant the outcome of the fight was already certain. At this distance, he could unleash his full speed and strength, and in a typical fighter's contest, nothing was more important than this.
With the team's main fighter, Fist Lion, taken care of, the remaining opponents were actually easier to handle.
But if they were to fight freely...
He pondered for a moment. If the mysterious bio-modified weapon hadn't joined the fight, the outcome would likely have been as expected, but the process might have taken longer, and there might have been more casualties, perhaps even allowing one or two thugs to escape. And if the fight had dragged on, another buyer might have entered the scene, making everything unpredictable.
He turned to look at the metal box leaning against the wall, which contained the Taryana Battle Spider. It wasn't very big and could fit into a briefcase, making it easy to carry.
After listening to Hu Xian's words, he found three high-energy nutrient cans in the same building, and it seemed that one can was needed to feed the spider each time it awoke.
These nutrient cans were hard to come by and required special channels, mainly due to their high price. It was no wonder that Fist Lion was eager to sell; in his hands, they were almost useless, and only the wealthy could afford this "pet."
At that moment, there was a strong, rhythmic knock on the door, accompanied by a voice saying, "Chen, are you asleep?"
Chen Chuan sheathed the Snow Lady Sword and walked over to open the door, stepping aside and saying, "Envoy Feng, please come in."
Old Feng entered, his eyes quickly scanning the room before breaking into a smile. He couldn't help but maintain his professional habit, even though it wasn't a mission.
He turned to Chen Chuan and said, "Chen, I just received a telegram from above. Your matter has been confirmed." As he spoke, he handed over the translated telegram and said, "Congratulations."
Chen Chuan took the telegram and read its contents. He nodded and said, "Thank you, Envoy Feng, for personally delivering it."
Old Feng smiled and said, "With good news, I wanted to inform the person involved as soon as possible, and I can share in the joy. I should also let you know that, according to custom, someone will come to hold a simple certificate issuance ceremony for you afterward."
Chen Chuan asked, "Where do I need to go?"
Old Feng replied, "If there's no separate notification in the telegram, someone will come directly to you, so you just need to stay here."
"Here?"
"Yes, right here."
Old Feng continued, "As far as I know, the content and efficiency of the assessment vary, and so does the attitude from above. In the past, very few students who came to the chaotic region for assessment could complete it independently, and none have ever completed it as efficiently and effectively as you. So, holding the certificate issuance here also has special significance."
These things didn't need to be said before the assessment, but afterward, it didn't matter. Furthermore, students who obtained such certificates were practically on the radar of the higher-ups, so it was like doing them a favor. Even without mentioning this, Old Feng personally admired Chen Chuan after reading his file.
Chen Chuan said, "I wonder how long I'll have to wait."
"It shouldn't be too long, at most a few days," Old Feng said, feigning seriousness. "But you'll have to pay for your own accommodation. The review committee won't cover it."
Chen Chuan couldn't help but smile.
After seeing Old Feng off, he wondered if he should call Cheng Zitong. Previously, they had agreed that once he passed the assessment, he would dial a designated number, but there was no need to get through.
However, after considering it, he decided against calling right away. He had just arrived yesterday, and if he called today, Cheng Zitong might have other ideas. Since it would only take a few days to obtain the certificate, he decided to wait until then to contact him.
He maintained his sword, washed up, and returned to his room to rest.
The inn was very peaceful, but the street near the chaotic region was bustling that night, with telegrams being sent back and forth.
It was said that Fist Lion, who was carrying goods, had met with an outsider buyer and attempted to double-cross them. However, he and his men were all taken down by the buyer's skilled bodyguard. The buyer's identity was extremely powerful, and even Blue Sparrow Sir didn't dare to linger, leaving as soon as he arrived.
Since Blue Sparrow Sir kept silent about the incident, many factions in the chaotic region who were initially uninterested became curious. They wanted their informants in the town to find out what had happened and who the buyer was, but they couldn't obtain any useful information for the time being.
Three days later, a special train arrived at the railway station and came to a stop. A group of people in black coats emerged, each with sharp eyes. As they walked out, the armed security personnel at the station all saluted in unison.
Among them was a middle-aged man with a square face, none other than Specialist Cao, who had personally delivered the assessment documents to Chen Chuan a few days ago. After exiting the station, he looked at the snowy square and said, "I remember when I took the assessment twenty years ago, it was snowing then too. Time flies, and this place hasn't changed much."
Someone beside him said, "The place hasn't changed, but the people have."
"Yes," Specialist Cao emphasized, "the people have changed." At that moment, a car emerged from the station behind them and stopped nearby, but they all remained standing.
After a few minutes, a vehicle approached from the main road and entered the snowy square, stopping not far from them. Old Feng stepped out of the car, approached Specialist Cao, and extended his hand for a handshake, saying with a smile, "Specialist Cao, I've been waiting for you."
Specialist Cao firmly shook hands with Lao Feng, "Lao Feng, you've worked hard. Are you still here?"
Lao Feng said, "I'm still here. Let me tell you, this evaluation is the most motivated I've been. That kid is truly inspiring."
Specialist Cao said, "That's how it should be for the youth."
Lao Feng stepped aside and said, "Come, sit in my car."
Specialist Cao nodded and walked over, saying as he walked, "Don't lead me astray." Lao Feng pointed at him and said, "Holding a grudge, huh? It's been twenty years, and you're still bringing this up."
Specialist Cao got into his car and said, "When revisiting the past, it's natural to bring up old matters. It's hard not to think about it."
As he sat in the car, the others also got into the cars on both sides. The doors slammed shut, and a long line of vehicles drove towards the street where the inn was located.
The lead car drove straight to the house where Fist Lion and the others had originally stayed. Specialist Cao and Lao Feng got out of the car, and Lao Feng said, "I'll go and call..."
Specialist Cao waved his hand and walked inside.
Chen Chuan had listened to Lao Feng's instructions and had been waiting here early in the morning. When the people outside entered, he realized that the person at the front was someone he had seen before.
Lao Feng introduced, "Chen, this is Specialist Cao."
Specialist Cao said, "Chen, we've met before. I'm here today on behalf of the Review Committee to issue you the Infinite Defense Certificate."
He gestured with his hand, and a gloved subordinate carried a box and walked forward. When he reached Chen Chuan, he opened the box, held it with both hands, and presented the contents for Chen Chuan to see.
Chen Chuan took a glance and saw that inside was a jade card similar to a Firearms License, with a greenish-black hue and a blood-red pattern resembling scattered cinnabar. At this moment, his name and number were engraved on it, and like the Firearms License, it was written in ancient seal script.
Specialist Cao took a small booklet from another subordinate, opened it, and read aloud:
"Hereby, the student Chen Chuan, for his courage, decisiveness, and quick-wittedness in handling matters, is granted the authority of Infinite Defense. A gentleman conceals his abilities and waits for the right moment to act. May you constantly improve yourself and never cease learning. This is a special commendation.
Signed by the leader of the National Review Committee, Liang Yonghang.
Great Shun Republic, Summer of the 93rd Year."
After finishing, he closed the book and handed it to Chen Chuan with both hands.
Chen Chuan's expression became solemn, and he stepped forward to receive it with both hands. Once he had put it away, the subordinate holding the box presented the box containing the Infinite Defense Certificate to Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan took a deep breath, took the certificate out of the box, and felt a cool sensation upon touching it. It had some weight, and the material seemed even more superior to the Firearms License.
At this moment, Specialist Cao spoke solemnly, "Chen, I must remind you that obtaining the Infinite Defense Certificate is akin to becoming a semi-enforcer. With rights come responsibilities. If the nation calls upon you, you have two chances to refuse. If you accumulate more than two refusals, your certificate and evaluation qualifications will be revoked."
Chen Chuan nodded and said, "I understand." He was well aware that the rights granted to him by the upper echelons wouldn't come without obligations.
Specialist Cao's expression relaxed a bit, and he said, "Chen, I look forward to your future performance." After that, he didn't say more and directly turned to leave, with his subordinates following him out.
Specialist Cao knew that the Review Committee had debated whether to allow Chen Chuan to participate in this evaluation.
The number of people evaluated each year was limited, and Chen Chuan was only a first-year student. Logically, he should have given way to the third-year students. However, his recommendation evaluation was too excellent to ignore, and there was no reason to hold him back. Still, it also meant taking away a spot from a third-year student, which would naturally spark a debate.
It wasn't about personal interests, but some believed that his abilities might not have reached the expected level. They suggested holding him back and giving him another chance when he was in the second year.
Others opposed this view because, in the first year, he had received evaluations from three departments, not including the Processing Bureau. There was no precedent for this, and it was clear that he was a talented young man with abilities never seen before. They believed an exception should be made for him.
Now, all the debates should come to an end.
Back in the car, a subordinate asked, "Specialist, where to next?"
Specialist Cao glanced outside and said, "Since we're here, let's go and visit a few old friends." He looked ahead and said, "Let's go." The vehicle slowly started, and they soon left the area.
On the other side, Chen Chuan had received his certificate, and his business here was concluded. He returned to the inn to pack up and prepare to leave. He had intended to stay a few more days, but the Review Committee had already booked his return ticket for this afternoon, considering their repeated emphasis on limited funds. He didn't want to add to their burden.
After packing, he bid farewell to everyone in the inn and prepared to go to the station. Hu Xian and Lao Feng came to see him off.
Chen Chuan said, "Sister Hu, Envoy Feng, I'm heading back. Take care."
Lao Feng solemnly said, "Take care."
Hu Xian said, "Chen, remember to write."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "I will." He waved at the two of them, slung the box containing the Snow Lady Sword over his shoulder, grabbed his suitcase, and walked towards the station.
Hu Xian watched as he gradually walked away and said, "I've been here for years, not to mention those who will forever lie here. Those who pass the evaluation often do so with difficulties. I've never seen someone like Chen, and he will surely achieve great things in the future. By then, I'll probably still be here, watching over this place."
Envoy Feng sighed and said, "Yes, but don't make it sound so tragic. With Chen passing the evaluation, the upper echelons have noticed this place. Your position might genuinely change."
Hu Xian was surprised and asked, "Who will take over here then?" She then laughed at herself, "Why am I worrying about this? In this messed-up world, everyone can adapt to change."
Lao Feng spoke softly, "Yes, but the more people like you, the better."
"The more people willing to sacrifice themselves, the better, right?" Hu Xian tightened her collar and walked back into the inn, "I'm leaving. Are we standing here in the cold? I'm cold, and you're not?"
Lao Feng looked up at the deep blue sky and smiled faintly, "Is that so? But I feel warm inside."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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