Chapter 153: Skull Splitter Demon
Chapter 153: Skull Splitter Demon
As Chen Chuan walked across the train station square, he conveniently found a phone booth and dialed Cheng Zitong's number. After three rings, he hung up.
There was no need for the call to connect; Cheng Zitong would understand the meaning.
However, including the time spent traveling back and forth, the entire defense certificate assessment process only took around six days. The timing should be...just about right?
The teacher should be able to accept it.
Just like on his way there, he casually bought some newspapers and storybooks at the station square. Since he had calculated the time accurately, he didn't have to wait long before the announcement of the train's arrival. He smoothly passed through the ticket gate and boarded the train.
As usual, his return ticket was a seated one. He placed his belongings on the luggage rack, but as he did so, he heard a faint rustling sound coming from his suitcase.
This was because the Battle Spider was also placed inside.
To use this item, the owner needed to feed it their blood and undergo a blood test.
During his three days at the inn, he had already fed the spider according to Old Feng's instructions. From now on, as long as he used a special technique to awaken it, he could control it smoothly.
To prevent this battle weapon from indiscriminately killing friend and foe alike, there was actually a set of hand gestures and sounds to control it. After demonstrating this, the spider would remember and follow the owner's commands. However, Fist Lion and his group obviously lacked the patience for this, as they had never been guided in this aspect.
Chen Chuan believed that an uncontrollable weapon was not a true weapon. So, after confirming that he was the spider's owner, he spent the three days teaching the Battle Spider the necessary gestures and commands. Afterward, he also attached a can of high-energy nutrients.
However, with no enemies around, it was not an ideal time to demonstrate the spider's combat abilities. As a result, the consumed energy was not fully depleted, and even in its dormant state, it remained somewhat active.
He gently patted the suitcase, and the rustling stopped.
Then, he sat down and contemplated his next move.
Having obtained the Infinite Defense Certificate so quickly, in less than a fortnight, it would be some time before anyone realized what had happened.
According to common sense, he didn't have the time to take the exam. After all, the Gamma License took at least a month, and the Beta License often took several months. Like this time, if he had arrived later, Fist Lion and his group would have ventured deeper into the Chaos Region. In that case, Chen Chuan would have no choice but to enter the Chaos Region as well, which would have been a huge problem.
Finding people in that place alone would be a challenge, not to mention dealing with the local powers. Even if they eliminated their target, figuring out how to get out would be another issue. It would take months to complete such a mission.
The current situation provided him with an excellent cover.
Although the department evaluation could only conceal the truth for a year, as long as he didn't actively spread the news, no one would find out, at least for now. The local aristocrats in Yangzhi City had limited influence and hadn't reached the point of accessing the National Review Committee's archives.
Even if someone discovered the department evaluation and became wary of him, the chosen method of suppression would be based on the assumption that he didn't have a defense certificate. That would give Chen Chuan more room to maneuver.
He pondered for a moment. He had only recently entered the Second Limit, and his strength was still in a rapid growth phase. At this stage, he improved daily, and if he could gain more time to grow, his preparation would undoubtedly be more thorough.
It was almost June, and in just one more month, it would be summer vacation. After the break, new students would enroll in the next year. By the time he reached the second grade, his strength should have improved significantly. With the strength he had demonstrated in his first year to obtain the Beta License, he could compete for a spot in Central City.
He always remembered the words of Cheng Zitong, He Xiaoxing, and Director Lei: only in Central City could one grasp the full picture.
He gazed out the window, watching the scenery rushing backward.
He was determined to go there.
Taking a deep breath, he took out two nutrient sticks from his pocket and ate them. Then, as the train moved forward, time passed, and the sky outside gradually darkened. To the rhythmic sound of the wheels on the tracks, he closed his eyes and rested.
Sometime later, he opened his eyes to find the sun rising at the end of the horizon in the direction the train was heading. Golden rays shone upon him, warming his body.
He looked back at the path he had taken. On his way there, the sun had followed him, and now, on his return, he chased the sunlight.
As noon approached twelve o'clock, the train arrived at Shangbu Station. Chen Chuan exited the station, glancing around the city he hadn't had time to explore during his assessment.
This place was where the river met the sea, known for its cuisine. He sampled the local food, bought some specialties, and planned to bring them back for Cheng Zitong. After a quick tour, he boarded a long-distance passenger bus, heading back.
After more than five hours, it was almost 8:30 in the evening when he finally returned to Yangzhi City.
As he stepped out of the vehicle and onto solid ground, a sense of relief washed over him, a feeling of returning home, even though he had only been away for a few days.
He arrived at the agreed-upon meeting spot but didn't see Cheng Zitong. He assumed that Cheng was still on his way back.
Perhaps he had completed the assessment too quickly.
After some thought, Chen Chuan decided that returning to school now wouldn't be ideal, as they hadn't coordinated their stories yet, which might lead to inconsistencies. Going home wasn't an option either, so he opted to find a place to stay for the time being.
The location was close to Ren Shu's company, so he decided to head there first.
After his last conversation with Ren Su, Chen Chuan learned that due to the company's improved evaluation, some old records and archives from the government offices were now accessible to the company. A significant portion of these documents had already been filed with the company, and he hadn't had the chance to review them yet. Now was the perfect opportunity to go through them.
Ever since completing the Flying Head Sect's commission, the company had moved out of the original venue and into a new building.
The building was a five-story structure, newly constructed, and was said to have been provided by a company member's family for the company's use. The member had generously contributed it.
When Chen Chuan arrived, the company building was still lit up with small points of light.
However, at this time of day, the gangs were at their most active. On the streets, gang members would zoom by on their motorcycles, occasionally dragging burning cans and fireworks behind them. They would shout and howl, creating a deafening noise. Some of them were drunk or high on drugs, appearing extremely agitated.
This area, known as the Bloodstain Gang's territory, was filled with its members. Some of them noticed Chen Chuan walking alone on the roadside and seemed eager to start trouble. As they called out, more gang members gathered around, but they didn't rush to attack. Instead, they wanted to toy with him.
Chen Chuan maintained a calm demeanor, seemingly unaffected by the commotion around him.
Just then, a team of uniformed security guards rushed out of the company building, brandishing batons and small shields against the gang members.
These security guards were granted temporary weapon permits by the Patrol Bureau and were ready to confront the gang members. Even if the outcome of a fight was uncertain, the Patrol Bureau would immediately intervene if a conflict arose, escalating the situation.
While the lower-ranking gang members might not be in their right minds, the leaders knew better. They spat at the company's security guards and then sped away on their motorcycles.
The security team leader ran up to Chen Chuan with concern, asking, "Mr. Chen, are you alright?"
By his side was a duty manager, who explained, "Who is Mr. Chen? He's an expert at handling hauntings, a graduate of Wu Yi School, and an upper scholar. If it weren't for Mr. Chen, these gang members would have been dealt with severely. He doesn't bother with them."
The security team leader nodded in agreement.
Chen Chuan, observing the departing gang members, asked, "Is this a daily occurrence?"
The security team leader replied, "Not always, but it's been like this for the past seven or eight days. Apparently, some of the Bloodstain Gang's leaders were killed, and not just one of them. But the perpetrator hasn't been found yet, so can you blame them for going crazy? They're looking to pick a fight with anyone."
Chen Chuan said, "You all have worked hard." Then, addressing the manager, he added, "Get everyone some midnight snacks, on my tab."
"Yes, Mr. Chen," the manager replied.
"Thank you, Mr. Chen!" the security guards chimed in.
As Chen Chuan entered the company building with the manager leading the way, two security guards whispered behind him:
"Every time Mr. Chen comes and goes, he's always with the boss. I thought he was a proud man, but he's actually quite approachable."
"Hey, you don't understand. Only those with real skills act like this. Those without skills try to show off."
"A person like him is truly living life to the fullest."
"I can only admire from afar. He's a graduate of Wu Yi School and already an expert in the company at such a young age. How can we compare? Twenty years ago, what were you doing?"
"I couldn't do it, but my son can. Once I save enough money, I'll send him to Wu Yi School. Then he can marry your daughter and have a big, healthy baby. That would be perfect."
"What did you say just now?"
"I... I'll go check if the snacks are ready..."
After entering the company, Chen Chuan made his way to the archives room. Ren Shu and the others were not around, but Chen Chuan had the key, so he went in.
After browsing through the archives for a while, the manager entered with a hot drink, which he placed on the desk. "Mr. Chen, I've prepared a hot drink and a room for you."
"Thank you," Chen Chuan expressed his gratitude.
The manager insisted it was no trouble. Seeing Chen Chuan's focus on the archives, he quietly retreated, careful not to make any noise as he closed the door.
While flipping through the archives, Chen Chuan also casually looked through the recent commissions sent to the company. He noticed an unacknowledged letter requesting the retrieval of a specific item from a cult.
He thought for a moment, remembering that this was the very task Senior Sister Min Lan had mentioned.
Had this commission been sent to other companies as well? It seemed the client didn't differentiate between companies, and from Min Lan's perspective, these companies were all the same.
After a quick glance, he set the commission aside. But the next commission caught his attention because it involved a genuine haunting—a well-known one in Yangzhi City, the Skull Splitter Demon.
The Skull Splitter Demon was a widely discussed haunting among the common folk in Yangzhi City because it targeted victims regardless of their status or identity. Even the aristocracy couldn't escape its grasp, making it a popular topic among the lower classes.
Chen Chuan was already aware that the recent victims of the Skull Splitter Demon included several leaders of the Bloodstain Gang. In just ten days, three influential leaders had died, seemingly targeted specifically. No wonder the gang members were acting so frenzied.
After reviewing the commission, Chen Chuan set it aside and continued browsing through the other tasks.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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