Chapter 174: The Return
Chapter 174: The Return
After dropping Chen off at the station, Chang Ba bid him farewell and left. Before boarding the train, Chen Chuan found a public phone booth and made a call to Cheng Zitong.
When the call connected, Cheng Zitong asked, "Chuan, how's everything going?"
"It's going well, Teacher. I'm at the train station and about to head back," Chen Chuan replied.
"That's good. Didn't you say a few days ago that your medicine was almost finished? I've been thinking, it's easy for me to get medicine, but if the Mutual Aid Society gets involved, they'll definitely investigate the flow of the medicine to gauge your cultivation progress." Cheng Zitong continued, "If I get more involved, they might be able to deduce your cultivation level based on your medicine usage. Since you're coming back, you can pick up some medicine on the way. As for the money, you can owe it to me."
"Owe it?" Chen Chuan asked.
Cheng Zitong smiled and said meaningfully, "It's better to owe it for now. You can write an IOU, and we can settle it later when things calm down."
Chen Chuan understood and said, "Okay, Teacher. Where should I go to get it?"
Cheng Zitong instructed, "After you arrive in Shangbu City, go to a pharmacy called Fengji Herb Shop on Shufeng Street in the northern part of the city. Look for an old man named Old Ou. I've already informed him. Once you get there, give me a call, and I'll make sure he takes care of you. You can get the medicine and be on your way. Remember this place; if you need medicine in the future, you can come here."
"Okay, Teacher," Chen Chuan agreed.
He understood Cheng Zitong's intention. Once the Mutual Aid Society got involved, it would be challenging to predict how things would unfold, and the medicine was crucial for his future training. Having an alternative source would be beneficial if he needed to hide outside.
After the call, Chen Chuan entered the train station and boarded the train when it arrived. Two days later, he arrived in Shangbu City.
Following Cheng Zitong's instructions, Chen Chuan found the Fengji Herb Shop not far from the train station. After a quick call to Cheng Zitong, he smoothly obtained the medicine from the shop. The owner, Old Ou, was very enthusiastic and packed the medicine into a large box.
Chen Chuan estimated the quantity; even for himself, it would last for two to three months, and for an average person, it could last a year or two.
Old Ou even offered to send someone to deliver the medicine, but Chen Chuan politely declined, easily carrying the box with one hand.
After his brief trip, Chen Chuan bought a bus ticket and boarded the bus within half an hour.
He checked the time; it was still early, and he estimated that he would be back in Yangzhi City by three or four in the afternoon.
This intensive training session lasted about a month, but the gains were significant.
Although he hadn't encountered any strong opponents, the dangers he faced during the training were unlike anything he'd experienced before. Some situations could have easily turned fatal if not handled properly, providing a significant stimulus for his second self.
Especially the final session of swimming, which allowed his second self to resonate with his body for an extended period. According to his calculations, the overlapping time had increased by at least three hours, totaling around eight hours. His goal of twenty-four hours of overlap seemed much closer now.
He looked ahead, watching the scenery on both sides flash by.
"Almost there," he thought.
Five hours later, the bus arrived at the passenger station in Yangzhi City. Chen Chuan grabbed his luggage, slung the Xuejun Blade on his back, and stepped off the bus. As he exited the station, he noticed a team of armed patrol officers from the Patrol Bureau guarding the exit, creating a tense atmosphere.
He was surprised; usually, only the station's security personnel were present, and it was rare to see patrol officers stationed there.
During the security check, he showed his weapon permit. The officer in charge, Xu Gui, noticed his name and asked politely, "Are you Mr. Chen, the nephew of Captain Nian?"
I'm the nephew of Captain Nian," Chen Chuan confirmed.
Xu Gui's attitude immediately softened, and he smiled, greeting Chen Chuan, "I'm Xu Gui, the patrol officer for the entire Zhou District. Mr. Chen, it's just a routine check. Please bear with us."
"No problem, Xu. It's your duty, and I understand. Has something happened recently?" Chen Chuan inquired.
Xu Gui glanced around and signaled two officers to take over the inspection, then led Chen Chuan away from the checkpoint to a quieter spot. "A few days ago, there was a clash between the Bloodstain Gang and the Iron Chain Gang. You know about it?"
Chen Chuan nodded, indicating he was aware.
Xu Gui lifted his hat brim and continued, "Three more leaders of the Bloodstain Gang were killed last month. They lost their minds, it seems. Their bases were destroyed, and their businesses have been repeatedly attacked. No wonder they're making a fuss. It used to be just night-time fighting, but now it's happening during the day too. We had to increase our patrols."
"But the resistance organization is causing trouble too. Just last month, the recently repaired railway was damaged again, and the station was attacked. They're worried about the passenger station, so they sent us to keep an eye on things."
Chen Chuan finally understood. The conflict between the two gangs hadn't ceased during his absence; instead, it had escalated. The force behind the scenes seemed to be intensifying its efforts.
After thanking Xu Gui, Chen Chuan left the station and headed to his aunt's house. He had brought back some local specialties from his trip, like dried mutton and fruit preserves, in considerable quantities.
At the mention of these local specialties, Yu Wan's interest piqued. After all, it was rare for patrol officers and their families to have the opportunity to leave Yangzhi City, and they had limited contact with the outside world, so these regional products were a novelty to them.
Chen Chuan then took out two more cigarettes and handed them to Nian Fu Li, "Uncle, these are cigarettes I brought from the northwest. They're said to be of excellent quality and were recommended by a friend. I don't smoke myself, so I'm not sure how good they are."
"Oh, Red Camel!" Nian Fu Li's eyes lit up. "I've heard this brand is smooth and satisfying. I must give it a try." He rubbed his hands together eagerly, but before he could reach for the cigarettes, Yu Wan snatched them from his hand and glared at him. "One pack a day isn't enough for you. I'll keep these for you."
Nian Fu Li pouted, "These were a gift from Little Chuan, and you..."
Chen Chuan smiled and didn't interfere in their exchange. He walked over to his cousins and handed them some snacks and comic books before heading to his room.
After putting down his belongings, he took a refreshing shower and got ready. He planned to stay the night and return to the martial arts gym the next day, as he needed his regular training, and staying at home wasn't convenient. Just then, the phone rang in the living room, and his aunt's voice called out, "Little Chuan, it's a call for you. It seems to be from your teacher."
Chen Chuan stood up and walked towards the phone.
At the same time, in a private club in the southern part of the city, Wei Jun emerged from the artificial lake in front of the club.
As he stepped out of the water, his muscles rippled, shedding droplets of water. He took a towel from a servant and wiped himself down, then put on a pair of sunglasses and sat in a reclining chair, his face remaining stoic.
He had returned five days ago after receiving a message that the bandits they were after had not been captured. As a result, the assessment for the Infinite Defense Certificate had been postponed repeatedly, and it was now confirmed that it would be delayed until the end of August.
According to the rules, even if he passed the assessment, he would have to wait another ten days to receive the certificate. This meant that even if he made it onto the recommendation list for Central City this year, he would be unable to go through the academy channel due to the lack of a crucial defense certificate.
As a result, his family had to renegotiate with other interest groups to secure a spot from the next batch. However, nothing had been finalized yet, so he was also looking for alternatives.
The butler approached him and said, "Young Master, the person you asked for is here."
Wei Jun sat up and saw Jiang Wei, Shao Xiaobie, and a beautiful female student with a fit figure entering the room.
He waited for the three of them to approach, then invited them to sit down. He turned to Jiang Wei and the female student and said, "You both know why I called you here. Qiao Rong, Jiang Wei, one of you must give up a spot."
Qiao Rong chuckled, "Senior Wei, you couldn't secure the spot yourself, so you're asking us for it. It doesn't seem quite fair, does it?"
Jiang Wei smiled and said, "I understand your intention, Senior Wei. I've looked into the situation, but what kind of compensation can make up for our loss? If you can make it clear, I'm willing to give up my spot."
Qiao Rong glanced at Jiang Wei. If the two of them stood firm together, Wei Jun wouldn't have any leverage over them. However, Jiang Wei didn't seem to have that intention, which made it less interesting for Qiao Rong, who started examining her newly painted nails.
Shao Xiaobie, on the other hand, crossed his legs, as this matter didn't concern him much. Although he was also in his third year, he knew his combat skills were far inferior to those present. However, with the connections of the Mutual Aid Society, he could still find a way to Central City.
"If you want to talk about benefits, the company and the family are already discussing that," Wei Jun said. "I don't have much to offer, but today we can talk about something else."
He took off his sunglasses, leaned forward, and fixed his gaze on the two of them. "You should know that I have the best relationship with Senior Zhao in Central City. The intense competition there is no secret, and without someone to look after you, can you really hold your ground? Without my connection, Senior Zhao will, at most, show you some courtesy because of our friendship." He extended his finger and waved it, "But don't expect him to treat you exceptionally well."
Qiao Rong's eyebrows furrowed at these words, and she lost interest in her nails.
Jiang Wei maintained his smile and said, "I've considered what you said, Senior Wei, but that's a matter for after we enter Central City. Compared to a spot in Central City, I think it's still not enough."
Wei Jun slowly straightened his body and said, "Fine, if you want to talk about something more direct, I'll be blunt. If someone makes things difficult for me, I'll do the same to them. Even if I don't go to the Main Academy, I can still find my way to Central City. You should understand what I'm capable of."
His teacher, Tan Wang, was from the Serpent Sect, a Central City sect. Even if he didn't go through the Main Academy, he could still find a way to Central City through other means. Wei Jun hadn't wanted to take this path initially, but if he had no other choice, he wouldn't mind giving it a try.
If someone made things difficult for him, he would return the favor.
Just then, the butler approached and whispered something in Wei Jun's ear. Wei Jun, who hadn't been paying much attention, suddenly turned his head towards the butler, "Where is this person?"
The butler respectfully replied, "They're waiting outside."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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