Chapter 212: The Old Mansion
Chapter 212: The Old Mansion
The man sitting opposite him smiled in a gentle and refined manner. "Let me introduce myself. I am Mr. Wen, the Chief Martial Arts Instructor of the Yangzhi City Police Department. The patrol officers like to call me Mr. Wen. I’ve been ordered to protect Governor Zhu."
"We have already determined that many of your guards are people planted by various companies. I have taken care of them. You can rest assured."
Zhu Xian frowned. "Are you sure?"
"I am very certain."
Mr. Wen said earnestly, "These companies are attempting to influence and manipulate your decisions. They planted people around you to ensure they could secure business deals."
Zhu Xian also became serious.
Mr. Wen smiled, stood up from his seat, and said, "I won’t disturb your meal. Rest assured, I will be responsible for your security from now on. I will ensure your safe arrival in Yangzhi City."
Zhu Xian seemed to be momentarily dazed. When he came to his senses, he suddenly realized the man opposite him had disappeared. The only sounds were the rhythmic clatter of the train wheels and the assistant’s gulping. He glanced outside to confirm he was still on the moving train.
He thought for a moment, stood up, walked to the door, grabbed the handle, and after a moment, slowly opened it. He saw the security personnel lying against the walls of the carriage, each with a cracked skull. Their brains were charred and dry, emitting scalding steam, clearly the result of a sudden and intense heat that had cooked the brain tissue, causing the skulls to split open.
The assistant, a local from Yangzhi, saw this and, his legs buckling, exclaimed in terror, "Skullsplitter Demon..."
Zhu Xian glanced around, closed the door, and returned to his seat. After a moment of contemplation, he retrieved the application form from the bottom of his bag, quickly signed it, and said to the assistant, "Send it back."
Half an hour later, within the Wu Yi Academy, Cheng Zitong received the news and immediately called Chen Chuan. "Xiaochuan, your application process is complete. I didn’t expect the Minister of Civil Affairs to approve your application while still on the train. It seems this Minister supports Wu Yi’s work and has high hopes for you."
He said a few more words, then hung up the phone. Turning around, he saw his uncle, Cheng Shang, sitting and drinking tea. "Second Uncle, look..."
Cheng Shang looked up. "I’ll be returning to headquarters in a couple of days. I’ll take his file and application with me. Zitong, you haven’t done well for yourself, but you’ve taught a decent student. It seems your father overlooked your talents in this area. How about coming back with me this time?"
Cheng Zitong returned to his seat and chuckled, "Whatever I do, Old Man always has something to say, acting like he’s the most capable person in the world. Now he minds his students, and I’ll mind mine. It’s best if we don’t interfere with each other."
Cheng Shang shook his head. "You two have the same temper. Neither of you is willing to back down first. Forget it, I won’t get involved."
He took a slow sip of tea and sighed, "The tea brewed with Yangzhi’s water is the best." He shook his head again. "The filtered water in Central City has no flavor."
Cheng Zitong laughed. "Second Uncle, that’s like a man who’s used to eating meat saying it’s not good."
Cheng Shang glared at him and then said solemnly, "Central City is a place of many opportunities, but it also comes with many responsibilities. It feels like there’s always a hand pushing you forward, leaving no room to stop.
Even now, my mind is still preoccupied with Central City’s affairs, worrying that I might miss something important during these few days in Yangzhi, something others know but I don’t."
Cheng Zitong was unconcerned. "A place like that is perfect for my student. I believe he can adapt."
"Alright, I’ve heard you praise him enough."
Cheng Zitong, displeased, said, "I’ve only taught one student like him. Can’t I praise him? Just because Old Man can praise his students, I can’t?"
Cheng Shang, irritated, said, "Do as you please. I won’t stop you. Anyway, I’ll be returning in a couple of days. You can praise him all you want. However..." He slowly added, "The Main Academy isn’t an easy place to stay. Whether he can stand his ground depends on him."
In the First-Class Student dormitory, Chen Chuan returned from lunch with Luo Kaiyuan and Wei Dong. Seeing that the internal mail box was full, he casually took out the letters.
Back in his room, he flipped through them. Most were invitations to special classes, but one letter was from an assistant teacher surnamed Qiu.
He thought for a moment, remembering that this was the assistant who worked with Elder Lady Ni. He opened it and read that Elder Lady Ni wanted to discuss something with him and asked him to visit when he had the time.
What could Elder Lady Ni want with me? Could it be about the Xuejun Blade? That’s the only thing I can think of. If so, I need to be cautious.
In the afternoon, he chose an appropriate time and went to the training hall where Elder Lady Ni usually stayed. Finding Assistant Qiu, he was escorted to the reception room, where he was served a cup of tea and asked to wait while the assistant fetched the elderly lady.
After only five or six minutes, Elder Lady Ni walked in, leaning on a cane, with Assistant Qiu supporting her. Chen Chuan stood up from his seat when he saw her.
Elder Lady Ni said, "Have a seat, Assistant Qiu. Go outside and keep watch. I have something to discuss with this young man."
"Yes, ma'am."
Once Assistant Qiu left, Elder Lady Ni sat down and said leisurely, "Young man, your mother's name is Yu Zhen, right?"
Chen Chuan glanced at her and nodded, then asked, "Do you know my mother, Teacher Ni?"
It wouldn't be surprising if she did know her, as his mother was also a Fighter and a local from Yangzhi City. She had crossed the Yangzhi River during her youth, but it was odd that she had suddenly brought it up and mentioned a connection with her.
Elder Lady Ni explained, "Yes, I know her. It's quite a coincidence. Her martial arts teacher was my junior sister. About ten years ago, your mother entrusted something to her. She asked my sister to give it to her child if they ever had the opportunity to go to Central City and if the child passed the entrance exam for Wu Yi Academy. If not, she said to forget about it."
"My junior sister, despite her age, is an active person. She's been abroad for over a decade, so she entrusted this item to me. Since you have the potential to go to Central City, I'm returning this item to you today, thus fulfilling my old promise."
As Elder Lady Ni spoke, she placed a small package on the table, "Take a look at it."
Chen Chuan stepped forward and took the item, feeling its lightness. It seemed to be a notebook or something similar.
"I haven't looked inside," Elder Lady Ni assured him, "You can trust me; I've lived a long life and have no interest in the affairs of you young folks."
Chen Chuan replied earnestly, "I believe you, Teacher Ni." He then asked, "Have you met my mother before?"
Elder Lady Ni nodded, "Once. She's a pretty and spirited young lady, smart but stubborn. I saw her sparring with a fellow disciple; she lost over a dozen times but still got up with gritted teeth. Though she didn't win that time, I heard she won the next match, which is a shame I didn't get to see."
Chen Chuan nodded and said solemnly, "Thank you for keeping this safe for so many years, Teacher Ni."
"No need for thanks," Elder Lady Ni said, "My junior sister did pay me a fee for safekeeping. If the time comes and you don't go to Central City, I'll dispose of these items as agreed."
Chen Chuan asked, "Teacher Ni, if you see that senior again, could you possibly convey my gratitude on behalf of the younger generation?"
"If I see her again, I'll certainly pass on your thanks," Elder Lady Ni replied, "Alright, I know you young folks are impatient and don't like chatting with old folks like me. You should head back now."
Chen Chuan nodded and bid farewell to Elder Lady Ni. As he left the training hall and stepped outside, he paused to reflect. Now that he thought about it, Elder Lady Ni's gift of the blade wasn't solely because of the monthly exam incident.
He hurried back to the dormitory, closed the door behind him, and opened the small package. Inside was a notebook filled with loose, damaged pages, seemingly unrelated and incomprehensible.
At that moment, something stirred within him as he recalled a similar item in the old mansion. It seemed he would have to make a trip back.
He hadn't returned before because his predecessor's cause of death was unknown, and he lacked the strength to protect himself at the time. Now, with his new protective gear and the Second I Protection, it was time to revisit the old house.
After leaving the city and cycling north for over an hour, he reached a small river bend. Across the river, he spotted a house, the very one his parents had left behind.
About half a kilometer away, there was a larger mansion where Meng Shu had lived. Her family only had servants, no adults, as the area was sparsely populated, so the two children often played together.
The area seemed secluded, but the ground was relatively flat, and a wide road outside remained usable, built during the initial development.
Judging by the surroundings, no one had visited in over a year.
Chen Chuan detoured downstream and found a path of cobblestones leading to a shallow bay. He rode across and reached the house, stopping to look up.
It was a sizable residence with five rooms and a large living room. Outside, a corridor with eaves surrounded the house. Chen Chuan remembered his predecessor often walking along the railing as a child.
His predecessor had died on that very corridor, and now Chen Chuan was here to uncover the truth.
He pushed his bike forward, propped it against the wall, and stepped onto the creaking wooden boards leading to the door. He took out a key, unlocked it, gently pushed it open, peered inside, and entered.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
