Chapter 228: The Quota
Chapter 228: The Quota
Since the conclusion of the joint department commission, Chen Chuan had temporarily refrained from accepting any new commissions, even putting aside matters from the company. He dedicated himself solely to enhancing his martial arts training within the academy.
Over ten days passed, and the last day of November arrived.
As the commission rewards had already been issued earlier in the month, Chen Chuan had made a phone call in advance. Today, at noon, he was scheduled to meet with his team members at the Duiyi Hotel for a meal and to distribute the earnings. With the year-end approaching, this matter couldn't be delayed.
However, just as he was about to step out, he received a phone call from Director Lei.
"I've set the date for my wedding with He Nan," Director Lei said. "It will be on the 15th of next month. We'll only be inviting a few close relatives and friends. The invitations will be delivered to you today, Chen Classmate, and I expect to see you there."
Chen Chuan understood that with Director Lei's position, there would likely be secret sect followers lurking in the shadows. Even though the Secret Sect Inspection Bureau was a force to be reckoned with, it maintained a low profile within the government institutions.
Considering the safety of his family and friends, Director Lei's wedding had to be a low-key affair, without the typical grand celebrations. It was impossible to gather all his subordinates in one place, so he had to opt for a more discreet approach.
"Congratulations, Director Lei," Chen Chuan replied. "I'll definitely be there."
"Don't mention it," Director Lei said. "Compared to the help you've given to Xiao Ying, this is a small matter."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and asked, "Director Lei, there's something I've been wanting to ask since the last commission."
Director Lei responded, "You're referring to the whereabouts of the person behind the ritual, right? We tracked down the hot air balloon after it landed. I later suspected that the true mastermind might have been hiding on the train."
"On the train..." Chen Chuan paused, then asked, "Did the person captured on the train reveal anything?"
Director Lei explained, "He was just a cooperating secret sect follower. According to his confession, he was hired for the job, and we verified that he was telling the truth. But there's no need to worry; after the ritual is initiated, even without taking any action, those patterns and materials will disappear after a period.
"Without the resources and manpower, it's impossible for him to set up such an elaborate ritual again. Our Review Bureau can handle smaller rituals."
Chen Chuan nodded in agreement. While secret sect rituals could achieve many mysterious effects, most required a significant amount of time for preparation.
The individual who orchestrated the ritual had reached that level of proficiency due to the previous assistance from Mo Lan Corporation. Without such backing, it was nearly impossible to replicate the previous incident.
After a few more exchanges, they ended the call.
Chen Chuan sensed that Director Lei had been guiding him towards the secret sect path, and the introduction to the Review Bureau's senior member might also be related to this.
Although Chen Chuan was intrigued by the mysterious nature of such matters, he firmly believed that only martial arts could truly empower oneself. Having chosen this path, he was determined to stay the course without deviating.
He tidied up, adjusted his attire, and stepped out. Riding his bicycle, he made his way towards the Duiyi Hotel.
As various company meetings had concluded and the resistance organization was nearly eradicated, the city center had become safe. Upon his arrival, the team members were also gathering one after another.
Following the custom, they distributed the earnings before the meal.
Receiving a substantial reward before the year-end and simultaneously enhancing their personal evaluations, the team members were all delighted.
At this moment, Wei Ge stood up with a cup in hand, expressing his gratitude sincerely. "Thanks to your commissions, Chen Chuan, I've now become a senior commissioner. I no longer have to cater to the companies' whims. I'd like to toast you for this."
Chen Chuan raised his cup, clinked it with Wei Ge's, and smiled. "Congratulations, Wei Ge."
The rest of the team members also raised their cups in celebration.
Senior commissioners enjoyed higher personal evaluations, commanding higher rewards, and found it easier to interact with government departments and major companies. Some senior commissioners, due to their long-term employment with certain departments, even wielded a degree of power. Wei Ge's achievement at his age was indeed worthy of celebration.
After toasting with everyone, Wei Ge sat down. At this moment, Cai Si by his side spoke up. "Have you all been listening to the radio these days? They've been broadcasting non-stop about the new Minister of Civil Affairs and the eradication of the resistance organization. But unfortunately, we can't take credit for it."
The radio broadcasts had not mentioned Chen Chuan or his team members' names. The various departments had informed them beforehand that the focus was to restore citizens' trust in the current official institutions, so their names were omitted, and they were instead given additional compensation.
Feng Xiaoqi grumbled, "Isn't getting more compensation better than fame? I'd rather have the money."
Chen Chuan added, "Even if they didn't say it, I'd still request this. The resistance organization won't cease to exist just by eliminating these people. They employ all sorts of means and have no scruples.
For everyone's safety, we must avoid exposure as much as possible. Moreover, from what I know, a key figure has escaped, and their whereabouts are currently unknown."
Ding Liao deeply agreed, "Exactly. As long as this world remains as it is, the resistance organization will persist. We've only extinguished the flames above, but the embers below remain. Who knows when they'll ignite again? It's better to stay cautious."
Luo Kaiyuan spoke up, "Some of them might have been forced into it."
Feng Xiaoqi disagreed, "I don't like them anyway. Once, an explosion occurred just a few dozen meters from our shop. I knew an elderly neighbor who could weave grasshoppers and play with children, and he was buried there.
Wei Chang'an raised his cup and said, "In any case, the organization has mostly been wiped out, and the Mo Lan Corporation has collapsed. It's worth celebrating. Come on, let's all drink to that."
The crowd followed suit, raising their cups as well.
Just as they were having their meal, Cheng Zitong was coming out of the principal's office. He looked at the list in his hand, his face filled with excitement.
He quickly walked back to his office and immediately called Chen Chuan, but no one answered. He then remembered that the student might be out for a meal today.
He put down the phone, thought for a moment, and with a 'hey,' he took out a copy of the list and put it into his briefcase. He then went downstairs and directly drove to the Lakefront Villa.
After getting out of the car, he took off his decorative sunglasses and stood at the entrance for a while before striding inside.
"Lao Qian, is my senior brother here?"
"Yes, he is," the doorman replied.
"Is he teaching his disciples at this time? Alright, I'll go find him myself."
Cheng Zitong walked into the courtyard, and his gaze fell upon a student practicing his moves by the waterside pavilion. Qiao Linhu was sitting in the living room, drinking tea, and his eyes occasionally glanced outside, a look of satisfaction on his face.
Cheng Zitong approached with heavy footsteps, took the list out of his briefcase, and slapped it down in front of Qiao Linhu.
Qiao Linhu was startled and looked up at him in surprise, then frowned as he glanced at the list. "What's this?"
"What's this? It's the admission quota for the Central City Academy!"
Cheng Zitong slapped the list with his hand and said, "This is my student, and I'm his mentor. Who would've thought it, huh?"
Qiao Linhu fell silent for a moment. After witnessing Chen Chuan's overthrow of the Mutual Aid Society, he had felt that something was amiss. He slowly said, "In everything, one must guard against arrogance and impatience. One cannot seek quick gains..."
Cheng Zitong pulled out his briefcase and slapped a document on the table, "This is the weapon permit my student earned!"
"Students need to be tempered. Elevating them too quickly will only cause them to lose their self-control..."
Cheng Zitong slapped another document on the table, "This is my student's armor permit!"
"Even with a little achievement..."
"This is my student's infinite defense permit, Grade B!" Cheng Zitong slapped down another document and pointed at it.
Qiao Linhu's voice suddenly stopped, and he sat there, stroking his beard, feeling that no amount of words could compare to the infinite defense permit.
The Great Prosperous Republic was very strict about these matters. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many recommended students taking the Grade C exam first and then trying to find ways to take the Grade B exam. This was a recognition from the national level, and any words of argument were pale and powerless in the face of this permit; they were all just empty talk.
Cheng Zitong's eyes turned slightly red, and he said, "My student doesn't need to follow some dog-shit old rules or be bound by others' outdated traditions. He doesn't need to walk the path laid out for him by others. He can forge his own path!"
His voice rose above the entire courtyard, and even the student practicing his moves could hear every word clearly. Yet, the surroundings became eerily quiet, as if the sounds of birds and insects had momentarily ceased.
"Just because the old man says his path is the right one doesn't mean everyone has to follow it. His words aren't golden. I've come out, and I can return on my own. Now, my student will return for me, and after so many years of the old man's teaching..."
Cheng Zitong slammed his hand on the table, "Put this on my student's desk. Which one of them can pat their chest and say they can do what my student has done? Which one? Show me!"
Qiao Linhu listened to him for a while and then slowly said, "Junior Brother, don't forget that my student can also go to the Central City Academy, and it's not just your student who can go there!"
"That'll take two years, won't it?"
"..."
"My student..."
"Enough!"
Qiao Linhu took a sip of tea and stood up. He didn't want to listen to Cheng Zitong's boasting and praise anymore; the more he heard, the more annoyed he became.
He slapped the table and said, "Junior Brother, let me tell you, the old path has its guides, with seniors above to look after you, fellow disciples by your side, and students supporting you from behind. Have you considered that when your student gets there, none of these will be there for him? How far can he go?"
Cheng Zitong wasn't worried at all. He looked at Qiao Linhu for a moment, then smiled as he put on his decorative sunglasses and started walking out, saying, "That's my student, and I have faith in him. Oh, and by the way..."
He turned back and said, "Senior Brother, I just love seeing your stubborn expression. Keep it up, I'm off..." As he spoke, he waved his hand and left with a swagger.
By the waterside pavilion, the student who had been practicing his moves couldn't help but perk up his ears as the two men talked. But as he listened, he suddenly realized that Qiao Linhu was standing expressionlessly right in front of him, causing him to shudder.
"If you can't even get one move right, it shows you haven't practiced it into your bones yet. Do it again for me!"
"Yes, Master," the student replied, feeling bitter inside, but he dared not say anything at this moment. He continued practicing obediently.
Qiao Linhu watched from the side, feeling a sense of suffocation in his heart. He remembered that Cheng Zitong had been coming here every day to praise his disciple and talk about how he had changed for the better. Now he realized that Cheng Zitong had been waiting for this moment.
He had let his guard down.
He looked at his disciple, and no matter how he looked at him, he felt something was lacking.
He needed to practice more, to keep practicing!
Cheng Zitong walked outside, took a deep breath, and felt the weather was so refreshing, so invigorating.
He turned back and said to the doorman, "Lao Qian, tell my senior brother I'll be back tomorrow, and keep a bowl of food for me. I'll be off now." With that, he got into the car and drove away after a short while.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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