Chapter 405: Recent Developments
Chapter 405: Recent Developments
Lu Ke greeted and led Chen Chuan into the vehicle.
Chen Chuan surveyed the interior layout. The facilities were comprehensive, and the space utilization seemed reasonable, mainly due to the vehicle's width and height, which eliminated the cramped feeling often found in caravans.
Lu Ke said, "Not bad, right? This is the vehicle assigned to my senior sister and my master by the team. It was modified by our team's experts. It's our temporary residence, oh, the former student of my master I mentioned earlier."
"Your senior sister seems to hold a high position here," Chen Chuan commented.
"After the old captain left, she took charge of security. Later, when Roadway Logistics split, our branch became the largest and took over most of the main business. She became one of the team leaders."
Lu Ke invited Chen Chuan to sit on the sofa, poured him a glass of soda, and casually grabbed a flyer to use as a coaster, placing it on the table. "Try it," he said, then added, "You can't get Yangzhi Shazhen Soda here, which I quite like."
Chen Chuan took a sip and tasted a refreshing sweetness. "It's not bad," he remarked. Lu Ke smiled, "I knew it."
Chen Chuan put down the glass and noticed the training equipment and several pairs of boxing gloves hanging on the vehicle's wall. "After arriving in Central City, have you been traveling with the convoy all the time?"
"Not exactly," Lu Ke replied as he sat down and poured himself a drink. After taking a few gulps, he said, "The team used to have a fixed base, but recently, there was a conflict with another logistics team, so we left that place. Ah, let's not talk about unhappy things. Tell me about you, Chen. I saw you on the video; you're incredible!"
Looking at Chen Chuan with disbelief, he said, "The master said you've become a Tier Three Fighter. Is that true?"
Chen Chuan nodded. "Not long ago."
"Really?" Lu Ke couldn't help but get excited.
He had witnessed Chen Chuan's transformation from a novice to an awe-inspiring fighting powerhouse. Initially, he might have felt jealous, but now, it was pure admiration.
Looking back on their past disagreements, he found them to be memorable life episodes.
"Where's Master Yu?" Chen Chuan asked.
"He's teaching students," Lu Ke replied.
Chen Chuan inquired further and learned that this logistics team consisted not only of team members but also their families. Regardless of talent, all the team members' children were taught fighting techniques by Master Yu Gang.
In the Lower City District, martial skills and gun proficiency were essential for survival. Without these abilities, one would struggle to get by.
"How's Master Yu's leg?" Chen Chuan asked.
Lu Ke's expression darkened. "The cheap implant works, but it can only support basic living. As a fighter, it's challenging to find a matching implant that can bring out his full strength. Either they're too expensive, or they don't allow him to perform at his best. We spent all the money given by the Iron Chain Gang on a temporary implant leg for the master."
"If Master Yu doesn't mind, I can help with this," Chen Chuan offered.
Lu Ke was tempted but hesitated, "The master might not agree."
Chen Chuan understood and said, "Master Yu doesn't need to worry. Consider this money as a loan from me. I believe that with his abilities, he can easily repay it once he recovers."
Lu Ke found this reasonable. He checked the time and said, "In ten minutes, class will be over. Let's finish this soda and go find the master."
Chen Chuan nodded. As he drank, he glanced at the flyer under his glass, which featured a bearded middle-aged man with a determined chin and trustworthy eyes.
The flyer read, "The Lower City District needs its own mayor. I'm Meng Xiang, and I can bring you happiness and a better future."
"Do you guys elect a mayor here?" Chen Chuan asked.
"No way," Lu Ke replied. "This guy used to be a salesman, and suddenly he got the idea to become the mayor of the Lower City District. He gives speeches in various areas every day. I heard he's been beaten up many times, but for six or seven years, he hasn't given up. I admire his resilience."
"If it's not a coincidence, there must be a reason," Chen Chuan said.
"Maybe," Lu Ke replied.
After about five or six minutes, Lu Ke and Chen Chuan exited the caravan and headed towards the longest multi-unit vehicle in the convoy.
This vehicle seemed to be modified from a large cargo truck and a passenger bus, stretching about thirty meters long and five meters high. Judging by the lights from the upper and lower rows of windows, it appeared to have two levels.
The two entered through a side door, leading to a washing area and storage cabinets. Chen Chuan changed his shoes and noticed numerous pairs of small boots neatly arranged, from which faint voices could be heard. Beyond a partition, there was a spacious indoor training ground.
Yu Gang stood in the middle, surrounded by thirty to forty children, all sitting quietly in their places. Only one child was demonstrating on the stage, while Yu Gang used a cane to correct his posture.
As they entered, Yu Gang's gaze lingered on Chen Chuan for a moment, but he didn't stop his lesson.
The two didn't interrupt his teaching and moved to the side. Lu Ke pulled two folding chairs and a folding table from the wall, unfolded them, and they sat down to wait.
After more than two minutes, the class ended, and Yu Gang let the children play by themselves. He walked over, and Chen Chuan immediately stood up and greeted him, "Teacher Yu."
Yu Gang said, "Sit down. How long have you been here?"
Chen Chuan replied, "Not long. I was just chatting with Lu Xiaoge outside."
Yu Gang slowly sat down with the help of his cane. Looking at Chen Chuan, he said, "The other day, Lu Ke showed me your video. A Tier Three Fighter at your age is a rare achievement; I haven't seen many like you."
Chen Chuan sincerely said, "If it weren't for Teacher Yu's guidance back then, I wouldn't be where I am today."
This statement wasn't an exaggeration. Entering the world of martial arts was a challenging hurdle, let alone for someone with no foundation like him back then. If it weren't for Yu Gang's patient teaching, he might not be who he is today. Even with his second self, he might have achieved something, but his path would have been different.
Yu Gang said, "With your talent, as long as you're determined to continue on this path, you'll always find a way."
Just then, a childish shout came from the front, and they saw a child throw another child to the ground, only to help them up in a friendly manner afterward.
Chen Chuan glanced over and remarked, "It seems like the teacher has taught these students well."
Yu Gang spoke in a deep voice, "They might be able to train well, but only by improving their lower limit. Talent is what determines a fighter's upper limit, and it's something many people can't achieve no matter how much they train."
Chen Chuan didn't argue; it was the truth. But even with talent, without abundant resources and proper guidance from mentors, success wasn't guaranteed.
"Times are always changing," Chen Chuan said. "While it was true in the past, with the development of technology, implants can now compensate for some deficiencies and give people a chance to raise their upper limit."
Yu Gang merely shook his head.
Lu Ke arrived and poured two cups of tea for them. Yu Gang said, "From the video the other day, it seems you've joined the Handling Bureau?"
Chen Chuan explained, "All students at Wu Yi Academy receive external investments, either from companies or the government. I'm invested by the Handling Bureau, so I currently hold a position there."
Yu Gang spoke gravely, "The Handling Bureau is better than some companies. While companies may offer better treatment, they also demand more in return."
As they were talking, loud noises and running footsteps came from outside. Yu Gang immediately told Lu Ke, "Go down and take a look."
Lu Ke hurried downstairs. After a while, he returned and said, "Master, it's the team responsible for Zone 703. They were attacked by Venom Ant Express."
Yu Gang immediately said, "Let's go down and see."
Chen Chuan had only been there for a short while, but he had already heard about Venom Ant Express several times. The competition between them seemed intense. Chen Chuan, Yu Gang, and Lu Ke got out of the car and saw several trucks and cars parked in the distance, riddled with bullet holes and shattered windows. The car doors were all missing.
Injured personnel were carefully carried out of the vehicles, while those with minor injuries were being bandaged and treated on the side.
The bearded man stood with a serious expression, questioning a lightly injured person to understand the situation.
Lu Ke spoke with anger, "Recently, Venom Ant Express has been causing us trouble. We've given in many times and ceded quite a few business areas, but they're still not satisfied."
Yu Gang leaned on his cane and spoke gravely, "If there's meat to be had, appetites only grow larger. If the meat doesn't fight back and keeps tempting people, there's no reason not to keep eating."
Lu Ke said, "Master, if Uncle Lao Bian takes the lead, we won't hold back against Venom Ant Express."
Chen Chuan asked, "Who is this Uncle Lao Bian?"
"He's a security consultant previously hired by Roadway Logistics, a Tier Three Fighter who escaped from above. After the logistics company dispersed, he accepted our employment, but he's not very willing to exert himself, which is why we're in this situation."
"Lu Xiaoge, did you get that injury on your face from a conflict with them?"
Lu Ke felt a bit embarrassed and said, "I wasn't paying attention that time."
At that moment, someone shouted, "Sister Nan is back! Sister Nan is back!"
Lu Ke's spirits lifted, and he said, "It's my senior sister returning."
Following his gaze, Chen Chuan saw a motorcycle convoy roaring out of the tunnel and heading towards them.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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