Chapter 482: Inland Land
Chapter 482: Inland Land
After about two minutes, Ding Mai pushed away the person beside him and stood up from the ground, looking towards Chen Chuan.
Although Chen Chuan had knocked him down, he didn't show any signs of resentment or anger. Instead, he revealed an expression of admiration. He walked up to Chen Chuan and said loudly, "Captain Chen, you're truly formidable. I, Old Ding, am impressed!"
Losing to an opponent is not shameful, but failing to face an opponent honestly and instead making excuses for oneself is truly embarrassing. How can one expect to defeat an opponent if they can't even overcome their own obstacles? It doesn't make sense.
The people present also felt that Chen Chuan's victory was impressive. He had withstood Ding Mai head-on, and those who had sparred with or witnessed Ding Mai's skills had never seen such a tough fighting style. Even Ding Mai himself was impressed.
The young boy on the side ran over to the puppet and examined it repeatedly, glancing at Chen Chuan from time to time with a gleam in his eyes.
At this moment, Fang Zhixin seemed to have received some news. He nodded at Chen Chuan and walked to the side, speaking a few words to the Interdimensional Connector. After a while, he returned and said to everyone, "I'm sorry, but Teacher Chen has been invited to the Full President's residence today and won't be able to make it."
The crowd didn't react much, as if they had anticipated this situation. Only the young boy beside them showed a look of disappointment.
Fang Zhixin smiled and said, "Although Teacher Chen can't make it today, everyone here has received an invitation. There's a bar downstairs. Let's go have a drink; it's on me."
Everyone cheered in unison.
Chen Chuan looked around and noticed that while he and Ding Mai were sparring, about ten more people had entered one after another. Now, there were nearly thirty people in the room, mostly young military officers, with a few who seemed to come from influential backgrounds.
Although he hadn't seen Chen Bitong, Chen Chuan wasn't planning to leave. Since he would be dealing with people from this circle in the future, this was a good opportunity to get to know them.
At this moment, Fang Zhixin specifically invited him, "Captain Chen, do you have any official duties? Would you like to join us?"
Ding Mai also joined in, saying, "Yes, Old Ding here admires Captain Chen. This time, Captain Chen's expenses are on my tab." Then, he said to Fang Zhixin, "Don't compete with me."
Fang Zhixin laughed and led the way downstairs via the elevator.
As Chen Chuan left, he glanced back and saw the young boy looking a bit dejected as he returned to the center of the room to practice his punches alone.
Chen Chuan withdrew his gaze and left with the others.
The group arrived at the tenth floor, where there was indeed a large bar with an elegant and tasteful decor. It was still early, around 10 a.m., and there were only a few customers. Their group entered and occupied one corner, and it was evident that they had their own small circles, gathering in groups of three or four.
Chen Chuan sat with Ding Mai and Fang Zhixin.
The waiter immediately started serving drinks. Fighters from Wu Yi Academy didn't drink alcohol, but those from the military had no such taboo, except during mission assignments.
Someone who seemed familiar with the place requested a song, and the music in the bar's dance floor started. About ten female singers and dancers with decorative implants entered and began singing and dancing to the lively music.
The officers immediately applauded, but no one whistled or catcalled. They sat upright, and most of them seemed well-educated and conservative in their behavior.
Chen Chuan ordered a drink and listened to a song. After it ended, he clapped his hands and then turned to Ding Mai, asking, "Was the technique Executive Ding just used a foreign Qi technique?"
Fang Zhixin smiled.
Ding Mai also laughed and took a gulp of his drink. He said, "Every time someone sees me use this technique, they ask the same question. The name of this technique is 'Steel Aura Technique' in Inland Land, or 'Steel Breath' in Linax Federation."
"Inland Land?"
"The Linax Federation?" Chen Chuan asked.
Inland Land was the name of the land before the establishment of the Linax Federation. In the Old Era, it had diplomatic exchanges with the Old Empire, and its people were referred to as the Inland Land people in historical records. However, they called themselves the First Tribe.
Ding Mai took another sip of his drink and said, "Captain Chen, have you heard of the Cup of Light and Water Festival?"
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and replied, "I think I've heard of it. It's said that during the founding of the Linax Federation, they invited the former Inland Land people to join them in drinking light and water from a cup, symbolizing their shared ownership of the mountains and the earth. It has since become a famous celebration."
"That's the Linax Federation's version," Ding said with a hint of disdain. "The truth is, when the Linax Federation was established, they invited the First Tribe, who had taught them ancient secret techniques, to join them. But the First Tribe refused. However, out of mutual respect, several highly respected religious leaders still attended the founding ceremony.
According to the First Tribe's ancient customs, both sides would hold a cup made from the earth's soil, snow-capped mountain water, high mountain stone, and sunlight, symbolizing reconciliation and sharing.
But when one of the religious leaders lifted the cup, it suddenly shattered. The Linax Federation immediately took offense, believing that the First Tribe was humiliating them. They immediately arrested these religious leaders and declared war."
In order to rescue the religious leaders and prevent war, the First Tribe repeatedly negotiated with the Linax Federation, who demanded the ancient heritage of the Twenty Mai as a condition.
After much deliberation, the First Tribe agreed to their terms.
Speaking of this, Ding Mai's voice grew somber, laced with a hint of helplessness and indignation, seemingly resentful of their lack of resistance.
Chen Chuan said, "When it comes to such a heritage, did the Inland people agree so easily?"
Fang Zhixin, sitting beside him, explained, "It's because before the Linax Federation was established, they had been at war with the Inland people for a long time. The First Tribe's nations were nearly destroyed, and if it weren't for the aid from the Former Imperial Family, they might not have survived."
"After the Last Emperor ascended the throne, he waged several wars to the west but never paid any attention to the distant Yinzhou across the ocean."
Ding Mai took another sip of wine, setting the cup down with a thud, and wiped his mouth. "In the end, the First Tribe handed over the highest heritages of the Sun, High Mountain, and Raging River to the Linax Federation. Only the Earth Lineage refused, crossing the ocean to seek refuge with the Former Imperial Family, offering their secret heritage. It was then collected and kept by the Former Imperial Family."
"The Linax Federation, after receiving the secrets, provided a pair of leather boots, a porcelain bowl, and a magnifying glass as compensation, declaring an eternal friendship between them. But just twenty years later, they broke the agreement, claiming that the First Tribe had not revealed all their secrets and had deceived them. They invaded the last territory of the First Tribe, toppled the religious altar, killed all the religious personnel, enslaved the survivors, and massacred a large number of the First Tribe's people."
"It happened to coincide with the Ninyu Palace Rebellion, where various Grand Masters were busy with their own affairs and had no interest or time to interfere with matters across the ocean."
"The Former Empire had its own secret techniques to practice, so they didn't pay particular attention to the Earth Lineage. Eventually, they even forgot about it. Later, during the Old Era, the government discovered the complete collection and promoted it among the descendants of the First Tribe."
Ding Mai exhaled forcefully and said, "The reason I study these Qi techniques is because I have the blood of the Yinzhou people. My great-grandmother was once the Grand Master of the Earth Lineage, but by then, the complete heritage had already been lost. It was the military who found me and taught me these techniques."
"My dream is to one day recover all the stolen secrets and bring them back."
He smiled, "Perhaps Captain Chen thinks I'm being unrealistic, but this is my sincere desire."
Chen Chuan said, "It's not about being unrealistic. Walking steadfastly towards a goal, striving to achieve it, whether it's attainable or not, is always commendable. As for the future, who knows when Ding Executor might realize his wish?"
Fang Zhixin raised his glass, "Then I'll toast to Ding Brother and Captain Chen, wishing you both achieve your heart's desires."
"Cheers!"
The three clinked their glasses together and took a drink.
After finishing his drink, Fang Zhixin smiled and said, "Captain Chen, I saw you instructing Xiao Jin earlier?"
Chen Chuan asked, "Assistant Fang, are you talking about the boy at the Training Hall?"
Fang Zhixin nodded, "Yes, Xiao Jin, he's Chen Chuan's youngest son."
Chen Chuan was taken aback. He was known as Teacher Chen because he had taught many outstanding students. But if Xiao Jin was his son, why did he seem to have never received proper fighting instruction?
Fang Zhixin sighed, "Teacher Chen has been guarding the World Ring for over twenty years. He had another son and a daughter, both of whom sacrificed themselves on the front lines. Captain Chen, did you know about this?"
Chen Chuan nodded slightly, "I've heard of it."
He had reviewed Chen Chuan's file and was aware of this matter. Setting aside the question of whether Chen Chuan was an insider or not, this fact alone deserved respect and sympathy.
Chen Chuan thought for a moment, "Is it because of what happened before that Teacher Chen doesn't want his youngest son to follow the same path?"
Fang Zhixin shook his head, "No, Teacher Chen doesn't have such personal motives. He treats everyone, including his own son and students, equally.
He sighed lightly, "If he had taken better care of his senior brother and sister and not let them undertake dangerous tasks, perhaps the outcome would have been different."
At that moment, a musical drama began on stage, with a soothing melody. Several representatives went down and politely invited some dancing girls to dance.
Chen Chuan glanced over, saw that neither of them went down, and continued, "The real reason is that Xiao Jin doesn't have the same natural talent as his brother and sister."
Chen Chuan said slowly, "Is that so? I don't think Xiao Jin is lacking."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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