Chapter 653 - 4: Arrival

Instructor Wen smiled and said, "While there are no explicit rules, traditionally, a referrer is not only a guide but also a patron for the referred person within the School. They also have the responsibility of providing necessary instruction and passing down the School’s Secret Techniques."

He said with a hint of regret, "Previously, I would have been happy to be your referrer, Manager Chen. However, given your current strength and status, I don’t believe I’m suitable anymore."

In terms of fighting skills, Chen Chuan had already mastered Heart Force, and he himself was only at that level. Aside from some Secret Techniques, there was almost nothing he could teach Chen Chuan. It would be even more difficult for him to act as the latter’s patron.

As for their government positions, the gap between them was even wider. Although this was partly for his own personal reasons, it was clear that he couldn’t offer Chen Chuan any significant help in this area either.

A referrer like that was obviously unsuitable.

He looked at Chen Chuan. "Manager Chen, I accept your application. I will find a suitable referrer for you. Please leave your contact information, and I will get back to you as soon as I have news."

Chen Chuan nodded. He took a notepad from his pocket, wrote down his contact information, tore out the page, and left it on the desk.

"Instructor Wen, Central City has given me a three-month vacation. I’ll be staying in Yangzhi City for about a month, so you should be able to find me here during that time. If I go elsewhere, you can reach me at this phone number and telegram frequency."

Instructor Wen said, "I will send a telegram to submit your application to my superiors shortly. Manager Chen, you can go home and wait for news. If it’s fast, you’ll hear back within half a month. If it’s slow, it might take forty to fifty days."

Chen Chuan said, "Thank you, Instructor Wen." He stood up. "I’ll go home and wait for news then. I apologize for the disturbance today. I’ll take my leave now."

Instructor Wen also stood and escorted him to the door. Chen Chuan turned and said, "Please, don’t see me out, Instructor Wen." With a polite nod, he left.

Walking back, Chen Chuan mulled over what Instructor Wen had said. ’These major Schools of the new era can no longer be viewed as organizations dedicated purely to their Fighting Styles.’

’Since they can put forward their own unique philosophies and political agendas, they must be organizations with considerable influence in the Upper Layer.’

’Instructor Wen only asked him a few questions and didn’t explain much about the Pure Sect itself. This is probably because I’m not a true member yet.’

’From the looks of it, the Pure Sect places almost no demands or restrictions on its peripheral members; they are free to come and go. Obviously, that won’t be the case once someone becomes a true member.’

’However, the evaluation established by the Pure Sect is a two-way street. They are evaluating me, but I can also evaluate them. If their ultimate philosophy clashes with my own, it’s not out of the question to consider other options.’

After returning home, he went through his daily training routine in the courtyard.

He planned to visit Teacher Cheng in a few days. Wuyi Academy was currently at the end of its term, and in previous years, this was the busiest time for the entire academy.

If he went now with his current status, Wuyi Academy would definitely have to hold a formal welcoming ceremony, which would just be a hassle for the school. It would be better to wait for a day off to visit, so as not to cause a stir.

In the afternoon, he took his private car and drove all the way to the place where the Molan Company members had been annihilated by artillery fire.

A railway was being constructed here, a joint project between the Yuan’an Company and the government. The goal was to connect the military port of Cold Valley City in the north with Yangzhi City.

Construction on this line had begun when he left Yangzhi City to study in Central City. It was expected to take another two to three years to complete.

Once finished, it would create a complete, uninterrupted land transport route to the north. The army could then advance southward from the north by land, and more troops and supplies could be sent north from the south.

He sat in his private car, protected by several armed vehicles in front and behind, and took a tour along the already completed section of the track.

It wasn’t that he was personally interested. The Processing Bureau had asked him to inspect the area if he had time during his return trip.

Although the Yuan’an Company was a National Enterprise, the Processing Bureau still had the duty to regulate it, because these enterprises had to remain in the nation’s hands.

In truth, having reached his level, he was already aware of some of the internal affairs. Besides the Processing Bureau, personnel from the General Affairs Bureau were also inside these National Enterprises, watching them at all times. This internal and external oversight ensured they were kept firmly under control and could not break free from regulation.

While he was on his inspection, security personnel from the Yuan’an Company spotted his motorcade and immediately reported it to the person in charge of the site.

The person in charge could tell this was no ordinary motorcade and immediately contacted the company. He was instantly told to let them be and not to interfere.

If the other party approached with questions, he was to answer truthfully with what he knew. If they didn’t stop, he was not to approach them and simply remain silent.

The person in charge immediately realized some bigwig had probably arrived. He quickly instructed his subordinates not to get involved, to grant them passage, and to cooperate as much as possible if the other party had any requests.

Chen Chuan’s visit this time was just a formality. Both sides understood the implicit meaning, so after a brief look around, he went straight back without getting out of the car or contacting anyone.

After returning home, he immediately drafted a report to be sent to the Bureau by telegram the next day. That would be enough to fulfill his duty.

The next morning, just as he was about to leave for the Bureau, the phone in the living room rang. He picked it up and found it was Mr. Wen.

"Manager Chen, the School has already responded. In two days, someone in charge of the evaluation will arrive. It’s highly likely he will also be your referrer."

Chen Chuan was a little surprised. "So soon?"

Wen Tong said with a smile, "It is a bit fast. This shows that the School values you highly."

At first, he too was surprised by the School’s swift response. But on second thought, it wasn’t strange. For Chen Chuan to have reached his current position, he must possess not only an impeccable record of achievements but also formidable strength.

Among the young people he knew, there might be others who achieved something similar before the age of twenty, but they all had extraordinary family backgrounds or powerful connections to rely on. Chen Chuan was the only one who had reached this level all by himself.

Once the restrictions from above were removed for a talent like him, the heights he could reach were hard to imagine. In the future, he might even become a pillar supporting the entire School.

He could see this, and so could the people within the School. They definitely wouldn’t let him slip away. If they were any later, he might be recruited by another School.

He glanced at the received telegram. The referrer wasn’t the one he had requested, but someone else. He pondered for a moment and muttered to himself, "Perhaps this is for the best."

「Two days later.」

A train was heading toward Yangzhi City. In one of the VIP cars sat a tall, thin man with medium-length hair. His hair was a bit messy but not at all dirty. He wore a trench coat that was neither new nor old, and next to him was a suitcase worn in many places.

He sat perfectly still for the entire journey, and not a single person came in to check on him.

A few Hours later, an announcement came over the train’s broadcast system, informing passengers that the train had arrived at the Yangzhi City station.

The tall, thin man stood up from his seat and disembarked at the station. The welcome area was packed with a dense crowd of government personnel, lined-up security Soldiers, and Patrol Officers from the Patrol Bureau.

This was because a Civil Servant from another region was also on this train. Or rather, the train was his private charter.

The tall, thin man glanced over casually and walked right past the front of the ceremonial procession. Neither the Civil Servant who was currently giving a speech, nor the security Soldiers standing guard, nor the accompanying Fighter security personnel saw him. Even as he passed less than half a meter in front of them, it was as if he were invisible.

Outside the station, he saw an apple stand on the side of the road. He casually picked one up and tossed a coin onto the stand.

After walking for a while, he looked at the buildings and streets, as if remembering something. He fumbled in his pocket and took out a slip of paper. Written on it was:

"Bao Feng District, Jingtan Road, Patrol Bureau Family Area No. 53. After exiting the station, head north along Station Avenue, then turn west at Caiyuan Street..."

After the detailed address, it went on to suggest that he take a local tram or a rickshaw, which would be more convenient and save him the trouble of finding the place himself.

He seemed to scorn these latter suggestions. He looked up, then walked off with complete confidence.

Chen Chuan had already arrived at Instructor Wen’s home and was waiting for the referrer to arrive. He took the opportunity to ask the instructor about the man’s identity.

Instructor Wen said with a smile, "This man is a Fighting Master. His lineage within the Pure Sect can be traced back to the early days of the old era. It is very appropriate for him to be your referrer and evaluator, Manager Chen."

"A Fighting Master..."

Chen Chuan’s heart stirred. ’To think they would send a Fighting Master to be a referrer... This gives me a new appreciation for the Pure Sect’s strength. It also shows me how much they value me.’

He asked, "Instructor, shouldn’t we go and meet him?"

Instructor Wen shook his head. "This man has a rather eccentric personality. He doesn’t like being formally welcomed or seen off, so it’s best we just wait here."

Chen Chuan nodded.

But they waited and waited, all the way until seven in the evening, and still, no one came.

Chen Chuan had heard from Instructor Wen that the man’s train was supposed to arrive around one in the afternoon. He had also called earlier and confirmed that no trains were delayed today. Even with some hold-up on the way, he should have arrived by now, no matter what.

Instructor Wen didn’t seem surprised by this. He smiled and said, "Let’s wait a little longer."

Chen Chuan suddenly had a strange sense of déjà vu.

The two of them sat there until it was nearly midnight. By the time their house was almost the only one in the neighborhood with its lights still on, footsteps sounded from outside.

Instructor Wen smiled. "He’s here."

Chen Chuan stood up and followed him out of the living room and into the courtyard. There, they saw a tall, thin man carrying a suitcase walk in from the outside.

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