Chang Ba dropped Chen Chuan off at the station, said his goodbyes, and left. Before boarding the train, Chen Chuan found a roadside phone booth and made a call to Cheng Zitong.

When the call connected, Cheng Zitong asked, "Xiaochuan, did everything go smoothly?"

Chen Chuan said, "Very smoothly, Teacher. I’m at the train station and about to head back."

"That’s good. A few days ago, didn’t you say you were almost out of medicine? I’ve been thinking about it for the past couple of days. It’s easy for me to get medicine here, but if we end up confronting the Mutual Aid Association, they’ll definitely investigate the flow of medicine to gauge your training progress.

If I procure too much, they might be able to trace it back to you based on your consumption. Since you’re on your way back anyway, you can pick up some medicine at a certain place. As for the money, you can owe me."

"Owe you?" Chen Chuan asked.

Cheng Zitong chuckled and said meaningfully, "It’s better to owe me for now. You can write an IOU. We’ll settle it after this whole thing blows over."

Chen Chuan understood. ’I see.’ He said, "Alright, Teacher. Where should I go to pick it up?"

Cheng Zitong said, "When you get to Shangbu City, go to a pharmacy called Fengji Pharmacy on Shufeng Street in North City and look for a man named Old Ou. I’ve already spoken with him. Give me a call when you get there, and I’ll have him arrange it for you. You can leave right after you get the items. Oh, and remember this place. If you need more medicine in the future, you can go there as well."

Chen Chuan said, "Okay, Teacher."

He understood Cheng Zitong’s meaning. ’Once the Mutual Aid Association makes its move, it’s hard to predict how things will develop. The medicine is crucial for my future training, so it’s wise to prepare in advance. If I really have to lay low somewhere else, this will give me a reliable supply channel.’

After hanging up, he entered the train station. When the train arrived, he boarded it directly. After a two-day journey, he disembarked in Shangbu City.

Following the address Cheng Zitong gave him, he found Fengji Pharmacy not far from the station. After calling Cheng Zitong, he successfully retrieved the medicine from the shop. The man named Old Ou was very enthusiastic, packing the medicine for him in a large box.

He estimated the quantity. ’Even for me, this should last two or three months. For an ordinary person, it would probably last a year or two.’

Old Ou asked if he needed someone to deliver it, but Chen Chuan politely declined. He carried the box with one hand and left with ease.

The whole detour took less than an hour. Afterward, he bought a bus ticket and boarded the vehicle after waiting for no more than half an hour.

He checked the time. ’It’s not even ten in the morning. At this rate, I should be back in Yangzhi City around three or four in the afternoon.’

This intensive training session had taken nearly a month, but the gains were immense.

Although he hadn’t encountered any powerful opponents, the dangers he faced during his training were unlike anything he had ever experienced before. A single misstep in certain situations could have been fatal, which provided a significant stimulus for his Second Self.

The final, exhilarating swim, in particular, had caused his Second Self to resonate with him for a long time. Based on his calculations during the journey, the duration of their overlap had increased by at least three hours at a time, reaching a total of about eight hours. He was now much closer to his goal of a twenty-four-hour overlap.

He gazed ahead, watching the scenery recede rapidly on both sides.

’Soon,’ he thought.

A little over five hours later, the bus stopped at the station in Yangzhi City. He took his luggage, slung the Snow Monarch Blade over his back, and got off. As he was leaving the station, he noticed a team of heavily armed Patrol Officers from the Patrol Bureau guarding the exit, checking people coming and going. The atmosphere seemed very tense.

He was a bit surprised. ’Usually, the station only has its own security personnel. It’s rare for the Patrol Bureau to post officers here directly.’ 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

As he went through the checkpoint, he showed his Weapon Permit. The lead Patrol Officer saw his name and involuntarily glanced at him a few times before asking politely, "Mr. Chen, are you Captain Nian’s nephew?"

Chen Chuan said, "Yes, I am."

The Patrol Officer’s attitude immediately improved. He smiled and greeted him, "I’m Xu Gui, a Patrol Officer from Quanzhou District. Brother Chen, we’re under orders from above to run these checks. It can’t be helped, so please bear with us."

Chen Chuan said, "Don’t mention it, Brother Xu. You’re just doing your duty. I understand. Has something happened recently?"

Xu Gui glanced around and gestured for two other Patrol Officers to take over his post. He then led Chen Chuan past the checkpoint and off to the side. "Brother Chen, you know about the conflict between the Blood Mark Gang and the Iron Chain Gang a while back, right?"

Chen Chuan nodded, indicating that he did.

Xu Gui tipped his cap up and continued, "The Blood Mark Gang lost three more leaders last month. Tsk, tsk, all found with their brains gone. Several of their strongholds were destroyed, and the companies they run have been repeatedly attacked. How could they not cause a scene? It used to be just fighting at night, but now there’s commotion during the day, too. We at the Patrol Bureau have had to deploy more manpower.

But of course, that’s when the resistance organizations decided to stir up trouble. The railway that was just repaired last month was bombed again, and the train station was also attacked. The higher-ups were worried this bus station might be next, so they sent us to keep an eye on things."

Chen Chuan finally understood. ’So, the conflict between the two gangs didn’t stop while I was away. Instead, it’s escalated. It seems the hand pushing this from behind is still at work.’

After thanking Xu Gui, he left the station and headed to his aunt’s house first. Since he had been out of town, he brought back some local specialties, like mutton jerky and dried fruits, and quite a lot of them.

Yu Wan was delighted. After all, whether it was Patrol Officers or their families, they rarely had the chance to leave Yangzhi City. They didn’t have much contact with the outside world, so they hardly ever saw such regional specialties.

Chen Chuan then took out two cartons of cigarettes and handed them to Nian Fuli. "Uncle, I brought these from the northwest. They’re supposed to be a good local brand; a friend recommended them. I don’t smoke, so I don’t know if they’re any good."

"Whoa, Red Camels!"

Nian Fuli instantly perked up. "They say these have a smooth flavor and really hit the spot. I have to try them!" He rubbed his hands together eagerly, but before he could reach for them, Yu Wan snatched them away. She shot him a glare. "Isn’t one pack a day enough for you? I’ll hold onto these for you."

Nian Fuli said resentfully, "But this is a gift from Xiaochuan..."

Chen Chuan smiled and didn’t get involved in their conversation. He walked over and handed some toys and a few comic books to his younger cousins, then went to his room.

After putting his things down, he took a refreshing shower and tidied up. He planned to stay for one night and return to the training hall the next day. After all, he needed to maintain his daily training, which was inconvenient to do at home. Just then, the phone rang in the living room, and his aunt’s voice called out, "Xiaochuan, it’s for you! I think it’s your teacher."

Hearing this, Chen Chuan stood up and walked out of the room.

「At the same time.」

In a private clubhouse in South City, Wei Jun swam out of the man-made lake in front of the building.

As he emerged, he flexed his muscles, shaking off the water droplets. He took a towel from an attendant and dried himself, then put on a pair of sunglasses and sat down on a lounge chair. His expression, however, remained grim.

He had returned five days ago. He’d received reliable information that because the authorities had failed to capture the recent bandits, the assessment had been repeatedly postponed. It was now certain that the C Certificate assessment would be delayed until the end of August.

And according to protocol, it would take another ten days after passing the assessment to actually receive the C Certificate. This meant that even if he was still on this year’s recommendation list for Central City, he would be missing the crucial Defense Certificate and would definitely be unable to go to Central City through the academy’s channel.

Because of this, his family had to renegotiate with other interest groups, trying to secure a spot from the next batch of candidates. But nothing had been finalized, so he was also trying to find a solution.

Just then, a butler walked up to his side and said, "Young Master, they have arrived."

Wei Jun sat up and saw Jiang Wei, Shao Xiaobie, and another beautiful, athletically built female student walk in from outside.

He waited for the three of them to approach, gestured for them to sit, and then looked at Jiang Wei and the female student. "You know why I’ve called you here. Qiao Rong, Jiang Wei, one of you two must give up your spot."

Qiao Rong let out a soft laugh. "Senior Brother Wei, you failed to secure your own spot, and now you’re asking us for one. Don’t you think that’s a bit much?"

Jiang Wei smiled. "I understand what you mean, Senior Brother. I’ve also looked into the situation. But what kind of compensation could possibly make up for our loss? As long as you can make that clear, I’m willing to give up my spot."

Qiao Rong shot Jiang Wei a sidelong glance. ’If the two of them stood together against him, there would be nothing Wei Jun could do. But it seems Jiang Wei has no intention of doing so, which makes this boring.’ She began to admire her freshly painted nails.

Shao Xiaobie, meanwhile, crossed his legs. ’This has little to do with me. Even though I’m also a third-year, I know my combat skills are far inferior to the others here. But as long as I have my connections in the Mutual Aid Association, I can get to Central City another way.’

Wei Jun said, "If you want to talk about benefits, the company and the family are already negotiating. I have nothing to say about that. But today, we can talk about something else."

He took off his sunglasses, leaned forward, and stared at the two of them. "You should know that I’m on the best terms with Senior Brother Zhao, who is currently in Central City."

"The Central City General Hospital is not an easy place to survive in. You’ve surely heard how fierce the competition is. Without someone looking out for you, will you be able to get a foothold? And without me to make the introduction, if you go there, the most Senior Brother Zhao will do is look after you a little out of courtesy." He wagged his finger. "But don’t expect him to treat you particularly well."

Qiao Rong’s brow furrowed. After hearing that, she instantly lost interest in her nails.

Jiang Wei maintained his smile. He said, "I’ve considered what you said, Senior Brother Wei, but that’s a matter for after we get into Central City. Compared to the spot itself, I don’t think it’s enough."

Wei Jun slowly sat up straight again. "Fine. If you want to hear something else, I’ll be more direct. If someone makes my life difficult, I won’t let them have an easy time either. Even without the Central Hospital, I can still get to Central City. You should understand what I mean."

His teacher, Tan Wang, was from the Secret Snake Sect, a sect based in Central City. Even if he didn’t go through the Central Hospital, he could still get to Central City through other channels. However, this path came with many conditions he disliked, so he hadn’t wanted to take it. But if he had no other choice, he wouldn’t mind giving it a try.

And at that point, he would make sure that whoever had made him unhappy would not be happy either.

Just as he was waiting for their response, the butler approached him. "Young Master, there is something you may want to pay attention to." He leaned in and whispered a few words into Wei Jun’s ear. Wei Jun didn’t seem to care at first, but as he listened, he suddenly whipped his head around to look at the butler. "Where is this person?"

The butler said respectfully, "Waiting just outside."

...

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