After leaving the Patrol Bureau Headquarters, Chen Chuan stood before the wide gates and thought for a moment. Ever since he decided to confront the Mutual Aid Association, he hadn’t returned to the company or even called. The company wasn’t far from here, so he figured he should go check on things.

He remembered that the families of rich kids like Ren Shu had business dealings with those powerful families, and to a certain extent, even relied on them. However, in a place like Yangzhi City, anyone who wanted to do business couldn’t avoid those people.

Ren Shu and the others were actually the less-favored children in their families. They weren’t groomed to be heirs, nor were they sent to Wuyi Academy, which was why they had chosen to start their own company.

’I wonder if they got dragged into this.’

Just as he was about to leave, he saw a line of Patrol Bureau cars driving out of the Headquarter. The window of one car opened, and someone stuck their head out to greet him, "Brother Chen?"

Chen Chuan recognized him as Patrol Officer Xu Gui, whom he had met at the station a few days ago after training. He responded, "Oh, it’s Brother Xu."

"All by yourself? Where are you headed? Want me to give you a lift?"

Chen Chuan said, "Brother Xu, you must be on duty, right?"

Xu Gui said, "It’s nothing much. Just following orders to confiscate some people’s properties. That stuff isn’t going anywhere. We’re not in a huge rush."

Chen Chuan politely refused, "No, thanks, Brother Xu. It’s just a short walk for me."

"Alright then. Say hello to Captain Nian for me." Xu Gui didn’t insist. He glanced at his colleague in the car, shouted the remark, and pulled his head back in. The armored car quickly drove away in a cloud of dust.

After leaving, Chen Chuan walked just a few blocks and arrived near his company’s building. The security guard saw him, opened the main gate with a pleasant surprise, and said, "Mr. Chen! Manager Ren and the others are here!"

Chen Chuan was a bit surprised. "Oh, they are?"

"Yes, they’re all here."

As Chen Chuan entered the company building, he saw Ren Shu step out of an elevator. A joyful look appeared on Ren Shu’s face, and he hurried over. "Mr. Chen, it’s so good to see you’re okay," Ren Shu said, his voice laced with excitement. He then added apologetically, "We heard what happened and wanted to come support you, but our families wouldn’t let us."

Xiaojiang, who was beside him, spoke up, "Brother Chen, you have no idea. When our families heard we were associated with you, they told us to immediately remove your name from the company and warned us not to associate with you anymore."

"Like we’d listen to them!"

"Exactly! They even threatened to cut off our funding and make us shut down the company. Pfft. We started this place with our own allowances and gifts from other relatives. Did they really think we were using their money?"

"If you ask me, what Brother Chen did was brilliant. Shao Xiaobie and his crew always walk around with their noses in the air, acting like they’re too good to even look at you. The sight of them makes me sick."

The others all chimed in in agreement. It seemed they had put up with a lot from them. This was mainly because their family elders often compared them to people like Wei Jun, Jiang Wei, and Shao Xiaobie, and they were long since sick of it.

Chen Chuan looked at them. ’It seems they haven’t been affected so far, but who knows what will happen next.’ He gave a word of caution, "Brother Ren, the situation might change. You all need to be careful."

Ren Shu said solemnly, "I know. Thank you for the warning, Brother Chen."

Chen Chuan knew that Ren Shu and his friends might be clueless about day-to-day business operations, but when it came to these kinds of power dynamics, they had grown up hearing about them and should understand the implications. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Since it was nearly time for lunch, he ate with everyone at the company before leaving. He took the car driven by Driver Xiaowei back to his aunt’s house.

From the moment he got back, the sound of Patrol Bureau cars patrolling outside was incessant, continuing all through the night.

When Chen Chuan got up in the morning and turned on the radio, the news reported that certain powerful families in Yangzhi City had colluded with the Molan Company, seized water sources, and intended to use toxic substances to hold the people around Yangzhi City hostage in a confrontation against the government.

After hearing this news, he was certain that the Molan Company affair was likely wrapped up.

’After today,’ he thought, ’anyone from the Upper Layer who colluded with Molan Company will become a public pariah. Yangzhi City is turning a new page, beginning a new Chapter.’

After returning from practicing his fist forms outside, the phone in the living room rang. He went over and picked it up. Cheng Zitong’s happy voice came through, "Xiaochuan, have you heard the news? Molan Company has fallen."

Chen Chuan said, "Yes, Teacher, I know. I heard it on the radio this morning."

Cheng Zitong said with a laugh, "The new term starts in a few days. Xiaochuan, I’ve already prepared your application materials. As soon as the term begins, you can apply for a spot to go to Central City. If nothing changes, it should be approved quickly."

Chen Chuan looked up and said earnestly, "Thank you, Teacher."

Cheng Zitong let out a hearty laugh. "You’re always too polite. Anyway, you’ve been under too much stress these past few days. Take advantage of the few days before the term starts and get some proper rest. We can talk more when we see each other."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Chuan walked out of the room and stood on the steps by the door. He looked up at the morning sun shining down, watching the green leaves of a nearby tree sway gently in the wind. A rare sense of relaxation washed over his body and mind.

He reached out his hand, watching it enter the sunlight and feeling the breeze brush past. Then he slowly clenched his fist. From the living room came his aunt’s voice, "Chan’Er, time to eat."

"Time to eat! Time to eat!" came the voices of his younger cousins.

Chen Chuan called back, "Okay, I’m coming."

The voices of Nian Fuli and his aunt came from inside the house again:

"I have things to do at the Bureau today. I have to leave early."

"I know. Remember, one pack of cigarettes a day. No more."

"Alright, alright. You say it every day. I’m surprised my ears haven’t grown calluses."

"You never remember, so I have to keep saying it."

Chen Chuan smiled slightly, pulled his hand back, and turned to walk back into the house.

After breakfast, Nian Fuli left for the Bureau, and his aunt took his younger cousins out as well. Chen Chuan stayed alone in his room, reading a book and enjoying the rare leisure time.

Just before noon, a voice called from outside, "Is Xiaochuan home?"

Chen Chuan recognized the voice. It belonged to the owner of the small shop at the alley’s entrance. She was also from a Patrol Bureau family, and her son often helped deliver things to his house.

He walked out from inside, opened the door, and asked, "Aunt Qiu, what is it?"

Aunt Qiu was a middle-aged woman around fifty. She said, "Ah, Xiaochuan, I saw you come back yesterday, so I figured you’d be home. There’s a phone call for you. I asked who it was, and he said he practices martial arts with you. But I know you’re a Wuyi Student, and his voice didn’t sound like he was from Wuyi, so I pressed him..."

Before she could finish, Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Thank you, Aunt Qiu. I know who it is."

"Oh, you already know? Well, I’ll be." Aunt Qiu stopped, looking like she still had more to say. She walked with him toward the alley entrance, asking, "By the way, is your aunt home today? The pattern on that sweater she knitted last time was so nice. I have to ask her to make one for me someday... Captain... I saw Captain Nian leave earlier than usual..."

Enduring her rambling chatter, Chen Chuan walked to the front of the small shop. He picked up the phone and said, "Hello, this is Chen Chuan. Is that you, Brother Lu?"

’The caller is probably Lu Ke,’ he guessed. ’Since Yu Gang has a criminal record, I couldn’t give them my aunt’s number. I gave them the number for the alley shop instead, and this is the only time I’ve ever given it out.’

As expected, Lu Ke’s voice came from the other end. "Brother Chen, it’s me... Brother Chen, are you free? Can you come over? Teacher wants to see you. The usual place, Quan’s House..."

Chen Chuan suddenly remembered what Old Feng had said about the Iron Chain Gang when he came back yesterday. He didn’t ask for details over the phone. "Okay, I’m on my way."

After hanging up, he thanked Aunt Qiu, returned to the courtyard, and wheeled out his bicycle. He then started riding toward Quan’s House.

’Ever since Yu Gang joined the Iron Chain Gang, he seemed to want to keep me out of it and stopped contacting me. I went to look for him once but couldn’t find him, and we haven’t been in touch since. Thinking about it, it’s been almost a year.’

Fifteen minutes later, he arrived at the alley leading to Quan’s House. He dismounted his bike and walked in. He saw Lu Ke sitting on an old tire, seemingly waiting for him. Upon seeing him, Lu Ke immediately stood up, but when he got a clear look at Chen Chuan, he froze for a moment.

In the past year, Chen Chuan had grown a bit taller. Moreover, as a Second Limit Fighter who had even killed two Third Limit Fighters, his spirit and presence were completely different from before. That was why at first glance, Lu Ke almost didn’t recognize him.

Seeing him, Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Brother Lu, it’s been a while."

Recognizing the familiar smile, Lu Ke finally approached. He smiled back and clasped hands with him, but then his expression faltered. "Teacher... he..."

Chen Chuan looked towards the building and asked, "What happened to Teacher Yu?"

Lu Ke pressed his lips together and turned to walk into the room. Chen Chuan followed. Inside, he saw Yu Gang sitting in a chair. His face was pale, and his once powerful body now looked gaunt. He only had one arm left. His legs and his other arm were gone, and dark red bloodstains seeped through the bandages.

Chen Chuan stammered, "Teacher Yu, you..."

But Yu Gang was very calm. "It’s nothing. Yesterday, I was with the Iron Chain Gang holding back the Molan Company. Since I promised to do something for them, and the Iron Chain Gang helped me solve my problem, it’s only right that I repay them."

Lu Ke, his eyes red, said, "Teacher crawled back last night with one hand."

Yu Gang shook his head. "Compared to those who died there, I’m much better off. At least I’m still alive." He sized up Chen Chuan for a few moments. "I can tell you’ve learned a lot at Wuyi Academy this past year. Very good. I called you here today to say goodbye."

Lu Ke said from the side, "Teacher is preparing to go to Central City for implant surgery. He’s planning to leave this afternoon."

Lu Ke said, "I asked around with the Iron Chain Gang. Good implants should be able to help Teacher return to a normal life. It might even be possible for him to recover his former strength."

Yu Gang said, "Mm, the Iron Chain Gang was decent this time. They gave me a good sum for my injuries and for my retirement. It’s just that Yangzhi City doesn’t have the facilities for this, so I plan to make a trip to Central City next. By the way, this is for you."

He took out a booklet and held it out. Chen Chuan quickly went up and took it.

"I know Lu Ke taught you the Throwing Technique, but that’s just the simplest version. This booklet contains methods for Force Transmission and Application. It shouldn’t be too difficult for you at your current level. It’s not some profound technique. In today’s world, this kind of thing is useful in some ways, and useless in others. Just keep it as a memento."

Chen Chuan put it away carefully and said, "Thank you, Teacher Yu." He added, "Teacher Yu, if there’s anything you need help with, please be sure to tell me."

Yu Gang said, "That won’t be necessary."

Lu Ke said, "Teacher has a former student who settled in the Lower City District of Central City. We’ve already called her. She said she can get in touch with an implant doctor, so there shouldn’t be any problems."

Chen Chuan thought for a moment and said, "In that case, Teacher Yu, what time are you leaving? I’ll see you off."

...

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