At three in the afternoon, Chen Chuan helped Lu Ke see Yu Gang out of the alley, where a car was already waiting.

The vehicle was arranged by the Iron Chain Gang. They considered it disposable, so letting Yu Gang use it was a surprisingly humane gesture.

The Iron Chain Gang had chosen the right side this time. They had even lost quite a few members over the matter, but crucially, they had participated in the plan to annihilate the Molan Company and earned some merit.

The collapse of the Molan Company and the downfall of dozens of powerful families had certainly left behind a great deal of assets and many market vacuums—all of it a juicy piece of fresh meat for the taking.

Although the higher-ups had likely already carved up the lion’s share, leaving only the undesirable scraps and leftovers for those who had done the grunt work, it was still more than enough for them to have their fill.

As he helped Yu Gang into the car, Chen Chuan asked, "Teacher Yu, may I ask, are there many people who know this type of Throwing Skill?"

Yu Gang said, "Truthfully, any Fighter can learn a bit of it if they’re willing to practice, but very few have an actual lineage for it.

This Throwing Skill of mine came from an old friend who has since passed away. He had a proper lineage, so the manuals he left explained everything from force application and channeling to the use of medicinal supplements.

But if you’re trying to find someone by their Throwing Skill, and if you have the means, I suggest you check with the Processing Bureau. They have the most complete archives, with records of any Fighter who has appeared in public, including their specializations."

Chen Chuan said, "Thank you, Teacher Yu."

Yu Gang said, "You are a talented man, and your will is very strong. Some of the troubles you’re facing now... if they don’t hinder your training, you can set them aside for the time being. There will always be a chance to resolve them later."

Chen Chuan nodded.

After helping Yu Gang get settled in the car, Lu Ke got out and asked, "Brother Chen, I heard from my master that you’re definitely going to Central City?"

Chen Chuan gave an affirmative answer. "I will."

Lu Ke extended a hand, saying excitedly, "That’s great! Well then, Brother Chen, we’ll head off first. See you in Central City!"

Chen Chuan high-fived him and said with a smile, "Alright. See you in Central City."

After saying their goodbyes, Lu Ke got back in the car. It started up quickly, and Lu Ke waved to him through the rear windshield. Chen Chuan waved back, standing at the intersection and watching the car carrying the two men recede into the distance.

Once the vehicle had disappeared from sight, he returned to the small training ground in front of Quan’s House. It was completely empty now. But as he walked there, the scenes from a year ago seemed as if they were from yesterday, so clear and vivid. Just then, a flock of birds flew overhead, leaving behind the WHIRRING of their beating wings.

He glanced up at the azure sky above the building, then went to the side to get his bike. He pushed it out of the alley, swung himself onto the seat, and started for home.

About ten minutes later, he was back home. With the new semester just a few days away, he packed and organized the things he would need.

The next few days were uneventful, though the news broadcasts were abuzz. Most of the stories were about the powers connected to Molan. A short while ago, the scandal had only involved companies that partnered with Molan Company, but now it was gradually implicating officials from the Administrative Affairs Hall. This signaled that the purge was entering its final phase.

On the thirty-first, he arrived at the academy, suitcase in tow. This time, as he walked onto campus, many of the students who had already arrived came up to greet him one by one, their enthusiasm palpable.

Chen Chuan politely returned every greeting. The situation only started to return to normal once he was inside the dormitory building, though even then, students passing by in the halls would still call out to him from a distance.

It couldn’t be helped. He had single-handedly toppled the entire Mutual Aid Association and then walked away unscathed from the Judgement Court. In the hearts of the young students, nothing was more worthy of admiration. Crucially, most of them had also been involved, creating a memory they would cherish and recall for the rest of their lives.

Unbeknownst to him, as the events of the past few days fermented, his reputation had soared to a height no student in the history of Wuyi Academy had ever reached. Even the academy’s teachers would now pause and think seriously upon seeing his name.

When he went to register with the dormitory supervisor, the man handed him a form and said with a smile, "So, how is it? Being a celebrity isn’t easy, is it?"

Chen Chuan took it and replied, "It’s certainly not easy. But it doesn’t matter. Once the semester starts, they won’t have the time to think about much else."

The supervisor agreed wholeheartedly. "You’ve got that right. They’re just too idle right now, full of restless energy with nowhere to vent it. Once the semester begins and the training programs pile up, I guarantee they’ll be so exhausted they’ll fall asleep the moment their heads hit the pillow. They won’t have the energy to think about anything else."

As Chen Chuan filled out the form, he commented, "It seems like there are more new students than usual this year."

The supervisor said, "The numbers go up a little every year. It’s the general trend. But I think there will be even more next year." As he spoke, he gave Chen Chuan a meaningful look.

Chen Chuan knew what he meant. The aftermath of the old factory incident wasn’t just about losing thirty-seven Recommended Students. A large number of people from the school’s board of directors and its sponsors had also been arrested, completely changing the old power structure.

This created a window of opportunity. The administration could now ignore certain regulations and restrictions that previously required compromise, treating it as a special situation during a special time. It was also a perfect chance to recruit more students.

After completing the registration form, he handed it to the supervisor. The man took it and said, "I’ve been a supervisor for a few years now, and I should be happy to see more students moving in. More people means more students under my charge. But then I think, doesn’t that also mean more work for me? My burden just got heavier."

Chen Chuan laughed. "Then you should apply for a raise, sir."

"Now that’s what I like to hear. But unfortunately, there’s an age limit for becoming the principal. By the time you’re old enough to be principal, I’m afraid I’ll already be retired," the supervisor said with a mock sigh.

Chen Chuan smiled. "That’s alright. You can get a pension increase then, sir."

"Ha, I’ll hold you to that."

After chatting with the supervisor, Chen Chuan left the registration desk, carried his suitcase into the elevator, and went up to the seventh floor. The moment he stepped out, he saw Zhuang Zhi and his group in the public training area. Seeing them look over, he gave a nod and headed down the corridor.

Zhuang Zhi and his companions had mixed feelings. At the same time, they were also a little lost.

It was as if the Mutual Aid Association had ceased to exist overnight. They were free from their obligations. They had already pocketed the benefits the association had given them, but now they no longer had to fulfill their end of the bargain.

On the surface, it seemed they had gotten the better end of the deal and should perhaps be grateful to Chen Chuan. However, the Mutual Aid Association was now infamous. Anyone who had ever joined was being questioned by the academy’s administration. Although no action was being taken against them, their reputation on campus was terrible, and this part of their history would always be a stain on their record.

They were now trying to find a way to wash away that stain. Someone had suggested joining the Fenxin Society.

The Fenxin Society had been the first to rush out in support of Chen Chuan. Back then, the Mutual Aid Association and the Molan Company were still standing, so their support had been a truly selfless act. Because of this, the members of the Fenxin Society now had an excellent reputation among the student body.

Unfortunately, the Fenxin Society wasn’t accepting just anyone, and they didn’t look kindly upon those who had willingly joined the Mutual Aid Association. So, Zhuang Zhi’s group had recently been discussing forming their own club to stick together. It seemed the roles of the two groups had now been reversed.

After entering his room, Chen Chuan set his suitcase down by the wall and glanced around at the unchanged decor. He remembered walking in just like this last year, but now, everything was different.

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at Spring and Autumn Lake below.

’Tomorrow will be a brand new day.’

He stood there for a moment, then went back to take his things out of his suitcase. After a bit of simple unpacking, he began his daily combat training.

「September 1st.」

Wuyi University Hall’s semester began. After the opening ceremony for the first-year students, Cheng Zitong came to find Chen Chuan, placing a stack of documents on his desk.

"Xiaochuan, take a look at this."

Chen Chuan picked it up and flipped through it. The file listed a summary of his experiences since enrolling in Wuyi Academy, including the various commissioned tasks he had completed, evaluations from the three departments, and proof of his Weapon Permit and Unlimited Defense Certificate. The file was thick and filled to the brim with information.

He hadn’t even realized he’d accomplished so much in just one year.

Cheng Zitong said, "This resume looks very satisfying. It’s just missing an Armor Certificate. It would be even more satisfying with one."

Chen Chuan looked up. "Teacher, it’s not impossible to get one."

Cheng Zitong looked at him and smiled. "It seems you’ve been busy these last couple of days. Hmm, your teacher will be waiting for your good news. We’ll add it to this resume then. But for now, you can fill out this application form. I’ll submit it right away to get the principal’s signature first, and we can submit the supporting materials later."

Chen Chuan nodded. The matter of the national conscription was subject to confidentiality. He couldn’t disclose anything while the mission was ongoing, especially since, in theory, the conscription period hadn’t officially ended yet. So he couldn’t tell Cheng Zitong about it. Of course, it would be fine to do so afterward, and he could even openly add it to his resume.

’The application could be filled out now. First, he’d get it approved by the academy’s upper management. Then, before submitting it to the Central Hospital, he could hand in the updated resume along with it.’

He carefully filled out the form, double-checked it, signed his name, and affixed his personal seal before handing it to Cheng Zitong. Cheng Zitong looked it over once, saw no issues, cleared his throat, and solemnly wrote his own name in the advising teacher’s section.

Then he picked it up again, looked at it, and remarked with a sigh, "I never thought my name, Cheng Zitong, would appear in the advising teacher section for a student heading to Central City."

He chuckled and said to Chen Chuan, "Your teacher knows his own limits. My guidance is only so-so. Being able to get this recognition is all thanks to you, Xiaochuan."

Chen Chuan replied earnestly, "Without you, Teacher, this student wouldn’t be where he is today."

He meant it from the bottom of his heart. Cheng Zitong was bold enough to give him free rein and had been incredibly supportive of his ideas. If he’d had a different teacher, one who had placed even a few restrictions on him—for example, by disagreeing with his choice of Force Technique—his future path might have been completely different.

Cheng Zitong looked at him and nodded. "The best decision I ever made was to become your advising teacher." He then added with a hint of regret, "It’s just a shame Old He’s name can’t be on here."

Chen Chuan thought for a moment and said, "I don’t think Teacher He would need this anyway."

"You’re right. Old He is a free spirit; he doesn’t care about these things. But if nothing had happened to Shen Zheng back then, his name would probably be on this form too."

Hearing him mention Shen Zheng, Chen Chuan said, "Teacher, back at the old factory district, I learned something from Wei Jun. On the day Senior Brother Shen Zheng was persecuted, the Mutual Aid Association found his long-lost sister. It seems they later took her to Central City."

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