Chapter 38: Return To The University
After they drove out of the old base, they soon returned to the public road. Chen Chuan turned around and observed it for a moment before saying, “That looked like a military base.”
“That’s right. It’s a sentry post left behind from the Great Expansion. Big Guo took it over, but no one’s going to chase him out. Most of the leaders of the Blood Scars Gang have banded together and are staying holed up in the city. Only Big Guo is willing to stay outside the city because he doesn’t get along with the other gang members.”
Chen Chuan pondered over this. Qiu Huzi’s forbidden drugs came from Central City, and this particular public road led straight there. He refused to believe that there was no connection between the two.
“But you were amazing. You acted swiftly and with a no-nonsense attitude. That kick too... Phew. Honestly, I don’t think I’d have been able to take it and come out fine. Don’t worry, I’ll give an honest account. I’d be scum if I didn’t give you a good evaluation.”
“You mentioned just now that I can get a permit once I get enough positive evaluations. What’s all that about? I didn’t see any mention of this in the enrollment guide,” Chen Chuan said after some thinking.
“Oh, that? You normally get that information from your mentor, but I can give you a general gist. You’ve seen all the gang members carrying weapons, right? Have you ever thought about why we didn’t bring any with us when we came here?
“I couldn’t because I was on a mission as an agent, but I didn’t give you a weapon either because Martial Valor University students are not allowed to carry them outside campus grounds. You need to get a permit for that. With it, you can legally carry weapons with you no matter where you go, and that includes small caliber pistols and rifles. But firearms are under strict regulation. You need to report whenever you use one, so they’re really troublesome, but you’ll have no problems with melee weapons.
“You can only get that permit from Martial Valor University, and it’s effective for life. It’s also recognized globally, not just within the Great Shun Republic.
“Even though certain places allow their people to carry weapons, they can only use them in those regions. Once outside, they need to communicate with the relevant departments and get a temporary permit. There are also other complications involved, so it’s really troublesome.
“There are a lot of other useful permits aside from this one. You need to increase your evaluation score to get them via missions. One example is the armor permit. That’s even harder to get, but it allows you to wear certain protective gear that will make average firearms useless against you.
“There’s a saying that goes like this: A man with weapons and armor has nothing to fear. It means that if martial artists like us have armor and weapons, it’s difficult to subdue us through normal means.”
Chen Chuan did think that it would be great if he could get a weapons or armor permit. It would increase his survival rate by a lot. If nothing else, the protective gear could reduce the threat of the stones that killed the old Chen Chuan.
“Are there many dispatch missions like this? Since Martial Valor University has so many students, they should take care of all sorts of things, no?” Chen Chuan asked.
Wei Changan gave him a judging look. “You still don’t understand your current status, huh? You should get used to it soon. Who do you think those who passed the follow-up exam are? Have you toured the campus before? Have you seen the martial arts combat hall? It’s right behind the main hall. They’re lined up in a straight row.”
“I saw it once. It’s beautiful and huge,” Chen Chuan answered.
“Five years ago, the university received a lot of donations to build that martial arts combat hall. It can accommodate two thousand students fighting inside at the same time. But that’s the arena for second-class students. In the future, they have to obtain glory and reputation through tournaments and competitions to become action stars or the security of various departments.
“As for us? The higher-ups want us to manage and keep them in check. When necessary, we are to subdue them. We are to become the foundation that maintains the peace of the country and even the world. That’s why only first-class students like us can do dispatch missions and earn the permits!
“Of course, if you want to pursue higher education, you can continue to go for further studies in the university itself and become a lecturer. This might give you a chance to get a recommendation to go to the main campus and learn even more complex martial arts theories. If you’re outstanding enough, you may get to go to Central City too,” Wei Changan said with a smile.
“Since the higher-ups are so wary of students who can fight, why do they want the other campuses of the university to expand enrollment and increase student intake every year?”
“Because the current trend demands it. You’ll understand it in the future.” Wei Changan looked at Chen Chuan through the rearview mirror, then took a turn
Since Wei Changan was speaking in riddles, Chen Chuan decided not to pursue it. “You mentioned going to Central City to study. Are there any lecturers in Martial Valor University from Central City?”
“Yes, but he’s only teaching recommended students, and not just any recommended students either. He only teaches those who are truly worthy and talented. This lecturer doesn’t stay in the university for long. We practically don’t see him.
“What’s this? Are you interested in Central City? I can understand. I’ve thought about going there myself... but it’s hard. The higher-ups of the university are the ones who issue the referral quota each year, and the quota is mostly given to the recommended students. Still, having a dream is a good thing. But remember...”
He slowed down and turned his head around to say sternly, “There is a strict line separating the students in the university. Students of different classes are only allowed to do what their classes are allowed to do and get achievements allowed for their classes. The recommended students are to do what they’re supposed to do, and the first-class students are to do what they’re supposed to do. We must follow the rules and not cross the line. That’s the only way to avoid mistakes. Otherwise...”
A melancholic look settled in his eyes, and he shook his head. “Just remember what I said.”
Chen Chuan did not ask any further questions.
Wei Changan drove straight to the headquarters of Yangzhi City’s Constabulary, located in the Peace District. He dragged Qiu Huzi out, then returned to the car and handed Chen Chuan three copies of a form. “Sign all three.”
Chen Chuan took them. It was a task report to be written and signed by agents.
The report was basically a description of the day’s events written out in great detail. It stated all they did in an objective, clear manner.
At the end was a box requiring the signatures of the agents. Wei Changan had already signed it.
Chen Chuan signed all three papers.
Wei Changan waited for him and took the signed forms before going back into the Constabulary. Soon, he came back and gave Chen Chuan a form with a stamp on it. “Alright. Keep this with you and hold on to it tight. The Constabulary will send a copy of the report to the university. Then, you’ll get positive evaluation points. By the way, get a personal stamp and a personal bank account. I’ll send you money so this mission wouldn’t have wasted your time.”
Chen Chuan folded the form and put it away. He smiled. “You’re gonna pay me?”
Wei Changan laughed. “Did you actually think you were doing this for free? We get paid for all missions where we act on someone else’s behalf. That’s why I brought you along. As for how much you’ll get? Don’t worry. You won’t be shortchanged. By the way, it’s almost noon. I’ll bring you to a nice place to eat, then I’ll send you back to the university. How does that sound?”
“You don’t have to go to such trouble. It’s my first day at university, so I should probably head back. I’ll eat in the university’s cafeteria,” Chen Chuan rejected the offer.
“Alright.”
Wei Changan drove Chen Chuan to the male dormitory. “I’ll drop you off here.”
Chen Chuan unfastened his seatbelt and walked out. Once he grabbed his luggage, he said, “Changan.”
“Yeah?” Wei Changan looked up from inspecting the dirt stains on his car.
Chen Chuan smiled. “Tell Captain Wei to throw the mop he’s hiding away.”
He then walked into the dormitory.
Wei Changan’s expression stiffened before he laughed.
“This brat.” He shook his head, got into his car, reversed, and left to head to the administrative office building.
He went straight to the fifth floor and found the Admission Department with familiar ease. After he knocked on the door, Bian Feng looked up.
“Come in.”
Wei Changan walked in and placed the report on the table.
Bian Feng picked it up. “It’s done?”
Wei Changan could not help but praise Chen Chuan. “It is. He’s good, Mr. Bian. But why were you in such a hurry to give him a mission on his first day? Was it really because he was involved in this?”
Bian Feng read through the report and put it down before saying, “It was just in case. If a certain someone is freed up after today, he might find all sorts of excuses to hold him up, and Chen Chuan would be stuck for an entire semester, unable to go anywhere. But with this, it’ll be much easier. It will allow us to give him more support.”
He picked the report up and waved it.
Wei Changan understood what he meant.
For assigned missions, the clients usually asked for students with a resume and experience. If they did not have that, no one would pick them.
After all, each year had a lot of students. If someone fell behind, it was hard for them to catch up. It was also not hard to manipulate things behind the scenes to get this sort of result. All one needed to do was find an excuse to hold a person back, and they would not be able to fight back.
Then, all they could do was watch as everyone else progressed.
Wei Changan could also see the deeper meaning behind university management’s actions. The more often a student worked with the various departments in the Civil Affairs Bureau or other clients, the more outstanding their resume would be, and the greater their rewards. They could even get a scholarship, so it would not be easy for others to use money to manipulate them.
If the student had a high success rate on assigned missions, then all sorts of parties would try to draw them to their side and support them. After all, success meant money, and money talked. Then, with the university’s support, that student would get connections within and outside the university. These unseen things were often of great help. If a student had good connections, then even if someone wanted to hurt them, they had to think twice about it.
Wei Changan adopted a solemn expression. “Chen Chuan is a family member of a constable. Mr. Bian, promise me not to push him into that position. I don’t want to see a repeat of the incident from two years ago.”
Bian Feng fell silent for a moment. “We’ve learned our lesson. We won’t do it again.”