Chapter 94: Sheathing The Saber And Waiting For The Next Mission
After Guan Yuming returned to the city with the other constables, he did not relax. Instead, both he and the constables were on guard for an entire night. When morning arrived and he became certain that there were no longer any problems left, he sent the constables back to rest in batches.
The senior constables all knew that the resistance group had a hand in this, and they would not have helped Fang Dawei and his gang for nothing. Something was meant to happen.
The quiet they experienced was most likely due to Guan Yuming returning too quickly, which did not give them enough time to set up their plans. Still, the metaphorical bomb was already buried, and there was no telling when it was going to explode.
As the captain of the Sealed District, Nian Fuli had stayed the entire night at his post. When it was almost noon the next day, the chief called him over to ask a few questions before letting him leave.
When he left the station, a large number of people greeted him on his way back due to his nephew being in the limelight. It pleased him so much that he rang his bicycle’s bell louder while riding back.
“Lao Nian? You’re back!”
“Welcome back! Thank you for your hard work!”
“You’ve only just come back? You must be exhausted. My husband was also on the night shift last night and was grumbling about it with me.”
“Captain, you’re no longer young. Don’t overwork yourself.”
When Nian Fuli entered the alley leading to his house, it was almost time for lunch. The moment his neighbors heard his bicycle’s bell, they popped up to greet him warmly.
Everyone in the area had seen Nian Fuli’s nephew return in Guan Yuming’s car, and Captain Bei, Guan Yuming’s driver, had sent him to the entrance himself. Apparently, he had helped the Constabulary capture Fang Dawei and his gang and brought great honor to the Constabulary.
Nian Fuli greeted them back, which slowed him down considerably. When he finally walked into the courtyard, he was singing an opera song. Yu Wan was waiting for him inside and came up to take his bag before patting his back. “Go and change your clothes. You smell like ash and smoke.”
“Even though I patted myself down outside?” Nian Fuli grumbled before handing a newspaper to Yu Wan. “Anyway, take a look.”
“What is it?” Yu Wan asked.
“Xiao Chuan is on it,” Nian Fuli replied.
Yu Wan immediately grabbed it and opened it. Once she found the article, she started reading it out loud, “‘Martial Valor University student shows bravery and righteousness while aiding the Constabulary to capture robbers...’ What a lame title. It doesn’t show Chan’er’s strengths at all,” she criticized the title bluntly.
She then read it from line to line repeatedly. “And his name isn’t even mentioned...”
Nian Fuli went to get a cup and pour himself some water. “Don’t you understand? This is to protect him. The Constabulary and Martial Valor University both know what Xiao Chuan did. Just watch, they’ll definitely reward him.”
That did not stop Yu Wan from scoffing at the article. She grabbed Nian Fuli’s cup and poured hot water into it. “That’s cold water! Why would you drink it when there’s hot water? I already prepared it for you, but you didn’t even check the kettle. Both of you make me worry so much! Also, that article is just empty word vomit. They might as well have said nothing.”
“He’s in the newspaper. Why are you still unhappy about it?”
I’ve never been featured in an article before, Nian Fuli mumbled inwardly.
Despite what Yu Wan said, she grabbed the newspaper again and read through the article once more.
Nian Fuli yawned and changed out of his clothes and shoes.
Yu Wan lowered the newspaper. “By the way, I’ve been busy answering calls since yesterday afternoon. People from the Constabulary have been asking for information about Chan’er. Some of them were interested in how old he is and whether he’s married yet. Chan’er is only sixteen, but even if he was at the age to get married, he should be the one deciding who he should marry. My sister married my brother-in-law against my parents’ wishes, remember?”
“Chan’er has a mind of his own. We don’t need to worry about him,” Nian Fuli reassured her.
Yu Wan looked at the floor before standing up and grabbing a mop to clean the floor. “The others came back quite early. Our neighbor did so too. Why were you so late?”
Nian Fuli chuckled. “Why was I late, you ask? Because my former company commander asked to see me. He said that he knows how hard I’ve worked over the years and only let me go after asking a few things.”
Yu Wan had been married to him for years, so she could tell that there was an underlying meaning to his words. She stopped mopping the floor and asked, “Why do I feel like you’re implying something?”
“Don’t overthink it. Nothing’s decided yet. I’m going to take a nap. Call me when lunch is ready,” Nian Fuli said while dismissing her worries with a wave. He then put his hands behind his back and walked to the bedroom at a leisurely pace.
Yu Wan pouted. “So cocky.”
She started mopping the floor a little faster while humming a tune from her teenage years.
***
Feng Xiaoqi paced about with a newspaper in Chen Chuan’s room back in the dorm in Martial Valor University. After reading the article, he looked up at Chen Chuan. His face was full of amazement and envy as he exclaimed, “You’re amazing!”
Luo Kaiyuan nodded as well. “You did great, Chen Chuan.”
His focus was different from that of Feng Xiaoqi. His attention was not on how strong Chen Chuan was, but on the fact that the villagers thanked Chen Chuan for taking revenge for their relatives.
“If you had been there, you would have done the same,” Chen Chuan replied.
Luo Kaiyuan agreed with that statement.
Feng Xiaoqi shook his head rapidly. “Not a chance! I wouldn’t be able to do it. I’m not as strong as you two.”
“You’re underestimating yourself, Feng Xiaoqi,” Chen Chuan reassured him.
No first-class student in Martial Valor University was weak. They were either naturally gifted or outstanding martial artists. He had observed his dormmates before, and they were pretty skilled.
Feng Xiaoqi felt embarrassed. Then, he thought of something and asked excitedly, “The university will definitely reward you, won’t they?”
“Maybe. It’s a pity that Senior Liu won’t be rewarded. Even if the article mentioned him, it was just one sentence. It’s unfair to him,” Chen Chuan lamented.
“If you do more in the future, his death won’t be in vain,” Luo Kaiyuan said seriously.
Chen Chuan met his gaze and nodded.
After returning to the university, Chen Chuan felt like he had come back to a sealed-off haven. Even though he was privy to news from the outside world, the moment he shut the door to his room, none of the noise outside could affect him.
Once the others left, he threw himself back into his daily training.
When evening arrived, Cheng Zitong came over and sat down on his sofa. He gave Chen Chuan a onceover. “Good. You look fine. That’s great.”
“Sorry for worrying you,” Chen Chuan said.
Cheng Zitong waved off his apology. “While this mission was pretty dangerous, you know your strength and what you’re doing.”
“I just find Senior Liu’s death a pity,” Chen Chuan lamented.
“I knew Liu Xin. He had a strong sense of justice and loved taking on other people’s problems, just like another student. He also saw him as a role model. Perhaps that’s the reason why he did it. The university will oversee his funeral. He was a hero while alive, and he should get the honor he deserves in death,” Cheng Zitong said.
He then picked up his briefcase and took out a form. “I came here to tell you something. You have to come with me to meet the examination committee in a few days to get your weapons permit.”
Chen Chuan was surprised. “I thought that they removed us from the mission? Why would I get the weapons permit?”
“I heard that someone in the Department of Administrative Affairs disagreed with it. They believed that removing all of you from such a major mission was overly flippant and reassigned you back to it. I believe that someone powerful came forward or some organization pushed for it. Think about it, and you should have your answer,” Cheng Zitong replied.
Chen Chuan remembered how Guan Yuming had Captain Bei and his assistant send him back in his car yesterday, and he found his answer.
Cheng Zitong’s expression became more serious. “I also need to remind you of something. Black Orchid is a giant. They won’t be toppled over or weakened by the average person or organization. You must tread carefully around them while you’re weak. Don’t challenge them head-on.
“Of course, if they do oppress you, don’t shrink back either. The world is big. As long as you have a fighting spirit, the ability, and strong beliefs, you’ll always have a chance to come back.”
“Got it. Thanks for the warning,” Chen Chuan said with a nod.
Cheng Zitong relaxed a little. “I know that you’re well aware of these things, so I don’t need to give you too much advice. In any case, think carefully before you do anything in the future.”
Chen Chuan promised it. Then, after some thinking, he asked, “By the way, Mr. Cheng, it’s been some time since I did the mission with the child in the well. When can I take the next one? I’m really interested in missions like that.”
“If you act like this, no one can say that you’re not my mentee when you’re outside!” Cheng Zitong laughed.
Very few people wanted to take missions related to urban legends. Cheng Zitong was the only one in the university who was interested in researching them, and Chen Chuan was the only mentee who matched him in that regard.
After some deliberation, he said, “Patience. These missions have a negative impact. Let’s wait until you get your weapons permit. It’ll make it easier for you to do these missions. Many places have also been placed under martial law because of the resistance group, which complicates things. We can discuss your next urban legend mission after the storm passes.”
Chen Chuan agreed with it. He had a lot going on over the past few days, so he could use some time off.
Since Cheng Zitong had something to do, he did not linger around. He just reminded Chen Chuan to go with him to meet the examination committee in the morning three days later before he left with his briefcase in hand.
Once Chen Chuan saw him off, he returned to his living room and took out the Frost King Saber. He then sat down and started wiping the blade with the oil Ni Xiaolin had given him.
The saber had its fill of fresh blood in the fighting. It had also received Chen Chuan’s refined force during the fight, so it now felt an even better fit than before. It even felt lighter.
After an intense fight, sabers and swords had minor chips, but when Chen Chuan inspected the blade, he found that all the chips from the day before were gone
The Frost King Saber was a saber that could repair itself, and Chen Chuan could sense that the more he used it, the more it would fit him. It would also become sharper.
The second way to make a saber grow was faster, but Chen Chuan was the one who controlled the saber, not the other way round, so he would not deliberately murder people just to make his saber stronger. Whenever he used it, it had to be for a reason that fit into his principles and beliefs.
Chen Chuan looked up. His second self was leaning against the wall.
Yesterday’s fight had also elicited a tremendous response from his second self. Even Chen Chuan himself did not expect that he would gain over thirty minutes of extra overlap time from it. Not only was it far greater than any improvement in the past, but also more than his original maximum overlap time.
Because of it, his total overlap time now was almost an hour.
It was a tremendous leap forward.
But it was not enough. It was far from enough.
Chen Chuan looked outside. He felt as if he could see a place far away.
As he continued down his path as a martial artist, he would not just have to fight skilled martial artists and some robbers. One day, he would end up facing opponents who were far stronger than anyone he had met so far.
Those opponents were his goal. They gave his path meaning.
Chen Chuan lifted the Frost King Saber and swung it before himself. The long blade hummed, and a snow-white light flashed in the living room, as if the air had been cut.
He flipped his wrist and pressed his elbow against his chest, then positioned the saber horizontally across his shoulders behind his neck. A moment later, he returned the saber into the sheath beside him. With a click, the frosty light disappeared, and everything became quiet once more. The saber lay in wait, silent, for the next time it would be drawn.