Chapter 174: Return

After Chang Ba sent Chen Chuan to the train station, they said goodbye to each other. Before Chen Chuan boarded the train, he went to a phone booth and called Cheng Zitong.

Once it went through, Cheng Zitong asked, “How are things, Xiao Chuan?”

“Everything went smoothly, Mr. Cheng. I’m at the train station now and am going to go back,” Chen Chuan answered.

“That’s good. Didn’t you say that you’ve almost finished your medicine? I’ve been thinking about things over the past few days. While it’s easy for me to get medicine for you, you’re going up against the Mutual Aid Group, so they’ll definitely check what sort of medicine has been distributed to you to determine your progress.

“If I get more, they might notice it and deduce that you’re the one using it. Since you’re coming back, grab the medicine yourself. Tell them to keep it on your tab.”

“You mean I should owe them instead of paying?” Chen Chuan asked.

Cheng Zitong laughed and said meaningfully, “It’s better for you to owe them money. Write an IOU. You can pay them after the storm passes.”

Chen Chuan figured out what Cheng Zitong was trying to say. “Alright. Where should I get the medicine, Mr. Cheng?”

“When you arrive at Uptown Wharf City, look for a shop called Feng’s Pharmacy at Serene Phoenix Street. It’s in the north of the city. Ask for a man called Lao Ou. I’ve already spoken to him. Call me again when you’re there, and I’ll tell him to get the medicine for you. Leave after you get it, but remember the place. If you need any more medicine in the future, go there for it,” Cheng Zitong instructed.

“Got it,” Chen Chuan said.

He knew what Cheng Zitong was trying to do. Once the Mutual Aid Group took action, many things would become unpredictable. Meanwhile, the medicine was directly linked to his training, so it was important to get prepared beforehand. If he had to hide, this would remain as a channel to get his medicine.

After hanging up, he entered the train station. Once the train arrived, he boarded it and rode for two days to Uptown Wharf City.

He found Feng’s Pharmacy not far from the train station. Then, he called Cheng Zitong and got his medicine. Lao Ou was friendly and packed his medicine in a large box.

Chen Chuan made a rough estimation of the amount, and found that even he wouldn’t be able to use it up in less than three months. An average martial artist would need up to two years to consume it all.

Lao Ou asked whether he wanted the medicine delivered, but Chen Chuan politely declined the offer and easily picked up the box with one hand.

His trip didn’t last even an hour. When he returned to the train station, he bought a bus ticket, waited for half an hour, and got on his bus.

He checked the time. It was not even 10 a.m.. By the looks of it, he should return to Yangzhi City by 3 or 4 p.m..

His crash course training had lasted for only a month, but he had gained a lot from it.

Even though he had never fought against anyone strong during the entire month, the dangers he faced during the training were things he had never faced before. If he hadn’t handled certain situations properly, he might have even lost his life. That was why the entire experience provided a lot of stimulus to his second self, especially the carefree swimming session at the end. It had made him resonate with his second self for a prolonged period of time. Based on his calculations on his way back, his overlap time had increased by at least three hours, and his total time was now around eight hours, which brought him closer to his goal of being able to overlap with his second self for twenty-four hours.

Chen Chuan turned his gaze to the rapidly retreating scenery out the window.

Soon,

he thought.

Around five hours later, the bus stopped at Yangzhi City’s bus station. Chen Chuan grabbed his luggage, slung the Frost King Saber on his back, and got out. When he came out of the bus station, he saw a group of armed constables guarding the entrance and examining all the people going in and out of the station. The air was tense and serious.

Chen Chuan was quite surprised. Usually, bus stations had their own security guards. The constables guarding the station was a rare thing.

While undergoing the inspection, Chen Chuan showed his weapons permit. When the leader saw his name, he sized him up a bit longer before asking politely, “Are you Brigade Commander Nian’s nephew?”

“Yes. That’s me,” Chen Chuan answered.

The constable became much friendlier. He greeted him with a smile. “I’m Xu Gui, a constable from the Quanzhou District. The higher-ups asked us to check everyone going in and out of the bus station, so we have no choice but to do this. Bear with us, okay?”

“Come on, don’t say that. This is your duty, and I can understand it. Did something happen?” Chen Chuan asked.

Xu Gui looked around and motioned for the other two constables to take his place to continue the checks before leading Chen Chuan out of the checkpoint. They went to the side, and he said, “You know about the conflict between the Blood Scars Gang and the Chain Links Gang, right?”

Chen Chuan nodded.

Xu Gui flicked the hem of his cap and said, “Last month, three leaders from the Blood Scars Gang died due to their brains being removed. Multiple bases of their gang were also destroyed, while their companies were attacked repeatedly, too. How could they possibly stay still after that? Before, they only attacked people at night. Now, they’re even attacking people during the day. We had to send more of our guys to increase security.

“The resistance group chose this moment to add fuel to the fire. They blasted the railway we just repaired last month and attacked the train station. The higher-ups are worried that the bus station might be sabotaged too, so they sent us over to check.”

By the looks of it, the conflict between the two gangs hadn’t stopped while he was gone, but had instead gotten worse. The mastermind behind it all was still active.

After thanking Xu Gui, Chen Chuan left the bus station and went back home. This time, he had gone to another city and brought back a lot of its local specialties, such as lamb jerky and candied fruit.

Yu Wan loved the gifts. After all, constables and their families were seldom able to leave Yangzhi City, so she rarely saw the world outside the city and local specialties of other places.

Chen Chuan then took out two cigarette packs and handed them to Nian Fuli. “Uncle, I got these from the northwest. Apparently, they’re really good. My friend recommended them to me. I don’t smoke, so I don’t know whether they’re really good or not, though.”

“Oh! Red Camel!” Nian Fuli instantly perked up. “I heard that this brand has a smooth and mellow taste and really scratches that itch. I have to try it.”

He rubbed his palms together, but before he could take the cigarettes, Yu Wan grabbed them and glared at him. “You aren’t satisfied with one packet a day? I’ll keep them for you.”

“Xiao Chuan got these for me! You can’t do this!” Nian Fuli grumbled.

Chen Chuan laughed and didn’t butt into their conversation. He went over to hand Nian Mo and Nian Lu their toys and picture books before returning to his room.

Once he set his things down, he took a shower and started unpacking. He intended to stay for a night at home before going to the martial arts training center. After all, he still needed to train every day, and it wouldn’t be convenient for him to do so at home. Just then, he heard the phone ring in the living room, and Yu Wan called out to him. “Chan’er, you have a phone call! It’s from your mentor!”

Chen Chuan got up and headed out of his room.

***

At the same time, Wei Jun got out of the man-made lake in front of a private clubhouse.

He tensed his muscles before relaxing them to shake off the water droplets. Then, he took the towel a servant handed to him and dried his body before putting on his sunglasses and lying on a recliner. His expression was dark.

He had come back five days ago because he had received confirmation that since the examination committee had been unable to catch the perpetrators, they were going to postpone the Class C permit test to the end of August.

According to procedure, after he passed the Class C permit test, it would take another ten days to receive the permit. Due to this, he would be unable to go to Central City even if he was among the list of recommended students.

His family was forced to discuss and renegotiate with the other interest groups for a slot for him on the next list, but this matter wasn’t settled yet, so he was thinking about a solution himself.

His butler arrived and said, “They’re here, Young Master.”

Wei Jun sat up and saw Jiang Wei, Shao Xiaobie, and a well-toned and beautiful female student walk in.

He waited for them to approach before gesturing for them to sit down. Then, he turned to Jiang Wei and the female student. “You should know why I asked to see the three of you. Qiao Rong, Jiang Wei, one of you has to give up your slot for me.”

Qiao Rong laughed. “Just because you didn’t manage to get your permit, you’re now asking us to give up our recommended slot? Don’t you think you’re crossing the line?”

“I understand what you’re saying, and I’ve read up on the situation, but what sort of compensation are you going to offer for our losses? I’m only willing to give up my slot if you offer something better,” Jiang Wei said with a smile.

Qiao Rong gave Jiang Wei a stink-eye. If they worked together against Wei Jun, he wouldn’t be able to do anything to them, but Jiang Wei didn’t seem to be in the mood for that, and that made her resistance pointless. She started checking her new manicure.

Shao Xiaobie crossed his legs. This didn’t concern him much. While he was also a senior, he was a much worse martial artist than the rest of them, but as long as he was tied to the Mutual Aid Group, he could use other ways to go to Central City.

“Our companies and families are already talking about compensation, so I have nothing to say in that regard. Today, we should talk about other things,” Wei Jun said.

He removed his sunglasses and leaned forward to stare at the other two. “You should know that I have the best relationship with Zhao Qian and that he’s currently in Central City.

“It’s not easy to get your footing in the main campus. I’m sure you’ve heard that the competition there is really intense. No one can survive there without someone taking care of them. Without me pulling the strings for you, Zhao Qian will only spare a glance at you out of courtesy. He’s not going to treat you well.”

He wagged his finger at them.

Qiao Rong scowled. His words spoiled her mood.

Jiang Wei, meanwhile, continued smiling. “I’ve already thought about it, but that’s something I’ll worry about after I go to Central City. I don’t think that’s enough for me to give up my slot to go to Central City.”

Wei Jun straightened his back and said, “Alright. If you want something else, then I’ll cut to the chase. If someone intends to make my life hell, I’ll make their lives become hell too. Even if I don’t go to the main campus, I will still go to Central City. I’m sure you understand what I mean.”

His mentor, Tan Wang, was part of the Secret Python Cult of Central City. Even if Wei Jun couldn’t go to Central City via the main campus, he could use other methods to go. It was just that he would have to fulfill certain other conditions he disliked, which was why he didn’t want to take that path. But if he really had no other choice, he would do it.

If it came to that, he was going to make sure all those who made him unhappy paid the price.

While he was waiting for the answer, his butler walked over and said, “Young Master, you might need to pay attention to something.”

He whispered into Wei Jun’s ear. Wei Jun was originally unfazed, but after listening to the whole thing, he suddenly turned to the butler. “Where is he?”

“He’s waiting outside,” the butler answered respectfully.