When Cheng Zitong heard Chen Chuan ask this question, he thought for a mont and said, "Strictly speaking, it’s very important. Going to Central City has always required a recomndation from the academy first, followed by approval from the Central Hospital. The recomndation is just an internal matter for the academy, but the approval is decided entirely by the Central Hospital. And a significant part of their review criteria is based on ability.
Even if you’re one of the Recomnded Students, you still have to prove your ability to get through. And how do you prove that ability? One way is through demonstrable martial skill, and the other is through the certificates you’ve earned.
You need to understand that unless the difference in skill is blatantly obvious, it’s generally difficult for the reviewers to tell who is stronger. The academy’s evaluation can only serve as a reference. Given that, the certificates a student has earned beco a crucial judging standard.
If you can obtain a Class B Unlimited Defense Certificate, it will definitely be a favorable factor. The test for the B Certificate is extrely dangerous, so Recomnded Students are generally unwilling to risk taking it. Therefore, if you want to get to Central City, that certificate is indeed essential."
He looked at Chen Chuan and asked, "Xiaochuan, now that you’re asking about this, are you interested in trying for one of the spots there?"
Chen Chuan nodded. "Professor, I want to give it a try."
Cheng Zitong looked at him and said earnestly, "You have the right idea, and I fully support you. Only by going to the Central City General Hospital can you learn more and co into contact with the real world. All your efforts are only valuable if they are directed toward this goal.
As for the recomndation, I and the academy administration will figure sothing out for you. But just as Old He told you, strength is our foundation. You must first build yourself up and beco powerful enough to do what you want to do."
Chen Chuan couldn’t agree more. Strength wasn’t just a stepping stone for advancent, but also the fundantal ans of self-protection. He said slowly, "Yes, Professor. I won’t forget."
Cheng Zitong was quite optimistic. "Your talent is extraordinary—the best I’ve ever seen. I believe you can make it there."
Chen Chuan humd in acknowledgnt, then looked up. "By the way, Professor, a number of agencies have found ways to contact over the past two days, all expressing interest in recruiting . I also heard from a small firm that the Administrative Affairs Hall is about to launch a campaign to wipe out sothing called the Flying Head Sect. That’s supposedly why they’re looking for contractors who can handle paranormal incidents. I was wondering if you’d heard anything?"
"Ah, that matter. I’m surprised you’ve heard about it too." Cheng Zitong let out a short laugh. "The Administrative Affairs Hall really is full of leaks. Non-disclosure agreents are useless, it seems. You’re right. Regarding this operation, the Administrative Affairs Hall ca to see the headmaster about a solution, and the headmaster later ca to .
From what I’ve gathered, it’s a huge contract. I was planning to look into it after the New Year holiday, check for any potential issues, and then talk to you about it. But since you already know, I might as well fill you in now."
He took a sip of tea from his cup, then rummaged through his briefcase and pulled out a file. "These are the internal docunts the headmaster gave . Take them and have a look."
Chen Chuan reached out, took the file, and began flipping through the pages.
Cheng Zitong began to explain, "You might not have heard of the Flying Head legend, but it’s actually quite famous in other regions. It tends to appear in connection with a ritual involving offerings of human heads. These rituals are perford in many places. Yet, in so areas, they can go on for decades with no result, while in others, a Flying Head appears after only one or two attempts.
In truth, the ritual isn’t directly responsible for the Flying Head’s appearance. Instead, the worship itself attracts a Flying Head that already exists nearby. The worshippers then beco irrational and frenzied, making this one of the few paranormal incidents capable of causing mass hysteria.
So, the key to handling this is to eliminate the Flying Head.
These things are notoriously difficult to deal with. Not only can they fly, but if the first one to appear isn’t eliminated, they will keep reappearing for more than a decade.
Based on my information, the Administrative Affairs Hall has likely already dispatched contractors to investigate a mountain village, acting on the advice of several out-of-town consultants. We probably won’t get any news until after the New Year. If they manage to eliminate the Flying Head there, the whole situation will beco much simpler.
The Flying Head Sect has spread over a wide area now; it’s not a problem one person can solve. So, wait until we have more news after the New Year, and I’ll discuss it with you then."
Chen Chuan said, "There’s one more thing. A small company approached yesterday and offered so very generous terms." He proceeded to tell Cheng Zitong about Ren Shu’s company and the conditions they had laid out.
After asking a few questions, Cheng Zitong offered his opinion. "My view is that as long as their terms are legitimate, you could go with this company. The contracts I find for you are through my own contacts, but the pay is always low. They’re mainly ant for you to gain experience.
However, I wouldn’t advise becoming their financial backer. Getting too deeply involved is never a good idea. It would be best to sign a temporary contract with high pay and few restrictions. That way, you can leave at any ti. It’ll be less trouble for everyone involved."
Chen Chuan nodded. He was thinking the sa thing. If he beca a financial backer, he’d have to worry about the company’s affairs. His goals were completely different from Ren Shu’s group. He was primarily interested in earning a high fee and building his reputation. As long as he could achieve those two things, there was no need to get entangled in anything else.
Cheng Zitong added a reminder, "You’ll just need to find a reliable Litigation Master—preferably one with no business dealings or conflicts of interest with these wealthy heirs. Do you need to find one for you?"
Chen Chuan thought for a mont. "No, that’s alright. I actually have a relative in that line of work."
’It’s one thing for Professor Cheng Zitong to help , but asking him to call in favors is another matter entirely. That would an using up his connections. Since I can find soone myself, there’s no need to trouble him.’
Cheng Zitong smiled. "Well, I won’t worry about it for you, then." He stood up. "The New Year break is a month long. Make sure you get so rest. I’m off."
"I’ll see you out, Professor."
After seeing Cheng Zitong off, Chen Chuan went to a public phone booth and called Ren Shu. He said that he had considered the offer and, provided the terms were as previously stated, he would bring a Litigation Master to sign a contract with them after the New Year.
Ren Shu was overjoyed. After hanging up, he exclaid, "He agreed!"
"Wow!"
The young people around him grew excited, high-fiving one another. The company had been around for a while, and they had finally found a suitable, professional contractor. Soone imdiately suggested going out to a restaurant to celebrate.
Ren Shu, being a bit older, was calr. "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves," he said. "Even if we celebrate, shouldn’t we wait until the contract is signed and celebrate with our new partner?"
"Right, right."
The others agreed that made sense, but so began to worry. "What if he changes his mind? What happens if soone else gives him a better offer?"
Ren Shu was a little worried too, but he projected confidence. "He won’t. He’s a Wuyi student; they have a reputation for integrity. If he wasn’t going to accept, he could have just stalled. The fact that he gave us his answer ans he’s made up his mind."
Hearing this, the others felt reassured. Although they were impatient, they knew that no matter how anxious they were, they could only wait until after the New Year.
Back in his dorm, Chen Chuan packed his things, preparing to head to his aunt’s house for the New Year. Before he left, he made another phone call. A sweet voice answered on the other end, "Hello, you’ve reached Mi’s Law Firm."
Chen Chuan said, "Hello, I’m looking for Gao Ming. I’m his cousin."
"Of course, one mont please."
After a brief wait, a lazy voice ca through the line. "Yo, cousin."
Chen Chuan asked, "Gao Ming, you’re coming back for the New Year, right?"
"Definitely. I have to co back and see my aunt and you. Did you need so legal advice? I happen to have a minute."
Chen Chuan said, "I have so business that requires a trustworthy Litigation Master."
The voice on the other end replied cheerfully, "No problem. But you should know, after the New Year, I’m not an intern anymore. I’ll be a fully-fledged Litigation Master, and my fees aren’t cheap. But since you’re my cousin and you called today... I’ll just charge you my intern rate."
Chen Chuan chuckled. "Thanks, Gao Ming."
"Don’t ntion it. You’re paying, after all. We can discuss the details in person when we et for the holiday."
After hanging up, Chen Chuan went back to his room, dropped the New Year’s cards he’d written into a mailbox, then picked up his packed suitcase and headed out.
He stepped out of the building into a swirl of heavy snow. Because of the weather, he decided against riding his bike and planned to just walk ho. Just then, a horn honked behind him. He turned to see a familiar sedan pulling up slowly. The window rolled down, revealing Wei Chang’an’s face. "Hey, junior!" he called out.
Chen Chuan recognized him. "Brother Wei? You haven’t left yet?"
Wei Chang’an said, "I was just picking so stuff up. Figured you’d be heading out around this ti, so I thought I’d give you a ride. Hop in! Oh, the trunk’s full, so just put your luggage in the back."
Chen Chuan didn’t hesitate. He walked over, opened the back door to put his suitcase inside, and then got into the front passenger seat. Once he’d fastened his seatbelt, the car slowly pulled away.
Gripping the steering wheel, Wei Chang’an sighed. "Ah, junior, you have no idea. The old man’s been bringing you up constantly, comparing to you. He’s starting to find completely useless. Especially the last few days—I don’t know what got into him, but he lays into every chance he gets."
Chen Chuan thought, ’Brother Wei, don’t tell you accidentally took that mop ho?’
"Anyway, enough about the old man. The company might have a big job coming up. The higher-ups have asked to approach you several tis, but I’ve turned them down for you. You have a Weapon Permit; you can go anywhere. There’s no need to tie yourself to our company’s ship. I’m stuck, so I have to endure it for now. But as soon as I make senior contractor, I’m definitely striking out on my own."
Chen Chuan knew he was still brooding over what happened last ti. "Brother Wei," he said, "I handled a paranormal case a little while ago. A lot of agencies have been contacting about it, including many of the big ones."
Wei Chang’an was surprised. He glanced over at him. "A paranormal case? Nice one, junior. You’ve really got skills if even the big firms are... hmm?"
Suddenly, the pieces clicked into place. Why would a single paranormal case attract the attention of the big firms? Combining Chen Chuan’s tone with the scattered rumors he’d been hearing, his eyes lit up as he put it all together. "Junior," he said, "you’re a true friend."
Chen Chuan just smiled. "I’m not sure what you an, Brother Wei."
Wei Chang’an laughed heartily. Seeing they were clear of the academy, he stepped on the accelerator. After just a few more words, they arrived at the Patrol Bureau’s family residential area.
He got out of the car first, opened the trunk, and started pulling out various bags and packages, consolidating them into one large sack. "Junior, take all this. I got it especially for you." He then said, "Don’t you dare refuse. You’ve helped out several tis. Can’t you let thank you?"
Chen Chuan didn’t refuse. "In that case, thank you, Brother Wei."
"Alright, I’m off. I still owe you that al. I’ll find you during the holiday." Wei Chang’an waved to him, got back in his car, and quickly drove off.
Carrying his suitcase and the large bag, Chen Chuan walked down the alley. He reached the courtyard gate and looked at the door, which was now adorned with New Year’s couplets. He set his things down and knocked. "Auntie, Uncle, I’m ho!"
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