Chapter 230

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Protagonist:

Chen Yi

On the surface, the Saint Qiao Kingdom, the West Continent, and the Martial Arts Hall were all engaged in construction and expansion with great fanfare, busy beyond measure. In reality, once Chen Yi completed the preliminary preparations, he instead entered a rare period of leisure.

Every place had its own person in charge, developing in an orderly fashion; there was truly no need for him to intervene.

Chen Yi was happy to be at ease, even finding time to take a Level 4 exam, returning victorious and quite pleased with himself — unfortunately, no one was there to cheer him on. Luo Xiaoshan had already taken a leave of absence; Liang Yu spent his days chasing girls and playing ball, busy beyond measure, not even knowing when the Level 4 exam started. Ren Yuan did come to congratulate him once, but it was rather meaningless.

To his classmates, whether same class, same grade, same department, or same school, classmate Chen Yi had long since become a legend. He lived in the school's best dormitory building, single-handedly occupying several rooms. In his room, either the beautiful counselor came and went, or the beautiful exchange student came and went — everyone guessed what they were doing coming and going inside, but the school turned a blind eye, and no one dared step in to meddle.

If it were the past, Class Monitor Lin Yuan would still have managed him without fear of power, and classmate Han He would still have clung to her thesis and notebook, tirelessly seeking him out. However, Lin Yuan's Student Union work kept increasing, plus she took a part-time job, so she was only at school during class hours. Classmate Han He had submitted her thesis a month before Christmas, just waiting for a publication date to be scheduled...

Thus, the only place Chen Yi still needed to appear was the Martial Arts Hall, but Lu Xiong and the others had also trained continuously for nearly two months, their physical condition reaching saturation — inefficient matters were things Chen Yi had always disdained to do.

However, though he paused his participation, the trainees' cultivation had to continue. After roughly another half month, Lu Xiong and Cao Zheng successively reached Body Technique Level 5. Third place was Da Yang; after all, he was a semi-military man with a foundation, and he trained hard enough, finally surpassing those originally ahead like Lin Haitao and Sang Chengqiang.

Chen Yi unceremoniously sent Da Yang and Xiao Zhu back. The latter had barely reached Body Technique Level 4, but also lost the opportunity for further advancement. Sometimes, the gap between talent and effort only widens further; one can imagine how much extra hardship Xiao Zhu would have to pay years later to close today's one-level gap. Of course, he might also give up the chase early on, just muddling through days casually — but days in the Security Department, are they that easy to muddle through?

Zhu Guangliang took the two back to the department, naturally subjecting them to a thorough round of screening and questioning, just like the child students sent to America in the old days; the Chinese government, from its very bones, dislikes foreign-produced study-abroad products. Because the government has always demanded unified orders, unified thought, unified understanding — under this string of "unifications," international students who have accepted foreign thought, understanding, and education are not only hard to use, but there's also the risk they cannot be used at all.

Although the place Da Yang and Xiao Zhu went wasn't a foreign country, calling it study abroad wasn't wrong. A full circle of interrogation records, repeated questioning, consumed a full three days, leaving them utterly exhausted; the excitement from when they returned was long gone.

Only then did Zhu Guangliang speak with them separately.

He wore a sleeveless hurdling vest, baring his chest, revealing one piece of flesh on his chest, two pieces on his back, three pieces on his sides.

In front of others, he was always impeccably dressed, but when conducting interrogations inside the Action Division, Zhu Guangliang always favored this attire, each time exposing a stretch of pale flesh to conduct fatigue interrogation.

Da Yang didn't much like the boss's getup. Never mind the stiff uniform suit outside; even inside the division, that pale, shiny skin, muscles honed year-round — if not for the Security Bureau badge hanging there, someone might believe he was the Rabbit God.

"Maybe he really is the Rabbit God." Da Yang lowered his head, cursing inwardly. Three straight days of interrogation would stir anger even in a clay figurine, let alone someone who used to be an athlete.

Zhu Guangliang began to drone on, the core idea being for Da Yang to set aside his mental barriers and continue serving the country, the key point being a single sentence: "Our work nature determines our internal monitoring model is such; don't mind it."

He wasn't afraid Da Yang would harbor resentment; he was afraid that if he let the two go, they'd go complain to Chen Yi — that would be trouble.

Da Yang naturally nodded repeatedly; resentment and such, of course, could not be shown on the surface.

"In a bit, go to the hall and spar a bit, let's see the effect too." When saying this, Zhu Guangliang was still respectful. Body Technique was a move devised by the Chen Family Second Young Master, and within Southeast Province, whether in the military or the police, the ones you absolutely could not offend were the Chen family. He even more so — Old Master Chen's disciples and grand-disciples, how many agents would love to pounce and eat their flesh. They were like pure female idols; showing a handle was equivalent to showing flesh; once exposed, it meant death.

Da Yang laughed "hehe" and said "yes," but his heart turned ruthless: beat these turtle bastards to death.

He was now Body Technique Level 5; to say he was formidable — not really. Any boxing champion, black belt, or animals like Rambo could all beat him until he lost his temper. But within the unit, the strongest in close combat were just a few reconnaissance soldiers retired from the military. They were locally stationed departments, with shooting slightly emphasized; close combat, breaching, etc., aside from a very low baseline, were entirely up to personal interest.

Of course, the so-called very low baseline was still quite a bit better than conscripts with only two years' service. Current new recruit camps, whether city or rural recruits, struggle to run 10,000 meters upon enlistment; even if they train close combat for two years, their level may not exceed high school thugs — those guys have been mixing in society since elementary school, their training time is not short at all.

Arriving at the "hall" often spoken of in the Action Division, Da Yang automatically and consciously stood on the fighting platform. This was a standard 6-square-meter platform, one meter high, with a wide field of view.

Xiao Zhu arrived a while later, also with a stiff face, standing just behind the platform. It was clear he was also displeased with the investigation.

"In a bit, watch me give them some color to see." Da Yang looked at the dozen or so people gathered in the room, feeling very confident. The unit's strongest in close combat were either on missions or slacking off at home; among the group left behind, desk workers were actually the majority — he wasn't the least bit intimidated.

"It's up to you." Xiao Zhu also clenched his fists tight. Although he was at Body Technique Level 4, only his physical quality had gone up; his fighting ability was not there.

Zhu Guangliang arrived shortly after; he was the legitimate Action Division Chief. With a wave of his hand, naturally the agreed-upon brothers stepped up.

Da Yang relaxed at a glance. The one who came had the nickname "Target," height 1.9 meters, weight 200 — the tallest and stoutest in the team. But although he was also a special military recruit, his close-quarters combat was nothing to speak of; at most he relied on his tall, sturdy body to act fierce.

Compared to him, Da Yang's body was clearly superior.

The people to the side counted one, two, three lazily; Target bounced over. With his height and long arms, Western boxing suited him better.

"Watch closely." Da Yang eyed him, stomped the ground hard with both feet, and a flying kick shot up.

If he met someone more agile, they could dodge and counterattack; unfortunately Target was heavy, only able to protect his head and face with both arms, preparing to block then strike back.

Only a "crack" was heard — Da Yang's thick leg slammed into Target's crossed arms.

The latter cried "aiyo," and was actually sent flying straight two meters, even spinning on the ground.

Zhu Guangliang unconsciously stepped forward two steps, as if wanting to see more clearly.

"Next." Da Yang laughed heartily.

Xiao Zhu said in a low voice from below: "Careful not to offend people."

"If I don't establish prestige today, afterward there will only be others offending us." Da Yang was the troublemaking sort at the sports school; now with pent-up frustration, he didn't want to speak of any tolerance.

Zhu Guangliang clapped his hands in a flash, smiling: "This Body Technique is indeed not bad."

Seeing he had no intention of pursuing it, Xiao Zhu breathed a sigh of relief, repeatedly saying: "It is not bad; Da Yang performed beyond his usual level. If you're tired, come down."

"I'm not tired, I can still fight."

With him saying this, Zhu Guangliang also stopped the pleasantries and sent up the short "Brim."

Da Yang didn't care who it was; just waiting for the start, crackling came a barrage of kicks, speed astonishingly fast.

Brim dodged left and right, seeming agile, but his movements weren't much faster than Da Yang's.

Only his thighs, comparable to a waist, brushed back and forth, nearly occupying the entire platform; in no more than two minutes, he was naturally brushed off.

At the moment Brim heavily hit the platform springs, Da Yang burst into loud laughter.

Zhu Guangliang's face turned green, turned and walked away.

Da Yang's two legs were thicker than his waist; the remaining gentlemen who had been chatting and laughing, not one wanted to go up and try.

Xiao Zhu, both happy and worried, pulled Da Yang down, saying displeased: "You've definitely offended the Division Chief."

"Afraid of what." Da Yang's horizons had long since extended beyond just the Action Division.

After the platform matches, Da Yang and Xiao Zhu naturally felt isolated. Fortunately, Zhu Guangliang also didn't want them loitering all day, and quickly found them work: monitoring the Chen Family Martial Arts Hall.

"Why monitor the Chen Family Martial Arts Hall?" The two were completely baffled.

"Sent by colleagues from the Intelligence Division; since it must be monitored, you two go." Zhu Guangliang appeared extremely magnanimous.

Da Yang grew anxious, saying: "Division Chief, I want to report to you on the Body Technique situation; I feel this is a very good skill suitable for popularization."

"Later." Action Division Chief Zhu Guangliang showed little interest, said a few words of nonsense, as if parting words: "You count as half Martial Arts Hall people; just treat it as going undercover."

Forget it, he left in a hurry.

From his perspective, the Chen Family Martial Arts Hall did have some unusual activity, so sending people to monitor it was perfectly normal. Sending Great Yang and Xiao Zhu there both showed he took it seriously and wouldn't arouse Chen Yi's resentment—almost killing two birds with one stone. If any problem arose, these two could take the fall.

Zhu Guangliang had been counting his chickens before they hatched, yet nearly ruined Great Yang's prospects. He thought it over and over at home, then headed straight for the Martial Arts Hall early the next morning.

Upon arriving and asking, he learned Chen Yi hadn't come for three days.

Great Yang hurriedly asked Naked Bear again, but still got no reliable word.

It was Liu Xinyu who saw him and sent him straight to the school.

Sitting in the dormitory, Chen Yi first heard Liu Xinyu's account, then met Great Yang.

Though it was a very ordinary house, once inside Great Yang almost held his breath as he retold the whole process, then said: "I'm not asking for any commendation or merit, but since entering the Martial Arts Hall means doing surveillance work, I feel it's unreasonable."

Chen Yi smiled noncommittally and said: "You said you want to return to the Action Division—go back to do what?"

"Do... do normal work."

"Back then you trained desperately at the Martial Arts Hall—really not for commendation and merit?"

"A little," Great Yang said reluctantly. He wasn't just a little—he hoped for merit with his whole heart.

Chen Yi shook his head with a smile, then suddenly asked: "You want to trade the body techniques you learned for merit?"

Great Yang was startled and hurriedly told the truth: "No, I just feel that something as good as body techniques should definitely be popularized—master it first, and you've got the advantage."

If there were no West Continent and Holy Qiao Kingdom, or rather, if there were no Light Curtain allowing travel between them, Chen Yi might not have popularized body techniques more and more. But since the West Continent and Holy Qiao Kingdom existed, the result of keeping one's treasures to oneself could only be destruction by foreign enemies.

He shook his head and said: "This merit, you can't claim it."

Then he added: "Since Zhu Guangliang had you monitor the Martial Arts Hall, then keep monitoring it, and continue practicing martial arts when there's nothing else to do."

"Then..."

"Report however you should report, don't say too much, don't lie."

"Yes." Great Yang understood, and couldn't blame Zhu Guangliang for sending the two of them out. If he could catch the eye of the Chen Family Second Young Master, that was indeed better than being in the Action Team.

Only fearing that later people would forget him.

Great Yang thought too much, and in the end only learned to go out when Xiao Zhu pulled him.

Chen Yi continued attending class that afternoon, and in the evening still had time to play a couple of games, before seeking out Zhu Guangliang and asking him: "Do you want a promotion?"

The impeccably dressed Zhu Guangliang had made two-handed preparations before coming; he had already decided that whether Chen Yi cursed him out or spoke to him gently, he would remain neither humble nor overbearing, overcoming rigidity with softness—yet he hadn't expected that upon meeting, he'd first be presented with a tempting large loaf of bread.

"It must be fake." Zhu Guangliang was wary of all rich kids, and said aloud: "Promotion—I think about it from time to time, but I was only promoted to minor lieutenant colonel, hehe."

"Great Yang's body techniques—what do you think of them?"

"Not bad."

"Then I guarantee that anyone who's trained for more than four months can reach Great Yang's level."

Zhu Guangliang was moved and said: "Your meaning is that you want to promote it within the Bureau?"

"Not entirely—just treat it as what you discovered." Chen Yi shrugged and said: "Body techniques—keeping them hidden indefinitely is meaningless. Report it upward, and I'll find a way to get you some merit."

Zhu Guangliang cheered inwardly. He heard only the latter half, not caring what the earlier buildup was. If the Chen Family Second Young Master was willing to step in and help, what threshold couldn't be crossed?

He cleared his throat wanting to say a few words of thanks, but hadn't spoken yet when Chen Yi asked again: "What position do you want?"

"Can I even choose?" Zhu Guangliang said in surprise and delight, already kicking Chen Yi off the rich kid list in his heart.

Such a sensible Aristocratic Scion—how could he be a rich kid?

Then Chen Yi continued: "Best if it's someone who can oversee the Jiangbei and Jiangnan Port wharves—I'll have more matters on that side in the future."

Since ancient times, wharves have been dens of filth. Zhu Guangliang nodded understandingly, then stuffed Chen Yi back into the rich kid list.

Sure enough, there's no free lunch.

He hardened his heart and said: "I'm the Division Chief of the Action Division; to manage port affairs, at minimum I need to be Deputy Bureau Chief of the Jiangning Bureau."

That's jumping two ranks, and also requires the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Chen Yi only nodded, telling him to go back and wait for news.

... (Unfinished, if you want to know what happens next, please log in to www. qidian. com, more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)