Book 3, Chapter 175: Recent Situation

Chen Chuan followed Lu Ke into the RV.

He sized the place up. It had all the necessary amenities, and the usage of space was really logical, though it was mainly due to how wide and tall the car was. It didn’t feel as cramped as other RVs.

“Well? Not bad, right? Our senior sister got us this RV, and some skilled mechanics in the group modified it. We’re staying here for the time being. Oh, the senior sister I mentioned is the one I told you about last time,” Lu Ke rambled.

“Looks like your senior sister has a pretty high status here,” Chen Chuan noted.

“After the former captain passed, our senior sister became in charge of security. Later on, Clear Road Transport split up, and our branch is the biggest. We also took over the main businesses. She’s basically one of the leaders now.”

Lu Ke led Chen Chuan to one of the sofas and poured him a glass of soda before placing it on the table, with a flyer under it serving as a coaster.

“Try it. It’s a pity that we can’t have Sand Pearl Soda here. I miss that taste,” Lu Ke said in a reminiscing tone.

Chen Chuan took a sip and found it sweet and refreshing. “It’s pretty good.”

His words elicited a chuckle from Lu Ke. “I know, right?”

Chen Chuan then set the glass down and stared at the training equipment as well as boxing gloves hanging from the wall. “Have you been working for this group ever since coming to Central City?”

“Not really.”

Lu Ke sat down and poured himself a glass as well before taking a few mouthfuls. “The group originally had a base, but recently, they started fighting against another logistics team, so they moved out.

“Anyway, let’s not talk about such depressing things. Let’s talk about you. I saw your video! You were amazing!”

As he stared at Chen Chuan, he asked in disbelief, “Master Yu said that you’ve become a Third Limit martial artist. Is that true?”

“Only recently,” Chen Chuan answered with a nod.

“You really did!”

Lu Ke became excited.

He had watched Chen Chuan go from someone without any knowledge of martial arts to a powerful martial artist who left his peers in the dust. Perhaps he had been a little jealous in the beginning, but now, he was only filled with admiration.

When he recalled the hostility he held toward Chen Chuan in the past, he found that it was a period in his life that left a deep impression on him.

“Where is Mr. Yu?” Chen Chuan asked.

“He’s teaching some students.”

Chen Chuan asked a few more questions and learned that Clear Road Transport wasn’t just made of its employees, but also their families. Regardless of whether the children had talent or not, the employees asked Yu Gang to teach them martial arts.

Considering the situation in the lower city district, learning martial arts was a survival skill. Without them and knowledge on how to use guns, no one would be able to survive.

“How’s Mr. Yu’s condition?” Chen Chuan asked.

It made Lu Ke’s expression turn dim as he said, “While he got cheap implants, they’re only good for a simple life.

“Master Yu is a martial artist, so it’s hard for him to find implants that can let him fight properly. Either they’re too expensive or they don’t let him fight at full strength after he gets them installed. We’ve spent all the money the Chain Links Gang gave us, and we’ve only managed to get Master Yu an implanted leg that’s suitable for him.”

“If Mr. Yu doesn’t mind it, I could help,” Chen Chuan offered.

Lu Ke looked tempted, but he said hesitantly, “I don’t think he’ll accept your help.”

Chen Chuan could understand that. “He shouldn’t worry about it. Let’s just say that I’m loaning Mr. Yu that money. I believe that with his abilities, he can easily earn it all once he recovers.”

That made sense to Lu Ke. He checked the time and said, “Master Yu’s class will end in ten more minutes. Let’s finish the soda and look for him.”

Chen Chuan nodded. While drinking, he cast a glance at the flyer. It had the picture of a man in his prime. He had his beard trimmed neatly, a strong chin, and a gaze that gave off the impression that he was a reliable man.

We need a mayor in the lower city district. I am Meng Xiang, and I can give you happiness and a bright future.

“You elect a mayor in the lower city district?” Chen Chuan asked in surprise.

“No way. I heard that this guy was a salesman in the past. All of a sudden, he wants to be the mayor of the lower city district and gives speeches every day in various districts. I heard that plenty of people have beaten him up, but he still hasn’t given up despite spending seven years at it with nothing to show for it. I’m actually quite impressed that he’s still alive after all the crap he went through,” Lu Ke said.

“If it’s not a coincidence, then there’s a reason behind it,” Chen Chuan pointed out.

“Perhaps.”

Around six minutes later, Lu Ke brought Chen Chuan out of the RV to the longest chain of large trucks and coaches. It was around thirty meters long and five meters tall. Based on the two rows of windows and the light shining from within, this chain should be divided into two levels.

They walked inside through a sliding door. The moment they stepped in, they walked into a place where they could wash their hands. There were also closets here where they could store their shoes. When Chen Chuan changed into slippers, he noticed neat rows of shoes placed in the cupboard, and he could hear faint voices coming from within. When they walked past a divider, Chen Chuan saw a pretty wide indoor training room.

Yu Gang stood at the center with around forty children sitting primly and properly inside. One child was performing a demonstration, and Yu Gang used a cane to correct his posture.

When he saw them, Yu Gang’s gaze stayed on Chen Chuan for a little longer, but he didn’t cut his lesson short.

They didn’t bother him either. Chen Chuan and Lu Ke walked to the side, and Lu Ke dragged over two foldable chairs and a foldable table from the wall. They then sat down and waited.

After around two minutes, the lesson ended, and Yu Gang set the children free before walking over. Chen Chuan immediately shot to his feet and greeted him, “Mr. Yu.”

“Sit. Have you been here for long?” Yu Gang asked.

“Not long. I was talking to Lu Ke outside just now,” Chen Chuan answered.

With the help of the cane, Yu Gang slowly sat down. As he stared at Chen Chuan, he said, “Lu Ke showed me the video of your fight that day. You’re a Third Limit martial artist now. I’ve only seen a handful of people your age who’ve reached your current strength.”

“If I hadn’t received your guidance, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today,” Chen Chuan answered honestly.

That was no exaggeration. Getting started on martial arts was challenging, and Chen Chuan had even begun with no foundation whatsoever. If Yu Gang hadn’t taught him so patiently, Chen Chuan wouldn’t have come this far. Even though he might still have been successful, since he had his second self, he was sure that he would have ended up walking down a different path.

“With your talent, as long as you’re determined to continue down this path, you’ll be able to make it,” Yu Gang refuted.

Just then, they heard a shout from a child, and they saw a child throwing another child on the floor. A moment later, the first child pulled the second one to his feet in a friendly manner.

Chen Chuan observed them and said, “You’ve taught these students well.”

“They might be able to become skilled, but all this will just strengthen their foundation. Talent is the one true thing that determines how far a martial artist can go. The end of the path is something many martial artists are unable to reach. No matter how much they train, it’s still useless,” Yu Gang stated gravely.

Chen Chuan didn’t argue about it. This was the truth. But even with talent, a martial artist might be unable to reach the peak of their potential if they didn’t have a sufficient amount of resources and proper guidance.

“Our world is advancing nonstop. That might have been true in the past, but with our current technology, implants can make up for certain weaknesses and give people a chance to increase their potential,” he said instead.

Yu Gang shook his head.

Lu Ke went to the side and poured two cups of tea for them.

“Based on the video, am I correct to assume you’ve joined the Resolution Department?” Yu Gang asked.

“The students at the main campus require sponsorship from external organizations. It’s either the companies or the government. I’ve received a sponsorship from the Resolution Department, so I’m working for them right now,” Chen Chuan answered.

“That’s a good place to go. It’s much better than some companies. While the benefits they give might look good, they also want a lot more back from you,” Yu Gang said quietly.

They suddenly heard a ruckus outside, along with the sound of people running. Yu Gang immediately ordered Lu Ke, “Go take a look.”

Lu Ke went outside. After a moment, he came back and said, “It’s the squad in charge of Zone 703. Toxic Ants ambushed them.”

“We’ll go check on them,” Yu Gang instantly said.

Chen Chuan had only been here for a while, but he had already heard the name of Toxic Ants Freight Services being thrown around a few times. It seemed like the competition between them was very fierce. He went out with Yu Gang and Lu Ke and saw a few trucks and cars parked not too far away. The vehicles had quite a number of bullet holes, and their windows were all shattered. The cars were even missing doors.

People were being carefully pulled out of the cars. The ones who weren’t too heavily injured were brought to the side to have their wounds treated and dressed.

The bearded man stood in front of them with a stern expression. By the looks of it, he was asking about the situation from a member who got away with light injuries.

Fuming, Lu Ke said, “Toxic Ants have been causing us trouble nonstop recently. We’ve already made multiple concessions and let them have a lot of our businesses and territories, but they still won’t leave us alone.”

Yu Gang leaned against his cane and said gravely, “Once you give an inch, they’ll always go for a mile. If the inch doesn’t fight back and is just walking around tempting others to take it, there’s no reason for anyone to not grab it.”

“If Lao Bian was willing to lead us, we wouldn’t be losing to Toxic Ants,” Lu Ke shot back.

Yu Gang said nothing about that.

“Who’s Lao Bian?” Chen Chuan asked.

“The security advisor Clear Road had hired in the past. He’s a Third Limit martial artist who fled here from the upper city district. After we split up, we hired him ourselves, but he’s not that willing to work. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be in this state.”

“Did you get those scars on your face while fighting Toxic Ants?”

“I… wasn’t paying attention,” Lu Ke mumbled bashfully.

“Big Sis Nan is back!” someone shouted.

Lu Ke perked up and said, “It’s our senior sister!”

Chen Chuan looked in the direction of Lu Ke’s gaze and saw a pack of motorcycles at the entrance of the tunnel. Their engines roared, and they headed to the motorcade.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep