Atlas of Heaven and Man

In the room upstairs, Chen Chuan was wiping the Snow Sovereign Saber after placing it on the table, applying maintenance oil.

After today's battle, he could clearly feel that the connection between him and the saber had deepened, and a faint bloodline had also appeared on the back of the blade.

This should be the mutated tissue within the saber undergoing transformation, but this was not necessarily a bad thing.

While wiping the saber, he was also replaying today's battle in his mind, examining his shortcomings to see if he could do better.

In fact, when Fist Lion allowed him to get so close, the outcome was already determined. Because within this distance, he could unleash all his speed and power. In conventional duels between fighters, nothing is more important than this.

With Fist Lion, the combat power of the entire team, defeated, the remaining people were actually easy to deal with.

But if it was an all-out fight...

He pondered for a moment. If that unknown combat power bio-weapon didn't participate, the result should still be the same, but the process might be longer, the consumption might be greater, and one or two lackeys might escape. Moreover, if the time dragged on and another buyer entered the scene, then everything would be uncertain.

He turned his gaze to the metal box placed against the wall. The Tayana combat spider was inside. This thing wasn't big; a briefcase could hold it, making it very convenient to carry.

After listening to Hu Qian's words, he also found three high-energy nutrient cans in that building. It seemed that waking this thing up once required feeding it one can.

This kind of nutrient can was also relatively difficult to find, requiring specific channels, mainly because the price was expensive. No wonder Fist Lion was eager to sell it; it was of little use in his hands. This was a "pet" that only rich people could afford.

At this moment, a strong and rhythmic knock sounded outside the door, and a voice said, "Trainee Chen, are you asleep?"

Chen Chuan sheathed the Snow Sovereign Saber, walked over, opened the door, and stepped aside. "Special Envoy Feng, please come in."

Old Feng walked in, his eyes quickly and swiftly scanning the situation inside the room. He smiled wryly; now was not the time to carry out a mission, and he couldn't change his professional habits.

He turned around and said to Chen Chuan, "Trainee Chen, I just received a telegram from above. Your matter has been confirmed." As he spoke, he handed over the translated telegram. "Congratulations."

Chen Chuan took it and, after reading the contents, felt certain in his heart. He looked up and said, "Thank you, Special Envoy Feng, for taking the trouble to deliver it in person."

Old Feng said with a smile, "With good news, of course, the person concerned should be informed as soon as possible, and I can also share the joy. I also need to tell you that, according to convention, someone will come to hold a simple certification ceremony for you afterward."

Chen Chuan asked, "Where do I need to go?"

Old Feng said, "If there is no separate notification on the telegram, someone should come directly to find you, so you just need to stay here."

"Just here?"

"Yes, just here."

Old Feng said, "As far as I know, the content of the assessment is different, the completion efficiency and method are different, and the attitude of the higher-ups is also different. In the past, trainees who came to the Land of Chaos for assessment, apart from those who gave up themselves, rarely completed it independently, and there has never been anyone who completed it so... so efficiently, so holding the certification here can be considered to have special significance."

These things didn't need to be said before the assessment, but it didn't matter after the assessment, and the trainees who could get this kind of certificate were almost in the eyes of the higher-ups, which could be regarded as doing a favor. Even if he didn't consider this, he admired Chen Chuan himself because he had seen Chen Chuan's file.

Chen Chuan said, "I don't know how long I have to wait."

"It shouldn't be too long, at most a few days," Old Feng said, then pretended to be serious and said, "But you have to pay for the accommodation yourself. The review committee will not bear it."

Chen Chuan couldn't help but smile.

Old Feng said, "It's getting late. We can talk about anything tomorrow, but this is the Land of Chaos. Although the assessment is over, you still need to be careful."

Chen Chuan nodded.

After sending Old Feng away, he wondered if he should call Cheng Zitong. They had agreed that once he passed the assessment, he would dial a designated number, but he didn't need to connect.

But after considering it, he had only arrived yesterday, and if he called today, Cheng Zitong might have other ideas. Since it would only take a few days to get the certificate, he might as well wait until he got the certificate before talking about it together.

It was said that Fist Lion, who was carrying goods, met with a buyer from outside today and wanted to double-cross them again, but was completely taken care of by the expert beside the buyer, and the buyer had a great background, so even Mr. Blue Sparrow didn't dare to stay, and left after coming.

Because Mr. Blue Sparrow didn't mention this matter afterward, some forces in the Land of Chaos who didn't care about this matter were also very interested and wanted the informants staying in the town to find out what was going on and who the buyer was, but they didn't get any useful clues for a while.

Three days later, a special train drove into the train station. After stopping steadily, a group of people in black coats came down. Each of these people had sharp eyes. When they came out, the armed security personnel around the station raised their hands to salute.

A middle-aged man with a square face among them was none other than Commissioner Cao, who had personally sent the assessment documents to Chen Chuan that day. After walking out of the station, he looked at the snow outside the square and said, "I remember when I participated in the assessment, it was also snowing at that time. In a flash, twenty years have passed, and this place hasn't changed much."

The person next to him said, "Commissioner, the place hasn't changed, but the people are different."

"Yes," Commissioner Cao emphasized, "The people are different." At this time, cars drove out of the station behind them and stopped aside, but they all stood still.

After waiting for a few minutes, a car drove towards here from the road opposite, entered the snow-white square, and stopped not far in front of them. The door opened, and Old Feng walked out, came to him, stretched out his hand to shake hands with him, and said with a smile, "Commissioner, I've been waiting for a long time."

Commissioner Cao shook his hand vigorously, "Old Feng, thank you for your hard work. Is the person here?"

Old Feng said, "He's still here. I must say, this assessment is the most motivated I've ever been. That kid really boosts morale."

Commissioner Cao said, "Young people should be like that."

Old Feng said, turning to the side, "Get in my car."

Commissioner Cao nodded and walked over, saying as he went, "Don't lead me into a ditch."

Old Feng pointed at him and said, "Holding a grudge, aren't you? It's been twenty years, and you're still bringing it up."

Commissioner Cao got into his car and said, "Visiting old haunts naturally brings up old memories. It's hard not to think about it."

As he got into the car, the others also got into the vehicles on both sides. The car doors slammed shut one after another, and a long convoy drove towards the street where the hostel was located.

The leading car drove straight to the house where Pugilist and the others had been staying. Commissioner Cao and Old Feng got out of the car. Old Feng said, "I'll go call…"

Commissioner Cao waved his hand and walked inside.

Chen Chuan had listened to Old Feng's instructions and had been waiting there early in the morning. When the people outside came in, he recognized the person in the lead as someone he had met before.

Old Feng introduced, "Student Chen, this is Commissioner Cao."

Commissioner Cao said, "Student Chen, we've met once. I'm here today on behalf of the assessment team to issue you the 'Unlimited Defense Certificate'."

He raised his hand, and a subordinate wearing gloves stepped forward with a box. Reaching Chen Chuan, he opened the box and held it up with both hands, displaying the contents to him.

Chen Chuan glanced at it and saw a jade card similar to a firearms license, with a cyan-black color and blood-red patterns like cinnabar spreading across the surface. His name and number were engraved on it, using ancient seal script, just like a firearms license.

Commissioner Cao then took a booklet from another subordinate, opened it, and began to read aloud:

"Hereby, Student Chen Chuan is recognized for his courage, decisiveness, and resourcefulness, and is granted the authority of 'Unlimited Defense'. A gentleman keeps his weapons hidden, waiting for the opportune moment. May you sharpen your body and mind, and diligently pursue your studies. This is a special commendation."

"Written by: Liang Yonghang, Head of the National Assessment Team."

"Summer of the 93rd year of the Great Shun Republic."

After speaking, he closed the booklet and handed it to Chen Chuan with both hands.

Chen Chuan also straightened his expression and stepped forward, accepting it with both hands. After he put it away, the person holding the box presented the box containing the "Unlimited Defense Certificate" to him.

He took a breath and took out the defense certificate from the box. It felt cool to the touch and had some weight to it. The material seemed to be of a higher quality than the firearms license.

Commissioner Cao then solemnly said, "Student Chen, I need to remind you that obtaining the Unlimited Defense Certificate is equivalent to being half an enforcer. You have rights, but also obligations. If the state summons you, you have two chances to decline. After accumulating more than two refusals, your certificate and assessment qualifications will be revoked."

Chen Chuan nodded and said, "I understand." He knew very well that the rights given to him by the higher-ups would not be given for free. Enjoying rights naturally came with obligations.

Commissioner Cao's expression relaxed a bit, and he said, "Student Chen, I look forward to your future performance." Then, without saying anything more, he turned and left, and his subordinates followed him out.

Commissioner Cao knew in his heart that the assessment team had actually had a debate over whether to allow Chen Chuan to participate in this assessment.

Because the number of people assessed each year was limited, and Chen Chuan was only a first-year student, he should have given way to the third-year students. However, his recommendation rating was too excellent, and there was no reason to stop him, but it also meant that it would squeeze out a third-year student's spot, which would naturally cause a debate.

It wasn't for the sake of profit, but because some people believed that his strength probably hadn't reached the appropriate level, and it would be better to suppress him and give him a chance when he was a second-year student.

But there were also people who held opposing views, because in the first year, there was an evaluation from three departments, not including the Handling Bureau. There had been no precedent for this before. This was clearly a talented young man who had never existed before, and an exception should be made for him.

Now all the debate should be over.

Back in the car, the subordinate asked, "Commissioner, where to next?"

Commissioner Cao looked outside, "Now that we're here, let's go see some old friends." After speaking, he looked ahead, "Let's go." The car slowly started and soon left here.

On the other side, Chen Chuan got the certificate, and the matter here was over. He went back to the hostel to pack up and prepared to go back. He originally wanted to stay a few more days, but the assessment team had already booked his return ticket, which was for this afternoon. Thinking that the assessment team had repeatedly emphasized that funds were tight, he wouldn't add to the burden.

After packing up, he said goodbye to everyone in the hostel one by one and prepared to go to the station. Hu Xian and Old Feng both came out to see him off.

Chen Chuan said, "Sister Hu, Special Agent Feng, I'm going back now. Take care."

Old Feng solemnly said, "Take care!"

Hu Xian said, "Little Brother Chen, remember to write."

Chen Chuan smiled, "I will." He waved to the two of them, then carried the box containing the Snow Monarch Saber and the suitcase, and walked towards the station.

Hu Xian watched him gradually walk away and said, "I've been here for so many years, not counting those who are lying here forever, those who can pass the assessment are all stumbling blocks. I've never seen someone like Little Brother Chen. He will definitely have great achievements in the future, but by that time I'm afraid I'll still be here looking at this broken place."

Special Agent Feng also said with emotion, "Yes, but don't say it so miserably. This time, Little Brother Chen passed the assessment, and the higher-ups have also noticed this place. I'm afraid your position is really going to change."

Hu Xian was a little surprised and said, "Then who should this place be handed over to?" Then she laughed self-deprecatingly, "Why am I worrying about that? This terrible world can turn without anyone."

Old Feng said softly, "Yes, but the more people like you, the better."

"The more people who sell their lives, the better, right?" Hu Xian tightened her collar and walked back to the hostel, "Let's go, are you going to stand here in the cold wind? Old Feng, I'm cold if you're not cold."

Old Feng looked up at the clear blue sky and smiled slightly, "Is that so? But why do I feel warm inside?"