Atlas of Heaven and Man

Mr. Wen sighed softly and said, "Captain Nian, frankly speaking, your nephew is a bit old."

Nian Fuli was puzzled, "Too old? He's only sixteen, seventeen by the Chinese reckoning. He barely qualifies for the army. Is that old?"

Mr. Wen said, "Captain Nian, it's clear that your nephew hasn't had any specialized combat training before. Many of the students admitted to the Wuyi Academy have been training since they were young.

Their bodies have been developed since childhood, their foundations are solid, and they are well-prepared for the high-intensity training and skill absorption that will follow. Their potential is much higher than those who are unprepared. With just a little guidance, they can possess a certain level of combat ability. The purpose of the Wuyi Academy's re-examination is to select this type of student for further training."

He said with some regret, "Your nephew hasn't experienced this stage. Even if he really passes the re-examination and is with these students, the initial progress may be similar, but over time, the distance between them will gradually widen. This gap will only increase, and there's almost no chance of catching up.

And the intensity and severity here are definitely not comparable to those of ordinary students who haven't experienced training since childhood. Forcing it could easily lead to disability or injury. Rather than that, I suggest not forcing it. It might be better for your nephew."

Mr. Wen's tone was sincere, with a hint of advice. Nian Fuli felt his heart sink after hearing this.

If that's the case, he felt it was better not to bother. He should just let Chen Chuan finish his university studies honestly. Anyway, even if he graduates like that, it's not like there's no way out. He's still a student of Wuda, after all. But he couldn't make the decision for Chen Chuan, so he remained silent for a moment.

Just then, a loud voice suddenly rang out in the warehouse: "Nian Datou, is this your nephew? I heard he got into Wuda?"

Nian Fuli's face twitched. Chen Chuan turned around and saw a burly patrolman with a cap askew, also looking like a captain, walking over. He sized up Chen Chuan a few times, "Heh heh, this kid's muscles and bones show he's never trained. He thinks he can make a name for himself at Wuda with that? Dream on!"

Nian Fuli's face darkened, and he said, "Wei Laohu! Don't think your son is a big deal just because he's at Wuda. If your son can make a name for himself, my nephew can do the same!"

"Hey, I just don't believe it." Wei Laohu, seeing him retort, also got fired up. He pointed to the mop next to him and said, "If your nephew can make a name for himself at Wuda, I'll eat this mop."

Nian Fuli sneered, "Then you just wait. Xiaochuan, let's go." With that, he stepped out, and Chen Chuan immediately followed.

Wei Laohu shouted after him, "You're leaving already? Aren't you taking the mop? I'm waiting for you to feed it to me…"

After Nian Fuli walked out, the cool night breeze calmed him down a bit, but he still felt a sense of frustration. He turned his head and said, "Xiaochuan, Mr. Wen is a combat instructor hired by our headquarters. You heard what he said. What do you say?"

Chen Chuan said, "Okay, Uncle, I'll remember that."

Nian Fuli looked outside and said, "It's getting late. It's not safe on the road too late. Let's go back."

He took Chen Chuan back to get the car. This time, they didn't leave through the main entrance but went out through the back door's high-walled alley, turned onto the main street, and then went all the way back home.

With two bicycle bell rings, the two entered the front yard one after the other.

Yu Wan had been waiting for them. When she heard the sound, she came out and asked how things were going. After Nian Fuli waited for Chen Chuan to leave, he returned to the inner room and explained the situation.

After hearing this, Yu Wan was worried and complained, "You just agreed to Xiao Chan? What if he gets injured from training? You, his father, didn't stop him at all. It's better for the child to be safe and sound than anything else."

Nian Fuli shook his head and said, "This kid is determined, I can't stop him. If I could help him with this matter but didn't, he might hate me for the rest of his life."

Yu Wan sighed, "Chan'er's temper is just like her second aunt's."

After Chen Chuan washed up, he returned to his room. After thinking about it, he sat on the edge of the bed, closed his eyes, and tried to use the "Second Me" to observe the outside.

At first, he didn't feel anything, but as his concentration increased, he vaguely felt something, but it was very difficult. He couldn't feel it if his attention was slightly distracted.

However, he felt that there was potential.

You need to know that people who practice combat skills won't just be one-on-one. They might have to fight multiple opponents, and sometimes they might encounter various schemes. If they could observe the outside from multiple perspectives, they could avoid many dangers.

Perhaps he can't do it now, but when he has a closer connection with the Second Me in the future, he might be able to achieve it.

Knowing that he wasn't ready, he didn't continue. He got up, took a book, and read it until it was time to sleep.

The next day, he got up on time. After washing up and walking into the living room, he saw a note pressed under an ashtray on the dining table. He picked it up and saw that it was an address that Nian Fuli had left for him, with a name attached below.

He flipped through the map in his room and roughly confirmed the location.

After finishing breakfast, he took his usual satchel, changed into a worn, blue-gray coat, and rode his bicycle out.

Nian Fuli's address was located in the west of the city, about half an hour's ride by bicycle. According to the map, a few more miles would take you to the suburbs. The area was full of old factory districts, and the locals in Yangzhi City knew it was the territory of the Iron Chain Gang, but the Iron Chain Gang usually didn't come out during the day.

The buildings here were old and messy, filled with all kinds of illegally modified sheds that extended to the road. Clothes were hanging everywhere on the crooked telephone poles, which greatly obstructed the view. The roads were also full of potholes and uneven, and people were casually spilling sewage outwards, sometimes pouring it down from above, so he had to ride carefully.

The house numbers in this area were either missing or difficult to recognize. He had to ask along the way, searching for a long time before finding a simple wooden sign with "Fist Home" on a wooden telephone pole at an alley entrance, with an arrow pointing inwards. Checking the address, this should be the place.

Because the passage was narrow and crooked, he had to get off his bicycle and push it slowly inside. After leaving this alley, there was a large open space in front of him, like a playground. On the right were two dilapidated iron doors, and opposite was a three-story reinforced concrete building. In the distance, he could vaguely see an old water tower, which looked like an abandoned small school.

At this moment, he heard the sound of punching sandbags, which felt very powerful and rhythmic. He asked loudly, "Excuse me, is Mr. Yu here?"

The sound of punching the sandbag stopped, and a young man of eighteen or nineteen years old, with bandages on his fists and naked upper body, ran out of the building. His muscle lines were clear, but he looked very thin. Seeing him, he asked, "Are you here to learn boxing?"

Chen Chuan said, "I'm here to find Mr. Yu Gang. My uncle, Nian Fuli, told me to find him."

When the young man heard this, he said flatteringly, "Oh, so you're Young Master Chen." He turned his head and said loudly, "Master, this is Captain Nian's nephew." A deep and powerful voice came from upstairs: "Let him come up."

The young man stepped aside and said, "Young Master Chen, this way." He added, "Young Master Chen, just park your bicycle here, you don't need to lock it. No one dares to steal it here."

Chen Chuan said, "I'm not any young master, just call me Chen Chuan. May I ask what your name is, brother?"

The young man said, "My name is Lu Ke. I'm Yu Shifu's disciple." He emphasized, "Not a student, a disciple."

Chen Chuan understood that a disciple not only inherits skills but also takes care of the master's affairs after his death. The intimacy is not something that ordinary students can compare to.

He parked his bicycle and followed Lu Ke to the second floor. He chatted with Lu Ke for a few words and learned that the latter had been learning fighting with Yu Gang for five years.

Chen Chuan followed him to the second floor, walked along the long balcony to the end, pushed open a wooden door, and walked in. He saw a tall, middle-aged strong man sitting cross-legged on a soft cushion in the spacious room. This man was about forty years old, wearing short sleeves, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and a straight nose. The muscles bulging on his body looked like stones.

Chen Chuan said, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Yu Gang? My name is Chen Chuan. My uncle, Nian Fuli, told me to find you."

The strong man said in a deep voice, "I am Yu Gang. What does Captain Nian want me to do?"

Chen Chuan said, "I just got into Wu Yi Academy this year..."

"Wu Da." Lu Ke's eyes showed deep envy.

Yu Gang understood and asked, "You want to pass the re-examination, so Captain Nian sent you to me?"

Chen Chuan said, "Yes."

Yu Gang said readily, "Okay, I'll teach you, but pay first."

Chen Chuan asked tentatively, "Is Mr. Yu talking about tuition?"

Yu Gang said, "I owe Captain Nian a favor. I won't charge you tuition for teaching you, but if you want to practice well, you have to eat well, supplement your nutrition, and there are also the consumption of equipment, hiring sparring partners, and renting venues. These all cost money, and I won't pay for them for you."

Chen Chuan inquired, "How much is needed?"

Yu Gang said, "Pay fifty first. If you think you are practicing well, then renew. If you think you are not practicing well, you can leave at any time. If there is any left, I will return it to you."

Chen Chuan nodded and said, "Very fair."

Although fifty yuan was not a small amount, combat training has always been the most expensive. Otherwise, Yangzhi City would not be full of boxing clubs and arenas.

As far as he knew, the entrance fee for ordinary boxing clubs was about one hundred and fifty to two hundred yuan, and you might not necessarily learn anything. He heard that there were even more expensive private trainers, with a course costing hundreds of yuan, which ordinary people couldn't even think about.

Yu Gang stretched out his big hand and said, "Then give me the money."

To be on the safe side, Chen Chuan had brought money with him. He counted out fifty from his satchel and handed it to Yu Gang, who took it and put it directly into his pants pocket.

Chen Chuan asked, "Mr. Yu, I wonder when it would be convenient to start training?"

Yu Gang said, "If it's convenient for you, we can start now. Before we start, I want to ask you a question, what is your goal in taking the Wu Yi Academy exam?"

Chen Chuan was a little puzzled: "Does this have anything to do with training?"

Yu Gang gave an affirmative answer: "It does matter. Knowing what your goal is, I can arrange your next training."

Chen Chuan thought for a while and said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Isn't the goal of martial arts fighting to be unrestrained and constantly surpass oneself?"

Besides his inner yearning and pursuit of martial arts, the reason for entering Wu Yi University was also the unknown cause of death of his predecessor. He didn't know if this was specifically targeted at him or just a coincidence, so he desperately hoped to become stronger and be able to cope with various external dangers. Now that he has a "second self," he firmly believes that he can do it.

Perhaps it was because of this that his voice naturally had an unwavering confidence and determination, and even Lu Ke next to him seemed to be infected.

"To be free from constraints and unfettered..." Yu Gang was silent for a while and said, "Your goal is not easy." As he spoke, he slowly stood up from the ground.