Celestial Human Diagram

「Two days later, New Year’s Eve.」

As snow began to drift down, the lively crackle of firecrackers echoed from outside the house.

Inside the cozy room, he sat with his aunt’s family around a table laden with food. They ate and chatted while a festive New Year’s program played on a nearby radio.

The only regret was his cousin, Nian Qian. He had been deployed with the army to an Outer Ocean Island last year and could only send a telegram home again this year.

After the meal, Chen Chuan walked outside, hands stuffed in his pockets. He stood in the courtyard, looking up at the falling specks of snow and the colorful fireworks that soared and twinkled in the sky.

The sights of Central City were dazzling and magnificent, but even up close, it felt like peering into another world. These occasional flashes of fireworks, however, allowed him to feel the pulse of vibrant life and a tangible reality from afar.

"Cousin, cousin, let’s light the firecrackers!"

Chen Chuan watched the two little ones run cheerfully out of the house. He smiled. "Alright, I’ll take you to light them."

Amid the clamor of firecrackers, the ninety-fourth year of the Dashun Republic came to a close.

After the New Year, many of Nian Fuli’s subordinates came to his home to pay their respects. Even Director Guan called ahead of time to give his New Year’s greetings.

This was mainly because of Chen Chuan, however. After all, Chen Chuan now outranked him by a level. Even though they weren’t in the same organization, some etiquette still had to be observed.

After the third day of the New Year, once he had accompanied Nian Fuli on visits to all his closer colleagues and friends, Chen Chuan went to Instructor Wen’s place to pay his respects.

Instructor Wen wasn’t a Yangzhi local, and his family didn’t live here. The bureau usually assigned him a housekeeper to cook and handle chores, freeing up his time to instruct and train the Patrol Officers.

But during the New Year, he was home all alone. The courtyard felt a bit deserted upon entering.

Once in the living room, Chen Chuan presented the gift he had brought. "Instructor Wen, this is something I brought for you from Central City. It’s just a small token of my respect."

The techniques Instructor Wen had taught him had been a tremendous help, so upon his return, he had prepared some gifts for the instructor as well—mainly a high-end tea set and some protective sparring gear from Central City.

Instructor Wen accepted it with a smile. "Thank you." He set the gift aside, turned around, and took out a canister of tea. He brewed two cups and placed one in front of Chen Chuan.

"This was grown by an old friend of mine. It has a calming effect on the mind and spirit. Take a canister with you when you leave."

"Thank you, Instructor."

After they were seated, Wen Tong asked, "How long are you planning to stay this time?"

Chen Chuan replied, "I’ll head back before the new semester in February."

Instructor Wen said, "A while ago, someone came to Yangzhi asking about you. Director Guan specifically told me to keep an eye out, but no one has come by since."

Chen Chuan said, "Thank you, Instructor Wen, and please thank Director Guan for his help. Those people were indeed after me. I’ve already dealt with some of them."

Instructor Wen smiled. "Some weeds won’t just disappear on their own. You only feel at ease once you’ve pulled them out by the roots."

Chen Chuan nodded. "I understand, Instructor."

Instructor Wen looked at him for a few moments, seeming to sense something, but he wasn’t certain. He mused, "Have you already taken a special medication?"

"Yes."

Instructor Wen nodded. "I thought so. It seems you’ve already participated in a defense mission." He lifted his cup, took a sip, and spoke slowly. "The changes in the world are beyond our control, but we can control ourselves.

At this stage of a Fighter’s training, you’re about to face the most difficult hurdle. Advancing from the First Limit to the Third Limit has no real barriers to speak of; as long as you have enough resources and talent, you can break through. But going any higher is not so easy. That’s because you encounter a true bottleneck."

He looked at Chen Chuan. "This isn’t something you can overcome with innate talent alone."

Chen Chuan’s heart stirred slightly.

Instructor Wen then said, "Wait a moment." He stood up and walked into the back room. A moment later, he came out with a handwritten booklet and handed it to Chen Chuan. He smiled. "Don’t be in a hurry to read it. When you know which path to take, then you can take it out and look."

Chen Chuan accepted it. The object reminded him of the booklet He Xiaoxing had given him before. It looked very similar, and he instantly realized this might be something passed down within the Pure Sect.

But since Instructor Wen told him not to look at it now, he naturally had his reasons. So, Chen Chuan put it away and thanked him sincerely.

He stayed at Instructor Wen’s for a little while longer. After finishing his cup of tea, he took his leave and departed.

He had many people to visit during the New Year holiday. He had already spoken with his teacher, Cheng Zitong, by phone; Cheng Zitong was being invited to banquets everywhere and probably wouldn’t have time until after the 6th day of the first lunar month. So, he decided to pay a visit to Director Lei first.

After the New Year, Director Lei would be taking up his post at the Esoteric Review Bureau in Central City. Perhaps the two of them could travel together then.

Returning home, he got into his Gard Car and drove out from the Patrol Bureau Family Area. He drove all the way to Director Lei’s residence, the continuous sound of firecrackers echoing on both sides.

Because they had been in contact during their New Year’s phone call, the main gate opened from the inside as soon as the car stopped in front of the large residence. Director Lei and Senior Sister He emerged, holding Xiaoying’s hand.

Chen Chuan got out of the car. The group exchanged a few pleasantries at the entrance before going inside together.

After they sat down, He Nan went to pour them tea while Director Lei said, "Do you remember that case from half a year ago?"

Chen Chuan nodded. "I do."

Director Lei said, "Not long after I submitted the case file, someone came to warn me, trying to suppress the matter. I had anticipated this and had already reported it to the higher-ups through a confidential channel. This went on for several months and only settled down just before the New Year."

Chen Chuan said, "Director Lei, you mentioned back then that there might be Baixiang Sect followers within the country, possibly in high positions."

Director Lei said in a low voice, "Higher than I previously thought."

Chen Chuan looked at him. "It didn’t affect you, did it, Director Lei?"

"Things went relatively smoothly. The person has already been taken down in secret. The higher-ups didn’t want to make a big fuss about it, so there was no clear sentencing; they just used another pretext."

Director Lei shook his head. "In this day and age, the more you publicize things involving cults, the more people will try to imitate them. This way of handling it is the best we can do for now."

After a pause, he added in a low voice, "My transfer to Central City this time is likely because the Cult problem in the Lower City District has become increasingly severe. A lot of foreign powers have infiltrated, and it’s reached a point where it must be dealt with."

At this moment, however, Chen Chuan suddenly had a feeling. ’The higher-ups’ reason for transferring Director Lei isn’t that simple. It’s probably to deal with something else.’

He asked, "I was wondering, when will you be taking up your post, Director Lei?"

Director Lei said, "I need to arrive at the Esoteric Bureau before late February, but I’ll be leaving early. There are some things I need to handle in advance."

Chen Chuan said, "In that case, will you travel with me, Director Lei?"

Director Lei looked at him and nodded. "Alright."

Senior Sister He came over with snacks just then. She chided, "Old Lei, we rarely get to see each other during the New Year. Why are you only talking about business?" Then she addressed Chen Chuan, "Junior Chen, this is a sweet date and white fungus soup I made. Have a taste."

Director Lei chuckled. "It’s been a while since you’ve tasted your Senior Sister’s cooking, hasn’t it."

Chen Chuan said, "I still haven’t forgotten the meal I had last time I was here." He picked up the bowl of soup and took a sip. It was wonderfully sweet, thick, and smooth. He couldn’t help but nod. "Senior Sister’s cooking is second to none."

After he finished, they stopped talking about official business and instead chatted about Chen Chuan’s recent experiences in Central City. However, he didn’t mention anything about the Merging Land, as he had signed a non-disclosure agreement.

’And given Director Lei’s rank and the matters he’s involved in, he’ll surely find out about it soon after arriving in Central City anyway.’

He stayed until noon and had lunch with Director Lei’s family. After setting a date for their departure, he took his leave.

After driving away, he headed west, eventually arriving at the apartment building where Weidong lived. After parking the car, he went upstairs and knocked on the door. "Weidong, it’s me."

"Coming!"

The sound of hurried footsteps approached, and Weidong pulled the door open. He was thrilled to see Chen Chuan, and he was clearly radiating an eagerness to fight, as if he wanted to have another match.

But after looking at Chen Chuan for a few moments, he suddenly deflated and said honestly, "I can’t beat you."

Chen Chuan smiled. He had just released a tiny bit of his Domain, and Weidong had sensed it. His intuition was as sharp as ever. He walked into the apartment. "What are you up to?"

Weidong scratched his head. "I’m heading to Central City after the New Year. This training equipment is just sitting here, and it’s hard to maintain, so I was planning to wipe it down and put it in storage."

In truth, he rarely used the equipment left behind by that old man anymore, not since he started his formal training. After becoming an official Fighter, it was practically just a collection of souvenirs. Still, he kept it all and would wipe it down and maintain it whenever he had free time.

Chen Chuan said, "Let me help you."

He helped Weidong pack up. But after they had put away just a few pieces of equipment, Weidong suddenly looked up, a fierce fighting spirit burning in his eyes. "No, Brother Chen, I still have to fight you!"

As he spoke, he raised his bandaged fists.

Chen Chuan simply reached out and pushed lightly. Weidong flew sideways across the room and slammed heavily into the back wall.

BOOM! The sound seemed to shake the entire building.

A moment later, Weidong charged out from the other room again, yelling. But the next instant, he was sent flying back just as predictably.

Chen Chuan, meanwhile, set down a protective headguard and picked up a hand gripper to wipe it clean.

Again and again, Weidong charged out of the room, shouting. But each time, he was knocked back before his cry even finished.

Ten minutes later, Weidong was splayed out on the floor, grimacing and hissing as he sucked in sharp breaths.

His Horizontal Training was strong, but Chen Chuan’s fists weren’t just simple attacks. They carried a penetrating Power that made every inch of his body ache.

Chen Chuan finished wiping the last item at hand, set it aside, and said to Weidong on the floor, "You’ve improved, Brother Wei."

Weidong lay there for a moment before sitting up, rubbing his head and back. He asked, "Brother Chen, can I learn the things you just used in Central City?"

Chen Chuan smiled. "You can, but your path and mine are different. I think it would be better for you to continue down the road of Horizontal Training."

Weidong sat for a moment. In the time it took to exchange those few sentences, the soreness in his body faded, and he was full of life again. He bumped his fists together. "I think so too! Just you watch, Brother Chen. I’ll definitely keep up with you."

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