Purple Mist Dao Master
Chapter 39: Recruitment, Going in Opposite Directions! [End of the month, asking for monthly votes]

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Recruitment, Going in Opposite Directions! [End of the month, asking for monthly votes]

"Military Suppression Department?"

Zhong Hui looked towards Che Zheng without speaking.

Although she was a disciple of Guangling Academy and a member of the True Martial Bureau, making her part of two of the ’Three Martial Divisions’, she rarely dealt with the ’Military Suppression Department’, as they were not on the same path for the time being.

As for Yan Chuan.

He had just recently heard the term ’Three Martial Divisions’ from Chen Ze. Now, encountering officers from the ’Military Suppression Department’ at his door, Yan Chuan remained calm, neither surprised nor afraid, and said with curiosity on his face, "So it’s the three officers from the Military Suppression Department. May I ask what business brings you here?"

"It’s not exactly official business."

"We heard that recently the ’Cheng Family Boxing’ has produced another talent after ’Tie Qiao Cheng’, and we came specifically to pay our respects."

Che Zheng laughed, "Master Yan’s spear technique is truly exceptional."

"Leader Che is too kind,"

Yan Chuan replied humbly.

Although Che Zheng was a government official, he was also a martial artist. He was straightforward and direct, quickly getting to the point after a brief exchange of pleasantries, "The ’Military Suppression Department’ is thirsty for talent. With Master Yan’s exceptional skills, if you are willing to join, you will be given a prestigious rank and substantial benefits. With such martial arts accomplishment, it’s a shame for Master Yan to be holed up here as a minor martial master instead of making a name for yourself in the ’Military Suppression Department’!"

It turned out to be an offer of recruitment!

Indeed.

With martial arts on the rise and the world flourishing, it was an opportunity for martial artists but a test for the ’Military Suppression Department’. To monitor the Jianghu, suppress the martial world, and intimidate martial artists, they had to possess formidable strength.

Talent!

Experts!

For the Military Suppression Department, the more the better!

Although Yan Chuan was of the Old School, he could still be absorbed.

However—

"Apologies, I am used to being carefree and can’t take on such a role," Yan Chuan politely declined.

He wouldn’t even join the conflict-averse ’True Martial Bureau’ without consulting his master first, let alone the ’Military Suppression Department’, which was considered a true ’court hound’. Despite its role in fighting off many villains, it truly stood in opposition to the Jianghu Martial Arts, both openly and secretly, likely having tensions with the Old School.

Yan Chuan couldn’t join.

"Master Yan doesn’t need to refuse immediately, you can consider it before responding." Che Zheng smiled, understanding Yan Chuan and Cheng Fengxiao well, and knowing the nature of the master-disciple pair, he didn’t have high hopes for recruitment. He then settled for the next best thing, "Master Yan’s teaching ability, from what I see, surpasses many lecturers and teachers in the Martial Arts Academy. I have a group of people whose martial skills are mediocre and lack potential. I wonder if you could help train them?"

"I’m afraid my skills are inadequate and might not serve the government well."

"I would ask Leader Che to seek out someone more capable."

Yan Chuan refused again.

Helping the ’Military Suppression Department’ train ’court hounds’?

That wouldn’t be much different from joining the ’Military Suppression Department’.

No way, no way!

Che Zheng was prepared for the consecutive refusals and wasn’t angry. He smiled warmly, "The first two matters were barely official business. I understand Master Yan’s concerns. However, what I’m about to go into is a personal matter, and I would ask Master Yan for a bit of courtesy."

"Leader Che, you speak highly."

Yan Chuan looked at Che Zheng.

Che Zheng glanced at Yan Chuan, and then at Zhong Hui nearby, with a wry smile, "I’m not afraid of being laughed at by you two; I have an only son who lost his mother at an early age, has been left to his own devices, and is distant from me. He is eager to learn martial arts but unwilling to train under me or enter the Martial Arts Academy at my direction, refusing the New Faction path. He spends his days seeking out martial arts halls and sects trying to find a master. But he is ignorant; no sect will accept him, and martial arts halls find him difficult to teach. For years he has achieved nothing. Though frustrated, I feel guilty."

At this point, both Yan Chuan and Zhong Hui understood Che Zheng’s meaning.

Zhong Hui didn’t interfere and remained silent.

Yan Chuan didn’t comment or initiate a response.

Che Zheng had no choice but to continue, "Master Yan’s teaching skills are second to none, with an excellent reputation from the ’Advanced Study Hall’, and your character is impeccable. I was wondering if my son could become a disciple under Master Yan?"

The father’s affection was touching, but Yan Chuan declined: "Sorry, I have no intention of taking on disciples at the moment."

...

As they watched Che Zheng and his two companions depart, Zhong Hui looked at Yan Chuan, "Does Master Yan want nothing to do with the ’Military Suppression Department’? I’ve heard of Che Zheng’s name; he’s not from Guangling, but from Ci State, practicing ’Dong’s Saber Technique.’ In earlier years, he was known in the Jianghu as ’Hundred-step Flying Flower’. He is quite powerful, with a significant background. If you took his only son as a disciple, it would certainly open more paths for you down the line."

This is a good opportunity.

"I’m someone who fears trouble. When it comes to taking on and teaching a disciple, I want to do it as I wish. Leader Che’s only son is the apple of his eye."

Yan Chuan, with his idea of ’Mutual Teaching and Learning’, accepts disciples not based on aptitude but for a sense of ease and willingness.

Che Zheng’s only son?

One can easily imagine such a ’playboy’ would be difficult to train. He would likely come initially defiant and unwilling to submit, and Yan Chuan doesn’t want to waste time and effort to win him over and train him from insubordinate to respectful. It would be a waste of time and energy.

Wouldn’t it be better to choose a disciple who has good character, is well-tempered, and obedient right from the start?

"Master Yan is insightful."

Zhong Hui marveled but also expressed doubt: "Since Master Yan lives so insightfully, you know that the New Faction and Martial Arts Academy are indeed the broad paths. Setting aside other academies, just at my Guangling Academy, there are the ’Cultivation Three Treasures Land’ — firstly, the ’Book Collection Pavilion’, with thousands of volumes that broaden knowledge; secondly, ’Carry Ten Thousand Mountains’, a place each step is hard-earned, perfect for forging Qi Power; thirdly, ’Flame Ridge’, where flames rise, ideal for refining Qi-Blood. The Three Treasures Land assists in cultivation at a pace much faster than the Old School martial artists muddling through solitary practice! Fifty times faster, no less!"

Guangling Academy!

Cultivation Three Treasures Land!

Yan Chuan had long heard of them, and he envied and longed for it, but as he always said—

Comparing oneself with others!

There are things one should do and things one shouldn’t do!

Until his master had come around and changed his views, he couldn’t go, nor did he wish to.

Zhong Hui didn’t understand.

But she recognized Yan Chuan’s ’stubbornness’, and it was truly a shame: "The Court’s Armament Spread is the trend. The Martial Arts Academy is the cradle of the New Faction, and it is not merely confined to places like ’Carry Ten Thousand Mountains’ and ’Flame Ridge’. Master Yan, you are going against the tide!"

...

Zhong Hui left.

With regret.

Yan Chuan was curious about what Zhong Hui left unsaid before departing. He had also heard similar words from Chen Ze, but they were vague and not spoken openly.

Yan Chuan speculated that Guangling Academy must have other secrets beyond the ’Cultivation Three Treasures Land’.

As far as he knew.

In Chen Ze’s third year at Guangling Academy, he became a fourth-level research student. Afterwards, he would disappear two to three times each year, each time varying from ten days to a couple of months.

But every time he returned, his strength improved significantly, and he exuded a different aura.

Time and again.

Year after year.

After five years, the junior disciple from the past had already cultivated the demeanor of a grandmaster before him, leading the way as the society leader of the ’Great Success Boxing Club’.

To say Yan Chuan wasn’t envious would be absurd.

But on reflection, perhaps Chen Ze wasn’t showcasing himself unintentionally in front of him but wanted to subtly convey something through these changes.

Just like Zhong Hui earlier.

"Academy secret?"

"What could it be?"

Yan Chuan couldn’t fathom, as it was beyond his reach for now. What he could rely on at the moment was still the ’Purple Mist Palace’.

Not to overthink.

Not to worry.

Yan Chuan looked at the ’Derivation Skill’, which was newly established earlier in the month after the ’Six Harmonies Eight Techniques Fist’. Having been honed for more than half a month and after a battle with Zhong Hui, it had amassed enough inspiration—

...