Celestial Human Diagram-Chapter 140 - 126: A Visit

A few more days passed, and on the first day off since the start of the term, Chen Chuan paid a visit to his aunt’s house.

This time, Nian Fuli was home. When Chen Chuan entered, he found his uncle sitting in an armchair, listening to the radio and reading a newspaper with his legs crossed. Meanwhile, his two younger cousins were playing happily off to the side.

Chen Chuan greeted them and went to pour himself a glass of water.

Nian Fuli looked at Chen Chuan, then at Yu Wan. He patted his chest and said, "I’m out of cigarettes. Yu Wan, go buy me a pack, will you?"

Yu Wan glanced at her husband, then said to Chen Chuan, "Look at that. Your uncle’s a captain now and already ordering people around."

Nian Fuli sounded exasperated. "It’s just one pack of cigarettes. What’s that got to do with anything? Even as a captain, I’m still limited to one pack a day..."

"Fine, Captain Nian. I’ll go buy them for you."

After Yu Wan left, Nian Fuli put down his newspaper, got up, and shooed the cousins into their room to play. Only then did he return and say to Chen Chuan, "Xiaochuan, I heard you were the one who took down that man from Maka? You were there at the scene?"

Chen Chuan said, "Yes, Uncle. It was a school-arranged event, and I was there when the shooting happened. How is Director Liu doing?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Nian Fuli said, "You don’t need to worry about them. Those bigwigs from the Administrative Affairs Hall won’t step outside without their Protective Clothing. Liu Zhan just got a little scare, nothing serious. Meanwhile, the guys at the Bureau have been run ragged because of this whole affair..."

From what his uncle said, Chen Chuan realized there had been more than one attack that day—it was clearly a ploy to divert the Patrol Bureau’s forces. He then asked, "Uncle, what’s going to happen to those Maka students?"

Nian Fuli said, "How will they be handled? They’ll be processed according to the standard procedure for exiled fugitives."

"Exiled fugitives?" Chen Chuan asked in surprise. "Weren’t they exchange students?"

Nian Fuli said, "The higher-ups investigated. They aren’t exchange students, but a group of fugitives from Maka Country. The real exchange students claim they were attacked by this group upon entering Dashun Country, and the fugitives took their places in the exchange program at Wuyi Academy."

’So that’s how it is...’

Chen Chuan considered this. ’Judging by the performance of Teacher Duma and the other students, they seemed like legitimate students and a teacher, all with extensive combat training. Otherwise, the people at Wuyi Academy would have been able to spot the difference.’

’So,’ he speculated, ’it’s possible the Maka People orchestrated the swap themselves. That way, they’d have plausible deniability and could avoid damaging diplomatic relations with Dashun, all while not getting dragged into the mess by the resistance organization.’

’And it was a decent cover story. On the surface, it even made the Maka delegation look like the victims, since the fugitives had supposedly already had their citizenship revoked and were no longer considered Maka People.’

’But no one was a fool. The higher-ups could surely figure out the truth. If the Maka People really had orchestrated this, then even if Dashun and Maka maintained a civil relationship publicly, things would never go back to the way they were behind closed doors.’

He asked again, "Uncle, what about the student who escaped with the item that day?"

Nian Fuli replied, "His whereabouts are unknown. He must have had a contact waiting. The Administrative Affairs Hall is taking this resistance organization very seriously. It’s likely the same group that failed to stir up trouble with Fang Dawei’s crew last time, and they’ve just resurfaced to take advantage of this situation."

As he spoke, he took out a half-empty pack of cigarettes, pulled one out, and lit it. Taking a drag, he sighed, "The higher-ups just have to say the word, and we’re the ones who run our legs off. The guys at the Patrol Bureau are in for more hard work."

Chen Chuan thought, ’Not bad, Uncle. A little promotion and suddenly his perspective is on a whole new level.’

After a few more puffs, Nian Fuli suddenly remembered something. He glanced outside, then quickly stubbed out his cigarette and deftly opened a window to air out the room. Turning back with a serious expression, he said, "Whatever you do, don’t tell your aunt you were at the scene. It would only make her worry."

Chen Chuan smiled. "Don’t worry, Uncle. I won’t say a word to her about it."

After lunch at his uncle’s home, Chen Chuan planned to go meet the martial niece of Cheng Zitong, a senior sister by the name of He Nan.

Although he had never met this senior sister, he had worked with her disciple, Lin Xiaoti, while on a commission with Ren Xiaotian.

Since this wasn’t an official commission, he didn’t call for a car from the agency. Instead, after making a phone call, he went downtown and took a tram toward Senior Sister Nan’s place in South City.

Her place was a training hall on the banks of the White River in South City. Rows of willows lined the riverbank, their newly sprouted buds adding a splash of color to the scene. Upon arriving at the hall, an attendant came out to greet him. "You must be Young Master Chen," he said respectfully. "My lady is expecting you. Please, follow me."

Chen Chuan thanked the man and followed him inside. Though it was a training facility, the path to the main hall was paved with smooth cobblestones, and the hall itself was flanked by flower racks and potted plants, all lush and vibrant with life.

As he entered the outer hall, a refreshing and pleasant fragrance filled the air. Peeking through a carved floral screen, he saw a woman trimming flowers by a window. A long sword was visible hanging nearby, well within her reach.

The attendant stepped inside and spoke a few words to her. She set down what she was holding, went to a basin to wash her hands, and after drying them, smoothed her hair and walked out from behind the screen.

As she emerged, Chen Chuan took a moment to observe her. She was a beautiful woman who appeared to be in her early thirties. She had an oval face, gracefully curved eyebrows, and carried herself with an intellectual and elegant air. Her hair was pulled back into a bun, and she wore a modified, form-fitting, jade-white training uniform.

If it weren’t for the distinct rhythm in her gait and the faint power in each step, one would never have guessed from her appearance alone that she was a Fighter.