Celestial Human Diagram-Chapter 73 - 63: Another Commission

After mid-October, Cheng Zitong checked on Chen Chuan’s training progress. He gave him an optimistic update, saying that at his current rate, he could potentially master the Force Technique by the end of the month, or by early to mid-November at the latest.

That way, once this assigned mission was complete, he could start applying for a Weapon Permit.

However, Cheng Zitong also reminded him that after the First Limit, the growth of the Mutated Organization typically slows. It would need to be observed for a while after that.

For some people, the Mutated Organization would slow down and stagnate at this point. For others, however, it would resume its growth after a brief lull, as if it were just a phase for recalibration and gathering strength. He needed to be especially careful, because if that happened, he would have to prepare to enter the next limit ahead of schedule.

’Chen Chuan himself didn’t know what would happen. He was relying entirely on his nonstop Breathing Technique, not on any innate "talent." Theoretically, the Basic Breathing Technique would peak once he could sustain it for twenty-four hours. After that, he probably couldn’t rely on it to stimulate further growth.’

’In reality, this was just the most optimistic estimate. It was highly likely that the Breathing Technique’s effects would gradually diminish even before he reached that level.’

’So what would he do then? Rely on drugs? Or some other method? It was still early to be thinking about this, but he could already start looking into his options.’

On his next day off, he began preparing for the second mission assigned by Cheng Zitong.

Ren Xiaotian was leading him again.

Shortly after ten in the morning, he got a call from Ren Xiaotian. He went downstairs and outside, where he immediately spotted the familiar SUV waiting for him.

He walked over and greeted Ren Xiaotian in the driver’s seat. Then he noticed a lively-looking girl in the passenger seat. Her hair was so short that at first glance, he thought she was a boy. She waved at him when she saw him. "Hey there, nice to meet you! I’m Lin Xiaoti. Just call me Xiaoti."

Chen Chuan said, "Hello."

Ren Xiaotian said, "She’s my senior sister’s apprentice. We need her for today’s assignment." Once Chen Chuan was in the car, Ren Xiaotian handed him a notebook. "Today’s mission."

Chen Chuan took the notebook and expertly flipped past the parts he’d already seen. The mission description began: the daughter of a wealthy businessman, a Mr. An, was frequently sneaking out to watch the Blood Mark Gang’s underground matches, often not returning home for the night.

Mr. An had tried persuading his daughter to return, but to little effect. He then resorted to more forceful methods, but his people were all beaten and driven off by his daughter’s bodyguard. The bodyguard, hired by the daughter with her own allowance, was extremely skilled. Short of using drastic measures, the father was at a loss. So, he had placed a contract with their agency to bring her back.

The assignment looked simple, but it was anything but. Most people avoided anything involving the Blood Mark Gang like the plague. Even with the high payout, very few were willing to take the job.

Ren Xiaotian’s plan was specific: they would first go in, try to talk her down, and get a clear picture of the situation, avoiding physical conflict if possible. If force became necessary, he and Chen Chuan would handle the bodyguard, and Xiaoti would be responsible for escorting the young woman back.

The arrangement was logical. Bringing Xiaoti was necessary because forcibly restraining the target would involve physical contact, and having a female operative do it would prevent many potential complications.

At the end, two key points were highlighted in red ink:

First: Members of the Blood Mark Gang may interfere. Be careful.

Second: Your own safety is the top priority.

After reading, Chen Chuan handed the notebook back to Ren Xiaotian. Ren Xiaotian took it but kept glancing over at him. By the third time he looked, Chen Chuan understood what he was after and spoke up. "Senior Brother Ren, I have no objections."

Only then did Ren Xiaotian stop looking at him and focus on driving.

After leaving the school, the SUV headed south, then turned west. A drive of about ten minutes brought them to the underground fighting ring operated by the Blood Mark Gang.

It was located on the border between the Bao Feng District and the Daping District to the southwest, not too far from the bustling city center.

The so-called "underground ring" was really just an unsanctioned one. Though not recognized by the official fighting-sports associations, it was a legally operated entertainment venue in Yangzhi City, and it even paid taxes to the Yangzhi Administrative Affairs Hall.

The venue’s exterior looked similar to the Wuyi training hall. Even though it was broad daylight and far from peak hours, quite a few cars were already parked outside.

As they went inside to buy tickets, the security guard at the entrance sized them up but didn’t approach or ask any questions.

Once the three of them got inside, they followed an upward ramp to a circular corridor. The corridor led them to a large door guarded by several security personnel, which was the official entrance to the main hall. The moment they stepped through, their ears were assaulted by a cacophony of roaring crowds and pounding percussion.

Chen Chuan saw a ring about twenty meters ahead, raised more than a meter off the ground and bathed in bright spotlights. Two powerfully built fighters were brawling on the canvas, their punches vicious. After a moment, they fell into a grapple, their bodies slick with an indistinguishable mix of sweat and blood.

A sparse crowd of a few dozen people surrounded the ring, clapping, cheering, and whistling. Others were sprawled across the surrounding plush seats, empty liquor bottles and cans scattered around them.

Lin Xiaoti grabbed a passing attendant, slipped him a bill, and asked, "Which VIP box is An Qingqing in?"

The attendant deftly pocketed the bill and pointed. "Second floor, Box Seven."

Chen Chuan was surveying the area, noting the layout and the positions of the security guards and gang members. Ren Xiaotian tugged his arm. When Chen Chuan turned, Ren Xiaotian shook his head. "This isn’t a good vantage point. We’ll get a better look from upstairs."

Chen Chuan nodded.

The three of them exited the main floor through a stairwell and took the rear stairs to the second floor. They followed the colorful strip lighting until they found Box Seven.

Lin Xiaoti stepped forward and knocked on the door. "Is Miss An in?"

The person inside didn’t seem to be on guard, perhaps because Lin Xiaoti’s feminine voice didn’t raise any alarms. Footsteps approached, and the door swung open to reveal a burly woman.

This woman was a good half a head taller than Chen Chuan, meaning she was definitely over two meters tall. She asked in a booming voice, "Who are you?"

Lin Xiaoti produced a work order. "Mr. An sent us to find her."

Before the female bodyguard could speak, a voice drifted from inside. "More people from my old man? Let ’em in."

The bodyguard stepped aside, and the three of them entered. They saw a girl of about seventeen or eighteen sitting on a sofa. She wore a loose-fitting shirt and tight canvas pants. Her eyelashes were thick, and her lips were painted with a vibrant, glittering lipstick. She was, in fact, quite pretty.

With her hands propped on the sofa on either side of her, she swung her legs, her attention fixed on the match below. Without looking at them, she said, "You can go back. I already told my old man I’m not leaving until I’ve had my fun."

Lin Xiaoti asked, "And what would count as having had your fun, Miss An?"

"What would count as... huh?"

An Qingqing glanced over her shoulder, but what was meant to be a quick look lingered on Chen Chuan. Her interest suddenly piqued, she turned around, kneeling on the sofa with one hand draped over the backrest and the other cupping her cheek. Her eyes scanned them up and down. "You’re all trained fighters, aren’t you?"

She said excitedly, "I’ll make you a deal. There’s a round-robin tournament starting here soon. Pick one of you to enter. If he wins the tournament, I’ll go with you."

She smiled. "Of course, you could also try to take me by force. You just have to beat Xiaozhen. If you can do that, I won’t resist."

’Chen Chuan could see this was just an excuse. An Qingqing most likely just wanted to watch them fight for the thrill of it.’

’Resorting to force was the worst option. Dealing with just the bodyguard would be manageable, but it wasn’t that simple. An Qingqing was a customer of the Blood Mark Gang. If they got rough, the gang wouldn’t just stand by and watch.’

Just then, Ren Xiaotian abruptly turned and walked out. Chen Chuan didn’t know what he was thinking, but he knew better than to question him and followed without hesitation. Lin Xiaoti gave An Qingqing a wave. "Bye, Miss An!"

An Qingqing pouted, seeming to lose interest all at once, and slumped back onto the sofa.

Outside, Ren Xiaotian pressed a slip of paper into Lin Xiaoti’s hand. "Xiaoti, wait out here for half an hour. If we’re not back by then, call the number on this paper."

Lin Xiaoti took it without a word of protest. She waved to the two of them and walked away briskly.

Ren Xiaotian then walked over to a member of the Blood Mark Gang who looked to have some authority. He produced the client’s Name Card and said, "I need to see your boss."

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