Chapter 170: Yu Jiasjin's Invitation

As Yu Jiaying said, the true peril of this matter lay in the possibility that, further down Wang Chen's professional path, he might encounter individuals whom he had inadvertently offended.

And then have obstacles placed in his way.

By that time, with Wang Chen in the open and his enemies in the shadows, he would find it extremely difficult to fend them off.

Those observing in the conference room also wore grave expressions, feeling nervous on Wang Chen's behalf.

Yet, not a trace of fear showed on Wang Chen's face. He answered calmly, "Chairman Wu has already warned me about all these possibilities."

Hearing this, Yu Jiaying asked, "Since you understand all this, why are you still doing it? Aren't you afraid?"

Wang Chen slowly replied, "Chairman Wu asked me the exact same question, and my answer remains the same."

"And how did you reply?" Yu Jiaying inquired.

"I said, of course I am afraid, but some things simply must be done by someone. A house cannot remain filthy forever; someone has to clean it."

Wang Chen's tone was sincere. "Even if I fail and lose my life, I can at least tell those who come after me that this path is impassable and they must find another way. That in itself would be leaving behind some enlightenment."

"After all, we are getting closer and closer to that ideal society where the seas are clear and the rivers are calm."

"From this perspective, I am bound to step forward and be the first bird to stick its neck out. Even if I face millions, I shall march onward."

The sternness on Yu Jiaying's face gradually faded, replaced by a gaze that resembled a sense of gratification.

His tone also lost its flat monotony, carrying instead a hint of playful banter as he smiled, "The bird that sticks its neck out is the one that gets shot."

Wang Chen smiled as well. "I believe some birds are born into this world to complete the tasks they are meant to accomplish, not specifically to dodge bullets."

As soon as these words were spoken, a mysterious light flashed in the eyes of everyone in the conference room.

The Chief of the Organization sighed deeply; such lofty aspirations were perhaps his own once in his youth, but decades of floating through the political arena had caused him to forget them entirely.

Zhu Jingjun and Ou Yulan both looked at Wang Chen with satisfaction, clearly feeling that their decision to recruit him was the right one.

Long Wuxu wore an expression of vicarious honor, proudly wrapping an arm around Wang Chen's shoulder. "Well said! We will definitely achieve great things together!"

A flicker of adoration danced in the depths of Tang Ruotong's eyes as she softly said, "No matter what, I will fight shoulder to shoulder with you."

Wang Chen smiled and high-fived the two of them, then looked at the smiling Yu Jiaying and asked, "Is the old gentleman satisfied with my response?"

"Satisfied!" Yu Jiaying stroked his beard and sighed with emotion, "I didn't figure this principle out until I was forty years old, yet you understand it so early. What a formidable member of the younger generation."

The adults present nodded in profound agreement. Coming from experience, they understood that such precociousness was extremely rare.

This meant Wang Chen would understand the path he was meant to walk much earlier than his peers, and the achievements he would eventually attain would be even greater.

Just when everyone thought Yu Jiaying had finished asking questions and prepared to move on to the next matters, Yu Jiaying suddenly gave everyone a surprise.

He smiled and reached out his hand toward Wang Chen, "Wang Chen, on behalf of the Imperial Military Academy, I formally extend an invitation to you!"

Wang Chen was stunned. How did recruitment suddenly start?

Besides, the name Imperial Military Academy sounded so familiar... Wait!

Wang Chen suddenly widened his eyes.

"The Imperial Military Academy you mentioned—is that the university that has nurtured so many renowned generals for the empire?"

Yu Jiaying smiled. "Yes, I suppose there is no other university in the Yaolong Empire that dares to use this name."

A wave of excitement stirred in Wang Chen's heart. This military academy might once have been the dream institution of every young boy.

He was no exception.

Now, he actually had the chance to enter this university to study—something he had never anticipated.

Originally, he had thought getting into Beisheng Tsinghua would be about as much as he could hope for.

Wang Chen's mind raced as he considered what relevant questions he should ask.

Although he yearned for the Imperial Military Academy, one always had to be cautious and think three times before making decisions concerning his own future.

Just as he was pondering, Ou Yulan and Zhu Jingjun grew anxious.

Ou Yulan hurried over to Yu Jiaying's side. "Elder Yu, why did you invite Wang Chen directly without a word?"

"Didn't you know I had already submitted an admission application for Wang Chen to the university?" Ou Yulan's tone carried a trace of grievance.

"I thought you were on my side! I never expected you to pull something like this on me!"

Her lovely eyes widened slightly. "The image of the kind and steadfast elder you held in my heart has cracked just a little bit, you know!"

Yu Jiaying laughed heartily. "If it means recruiting Wang Chen into the Imperial Military Academy, let the image crack!"

Zhu Jingjun chimed in, "Elder Yu, were you actually carrying a recruitment mission with you when you came to Luzhou this time? Why didn't you mention it to us beforehand?"

Yu Jiaying waved his hand. "I came to Luzhou merely to revisit old haunts."

"Observing the university tournament alongside you was firstly to soak in the youthful vigor of the youngsters, and secondly simply because I had nothing better to do. I am not on official recruitment duty."

Hearing this, Zhu Jingjun immediately said, "Then Elder Yu extending an invitation to Wang Chen like this is probably improper. After all, the Imperial Military Academy does not recruit outsiders casually. Shouldn't we submit a report to the Military Department first?"

"It's just recruiting a student; I, old Yu, still have the authority to make this small decision," Yu Jiaying smiled. "Besides, even if I needed to submit a report, little Zhu, could you recruit Wang Chen within this short span of time?"

He glanced at Ou Yulan again. "Or Beisheng, can you recruit him?"

Ou Yulan pouted. "Of course we can!"

Yu Jiaying shook his head. "In my view, neither of you can take Wang Chen in."

The old man stood with his hands behind his back, gazing intently at Wang Chen. "This child has lofty ambitions and an upright character. Aside from the Imperial Military Academy, I fear there is no other place capable of sheltering him and allowing him to safely grow into a pillar of the nation."

Zhu Jingjun's pupils constricted as he acutely grasped Yu Jiaying's meaning.

After a brief struggle with a complex expression on his face, Zhu Jingjun finally relaxed his tightly clenched fists. "Elder Yu is right."

Ou Yulan remained unconvinced and asked, "Why wouldn't our Beisheng be able to protect Wang Chen? Isn't it just a Luzhou Public Security Bureau?"

A trace of resentment showed on her face. "Our Beisheng is, after all, one of the top universities in the empire, isn't it?"

Yu Jiaying smiled without answering, and it was Zhu Jingjun who lowered his voice to explain, "If a hammer is obsessed with pounding down even a tiny nail, will it let go of a large nail it encounters later?"

"Or perhaps what it encounters in the future won't even be a large nail, but a sharp sword instead?"

A flash of realization crossed Ou Yulan's face. "So that's how it is."

Then, a dim look washed over her face. "If that's the case, our Beisheng indeed cannot protect Wang Chen."

The others in the conference room, when faced with this topic, either appeared completely baffled or wore expressions of profound discretion.

Wang Chen also only vaguely understood what the three teachers meant.

"Now that no one is competing with me, what is your intention, Wang Chen?" Yu Jiaying asked with a smile.

Wang Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Elder Yu, I would like to learn a bit more about the Imperial Military Academy before making a decision."

"I wonder if Elder Yu could send me some reference materials?"