Chapter 174: Enter the Reformer

"What do you know? What's the point of spending a woman's money!" Wu Zhige said, his beard and hair bristling with indignation.

He had already met Qian Xiaomin, since involving her to contact the media and build momentum was part of the plan anyway.

Therefore, when Wang Chen made the introductions, he had casually mentioned the matter concerning Senchihara.

"I think you're just jealous that someone has a woman willing to spend money on him," Wu Jiajie said, curling his lips.

Looking exasperated, Wu Zhige snatched the metal box back. "I'm not letting you smoke anymore. All you ever do is argue with me!"

Clenching a cigarette between his teeth, Wu Jiajie chuckled. "One stick is enough for me. Did you think everyone is a walking chimney like you, old man?"

"Hmph, don't come crying to me for more later!" Wu Zhige tucked the metal box away into his storage ring.

He turned his attention back to Wang Chen. "Ignore this kid, let's keep talking."

"Secondly, once you enter the Military-Technological University, you need to decide which college within it you want to apply to."

"Different colleges under the Military-Technological University employ distinct teaching methods and philosophies."

"Some of those colleges aren't places you can just walk into; you must meet their enrollment standards first."

"You can take your time studying those minor nuances and differences," Wu Zhige said.

"I'll only mention one thing."

Biting down on his pipe, Wu Zhige crossed his arms. "Your class is the Life Shaman, which is inherently a mediocre and chicken-rib class. However, given that you are blessed with great fortune, perhaps you can develop along a different path aside from supporting."

What Wu Zhige told Wang Chen was consistent with what he had told Long Wushuang.

"A different path?" Wang Chen, who had been focusing his attention on his terminal, instantly raised his head upon hearing this. "How so?"

Wu Zhige smiled and asked, "Aside from supporting, what else doesn't require the ability to engage the enemy head-on?"

Wang Chen frowned and pondered for a moment. "Command? Or perhaps leadership?"

"Spot on." Wu Zhige slapped his knee. "You're a teachable youth!"

"Wang Chen is turning eighteen soon; is he still just a youth?" Wu Jiajie chimed in with a sarcastic remark.

Ignoring him, Wu Zhige continued, "You should develop in the direction of a supporting commander in the future, so I suggest you enroll in a college specializing in that area."

Looking thoughtful, Wang Chen nodded. "Alright, I'll give it serious consideration."

"Right, and lastly, the most important point of all."

A flash of light crossed Wu Zhige's fingers, and a small booklet materialized in his hand. "This is your student ID for the Military-Technological University."

He flipped open the first page and handed it to Wang Chen. "Take a good look at this."

Taking it, Wang Chen froze instantly upon noticing dark, dried bloodstains on the booklet.

He examined it with a sense of bewilderment, and suddenly, a chill ran through his entire body.

Inscribed on the very first page of the student ID was a couplet.

The first line read: Seek not official rank or wealth here.

The second line read: Those who cling to life and fear death shall not enter this gate.

The horizontal scroll read: Reformers, come forth.

Wang Chen gazed at the couplet, remaining in prolonged silence.

After a long while, he closed the student ID and handed it back to Wu Zhige.

"Have you made up your mind?" Wu Zhige asked solemnly.

"Yes, I have waited many years for this," Wang Chen replied with a serious expression.

"Very good. You may go down and rest."

Wu Zhige watched Wang Chen leave through a haze of smoke and let out a soft sigh.

Wu Jiajie stubbed out his cigarette. "He was speaking the truth."

"I know," Wu Zhige nodded. "I could hear it in his voice."

...

The next day, escorted by a group of class-holders led by Wu Jiajie, Wang Chen headed toward the Inspectorate.

As the black jeep drove within sight of the Inspectorate from afar, they were met with a massive, surging crowd numbering around a thousand people.

Security guards wielding riot shields used barricades along both sides of the road to hold back the pressing mob.

Even through the bulletproof glass, Wang Chen could faintly hear the clamor outside.

"Viewers at home, our reporter is currently stationed right outside the gates of the Luzhou Inspectorate. The black jeep on your screen is the vehicle carrying Wang Chen."

"If you are unaware of who Wang Chen is, allow us to give you a brief introduction."

"Yesterday at the Luzhou High School Grand Tournament, he arrived just in time to enter the venue, and during the level-testing phase, he caused the testing crystal ball to shatter."

"In the actual combat phase, he secured the top spot in Luzhou with an outstanding performance."

"And during the subsequent champion's speech, this boy who has brought us so many surprises publicly denounced the Luzhou Security Bureau right there on stage."

"Today, he will proceed with a lawsuit against the Security Bureau. His arrival at the Inspectorate is precisely for this purpose."

"..."

The closer they got to the Inspectorate gates, the denser the crowd of reporters lining the roads became.

When the vehicle reached the entrance of the Inspectorate and Wang Chen stepped out, the situation grew even more frenzied.

Shouldering long lenses and heavy equipment, reporters attempted to break through the security cordon and rush toward the vehicle to interview Wang Chen.

Although none of them succeeded, the cacophony of their shouting questions definitely reached Wang Chen's ears.

"Wang Chen! Online forums are currently hailing you as a role model for the younger generation! How do you feel about this?"

"Wang Chen! Word is that you come from an impoverished background, yet how managed you to acquire so many resources to assist you? How were you able to connect with the Class-Holder Association?"

"Wang Chen! Can you sign your name on my chest?"

Wang Chen, wearing his dark blue duckbill cap, walked toward the Inspectorate lobby without saying a word.

He felt utterly speechless inside. What kind of bizarre freaks and weirdos had managed to slip through? The questions these reporters were asking made no sense at all, and they certainly didn't seem like people hired by Qian Xiaomin.

And what in the world was up with that person asking for an autograph?

He was here to file a lawsuit, not to debut as an idol!

Suddenly, a harsh, piercing voice cut through the clamor of the reporters and pierced into Wang Chen's ears.

"Wang Chen! Is what you're doing truly for the people of Luzhou? People online are saying you're just hyping yourself up, that you've gone crazy trying to get famous. What is your response to that?"

Those words caused Wang Chen to halt in his tracks.

He turned around to look.

A plump young man wearing a multi-pocket photography vest was holding up a megaphone.

It was he who had asked the question.

Wang Chen thought for a moment, then strode directly toward him.

The security guards immediately shouted in panic, "Don't come over! Keep moving forward, we can barely hold them back much longer!"

Meanwhile, the reporters screamed and shouted, crashing against the human wall with renewed frenzy.

Standing right before them, Wang Chen raised his voice. "I wasn't aware that anyone could think I'm doing this for hype."

"But let me make it clear: I have no such intention."

"What fame-obsessed fool would lose their mind and pick a fight with the Security Bureau?"

"The reason I am doing this is very simple: my home has gotten dirty, and I intend to clean it up."

Wang Chen's gaze was sharp. "The innocent remain pure, and the corrupt remain foul. Today's lawsuit is not the end, but the beginning. Just wait and see; time will put all lies to the test, and the truth will eventually come to light!"

With that, he turned around and strode purposefully toward the lobby.

...

Class-Holder Association, President's Office.

Wu Zhige stood guard in front of the television, watching the eloquent young man on screen, and burst into hearty laughter.

Then, he picked up his wine flask and took a long, deep gulp.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the student ID, flipped to the second page, and stroked the slightly yellowed photograph with his thumb, touching the spirited, youthful face.

"I could hear it in his voice. How could I possibly not?"

He muttered to himself.