Douluo: A Century-old Legend I Am the Second Uncle Chenxin

Chapter 1807 No one can be missing

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Five chapters today (4/5)

……

Zhu Wuneng turned his gaze to the cart at the door and asked, "By the way, Zijian, that huge bucket on the cart outside, it smells like soup too? And the big plate covered with a cloth next to it, is that steamed buns? I saw you had a similar set yesterday."

Gu Zijian followed his gaze and said, "Yes, Brother Wuneng. That bucket contains freshly cooked radish and pork rib soup, which is warm and filling. That big plate contains steamed buns and meat buns that Uncle Mai (the pastry chef) and his team worked hard to make, as well as some pickled vegetables and a pot of stir-fried chicken giblets."

Zhu Wuneng raised an eyebrow: "Wow! That's quite a lot... Who's this for? It's not for the prisoners, is it? Do they deserve this kind of treatment?"

“No, that’s not it,” Gu Zijian quickly shook his head. “If it were for prisoners of war, I wouldn’t be doing this kind of errand. It’s for the people in that big courtyard on the left ahead… mainly children and women.”

"The kitchen is busy preparing meals for everyone right now, so we can't spare the time to make them any elaborate main dishes. We can only ask Uncle Mai to make some easy and filling noodles and send them over. Anyway,"

His tone was a little lower, "It's much better than what they used to eat. Filling their stomachs is the priority."

Chen Xiaojun, who had been listening quietly, caught the key information and frowned slightly: "Children? Women?"

Chen Mu interjected, his tone both capable and cold: "Sixth Brother, these people were arranged there by Uncle Yu Zheng. They are all people abducted by the Bone Digging Gang for sale, and many of the children among them have the potential to become Soul Masters!"

"Uncle Yuzheng and his team are short-handed and don't have time to interrogate and register everyone in detail, so they can only temporarily house them in the yard of the vacant warehouse next door."

He snorted, his disdain evident: "You didn't see the livestock shed where they used to be kept! That place... it was absolutely awful, filthy and stinking. Even if they wanted to sell them for money, shouldn't they at least clean it up a bit? Better quality items would fetch a higher price, right? Besides, these are all valuable Soul Master seeds!"

"According to the former manager who was caught during the warehouse inspection, they would only be given a wash, a change of clothes, and a decent meal when they were about to be 'shipped' for a transaction."

Gu Zijian nodded, his eyes filled with sympathy, but with a hint of something else.

He continued, "Yes, young master, when we went to deliver the food, we saw that the children and women were all pale and thin, with many old bruises on their bodies, and their eyes were timid. It was obvious that they hadn't eaten or lived well for a long time."

“I’m young, so they’ll be less wary of me when I deliver the food. Young master, I need to hurry and get the food to them, or the soup will get cold.”

After he finished speaking, he bowed respectfully to Chen Xiaojun and turned to walk towards the cart parked at the door.

Chen Xiaojun called out to him, "Zijian, I heard you're planning to go to the War College?"

All eyes turned to him.

Gu Zijian hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head and stammered, "Yes...yes."

Chen Xiaojun pressed further, "Did Uncle Gu agree?"

"I think... I guess so." Gu Zijian's voice was even lower.

Chen Xiaojun saw through it at a glance—the father and son were at odds.

"Are you really sure?" Chen Xiaojun asked seriously.

Gu Zijian suddenly looked up, his eyes resolute: "Yes! I want to be a combatant!" "Which profession do you choose?" Chen Xiaojun asked.

"The Chef Warrior!" Gu Zijian declared without hesitation.

Zhu Wuneng exclaimed in surprise, "You actually chose the War Chef?"

Gu Zijian explained, "I've learned a lot of skills from my master over the years. My father was a steward in the inner quarters for many years, and I've gotten used to working in the kitchen."

Chen Xiaojun pondered for a moment and finally nodded: "Tell your father that I agree to let you go to the War College. Train hard, and you might be able to awaken your soul power a second time in the future."

Gu Zijian's eyes immediately reddened, and his throat tightened with emotion.

He bowed deeply, his voice trembling, "Thank you... thank you, young master! I will certainly live up to your expectations and master the skills of the battle chef!"

Tears welled up in his eyes, but he forced them back.

The courtyard was quiet for a moment, with only the aroma of food filling the air.

Chen Mu watched Gu Zijian's slightly heavy figure, pushing the cart, disappear at the courtyard gate. The aroma of food and a faint sour taste lingered in the air.

He withdrew his gaze, his brows furrowing slightly: "Sixth Brother, is it really a good idea for you to make the decision for him so directly?"

An Mingyuan put down the bowl and chopsticks he had just picked up, a worried look appearing on his honest face. He replied in a muffled voice, "Yes, young master, we all agree that Zijian should go to the combat academy. At least it's better than being stuck in the kitchen. But what about Uncle Gu..."

He sighed and didn't continue, but everyone understood what he meant—Gu Yuanchao had suffered a series of blows and his temperament had changed. Chen Xiaojun's overstepping his bounds might make things difficult for Uncle Gu, or even cause him to harbor resentment.

Chen Xiaojun's support is certainly a good thing, but how to deal with Gu Yuanchao's stubbornness and potentially deeper disappointment is a difficult problem.

Chen Xiaojun remained calm, his gaze sweeping over the sumptuous dishes on the table: "Facts speak louder than words! For the Chen family to rise and stand at the pinnacle of the continent, it's not about a few geniuses, but about uniting the spirit and potential of every member of the Chen family. As long as Gu Zijian has the will, is willing to fight for the family, and is willing to struggle for himself, we cannot leave him behind! Not a single one can be left out!"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Chen Mu was taken aback by Chen Xiaojun's righteous words and rolled his eyes as usual. "Anyone can spout grand theories, but the reality is, can combat professionals be compared to us soul masters? Look at the resource allocation, the difference in status, the potential for future advancement..."

"The difference is obvious! What do you expect Uncle Gu to think? Does he want Zijian to watch Wuneng and the others rise to prominence while he's stuck stuck at the stove with the title of 'battle chef'?"

Although his words were sharp, they pointed out the deep-rooted hierarchical concept in the Chen family and even the entire Soul Master world. This is probably the core reason why Gu Yuanchao finds it most difficult to accept that his son is taking this path.

Chen Xiaojun did not immediately refute Chen Mu's realism. He picked up the cool "Ice and Fire" drink and took a sip. The icy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a sense of clarity.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he said slowly, "Things are different now. The path of a warrior is indeed difficult. But, Fifth Brother, things might not be the same in the future."

"What do you mean?" Chen Mu keenly caught the implication in his words, leaned closer, and looked Chen Xiaojun up and down suspiciously, lowering his voice to ask, "You... you don't actually believe he can awaken his soul power a second time, do you?"

Secondary awakening is extremely rare, almost legendary, and Chen Mu felt it was too unrealistic.

Chen Xiaojun did not answer Chen Mu directly. He simply looked up again at the direction Gu Zijian had left in, then gently put down his cup and said softly, "Let's eat."

(End of this chapter)