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Chapter 435 Remnants of the Old Era, A Seventeen-Year-Old Unsolved Case

The following morning, in the suburbs of Jiangdong City.

A detached villa nestled among lush trees and bamboo groves exudes a tranquil and elegant charm.

In the study, a wisp of fine ambergris incense rose gently from the Boshan incense burner in the corner, filling the room with a pleasant fragrance.

Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the smooth, mirror-like golden nanmu wood flooring.

The light also shone on an elderly man intently wielding his brush in front of that large mahogany desk.

The old man was dressed in a well-tailored gray exercise uniform. He was thin, with gray hair, but his back was straight as a pine tree.

His wrist was steady as he wrote swiftly with the brush tip pointing to the center.

On the mutton-fat jade Xuan paper, the character "藏" (cang, meaning to hide or conceal) is nearing completion.

He slowed his brushstrokes from rapid to slow, and finally lifted the brush slightly at the end, creating a suspended needle effect.

The entire character immediately exudes a powerful and restrained aura, a quiet strength waiting to be unleashed.

"Sir, Mr. Wei Zheng requests an audience."

Outside the door, a servant's respectful announcement could be heard.

"Let him in."

The old man didn't even raise his head, his voice steady.

Wei Zheng then entered the study and saw that the old man was still practicing calligraphy, so he did not make a sound to disturb him.

He simply stood respectfully to the side with his hands at his sides, his gaze fixed on the wall beside the desk.

There hung a framed calligraphy scroll there, bearing the four characters "气吞山河" (meaning "a spirit that can swallow mountains and rivers"), and signed "Shi Chengyi".

The old man dipped his brush in ink again and wrote the character "kill" in one go on another sheet of Xuan paper.

Unlike the previous character “藏”, this character “杀” has sharp strokes, with the hook on the right side being particularly aggressive.

A chilling aura of war and battle swept over us, as if we could hear the shouts from the battlefield.

After finishing writing, the old man gently placed the wolf-hair brush on the brush washer, admiring his work with satisfaction, and said softly:

"Practicing calligraphy is like practicing the mind; when concealing oneself, one must be as still as a mountain, and when striking, one must be as powerful as a thunderbolt."

"If you can't hide your sharpness, you can't talk about being truly decisive in killing."

"What the teacher taught is what the student should keep in mind."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng immediately bowed in response.

At this moment, a maid came in carrying a tea tray and placed two steaming cups of Biluochun tea on the coffee table next to the sofa.

The old man then turned around, revealing a gaunt face with gentle, bright eyes.

He was none other than the Commander Shi that Ma Donghe had mentioned—Shi Chengyi.

"Sit down, Xiao Wei."

The officer pointed to the sofa beside him and said:

"It's been a while since you came to see me. What's wrong? Are you holding a grudge because I didn't mention it to you before I retired?"

"The students dare not."

Wei Zheng quickly explained, "I was just a little worried about you, teacher..."

He was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly didn't know how to continue.

"Are you worried that I'll be relegated to a lowly department like logistics, and that you'll feel ashamed and embarrassed to face anyone?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Chengyi smiled and sat down in the main seat with an open and easygoing expression.
"I think it's great. I used to be so busy that I never had time to enjoy life."

"Look at me, I practice calligraphy and grow flowers every day now, and no trouble comes my way. I live a very leisurely life."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shi Chengyi picked up his teacup and blew on the floating tea leaves.

His gaze, however, did not fall on the tea, but rather sharply scrutinized Wei Zheng, and he slowly spoke:
“You’ve lost a lot of your energy and spirit since you came back this time.”

“I’ve read the mission report. The responsibility doesn’t lie with you; it was an intelligence failure, and also due to the slow follow-up support.”

He put down his teacup with a soft sound, then changed the subject:
"I know what you're thinking. In the end, it's just that some people don't want you, the 'Stone-type' henchman, to achieve any more great feats."

"That guy surnamed Ling is arrogant and always holds grudges. He rose to power through the research department and now controls most of the operations department. They also know that you are someone I trained."

"Even if I force you to become a Level 1 Administrative Officer or transfer you to another department as a supervisor before I retire, so what?"

"It's just a nominal position. You'll be constantly targeted and your support will be cut off at crucial moments. Sooner or later, you'll be thrown into a pit. This incident is a warning."

"Instead of doing that, it's better to stay peacefully in the Third Operations Division. There are still a few old men there, and no one will dare to touch you."

At this point, Shi Chengyi looked at Wei Zheng, his tone becoming serious:
"Therefore, you'd better not participate in the team's competition for the positions of First-Class Affairs Officer and Senior Investigator this time."

Wei Zheng remained silent, but the knuckles of his hand holding the teacup tightened slightly.

Seeing this, Shi Chengyi sighed, and his tone returned to its gentle tone:
"Don't worry, I'll talk to Xiao Liu in the HR department and expedite your mental health assessment process."

"During this time, just rest well and don't think about anything else."

The study fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional chirping of birds coming from outside the window.

Wei Zheng stared at the tea leaves floating in the teacup, his gaze wandering.

"Teacher, I still miss the days in the training camp."

He ran his hands over the scalding hot cup, his voice low and deep:

"Although it was tough, I always had a strong drive in my heart and was full of hope for the future."

Upon hearing this, Shi Chengyi was slightly taken aback, and then he too fell into reminiscence:

“I remember you were just average and unremarkable among the batch of students I taught.”

"I didn't expect that in the final assessment, you would rely on your indomitable spirit to get third place overall. You've really impressed me."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted to the tall ginkgo tree outside the window, as if he were seeing the glorious past again.

“The selection methods back then are different from those now.”

"Back then, we martial artists were the backbone of the team. Each of us had undergone at least ten years of hard training before we were qualified to join the Special Search Team."

“Thirty years ago, when I first entered the training camp, Commander Li was still alive, and he personally served as our instructor.”

“Every day before dawn, we had to get up and practice horse stance for two hours at a time. In the evening, we would apply ointment to our wounds and practice martial arts with each other. We would cry out in pain, but the next day, everyone would be full of energy again.”

"It was this kind of rigorous training day after day that forged our strong physique and unyielding will, and also led to the Special Search Team's later illustrious reputation."

"Back then, which blind tycoon family dared to challenge us? Those foreign bullshit organizations would give us a wide berth just because they heard the name of the Special Investigation Team."

At this point, he withdrew his gaze, the heroic spirit on his face gradually fading, turning into a desolate self-mockery.

"Ah, times have changed now, technology has advanced, and there are all sorts of ways to enhance our strength."

“When young team members go on missions, they often take a booster shot first, calling it ‘efficiency.’ How can they possibly concentrate on practicing martial arts?”

"teacher……"

Wei Zheng wanted to say something, but found that any words seemed pale and powerless.

"The general trend of the world cannot be changed by human effort."

Shi Chengyi waved his hand, his expression seemingly relieved:

"Which country isn't conducting human modification experiments these days? I don't actually have much of an opinion on these things, but I just think they're going too far."

"Martial arts are ultimately a treasure passed down from our ancestors. We cannot easily abandon them. Instead, we should study them in depth and carry them forward." "But even if I think this way, without support from above, no one is willing to believe me."

"Unless... another extraordinary figure like Chief Li emerges, we are ultimately just remnants of the old era when faced with the tides of history, and we have no choice but to accept our fate."

He kept talking on and on, then finally smiled:
"When people get old, they become more talkative, so don't take it to heart."

Looking at his former mentor, Wei Zheng felt a pang of sadness.

He knew that Shi Chengyi's resignation meant that the martial arts faction within the Special Investigation Team had completely lost its backer at headquarters.

From then on, without a leader, the remaining people only faced greater difficulties.

"Xiao Wei, you don't need to worry too much."

Shi Chengyi instead comforted him:
"From now on, try to get closer to that Deputy Minister Gu. He's new here and needs manpower right now. Besides, it seems he's not on the same side as that Ling guy. Maybe... he'll treat you old buddies well."

Seeing his teacher's expression, Wei Zheng finally couldn't hold back and revealed the true purpose of his visit:
"Teacher, I've come to report something to you."

"Oh, what is it? Tell me about it."

Shi Chengyi picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, his expression indifferent, as if he had lost interest in everything.

Wei Zheng took a deep breath, and his voice immediately became louder:
"Yesterday, at Uncle Ma's house, I met a true martial arts genius!"

He then recounted in detail his encounter with Fang Cheng the previous day, Fang Cheng's scorching aura like the sun, his terrifying appetite, and his cultivation progress of "touching the threshold of condensing the true self."

Shi Chengyi's originally gentle gaze gradually sharpened as Wei Zheng continued his narration.

When he heard the phrase "the interaction between heaven and man influences celestial phenomena," his hand holding the teacup trembled almost imperceptibly.

"He secluded himself in the Ma family's water dungeon and successfully established his intent in just five days, beginning to shape his realm and even triggering celestial phenomena?"

Shi Chengyi's voice carried a hint of seriousness.

"Absolutely true!"

Wei Zheng said with certainty:
"This talent, in my opinion... is probably comparable to that of Chief Li back in the day!"

Shi Chengyi fell silent.

He put down his teacup, slowly stood up, and paced back and forth in the study.

He then walked to the French windows, turned his back to Wei Zheng, and looked at the century-old ginkgo tree with its lush branches and leaves in the courtyard outside the window.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on him.

His entire being seemed detached from the study, lost in unfathomable thoughts.

Wei Zheng's words stirred up more than just a storm in his heart!

A genius comparable to Li Guizhen in his youth?
His first thought was whether the matter was true.

Wei Zheng was trained by him personally; he has a calm and steady personality and would never speak without reason.

So, this young man named Fang Cheng's talent is at least seven or eight parts as Wei Zheng described.

Five days: establishing the theme, shaping the environment, achieving a communion between humanity and nature...

This isn't talent, it's a miracle!

what does this mean?
A glint flashed in Shi Chengyi's eyes.

This means that traditional martial arts may still have a chance to turn the tide!
The reason why the Ling faction was able to prevail was because of the mass-producible "super soldiers" in the research department.

They are indeed stronger than ordinary martial artists, but they have a clear upper limit. Not only is their foundation unstable, but they are also prone to problems on a mental level.

The martial arts lineage has never lacked a solid foundation; what it lacks is a peak combat force that can command respect and command the admiration of all.

This Fang Cheng might be the lever that can change the entire game!
He doesn't need to change the current mainstream situation of the Special Investigations Team; that's unrealistic.

But as long as he exists, as long as he can demonstrate power that surpasses the power of modifying the body through experimental means through pure martial arts.

Therefore, he is a living flag!
This will allow the gradually declining and disheartened martial arts factions to be reunited!
Shi Chengyi's heart, which had long been calm and still, began to pound violently.

This is not only for himself, but also for his former followers who have been suppressed for many years, and even more so for the continuation of the legacy left by Chief Li in this team.

He slowly closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them, his eyes bursting with astonishing brilliance.

"Send him to see me!"

Shi Chengyi turned around abruptly, his gaze sharp as lightning as he looked at the student sitting on the sofa, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Wei Zheng's face showed a bitter smile:
"Teacher, I'm afraid he can't come."

"Why?"

"He... doesn't seem interested in our special search team."

Shi Chengyi frowned:
"Didn't he apply for the spring selection with that kid from the Ma family?"

"No."

Wei Zheng shook his head: "I asked him, and Ma Donghe said it was because he couldn't pass the background check."

"Background check?"

Shi Chengyi snorted coldly:
"What's the big deal! Such a genius shouldn't be buried in obscurity. He should serve his country!"

"What are those people in the personnel department doing? It's outrageous! I'm going to go and have a serious talk with them right now!"

As he spoke, he got up and walked to his desk, preparing to make a phone call to hold someone accountable, completely lacking his previous calm and composed demeanor.

"Teacher, you've misunderstood."

Wei Zheng quickly tried to dissuade him: "It's not that he was held up by the background check, it's that... he didn't even apply in the first place."

Shi Chengyi paused, stunned.

Wei Zheng explained:
“After I left the Ma family yesterday, I used my identity to retrieve Fang Cheng’s information from the archives of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.”

"He is an only child, his mother is still alive, but his father... died in a fire seventeen years ago while suspected of a serial murder case. The police concluded that he committed suicide out of guilt."

"If it's just a simple serial murder case, it's not a big problem; it can be resolved with some maneuvering."

"The key point is that this case is connected to another, even bigger event."

"What incident?"

Wei Zheng said, enunciating each word clearly: "Guangwu Gate, shooting incident."

Shi Chengyi's pupils suddenly contracted, and he gasped.

How could he not know about this?

That was a major event that was recorded in the history of the Republic of China and directly led to social change!

In the early years of the Republic of China, the oppressive rule of the military government aroused strong dissatisfaction among the people.

That year, a massive protest broke out in the Eastern Capital, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets in a march.

Just as the parade passed through Guangwu Gate Square, a group of masked gunmen suddenly opened fire from the surrounding buildings, indiscriminately shooting at the crowd.

Dozens of innocent bystanders and reporters fell to the ground in pools of blood, and even a well-known civil rights activist was seriously injured and nearly killed.

The then-military government claimed that the incident was the work of a rebel organization, intended to create chaos and frame someone else.

But the public didn't believe this explanation at all, and public opinion exploded, leading to an unprecedented scale of protests.

This event became the final straw that broke the camel's back, ultimately forcing the military government to step down and hand over power to a new democratically elected government.

The first thing the new government did after taking office was to vow to thoroughly investigate the matter, organize events to commemorate the victims, and actively apprehend the fugitive perpetrators...

(End of this chapter)