Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 990 - 495_2

"Professor, I don’t want to hear any more ludicrous proposals like this in the future."

Ye Zhiran smiled wryly, adjusting his glasses, and replied:

"Rest assured, President. Chu Qiao is my junior, and I don’t want her to take risks either. Since you’ve spoken, this matter is naturally off the table."

Earlier, he hesitated only because he was swayed by Lin Chuqiao’s words.

Seeing Fang Cheng’s firm attitude now, he felt a sense of relief in his heart.

With Ye Zhiran’s assurance, Fang Cheng’s expression eased slightly.

However, the atmosphere in the room remained somewhat tense.

Lin Chuqiao fiddled with the hem of her clothes, her expression revealing neither shyness nor fear.

She seemed a bit restrained, lacking her usual poise.

To break the awkwardness, Ye Zhiran lightly cleared his throat and took the initiative to offer some comfort:

"Actually, the situation may not be as dire as Chu Qiao thought."

"From what I know of him, his personality is extremely arrogant. In his worldview, unless he considers you to be a ’worthy adversary,’ he won’t even bother to look at you."

"This failure, in his eyes, might just be a trivial mishap."

Ye Zhiran paused, then analyzed the situation rationally:

"It’s like being tripped by a stone on the road - though annoying, it’s nothing more than kicking the stone aside; one wouldn’t stop specifically to study its composition."

"So even if he wants revenge, it’s likely he’ll just send other experts to settle the matter."

"After all, that man fancies himself a god among mortals; a god wouldn’t descend for mere mortals easily."

Fang Cheng nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"Even so..."

Lin Chuqiao raised her head, no longer insisting on her previous plan, but the worry in her eyes hadn’t completely dissipated:

"However, the ’Ideal Land’ is full of hidden talents, and even dispatched experts shouldn’t be underestimated."

"When soldiers come, we confront them; when water rises, we block it. To me, crises can also be opportunities."

Fang Cheng’s lips curled into a meaningful smile:

"It’s just as well; I need a few solid ’whetstones’ to hone my recently advanced skills."

His gaze swept over the two people in front of him, his tone calm yet exuding a confident ease:

"As leaders of the Illuminati, wouldn’t you trust my judgment?"

After a breakthrough in skills during morning training and gaining profound insight into the martial arts realm of ’Unity of Intent and Qi,’ Fang Cheng had a new understanding of his current combat power.

As long as the unfathomable leader doesn’t come personally, he feels confident in confronting any other so-called elite officers.

Lin Chuqiao opened her mouth, but the words of dissuasion ultimately stayed at the tip of her tongue.

Looking at the resolute face of the man in front of her, the anxiety and unease in her heart were inexplicably replaced by a sense of reassurance.

Since the man had spoken so confidently, persisting would only mean distrusting his abilities.

"I trust you..."

She lowered her head, her voice somewhat muffled, the blush on her cheeks lingering.

Fang Cheng did not want to dwell on this heavy topic any longer and glanced at the bright sunlight outside the window.

He then spoke in a deep voice:

"After observing these past few days, the calmness suggests the other side has no immediate plans to act. We should prepare to return to East Capital."

"So soon?"

Ye Zhiran was a bit surprised:

"The situation here has just stabilized; shouldn’t we observe a while longer?"

"There are still many matters piling up that need addressing in East Capital, and... we can’t remain here passively waiting indefinitely."

Fang Cheng walked to the window, his gaze piercing through the lush treetops as if seeing the vast Chen Family Manor at the foot of the distant mountain.

"However, before we leave, there’s one last matter to settle."

He turned around, his eyes becoming sharp, his tone carrying the decisiveness of a hero:

"We must clean up the Chen family’s loose ends. We not only have to secure Chen Xu’an’s position as Family Head but also take this opportunity to rectify the entire underground influence in Tian Nan Province, turning it into the first territory of our Illuminati."

"After all."

Fang Cheng’s lips curved into a smile:

"He’s the future money-maker for our ’Illuminati,’ this cash cow must not collapse or grow astray."

Ye Zhiran nodded in agreement, a glimmer of light flashing behind his glasses:

"In fact, I came so early today to discuss with you the specific framework for deepening future cooperation with the Chen family."

"Since the President has proposed establishing a base, we must first set the rules."

Lin Chuqiao looked at Fang Cheng, who was at this moment strategizing and planning the big picture, and her previously anxious heart temporarily calmed down.

She took a deep breath and regained her usual composure:

"Understood, I’ll contact Chen Xu’an right away to arrange the final handover details."

Watching her turn and walk away, busy with her tasks, Fang Cheng sighed silently in his heart.

Although he wasn’t very sensitive in matters of the heart, he wasn’t made of wood either.

This heavy sentiment, he noted down.

But right now, the most important thing isn’t romance; it’s becoming stronger.

Only by becoming stronger can he live up to this trust and protect the people around him.

In the study, only two people were left.

Fang Cheng turned his head and looked at Ye Zhiran, who was raising a cup of water, with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

"Professor, when we get back to East Capital, there are some things about spiritual cultivation I’d like to ask you about."

Ye Zhiran was slightly startled upon hearing this and put down his cup. While curious about why Fang Cheng suddenly brought this up, he nodded without hesitation:

"Of course, if the President wants to learn, I’ll share all the knowledge this old body has to offer."

Fang Cheng nodded slightly, without saying more.

The reason he made this request was that he remembered the foreknowledge described by Lin Chuqiao earlier.

That endless dark void, with only a lone star burning.

For Lin Chuqiao, it might be an ominous sign.

But for Fang Cheng, it seemed more like a revelation.

Certain cultivation puzzles that once confused him might need a different approach to try and solve.

If he can unravel the mysteries, it would not only have an immeasurable impact on his martial arts but also on the future development of the Illuminati.

...............

In the following two days, Cui City seemed calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging.

Under the covert deterrence of the Illuminati’s force, Chen Xu’an quickly cleaned up the last bit of dissent within the family with lightning methods.

The branch forces and hostile noble families that were originally watching became docile as sheep upon witnessing the mysterious disappearance of some troublemakers.

With this, the turbulent situation of the Chen Family in Tian Nan Province was completely settled.

In the underground world of this border province, the name "Iron-Handed Family Head" of Chen Xu’an spread quickly.

Only a few core members knew what kind of terrifying shadows stood behind the family head’s position.

After handling all the loose ends, it was time for Fang Cheng and the others to leave.

In the vacation villa in the morning.

The luggage was already packed and neatly placed by the entrance.

The living room, which used to be full of life, now looked somewhat empty.

Everyone sat on the sofa, the atmosphere slightly heavy.

According to the plan, they should have left for the airport half an hour ago, flying straight to East Capital.

But just before they were about to leave, Chen Xu’an suddenly called, with a sincere and urgent tone, pleading for them to stay just a little longer.

He said he wanted to come personally to send them off and offer a small token of appreciation.

This wait lasted for forty minutes.

"Tsk, what is this second young master of the Chen Family up to?"

Pan Wendi lay idly on the single sofa, glanced at his limited edition Patek Philippe watch, and couldn’t help but complain:

"If we don’t leave soon, we’ll have to change our tickets. Can’t he just say what he needs to over the phone instead of this overly formal farewell?"

"Probably can’t bear to see us go."

Bai Ling, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, replied without looking up, playing a game on Pan Wendi’s phone:

"After all, we did save their entire family. It’s normal for them to want to thank us in person."

"Thank my ass, I think he’s just trying to grab another chance to cling to the leg of our Illuminati."

Pan Wendi curled his lips, grabbed an apple from the table, and took a big bite:

"These noble family’s descendants love to play power games and have plenty of schemes."

Listening to this, it seemed like he forgot he was also a descendant of a noble family.

Fang Cheng sat upright on the sofa, holding a magazine, his expression calm.

He didn’t respond to Pan Wendi’s words, only calculating in his mind the many things he needed to implement once he returned to East Capital.