A Good-for-Nothing

171. A Refusal (1)

Translator: Dragon Rider

Chen Qianlin was actually very confident. Owing to his superior resources, he had a clearer understanding of the purpose of the Special Talents Training Program (STTP) of the Supernaturalism Management Bureau (SMB). If truth be told, STTP was actually a method adopted by the three actions groups to recruit new members. Leaving aside the third action group, the first and the second action groups had always been regarding each other as rivals, competing for outstanding trainees every year. Chen Qianlin, before entering his name for STTP, had firmly believed that Li Zong wouldn’t let a trainee as promising as him join another action group.

Until He Zheng had made his appearance in the interview.

He Zheng’s powers didn’t concern Chen Qianlin, but he was very bitter about He Zheng’s relations with Li Zong. At first Chen Qianlin had felt that Li Zong couldn’t have pulled strings for He Zheng, though He Zheng was his marriage partner, but after seeing with his own eyes what a doting husband Li Zong was, Chen Qianlin had become uncertain.

He knew he shouldn’t make such speculation about Li Zong, but after the sneaking suspicion came into being in his mind, he found it very difficult to dismiss it. In fact, in Chen Qianlin’s subconscious, he felt that Li Zong might indeed have been a contributing factor to He Zheng’s passing the interview as alleged in that post.

All these reasons above led to Chen Qianlin’s visit to Li Zong’s office on this day.

Chen Qianlin was actually very disgruntled. He felt that He Zheng was a stain on Li Zong’s reputation.

“Supt. Li, you could have achieved far more than this!” Finally, Chen Qianlin expressed the thought that had been in his mind for a long time. He felt that Li Zong could do better.

Ever since Li Zong had declared his marriage with He Zheng, there had been a lot of doubts and conjectures about his decision, so this remark of Chen Qianlin’s had no influence on Li Zong. He flicked a glance at his watch, didn’t want to keep He Zheng waiting too long, and asked, “Is there anything particular you want to learn from me?”

Chen Qianlin was briefly surprised and then secretly delighted. Li Zong agreed?

Chen Qianlin replied without further ado, “I heard that you’re a master of both swordplay and offensive enchantment, so I want to learn from you.”

Li Zong shook his head. “If memory serves me correctly, your field practice instructor is Xiang Hailou. Swordplay is not my strong point. Both Xiang Hailou and Zhao Yidi outshine me in it.”

Chen Qianlin was astonished.

Li Zong asked, “You want a mentor to instruct you and help you improve your skills, right?”

“Yes. Of course.” Chen Qianlin was stupefied by Li Zong’s question.

Li Zong gave a nod and, beneath Chen Qianlin’s gaze, took out his cellphone and made a phone call.

Chen Qianlin was perplexed. What was Li Zong doing?”

Soon, after two ringtones, a calm voice said on the other end of the phone, “Yeah.”

It was Xiang Hailou.

Li Zong said, “I want to recommend someone to you as your apprentice. You’ve been meaning to get one, right?”

There was a few moments’ silence on the other side. Chen Qianlin was flabbergasted.

“Who is it? I’m not going to take He Zheng.”

“Of course it’s not He Zheng,” Li Zong said blandly, tossed a look at Chen Qianlin and then added, “It’s Chen Qianlin.”

Xiang Hailou kept silent for a while. “I prefer Wei Cheng. Chen Qianlin is talented, full of confidence and pretty skilled, but his cultivation method is set. If I take him as my apprentice, it’s very likely my instructions will be a hindrance to his cultivation. In addition, he’s kind of immature. If he doesn’t get rid of that attitude, there’s a high chance he’ll end up going down the wrong path.”

Chen Qianlin’s breathing became heavy, and an embarrassed look flashed across his face, his teeth gritted. A proud and arrogant young man, rather indignant, Chen Qianlin felt hot blood surge up into his head and queried angrily, “Group Leader Xiang, why do you think I won’t be able to make greater achievements?”

“Chen Qianlin is by your side?” Xiang Hailou on the other end of the phone sounded surprised. After a brief moment, he said, “Well, this might not be a bad thing. You have a great gift, Chen Qianlin, and I hate to see it wasted.”

He paused and then continued, “Your strikes are accompanied by sword-light, which is indeed a huge achievement for a cultivator of your age. I have no doubt that some day you’ll reach a higher level and make a master of yourself. Also, you’re from a family of fine swordsmen. Actually you don’t really need an instructor. Your only shortcoming is the unduly intense murderousness in your sword-light. Like I said a couple of days before, your sword is not supposed to be merely a tool for killing. It’s your friend, companion, and kin. Your weapon is your another self. A swordsman should be able to show mercy as quick as he strikes. I hope you’ll make the right choice.”

Xiang Hailou poured cold water on Chen Qianlin’s enthusiasm, making him feel terribly discouraged.

Li Zong furrowed his brows and hung up the phone.

The office instantly fell terrifyingly quiet. Chen Qianlin, unable to utter a word, stared blankly at his hands. For an instant he seemed to be in stupefaction.

“A swordsman should be able to show mercy as quick as he strikes.” Chen Qianlin’s fretfulness gradually ebbed away. Suddenly, his eyes became unnaturally bright, as if something had just occurred to him. “Now I understand why you are doing this for me, Supt. Li.

I promise I’ll put more efforts into cultivation, and I’ll never forget your help. I won’t let you down!”

After saying this, Chen Qianlin left.

Li Zong, “…”

Having a headache, Li Zong massaged his forehead. What on earth did he understand?

On the training ground.

It’d been over half an hour since Xiang Hailou had dismissed them. At first there had been a lot of trainees staying to practice, but after a while, some of them had left planning to have dinner first and then come back to resume.

At this moment, Wei Cheng, He Zheng and Tianyi were the only ones still practicing. Lin Zhuo, who had no aptitude for offensive moves or enchantments, was quietly sitting on the side, hugging his knees, waiting for them to finish.

Though it was getting dark outside, the holographically simulated sky above the training ground, which didn’t change over time, was still very bright.

He Zheng had never stopped for an instant, and his sword strikes were getting steadier and steadier, sweat flowing down his fair-skinned cheeks. Li Zong walked out of the elevator but didn’t interrupt He Zheng’s practice.

Seeing Li Zong walking in, Lin Di who was resting on the side was just about to speak when Li Zong raised his hand gesturing him to keep quiet.