Deputy Director Zeng Chang's Motives

Zeng Chang's tone still gave no hint of his purpose today.

Intimidation and inducement?

It did not seem like that either.

Registration had already closed, and no changes could be made.

Besides, things had escalated to that point at First High School. It could only be settled through a match.

As long as Deputy Director Zeng had heard the news, he should have known Li Yuan's stance.

"You're thirty years old, and this is your first time entering the Youth Martial Tournament.

To be honest, that's rather late, and quite rare."

Zeng Chang was not wrong at all.

Those gifted prodigies usually displayed their Talents during middle school.

By the time they were twenty-one or twenty-two, they would be recommended for the Youth Martial Tournament.

There were certainly thirty-year-old martial artists in the Youth Martial Tournament, but it was never their first time participating.

Some were entering for the third time, or even the fourth.

"Everyone has a first time. Maybe this first time will bring me a decent result?

Director Zeng, I'll be frank.

No matter what, I have to seize this Youth Martial Tournament."

Li Yuan did not conceal anything before Zeng Chang.

Recently, he had felt as though he had fought his way through endless trials.

He had finally earned a spot in the Youth Martial Tournament. There was no way he would give it up.

Besides, he still needed this tournament to advance to the Fifth Grade.

Zeng Chang, seated across from him, smiled and immediately waved his hands repeatedly.

"Don't misunderstand, don't misunderstand. I have no intention of taking away your place in the competition.

I did have that plan before. I was supporting Jin Fan's participation in the Youth Martial Tournament.

But things have already reached this point, and the roster has been finalized.

Furthermore, I heard that you earned the Grade Points for this slot all by yourself.

From the bigger picture, you should not have been allowed to go.

But emotionally and logically, there truly is no reason to stop you."

By this point, Li Yuan understood Deputy Director Zeng Chang even less.

If it was not about his place in the competition, then why had he been called here?

To offer him a few words of encouragement?

Seeing the confusion on Li Yuan's face, Zeng Chang no longer concealed his intentions.

"This year's Youth Martial Tournament team from Lingshan City will be led by me.

I didn't call you here to replace you.

I want to tell you to give it everything you have in this Youth Martial Tournament and fight for a strong result.

Top thirty. Find every possible way to break into the top thirty!"

Zeng Chang's expression was solemn. He was telling Li Yuan that this was his core demand.

"At that Open Class, I listened carefully to your lecture.

Your understanding of cultivation methods and martial techniques far surpasses that of ordinary middle school teachers.

You also defeated Gu Yu in the match. There may have been some luck involved, but your actual combat ability cannot be poor.

You have a chance at the top thirty!"

With that said, Zeng Chang rose and left.

A moment later, he returned carrying a box.

When the box was opened, it contained thirty-five bottles of B Grade Nutrient Fluid.

"These are supplies distributed for the Youth Martial Tournament. I'm giving them to you early today, and I'm additionally sponsoring you with five more bottles.

I've also arranged an outdoor training session for you.

I heard that over the years, you have never taken part in any external training. You need to get used to it first."

Zeng Chang's actions greatly surprised Li Yuan.

He had seen countless leaders make empty promises.

This was the first time he had encountered someone who gave him the benefits first, then asked him to meet their demands.

Li Yuan stood up and looked at the B Grade Nutrient Fluid before him. It would have been a lie to say he did not want it.

But Li Yuan was already thirty. He knew that favors did not come for free.

Deputy Director Zeng Chang's words did not sound problematic.

For Lingshan City's ranking, he was helping a competitor out while pressuring him to fight for a good result.

But would Deputy Director Zeng really be so invested in something that concerned everyone's interests?

He was giving away B Grade Nutrient Fluid so freely. Could he really be that generous?

"What? You look down on this B Grade Nutrient Fluid?"

Deputy Director Zeng pushed the box closer to Li Yuan and asked with a smile.

After hesitating, Li Yuan shook his head helplessly.

"Director Zeng, I'm not very clever, and I'm also somewhat timid.

I don't really dare accept pie that falls from the sky..."

The meaning behind Li Yuan's words was very clear. Someone in Zeng Chang's position would certainly understand.

Sure enough, Zeng Chang smiled and continued.

"A thirty-year-old martial artist truly is different from a twenty-year-old one.

Don't worry that I'm plotting something. Right now, our goals are the same.

I want you to achieve a good result in the Youth Martial Tournament.

I want you to bring me glory!"

Zeng Chang did not hide anything. He knew Li Yuan was cautious, so he simply explained his motives.

The director of the Lingshan City Municipal Education Bureau would retire next year.

There were four deputy directors in the Municipal Education Bureau, and all of them were currently fighting for the director's position.

Lingshan No.1 High School was overseen by the Education Bureau. With Jin Fan being replaced this time, many city departments were blaming the Education Bureau.

This blame was really just passing the buck.

If this year's Youth Martial Tournament ranking was still poor, then the Education Bureau would bear the primary responsibility.

"The current situation is that the other three deputy directors refuse to take on the task of leading the team.

My foundation is shallow. If I want to move another step up, I have to step forward for difficult matters like this.

Li Yuan, I hope I have not placed my faith in the wrong person this time.

If you bring me glory this time, I'll have a chance to move up.

So helping you now is helping myself. Consider it a gamble!"

With matters laid out so plainly, Li Yuan stood and accepted the Nutrient Fluid, bowing to express his gratitude.

He thanked Zeng Chang for being willing to place his bet on him.

Easy tasks could never bring great merit.

Compared to the other three deputy directors, Zeng Chang understood his own position clearly.

The opportunities that easily earned merit would never fall to him.

Only difficult tasks like this, which all sides viewed as troublesome burdens to be blamed for, gave Zeng Chang an opportunity.

The two Zhongdengs were both doing everything they could to make a breakthrough.

Li Yuan's resolve grew even firmer. He was determined to fight for a ranking.

If he could achieve a decent result this time, it would provide considerable help to Deputy Director Zeng Chang's career.

Naturally, it would also count as building a good relationship with this deputy director.

In other words, he would gain a useful connection.

But all of that would have to wait until he achieved results in the Youth Martial Tournament.

After that, Zeng Chang began telling Li Yuan about the practical training he had arranged.

The Youth Martial Tournament was not an arena competition. It tested young martial artists' ability to deal with Fierce Beasts at the border.

This was also the greatest significance martial artists held for human society.

Protecting homes and defending the nation—this was the core reason martial artists were respected.

As an officially organized competition, the Youth Martial Tournament was also meant to convey a certain message.

It told young people that the country wanted strong individuals capable of slaying Fierce Beasts.

Not those who were formidable when fighting people, but whose legs turned weak the moment they faced Fierce Beasts.

"The place arranged for you is Qijia Town. You can set off the day after tomorrow.

Even by high-speed rail, the journey will take a full day and night, so plan your time properly.

Pay attention to your safety during the training. Don't come back covered in injuries."

Li Yuan had heard of Qijia Town before.

But there were still other obstacles before him when it came to participating in this kind of training.

"Director Zeng, when we use our own identities for training, we need approval from our work unit.

You also know about my relationship with Principal Yin..."

If Principal Yin wanted to make things difficult for Li Yuan, he would not need to reject him outright.

He only needed to find an excuse and keep dragging it out...