Chapter 20: The Awakeners Association Enters!
"It seems I haven't come at a good time."
A slightly formulaic, bureaucratic voice suddenly drifted in from the entrance of the hall, causing the situation in the room to shift once again.
Everyone followed the sound and looked over. Following behind the butler was a man walking slowly, dressed in a silver-grey uniform suit.
On his cuff, a golden button engraved with a special pattern caught the light.
Behind the man followed two guards dressed in similar attire. Their aura was steady and heavy—at a glance, one could tell they were no ordinary people.
"Patriarch, this is Secretary Feng from the Eastern Awakeners Association," the butler emphasized the words 'Awakeners Association' particularly heavily.
"The Eastern Awakeners Association?!" A sharp-eyed guest immediately cried out in a low voice. " Is that really the Association's uniform?"
"Even the Awakeners Association sent someone? The Chen family's face is truly too big!"
" The Military came, and now the Association is here. Two of the three major official organizations! Does Chen Chen, this SS-Class genius, really have this much prestige?"
"It's simply ridiculous!"
Amidst the discussions, the rage on Chen Guodong's face was instantly replaced by wild ecstasy.
He threw the unpleasantness of being blocked by Wei Tianyi to the back of his mind.
I didn't even send an invitation to the Association... they came on their own?!
He rushed forward to welcome him. "I didn't know Secretary Feng was gracing us with his presence! Forgive me for not welcoming you from afar, forgive me!"
The man in the silver-grey suit stopped, nodded slightly, and handed over a gold-stamped business card.
"I am Feng Kai, Secretary to the Vice President of the Eastern Awakeners Association."
"I came today specifically to congratulate Young Master Chen Chen on his coming-of-age ceremony on behalf of the Vice President. At the same time, I wish to discuss some matters with Patriarch Chen."
As soon as these words came out, the crowd was startled again.
The Association Vice President is involved in this?!
"Secretary Feng!" Chen Guodong took the business card with both hands, his fingertips trembling.
"Please, sit! Serve Secretary Feng the best tea, quickly!"
Zhang Li also scrambled up from the ground. The venom on her face was gone, replaced by a pile of sycophantic smiles.
"Secretary Feng's presence truly brings light to our humble Chen home!"
"Chen'er, why aren't you coming over to meet Secretary Feng?"
Chen Chen had just struggled to sit up from the cracks in the floorboards. Blood was still smeared across his nose, and the wet stain on his crotch was glaringly obvious.
Being called out now, he could only bite the bullet and inch over, trying to squeeze out a dignified smile.
Feng Kai's gaze swept over Chen Chen and Chen Yu, but he didn't linger.
He looked straight at Chen Guodong, his tone carrying official solemnity.
"Patriarch Chen, surely you are aware that in this awakening test for the Eastern Alliance region, only Young Master Chen Chen awakened an SS-Class talent."
"The Vice President attaches great importance to this. He specifically noted that Young Master Chen Chen is the future core power of the East!"
Hearing these words, the guests in the hall shifted their gazes back and forth between Chen Chen and Chen Yu.
One was in a wretched state, covered in dust and fluids.
The other stood with hands in his pockets, looking like he didn't know the meaning of the word 'opponent.'
Compared to Chen Chen, who had literally been scared into incontinence, Chen Yu—who radiated a kingly aura—looked much more like the genius Feng Kai was describing.
For a moment, everyone's faces revealed strange expressions.
Feng Kai, looking solemn, didn't notice the crowd's weird looks.
He continued, "Our Association will fully support Young Master Chen Chen."
"The Freshman Military Training in one month will determine the resource allocation for each region. We hope Patriarch Chen will supervise him well, so Young Master Chen Chen can seize more resources for the East."
Hearing this, Zhang Feng's face darkened instantly.
Although the Military and the Association were both the right and left arms of the Alliance, wherever there are people, there is politics.
The Military was responsible for external threats and dealing with ferocious beasts.
The Association was responsible for managing the Awakeners within the Alliance.
The two sides didn't see eye to eye. The Association thought the Military only knew how to kill and fight; the Military thought the Association only knew how to play power games and screw over their own people.
Zhang Feng cursed Feng Kai and the Association up and down in his heart. Good, very good, Eastern Association!
The Chen family used my Military's Awakening Potions to pile up an "Artificial Genius."
Now you just watch and wait to come pick the peaches? Do you really think the Military is a soft persimmon you can just squeeze?!
The guests' minds were racing even faster.
The Association had taken a fancy to Chen Chen. What kind of magic did this Chen family possess?!
They lost the Ling family's favor, but gained the Association's heavy regard. Did the heavens themselves want the Chen family to soar?
But looking at the imposing Chen Yu nearby, they felt things weren't that simple.
Their eyes filled with the anticipation of watching a good drama.
Having finished his official business, Feng Kai finally walked toward Chen Yu and extended his hand.
"Tall and straight posture, an aura that suppresses everyone present... You must be Young Master Chen Chen, right?"
"Truly a man of talent, with an extraordinary atmosphere. The Vice President also said..."
His words were cut short.
A suppressed burst of laughter suddenly exploded in the hall.
Pfft...
"Hahaha! Secretary Feng, you got the wrong person! That's Chen Yu!"
"That's the F-Class trash that was kicked out of the house!"
"The Chen Chen you're looking for is over there! The one who just got beaten until he peed his pants!"
Chen Guodong's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
Amidst the laughter, Feng Kai's hand froze in mid-air. The calmness on his face instantly turned into awkward embarrassment.
He snapped his head around to look at the wretched Chen Chen, then looked back at Chen Yu. His eyes were full of shock.
This... the gap is too big, isn't it?
An F-Class beat an SS-Class until he wet himself?
Should I... mention this to the Vice President?
Chen Yu raised an eyebrow. Looking at Feng Kai's frozen hand, he let out a light chuckle. "Secretary Feng, they aren't wrong. I am Chen Yu."
After speaking, he turned to look at Ling Wenhe and Wei Tianyi, his tone flat. "Elder Wei, Uncle Ling. I've finished watching the play. I'm leaving first."
Ling Wenhe nodded. His cold gaze swept over the Chen Guodong couple one last time, but he didn't say another word.
Wei Tianyi patted Chen Yu on the shoulder and gave a slight nod to Feng Kai, acknowledging his presence.
The three turned and left, their strides confident and calm.
Ye Bai, having learned that the engagement partner was actually supposed to be Chen Yu, followed them out as well.
Zhang Feng looked at their retreating backs, hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands toward Chen Guodong. "Patriarch Chen, border defense duties are busy. I will return first."
As he passed Feng Kai, Zhang Feng stopped.
"Secretary Feng, since the Association has decided to fully support Chen Chen, then please trouble yourself to reimburse the expenses for three months of Awakening Potions."
"Wh... What?" Feng Kai froze, his eyes widening into circles. "Awakening Potion expenses? What does that have to do with me?"
Zhang Feng curled his lip, his tone lacking any politeness. "How does it have nothing to do with you?"
"The Awakening Potions the Chen family used for these three months were all collected from our Military."
"If Chen Chen were to serve in my Military afterward, we would consider it cultivating talent."
"But now your Association wants to 'fully support' him. You can't possibly expect our Military to pay out of pocket for the Association's valued 'Core Power,' right?"
He paused, deliberately raising his voice so the surrounding guests could hear.
"It's not much. Just three months' worth. Calculated at the Alliance's unified price, it's a total of 3 million Alliance Dollars."
"If Secretary Feng doesn't believe me, I can have my subordinates send the bill over right now."
(To be Continued)