197: Let Bai Shanshan become a beginner!

Ye Chen nodded, his gaze fixed on the harbor lights faintly appearing on the horizon.

"Indeed."

"But things have reached this point, I can't be bothered with so much anymore."

"Since Black Prison took the initiative to involve me and tried to take my life time and again, then this game must be played by my rules."

He paused, his voice becoming decisive.

"Since the Wang family is so deeply tied to Black Prison..."

"Then I am destined to go to Yanjing to personally meet this 'in-law'."

Bai Wanqing heard this and spoke softly.

"The Wang family... is not that simple."

"To be able to sit firmly in the second-highest position in a place like Yanjing for decades, their foundation is unfathomable."

"The businesses on the surface are just the tip of the iceberg; even I can't claim to fully see through their hidden networks and influence."

"Not to mention, they now have the fangs of Black Prison hidden in the darkness..."

She looked at Ye Chen, a trace of worry in her eyes.

"I know you're strong and have many tricks up your sleeve."

"But Yanjing isn't Xiamen City, nor is it a cruise ship on the high seas."

"It's a true dragon's den and tiger's lair; the rules, factions, and people's hearts are a hundred times more complex than here."

"One wrong step could lead to a bottomless abyss."

Ye Chen turned his head to meet her gaze.

"It's fine."

"I'll be careful."

"Besides... how can you know how deep a pit is without stepping into it yourself?"

"What if it's just a puddle?"

Bai Wanqing was choked up by his words and gave him an annoyed roll of her eyes.

"You're certainly optimistic."

"Then... when do you plan to leave?"

Ye Chen thought for a moment.

"In a couple of days."

"Once I've settled things here, I'll be ready to go!"

"Besides, before going to Yanjing, I have to make some preparations. I can't exactly visit them empty-handed, can I?"

Hearing this, Bai Wanqing's eyes flickered slightly.

She hesitated for a few seconds before speaking calmly.

"That works out perfectly."

"I also have a meeting to attend in Yanjing in two days."

"If you don't mind..."

She turned her face away slightly. "I could accompany you?"

Ye Chen was stunned and asked with a strange expression, "What a coincidence?"

The tips of Bai Wanqing's ears turned slightly red, but she maintained her cold expression.

"What? Is that not allowed?"

"I'm familiar with Yanjing and have more connections there than you do. I can help out somewhat."

"Besides..."

"Tianyao Group has a branch in Yanjing. I'm just going for a meeting; it's on the way!"

She spoke faster and faster, as if explaining, yet also as if trying to convince herself.

Ye Chen looked at her forced composure, noting how even her neck was tinged pink, and suddenly laughed.

"Sure, of course."

"With Madam Bai as my host and guide, I'll have much less to worry about."

"Thanks!"

Hearing him say that and seeing his frank smile, Bai Wanqing secretly sighed in relief.

Fortunately... he didn't refuse, nor did he overthink it.

She said no more, simply turning her gaze back toward the harbor.

The cloud top successfully docked at City Name's First Pier in the early hours of the morning.

The gangway was lowered, and the surviving guests practically scrambled off the ship, vanishing into the night without a backward glance, as if chased by demons.

Ye Chen and Bai Wanqing were the last to leave the cabin.

"Sis!"

A clear voice came from the harbor entrance.

Bai Shanshan, dressed in a police uniform with her hair in a ponytail, was walking quickly toward them.

Worry was etched on her face. Only after confirming her sister was unharmed did she look at Ye Chen with a complex expression.

"I just received word from the harbor that the 'cloud top' made an emergency return and that something big might have happened on board. What exactly happened?"

Ye Chen shrugged. "A bit of something did happen. Just loosened up my joints a little."

As he spoke...

...he recounted the events in detail.

After listening, Bai Shanshan's lip twitched.

Casually mentioning how many people were killed and their identities... You call that loosening up your joints???

Bai Wanqing gently pulled her sister's arm. "Let's leave here first."

Bai Shanshan nodded and led them toward a black SUV.

In the car.

Bai Shanshan gripped the steering wheel, her hands tightening. "Do you need me to handle things on my end?"

"No need."

Ye Chen shook his head. "What happens on the high seas follows the rules of the high seas. Besides, those who survived know what should and shouldn't be said."

Actually, there was one thing he didn't say... He was a member of the Dragon Group, so there wouldn't be any issues. Even if something happened, it wasn't something ordinary police could intervene in.

Bai Shanshan tactfully refrained from asking further.

She knew that some things were beyond the jurisdiction of a local police officer.

The car drove straight back to the Xiamen City Municipal Bureau.

Bai Shanshan parked the car in the Municipal Bureau courtyard.

When they got out of the car, it was already four or five in the morning.

Bai Shanshan didn't look tired at all; instead, she asked expectantly, "Ye Chen, do you remember what you promised me last time?"

Ye Chen remembered.

When they were in Hong Kong City, he had indeed promised that once they returned to Xiamen City, he would check if Bai Shanshan had the talent for martial arts.

It seemed the girl had been dwelling on it.

"Alright, I happen to have some time now," Ye Chen agreed.

Bai Wanqing also got out of the car; she had always been supportive of her sister's work.

The three of them entered the Municipal Bureau building.

As it was nearly dawn, most areas of the building were dimly lit, with only the duty room and a few offices still having their lights on.

Bai Shanshan led them to a small meeting room and quickly handled the necessary paperwork.

Once finished, Bai Shanshan looked at Ye Chen, hesitating to speak.

Ye Chen smiled. "Let's go. Take me to somewhere... well, is there a place here where we can move around a bit?"

Bai Shanqing's eyes lit up.

"Yes! The training hall! Follow me!"

She led Ye Chen and Bai Wanqing through the quiet corridor to an indoor training hall in the building's wing.

The space was spacious, covered with mats, with fitness equipment and training dummies piled in the corners.

Bai Shanshan locked the training hall door behind her, turned to face Ye Chen, and took a deep breath.

"Ye Chen, can you really let me enter that rank?"

Ye Chen didn't answer immediately.

He walked to the center of the training hall and turned to face Bai Shanshan.

"The path of a martial artist isn't as romantic as you think."

"Hardship is inevitable."

"Exhaustion is a daily occurrence."

"Pain, even more so, will follow you like a shadow."

"It's not just about power; it's a responsibility, an extreme tempering of one's character."

"Furthermore, once you enter, many of the joys of an ordinary person's life might no longer concern you."

"The darkness you see will be deeper and colder than what you see as a police officer."

He paused, his gaze like a torch, staring directly into Bai Shanshan's eyes.

"Bai Shanshan, you are Bai Wanqing's sister. I'll ask you one last time..."

"Do you really want to walk this path?"

Bai Shanshan straightened her back.

She thought of the desperate eyes in the underground slaughterhouse in Hong Kong City, the cold and eerie soul puppets in the Night Color Bar, and especially the profound sense of powerlessness she felt when facing those supernatural forces.

As a police officer, she wanted to protect more people.

Though her temper was occasionally a bit explosive, her determination was undeniable!

If she didn't even have the strength to protect herself and her sister, how could she talk about anything else?

"I'm certain."

She nodded without hesitation.

"I want to possess strength."

"True strength, the kind that can control a situation and protect those I want to protect."

"No matter how hard, exhausting, or dangerous it is."

"Ye Chen, please teach me!"

Bai Wanqing stood to the side, quietly watching her sister.

She didn't speak to dissuade her because she knew Shanshan; once she made up her mind, not even ten bulls could pull her back.

She also trusted that Ye Chen would know where to draw the line.

Ye Chen looked at Bai Shanshan and suddenly smiled.

"Your physical foundation is decent, and your character is resilient enough."

"Most importantly, you have 'intent'—a reason why you must do this."

"Alright."

He nodded.

"Then I'll try to help you..."

"...push open this door."

Bai Shanshan was overjoyed. "What should I do?"

Ye Chen walked to the mats in the center of the training hall and casually placed his phone upright about a meter away from Bai Shanshan.

"I'll teach you a mantra."

He looked at Bai Shanshan and continued.

"Intent is like silk, tied to the minute."

"Will is like an arm, commanding all things."

"Body still, qi flows naturally; where intent reaches, power follows."

"Quiet the heart, focus the spirit, forget things, forget self."

"Then, try to 'think' about it..."

Ye Chen pointed at the phone on the ground. "Push it over."

Bai Shanshan was left dazed.

The first half of the mantra was mystical, but she could still ponder its meaning.

But the final request... "Push it over with my thoughts?"

Her eyes widened. "This... how is that possible? It violates the laws of physics! I don't have superpowers..."