Chapter 39 - Thirty-Nine: Goliath Potion

"Additionally, our left wing’s Fourth Regiment refused your request for a joint sweep." "The Seventh Regiment on the right wing replied very politely, stating they would cooperate as long as there were orders from above. However, in reality, they also refused." The aide chose his words carefully and spoke with great caution. During this time, messages from all sides were unfavorable to the colonel. Situations like delayed military supplies or lack of cooperation from allied forces were absolutely impossible back when the colonel was still on the priority candidate list. Now, with retirement imminent and no favorable arrangements in sight, many were quick to kick him while he was down. Chen Jixian silently concluded his inspection, saying, "Let’s go. Stand your last watch." After descending the platform and entering a deserted corridor, Chen Jixian abruptly said, "Sorry for dragging you into this." Traditionally, when a senior officer like Chen Jixian retired and transferred to another post, he would either ensure a bright future for his aide within the military or take them along to enjoy a comfortable civilian life; this was after many years of loyal service. But now, Chen Jixian was no longer able to do either. The aide’s eyes welled up, and he stood firmly at attention. "No, Colonel, I have no regrets at all!" Chen Jixian’s eyelids lifted a few millimeters, and the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, resembling a smile. 「...」 In the afternoon, Chen Gu trained brutally and ferociously in the military physical training area, reviewing the results of the third phase of his "Star Battle Instructor" preliminary training. He was very satisfied with his progress, estimating that in just three or four more days, the preliminary training would be complete, and his physical fitness would be more than six times that of an ordinary person. Generators and super matter... I need to get them ready soon, he thought. Teacher Ouyang, his huge mechanical arms at his sides, walked over with a serious face, slightly irritated. "Everyone, come with me! Today’s combat exchange lesson has a change in opponent—it’s now Class Four!" Chen Gu wasn’t surprised at all. If Zhao Ergou wasn’t up to something, that would be the real surprise, he thought. Clearly, Teacher Ouyang intended to bring all his military physical education students to support him, and this filled Chen Gu with a sense of warmth. In his previous life, Chen Gu had read reports about many teachers who were wolves in sheep’s clothing. However, in this life, the Teachers Dai, Zhou, and Ouyang he had encountered were all genuinely good people, true exemplars of their profession. Of course, there were also individuals like the Dean of Instruction, a black sheep staining the flock. Darkray and other classmates eagerly showed their support, pounding their chests and roaring, "Does Zhao Ergou really think his dad can cover the sky with one hand? Screw that son of a bitch! The Confederation has the Supreme Tribunal, after all, and everything must follow the law. Brother Chen, we’ve got your back!" Chen Gu brushed the damp hair from his forehead and grinned. He wasn’t worried at all; he’d made preparations early on. At the entrance to the combat classroom, Chen Gu’s group was stopped. Zhao Junzhi’s lackeys blocked their way. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, surrounded by his entourage, wearing a smirk he might have copied from a movie—the kind supposedly worn by "superiors." With the condescending pity of a victor, he said to Chen Gu, "Kneel down, kowtow, and apologize. Then I might consider letting you off." Chen Gu turned to ask Teacher Ouyang, "They are preventing me from attending class. How should I handle this?" "You can report it to the school," Teacher Ouyang replied. "They’ll face disciplinary action according to school regulations, ranging from a warning to expulsion, depending on the severity." Chen Gu nodded, then looked back at the group once more. Zhao Junzhi let out a cold laugh and gestured for his people to go in, sneering, "You’re courting death!" After Chen Gu entered, he suddenly felt a piercing gaze, like ice knives, directed at him—it was Liu Shichan. This was their first meeting since that "little accident." Liu Shichan was wearing a pair of long boots made of high-polymer bulletproof material that extended above her knees. Gritting her silver teeth, she silently fumed, Tear them! Let’s see if you can tear these this time! Chen Gu still felt a bit guilty, so he ducked his head to avoid Liu Shichan’s gaze and obediently stood behind Class Nine. "Today’s combat exchange—" Teacher Zhou had barely started when Zhao Junzhi rudely interrupted him. "No need for small talk, Teacher Zhou. Let’s just start; we’re ready over here." A sturdy boy stepped forward first. Teacher Zhou glanced over; it was one of Zhao Junzhi’s henchmen. Teacher Zhou selected a boy from Class Nine who was in good physical condition. However, as soon as the match began, the Class Nine student was immediately on the defensive, sparking a wave of murmurs from the onlookers: "That’s not right! This Liang Mochao from Class Four wasn’t that strong before..." "He was never a match for our class’s Hu Qianlin." "He’s on drugs! Definitely on drugs!" Liang Mochao grew fiercer as the battle continued, his roars putting Hu Qianlin in an extremely awkward position. Then, with a combination of kicks—THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!—he struck Hu Qianlin’s scoring zones repeatedly, instantly knocking him to the ground. Even with protective gear, Hu Qianlin had gone pale and was struggling to catch his breath. Class Nine’s students quickly helped Hu Qianlin up, while Liang Mochao, smugly whistling, returned to his group of shameless cronies to exchange high-fives and celebrate. Zhao Junzhi smiled triumphantly. At his glance, another henchman stood up. "I’ll take the second round." His key subordinates were indeed using a special drug: "Goliath V." This was an enhancer primarily intended for law enforcement personnel. News that Zhao Zhenhuai was poised to become the new police chief of Wuzhaoyin City had already spread, and a pharmaceutical company had preemptively sent a batch of "samples" to the Zhao family. These so-called samples were genuine "Goliath V," even more potent than the version available for public sale. Zhao Junzhi, not needing all of it for himself, had "bestowed" it upon a few of his most sycophantic henchmen. A few indignant boys from Class Nine vied to be the first to fight, but Chen Gu stopped them, saying, "Leave it to me." Zhao Junzhi clearly came prepared, and Zhao Ergou’s grudge is against me, Chen Gu thought. There’s no point in letting the other classmates get beaten up. Do I really have to wait for Zhao Junzhi’s flunkies to beat up all my classmates before I step up to face him like some final boss? Chen Gu stepped forward, not bothering with any protective gear, and gestured to his opponent with a finger. "Come on." Before Teacher Zhou could even speak, the opponent charged with a roar. Without so much as a glance, Chen Gu shot out his fist. His opponent’s vision blurred, and with a THUMP, the fist landed squarely on his eye. He collapsed without a sound. Even with "Goliath V," his physical abilities are only about fifty percent better than an average person, Chen Gu assessed. I’m now at five times the strength of an ordinary person; I didn’t even need to use the "Ancient Martial Great Nine Styles" to beat him. Then Chen Gu, having no interest in continuing to dispatch minor lackeys, gestured directly to Zhao Junzhi. "Got the guts for another round? I’ll even fight you with one hand." Zhao Junzhi walked out with a sneer. "It seems you really don’t understand what kind of situation you’re in, do you?"