Chapter 57: Reward Scheme

Chen Meng, however, remained composed, as if this were a trivial matter unworthy of concern. His nonchalant demeanor only made the Director of Discipline feel even more uneasy.

“Let’s go through the details, then.”

“Alright.”

At this moment, Han Hao took out a document. Chen Meng glanced at the title, which read “Proposal for Rewarding Student Chen Meng of Our City,” stamped with the seal of the Law Enforcement Bureau. As for the content of the proposal, the font was two sizes smaller, and Chen Meng couldn’t make it out.

Han Hao didn’t hand the document to Chen Meng but began to explain directly. Meanwhile, the Director of Discipline and Yang Shu, Chen Meng’s rune instructor, leaned in eagerly, hoping for a sneak peek.

“The first proposal, which I mentioned to you yesterday, is that, in recognition of your special contribution, you’re eligible for a special admission spot at Jiangzhou University this year. That means you don’t have to take the college entrance exam—as long as you pass the political screening and physical exam, you can enroll at Jiangzhou University. If your grades aren’t particularly outstanding, I suggest you choose this. Though Jiangzhou University is considered a second-tier school, it’s among the best in its category—a rare opportunity.”

Han Hao looked at Chen Meng, reiterating what he’d discussed with him the day before.

The Director of Discipline, unaware that Chen Meng’s grades had improved, couldn’t help blurting out, “Take this offer—of course you should! Jiangzhou University is a great school.”

Yang Shu took a deep breath. He thought that, for the Chen Meng of old, this would indeed be an excellent choice: entering Jiangzhou University as a specially recruited student would practically guarantee him a Divine Body Advancement Serum in the future.

Han Hao smiled at Chen Meng, as if to say, “If you choose this, I won’t need to go on.”

But Chen Meng shook his head. “No need. I want to apply to Jiangdu University, unless you can get me a special admission spot there.”

Han Hao was taken aback—they had no authority over Jiangdu University. As the only top-tier university in Yangzhou Province, Jiangdu University wouldn’t grant admission just for this contribution; it wasn’t enough.

The Director of Discipline was stunned. He thought he must be hearing things: Chen Meng actually wanted to aim for Jiangdu University? Was he still dreaming?

“Then I’ll continue with the second proposal, which is really an extension of the first. If you want to apply to a better school, we can recommend you for the city’s ‘Outstanding Student’ title, which would give you an extra twenty points on your college entrance exam,” Han Hao said with a smile. “If you’re not confident about getting into Jiangdu University, you can choose this. Those twenty points will put you ahead of many others.”

“An extra twenty points?” Chen Meng pondered.

He did a quick calculation: if he scored above 140 in each of the rune, alchemy, and forging exams, that would be 420 points. If he managed to get a passing grade—180—in the general academic subjects, that would total 600 points. But even that wasn’t a sure thing, since the cutoff for top universities hovered just above 600, and to secure a spot at Jiangdu University, he’d need closer to 620.

With twenty more points, he’d be right on target.

But after considering, Chen Meng felt he didn’t need this option; he could still improve his academic scores by “turning the page” on knowledge points.

Getting another twenty points in academics was easy, given how much room there was for improvement.

“No need. I can get into Jiangdu University on my own—I don’t need the extra points,” Chen Meng replied directly.

“Are you sure?” Han Hao eyed Chen Meng skeptically; this didn’t match the information he had. The Director of Discipline, meanwhile, was so anxious he was practically stomping his feet.

Chen Meng spread his hands helplessly and said honestly, “Actually, I’m a top student.”

“Pfft!”

The Director of Discipline couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Was there anything more ridiculous? A student who’d always ranked at the bottom now claimed to be a top student.

Did he not know his own grades or his place in the school ranking?

“Chen Meng is right,” Yang Shu asserted at that moment. “I believe he can get into Jiangdu University on his own merits. He was only hiding his true abilities before. In my last rune test, he easily scored over 130. As for alchemy, he passed as soon as he said he would—who knows what his true level actually is? I heard he even promised the forging teacher today that he’d score over 120 on this test.”

Han Hao listened, dumbfounded.

Was this Chen Meng truly a top student?

“Has his performance really improved?” the Director of Discipline muttered, looking at Chen Meng with even more apprehension. To conceal his abilities for three years and pose as a poor student… what sort of scheming did that take? A young man like this was not to be trifled with—he was ruthless.

“Well, since you’re so confident, I can only wish you success in getting into Jiangdu University,” Han Hao conceded. “Let me go over the third proposal. This one is rather trivial, because either of the first two options would already earn you an advancement serum. The third proposal merely lets you receive it sooner.”

“What do you mean?” Chen Meng asked, puzzled.

“According to your ID, your eighteenth birthday is in eleven days. After you turn eighteen, you’ll be eligible to use the Divine Body Serum to become a Divine Body. The third proposal is simply this: our Law Enforcement Bureau can provide you with an advancement serum, allowing you to undergo the transformation on your birthday.”

Chen Meng felt his heart tremble. What seemed trivial to Han Hao was actually the proposal that tempted him most.

Perhaps he could wait three or four more months and undergo the transformation once at university; there was no real need to rush.

But every day sooner meant one more day of benefit. He yearned to become a Divine Body, and so long as he remained otherwise, he would never truly feel secure.

“I’ll choose this one,” Chen Meng said with certainty, surprising all three present.

Han Hao glanced at the document from the Law Enforcement Bureau and said slowly, “The serums we can provide are the Black Iron Serum, the Verdant Serum, and the Pale Serum. Given that, do you still wish to proceed?”

Chen Meng immediately frowned. Like Mo Xiaoyi, what he wanted most was either the Crimson Serum, which enhanced strength, or the Azure Serum, which improved speed.

As for the three available, the Black Iron Serum boosted defense, the Verdant Serum increased reaction speed, and the Pale Serum improved sensory perception.

“Only these three?” Chen Meng’s enthusiasm waned, and the Director of Discipline and Yang Shu noticed his hesitation.

“Yes. It’s just that we have a surplus of these three in our inventory. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to offer one as a reward,” Han Hao explained. “You don’t need to answer right away—take your time to consider. You still have eleven days until your birthday.”

“Alright,” Chen Meng nodded. He realized this wasn’t a decision to make lightly; it might affect his future development.

“Let me know when you’ve decided. Until then, all three proposals remain open,” Han Hao said, standing up and signaling to Xiao Li. The two of them left.

…

Chen Meng stood up as well. He looked at the Director of Discipline and smiled slightly. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to class. If I don’t, the forging test will be over soon.”

The Director of Discipline snapped to attention and urged, “Chen Meng, hurry back to class—don’t miss it!”

Chen Meng was speechless. As he passed the Director, he absentmindedly patted him on the shoulder and walked out.

The Director of Discipline felt his whole body go weak. Why did he pat my shoulder? Was that some kind of signal?