If Manager Zhang truly had connections capable of twisting right into wrong, he would find a way to reach out to Lin Liqiang or Inzarota for help.

Qin Fen was no fool. Though his two friends never spoke of their backgrounds, he could tell they were people with considerable influence. Under normal circumstances, he certainly wouldn't approach them for favors, but if someone tried to play dirty and he still didn't seek their help, that would make him a fool.

Moreover, if Inzarota and Lin Liqiang later learned that their friend had run into trouble and hadn't called on them, they would likely erupt in anger themselves.

Sometimes, asking a friend for help isn't causing them trouble, nor is it an assault on one's dignity! True friends are precisely the people you should turn to when you encounter difficulties and require assistance!

Manager Zhang struggled a few times, trying to stand, but ultimately had to reluctantly accept the fact that he couldn't rise for the moment. He sat on the ground, glaring hatefully at Qin Fen. If he hadn't been careless, how could he have lost to this kid?

The Shaolin Tiger Claw Hand was indeed a superior technique, but it required Three-Star strength to execute flawlessly. Using Two-Star strength to propel it meant that while the power would still seem astonishing to ordinary eyes, true masters could spot the flaws.

Manager Zhang felt deeply wronged. Only those who had faced countless battles could see through the inherent shortcomings! A high school student, so young, clearly shouldn't be able to discern his flaws. Yet, this high school student had cultivated the 'Dragon-Elephant Prajna Gong'—a technique that, when combined with the Tiger Subduing Stance of the Shaolin Arhat Fist, was precisely the method to shatter brute force with greater brute force.

Luck! It had to be sheer luck! As Manager Zhang was carried out of the construction site, his eyes never left Qin Fen.

“You insulted my mother, and I hit you back,” Qin Fen said to Manager Zhang, who was being carried away to find a hospital: “We're even now.”

As Manager Zhang was carried off, everyone on the site who was relatively familiar with Qin Fen rushed over. This young man, usually quiet but never shirking work and often helping others, was beloved by nearly everyone on the site.

“Little Qin, well done!”

“Little Qin, hurry and leave. That man surnamed Zhang seems to have some influence. Be careful he doesn't cause you trouble.”

“Little Qin, I have a relative who owns a shop. How about I introduce you to work there?”

“Forget it! Little Qin, don't go there! The wages are too low!”

“Little Qin has such good skills; why not enlist and become a soldier?”

“Enlist! That’s a good suggestion!”

“Enlist?” Qin Fen smiled and shook his head: “No. I want to go to university. Being a soldier takes up too much time…”

“You can go to university after your service. It’s not too late,” said the middle-aged man who first advised him. “Little Qin, you might not know this, but the Conscription Act was revised this year. Anyone who joins the military receives a generous stipend upon retirement, and the government covers half of their university tuition. If they achieve merit in the service, their schooling is free. After graduation, the Federation will even help arrange employment.”

Free university? Generous pay? Qin Fen’s eyes immediately lit up. If that were true, it could save a great deal of expense. If he could manage to enter the Federal Transport Company, then…

“Little Qin, go enlist. The registration period for enlistment seems to be right after the college entrance exams, right? Just have the school reserve your student status then.”

“Why are you all slacking off?” The site deputy manager, having received news of Manager Zhang’s injury, hurried onto the scene.

The crowd immediately scattered like startled birds. Qin Fen also didn't wish to linger and quickly left the construction site.

None of the group noticed that not far across the construction site, a beautiful girl had watched the entire incident unfold.

“Shaolin Arhat Fist?” Song Jia nodded thoughtfully, her eyes shimmering with sharp light. “Very interesting. Truly very interesting.”

If Lin Liqiang were there to see Song Jia’s expression, he would immediately become nervous and find Qin Fen, urging him to find a safe place to lie low first. Whenever Miss Song Jia’s eyes sparkled like this, it meant she had found a new, captivating toy.

Back home, Qin Fen didn't rush to log onto the Sky Martial Arts Combat Network. Instead, he booted up his old, battered computer and quickly searched for all information regarding the Conscription Act.

Since he was considering enlisting, he naturally needed to know the gains and losses involved. Only after calculating everything thoroughly could he truly decide if it was worthwhile to join the military before university.

Browsing through the newly amended clauses of the Conscription Act, Qin Fen broke into a happy smile. Depending on the branch of service, not only would they receive a substantial retirement fund upon discharge, but there was also the chance to obtain various surprise rewards.

A small laser pistol? An energy protective suit for harsh cosmic environments? A multi-functional planetary exploration kit? Qin Fen felt a surge of excitement at every potential extra reward. These were high-priced items on the open market, things that many planetary exploration companies would pay a premium to acquire.

A space fighter capable of vertical takeoff? Upon seeing this option among the final few extra rewards, Qin Fen was even more astonished.

A space fighter capable of traveling between the five major planets! Even if the model was somewhat outdated upon retirement, and all offensive weaponry had been removed, it would still be an incredibly valuable asset.

If he could pilot a fighter jet between the five planets, he would surely be able to find his elder brother!

Could there be a war brewing? Qin Fen frowned deeply. The high-ranking officials of the Federation weren't idiots. Why would they suddenly revise the Conscription Act to resemble a major anniversary sale at a department store? Unless something critically important was happening, this radical change wouldn't have occurred.

As a student of Jianzhong High School, Qin Fen’s knowledge of modern history was naturally strong. Since humanity began developing the other planets in the solar system, due to rapid, unchecked expansion and other reasons unknown to the average person, the various planets—though nominally under the jurisdiction of the Earth Federation—had effectively formed independent political and military systems. The Earth Federation retained only nominal authority.

Only Mars and Earth remained firmly under the Federation's complete control.

A saying once circulated online: “If I woke up one morning to find that a planetary war had begun, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.”

ps: Tonight, I'm trying to climb the New Book Charts. I will add an extra chapter after midnight. If any friends are still awake around midnight, please offer your support if you have a vote. For friends waking up tomorrow morning, please come straight here after turning on your computers and logging into Qidian~ Vote here!—