Chen Fan noticed the other's expression and felt a bit smug.

To make your subordinates work hard, relying purely on strength definitely won't work. You must wield both kindness and severity.

Of course, the prerequisite for all this is strength.

Otherwise, your kindness will be seen as flattery, and not only will it not be appreciated, but they will also think you're a pushover and become increasingly demanding.

Chen Fan cleared his throat and woke up Hua Jun.

"Anything else?"

"Yes, yes."

Hua Jun nodded repeatedly, then stammered, "Actually, it's not a big deal. But I thought you should know about it."

"Oh? What is it?"

Chen Fan picked up the list and asked casually.

"It's about the Martial Arts Association."

"Martial Arts Association?"

Chen Fan raised his head in curiosity and asked, "What's up with the Martial Arts Association?"

Could it be that during his absence, there was a conflict between the Martial Arts Association and the Awakened Association?

But that seemed unlikely.

He knew Sun Wei's character well; he was relatively low-key and wouldn't actively seek trouble with the Awakened Association.

"Chairman, here's the thing: a lot of people have come to the city recently, and the Martical Arts Association took the opportunity to recruit many members. Their strength has increased significantly. Of course, even with this increase, they're still not our match, but I'm worried..."

Hua Jun's brows furrowed in concern.

"I'm worried that if this continues, their strength will keep growing until they can rival our Awakened Association. After all, their number of members is constantly increasing, while ours, barring any surprises, will only grow so much. Even if we can increase our numbers, it won't be by much."

"Is that so?"

Chen Fan was taken aback.

He hadn't expected Hua Jun to bring this up. Internally, he had mixed feelings; given that the Beast Tide was going to break out in two days, it seemed trivial to worry about this now.

However, standing from Hua Jun's perspective, it was understandable. He was also concerned for the Awakened Association and was loyal to him.

"Yes, Chairman. Do you think we should take some measures to suppress them?"

Hua Jun asked in a low voice.

As a competent subordinate, he had already thought of several solutions upon discovering the problem.

For example, secretly supporting some individuals to divide the Martial Arts Association.

Doing so would not only keep the Awakened Association's involvement hidden but also bring long-term benefits.

"No need."

Chen Fan shook his head and sighed, "Chairman Hua, you need to broaden your perspective."

"Broaden my perspective?"

Hua Jun looked confused.

"Whether it's the Martial Arts Association or the Awakened Association, we're all fighting for the Human Race, aren't we?"

"Yes, yes."

Hua Jun blushed.

This was for the greater good, nothing more to say.

"Isn't that it? If the Martial Arts Association grows stronger, it will actually help reduce the pressure on us to defend Anshan City, won't it?"

"But…"

Hua Jun hesitated before saying, "But, our association's power will be divided."

Chen Fan sighed, "Chairman Hua, do you really lack so much confidence in our Awakened Association? Is our strength the only one that can't grow, while theirs can?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Jun's eyes lit up.

Right, could the Awakeners like themselves have slower growth compared to those martial artists?

After all, anyone can become a martial artist, but awakeners are born.

"Chairman, I understand your point." Hua Jun quickly responded.

"Good, as long as you understand."

Chen Fan nodded, "Let the Martial Arts Association be. As long as they don't disturb the city's peace, there's no need to interfere."

"Yes, Chairman."

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you may leave."

"Yes, Chairman."

Hua Jun bowed and carefully closed the door behind him as he left.

"My perspective is still too narrow."

He nodded to himself.

He was only concerned about the branch office's gains and losses.

The Chairman, on the other hand, was thinking about the entire city and even the entire Human Race.

Moreover, his concerns were unnecessary, given the Chairman's immense strength. Even if the Martial Arts Association had more members and became stronger, what difference would it make?

"Chairman!"

"Chairman!"

As Hua Jun walked, people along the way greeted him enthusiastically.

Hua Jun smiled and nodded at each of them.

After he had passed, the awakened ones gathered in small groups, whispering.

"What happened? The Chairman seems to be in a good mood tonight?"

"Not just good, very good. I've known him for so long, and I've never seen him so cheerful."

"Me too. Did his wife give birth?"

"I remember she gave birth two years ago, right?"

"You fool, can't they have a second child? If not a second, then a third!"

"Chairman Hua?"

Xie Ming and his group approached, seeing Hua Jun looking bright and radiant, and they were taken aback.

"Brother Xie, just got back?"

Hua Jun greeted with a big smile.

"Yes, just finished a mission," someone said.

"Chairman Hua, did something good happen in the association?" a woman asked cautiously.

As soon as she spoke, the atmosphere quieted down, and dozens of eyes turned to Hua Jun.

"Why do you ask?"

Hua Jun asked curiously.

The woman chuckled helplessly, "Chairman Hua, you're practically glowing with happiness. We might be blind if we couldn't see it."

"Yeah, Chairman Hua, you probably didn't notice, but you've been walking like a gust of wind."

"Chairman Hua, what's the good news? If it's convenient, share it with us so we can all be happy for you."

"We'd love to know."

Many chimed in eagerly.

They were all itching with curiosity.

"Hahaha, is it that obvious?"

Hua Jun laughed, slightly embarrassed. He glanced around and nodded, "Alright, since you all asked, I can't keep it from you. However, don't regret it later."

"We won't."

"Absolutely not!"

"Chairman, please hurry up and tell us! We're dying of suspense here."

Everyone urged him.

If it were anyone else being so hesitant, they would have smacked him already.

"Alright, I'll tell you."

Hua Jun's eyes gleamed with pride.

"Actually, it's not something that happened in the association, but to me personally. Remember a few days ago, the Chairman said he would give me a Celestial God Fruit."

"What!"

At those words, everyone understood and gawked at him as if struck by a Body-Stabilizing Technique.

Could it be?

"That's right."

Hua Jun smiled and nodded, "I just reported to the Chairman, and after I finished, he gave me a Celestial God Fruit. That's why I'm so happy."

"Look, here it is."

He seemed worried they might not believe him, so he took out the newly acquired Celestial God Fruit from his space item.

The room fell silent, followed by the sound of people swallowing.

Although Xie Ming and others didn't drool, their eyes bulged out, nearly falling from their sockets.

They had never seen a Celestial God Fruit in person, only in pictures on forums.

The fruit's appearance and color matched what they had seen online.

Clearly, it was an authentic Celestial God Fruit.

Most importantly, Hua Jun said it was personally given by Chairman Li. Would Chairman Li give out a fake?

"Chairman Hua," a man stammered, drooling, "can I... can I touch it? Just once, just once. I mostly want to post it on the forum to show off a bit."

In other times, everyone would've laughed at this.

But not now; many shared the same thought.

After all, a Celestial God Fruit worth 50,000 points? Could they ever afford it in their lifetime?

"Hahaha,"

Hua Jun laughed and said, "Sure, but just one touch. No more."

"Yes, Chairman!"

The man stepped forward, trembling as he reached out, and then shivered as if electrocuted.

"Chairman, may I touch it as well?"

"Chairman, I want to take a photo and post it on social media."

"Chairman, you've let him touch it, so let us too. Be fair, right?"

"Yes, Chairman, please."

They all pleaded eagerly.

"Next time,"

Hua Jun said with a smile, putting the Celestial God Fruit back into his space item.

He wasn't foolish, knowing the risk of it being stolen if too many people touched it.

Sure enough, the crowd quieted, filled with dejection.

"Alright, no need to look at me like that. Besides, what's the point of just touching it? If you're determined, get one yourself, and you can touch it or even eat it."

Hua Jun said in a fatherly tone.

"Chairman Hua, it's easy for you to say." Even Xie Ming lamented sourly, "This is a Celestial God Fruit worth 50,000 points, not just a few thousand points."

"Exactly. In our entire lives, we might not even earn 50,000 points."

"We might earn it, but buying one is unlikely, given other expenses also require points."

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