Clearing Out the Underworld and Counter-Terrorism, Sects and Political Power

"Starting today, you are an initiate disciple of 'Hong Sheng'."

Old Liang's face showed a gratified smile, as if he had fulfilled a great wish and shed a heavy burden.

"According to the old rules, I should have served you tea, had you kowtow, sent out invitations, and held an inauguration banquet.

Since Dongxia has already established a new calendar, we won't bother with those formalities. Let's keep it simple.

Tonight, I'll take you to the memorial tablet to add some incense and kowtow. That will be all."

Hong Sheng?

That sounded like a big name!

Qin Shi's eyelids twitched. Was this some kind of Old Martial Arts sect?

He usually read a lot of extracurricular books. He remembered a book called Tales of the Jianghu, a collection of unofficial histories, which mentioned many strange and unusual stories from the martial arts world.

For example, the proliferation of sects, the confrontation between North and South, and how various branches spread out, leading to endless grudges and romances...

In short, back in the heyday of Old Martial Arts, people attached great importance to "status" and "legitimacy," to the point of drawing swords and spilling blood, and holding grudges for generations.

Therefore, for the major sects, that plaque, that name, carried immense weight.

One couldn't just casually hang up a sign and take in disciples.

If you didn't have the skill to back it up and couldn't prove yourself, your signboard would be smashed by visitors the very next day, and you'd be kicked out of the territory in disgrace.

"You're quite young, but you think a lot. If Hong Sheng were some major sect, it would have already been incorporated and brought under the Martial Arts Association, and we'd have been given some official position. It wouldn't have ended up in the hands of a cripple like me."

Seeing Qin Shi's mind racing with imaginative deductions, Old Liang said helplessly:

"In the early days of the martial arts world, it was a mixed bag, with good and bad alike. To establish a firm footing and recruit many disciples, everyone had to claim lineage and adopt a prestigious name.

Most of them were 'sacred grounds' like 'Shaoshi' and 'Zhenwu,' with long and almost mythical legacies.

But just like when people burn incense and worship Buddha, if they feel the Buddha or the Dao Ancestor is too lofty and their prayers might not be answered, they'd rather go to smaller temples.

Among these numerous small temples, 'Hongmen,' 'Qingmen,' and 'Daomen' were the most prominent.

So, Hong Sheng is the 'Sheng' character branch of Hongmen. The seniority isn't high or low, and there aren't any exceptionally outstanding talents."

Qin Shi scratched his head, still a bit unconvinced:

"Master Liang, back when the Martial Arts Association incorporated all the major sects, didn't our Hong Sheng's ancestors and predecessors get promoted?

Couldn't they have at least become a branch chairman, president, or honorary committee member? So that the disciples and grandchildren could also bask in the glory!"

Since he was formally apprenticing, he naturally hoped to find a powerful backer to save himself twenty years of struggle!

"Hmm, now that you mention it, I do recall something."

Old Liang suddenly slapped his forehead, his tone suddenly becoming spirited.

This display made Qin Shi extremely excited.

"Master Liang, what do you recall?"

He eagerly rubbed his hands together, ready to latch onto a patron.

"Hong Sheng does have connections in the Martial Arts Association!"

"Who? Please tell me more, Master Liang!"

Old Liang deliberately spoke slowly, dragging it out for a while before finally saying:

"It's your master, me! I'm a member of the Hengzhou branch of the Martial Arts Association, and I have a certificate of honor."

Once I get my rank, I can get one too!

Qin Shi's mouth twitched. Old Liang was just teasing him!

"So, Hong Sheng is left with only you, Master Liang, as the pillar, and me, the lone seedling?"

"Young man, be down-to-earth and stop dreaming of reaching the sky in one step. Hongmen used to be a great sect, powerful and at its peak, that's true.

But no matter how powerful a Martial Artist is, can they compare to a gun barrel?

Why do you think the Martial Arts Association was established? And how did they incorporate those arrogant, unruly, and untamable brutes whose vitality all broke through the several hundred-point mark?

These lawless individuals, who in the Old Era would have dared to assassinate the king and rebel, wouldn't have become honest without a firm fist!"

Taking on disciples is so satisfying!

Old Liang laughed heartily, the urge to recount history that had been pent up for a long time finally able to be released all at once.

"Sacred grounds like Shaoshi and Zhenwu, which have stood for thousands of years, were sensible enough to voluntarily acknowledge that their land, temples, and monasteries belonged to the public and handed over some of their cultivation techniques. Therefore, there weren't any major disturbances.

As for Hongmen, Qingmen, and Daomen, why did they fade away? Because those few leaders initially refused to cooperate. The next day, they were all classified as illegal criminal organizations, and arrest warrants were issued.

That same evening, warships entered the spaceport and launched the third largest-scale high-intensity counter-terrorism exercise."

Qin Shi's heart trembled slightly.

This wasn't just a crackdown on crime; it was like confiscating property and executing entire families!

Had those sect leaders lost their minds from eating too much pork fat?

Or had they been in power for too long and truly couldn't distinguish between the king and the pawn?

Who dares to provoke the will of the nation?

You must know that Dongxia's New Calendar has only existed for nine thousand years, and six of those millennia were spent launching the Great Expedition, pioneering new territories, and expanding its borders.

This kind of regime, brimming with martial virtue to an absurd degree, almost unifying half the galaxy.

How could it be something that a bunch of street thugs could afford to provoke?

"It took about fourteen hours. Less than a fifth of the military force was deployed, and all the gang hideouts were wiped out. During that time, a few old guys who were half a step away from becoming Martial Gods resisted stubbornly, and were crushed to death by two hundred Divine Machine Armored Divisions.

Of course, Marshal Yang showed exceptional grace, allowing some of the key members who surrendered and pledged allegiance to be retained. They were given honorary positions in the Martial Arts Association's General Council and allowed to keep their businesses, opening educational institutions."

Old Liang's casual words revealed the bloody storm within the martial arts world.

From another perspective, it could even be called an "apocalyptic catastrophe"!

"They actually managed to hold out for over ten hours, so they do have some strength. No wonder they're so arrogant.

But it still feels like they're possessed, thinking their arms can wrestle with thighs."

Qin Shi muttered to himself. The names and exploits of the nine marshals, whose records were inscribed in history textbooks, were all Martial God level.

Not to mention the elite soldiers stationed on the major ancient planets, each one fierce and formidable.

Especially with New Martial Arts's far superior technology in human modification. It was rumored that anyone above the rank of Colonel could voluntarily undergo one or even multiple "glorious evolutions," such as transplanting additional heart and lung organs.

These terrifying war machines, in terms of vitality and combat power, completely crushed the so-called Martial Artists.

They weren't even in the same league!

"Master Liang, our Hong Sheng lineage doesn't have any irreconcilable, deep-seated hatred that compels us to rebel against Dongxia and restore Hongmen, right?

If that's the case, then before we've even served tea and formally become master and disciple, this matter should be voided."

Qin Shi asked cautiously, seizing the opportunity to inquire:

"By the way, is there a bounty for reporting people?"

He was a standard, law-abiding citizen of Dongxia.

He couldn't afford to be labeled as "remnants of Old Martial Arts" or "scum of Hongmen."

"If I were a fierce member of Hongmen, would I be able to become a teacher at a Cadre School? This is a formal position, requiring approval from both the Education Committee and the Martial Arts Association."

Old Liang chuckled. This kid changed his expression faster than flipping a book, even thinking of turning himself in for a commendation banner.

Then, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes relaxed.

It was good, at least his personality was stronger than mine, and he knew how to adapt and improve.

"I told my tutoring students that there will be no class today. Since our master-disciple relationship is now set, as the master, I should show you something real and let you see the power of Old Martial Arts."

Old Liang stood up and walked down the steps with a limp.

Seeing this, Qin Shi quickly helped him, playing the role of a considerate and filial disciple.

"Master Liang, whatever peerless divine skills your Hong Sheng sect possesses, don't hide them.

Bring them out quickly so your disciple can diligently practice and achieve fame soon!"

Old Liang corrected his disciple's misconception again, and took the opportunity to educate him:

"You need to understand one thing: so-called divine skills and ultimate techniques are ineffective for most people. This is one of the reasons why Old Martial Arts was replaced by New Martial Arts.

The scenarios often depicted in Old Era martial arts novels, like falling off a cliff and accidentally finding a treasure, are mostly to fool amateurs.

Any advancement or transformation, regardless of the path, must start with vitality as the foundation and core.

Martial God Ning Yuanhai's True Scripture of All Ages is located on the fifth basement level of the Imperial Capital National Museum. If you make a reservation two months in advance, you'll have a chance to view the original manuscript, though direct contact is prohibited.

But why do you think that even though Martial God Ning donated his life's work for free, no successor of his caliber has emerged to this day?"

Qin Shi was taken aback for a moment, feeling that what Old Liang said made a lot of sense.

This wasn't like the ancient era where major clans and noble families guarded their legacies like treasures.

Top institutions like the Four Great National Universities could even use the manuscripts and secret techniques of the First Generation Ten Prodigies as teaching materials.

"The reason is very simple: vitality is the biggest hurdle."

Old Liang walked out of the school. He didn't have any cigarettes, so he asked Qin Shi to buy him a pack of Liming:

"For example, amateur level entry is nine dan, with a passing score around nine to twelve points.

But the more advanced the martial arts textbook, and even the most exceptional top-tier techniques, the requirements for the practitioner are far greater than this number.

In other words, the threshold is extremely high."

Qin Shi was very sensible. He bought a pack of Huazi as usual and lit a cigarette before asking:

"How high?"

Old Liang took two puffs, his eyes filled with a sense of time and experience:

"The entry requirement for Ning Yuanhai's True Scripture of All Ages is a bone age of twenty, amateur first dan, and vitality exceeding one hundred points."

Qin Shi's eyes twitched upon hearing this. The passing line for amateur first dan was clearly based on a benchmark of fifty-nine to sixty-four.

Martial God Ning, on the other hand, nearly doubled it. What kind of monstrous talent would it take to achieve that?