"Pleasure doing business with you."
"Likewise!"
Ma Tianhu beamed as he shook hands with the deputy headmaster of Jishan Martial Arts School.
After two hours of negotiations, they had finally signed the cooperation agreement.
Once everyone had left, Ma Tianhu sank into a comfortable hotel chair and let out a long breath.
There had been a few minor twists and turns along the way, but in the end, things had worked out well.
After the deal with Liu's Martial Arts School fell through, he had actively reached out to Jishan Martial Arts School and Dongshan Martial Arts School. In the end, he had secured a cooperation agreement with Jishan Martial Arts School.
Ma Corporation would build a new 400,000-mu medicinal herb farm sixty kilometers west of Dongshan City. Jishan Martial Arts School would send a team led by its deputy headmaster to stay at the farm year-round, drive away Monster Beasts, and protect the herbs.
With this project secured, Ma Tianhu's standing in the family would rise another level. Jishan Martial Arts School, meanwhile, would earn at least a billion yuan each year.
It was a win-win deal. Both the Martial Master representing the Ma Family at the signing and everyone at Jishan Martial Arts School were highly satisfied.
"Tianhu, you did a great job this time. When we get back, your second uncle will make sure to sing your praises to the old man."
A refined-looking man with a high-bridged nose walked over and spoke.
His blue eyes gave him a particularly charming air.
This was Ma Hesheng, head of the Ma Family and the man in charge of its vast business empire.
"Thank you, Second Uncle. But working hard for the family is every family member's duty. I don't deserve such praise."
"Hahaha."
Seeing how modest Ma Tianhu was, Ma Hesheng grew even more pleased with him.
He had no children of his own, and his mother was not from Huaguo. Though he controlled the family's business affairs, his standing in the family and his say in major matters were both far below those of Ma Tianhu's father.
So, if he wanted to secure his future, he would certainly need to grow closer to Ma Tianhu's branch of the family.
Securing a deal with Jishan Martial Arts School in Dongshan City would bring Ma Tianhu tremendous benefits, and Ma Hesheng himself would reap quite a few rewards as well.
"You really are something, kid. You're capable and talented, but you've got one flaw—you're too modest."
"Young people should be full of energy, always striving to improve, and unafraid to show their edge. If you keep hiding yourself, sooner or later, people will really look down on you."
"By the way, what did you mean when you said last time that you wanted a Martial Master transferred here? Is someone giving you trouble in Dongshan City?"
"Not exactly." Ma Tianhu clearly wasn't revealing his real plan. "Second Uncle, I'll be staying in Dongshan City for another year or two. It might get dull, so I thought having an expert around would give me someone to go out of the city with now and then."
"Good. Looks like you've finally set your mind on the right things. Let the people below you handle the company from now on, and focus on your cultivation. I've already submitted the transfer request. I don't know which of the Attendants will be available to take it, so just be patient."
"It's getting late. Get some rest. I have to head back to Jiangzuo City, so there's no need to see me off."
Though Ma Hesheng had said that, Ma Tianhu couldn't very well act aloof. He hurried to his feet and saw Ma Hesheng all the way to the rooftop, watching as he flew away by helicopter.
"Young Master."
Once the helicopter had disappeared into the distance, Ma Tianhu's black-haired secretary stepped forward. "Our people just received word that Lu Lin went to the Martial Arts Association yesterday and registered as a Martial Artist."
"Hm?"
Ma Tianhu raised an eyebrow and looked at the secretary with displeasure.
He had just secured a deal with Jishan Martial Arts School and earned Ma Hesheng's approval. Did his secretary have no sense of timing? Why bring up Lu Lin becoming a Martial Artist now... Wait.
Ma Tianhu was about to scold her when he suddenly realized what she had said. "What did you say? Lu Lin registered as a Martial Artist?"
The secretary nodded. "Yes, Young Master. Someone saw Lu Lin go to the Martial Arts Association yesterday morning. When he came out, he was holding a Martial Artist Certificate."
"No way... He was only an Advanced Martial Disciple. How did he become a Martial Artist in such a short time? Was anyone else with him yesterday?" Ma Tianhu guessed that Lu Lin had gone along with someone else to get their Martial Artist Certificate.
"Only Liu Weiran, the young lady of Liu's Martial Arts School."
"That bitch! And Lu Lin, that son of a... Damn it! I'll make them pay sooner or later."
"Wait, didn't you just say Inspector Bai was investigating Scarface's death?"
"Yes, Young Master. Inspector Bai is still here," the secretary replied.
"Good. This really is a gift from heaven. Lu Lin, you could've advanced earlier or later, but you just had to do it now." A sinister smile curled across Ma Tianhu's lips as he turned and headed down from the rooftop.
"Come on. Let's go pay Inspector Bai another visit. I can't keep this good news all to myself."
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Lu Lin got up early. He didn't want his parents and Lu Qi watching him leave, so while it was still dark, he quietly washed up, changed, slung on his backpack, and slipped out of the house.
The moment the door closed, his parents' bedroom door opened. Chen Xiaoyan asked, "He's gone?"
Lu Ping looked around the room, but Lu Lin was nowhere to be seen. He pushed open Lu Lin's bedroom door and found that the backpack Lu Lin had packed was gone too. His expression fell. "Yeah, he's gone."
As they spoke, Lu Qi's door opened too, revealing his bloodshot eyes. "Mom, Dad, did my brother leave? I thought I heard the door."
"Yeah, he's gone," Lu Ping answered again. The house fell silent.
Lu Lin didn't know that his family had been watching him all along, despite his belief that he had slipped away without a sound.
With the hiking backpack he'd bought for more than three thousand yuan on his back, he tightened the chest strap and glanced back at home before resolutely walking away.
But as soon as he reached the entrance to the neighborhood, he spotted a familiar red sports car.
Liu Weiran.
When Liu Weiran saw Lu Lin come out, she opened the car door and stepped out with a smile. "Lu Lin, looks like I remembered right—you're leaving today. Get in. I'll drive you to the departure point."
Beneath the golden rays of the rising sun, Liu Weiran looked like a goddess bathed in holy light. Lu Lin stared at her, momentarily dazed.
He hadn't expected her to come all the way here just to wait for him. Lu Lin smiled and said, "Okay."
Once he got in, Lu Lin noticed the back seat was packed full of backpacks. Curious, he asked, "What's all this?"
"Food I packed for you. I heard from my dad that being a Martial Artist outside the city is fine in most ways, except it's hard to get a good night's rest or a decent meal. You said the other day you'd bought a tent, so I thought I'd pack some food for you."
"I bought all this high-energy food at the Martial Artist Shop. You can take it with you and eat it on the way."
Lu Lin was deeply touched.
She'd really put her heart into it.
"But, Liu Weiran, I'm only going away for a week. This much stuff could probably feed me for a month."
"That's fine. Just take a little less, then. Whatever you don't finish this time, you can take along next time you get a mission."
Lu Lin didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he knew Liu Weiran meant well. He picked up one of the backpacks and transferred the energy bars inside to his own.
When they passed a breakfast stall, Liu Weiran pulled over and treated Lu Lin to a feast.
"Don't worry. You'll feel better if you eat your fill now and give it a little time to settle. My dad, an experienced Martial Master, taught me that. You're not going to refuse, are you?"
Of course not.
It was just that Liu Weiran seemed a little strange today.
Strangely beautiful.
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