Wang Yiyang sat in the car, smiling as he gazed out at the rain.
"Should I take care of that person just now?" Lei Wei asked in a low voice from the front seat.
"Do whatever needs to be done," Wang Yiyang replied casually.
A habitual smile rested on his face, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
As for that woman just now, she was simply a family member of the rich kid who had gotten on his bad side that night when he went out for a barbecue with An Yuxi, Xia Ying, and the others.
He had almost forgotten the rich kid's name. He only remembered that the man had seemed very arrogant, going around making people drink, and had forced An Yuxi to drink quite a lot. Then, later, the idiot had come over and tried to make him drink too.
That woman was the rich kid's older sister.
By coincidence, she had also come to attend her child's parent-teacher meeting. She hadn't expected to recognize him, then came over to beg him to spare her family's business.
It was obvious that her family had taken a serious hit.
Wang Yiyang hadn't paid it much attention. Judging by his subordinates' usual habits, he figured that after that night, the rich kid had probably tried to use his connections to get revenge, only to drag his family's business into the mess.
For a colossal group like Mister, all it took was a little pressure through its connections to cripple a mere local businessman.
Then, a little maneuvering through the banks could snap the businessman's cash flow and send him tumbling from heaven into the Abyss.
Going from rich to deeply in debt often took only an instant.
"Didn't I tell you not to come pick me up?" Wang Yiyang came back to himself and asked casually.
"On your orders, we learned that something had changed in your hometown, so I came right away to take you to the station," Lei Wei said in a low voice.
"Something changed? Grandpa's all right, isn't he?" Wang Yiyang asked, startled.
"He's fine. We just found out that the Mantis has made another major move. A number of suspicious individuals have been going to Guixi Town, including quite a few martial artists," Lei Wei replied.
"Were they mobilized by the Martial Alliance or the Yanhu Sect?"
"We've checked. They weren't."
"Now that's interesting." Wang Yiyang nodded. "By the way, why are we going to the station? Can't we just drive there?"
"If you want to drive, of course we can. But the fastest option is the maglev train from the station," Lei Wei replied.
"All right." Wang Yiyang fell silent and tapped the back of the seat in front of him.
With a swish, a black display unfolded behind the seat. It showed a real-time satellite map of all of Guixi Town.
Blue dots were gradually converging on the Yuekong Martial Arts Hall.
"When will our people arrive? How many are near the hall right now?" he asked suddenly.
"About three squads, thirty elite operatives. They're all equipped with the Security Department's latest gear and weapons."
"When will I arrive?"
"In an hour."
"Keep monitoring the situation. I don't want any trouble at the last minute."
"Yes."
The black car slowly picked up speed, kicking up clouds of dust as it headed straight for the maglev station.
Guixi Town, Yuekong Martial Arts Hall.
Wang Xinlong stroked his goatee as he watched the hall's three chief disciples step forward one by one to offer incense before the Founder's portrait, bow, and pay their respects. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Of all his disciples, he was now proudest of his three direct disciples.
Zhong Can, Nicholas, and Xiao Hong.
Of the three, Nicholas had used his business acumen to steadily spread the Moon Sky Fist of the Yuekong Martial Arts Hall. He even stood a chance of joining the Martial Alliance.
He had also helped his fellow disciples, both male and female, escape the poverty they had once been trapped in.
Xiao Hong, meanwhile, was sincere and hardworking. Though she was a woman, her understanding and mastery of the Moon Sky Fist were the strongest and most comprehensive among all the disciples.
Wang Xinlong had always regarded Xiao Hong as his successor. He was just waiting for her to train several new practitioners of the Moon Sky Fist and carry on the art.
As for Zhong Can...
Wang Xinlong's gaze fell of its own accord on Zhong Can, standing just behind and to the right of the other two.
This disciple could be called the strongest person in the entire Yuekong Martial Arts Hall.
He was born with Divine Power and remarkable talent, and learned the Moon Sky Fist and every other martial art at an astonishing speed.
He had originally been the best choice to inherit the Yuekong Martial Arts Hall.
Unfortunately...
Zhong Can's temperament was too violent.
He appeared calm and dull-witted, but inside he was like a volcano. When dormant, he was unremarkable; once he erupted, he destroyed everything.
Over the years, Wang Xinlong had done his best to use other things to rein in Zhong Can's heart.
But his disciple was still gradually slipping into an unknown abyss, propelled by his overwhelming talent for martial arts.
"Ritual offerings, complete!" the disciple officiating the ceremony called out loudly.
"The master may be seated."
Wang Xinlong slowly sat cross-legged on his cushion.
"Disciples, be seated."
Zhong Can, Nicholas, and Xiao Hong sat across from Wang Xinlong, with a low table between them.
"Close your eyes," the officiant called out again.
All four promptly closed their eyes and sat upright.
"Still your minds."
Another loud call rang out.
Wang Xinlong and the other three pressed their palms together, growing still and quiet.
Quiet allowed a restless mind to settle, making it possible to notice details that would otherwise go unseen.
In the Moon Sky Fist, this was called Ritual Stillness.
It was also the final step of the entire Founder's Sacrifice.
Ritual Stillness lasted a full fifteen minutes.
Only then did the four slowly open their eyes, taking in the clarity of a world that seemed completely changed.
Sitting quietly for fifteen minutes with a perfectly clear mind was an exercise in cultivating patience. One didn't practice anything or imagine anything, but simply sensed the world around oneself.
Wang Xinlong looked at his three seated disciples, especially Zhong Can.
He saw that Zhong Can's gaze had grown clear again, and couldn't help smiling.
He had sensed that Zhong Can had been troubled lately. That was why he'd used the Founder's Sacrifice as an opportunity to help Zhong Can clear his mind.
Now it seemed he'd achieved his goal.
"Zhong Can." Wang Xinlong exhaled softly, sending an invisible breath that made the incense smoke in the burner on the table before him bend slightly.
"What do you wish to tell me, Master?" Zhong Can asked, his expression calm as he bowed slightly.
"Have you been feeling restless again lately?" Wang Xinlong asked slowly.
"Yes, Master.
"I often ask myself: the heart is the root of martial arts, and a strong heart makes a strong body. But my heart is still full of weaknesses.
"So I'm always anxious," Zhong Can answered honestly.
"Why are you anxious? You're already the strongest practitioner of the Moon Sky Fist style. Even the founder who created it may not have reached your current level," Wang Xinlong said calmly. "You've surpassed me and our predecessors. You've taken the Moon Sky Fist to heights it has never reached before."
"But I still often feel weak," Zhong Can said, a trace of frustration showing on his face.
Ignoring the strange looks from the senior disciples beside him, he raised his head and said in a low voice, "I want to use martial arts to surpass everything, but I can't see any hope."
"..." Wang Xinlong fell silent.
"I've realized that the body has limits, but the heart is limitless. And every living thing has a heart. If I could shatter an opponent's heart beyond the physical level, then I could defeat every enemy without fighting." Zhong Can's voice held a certain coldness and restraint.
"That's an evil path," Wang Xinlong sighed. "The body and heart must be balanced. A strong heart cannot be rootless, so besides the body, we need other things to support us—love, responsibility, morality, and..."
"Fear!" Zhong Can cut Wang Xinlong off, suddenly speaking up.
"Enough!" Wang Xinlong's expression darkened. "I don't know where you picked up this twisted argument, but the essence of martial arts is overcoming fear, not creating it!"
"Weapons aren't right or wrong. You taught me that, Master."
"Weapons that can affect people's hearts should never be treated as mere objects!" Wang Xinlong's voice boomed, shaking the entire hall until the floor trembled.
"With my heart, I become fear. That is a hope without end!" Zhong Can lowered his head.
"Ridiculous!" Wang Xinlong slammed his hand on the table and sprang to his feet, his powerful frame swelling as his muscles tensed and an imposing aura radiated from him.
"If everyone thought like you, martial arts would have no legacy. Everyone would live only to spread fear among one another.
"There'd be fighting and killing everywhere. Do you think such a world would have any meaning?"
"Meaning? What use is that? Can it help me advance further? You always try to stuff my head with this empty talk, Master. But I'm not a child anymore..." Zhong Can said evenly.
"A life without meaning is no different from a machine. Even if you found a path for martial arts to evolve, what would be left of your heart?" Wang Xinlong cried angrily.
"My heart has always been devoted to martial arts alone."
"You still have family—the relatives you haven't found! You have your senior brothers and junior brothers, your senior sisters and junior sisters! They all matter to you!"
"But I can't feel it. I don't know what it means to care about someone," Zhong Can said in a low voice.
"When people care about you, your heart softens and grows stronger. Everyone needs the support of love.
"The purpose of martial arts is to transcend, not to conquer! Do you still not understand that?!" Wang Xinlong roared.
"A soft heart Hesitates. When the heart Hesitates, the hand grows weak. You taught me that, Master."
"There are many kinds of softness. Softness can also become strength," Wang Xinlong said, struggling to defend his point.
"Then show me how strong it is." Zhong Can lowered his gaze.
"Zhong Can... you!" Wang Xinlong pointed at his most gifted disciple, his heartache welling up like a spring, endlessly gnawing at him.
He had never imagined that the disciple he had once placed the greatest hopes in would now have taken such a twisted path.
"Master."
After a moment of silence, Zhong Can slowly rose to his feet.
"You have all become my shackles."
Rumble...
A low roll of thunder slowly shook the cloud-covered sky.
The light gradually dimmed.
Wang Yiyang had just stepped into the maglev carriage when he suddenly looked up at the sky.
"The light's getting a little dim."
"Please come aboard. The assessment materials you requested are already at your seat," Lei Wei reminded him calmly and quietly.
Wang Yiyang smiled and stepped into the carriage.
He had booked all three carriages for himself, traveling alone to Guixi Town.
His carriage was the one in the middle. All the seats inside had been cleared out, and the empty space had been fitted with desks, a bar, a projector, office computers, and more.
It was as if the maglev train had been turned into another mobile home.
Money alone couldn't make this happen.
Before you continue