The Business Talks Begin

At dawn, the light snow gradually stopped.

The horizon began to lighten with the first light of dawn, and soon after, a golden ray of light appeared, dyeing half the sky red.

Amidst the golden-red clouds, half a bright red sun floats on the horizon.

The temperature was still just as cold, and the snow was still thick, but the change in the sky's color made it feel much better than at night.

Chu Tianshu looked at the scenery outside the window.

There were many vehicles on the road, all moving slowly.

On one side of the road are vast stretches of factory buildings, one factory after another, with iron gates piled high with snow and windows tightly shut.

On the other side of the road was a large, flat expanse of snow, which I don't know if it was originally farmland but was now covered by snow.

A dozen or so power line towers stand in the snow, with power lines connecting from above to distant utility poles.

Great Qing, many power workers were already climbing on the iron towers, using hammers and wooden sticks to clear away the frozen ice and snow.

A few minutes later, the car turned onto a cement road.

Compared to the main road before, the utility poles along this roadside are noticeably shorter.

Some old utility poles, seemingly abandoned and exposing the steel bars inside, have not been removed and remain next to new utility poles.

Both the old and new power lines are strung on utility poles and extend into the distance.

Many young people wearing blue and white school uniforms, gloves, and wooden sticks were here removing ice.

Chu Tianshu noticed that their school uniforms had two ink-splashed characters on the left chest, which were the words "Golden Knife".

Next to the characters, there are fiery clouds embroidered with Hongxian, adding a bright touch to the ice and snow.

"Our martial arts school students have been taking turns clearing ice and shoveling snow outside recently, and we've hired a temporary electrician to give them some guidance."

Qi Lianyong, his hands on the steering wheel, was in a good mood when he saw the students and spoke with a smile.

"If Teacher Xiaobai hadn't been kidnapped and we hadn't gone after her, it would have been our turn to come out and clear the ice this morning."

Chu Tianshu nodded and said, "The weather was nice this morning, but unfortunately, according to the forecast on my phone, there will be more sleet later."

Qi Lianyong pointed ahead. "We're almost at the martial arts school."

The car drove from this cement road onto a wide asphalt road.

Across the asphalt road stands a tall, archway-style stone gate.

The four gilded characters "Golden Saber Martial Arts School" are engraved on the horizontal plaque above the stone gate, which is flanked by long walls.

Qi Lianyong peeked out and greeted the gatekeeper.

After the large iron gate with sliding rails opened, several vehicles drove into the school gate one after another.

The snow on the school grounds was shoveled away and piled onto the grass on the side.

The lush trees on both sides, even when weighed down by snow, did not completely lose their deep green color.

Looking ahead, you can see a large stone-paved plaza with a frozen fountain pool. Several buildings around it have huge characters carved vertically on their sides, making their purpose very clear.

Teaching buildings, library, canteen, laboratory building, indoor sports field...

There were even more buildings further away, but their names were nowhere to be seen.

"Since it's a martial arts school, the largest area is naturally used as an open-air training ground."

Qi Lianyong explained, "The training ground is divided into several areas for different grades."

"Compared to the playgrounds of ordinary schools, our training ground mainly has more sandpits, but also plum blossom stakes, weapon racks, human-shaped targets, and straw stacks..."

"Hey! It's breakfast time, let's head to the cafeteria first."

Chu Tianshu laughed and said, "That suits me perfectly."

Several cars were parked in front of the cafeteria.

After Chu Tianshu got out of the car, he glanced around and found that the principal and the others had also gotten out of the car, only the prisoners remained in the car.

The tables and chairs in the Dashi were neatly arranged, but there weren't many people.

A man with gray hair, light eyebrows, and a thin build, dressed in a black fur coat, was carrying a water bottle and pouring hot water into his large teacup.

Standing next to her was a female teacher in her thirties, with short hair, a straight nose, full lips and teeth, dressed in casual clothes and sneakers.

"Dad, with industrial pollution so severe these days, the hot water you boil from snow is worse than tap water."

The elderly man with white hair remained unmoved. "Even from a scientific point of view, snow water has a relatively low content of heavy water and contains more active ingredients, which is beneficial to people."

"Besides, with fifty years of martial arts experience, do you think I'm afraid of getting diarrhea from drinking snow water? Even if you added arsenic to it today, it wouldn't stop me from indulging my hobby!"

The female teacher clicked her tongue and said, "My main complaint is that you're wasting good tea leaves."

As soon as Feng Jianhua walked in, he laughed and said, "Old Yuan, Little Yuan, you're dealing with tea again?"

He had two cans of Coke left, and immediately took them out, saying, "Here, have a Coke!"

Old Yuan sighed, "The tea is almost ready; I don't drink this sweet drink."

Qi Lianyong introduced from behind, "This is our vice principal Yuan Chongxiao, and the younger one is Mr. Yuan Zhonglü, who teaches Chinese."

Chu Tianshu whispered, "Pi?"

"It's Yuan, Zhong, and Lü."

Teacher Little Yuan smiled and came over to shake hands. "Zhonglü from 'The Collection of Teachings by Zhonglü,' you must be Mr. Chu that Teacher Qi mentioned on the phone. It's a pleasure to meet you."

As Chu Tianshu shook hands with her, he sensed that this Teacher Little Yuan, Ms. Yuan, possessed a hidden resilience and strength like a long bow with a slender waist.

It's impossible to tell whether she's practiced internal energy cultivation, but she's certainly an expert in terms of internal strength.

Teacher Little Yuan also remarked with admiration, "Your heartbeat is as resonant as the lingering sound of a great bell; Mr. Chu has such a clear and healthy physique!"

"Have you eaten yet, Mr. Chu? Would you like to have something to eat with me?"

Chu Tianshu didn't refuse. "What does the cafeteria offer?"

"The breakfast selection is limited: soy milk, fried dough sticks, steamed buns, and tea eggs."

Teacher Little Yuan paused for a moment, then added, "And ginger boiled in cola."

Yuan Chongxiao said, "Because the principal took half a case of Coke and ran off last night, I figured he wouldn't have enough to drink on the way, so I asked the cafeteria to prepare some extra for him."

"I didn't expect that by the time he arrived, the matter was already resolved, saving me a lot of Coke."

Chu Tianshu found it a bit strange.

Why does it sound like Principal Feng has to drink even more Coke if he makes a move?

Qi Lianyong chuckled lightly, "Just one of the principal's quirks."

The short-haired girl and others seemed unfazed.

The Bai Mei cat, who had been sleeping soundly in the arms of the short-haired girl, suddenly woke up, meowed at Chu Tianshu, and pounced at his feet.

Yuan Chongxiao asked in surprise, "After Old Yang passed away, Xiaobai was only slightly attentive when he was freeloading, so why is he being so enthusiastic towards Mr. Chu?"

Teacher Little Yuan stepped back to her father's side and whispered, "Speaking solely of internal strength training, wasn't Uncle Yang the top expert in our school before his death?"

Yuan Chongxiao shook his head. "It's not like no experts in internal energy cultivation have ever visited us; perhaps it was just a matter of chemistry."

Chu Tianshu gently lifted his foot, pushing the cat away slightly. After the cat came closer again, and after playing like this three times, he snapped his fingers.

"Okay, let's go get something to eat."

He strode towards the cafeteria window, and Bai Mei, looking quite spirited, followed behind.

Not knowing what the cat liked to eat, Chu Tianshu ordered a few tea eggs and fried dough sticks, and out of curiosity, he also ordered two servings of ginger-infused cola.

After placing the plate on the table, he first took a sip of ginger-infused cola.

It's confirmed.

It was just ginger and brown sugar water, nothing special.

Chu Tianshu took another bite of the tea egg, then decided not to offer any further comment.

After all, it's a school cafeteria. Even the renowned Golden Saber Martial Arts School only ensures that the food is nutritious.

As for the taste, all I can say is that these tea eggs were bland and tasted terrible, except for the salt and overwhelming soy sauce flavor.

However, it's also possible that his sense of taste is too acute, making him a bit picky.

Principal Feng has already mentioned "Li Guangzong," "interrogation," and "Ghost Market" to the vice principal.

Yuan Chongxiao looked regretful.

"Alright, I'll take care of him. As for the others, hand them over to the younger Special Investigation Bureau."

Yuan Chongxiao picked up his large teacup and left the cafeteria.

Qi Lianyong and the others were busy ordering food and eating heartily.

Principal Feng walked over to Chu Tianshu and reached out to scratch Bai Mei's chin.

Bai Mei squinted comfortably, not even bothering to bite into his fried dough stick, when Principal Feng picked him up and put him on the opposite side.

"The taste is just so-so."

Principal Feng chuckled and chimed in, "People in the school expend a lot of energy, so they find the food here very filling. But I just think it's so-so; I don't really like eating in the cafeteria."

"If you don't like this, come to my office and I'll get you something else?"

Chu Tianshu, having peeled half of a tea egg, said, "We've already ordered, it's not good to waste food, let's have these to tide us over."

Principal Feng nodded slightly.

"Alright, chatting at the dinner table is an old tradition, let's casually mention business."

Feng Jianhua picked up another bowl of steaming hot ginger and brown sugar tea, took a sip, and looked completely at ease.

"There have been a lot of strange things happening these past few years. Several department heads have gone to other branch campuses to oversee things."

"There are few people who can make decisions here at the main campus, and I tend to get sleepy when it gets cold, so let's talk now. What kind of business do you want to discuss?"

They're just forcing a conversation like this; they really don't have the makings of a businessman at all.

Chu Tianshu adapted quite well, frankly stating, "I've encountered a slight obstacle in my training. I need a master with a strong killing intent to utter the word 'kill' while I'm practicing, helping me clear my mind of distractions."

Principal Feng's eyes showed a strange expression. "From what you're saying, has Body Calamity?"

Those whose virtue does not match their position will surely suffer calamity.

When the body cannot keep pace with the mind's progress, Body Calamity will ensue.

If one's state of mind cannot keep up with the progress of one's practice, then "Heart Calamity" will occur.

This is a term used in indigenous martial arts, and it has a very broad scope.

Chu Tianshu said, "In my cultivation method, this is called the Mortal Body Obstacle."

Is this a Buddhist teaching?

Feng Jianhua chewed for a moment, then nodded, "Indeed, it's very apt."

"Your business, which you might call 'kill,' actually has quite high requirements, even though it only requires someone to pronounce the word for you."

Chu Tianshu laughed and said, "I think your killing intent before, Principal, was more than enough."

He opened his mobile banking app, found his account balance, and placed it on his home screen.

"Look, if we use this money to hire the principal to help me with this business, how long could that last?"

Principal Feng glanced at it and chuckled, "Oh, your wealth isn't bad, but you want me to pronounce the word 'kill' for you..."

The old man drank the ginger and brown sugar water and pondered for a long time.

"Alright, I have another way. Come with me and see if it can meet your standards."

(End of this chapter)