434: Chapter 434 You should shine on a broader stage

Fang Cheng cast his gaze toward the Master he had officially bowed to not long ago.

He saw that his expression was complicated, filled with both emotion and a trace of reluctance.

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"In the past, I really had a lot of objections to the current Special Investigation Team."

Ma Jianguo smiled self-deprecatingly:

"I even bitterly cursed them as heretical paths that forgot their ancestors, and I specifically warned you to keep your distance from them and draw a clear line."

"The reason I did this, besides not being able to stand them abusing drugs to forcibly stimulate the body—which is utterly incompatible with our Martial Arts Research Association's philosophy of 'consolidating the Foundation, nourishing the origin, and progressing step-by-step'—was even more because of an old incident from the past."

He picked up his teacup, his gaze turning somewhat distant:

"More a decade ago, that Director Ling took office with three initial new policies, and with a wave of his pen, he modified the rules set by Senior Li Guizhen, drastically reducing the quotas for us traditional Martial Artists and changing it to recruit ordinary students graduated from police academies."

"For this matter, even though my father had long since retired, he specifically ran to the headquarters to pound the table and had a huge argument with him. When he returned, he was so angered that he fell bedridden, and passed away in depression not a few years later."

"You must know that the predecessor of the Special Investigation Team was the National Martial Arts Hall, which was founded single-handedly by my grandfather in alliance with fellow members of the Martial Forest. When my father was young, he also served in the Special Investigation Team, went through fire and water with Senior Li Guizhen, made great contributions, and reached the position of Deputy Director at his highest, with Disciples and old subordinates spread all over the entire Special Investigation Team."

"It can be said that half of the Special Investigation Team is the hard work of our Ma Family and the lineage of the Martial Forest."

When Ma Jianguo said this, an uncontainable desolation seeped into his voice.

"But what about now? Things have completely changed and people are no longer the same."

He let out a long sigh:

"Sigh, if it weren't for Ma Donghe being threatened by the Noah Organization later on, for the sake of his safety, I would never consider letting him participate in the Special Investigation Team's selection examination in this lifetime."

Ma Jianguo did not excessively wallow in past Family glory.

He put down his teacup, then changed the subject, his eyes turning bright again:

"But now it's different. According to the news I received, the Special Investigation Team might have policy changes recently."

"That Deputy Director Gu who took office the year before last is vigorous and determined to forge ahead, seemingly intending to re-employ a certain number of traditional Martial Artists."

"The most direct manifestation is that in this admissions exam, the admission quotas for many figures from society have been increased."

He looked at Fang Cheng and said solemnly:

"Therefore, A-Cheng, if you want to apply, just go ahead and do it with your hands untied. There is completely no need to care about my feelings."

"Dad, stop being so overly sentimental."

Right at this moment, Ma Donghe on the side couldn't help but tear down his facade:

"Now even I, the eldest grandson of the Ma Family, have turned my elbows outward and already defected. Even if A-Cheng is your final Disciple, why would he still need to care about that bit of Face belonging to the Ma Family?"

The heavy sentiment that Ma Jianguo had just brewed was instantly punctured by a single sentence from this brat.

"You scoundrel! If you don't talk back to me for a day, is your skin itching for a beating?!"

His old Face blushed, and he rebuked angrily, unable to hold back his pride.

"I didn't say anything wrong."

Ma Donghe shrank his neck and still muttered softly:

"A-Cheng can't even pass the background check right now. It's useless even if he applies. Does this matter have anything to do with your Face?"

Ma Jianguo stared wide-eyed, just about to flare up again, but seeing that Fang Cheng was watching him, he had to forcibly suppress his anger.

He gave a few dry coughs and put on the airs of a Grandmaster again.

"I was just analyzing the current situation of the Special Investigation Team earlier, letting A-Cheng carefully deliberate and consider it clearly by himself."

As he spoke, he cleared his throat, then waved his hand and said with feigned casualness:

"Besides, isn't it just a background check? What a big deal. Discussing it with Old Shi is just a matter of a single sentence."

Hearing this, Fang Cheng smiled:

"Don't trouble Master with this. I feel that I am still suited to be a cultured person, going to work usually and practicing martial arts when I have time is quite good."

"A-Cheng, you aren't wrong for thinking this way."

Ma Jianguo nodded and praised approvingly:

"Those who practice martial arts should be indifferent to fame and fortune, and maintain tranquility to reach far."

"We Martial Artists Cultivate Qigong, paying the utmost attention to Heart-Nature cultivation, walking a broad and smooth road completely different from those monsters and ability users."

"However..."

His tone turned again:

"There is an old saying called 'It is easy to Cultivate inside the official gates.' The resources that the Special Investigation Team can provide are unimaginable to us non-staff personnel."

"Every official member can receive fixed Cultivation supplies every month, and can also exchange task points for some legendary Heaven And Earth Treasures."

"Most of those things are excavated from ancient ruins or certain mysterious Forbidden Grounds. After taking them, they can directly strengthen blood and Qi, nourish the Divine Soul, and are of great benefit to Qigong Cultivation. Outsiders cannot buy them no matter how much money they have."

"And with sufficient blood and Qi replenishment to form a virtuous cycle, you can faster reach the Realm of 'internal scenery manifesting externally'. After all, Senior Li Guizhen back then also walked this path."

"Besides."

Ma Jianguo paused, looked at Fang Cheng, his eyes filled with expectations:

"With your Aptitude, if you can join the Special Investigation Team, I believe it won't take many years before you can be promoted to an Advanced Investigator, or even a Special-grade Investigator."

"In the future, showing off your skills in the team can also win Face for us old fellows and prove the strength of us Martial Artists!"

"Yeah, A-Cheng."

Ma Donghe also leaned over and said solemnly:

"The identity of the Special Investigation Team is really useful, it's equivalent to getting a legal license to kill."

"Even if an ordinary member goes out, as long as they reveal their identity, those local officials and businessmen have to be polite when they see them. Who dares not to give Face?"

Hearing the words "legal license to kill", Fang Cheng's eyebrows twitched imperceptibly.

Ma Jianguo glared at his son, finding his speech too vulgar, and then added:

"The most critical thing is actually the safety of Family members."

"Once you become an official member, your immediate Family can enjoy the highest level of security protection. Whether it is personal safety or property safety, there will be dedicated personnel in charge. This guarantee is more useful than any insurance."

Listening to Master and Ma Donghe singing in chorus to persuade him, Fang Cheng did not explicitly state his position, only picking up his teacup and taking a light sip.

"I will consider it."

Seeing this, Ma Jianguo knew he had misgivings, so he nodded and said no more.

The sky gradually grew dim, and the lights lit up in the main hall.

Fang Cheng subsequently asked some more questions about Qigong Cultivation, then got up and prepared to leave.

Father and son Ma Jianguo hurriedly urged him to stay, saying he should at least eat dinner before leaving.

"No need, Master."

Fang Cheng smiled apologetically: "During these few days of seclusion, I haven't contacted my Family. My mom probably must be worried."

That black Land Rover SUV was parked right at the courtyard entrance. He had driven here before, and it was very convenient to go back now.

"Donghe, I'll return this jacket to you after washing it clean in a few days."

Fang Cheng said, pointing to the black jacket he was wearing.

This clothes fit Ma Donghe just right, but looked a bit baggy when worn on himself.

"Hey, it's just a piece of clothing, just take it and wear it, throw it away if you don't want it."

Ma Donghe waved his hand carelessly.

"A-Cheng, wait!"

Ma Jianguo suddenly remembered something, turned around and walked toward the kitchen.

Before long, he came out carrying a thermos bucket.

"This is the tendon-strengthening and bone-strengthening soup I specially simmered for you this afternoon. Take it home, heat it up tonight and you can drink it, it has miraculous effects on nourishing blood and Qi."

Saying it was soup, but when Fang Cheng was ready to get in the car, he found that Ma Jianguo and Ma Donghe were huffing and puffing as they moved things into his car's trunk.

Gift boxes of all sizes almost filled up the entire spacious trunk.

"Master, what is this..."

Seeing this, Fang Cheng hurried forward to stop them, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

It's not even a holiday, why make it so grand?

Besides, even if today was New Year's, it should be him bringing gifts to visit Master.

"These are all top-grade medicinal herbs for nourishing blood and Qi."

Ma Jianguo pressed down his hand and instructed with a serious expression:

"You have just shaped your Realm, and your blood and Qi consumption is huge. You must consolidate the Foundation and nourish the origin, and properly condition your body, otherwise you're prone to leaving behind hidden ailments. You absolutely cannot be careless."

As he spoke, he patted a wooden box and explained like presenting a treasure:

"This piece is a centuries-old Liaodong wild ginseng, this packet is top-grade velvet antler blood slices, and these few Polygonum multiflorum plants also have some age to them..."

"After returning home, follow the recipe I gave you, match these medicinal materials yourself to make soup and drink it. Don't hold back at all."

Looking at this posture, the old man practically emptied his Family fortune.

This gift was too precious, so Fang Cheng quickly waved his hand to decline.

But Ma Jianguo straightened his Face and forcefully stuffed everything in.

After some decline and farewells, the black Land Rover SUV slowly started and drove outward along the village road.

Those two red taillights drifted further and further away on the rural path, soon swallowed by a corner, and completely disappeared into the twilight.

Ma Jianguo stood at the courtyard entrance, his gaze constantly following the direction where the car left, not moving for a long time.

The reason he went against the norm, shifting from resolutely opposing Fang Cheng's contact with the Special Investigation Team to actively encouraging Fang Cheng to apply,

this change was entirely because he was completely shocked by Fang Cheng's nearly Heaven-Defying martial arts Aptitude.

If Fang Cheng only had mediocre Aptitude and slight spiritual roots, Ma Jianguo really didn't want his own Disciple to get involved with a violent organization like the Special Investigation Team.

Living safely and practicing martial arts, inheriting his mantle in the future, would already be enough.

But upon seeing Fang Cheng's breathtaking and amazing performances, his mind couldn't help but waver again.

Especially during this seclusion in the water prison, Fang Cheng actually succeeded in shaping his Realm in one fell swoop, even reaching the Realm of heaven and man communion, stirring up changes in astronomical phenomena.

Ma Jianguo's heart, which had been dormant for many years, instantly became incomparably burning, reigniting roaring flames.

How is this a once-in-a-century Genius? This is simply a rare prodigy once in a millennium!

Compared to him, his own Old Ancestor who created the "Thunderfire Cauldron" Cultivation Technique would probably be inferior by three points.

Even Senior Li Guizhen, who was hailed as the Martial Dao myth, was at most at this level when he was young.

Such an unpolished jade should never be buried in the countryside and remain unknown.

He should go onto a broader stage to shine brilliantly, letting the entire Xia Country, and even the entire world, witness what true Martial Dao looks like!

Therefore, upon hearing Wei Zheng invite Fang Cheng to participate in the Special Investigation Team's selection examination, Ma Jianguo immediately made a decision in his heart.

The Ma Family has declined, but the Foundation still remains. The connections and resources left behind by the older generation have not been completely severed.

As long as Fang Cheng is willing, he has the confidence to pave the way forward and clear obstacles for this Disciple.

In the future, let alone a Special-grade Investigator, even the seat of the highest Director of the Special Investigation Team might not be without a chance to sit on!

By then, Fang Cheng stepping into the core of power would be able to legitimately participate in the formulation of rules, and once again strive for the due status and respect for Martial Artists under heaven.

It would also allow the Ma Family to return to the public eye and regain their past glory!

Thinking of this, Ma Jianguo only felt a surge of hot blood in his chest, and even his breathing became a bit heavy.

He originally thought that the hope of revitalizing the Family lintel could only be pinned on his own unpromising brat, and he had long been disheartened.

He didn't expect that in his old age, he would be fortunate enough to receive such an excellent Disciple, allowing him to see the possibility of realizing his father's and his own lifelong wishes!

Ma Jianguo clenched his fists, then slowly loosened them. Accompanied by a long breath exhaled, his churning emotions gradually calmed down.

He turned his head sideways, glanced at his son who was also looking into the distance, and his voice restored composure.

"You brought Wei Zheng over today on purpose, right?"

Seeing through by the old man, Ma Donghe wasn't embarrassed either, only giving a heh-heh smile and scratching his head:

"I just feel that with A-Cheng's Aptitude, being buried like this all the time is really too much of a pity."

"And I always worry that if he practices bitterly by himself, what if one day his Qi goes astray and he feels stifled in his heart, and can't help running out on a killing spree, just happening to bump into people from the Special Investigation Team? Then the trouble would be huge."

"If we can successfully enter the Special Investigation Team together with me, the two of us brothers can look out for each other, and executing tasks openly in the future can also eliminate many hidden dangers."

"Anyway, I think this job is indeed quite suitable for him."

Ma Donghe's explanation revealed a meticulous side within his roughness.

Ma Jianguo nodded slightly, unusually not refuting his son's words.

He raised his head, looking at the sparsely twinkling stars on the horizon, and said leisurely:

"This kind of major life event still requires him to make his own decision..."

...

The black Land Rover SUV had already driven away from Tianxin Village.

Outside the car window, the fields under the nightscape receded rapidly.

The dim yellow halo of the street lamps was cut by the car window into streams of light, reflecting on a calm Face.

Fang Cheng was driving, his mind still recalling that previous conversation.

The benefits Master Ma Jianguo mentioned did indeed make him somewhat tempted.

After joining the Special Investigation Team, whether it was the Cultivation resources he could obtain or the security guarantees his Family could get, both precisely hit his current pain points.

However, Fang Cheng still had many misgivings in his heart.

It's not that he was truly indifferent to fame and fortune, but that he was already accustomed to having everything in his own hands.

From the conversations of Wei Zheng, Ma Jianguo, and others, it could be heard that the current situation of the Special Investigation Team was actually not simple.

The opposition between old and new factions, the contradiction between Martial Artists and the Research Department...

Thinking of such intricate personnel struggles in government offices, Fang Cheng felt a headache coming on, secretly plotting that it would be best for him to get less involved.

The car gear gradually drove onto the elevated highway, crossed a railway, leaving the fields and villages far behind.

The city's brilliant lights unfolded ahead, like an endless sea of stars.

Fang Cheng looked at this bustling prosperity, his eyes becoming increasingly clear.

To join or not was merely a choice.

Be it the Special Investigation Team's resources or its protection, they were ultimately external objects.

The true reliance will always be this pair of fists of his own.

Rather than pinning hopes on the external environment, it is better to Focus on refining oneself and becoming even stronger.

When one's own strength is sufficient to push through everything horizontally, all rules and constraints will become completely meaningless.

Everything can just follow its natural course. (End of Chapter)