40: Chapter 40 Investigation, Second Generation of Martial Arts

Early morning.

Early in the morning, before the sun had even risen.

Fang Zhuo could no longer hold back. He got up, left the hospital, and headed straight for the Bear Paw Martial Society.

The Bear Paw Martial Society was where Fang Wu worked. It was a small company that specialized in martial arts sparring partner services.

In the Blue Moon Federation, the martial arts sparring business was highly lucrative. To become a powerful martial artist, simply raising one's Life Level was not enough; actual combat practice was essential.

Wealthy families would often hire sparring partners for their children when they first stepped onto the path of martial arts.

At the front desk of the Bear Paw Martial Society.

The receptionist was a girl in her early twenties at most. She had a pure look and dressed simply, looking like an undergraduate student who hadn't graduated yet.

"Hello, sir. How can I help you?"

The young female receptionist asked warmly. At the same time, she quickly scanned the newcomer. Seeing Fang Zhuo's tall, upright posture and extraordinary temperament, she added:

"Are you here to apply to be a sparring partner, or are you looking for one?"

"Looking for a sparring partner."

Fang Zhuo replied.

"Alright. Our club mainly serves Level 10-19 Primary Martial Artists, and most of our sparring staff are at this level as well. These are the staff members who are free today. You can take a look first and let me know once you've made your choice."

The young female receptionist introduced, pointing at the screen.

"I want to hire Fang Wu as my sparring partner."

Fang Zhuo narrowed his eyes, quietly watching the young female receptionist.

"Sparring Partner Fang?"

The young female receptionist looked troubled and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Sparring Partner Fang Wu took sick leave yesterday."

"Sick leave?"

Fang Zhuo feigned confusion and continued to ask, "He is quite well-known in your club, with a Life Level of 18, which is close to an Intermediate Martial Artist. How could he fall ill?"

The young female receptionist shook her head. "I wouldn't know about that."

"Whose booking did he take yesterday?"

"I'm sorry, but that is private club information, and I don't have the authority to tell you. If you want to know, you can go see our manager."

The young female receptionist shook her head apologetically at Fang Zhuo.

By this point in the conversation, she had already realized Fang Zhuo's identity. Judging by his facial features alone, he did indeed bear some resemblance to Fang Wu.

A sparring partner getting injured and their family coming to demand answers—it wasn't like this hadn't happened in the club before.

"Then have your club's manager come over,"

Fang Zhuo said calmly. He didn't make things difficult for the receptionist girl; she was likely just a college student working part-time.

"Alright, please wait a moment, I'll go call them."

The young female receptionist quickly walked upstairs.

...

Chaoyang Residential Complex.

This was one of the most expensive residential areas in Jinhe City.

In a spacious 180-square-meter luxury flat, the wide-angle floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room offered an exceptionally broad view of the outside.

The mighty waters of the Wujiang River flowed through the urban area of Jinhe City. In the distance, houses of varying heights were scattered, and the flow of traffic surged and stopped at intervals.

Ding Shixun was shirtless, holding a belt. He whipped the woman kneeling on the floor while gazing at the magnificent scenery outside the window.

He was covered in lean muscles and had a sturdy frame, making it obvious at a glance that he was a martial artist.

"Keep screaming, bitch," Ding Shixun said, stepping on the woman's head.

The kneeling woman had an exquisite oval face and an alluring figure. At this moment, her perky, fair buttocks were covered in red welts.

Though she felt humiliated, she did not dare to disobey Ding Shixun.

"Mmh~"

"This is how you make your money, so why play the innocent white lotus with me? If you ruin my mood, you know the consequences."

"Just as pretentious as those sparring partners. You're meant to be dogs for others, yet you still don't know your place."

Ding Shixun snorted coldly, scooped the woman up, and threw her onto the sofa.

With the sharp sound of tearing fabric, he pressed down heavily upon her.

Afterward.

A middle-aged man who looked like a butler walked up, a hint of worry on his face, and said:

"Young Master Ding, a call from your father."

"Got it."

Ding Shixun picked up a tissue to wipe his hands before taking the phone.

"Dad? What's up?"

"The manager of the Bear Paw Martial Society told me that you beat another sparring partner into the hospital yesterday?" The voice on the phone was deep, carrying a hint of anger.

"No, that old guy's Martial Aspect is 'Black Tortoise'. His hide is tough as hell. I actually wanted to break through it..."

Ding Shixun didn't care at all. After venting his desires, the emptiness in his heart only swelled further.

"Tell me the truth, did you actually injure him?" The voice on the phone grew a bit more severe.

"It really wasn't me. I vented a bit, but that old dog was very tough and I couldn't break him. Once the session was over, he walked home on his own."

Ding Shixun didn't understand why his father was suddenly being so serious. It wasn't like he hadn't injured people before, but his father had never reacted this way.

"That's good then."

"For the time being, stop hiring sparring partners and keep your fists to yourself. Also, mess around with fewer women. Your Life Level is 19. Before you break through to become an Intermediate Martial Artist, it is not entirely impossible for you to awaken a Superior Martial Aspect."

"Did you hear me?"

The voice on the phone softened slightly.

"Alright, I got it."

Ding Shixun gave a perfunctory reply. Awaken a Martial Aspect?

His Life Level was 19. If he wanted to awaken one now, a Superior Martial Aspect was his only option. But the Martial Aspect he had visualized didn't look anything like a Superior Martial Aspect.

He was destined to never become a powerhouse in martial arts. Perhaps in the future, by relying on his family's resources, he could brute-force his way to becoming an Advanced Martial Artist, but that would be the limit.

He wanted to become a Transcendent Martial Artist, to be as awe-inspiring as his second uncle, looked up to wherever he went. That kind of look was one of genuine admiration for the strong.

Not the fake respect put on by these sparring partners and prostitutes!

"There's no hope..."

"Life is truly as lonely as snow..."

Lying on the sofa, the more Ding Shixun thought about it, the angrier he got. Why couldn't he awaken a Martial Aspect? Subconsciously, he waved his hand and called the butler over. "Steward Huang, hire a sparring partner for me. I need to vent."

"Young Master Ding,"

The butler advised, "Your father just told me to keep an eye on you. Don't hire any sparring partners for the next few days."

"Oh, right. Steward Huang, do you know why?"

Ding Shixun slapped his forehead, seemingly having a poor memory.

"The sparring partner you hired yesterday fell suddenly ill after returning home and was rushed to the hospital. They said it was due to overusing his Martial Aspect, causing severe physical exhaustion and organ failure."

The butler glanced at Ding Shixun and explained, "His family has gone to the Bear Paw Martial Society. To avoid unnecessary trouble, you should hold back for now, Young Master Ding."

"Overusing his Martial Aspect, severe physical exhaustion?"

Ding Shixun murmured, thinking of the sparring partner from yesterday afternoon. So... that old dog who was as tough as a tortoise shell actually couldn't hold on anymore?

Ding Shixun smiled and said, "Fine, since my dad said so, I'll hold back. Wouldn't want him to cut my allowance."

"By the way, what's Fang Wu's background? He's just a Primary Martial Artist with an Inferior Martial Aspect. Is there really a need to be so careful?"

The butler did not respond.

Finding himself ignored, Ding Shixun sneered, "If you ask me, there's absolutely no need. Not to mention he wasn't carried out of my place, even if he were, it's no big deal."

"My second uncle is a Transcendent Martial Artist. Who in Jinhe City wouldn't show him some respect?"

The butler advised gently, "Young Master Ding, there is always someone better, and a wider world beyond."

"You are used to running wild like this, but when you go out, you will inevitably kick a steel plate one day."

"Alright, you're just like my dad, always lecturing. If you have the ability to make me awaken a Martial Aspect, I'll listen to whatever you say."

Ding Shixun showed impatience. After a long while, he suddenly waved his hand and said, "Steward Huang, help me look up Fang Wu's family background."

"Get it to me as soon as possible."