42: Chapter 42 Ambition

"Manager Zhao."

"I am very sorry, but I cannot show you the sparring footage. This involves client privacy, and the footage itself is only intended as safety inspection material for the Martial Arts Regulatory Department."

Du Qiang offered an apologetic smile, but his stance was clear.

"Are you sure?"

Manager Zhao narrowed his eyes. He took this matter very seriously; knowing it was to stand up for Fang Zhuo, he had dropped the meeting he was attending and rushed over immediately.

In his eyes, Fang Zhuo's current status was extraordinary.

A martial artist who could be valued by Wang Jinhua, who had personally traveled back to Blue Star from Origin Star to offer an s-rank genius contract, was destined for a remarkable future.

Du Qiang was stunned.

Was Manager Zhao actually being this tough?

Was it really just to stand up for one of his subordinates?

Seeing this attitude from Manager Zhao, he couldn't help but feel troubled.

Manager Zhao's own strength, as a Level 39 Advanced Martial Artist, was on par with his own, so he didn't fear anything. However, the other man was a manager at Shanhe Martial Arts Hall, a person from Shanhe Group!

The connections the other party possessed were what he truly feared.

If he didn't handle this well, it might lead to a Transcendent Martial Artist showing up later, and that would be difficult to deal with.

But he couldn't possibly actually show the footage to Fang Zhuo and Manager Zhao. Violating industry rules wasn't a big deal, but the key was that doing so would completely offend the Ding Family.

"Manager Zhao, little brother Fang."

Du Qiang forced a smile, essentially backing down: "I really can't help with this matter. I'll be straight with you: this guy Ding Shixun is just a second-generation martial artist; he's not worth worrying about."

"It's just that he's involved with a Transcendent Martial Artist behind the scenes, so it's tricky!"

"Otherwise, none of the martial arts sparring shops in Jinhe City, big or small, would let him place orders, knowing full well his eccentric temper and violent tendencies."

"A Transcendent Martial Artist?"

Fang Zhuo's pupils constricted slightly.

Manager Zhao also braced his hands on the table and asked: "A Transcendent Martial Artist? Ding Shixun's father?"

"No."

Du Qiang shook his head: "Ding Shixun's father is only of mediocre talent, an Advanced Martial Artist who used a massive amount of resources to pile up his Life Level."

"He's the type that you or I could kick to death with one foot."

"This Transcendent Martial Artist is Ding Shixun's second uncle. His name is Ding Nan. He has been a Transcendent for many years since promoting from an Advanced Martial Artist, spending years fighting on Origin Star. His combat ability is outstanding, and leaders of various government agencies in Jinhe City all give him a bit of face."

Du Qiang spread his hands: "If you still want to continue, you'll have to find a way yourself to see if you can get a Transcendent Martial Artist from Shanhe Group to intervene."

"That is all I can say and all I can do."

"Furthermore, if you want to see the sparring footage directly, even if you really bring a Transcendent Martial Artist, it's impossible. Since this client involves a Transcendent Martial Artist, according to the unwritten rules of our martial arts circle, you must bring in a higher-level Flying Martial Artist."

"Fine."

Manager Zhao nodded and stopped pressing Du Qiang. The situation was clear now; Ding Shixun had a Transcendent Martial Artist for an uncle, so Du Qiang couldn't possibly let them see the sparring footage.

Because if he did, regardless of whether Ding Shixun had acted excessively, it would completely offend that Transcendent Martial Artist.

This was also the reason why Du Qiang insisted on a Flying Martial Artist being present to show the footage.

If they wanted him to offend a Transcendent Martial Artist, they would have to guarantee his safety, right? That meant a Flying Martial Artist had to be there in person!

...

Leaving the Bear Paw Martial Society.

It had just rained in Jinhe City, and the air was exceptionally fresh, but Fang Zhuo felt a tightness in his chest, and his whole body was burning with agitation.

"Fang Zhuo."

Manager Zhao patted Fang Zhuo on the shoulder: "Regarding your father falling ill this time, I know you want to find out if it has anything to do with Ding Shixun, but I am powerless to help further."

"A Transcendent Martial Artist may look like they are only one step away from an Advanced Martial Artist, but the gap between the two is like a chasm—a comprehensive difference in strength, status, and connections!"

"Ding Nan is quite famous in Jinhe City. You might not know him, but in circles of Advanced Martial Artists and above, he is very well-known."

"Yeah, I know. Thank you for this time, Manager Zhao."

Fang Zhuo forced a smile. Regardless of anything else, Manager Zhao had answered his call and come over immediately without a word of complaint.

That was the only reason he had been able to access this information so quickly.

Otherwise, relying solely on himself and a head full of rage, he probably wouldn't have even handled Manager Ma, who wouldn't have revealed Ding Shixun at all.

Let alone a Transcendent Martial Artist like Ding Nan.

If he had blindly charged ahead, given the power of a Transcendent Martial Artist, perhaps by the next day, there would be one more wronged soul at the bottom of the Wujiang River in Jinhe City?

Fang Zhuo let out a long breath.

He was still too weak. If he also had the strength of an Advanced Martial Artist, would Manager Ma not give him face?

If he were a Transcendent Martial Artist, would Du Qiang not let him see the sparring footage?

If he were a Flying Martial Artist, he feared that once Ding Nan got the news, he would immediately bring Ding Shixun over to apologize.

Become stronger!

A desire to become stronger, one he had never felt so intensely, sprouted in the depths of Fang Zhuo's heart. This seed called desire took root and sprouted in an instant, growing into a towering tree.

"Fang Zhuo."

Manager Zhao sighed and said: "Your talent is actually quite good."

"Focus on your martial arts. It's hard to say for sure that this matter has anything to do with Ding Shixun. Frequent use of one's Martial Aspect leading to physical exhaustion is a phenomenon that happens from time to time."

"To restore vitality, there are actually quite a few treasures. You might only know of Life Spring Water, but that is actually too luxurious and far from necessary."

"Getting a stalk of dragon-shaped grass is enough to let your father regain his vitality. Although the price is expensive—two billion—once you become an Advanced Martial Artist, you will have the chance to earn it. Even if you can't earn it in the short term, you can definitely take out a loan."

As for Fang Zhuo becoming a Transcendent Martial Artist within two or three years, Manager Zhao hadn't considered it at all.

Just like how he knew that this time, if he could get Wang Jinhua to step in, he could make Du Qiang let them see the sparring footage.

Right and wrong would be clear at a glance.

But Manager Zhao didn't bring it up, because it was simply impossible.

For reasons unknown—likely because of Fang Zhuo's Martial Aspect—Wang Jinhua had traveled all this way to personally offer Fang Zhuo an s-rank genius contract.

But that didn't mean Wang Jinhua would easily step in for Fang Zhuo.

Especially when there was a Transcendent Martial Artist standing on the opposing side.

Perhaps a Transcendent Martial Artist didn't mean much to Wang Jinhua, but people are driven by profit, and martial artists are no different. Few people would do something without any benefit.

What could Fang Zhuo possibly offer Wang Jinhua?

"Yeah."

Fang Zhuo just nodded.

Manager Zhao didn't say anything more. He knew it would be hard for Fang Zhuo to calm down in the short term, and it would be difficult for him to take in what he had said right now.

He could understand; if it were him, it would be the same.

When you need money, you regret having too little; when you need fists, you regret them being too weak.

Not long after Manager Zhao left.

Bai Shiwei rushed over, her forehead covered in sweat, her hair disheveled, and her face full of worry.

"Husband!"

"I was so worried about you." Bai Shiwei ran over with big strides, then came to a sudden halt beside Fang Zhuo.

She had stayed up with Fang Zhuo until late last night, eventually falling asleep on a chair in a daze, and woke up this morning to find Fang Zhuo missing.

Remembering the strange behavior Fang Zhuo had shown yesterday while rushing to the hospital.

Bai Shiwei had panicked right then and there.

"I'm fine."

Fang Zhuo turned his head to look at Bai Shiwei and reached out to tuck the hair on her face behind her ear.

"Yeah, that's good. Dad's situation... is there some hidden truth? No matter what you do, I believe in you."

Bai Shiwei clenched her fist, making a gesture of encouragement.