Martial Arts

"Mr. Xiao, this is the tea I've prepared for you. Hopefully, it suits your tastes. If you don't like it, I will go find another kind of treasured tea."

"You shouldn't have."

"It's my duty! Doing tasks for Mr. Xiao is my duty."

Xiao Chen nodded and headed to his car.

"It's late. That's all for today."

Grandmaster Chen bowed to Xiao Chen.

"Safe trip, Mr. Xiao!"

Xiao Chen did not spare any more formalities with him and drove off.

The entire trip, Su Ruoxue did not speak a word. Her face was solemn with a halting expression.

Xiao Chen glanced towards her in the back seat.

"You have something on your mind?"

"I..."

Su Ruoxue moved her lips then began to speak:

"I… I want to know exactly what you experienced these last few years? Why do you have such powerful martial arts skills? And why does Elder Chen himself even recognize you as his master? This feels so unreal, it's like I'm in a dream."

Xiao Chen was silent for a moment before uttering five simple words.

"Mountains of corpses, endless killing."

There was endless bitterness encapsulated in these words.

Su Ruoxue decided to stop pressing. She already knew that Xiao Chen had gone through extreme circumstances in the last five years to be in the position he is in today.

This made her heart ache, but she didn't know how to comfort him either.

He'd accumulated honor with bloodshed and gained power from killing.

If there hadn't existed five years of bitter history, how could he have survived until today?

　　...

After returning home, Xiao Ziyi was already asleep, her small hands wrapped tightly around Su Ruoxue's neck, unwilling to let go.

Xiao Chen felt slightly helpless.

"Why don't you sleep with her tonight, then."

"Huh?"

Su Ruoxue could feel her cheeks burning up. If he wanted her to sleep with Ziyi, doesn't that mean she had to share a bed with Xiao Chen tonight?

Good lord, that… that's not okay?

Xiao Chen could feel So Ruoxue's awkwardness as he spoke again:

"I'm telling you to take her to your place, not to come back with me!"

"Oh, okay!"

Su Ruoxue flushed even harder as she hurriedly ran off with Xiao Ziyi.

　　...

After a deep night's sleep, the stars settled their battles and the next day arrived.

Xiao Chen was on his way to school with Xiao Ziyi, who seemed to be in high spirits. She must have slept well last night.

"Daddy, can I sleep with Auntie Ruoxue from now on?"

Xiao Chen scrunched his brows.

"Huh? Someone took care of you for one night and you've switched sides?"

Xiao Ziyi shook her head, eyes glowing.

"Auntie Ruoxue's chests are soft, but Daddy's chest is very hard. It's more comfortable when Auntie Ruoxue hugs me!"

Xiao Chen's face uncontrollably began to twitch fiercely.

He wanted to tell his daughter that she, too, was a girl!

But he swallowed his words.

Children were too pure and didn't understand these matters yet.

"Then, that depends on if you behave in school. If you're a good girl, Daddy will let you. But if you misbehave, don't even think about it!"

"Okay!"

Xiao Ziyi happily clapped her hands.

Xiao Chen took Ziyi to the entrance and let out a deep breath. He then turned around and disappeared around the street corner with hands tucked in his pockets.

There, another Mercedes-Benz Maybach was parked. Next to it was Ma Tianbei from the auction the night before. 

He had been staring at his reflection happily, stretching out all the wrinkles on his face. His eyes were sparkling, as if he himself were a strange treasure he'd just discovered.

Xiao Chen placed his hands in his pockets and tightened his jacket as he approached him.

"Since this morning, you've been guarding outside my neighborhood, and now you've followed me here. What do you want?"

Ma Tianbei chuckled.

"Could Mr. Xiao spare a moment to talk to this old man?"

Xiao Chen's expression was indifferent.

"Sure, but don't take too long. I still have to pick up my daughter."

Ma Tianbei wasn't startled by Xiao Chen's rudeness. He opened the backdoor to his Maybach with a smile and gestured to Xiao Chen to get inside.

Then, the car took off towards a community on the borders of Jiangbei.

Ma Tianbei instructed his driver to drive a bit further up before making room for Ma Tianbei and Xiao Chen.

With just the two of them left, Xiao Chen couldn't help but glance at Ma Tianbei warily.

"What do you want to talk about that's so secretive?"

Ma Tianbei chuckled.

"Dare I ask, where did Mr. Xiao cultivate such amazing martial arts skills? The Eight Great Aristocrats? Or the Nine Great Immortal palace? Or another hidden secret faction?"

"Is that any of your business?"

"Of course not; I'm only interested. Since Mr. Xiao doesn't want to talk about it, I won't ask! I've asked you out today for one thing. Has Mr. Xiao ever heard of the Wu Group?"

"The Dragon Faction?"

"That's right! The Wu Group is the guardian of the eastern realm and one of the top weapons of the east! Among the Wu Group are many talented masters. For thousands of years, the East has been able to rule the world undefeated because of the collaborative efforts of the Wu Group and eight other families! Out of these families, the Wu Group has the most powerful presence!"

"And? What does that have to do with me?"

Ma Tianbei retracted the smile on his face and turned serious.

"I can tell that Mr. Xiao is very powerful. Why not join our Wu Group and contribute to the country? Based on your skills, you will definitely shine in the martial arts group!"

"Not interested."

Xiao Chen directly refused his offer.

Ma Tianbei was stunned but quickly responded.

"Mr. Xiao, please consider this carefully and join the Wu Group. Do you know how many people dream of this opportunity? It's a meritorious business and the foundation of our ancestral pride! This is every man's dream!"

Xiao Chen calmly shifted his eyes at him.

"Don't talk about these illusory things with me. Power and glory are nothing but vanity. Since you are a martial arts practitioner, you should understand that strength is the true foundation of power!"

Ma Tianbei creased his brows.

"Does Mr. Xiao not want to contribute his part for the East? Do you not love your hometown?"

Xiao Chen's expression went cold.

"Stop putting labels on me! Do I have to join the Wu Group if I love my hometown? How come during the war I didn't see any of those dignitaries on the frontlines? In the end, aren't the ones who sacrifice their lives the ordinary folk? If the East is in trouble, then I, Xiao Chen, won't let it go unnoticed. But if you want me to become your chess piece, sorry but you don't have the qualification."

When his words fell, Xiao Chen stomped away and disappeared instantly.

Ma Tianbei watched as he left, taking in a deep breath of cold air.

"What incredible speed! This man is terrible indeed. Even a master of martial arts couldn't reach this level of power. Could it be he has already reached a Wu Zun level of power? How terrible! No, I can't let such a person escape my grasp. If I can't get him to join the Wu Group, it would be a great loss!"