Chapter Seventy-Six: First Comprehension of Martial Arts

Fang Meng said, “The reason various martial arts techniques haven’t survived in ordinary society is mainly due to their purpose. Learning martial arts is an arduous journey, and for regular people, there’s simply no need—most won’t make a living from it. Another point is that martial arts aren’t something you can pick up just by reading some secret manual. Training must be tailored to each person’s physical constitution, and the most crucial element is guidance.”

“Guidance?”

Fang Meng nodded, “A guide is essential for someone beginning to train in martial arts. Given the current state of human meridians, the chance of successfully training alone is less than one in a million. Only when someone uses their own energy to guide you—helping you circulate energy with your dantian for the first time—can you start practicing martial arts.”

Xiao Tianci pondered this. “So, by what you said, this is the traditional master-apprentice transmission. What, then, has changed in recent decades?”

“In recent years, technology has enabled direct stimulation of human potential. While it can’t yet produce truly powerful experts, it can mass-produce warriors who surpass ordinary human limits. Their numbers are increasing, and the threat they pose is growing.”

Every profession has its secrets, but there are similarities too. Xiao Tianci chuckled, “So that’s how it is. You could say that traditional martial arts were like small workshops, while these new types are the modern assembly line.”

Fang Meng thought about it and nodded, “Yes, that’s exactly it. But for now, they don’t have truly high-level experts, and it seems they haven’t reached the scale where they can form armies or large organizations.”

“That suggests their methods aren’t perfected yet, or the costs are too high to allow mass production. Well, let’s not worry about that for now. What do you think I should learn?”

Fang Meng considered, “Aside from my Diamond Qi, which is advanced, the others aren’t quite up to par.”

Fang Meng’s Diamond Qi was indeed remarkable—he could transform himself. But Xiao Tianci knew it wasn’t suitable for him. Chief Steward Lin Jian, standing by, kept silent; he was not well-versed in martial arts, knowing only basic hand-to-hand combat and marksmanship.

“Sir, there are many such books in the master’s collection. If you wish to study, you could look for something suitable there.”

With the Xiao family’s resources, anything Xiao Lin wanted would surely be within reach. These martial arts manuals were rare and valuable, the best even harder to find, but for Xiao Lin, it was never a problem; he didn’t pursue them, but many sought him out.

Xiao Tianci understood this, but with things just getting started, he had no time to dwell on it and had to postpone. “That’s a good idea, but for now, I’ll have to put it off.”

Xiao Tianci then asked Diamond to explain the application of martial arts and energy in detail. Ever since witnessing the battle between Diamond and Azure Dragon, Xiao Tianci had been fascinated, though he hadn’t found a chance to study Diamond’s techniques closely. The existence of abilities that surpassed human limits—once thought confined to fantasy novels, films, and TV—was now proven real and formidable.

Throughout the night, Xiao Tianci didn’t rest, engaging in conversation with Diamond, Fang Meng, and Lin Jian. When it came to martial arts, energy, and combat, Chief Steward Lin Jian had little to add, but when it came to people, their stories, and their specialties, he was even more knowledgeable than Diamond.

During the night, Xiao Tianci checked in on the young girl twice; the doctor also examined her. She was now a special patient at the hospital. Because of her gunshot wound, the police had to be involved, but the hospital was surprised by the situation—federal agents even showed up, though none could disturb them; all were turned away downstairs, and the hospital director was instructed to cooperate fully.

Her condition had stabilized, but the effects on her brain were still uncertain, pending her awakening. If not for this accident, Xiao Tianci might have soon forgotten the girl, but the incident ensured he would always remember her—a unique child, exceptionally smart, sensible, and stubborn, with her own principles at such a young age.

The discussion with Diamond and the others lasted until dawn, his mind so stimulated that he felt no fatigue. In the morning, Chief Steward Lin Jian ordered breakfast, but Xiao Tianci barely started eating before receiving a call from Zhou Ao.

Zhou Ao had already learned of yesterday’s events; he’d called the previous day, and even Zhou Renjie had phoned to offer his regards. In fact, the Zhou father and son, as well as others who knew of the incident, all thought first of Will.

But each had their own ways and quickly determined it was merely an accident; Xiao Tianci could easily have withdrawn, proving it wasn’t aimed at him. And if Will had been behind it, things wouldn’t have been so simple; most importantly, Will was too shrewd to make such a move at this time.

Will first inquired after Xiao Tianci’s well-being, then said gently, “Sir, you’d best keep an eye on the stock market today—there may be some fluctuations. I’ve got people monitoring it closely.”

Did Zhou Ao mean someone was about to make a move? It must be Will—he was quick to act.

“Do you have any news?” Although Xiao Tianci had people watching Will and Autney, nothing valuable had surfaced; clearly, they had their own special methods.

“I’ve had people monitoring a few individuals, and their behavior seems off, so I suspect something’s up.”

Xiao Tianci didn’t press for details, knowing Zhou Ao wouldn’t say more, but one thing was clear: the Zhou family were local power brokers, with their own means. As he pondered, someone notified Chief Steward Lin Jian that Will would likely act today.

Xiao Tianci glanced at the clock. “Forty minutes until the market opens. Your call came a bit later than Zhou Ao’s.”

Chief Steward Lin Jian was responsible for these matters, and the Xiao family’s intelligence system was top-notch. As the newly appointed chief steward, Lin Jian had yet to fully harness it. Hearing Xiao Tianci’s words, he bowed slightly. “I’ll quickly familiarize myself and improve the intelligence system.”

He had the uneaten breakfast cleared away and began preparing various equipment, knowing a stock market battle was imminent. He didn’t wish to return to headquarters—there was nothing to do there that couldn’t be done here.

There, he operated solo; here, it was much the same, but at least here was better—fewer people. Zhou Ao’s willingness to notify him was commendable; Zhou Ao seemed intent on remaining neutral, observing and deciding later, but for now, Xiao Tianci would deal with Will himself.

The equipment was soon set up. Xiao Tianci sat, watching projections of various data on the wall, while Chief Steward Lin Jian operated the systems. Whatever Xiao Tianci needed, he only had to ask.

Behind Lin Jian was the vast machinery of the Xiao family—data, intelligence analysis, and information processing. These were elite personnel, not part of the Mei Hua group; now, they all followed Lin Jian’s command.

Reviewing the data, Xiao Tianci closed his eyes and gently massaged them, murmuring, “Will is currently strapped for funds; he’ll definitely approach the banks. How much he can get is uncertain, but if the banks know he’s trying to acquire Mei Hua, they’ll be cautious. He must already know about the Desert Villa plan. I thought he’d wait, even if he was desperate, but he’s moved so quickly—does he have something we don’t know about? Another ace up his sleeve? Or has he seen through something? Hmm… interesting. Now things are finally getting interesting.”

When it came to business, Diamond was utterly clueless. He stared wide-eyed at the data, then simply closed his eyes and began practicing Diamond Qi. For two years, his Diamond Qi had remained at the eighth level without breakthrough. Despite continuous accumulation, he couldn’t achieve qualitative change and couldn’t understand why. Before, once the quantity reached a certain threshold, qualitative transformation was inevitable. Now, though at the eighth level he could transform three times, he couldn’t achieve true mastery.

He recalled what the Ghost had said when teaching him Diamond Qi: “Diamond Qi is the ultimate yang—far superior to those third-rate hard kung fu techniques, not merely brute force. All things in the world: when yang reaches its peak, yin arises; when yin peaks, yang arises. Yin and yang are inseparable. Practicing only yin or only yang is inferior. Remember, Diamond Qi achieves perfection when extreme yang gives birth to yin.”

He had long been able to transform three times, but had never broken through again—perhaps because he hadn’t fought a true master in years. The old monster would be the perfect opponent, but now, the boss…

“Sir, the market has opened…”

(Ordinary Heart is working hard—please keep supporting, vote, and recommend!)