Secret Buyer-Chapter 34: Master and Disciple

Old instructor?

Zhang Fusheng blinked, recalling the ’rumor’ he had seen when researching before entering the Martial Arts Dojo.

His master had once served as an instructor for a special unit.

"Can’t hide anything from you." The rugged man with a beard, dressed in plaid, smiled wryly: "That’s indeed the case."

Hong Tianbao glanced sideways:

"Not a hint revealed, are you treating this old man as a cultist, guarding against me?"

"With all due respect, you know the Investigation Bureau’s confidentiality regulations well."

"Heh heh."

Hong Tianbao’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.

The two chatted back and forth without much direction, then the rugged man clasped his fists together, cautiously bidding farewell and taking his disheveled subordinates with him.

They watched them leave.

Hong Tianbao let out a breath:

"The Investigation Bureau’s here; things are indeed going to become unsettled."

Zhang Fusheng couldn’t help asking:

"What is the Investigation Bureau?"

"A special agency composed of elite personnel extracted from the Federation’s military, specifically responsible for investigating, detecting, attacking, and hunting down evil cults."

The chubby old man squinted his eyes and said:

"When the Vanguard Team of the Investigation Bureau appears in a city, it indicates a large-scale eradication operation is about to commence. I was invited in the past to serve as an instructor in some units and also trained some young members of the Investigation Bureau."

"That person, if I remember correctly, is named Liu Zhengbang, a former military trainee of mine. He came to Jiangzhou City this time but didn’t even pay a visit. Apparently, I’m also on the suspicious list."

Zhang Fusheng listened, confused, and tentatively asked:

"Are you?"

The old man glanced at him and said calmly:

"You’re asking if I’m a cultist? Used to be."

Zhang Fusheng choked suddenly.

His master was... quite frank.

After estimating the time, Hong Tianbao nodded slightly:

"The Vanguard Team should already have withdrawn. Let’s go to number 19."

He led Zhang Fusheng to the large iron gates of villa number 19 and, guided by an attendant, entered the bar.

The bar had sparse guests. Upon seeing the chubby old man, many were startled, and the scattered murmurs gradually faded into silence.

"Elder Hong." The bartender, polishing a goblet, set it down, his entirely black eyes revealing no emotional fluctuation.

"Why have you come in person?"

Hong Tianbao couldn’t be bothered with unnecessary words:

"Someone has assigned a public task to kill my apprentice. Give me the information about the employer."

Silence filled the bar.

"This..."

Black Eye said softly:

"Elder Hong, you know the rules of number 19. We keep secrets for every guest, which is the foundation of number 19."

He paused and then smiled wryly:

"If number 19 doesn’t keep to its rules, there’s no point in its existence, don’t you think?"

Hong Tianbao didn’t speak, quietly staring at him. Black Eye sighed softly, facing his gaze fearlessly.

One by one, the bar guests left, the atmosphere growing heavier, and Zhang Fusheng clearly felt the air around them becoming sticky, with a sense of suffocation.

"Keeping rules is a good thing."

Hong Tianbao tossed out these words lightly, chuckled, and left with Zhang Fusheng.

Black Eye let out a sigh of relief.

After leaving the bar, Zhang Fusheng was full of questions, but the old man didn’t give him a chance to ask. Instead, he explained calmly:

"That young man has trained three of the Five Viscera, which is quite good among Martial Arts Masters. Combined with his pair of natural eyes, he can rival top-tier Martial Arts Masters."

Zhang Fusheng pondered:

"Martial Arts Masters, do they train the organs?"

"They train Divine Techniques from within the organs," Hong Tianbao said, "but mainly because of his pair of eyes. Killing him is not difficult for me, but if he fights desperately, I may not be able to protect you."

After speaking, he made a call:

"Strong, have people seal off the area near Ankang Hospital in the Lower Three Districts. Go there yourself, search house by house, break doors and dig. I will send you a video later."

"Also, spread a new rule: anyone entering number 19 will be killed."

After hanging up, 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Send that video to your senior brother."

After Zhang Fusheng complied, he earnestly sought guidance:

"Master, is it really necessary to... fight to the death just because Black Eye didn’t provide information?"

"Who said anything about fighting to the death?"

The chubby old man laughed:

"If it were a matter of life and death, I would send you far away, go back now, and finish him off, wouldn’t I?"

He patiently answered Zhang Fusheng:

"Black Eye is someone who abides by the rules, values promises, and has widespread connections; he has quite a reputation not just in Jiangzhou City, he’s an interesting person."

"I’m pressuring him so that he’ll come to plead."

Zhang Fusheng seemed to ponder:

"Because of reputation?"

"What’s reputation worth?"

Hong Tianbao glanced at him and said earnestly:

"The conflict started because of you. If he comes to plead, he’ll be pleading to me. I will beat him out once he comes, again and again, until he comes for you."

Zhang Fusheng suddenly realized:

"You want me to form a good relationship with him? You’ll be the villain, and I’ll be the good guy?"

"Exactly." Hong Tianbao nodded: "It doesn’t matter how many enemies there are, but you must have many friends to walk farther on the path of cultivation."

He said in a wistful tone:

"Especially friends like Black Eye, the more the better. They have keen intel and extensive connections and could really save your life in the future. With such people, you must connect, utilize, and become friends with them. It’s best to have them owe you a favor, then find an opportunity where you owe them one, the bigger, the better."

"People are always closer to those they have helped, rather than those who have helped them. Remember this principle."

Zhang Fusheng remained silent. Was his master paving the way for him?

He was confused, as it had only been a few days since he was a novice. Was his master’s favor overly generous?

Hong Tianbao seemed to notice the confusion in Zhang Fusheng’s heart and smiled, speaking frankly:

"Indeed, your senior brothers didn’t get this treatment. I’m heavily investing in you for a reason."

"Master, please just tell me your instructions," Zhang Fusheng felt relieved. Reality isn’t like stories; where would there be unwarranted kindness?

To such an extent?

Other than parents, most people, at least ninety-nine percent, have ulterior motives.

"It’s not yet time for you to shine." The old man shook his head: "But I can tell you that I’m putting such emphasis on you because of your talent in the Contemplation Technique."

"The Great Success Contemplation Technique is more important than you think. In my view, one Great Success Contemplation Technique is worth more than a hundred of the Twelve Refinements Great Martial Artists."

Zhang Fusheng nodded silently. If the Great Success Contemplation Technique is so, then what about Perfection?

At this moment, the master said:

"In the world, there are marvelous medicines that can increase spiritual accumulation, things that one can only happen upon, not seek."

"If there is a chance, I’ll find some for you. In twenty years, no, ten years, you may achieve Minor Perfection in the Contemplation Technique. Hence, in this life, you might glimpse true Perfection... that’s a Heaven-Reaching Road."

Zhang Fusheng remained silent for a moment:

"Thank you, Master."

"Mm-hmm." The plump old man nodded: "Today, I had the Public Security Bureau erase traces, as I don’t want your condition exposed to too many people."

"Remember, cultivation requires competition. Competition might result in loss, and to prevent that, you need to hold back. Never let anyone see your full strength. The more mysterious, the more they’ll fear you... When fighting, use thirty percent of your strength; when killing, seventy percent. Unless it’s a desperate situation, always reserve thirty percent."

"Yes, Master."

"Additionally, young men are full of vigor, and this is the age when romantic feelings arise. Be cautious with women. It’s not that you can’t touch them, but don’t become obsessed and drowned in affection; women are poison."

"Even the senior sisters?"

"Those two? Are you kidding me? The second one maybe, but the third... pfft!"

A little child about 1.2 meters tall sneezed.

"When fighting, spare some lenience, but when killing, do it thoroughly. As a family, walk a straight and neat path."

"Uh, I’ve learned, Master."

"Then let me ask you, when eradicating, you encounter a little girl who runs out, what do you do?" Hong Tianbao asked with a sidelong glance.

Zhang Fusheng thought seriously for a moment, recalling a joke from a previous life, and replied:

"Ask her if she hates me. If she says yes, naturally she must not be left alive."

"What if she says she doesn’t hate?"

"This child is too cunning, and also must not be left alive."

Hong Tianbao laughed but shook his head seriously, saying:

"Wrong."

"Ah?" Zhang Fusheng was puzzled: "Please enlighten me, Master."

The plump old man spoke earnestly:

"Often, those who suddenly appear like this are usually there to cover siblings or such. You should grab her by the neck, walk around inside and outside the house, pause occasionally, and if she suddenly becomes nervous, it means you’ve found them."

Zhang Fusheng’s eyes widened:

"I’ve truly learned something this time."

"And there’s more..."

The old man taught carefully, while the disciple listened attentively.

The master and disciple walked along a tree-lined path, not toward the public security blockade but heading eastward.

One old and one young, just like a pair of grandfather and grandson.

Zhang Fusheng suddenly had a feeling akin to strolling on a tranquil street after dinner with his parents.

Very relaxed.

As they walked, they heard a courageously uttered duck-like voice.

"Yaoyao, actually I like you!"

Zhu Xiaoming’s shocking confession rang out.