Chapter 11: Secret Schemes

Chapter 11: Secret Schemes (Monthly Vote & Investment Appeal, Brothers!)

Jiang Zhe glanced at his Communication Watch and noticed a message from the Estate Manager.

[Young Master Zhe, your Martial Artist certificate has been retrieved and placed on the coffee table in the main hall. The Punch Power Tester has also been installed at your backyard training ground. This model accommodates Higher Warrior-level punch force testing – it should suffice for your needs for some time.]

"Perfect, I'll test it right away."

In a newly erected shed at the back of the courtyard stood a gleaming Punch Power Tester.

"6022kg!"

That was the force behind a pure physical punch without using any Striking Art.

Jiang Zhe's lips curled upward. "Fourth Stage Apprentice/Novice General within half a month – no problem."

...

Meanwhile, at the Wang Clan headquarters in Kyoto Base City.

The HR Union ranked among the world's twelve topmost aristocratic families, and within Hanxia Kingdom, they stood unrivaled at the pinnacle of both political and commercial power. Their martial prowess, however, lagged significantly – a common weakness among HR Union families.

The current patriarch, recently ascended in his fifties, maintained a ruddy complexion and noble bearing despite his graying temples. He watched a military intelligence video with his eldest son Wang Zhen.

The footage showed a Martial Artist hurling an iron whip that shattered a Shadowcat's skull on a rooftop before abruptly cutting off.

Father and son silently studied the analytical report on the table.

After a long silence, the patriarch murmured, "Elite Warrior – likely Mid-Stage Warrior General with Mentalist capabilities. Micro-Infiltration Body Technique... 2-3 times standard power output intensity..."

"The Jiang Clan already wields such power – why do they still receive heavenly blessings? Why does fate favor them while forsaking us, the Wang Clan?"

Jiang Zhe's explosive performance had left the patriarch green with envy. Why couldn't his family produce such a martial genius?

If Jiang Zhe were present, he'd gladly explain the relationship between Karma and Qi Fate to the old man.

The Jiang Clan's benevolence in Lanling Base City – nurturing the weak and accumulating virtue – ensured their descendants remained martial-arts obsessed and conflict-averse. Any blessings they received were rightfully earned.

As for the Wang Clan?

Heh. The only reason City Lord Luo showed mercy was due to his kind heart – merely executing the ringleaders while ignoring the rest.

Should he truly decide to eradicate this cancer, storming their estate and slaughtering ten direct-line descendants would likely result in no innocent casualties.

Wang Zhen consoled, "Father, please calm yourself – don't let this damage your health. In my opinion, that brat's maximum potential is becoming a new Legislator. We can easily court talents of that caliber. Besides, his ostentatious display might prevent him from surviving that long."

"Our Legislator Li Nansheng – ambitious, narrow-minded, and utterly intolerant – has probably already targeted him."

"This Jiang Clan youngster makes the perfect scapegoat. Eliminating him would intimidate all factions while consolidating Hanxia's power, allowing Li Nansheng to pursue his dream of becoming 'King of the Martial World.'"

Pushing his glasses up, Wang Zhen spoke with venomous coldness, like a viper uncoiling.

Elder Jiang shook his head. "Worry about distant matters later. The immediate issue is the Alliance President planning to adjust Hanxia Kingdom's resource distribution – granting commercial rights to the Jiang Clan."

Wang Zhen's eyes turned glacial. "How dare that old hag? The Alliance's domestic influence expansion relied entirely on our Wang Clan's support. Does she dare consider slicing our pie without fearing mutual destruction? Does she want us to overthrow their foreign control and reclaim Hanxia sovereignty?"

Elder Jiang sighed, "Once we let them in, we became inseparable. Wait and see... Oh, remember to visit Legislator Li Nansheng tomorrow with a gift. Show humility, encourage him – make him believe our clan already kneels to him. You understand the rest without my instruction?"

"Father, I comprehend. I'll ensure Legislator Li selects the appropriate target for his demonstration." Wang Zhen chuckled darkly.

"Good. Go."

Wang Zhen departed, leaving the study.

Outside, a young man with a sinister demeanor had been eavesdropping at the door. Hearing footsteps, he quickly straightened up and glared at the old butler, warning him to remain silent.

As Wang Zhen exited, the youth respectfully called, "Big Brother!"

...

After dismissing his younger son Wang Li, Elder Jiang reclined in a rocking chair, weary. He massaged his temples.

The old butler entered carrying a bowl of lotus seed soup.

"Did he hear everything?"

"Every word between you and the eldest young master, sir."

"Sigh... Of all my sons, Li is the most dissolute yet the most devoted to our clan. He understands his decadent lifestyle exists only because of the Wang Clan. He'll become our fiercest watchdog, eliminating any threat."

Elder Jiang spoke dispassionately, his demeanor chilling.

Suddenly, he asked, "What do you think he'll do next?"

"The young master is clever. Most likely hiring mercenaries – only they offer sufficient reliability for such tasks."

"Then prepare funds. 50-100 billion credits. Ensure no trace leads back to us."

"Understood, sir."

...

August 3rd. Jiang Zhe arrived at the Traditional Martial Arts Hall.

"Second Brother Jiang, it's already August. When will you depart for Thunder Gym's Elite Training Camp?"

"Second Brother Jiang scratched his head with a sincere smile."

"Second Brother Jiang, could you help me with my Elite Training Camp invitation? Substitute for me?"

Frankly, Jiang Zhe doubted his current 5.3x power output needed training camp instruction – teaching others seemed more appropriate.

But challenging martial schools excited him more than camp resources.

The camp's offerings held little value. True treasures required face-to-face negotiation with Hong using Spirit of Flora or Muya Crystals – items Hong truly coveted.

Second Brother Jiang's expression turned stern. "Xiao Zhe, I appreciate your concern, but don't provoke the two gyms! The invitation names you as recipient – only you may attend. Any suggestion of substitution insults both institutions."

"Fair enough. Just trying to maximize utility." Jiang Zhe shrugged.

"Rest assured, Thunder Gym's camp isn't bad. No Dragon Blood, but Agate supplements abound. Plus, our family's generational alliance with Lei Shen ensures personal blade instruction during my attendance."

The towering figure sighed, "I've hit a wall with 'Xingyi Style' cultivation. Time to learn from Earth's greatest swordsman – otherwise, how could I guide my younger brother in the future?"

Jiang Zhe struggled for words. His usually boisterous senior had been emotionally wounded.

"Second Brother Jiang, since you're still here, teach me one last time?"

Second Brother Jiang: (◎_◎;)

Visibly trembling, the "iron tower" wobbled like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

"Ah... Actually, I'm feeling unwell today..."

"Second Brother Jiang, I want Guiding Art techniques – and another Core Canon."

"Oh! The medicine's kicking in – sudden recovery! Come, follow me to the Ninth Floor."

Recognizing Jiang Zhe's terrifying aptitude, Second Brother Jiang no longer feared scattered cultivation. Without waiting for Grandfather's approval, he handed over the Core Canons.

《Dual Tree Stance》!

《Triple Heaven Pillar》!

《Heavenly Dragon Lance》!

These three physical manuals became Jiang Zhe's selections.

The first two were Guiding Arts.

The last, "Dragon Body" cultivation, contained Striking Arts to complete his missing power core.

Integrating Rooster Leg, Bear Shoulder, and Eagle Claw under Dragon Body's framework – what final power output awaited?

Jiang Zhe eagerly anticipated the answer.

August 5th. The Jiang Clan father-and-sons hunting party returned from the Wilderness Zone with colossal spoils that left Jiang Zhe wide-eyed.

So they'd finally stopped pretending and revealed their true strength?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end