Chapter 179: The Pinnacle of Human Might! Sanctuary from the Officials (4K)

Chapter 179: The Pinnacle of Human Might! Sanctuary from the Officials (4K)



"How do you know everything, big sister? Is there anything you don't know?" Xue Jing couldn't help but ask.

Wu Youqing raised her cup, took a delicate sip of tea, and casually replied, "I don't know everything, just the things that matter."

Then, she abruptly changed the subject. "Speaking of which, there's something I need to discuss with you, and your timing is impeccable."

Xue Jing breathed a sigh of relief when she readily dropped the previous topic. He would have been hard-pressed for another excuse if Wu Youqing had decided to press the issue.

There was no way he could bring up Aban on such short notice, no matter how quickly he thought on his feet.

'What a terrifying woman...' Xue Jing thought to himself.

Wu Youqing was the only person he had met so far who seemed tricky in every regard. It was as if she always had some hold over him, yet he couldn't bring himself to feel any animosity or wariness towards her... because she always kept it just under that threshold.

"Now that you've officially 'debuted,' you've caught the attention of many influential people," Wu Youqing said thoughtfully.

"Currently, in the eyes of others, your identity is that of a 'Heaven-Blessed' or 'Chosen One'... This identity is quite convenient, whether you deliberately crafted it or stumbled into it by accident."

"In any case, this identity explains most of the abnormal phenomena surrounding you, and there are hardly any loopholes. Only someone like me, another Chosen, would be able to sense that something is amiss."

She picked up a plastic fork and took a bite of the cream cake that Xue Jing had bought, chewing delicately before swallowing. She then pointed the fork at Xue Jing and continued, "However, this identity isn't without its drawbacks."

"What drawbacks?" Xue Jing asked, intrigued.

Wu Youqing placed the plastic fork against her thin lips and pondered for a moment before answering, "Have you ever heard of the 'Secret Martial Arts Society'?"

Xue Jing's eyes narrowed slightly. "I've heard the name... but that's about it."

Previously, his agent, Jiang Siyi, had briefly mentioned this organization to him. Apparently, they were incredibly formidable and possessed the capability to overthrow the nation... though that claim seemed far-fetched.

"Well, then, let me give you a brief overview," Wu Youqing said, pausing momentarily. "This is an organization that has existed for over a hundred years, founded by a man known as the 'King of Extreme Martial Arts.'"

"King of Extreme Martial Arts..." Xue Jing murmured, his eyes narrowing further.

He had heard that name before.

Back when he was at the border, the 'Man in the Mirror' had casually brought it up once, but when Xue Jing tried to ask more questions, the man had abruptly changed the subject, clearly unwilling to discuss it further.

"For now, you don't need to know who the King of Extreme Martial Arts is. You only need to know one thing," Wu Youqing said, her amethyst eyes filled with gravity.

"At this moment, he is one of the members of the 'Cang Court.'"

Xue Jing's eyes widened slightly.

The Cang Court!

The very heart of Zhu Xia, the true rulers and controllers of the nine metropolitan circles, manipulating the entire nation's machinery.

Their status was equivalent to that of the country itself!

So, when they said that the 'Secret Martial Arts Society' had the power to overthrow the nation, they might not have been exaggerating after all.

The fact that the organization's founder, the King of Extreme Martial Arts, was a member of the Cang Court was proof enough of their influence.

"And now, the Secret Martial Arts Society has become your enemy," Wu Youqing said nonchalantly.

Xue Jing twitched his lips. "...Please elaborate."

"The King of Extreme Martial Arts, in his youth, was a bit... radical," Wu Youqing said, choosing her words carefully.

"As you know, since the death of God and the beginning of the New Era, we humans have gained access to numerous power systems that can elevate our individual might."

"However, most of these systems rely on 'otherworldly' power."

"'Blessed Ascension,' 'Xenograft Implantation,' and even the 'New Martial Arts' that alter the body—these are all essentially impure methods that depend on external forces."

"Among all these systems, there is only one path that is 'purely human.'"

Xue Jing whispered, "...Old Martial Arts?"

Wu Youqing nodded. "Indeed, the Old Martial Arts.

"Its pursuit is to transcend the limits of the natural human body, using our native carbon-based flesh and blood to ascend and become true 'gods'!"

"And the King of Extreme Martial Arts... is a seeker of this path."

"He takes pride in his pure human identity and the fact that the Old Martial Arts is the only path that truly belongs to humanity. He constantly pushes beyond his limits."

"He scorns all other power systems and those who seek otherworldly powers, deeming them 'impure.' However, his extraordinary talent and charismatic leadership gradually attracted a group of extremists who rallied behind him."

"And so, the Secret Martial Arts Society was born."

Xue Jing tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought. Now he understood why Wu Youqing had said that the organization was his enemy.

Wu Youqing continued, "They initially operated as a secret organization, covertly capturing, judging, and killing recipients of blessings, those with xenografts, and practitioners of the New Martial Arts. But as the organization grew, their actions became more brazen, and they began carrying out these extremist activities out in the open."

"Later, there was also a major incident known as the 'Extreme Martial Arts Rebellion...'"

Xue Jing asked, "With such reckless behavior, didn't the authorities take any action against them?"

"Of course, they did," Wu Youqing replied. "Although it's no longer talked about now, and the information has been blocked, for a long time, the Secret Martial Arts Society was labeled as an 'extreme terrorist organization.'"

She then changed the subject. "...Anyway, these are all old stories. I shouldn't tell you too much now, but you can find out more when you have the chance."

"Let's talk about the current threat the Secret Martial Arts Society poses to you."

Xue Jing stroked his chin. "From what you've told me, it sounds like I'm doomed?"

Wu Youqing shook her head. "Let me finish."

"Ever since the King of Extreme Martial Arts chose to join the officials, underwent the longevity surgery, and became an 'impure' person, the Secret Martial Arts Society also transformed. They went from being a terrorist organization to a semi-official one."

"However, their principles remained unchanged... The King of Extreme Martial Arts believed that, as an 'impure' person, he was no longer qualified to lead the Secret Martial Arts Society and chose to step down."

"His successor inherited his ideology, and to this day, they remain a purely Old Martial Arts organization, targeting all foreign systems... But now that they are a semi-official organization, they have toned down their extreme behavior compared to the past."

Xue Jing found this a bit baffling. "Wait a moment. So, you're saying the King of Extreme Martial Arts was the leader of a terrorist organization... and he was able to join the officials and even become a member of the Cang Court?"

"That's just too outrageous."

Wu Youqing said meaningfully, "It is outrageous... but precisely because it's so outrageous, it shows just how valuable the King of Extreme Martial Arts is."

"His strength defies common sense... To this day, every martial artist who knows of his existence regards him as 'humanity's true limit' and the 'pinnacle of martial arts,' an embodiment of 'the Way.' They strive to make him their lifelong goal."

"He is, in the true sense, the current pinnacle of individual human strength."

Xue Jing's pupils constricted. "Just how high is the ceiling of Old Martial Arts...?"

Ever since he started practicing martial arts, everyone he met looked down on Old Martial Arts, calling it outdated and advising him not to waste his time on it.

But now, someone was finally telling him that Old Martial Arts was formidable, and there was a man who had solely practiced Old Martial Arts and was hailed as "humanity's individual battle force ceiling."

Although his own path was not purely that of Old Martial Arts, as he was also developing Aban, he still felt a sense of elation.

"How high is the ceiling?"

Wu Youqing thought for a moment before answering, "He is one of the very few people in the world who can single-handedly defeat super-beings with a danger level of 10 or above."

Super-beings with a danger level of 10 or above were said to possess world-destroying capabilities. Yet, the King of Extreme Martial Arts could defeat them alone...

Just how strong was he?

Xue Jing was perplexed. "If the King of Extreme Martial Arts could reach such heights by solely practicing Old Martial Arts, then why does Old Martial Arts seem to be so despised?"

Wu Youqing smiled and said, "Firstly, due to his unique past, knowledge of the King of Extreme Martial Arts is only spread through a small portion of the population."

"Secondly... in the entire New Era, spanning nearly three hundred years, the Old Martial Arts has only produced this one extraordinary practitioner."

"He is an exceptional exception, with almost no value as a reference point. Among those who practice Old Martial Arts, none can come close to his level, let alone match him."

Xue Jing nodded. "I understand now."

"Originally, you would have been the kind of talent they coveted."

Wu Youqing took a sip of her tea.

"Once you stepped into the spotlight and displayed your incredible talent for Old Martial Arts, having reached your current level in just a few months, and they learned about your background, they would have immediately sought you out, recruited you into the Secret Martial Arts Society, and groomed you as the King of Extreme Martial Arts' ideal successor."

"But now..."

Xue Jing: "..."

"If you had merely pretended to be a God-blessed recipient, it wouldn't have been a problem. But the fact that you also possess exceptional martial arts talent and have become famous makes it worse."

Wu Youqing spread her hands.

"There will undoubtedly be some extremists within the Secret Martial Arts Society who believe that you are wasting your talent and tarnishing humanity's honor. They will see you as a thorn in their side..."

Xue Jing scratched his head. "How did I end up with yet another bizarre problem...?"

At that moment, his phone began to vibrate and ring.

Xue Jing glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was 'Chinese Teacher Du Shiwei'.

It was his homeroom teacher.

"I'll take the call," Xue Jing said to Wu Youqing.

The latter nodded, indicating that he could go ahead.

After pressing the answer button, Xue Jing said, "Hello? Teacher Du."

Du Shiwei's voice came through the receiver, "Xue Jing... I heard from the students that you were seen at school, but I didn't get a chance to see you."

Xue Jing smiled and said, "I'm in the library, teacher."

Du Shiwei paused, then laughed awkwardly, "Oh, I see... Well, it seems like you're working hard in your studies outside of class too. That's great, keep it up."

After a brief pause, he continued, "Actually, there's something I wanted to discuss with you."

"Go ahead," Xue Jing said.

"I watched your competition, and you really made our school proud. Yesterday, the principal even told me that the higher-ups praised our school for nurturing such an excellent student like you!"

"And then, they also brought up another matter that requires your opinion."

Xue Jing asked curiously, "What is it?"

Du Shiwei said, "Well, in a little over a month, the 'Wukao' will be taking place, right?"

Wukao.

This was similar to the college entrance examination, held annually, and served as the equivalent for martial arts students.

Students proficient in martial arts could take the 'Wukao' to gain admission into their desired universities.

The government had many supportive policies for 'martial arts students', and within the Inner Ring, the martial arts societies of key universities were also important sources of honor for the schools.

While the regular college entrance examination was held in June, the Wukao was held in January.

Was Teacher Du Shiwei asking him to take the Wukao? Xue Jing smiled and was about to refuse, as going to university now would be a waste of time for him.

At that moment, Du Shiwei continued, "The higher-ups watched your outstanding performance in the competition and took a fancy to you. They want to invite you to be an examiner for this Wukao."

Xue Jing was taken aback.

"Me? An examiner?"

Du Shiwei's voice came through the receiver, "Yes, this is one of the traditions of the Wukao. Every year, the higher-ups invite a group of young and promising teenage martial arts prodigies to be examiners, to inspire the examinees..."

"What do you think? Are you willing to accept? I recommend that you take this opportunity. It will be an extraordinary achievement and honor, and it will make your future path much smoother..."

Du Shiwei began to persuade him.

Xue Jing thought for a moment and said, "Let me consider it, Teacher Du."

Upon hearing this, Du Shiwei continued to persuade him, listing many benefits before hanging up the phone.

Xue Jing put away his phone and pondered for a moment before sharing with Wu Youqing what had just transpired over the phone.

"Wukao examiner?"

Wu Youqing was initially taken aback, then her eyes widened in surprise.

"What a coincidence?"

Her expression then turned to realization as she murmured, "So that's how it is..."

Xue Jing asked, "What's going on?"

Wu Youqing tapped her fingers on the table and said, "It's a stroke of luck without any effort... I suggest you take on this examiner role."

Xue Jing narrowed his eyes, "Explain."

"Do you know the origin of the tradition of inviting young martial artists to be examiners for the Wukao?" Wu Youqing smiled.

Xue Jing shook his head.

Wu Youqing said, "The King of Extreme Martial Arts... His first rise to fame and widespread recognition was as the 'Youngest Examiner in History'."

"And the Wukao that he oversaw as an examiner produced countless martial arts talents, and to this day, it remains the highest-quality Wukao in history."

Xue Jing's eyes lit up as he seemed to understand, "Could it be that..."

Wu Youqing nodded, deep in thought, "This is the officials' way of protecting you."

"A significant portion of the members of the Secret Martial Arts Society are university martial arts students... They won't offend the universities in their pursuit of new members."

"And each Wukao examiner is registered as a guest lecturer at a university."

"...Moreover, you are becoming an examiner by following in the footsteps of the King of Extreme Martial Arts."

"To respect the honored one... In a way, if the Secret Martial Arts Society were to target you now, it would also be a form of disrespect to the King of Extreme Martial Arts."

Wu Youqing marveled, "It's truly a brilliant move, resolving a big problem for you without making a fuss."

"It seems like someone high up there really favors you."

"Yes, this way, I won't have to worry about you anymore..."

Xue Jing didn't catch the last sentence as it was almost inaudible.

He raised an eyebrow, puzzled, "Who's the big shot helping me? Why? Is it because I'm handsome?"

Wu Youqing smiled thoughtfully and said, "Perhaps it really is because of your looks."

...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end