Chapter 139: A New Era Is About to Begin

Zhao Liangping, the director of the Yinshan Martial Arts Bureau, was in a splendid mood. At the recent Martial Arts Conference, his bold commitment to oversee the integration of Xiao Kai-tian into the martial arts system had earned him great prestige among his peers, leaving him walking with an air of triumphant confidence ever since.

He was no fool; he knew the task carried its share of risks. Yet, after careful analysis, he concluded the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks.

First, regarding his superiors, he had solved a problem that had left the Martial Arts Conference feeling embarrassed. For those in the martial arts world, heritage and face were paramount—often valued even above life itself.

Second, regarding his peers, he shared a close friendship with Nalan Tao of the Yinshan Qimen Sect. Since the Qimen Sect had suffered repeated defeats at the hands of Xiao Kai-tian, this mission served as a way to indirectly avenge them.

Though it was framed as a test of Xiao Kai-tian’s cultivation level, fists and feet have no eyes; if he happened to be killed, it would be sanctioned by the Martial Arts Conference. With backing from the higher-ups, the government would have little to say, especially since Xiao Kai-tian was considered an outlier.

He gazed at the dozen bottles of 1994 Moutai gifted by the Qimen Sect sitting on his desk, his spirits brightening further. If this matter were handled well, he might be promoted to the ranks of the Martial Arts Conference elders next year—a position on an entirely different level than that of a regional director.

He stood up and pressed the intercom on his desk. "Xiao Zhuang, come to my office."

Minutes later, a knock at the door signaled the arrival of a young man with a stern expression. "Director, you called for me?"

"Sit," Zhao Liangping gestured to the chair. Once the man was seated, he lit a cigarette. "Xiao Zhuang, you’ve been at my Yinshan Martial Arts Bureau for nearly five years now, haven't you?"

"Yes," the young man replied respectfully. "Thanks to your guidance, Director, my cultivation has improved significantly over these five years. I have reached the mid-stage of the Earth Realm. I intend to go into seclusion again soon to attempt a breakthrough."

Zhao Liangping nodded, flicking ash from his cigarette. "Ambition is a good thing. Though the martial arts world prizes the strong, Xiao Zhuang, you must understand that some things cannot be solved by force alone."

"Among the younger generation in the bureau, no one can surpass you, which is why I value your development so highly," Zhao Liangping said, pacing the room with his hands behind his back. "When I eventually step down to a secondary role, this director’s chair will likely be yours."

"I wouldn't dare," Zhuang Dongze said, sweat appearing on his brow. "Director, I fear I am not up to such a heavy responsibility. My heart is set on martial arts; administration is not my forte."

"Everything requires experience," Zhao Liangping said, walking over to pat Zhuang Dongze on the shoulder. "Therefore, I have a task for you. You must have heard of this man named Xiao Kai-tian."

"Yes. It is said he is not a traditional martial practitioner, yet his strength is formidable," Zhuang Dongze replied honestly. He cared little for such gossip, but in the Martial Arts Bureau, he heard it often enough.

"The head office has tasked us with assessing this man's true strength," Zhao Liangping said, rubbing his temples. "Our Yinshan lineage specializes in mystic arts and supernatural powers. The Qimen Sect has clashed with him and suffered great losses."

"I suspect Xiao Kai-tian also possesses mystic arts, and ones that happen to counter the Qimen Sect," Zhao Liangping looked at him intently. "The Dunjia school is in a similar position."

Zhuang Dongze looked enlightened. "Director, you mean for me to test his foundations? But such assessments usually require a master-level practitioner."

"Hahaha, that will take some time for you," Zhao Liangping comforted him. "I was wondering if you could convince your master to come out of seclusion. As the foremost martial fanatic of the Yinshan lineage and a master-level fighter, he is the most suitable candidate."

Zhuang Dongze looked troubled. "Director, you know my master’s temper. He never concerns himself with such matters."

"Xiao Zhuang, look at that—your awareness is lacking. When the organization needs you, you must give your all," Zhao Liangping said with a heavy tone. "How can you know it won't work before you’ve even tried?"

"I have more news for you: it is said that Bai Kou is with this Xiao Kai-tian."

"That demoness?" Zhuang Dongze’s eyes lit up. "She once fought my master to a draw. Now, I suspect my master would surely win."

He stood up. "Director, if that is the case, I believe I can motivate my master. However, I cannot guarantee success."

"Doing your best is enough," Zhao Liangping nodded with satisfaction, patting his shoulder again. "Go. I have high hopes for you."

Zhuang Dongze accepted the command and withdrew respectfully. Once he had left, a cold smirk flickered across Zhao Liangping’s face. "The matter is a bit troublesome after all. Having an independent practitioner handle it is the safest approach."

Xiao Kai-tian was unaware of the Yinshan Martial Arts Bureau’s machinations. He was fully occupied with preparations for the tripartite talks.

There was a vast amount of data to prepare. Fortunately, the original "Xiao Kai-tian" had invested real capital into the Future Century project; the high-speed corridor connecting the two cities had been designed long ago, with comprehensive blueprints and detailed conceptual proposals already in place. This greatly reduced the workload for his current team.

Additionally, the general framework for the various departments of Qingtang Tianxia had been established. Xiao Kai-tian’s housing policy had immediately won the hearts of most management staff. Even though the location was currently a bit remote, it was, after all, property in Haidu.

Not to mention, everyone was aware of the potential of the Future Century project; once realized, the land there would be worth its weight in gold.

Xiao Kai-tian offered employees the homes at cost, allowing them to offset the price with their salaries, year-end bonuses, and dividends. This internal absorption of property was so compelling that even the cash-strapped Guo Lei signed a purchase agreement for a small villa with trembling hands.

Employees enjoying these benefits worked tirelessly, and voluntary overtime became the norm. The team’s cohesion and loyalty reached unprecedented heights.

This high morale largely compensated for the current manpower shortage. Managers took on both administrative and frontline roles, resulting in extremely high operational efficiency.

When the thick stack of materials, compiled overnight, was presented to Xiao Kai-tian, he nodded in satisfaction.

Beyond the documents, there was a PowerPoint presentation for the meeting. Tang Tian, who was responsible for the explanation, had refined the content no fewer than twenty times, scrutinizing every punctuation mark and sentence break with meticulous care.

Unlike the rest of the team, who treated the meeting as a battle, Xiao Kai-tian remained calm. Ninety percent of the project was already in his hands; the meeting was merely for finalizing the details.

Once everything was ready, the Future Century project would officially launch next year, signaling the dawn of a new era.