Chapter 143: Why Do Martial Cultivators Exist in This World?

The young man was, of course, Zhuang Dongze. After settling his master in, he returned to Qing Tang Tian Xia. Following Xie Yuan’s instructions, he was determined to meet Xiao Kaitian in person.

"Are you Xiao Kaitian?" With a flick of his hands, he gently pushed aside the security guards surrounding him. Observing Xiao Kaitian’s gesture to stand down, the guards slowly retreated, maintaining a respectful distance from Zhuang Dongze.

Seeing Xiao Kaitian nod, Zhuang Dongze offered a formal salute. "I am a rogue cultivator from the Yinshan martial lineage, Zhuang Dongze. I have come today at my master's behest to resubmit this formal challenge. Please forgive my lack of proper etiquette for failing to deliver it in person last time."

Xiao Kaitian scrutinized the young man before him. He was a decent-looking fellow, but Xiao Kaitian shook his head. "I received your letter, but I am afraid I have no interest in your affairs. Do not bother me again."

"Xiao Kaitian!" Zhuang Dongze was immediately displeased. "The purpose of this challenge is to assess your cultivation level for inclusion in the Han-Tang Martial Dao System. For any practitioner, this is a supreme honor."

"Whether it is an honor or not, I have no interest in the martial arts world." It would be a joke for Xiao Kaitian to join such a circle. Between the endless fighting, the grueling cultivation, and the reliance on pills, he simply had no time for it.

"You!" A surge of anger flared within Zhuang Dongze, but remembering his master’s advice to "keep a calm heart," he licked his lips. "You must understand, countless martial artists would break their own heads just to squeeze into the martial system."

This was true. In Han-Tang, those dedicated to the path of martial arts began their assessments in childhood—minor evaluations every three years, major ones every five—all for the sake of being recognized by the martial arts community. It was a badge of prestige.

Yet, Xiao Kaitian remained indifferent. While his goals might overlap with the martial world, joining it was out of the question; it would be beneath his stature.

He shook his head firmly. "Go back and tell your master: I will not join any martial arts association, and I have no interest in that competition. Furthermore, the top floor of the Haidu Center Building is a custom-engineered structure. If it were damaged, the entire building would be compromised. Do you people have no common sense?"

The question caught Zhuang Dongze off guard. He hadn't considered that, but upon reflection, he realized Xiao Kaitian had a point.

"Then I shall have my master pick another location. How about that?" He conceded.

"That is not the issue," Xiao Kaitian thought the man was being dense. "My point is that I am not interested in the martial arts world. Stop bothering me."

"But... these are the mandates of the Martial Dao Association; we must comply." Zhuang Dongze was stunned. It was the first time he had encountered someone so resistant to joining the martial system. Usually, people would kowtow or pull every string imaginable to gain entry. Seeing someone act in direct opposition was a first.

"Do I look like a martial artist to you?" Xiao Kaitian asked, gesturing to himself.

Zhuang Dongze took a closer look. Xiao Kaitian was dressed in a custom-tailored, light blue suit over a floral-patterned shirt, complete with a tie and polished leather shoes. A large watch sat on his wrist, glinting in the sunlight. He didn't know if the outfit was expensive, but Xiao Kaitian certainly didn't look like a martial artist; he looked more like a corporate CEO or a wealthy heir.

"But your abilities mark you as a martial artist. We are certain that even Earth-realm experts are no match for you. In our world, that is not permitted. You must join the system to be managed and monitored by the Martial Arts Association. The laws of the state dictate this as well."

So, there was such a regulation. It wasn't just the martial world being pushy; it involved national law. Since he was currently dealing with the state, he did not want to provide them with leverage over a trivial matter. He rubbed his chin in thought. "If I join this association, what are the benefits?"

"Benefits?" Zhuang Dongze was taken aback, having never considered the question. "The benefits are plentiful, of course. You gain respect, free access to many places, a convenient lifestyle, and greater freedom in your actions."

These were hardly benefits to Xiao Kaitian. He glanced at Zhuang Dongze, who was wearing a cheap, hundred-yuan down jacket and jeans. He surmised that the man was a "habitually poor" practitioner who likely didn't know much.

His intuition was correct. Zhuang Dongze and Xie Yuan were merely rogue cultivators; despite their abilities, they lacked the foundation of the major sects and were, essentially, marginalized figures. Zhao Liangping hadn't sent them on a whim; if things went wrong, these peripheral figures would be the perfect scapegoats—"temporary workers" to take the fall.

Realizing that Zhuang Dongze would likely not give up until he achieved his goal, and knowing he didn't want to expose too much information while his dealings with the military were still in progress, Xiao Kaitian decided on a compromise.

"How about this? Leave your phone number. I will consider it and contact you with a decision. That way, you can complete your task, but you are not to come here again."

Zhuang Dongze pondered this. If Xiao Kaitian absolutely refused to fight, there was little he could do, and he couldn't just keep loitering at Qing Tang Tian Xia. "Very well, I trust you." He recited his number.

Xiao Kaitian noted it down. "I will contact you. I will certainly find a way to resolve this, but I must reiterate: I have no interest in your martial world."

"Xiao Kaitian, this isn't a matter of interest. This is simply how the Han-Tang system operates." There was a hint of helplessness in Zhuang Dongze's voice.

Xiao Kaitian nodded. Once assured, Zhuang Dongze finally left. Xiao Kaitian watched him go, dismissed his employees, and returned to his top-floor office.

It seemed joining this Han-Tang Martial Arts Association was inevitable. However, he needed to understand the pros and cons first. Every system had its fixed principles; to play the game, one had to know the rules.

With that in mind, he pushed open the door to Zhao Qixi’s office. The room was filled with the scent of herbal tea. Zhao Qixi sat in her wheelchair, head bowed over *A Brief History of Time*, while Bai Kou sat by the window, sipping tea leisurely. Seeing Xiao Kaitian, she smiled. "Did you send him off?"

"No. You’re a practitioner; you know some things aren't so easily dismissed." Xiao Kaitian rubbed his temples. "There are some things I would like to ask you."

"Go ahead." Ever since she received the improved *Huang Tian Technique* from Xiao Kaitian, Bai Kou’s power had surged—he noted her combat strength had reached 709, the mid-stage of the Heaven realm. She smiled in response, "This is part of our deal, after all."

"Good. Then I’ll ask straight out: In Han-Tang, or rather, in this world, why do martial artists exist?"