Chapter 506: As Far Apart as Heaven and Earth
Star City, Soaring Dragon Martial School.
The lights brightly illuminated the martial arts training platform in between the two weapon racks. In the field, Jiang Feng wore a calm smile as he looked at the serious looking Chen Zhizhong in front of him. Jiang Feng then spoke in a clear voice, "Brother Chen, though we're only comparing notes, fists and legs have no eyes, so I hope you can forgive me if I hurt you during the sparring."
"The same to you, Brother Jiang," said Chen Zhizhong seriously. "I also hope that you can give your all, because I don't want to fight a one-sided bout."
"Hahaha..."
Jiang Feng laughed loudly with a look of contempt in his eyes.
At the side, Jiang Feng's two disciples shook their heads and couldn't help chuckling. There was a despising look in their eyes when they looked at Chen Zhizhong. It was because they had seen him in action. Though it was already a matter of several years ago, they felt their level was by no means inferior to Chen Zhizhong at that time.
How many years had it been? Only a few years passed, yet he had the guts to come to Soaring Dragon Martial School to compare notes with a martial arts grandmaster? And even shamelessly talked big, telling their Master to give everything he got.
Was he looking to get badly beaten?
While cupping his fists, Chen Zhizhong said, "Brother Jiang, taking an opponent lightly will result in defeat, especially in a fight between experts; one slight mistake would cost the victory. You're a martial arts grandmaster, so you should know this truth as well. Hence, I hope you can cast away your contempt and wholeheartedly spar with me."
Slightly creasing his brows, Jiang Feng carefully observed Chen Zhizhong's eyes. The smile on his face completely vanished and was replaced by a serious expression. He then seriously nodded, "Since Brother Chen has spoken about that I won't be able to match you if I don't give my all, then come! Let me see how many skills and abilities Brother Chen has learned from your Master, Grandmaster Tang Xiu, in the recent years."
"Please…"
Chen Zhizhong answered with his hands stretched out.
Despite his old age, Jiang Feng still possessed a tough physique. Added with the fact that he had been immersing himself in martial arts for almost the entirety of his life, it could be said that his everything was the manifestation of kung fu itself. With his feet rooted firmly on the ground, he moved forward in an instant, rushing forward with a strange footwork style toward Chen Zhizhong.
"Eight Extremities…"
His feet moved and his palms changed into fists. Jiang Feng had entered the Eight Extremities Boxing Style School a long time ago, and he had practiced the Eight Extremities Fist to almost perfection, hence the images of his fists moving looked incomparably powerful, so much so that its moves created the sound of wind.
Chen Zhizhong looked at Jiang Feng's movement with a tranquil expression. Just as Jiang Feng's fists were about to hit him, his feet swayed and twisted in a strange trajectory. His body bent like a bow and easily dodged Jiang Feng's fists, who thought with 100% surety that his fists would hit him. He then patted Jiang Feng's left arm.
Skillfully facing hard with soft, even an ounce of strength would be able to match ten.
The seemingly light pat from Chen Zhizhong's palm actually contained a terrifying force as Jiang Feng staggered for five steps unsteadily to the right after his left hand was hit, disbelief covering his originally confident face.
"You…" Jiang Feng's lips wriggled, yet the words wouldn't come out of his throat.
"Brother Jiang, your movements may be very skillful in the eyes of ordinary people, and so fast that they can't keep up with their eyes, yet you're too slow in my eyes. There are also too many flaws, while your strength is also rather inadequate. You will undoubtedly lose within three moves if we continue," said Chen Zhizhong while shaking his head.
Shame and anger flashed in Jiang Feng's eyes, as he growled, "Brother Chen, I may accept these words if they were coming from your Respected Master, but coming from you, I just don't buy it. If you really have the ability, then show me. I wanna see how you'll defeat me within three moves."
Chen Zhizhong creased his brows, and then his rushed toward Jiang Feng. His speed was extremely fast, as five meters passed almost in a flash. Just as Jiang Feng avoided his fist, he suddenly bent over and patted the ground with his left hand and sent out a kick in a spiral strangler move upward. Dozens of kicks were sent out in a flash, and by the end of it he finally landed with his tiptoes. His movements had yet to stop when his body rotated 180 degrees and instantly appeared at Jiang Feng's side with his hand pinching the left side of Jiang Feng's neck.
"You lose."
The calm voice made Jiang Feng's heart sank into an ice hole.
Lost? I lost just like that?
Jiang Feng's strong body froze and turned stiff. He wanted to turn his head to look at Chen Zhizhong, yet the hand pinching his neck made him unable to move.
"How did you do it?"
Loosening his hand, Chen Zhizhong then looked at him and chuckled, "I have told you that my cultivation has been progressing by leaps and bounds ever since I took him as my Master. Let alone a kung fu grandmaster, even experts who have surpassed the level of martial arts grandmaster would find it very difficult to defeat me. As a matter of fact, it's not impossible for a genuine expert to jump up to the wall and fly to pick up leaves. My Master is someone who can easily do that."
Jiang Feng's lips wriggled, and there was a complicated expression on his face that was unable to be explained in words.
He had just convincingly lost!
As he recalled his contempting attitude toward Chen Zhizhong, bitterness and shame burned inside him. He never expected to actually lose, and even so miserably quick like that. Chen Zhizhong said just now that he would lose within three moves, and he could tell that he said that just to give him face. Otherwise, let alone three moves, he would probably be able to knock him down with just a move, and that one move would be enough to cause him heavy injuries. The gap between them, either speed, strength, or skill was simply worlds apart.
At the side, Jiang Feng's disciples were dumbfounded and tongue-tied in disbelief. They never dreamed that Chen Zhizhong, who they thought was not any stronger than they were, would actually defeat their Master, a kung fu grandmaster, even so quickly at that.
"Junior Brother, I… I am not dreaming, am I?"
"No, you're not dreaming, Senior Brother. We would never have the same vivid dream. Master… … Yeah, he just lost. He really lost to Chen Zhizhong."
"How is this possible? Master is a grandmaster of Kung Fu, while Chen Zhizhong was originally nothing but a…"
"Chen Zhizhong has become so strong and formidable that it's making me tremble, Senior Brother. His speed was too fast. I was unable to see his movements at all, and then… Master lost."
"..."
Chen Zhizhong walked to the side of the weapon rack to pick up his cot. Following that, he looked at Jiang Feng, whose face was dazed and vacant, and smilingly said, "Brother Jiang, we've finished with the sparring, so I won't disturb you any longer. When Brother Jiang comes to my place some other day let us have a drink."
Finally, Jiang Feng snapped back to his senses. He dashed toward Chen Zhizhong and hurriedly said, "Please stay for a while, Brother Chen. Your… The reason why your strength can increase so much, was it really from Tang… could it be because of what you've learned from Grandmaster Tang? You're not lying to me, right?"
"Do you think I need to lie to you, Brother Jiang?" Asked Chen Zhizhong back.
Jiang Feng was silent for a short while, and then slowly said, "I don't know if Brother Chen can help recommend me to him. I also want to learn from Tang Xiu and take him as my Master."
Chen Zhizhong couldn't help but chuckle, "Brother Chen, to tell you the truth, I do want to have you as my fellow disciple, but it depends on my Master. He will take you as his disciple if he so wishes to, but if he doesn't, there's nothing I could do either."
"Then, I'll pay a visit to Grandmaster Tang tomorrow," said Jiang Feng after the few moments of silence.
"I advise you not to," said Chen Zhizhong while waving his hand. "My Master has been rendering medical services at Star City Chinese Medical Hospital in the last few days, so he doesn't have free time to meet you. However, you can try visiting his place at South Gate Town the day after tomorrow. But I cannot guarantee that he will take you as his disciple, though."
"But I still have to try before knowing," said Jiang Feng with a nod.
***
The next day…
Like the day before, Tang Xiu still went to the Star City Chinese Medical Hospital around 6 AM. What surprised him was that Chu Guoxiong and the old doctor Hu had already arrived. After exchanging greetings with them, the trio then immediately began the consultation, diagnosis, and treatment until noon, as they then took a break for lunch. However, after lunch, Tang Xiu received a text message from Kuwako Yamamoto, saying her estimated time of arrival in Star City and a list that contained more than a dozen names.
At 9 PM, Tang Xiu left Star City Chinese Medical Hospital. Tang Xiu refused Li Hongji's plea to continue giving his medical services at the hospital for another day. Although there were still many patients who came rushing from every part of the country just like before, he couldn't continue giving medical services in Star City Chinese Medical Hospital for a long time, so he entrusted the task of receiving the patients and treating them to Chu Guoxiong and Dr. Hu.
2 AM.
Tang Xiu and Tie Zhongkui quietly appeared in the small alley of a residential area in the southern suburb of Star City. Their figures were like ghosts in the darkness, as they silently rushed toward a dilapidated courtyard.
Shortly after, the duo quietly appeared in a dark corner outside the courtyard wall and directly slipped inside. Tang Xiu then took out his mobile and sent a text message. Without much delay, Kuwako Yamamoto quickly appeared.
Tak…
A pebble was shot, flicked by Tang Xiu's fingers.
Kuwako Yamamoto's complexion slightly changed. After identifying the direction, she then went toward Tang Xiu.
"Boss!"
While looking at her respectful expression, Tang Xiu lightly smiled and said, "Zhongkui, I don't need to introduce you two, right? You clashed once, after all."
Kuwako Yamamoto shot Tie Zhongkui a glance and said, "We did fight once. He's quite formidable, though there were still some gaps."
"That was in the past. If we were to spar now, I'm sure I can easily beat you," replied Tie Zhongkui after giving a cold snort.
Sneering at him in response, Kuwako then spoke to Tang Xiu, "Boss, this the information on them. They are the people my house sent with me. Though they seem to respect me, they are not my people; perhaps they'll become my contenders in the future. Anyways, their pictures are also included in the file."
"Now is not the right time to act since you have just arrived in Star City," said Tang Xiu with a nod. "Tomorrow night someone will come to see you and deal with the things you told me before. You will have to fight against them at that time."
"It will be done as you will it, Boss," said Kuwako respectfully. "Anyways, you told me to find a lot of medicinal herbs and minerals. I've already found them, and brought them with me. Do you want to take them now? Or would you like to take them after the operation tomorrow?"
Chapter 507: Ancient Tomb?
"Go visit the Magnificent Tang Corp tomorrow. And remember to mention your name and that you are going to see Kang Xia. She's also one us and is the one handling the matters on my behalf. She will sign a memorandum of understanding selling you 20,000 bottles of Gods Nectar annually," said Tang Xiu with a smile.
"I'll remember. Anyways, Boss, about the medicinal pill…" said Kuwako respectfully.
"You can rest assured. Someone will deliver you the cultivation resources shortly after you return to Japan. Nevertheless, I have some medicinal pills here for you. After you get back and take it, make sure you do it alone. You can trust me that your cultivation will progress much faster with the assistance of these medicinal pills."
Having said that, Tang Xiu took out a jade bottle from his interspatial ring and handed it over to Kuwako.
With eyes lit up, Kuwako gratefully said, "Thanks a lot, Boss."
"No need to thank me," Tang Xiu waved his hand. "Do remember to perform well tomorrow, there must be no flaws. Also, I'll spare two among the dozen listed people you gave me, or else you will have to face some difficulties to explain yourself after you return to Japan."
"I understand," said Kuwako respectfully.
As Kuwako Yamamoto left, Tang Xiu glanced at Tie Zhongkui and emphasized, "I'm going to personally watch your show tomorrow night, so don't take it lightly and do unnecessary mistakes. Kuwako is one us, so I hope you can completely trust her in the future."
"But, Boss, she's a Japanese," Tie Zhongkui hesitated. "Besides, she's also the young lady of the House of Yamamoto, I…"
"I'm well aware of your concern, but she's more reliable and trustable than those peripheral members of the Everlasting Feast Hall. Also, her identity is very important, for she will be an important character in my future plans. If she's nurtured well, then I'll be able to do as I please in Japan in the future."
Tie Zhongkui went silent for a while, as he then seriously nodded and said, "Since you have said it so, then I'll naturally regard her as one of us. You can rest assured that we'll certainly make no mistakes tomorrow."
Patting his shoulder, Tang Xiu smilingly said, "Remember this place, and let's go back first! She brought quite a lot of precious herbs and valuable minerals this time. I need to send them to my place at South Gate Town."
"Copy that, Boss!" Replied Tie Zhongkui respectfully.
***
October 5th.
After waking up, Tang Xiu washed and then walked to the living room on the first floor. What was strange was that there was someone sitting next to his mother on the sofa. It was the smiling Long Zhengyu.
"Oh, it's you, Young Master Long. When did you come back?" Tang Xiu let out a smile and asked.
Long Zhengyu got up to hug Tang Xiu and smilingly said, "I just returned to Star City last night. Anyhow, the renovation project in Nine Dragons Island has been progressing very smoothly. It's expected that we can complete the project around June next year. This time I came back to see the project at Walled Hill Village since there are some problems there."
Tang Xiu looked puzzled, asking, "Problems in the Walled Hill Village? What is it?"
"It's not a big deal. There were a subsidence and landslides in the project site. I rushed there right after I came here last night to find out about the matter, and then found there was a tomb underground. I thought it was an ancient tomb or something, but then I finally discovered that it's not actually an ancient tomb, since the age is less than 100 years. Also, there are nothing precious inside except for dozens of coffins."
Tang Xiu nodded, "How about the losses?"
"No, it's not significant and won't delay the project." Long Zhengyu shook his head. "But it doesn't matter, though. We'll still be able to catch up with the work, and it also won't affect the deadline and the budget."
"Walled Hill Village is quite a good place, we must develop it well. Particularly regarding the quality, we must not make any mistakes at all. Otherwise, the aftermath will bring about quite a negative impact on the Long Group, to the extent that the New City project will also be affected."
The smile on Long Zhengyu's face slowly disappeared, as he nodded and said, "Rest assured! I'm well aware of it. Besides, my old man has been paying attention to this issue as well recently. I even heard that he's personally supervising the quality of the project. So I'm sure that there won't be any problems."
Nodding in response, Tang Xiu then asked, "Is there something else for you to come so early in the morning?"
"I learned last night that you don't have to go to Star City Chinese Medical Hospital again today, hence I want to drag you with me to have a look at the New City project together. The foundation of dozens of properties is said to have been completely laid out now. And you, as one of the most important investors, are you telling me that you don't have the interest to check on it?" Said Long Zhengyu with a smile.
"What good is it for me, anyway?" Tang Xiu replied with a teasing tone. "Kang Xia always visits and supervises the site herself on my behalf. Besides, I got tons of things to deal with, and can only stay at home for this one day since I have to leave for Beijing tomorrow. I haven't even had a good chat with my Mom ever since I came back this time."
A smile outlined on the corner of Su Lingyun's mouth as she spoke, "Xiu'er, since Zhengyu has come seeking you, just go with him! Besides, you always leave early and yet always come back every day. Anyhow, your Dad told me that since it's a holiday he plans to have us go to Beijing together. Since you're going to Beijing tomorrow, let us go together to visit your grandpa."
"That's great! Then we'll go together tomorrow," said Tang Xiu smilingly after hearing it.
After eating breakfast, Tang Xiu and Long Zhengyu left South Gate Town. The duo didn't go straight to the New City construction site, going to the Long Family residence to visit Long Hanwen instead. After chatting with him for a while, only then did they go to the New City construction site.
"So, what do you think? Does the scale looks kinda small?"
Long Zhengyu climbed up to the top of the Land Rover, as he smiling said while pointing at the enclosed construction site.
"Well, it's ordinary. I've already seen construction sites several hundred times larger than this, if you ask me," said Tang Xiu lightly who stood beside him.
Long Zhengyu rolled his eyes at him, "Bah, cut the crap! Hundreds of times larger than this New City is akin to building a new Imperial Capital, huh? Anyways, do you mind if I ask you about something?"
"What is it?" Asked Tang Xiu with a smile.
"What do you plan to do after the New City project has been completed?" Asked Long Zhengyu. "Are you going to have your Magnificent Tang Corp preorder some properties for future stores or residential uses? I'm telling you, once this New City starts selling, it will become very crazy. Though the original floor price may be quite high, the price will probably increase and double after a few years."
"What about your Long family? How many will you hoard?" Asked Tang Xiu with a smile.
"At least about 100 stores and a few hundred more luxurious houses," said Long Zhengyu confidently.
"Huh? Are you sure your family can afford to fork out that many funds?" Asked Tang Xiu with a strange expression.
"Aren't the banks there for this?" Said Long Zhengyu with a smile. "Besides, once the Nine Dragons Island and the Walled Hill Village projects have been completed, my family will regain large amounts of capital. In time, we can pay back the loan to the bank and have a new one."
Tang Xiu couldn't help laughing, "Ah, it turns out that your family has this idea! My Magnificent Tang Corp does see the upcoming added value of the New City's real estates, yet we are not sure of how many properties we are going to take as of now. We'll be waiting for the opening price to be announced, and then we'll see how much money the Magnificent Tang Corp is able to come up with!"
"To be honest, the recent development of the Magnificent Tang Corporation kinda makes me jealous. But heck, nothing I can do about it. It's my fault not to joining in," said Long Zhengyu with a smile.
"You may not have joined us, yet there's your little brother's share in one of those healthcare products that is not yet listed on the market. How can you say that your Long family hasn't invested anything in my Magnificent Tang Corp, huh?" asked Tang Xiu bluntly.
Long Zhengyu smirked, "That good-for-nothing Lil' Bro of mine truly can be said to have been struck with great fortune ever since he met you. I can tell from the three products produced by the Magnificent Tang Corp: the Gods Nectar, the Scar Removal Cream, and Skin Care Lotion, that your healthcare business will boom as well. Anyways, I heard that your company has encountered quite some troubles recently. Do you want my help?"
"It's just a trivial problem. Not worth of you concern. I should be able to solve it within a few days," said Tang Xiu with a smile.
"I know that, and I'm aware of your abilities. I'm sure you can take care of it." Long Zhengyu nodded. "Nevertheless, just call me if you ever need my assistance, got it?"
"Roger that!"
****
At the Magnificent Tang Corporation.
Kuwako Yamamoto came out of the Magnificent Tang Corp.'s edifice with a few of her subordinates after the meeting with the company's General Manager, Kang Xia. The contract between her and Kang Xia had been smoothly signed, which stated that she could order 20,000 bottles of Gods Nectar annually from the Magnificent Tang Corp.
Inside the building above, Kang Xia was standing before the window of General Manager's Office with a smiling face. She then looked at Tie Zhongkui who just came out of the next room and asked, "What have you found?"
"One from the list Boss gave me tapped the conversation between you and Kuwako Yamamoto about the negotiation. So, their Boss behind the scene must have heard about the content of your conversation as well."
"I originally thought that they would report it back to their Boss after they left. I didn't expect them to be so direct and bold, though. It seems that Kuwako Yamamoto's road to be the Head of the House of Yamamoto will be quite difficult!"
"The House of Yamamoto has quite a lot of members. They are also quite powerful and possess huge influence, hence the very fierce and intense internal fighting. It's kind of a given that it won't be easy for Kuwako to be the Head of the Yamamoto House. Furthermore, Japan is a bastion of male chauvinism, and women have a low status in their society. This variable also increases the difficulty for Kuwako to become the next Head of her House.
"Though I don't believe in her ability, I trust Boss's judgment," said Kang Xia with a smile. "Since he wants to make her the future Head of the House of Yamamoto, as well as the future Master of Northstar One Blade School, she will definitely achieve it."
Tie Zhongkui nodded, "Chief Kang, if there's nothing else, then I'll take my leave as I need to prepare something. We're currently executing a scripted play, and the climax will be played just about tonight."
"Work hard! I wish you can do it well and make Boss pleased," said Kang Xia with a smile.
"Will do!"
****
Amidst the dim lights of the night, in the courtyard of a dilapidated residential building in the southern suburb of Star City, dozens of elite experts from Japan were hiding in all corners. Inside the house was Kuwako Yamamoto in her night travel suite, wiping her katana with a serious expression. On the chair opposite hers was Ono Takayama, who was currently smoking with a glint in his eyes.
"Young lady, it's almost time. We must move."