Chapter 248: Chapter 178: Preparing for the Grand Meeting, Specially Inviting Jiang Martial Saint to Discuss the Grand Strategy of the Future State (Request for Monthly Votes)
"Food... Yes! Yes! Yes! What would Little Shu like to eat? Daddy will go and buy it!"
Jiang Yongyi trembled with excitement, tears suddenly surging in his eyes.
Compared to his wife, Xu Lizhi, he suppressed his emotions even more, keeping his longing for his son deeply hidden in his heart, not daring to show the slightest bit, fearing that it would make the atmosphere at home even more somber.
But at this moment, those emotions could no longer be contained, and tears streamed down his face.
Behind him, Xu Lizhi burst from the sofa, one foot in a slipper, the other bare on the tile, looking at her son.
She hugged him and sobbed softly, unable to say a word.
"Mom... it’s okay. I’m back, aren’t I? Let’s eat and chat in a bit."
Patting his mother, Xu Lizhi, on the back, Jiang Shu whispered.
"You two talk. I’ll go down to buy some groceries."
Wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes, Jiang Yongyi felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders, feeling light and free. He quickly stepped out, dialing one phone number after another, "Dad, I’ll cook a meal at home in the next day or two. Why don’t you come over? No special occasion... Little Shu is back, so we should all get together..."
Hearing the sound of his dad going downstairs, Jiang Shu shook his head involuntarily.
He knew that during this period, his parents must have endured tremendous pressure. Getting together was a good idea, but his father didn’t need to cook; they could just find a nice hotel.
Thinking to himself,
Jiang Shu helped his gradually calming mother to the sofa, listening as she recounted the events of the past six months bit by bit.Xia Country had immediately presented Qingjiang Village with a plaque for exceptional Merit.
Xiao Yan had successfully advanced to Dark Force and had entered Jiangnan Academy early in August to study Martial Arts ahead of schedule.
The world changed dramatically, and endless games and movies about Mutant Beasts proliferated.
Martial Arts competitions had become even more popular nationwide, and some Arena Martial Artist celebrities were now more famous than traditional stars.
Ye Zhenzhen had visited them every few days, reporting the recent developments of Shu Yan Pharmaceuticals. However, some new products hadn’t been launched because Jiang Shu wasn’t there.
Jiang Shu listened and nodded along.
In the Da Jing Dynasty, he had slain Zhao Chengxuan and stormed into Zhou City. Completely disregarding the Little Dragon Tiger List, he had advanced to the Acupoint Passage Realm, his sights set directly on the Hundred Dynasties War.
On Xuanxing, he had killed the Sword God of Fusang with his fists, faced the Sixth Brigade, and turned the tide single-handedly against thousands of enemies.
But here, he was just a son.
Seeing the unmistakable wrinkles on his mother’s forehead and at the corners of her eyes, Jiang Shu felt somewhat guilty.
The Martial Arts of Xia Country were difficult to cultivate; those without genuine Talent could not comprehend Bright Force.
His parents might spend their entire lives and at most reach the Bright Force stage.
They couldn’t even prolong their lives.
But this time, his return would change everything.
In front of Xia Country, a Hua Jing Master was as insignificant as an ant.
Should his secrets be exposed, he would have to gamble on the conscience of Xia Country’s higher-ups. But now, after the battle in Tokyo, Jiang Shu finally had the confidence to teach his parents the Martial Arts of the Da Jing Dynasty. If his parents could keep the secret, they would do so for a while. If they couldn’t, he could easily claim the Cultivation Techniques were his own invention. The higher-ups were unlikely to press too hard.
Skin refining, bone tempering, organ training, blood exchange. As long as there were enough resources, his parents could at least cultivate to the Blood Exchange Realm—a lifespan of one hundred and eighty years! Though this would undoubtedly consume a vast amount of resources, what was a little waste in the face of his parents?
Soon, his father returned with the groceries and, in a flurry of activity, started frying, steaming, and boiling in the kitchen, his movements a seamless orchestra.
Dish after dish, all Jiang Shu’s old favorites, were brought to the dining table. Jiang Shu sat down and tasted the flavors of home he had missed for so long.
In a very natural tone, he began to explain to his parents, "If I’m not mistaken, the ’activity’ Xiao Yan told you she was participating in was actually going to a Heaven and Earth Secret Realm."
Initially, this information was indeed strictly forbidden to be revealed.
But in this world, secrets rarely stay hidden for long.
Some Martial Arts families had long informed their young, aspiring martial artists about the existence of the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm.
He and Xiao Yan hadn’t said anything because they worried that telling their parents about the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm would only make them worry unnecessarily.
He briefly explained the grades and conditions within the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm and continued, "Things are different now. Ordinary-level Heaven and Earth Secret Realms, thanks to repeated explorations by Dark Force Martial Artists, are generally very safe. Plus, the academy is sure to have teachers leading the teams. In a Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, not only is there no danger, but there are also many opportunities."
"It’s also better suited for a Martial Artist’s Cultivation. Some Heaven and Earth Secret Realms have even higher gravity than Xuanxing. Training there is like naturally carrying hundreds of pounds, so it’s naturally twice as effective."
"It’s good that Xiao Yan went in for a bit. But that kind of Heaven and Earth Secret Realm won’t really temper one’s character much. If she truly decides to pursue the path of Martial Arts, I’ll take her to see a Type C Heaven and Earth Secret Realm. That will also benefit her future advancement to the Hua Jin Realm. I intend for her to faithfully follow the Martial Arts path of our Xia Country."
Jiang Shu paused here.
With Xiao Yan interacting daily with teachers and students at the academy, if she really learned the Martial Arts of the Da Jing Dynasty, it might not be easy to keep it a secret. Of course, what’s most important is that Xiao Yan has enough Talent.