Devouring Evil Martial Arts, Eliminating Demons from All Heavens

Chapter 126 The Business Talks Begin
At dawn, the light snow gradually stopped.

The horizon turned a pale white, and soon after, a golden light appeared, dyeing half the sky red.

Amidst the golden-red clouds, half a bright red sun floats on the horizon.

The temperature was still just as cold, and the snow was still thick, but the change in the sky's color made it feel much better than at night.

Chu Tianshu looked at the scenery outside the window.

There were many vehicles on the road, all moving slowly.

On one side of the road are vast stretches of factories, one after another, with iron gates piled high with snow and windows tightly shut.

On the other side of the road was a large, flat expanse of snow, which I don't know if it was originally farmland but was now covered by snow.

A dozen or so power line towers stand in the snow, with power lines connecting from above to distant utility poles.

Early in the morning, many power workers were already climbing on those iron towers, using hammers and wooden sticks to clear away the frozen ice and snow.

A few minutes later, the car turned onto a cement road.

Compared to the main road before, the utility poles along this roadside are noticeably shorter.

Some old utility poles, seemingly abandoned and exposing the steel bars inside, have not been removed and remain next to new utility poles.

Both the old and new power lines are strung on utility poles and extend into the distance.

Many young people wearing blue and white school uniforms, gloves, and wooden sticks were here removing ice.

Chu Tianshu noticed that their school uniforms had two ink-splashed characters on the left chest, which were the words "Golden Knife".

Next to the characters, there are fiery clouds embroidered with red thread, adding a bright touch to the ice and snow.

“Our martial arts school students have been taking turns clearing ice and shoveling snow outside recently, and we’ve hired a temporary electrician to give them some guidance.”

Qi Lianyong, holding the steering wheel, was in a good mood when he saw the students and spoke with a smile.

“Everyone here practices martial arts, so we’re physically strong. Unlike those schools that focus solely on academic subjects, where the workload is too heavy, we have plenty of free time to come out and help out.”

"If Teacher Xiaobai hadn't been kidnapped and we hadn't gone after her, it would have been our turn to come out and clear the ice this morning."

Chu Tianshu nodded and said, "The weather was nice this morning, but unfortunately, according to the forecast on my phone, there will be more sleet later."

Qi Lianyong pointed ahead: "We're almost at the martial arts school."

The car drove from this cement road onto a wide asphalt road.

Across the asphalt road stands a tall, archway-style stone gate.

The four gilded characters “Golden Knife Martial Arts School” are engraved on the horizontal plaque of the stone gate, and there are long walls on both sides of the stone gate.

Qi Lianyong peeked out and greeted the gatekeeper.

After the large iron gate with sliding rails opened, several vehicles drove into the school gate one after another.

The snow on the school grounds was shoveled away and piled onto the grass on the side.

The lush trees on both sides, even when weighed down by snow, did not completely lose their deep green color.

Looking ahead, you can see a large stone-paved plaza with a frozen fountain pool. Several buildings around it have huge characters carved vertically on their sides, making their purpose very clear.

Teaching buildings, library, canteen, laboratory building, indoor sports field...

There are even more buildings further away, but their names are nowhere to be seen.

"Since it's a martial arts school, the largest area is naturally used as an open-air martial arts training ground."

Qi Lianyong explained, "The training ground is divided into several areas for different grades to use."

"Compared to the playgrounds of ordinary schools, our training ground mainly has more sandpits, but also plum blossom stakes, weapon racks, human-shaped targets, and straw stacks..."

"Hey! It's breakfast time, let's head to the cafeteria first."

Chu Tianshu smiled and said, "That suits me perfectly."

Several cars were parked at the entrance of the cafeteria.

After Chu Tianshu got out of the car, he glanced around and found that the principal and the others had also gotten out of the car, with only the prisoners remaining in the car.

The tables and chairs in the large canteen were neatly arranged, but there weren't many people.

A man with gray hair, light eyebrows, and a thin build, dressed in a black fur coat, was carrying a water bottle and pouring hot water into his large teacup.

Standing next to her was a female teacher in her thirties, with short hair, a straight nose, full lips and teeth, dressed in casual clothes and sneakers.

"Dad, with industrial pollution so severe these days, the hot water you boil from snow is not as good as tap water."

The elderly man with white hair remained unmoved: "Even from a scientific point of view, snow water has a relatively low content of heavy water and contains more active ingredients, which is beneficial to people."

"Besides, with fifty years of skill, do you think I'm afraid of getting diarrhea from drinking snow water? Even if you added arsenic to it today, it won't stop me from indulging my hobby!"

The female teacher clicked her tongue and said, "I mainly dislike how you ruined such good tea leaves."

As soon as Feng Jianhua walked in, he laughed and said, "Old Yuan, Little Yuan, you're dealing with tea again?"

He had two cans of Coke left, and immediately took them out, saying, "Here, have a Coke!"

Old Yuan sighed, "The tea is almost ready, but I don't drink this sweet drink."

Qi Lianyong introduced from behind: "This is our vice principal Yuan Chongxiao, and the younger one is Mr. Yuan Zhonglu, who teaches Chinese."

Chu Tianshu whispered, "Pi?"

"It's Yuan, Zhong, and Lü."

Teacher Yuan smiled and came over to shake hands. "Zhong Lü from 'The Collection of Teachings by Zhong Lü,' you must be Mr. Chu that Teacher Qi mentioned on the phone. It's a pleasure to meet you."

When Chu Tianshu shook hands with her, he felt that this young teacher, Ms. Yuan, possessed a hidden resilience and strength like a long bow with a slender waist.

It's impossible to tell whether she's practiced internal energy cultivation, but she's certainly an expert in terms of internal strength.

Teacher Yuan also felt something and praised, "Your heartbeat is like the lingering sound of a great bell; Mr. Chu has such a clear and healthy physique!"

"Have you eaten yet, Mr. Chu? Would you like to have something to eat with me?"

Chu Tianshu didn't refuse: "What does the cafeteria offer?" "There are fewer options in the morning: soy milk, fried dough sticks, steamed buns, and tea eggs."

Teacher Yuan paused for a moment, then added, "And ginger boiled in cola."

Yuan Chongxiao said, "Because the principal took half a case of Coke and ran away last night, I guessed he wouldn't have enough to drink on the way, so I asked the cafeteria to prepare more for him."

"I didn't expect that by the time he arrived, the matter was already resolved, so I didn't have to do anything myself, which saved me a lot of Coke."

Chu Tianshu found it a bit strange.

Why does it sound like Principal Feng has to drink even more Coke if he makes a move?

Qi Lianyong chuckled and said, "It's just one of the principal's quirks."

The short-haired girl and others seemed unfazed.

The white-browed cat, who had been sleeping soundly in the arms of the short-haired girl, suddenly woke up, meowed at Chu Tianshu, and pounced at his feet.

Yuan Chongxiao asked in surprise, "After Old Yang passed away, Xiao Bai was only slightly attentive when he was freeloading, so why is he so enthusiastic towards Mr. Chu?"

Teacher Yuan stepped back to her father's side and whispered, "In terms of internal strength training alone, wasn't Uncle Yang the number one expert in our school before he passed away?"

Yuan Chongxiao shook his head: "It's not like no experts in internal energy cultivation have ever come to visit. Maybe it's just a matter of personal affinity."

Chu Tianshu gently lifted his foot and pushed the cat away a little. After the cat came closer again, he played with it three times before snapping his fingers.

"Okay, let's go get something to eat."

He strode toward the cafeteria window, and Bai Mei, looking quite spirited, followed behind.

Not knowing what the cat liked to eat, Chu Tianshu ordered a few tea eggs and fried dough sticks, and out of curiosity, he also ordered two servings of ginger-infused cola.

After placing the plate on the table, he first took a sip of ginger-infused cola.

confirmed.

It was just ginger syrup, nothing special.

Chu Tianshu took another bite of the tea egg, then decided not to offer any further comment.

After all, it's a school cafeteria. Even the renowned Golden Knife Martial Arts School only ensures that the food is nutritious.

As for the taste, all I can say is that these tea eggs were bland except for the salt and overly strong soy sauce flavor.

However, it's also possible that his sense of taste is too sensitive and he's a bit picky.

Principal Feng has already mentioned "Li Guangzong," "interrogation," and "ghost market" to the vice principal.

Yuan Chongxiao looked regretful.

"Alright, I'll take care of him. As for the others, give them to the younger members of the Special Police Division."

Yuan Chongxiao picked up his large teacup and left the cafeteria.

Qi Lianyong and the others were busy ordering food and eating heartily.

Principal Feng walked over to Chu Tianshu and reached out to scratch Bai Mei's chin.

Bai Mei squinted comfortably, not even bothering to bite into his fried dough stick, when Principal Feng picked him up and put him on the opposite side.

"The taste is just so-so."

Principal Feng smiled and said, "People in the school expend a lot of energy, so they find the food here very satisfying. But I just think it's so-so and I don't really like eating in the cafeteria."

"If you don't like this, come to my office and I'll get you something else?"

Chu Tianshu peeled half of the tea egg and said, "We've already ordered it, it's not good to waste food, let's have these to tide us over."

Principal Feng nodded slightly.

"Alright, chatting at the dinner table is an old tradition, let's casually mention business."

Feng Jianhua picked up another bowl of steaming hot ginger and brown sugar tea, took a sip, and looked completely at ease.

"There have been a lot of strange things happening in recent years. Several department heads have gone to other branch campuses to take charge."

"There are few people who can make decisions here at the main campus, and I tend to get sleepy when it gets cold, so let's talk now. What kind of business do you want to discuss?"

They're just having a forced conversation like this; they really don't have the feel of a businessman at all.

Chu Tianshu adapted quite well, frankly saying, "I encountered a bit of an obstacle in my training and need a master with a strong killing intent to utter the word 'kill' while I'm training, to help me clear my mind of distractions."

Principal Feng's eyes showed a strange expression: "From what you're saying, has something bad happened to you?"

If virtue is not matched, there will be disasters.

When the body cannot keep up with the mind's progress, there will be "physical calamity".

If one's state of mind cannot match the progress made in the practice, then "mental calamity" will occur.

This is a term used in local martial arts, and it has a very broad scope.

Chu Tianshu said, "In my cultivation method, this is called the Mortal Impediment."

Is this a Buddhist teaching?

Feng Jianhua chewed for a moment and couldn't help but nod, "Indeed, it's very fitting."

"Your business, which you say only requires someone to pronounce the word 'kill' for you, actually has quite high requirements."

Chu Tianshu laughed and said, "I think your killing intent before was more than enough, Principal."

He opened his mobile banking app, found his account balance, and placed it on his desktop.

"Look, if we use this money to hire the principal to help me with this business, how long could we keep him there?"

Principal Feng glanced at it and laughed, "Oh, your wealth isn't bad, but you want me to pronounce the word 'kill' for you..."

The old man drank the ginger and brown sugar water and pondered for a long time.

"How about this, I have another way. Come with me and see if it can meet your standards."

(End of this chapter)