Swallowing the Stars: Reboot, The Eternal Serpent!

Chapter 11: Conspiracy! (Seeking monthly votes and investments, brothers!)

Jiang Zhe glanced at his communication watch and saw a message from the butler.

[Young Master Zhe, your martial arts certificate has been retrieved and placed on the coffee table in the main living room. The punching power testing machine has also been installed in your backyard training ground. This machine, which can be used by advanced war gods to test their punching power, should last you for a while.]

"Great, I'll give it a try."

A small shed has been erected in the corner of the backyard training ground, and a brand-new punching power testing machine stands inside.

— "6022kg!"

This was a punch delivered purely through physical strength, without using any power-generating techniques.

Jiang Zhe's lips curled up: "Reaching Apprentice Level 4/Beginner Warrior within half a month shouldn't be a problem."

……

At this time, in Kyoto base city, the Wang family.

One of the twelve top families in the HR Alliance, and the No.1 among the many families in Hanxia Kingdom, it has the highest influence in both legitimate and private business circles.

They are far inferior in terms of martial prowess, but this is a common problem among many families in the HR Alliance.

The current head of the Wang family has taken office in recent years. He is just over fifty years old, with graying temples, but a ruddy complexion and an air of nobility.

He and his eldest son, Wang Zhen, were watching a video sent by an informant from the military region.

—In the video, a martial artist throws his iron whip, smashing the head of a shadowy cat on the rooftop, and the video ends abruptly there.

The father and son glanced down at the analysis report on the table again, then remained silent.

After a long pause, the old master of the Wang family murmured, "A high-level warrior, and most likely a mid-level general-level mentalist, with a microscopic movement technique, and a power intensity of about 2 to 3 times..."

"The Jiang family is already powerful enough, so why are they still favored by Heaven? Oh, Heaven, why are you so unkind to my Wang family!"

Jiang Zhe's explosive performance made Old Master Wang extremely envious. Why couldn't his Wang family produce such a martial arts prodigy?

If Jiang Zhe were here, he would definitely give Old Master Wang a good talk about the relationship between karma and fortune.

The Jiang family supports the weak and does good deeds in Lanling Base City. Almost all of their descendants are martial arts fanatics and do not like to cause trouble. All the great blessings they receive are what they deserve.

As for your Wang family?

Heh, Lord Luo is kind-hearted, he only punishes the ringleaders and doesn't want to bother with you.

If I were truly determined to get rid of this cancer in your family, I could storm into your house with a knife and kill ten of your direct descendants. I doubt any of them would be innocent.

Wang Zhen advised, "Father, please don't worry and ruin your health."

"If you ask me, this brat is at most a newly elected councilor. It's not like my Wang family can't win over such a powerful figure. Besides, with his high profile, he might not even live to see that day."

"Our Representative Li Nansheng is ambitious, narrow-minded, and intolerant of others. He may already have his eye on him."

"This brat and the Jiang family are perfect targets to be used against, to intimidate all sides, and to consolidate Hanxia's power, so that Li Nansheng can launch an attack on the position of 'Martial Arts Alliance Leader' that he desires."

Wang Zhen pushed up his glasses and spoke in a chilling tone, like a venomous snake.

Old Master Wang shook his head and sighed, "Alas, how can we worry about such long-term matters? Right now, the Alliance Speaker is preparing to adjust the allocation of resources in Hanxia Kingdom, and share some of the commercial resources with the Jiang family."

Wang Zhen's eyes grew even colder. "How dare that old woman? The alliance's expansion of influence domestically is entirely due to the support of our Wang family. How dare she even think of taking a slice of our pie? Isn't she afraid that our Wang family will fight them to the death, establish ourselves as kings, and drive these foreigners out of Hanxia Kingdom?"

"Once we welcomed them in, we couldn't do without them anymore," Old Master Wang said quietly. "Let's wait and see... Oh, and remember to bring a gift to visit Councilor Li Nansheng tomorrow. Be humble, encourage him, and make him feel that the Wang family is ready to submit to him. As for the others, I don't need to tell you everything, do I?"

"Father, I understand. I'll make sure Councilor Li picks a suitable target to establish his authority. Hehehe~" Wang Zhen said with a sinister smile.

"Okay, go ahead."

Wang Zhen responded and turned to leave the study.

Inside the courtyard, a young man with a eccentric expression was eavesdropping at the door.

Upon hearing footsteps, he quickly stood up straight and glared at the old butler beside him, warning him not to say anything.

Wang Zhen pushed open the door and stepped out, respectfully calling out, "Big Brother!"

……

After sending away his good-for-nothing youngest son, Wang Li, the old man lay on the rocking chair, looking tired, and raised his hand to rub his temples.

The old housekeeper came in, carrying a bowl of lotus seed soup.

"Did Li'er hear everything?"

"Master, the young master heard every word of your conversation with the eldest young master."

"Sigh, Li'er is my most spoiled and unambitious child, but at the same time, he is also the one who cares the most about the Wang family! Li'er knows that his extravagant lifestyle is all thanks to the Wang family. He will be the most vicious watchdog, eliminating anyone who poses a threat to the Wang family."

Grandpa Wang spoke with the detachment of an outsider, a demeanor that inspired awe.

Suddenly, he asked, "What do you think Li'er will do?"

"The young master is very smart. He will most likely go and hire mercenaries, since only they have enough confidence to complete the mission."

"Okay, then go and help him raise the money, tentatively set at 500 billion to 1000 billion, but don't involve the Wang family."

"Yes, sir."

……

On August 3, Jiang Zhe arrived at the Chuanwu Hall.

"Second Brother, it's August already. When are you setting off for the elite training camp at Thunder Martial Arts Academy?"

"Wait a few more days, Grandpa and the others should be back soon. This time I'll only be able to come back for the Chinese New Year, and I'll miss everyone a lot," Jiang Wu said with a sheepish smile, scratching his head.

"Second brother, is there any way to get my invitation to the Ultimate Martial Arts Academy Elite Training Camp sorted out? Could you go in my place?"

To be honest, Jiang Zhe thought that with his current 5.3 times strength, what was the point of going to the elite training camp to learn?

Becoming a teacher would be more suitable for him.

I'm currently reading the error-free version! This is the first time I've published this novel.

But it's nowhere near as exciting as a challenge.

The resources provided at the Ultimate Martial Arts Elite Training Camp are just so-so.

The truly valuable items would require face-to-face interaction with Hong, and would need to be exchanged for things that Hong values, such as the spirits of plants and trees, and the crystals of the wood seed.

Jiang Wu's expression suddenly turned serious. "Xiao Zhe, I know you mean well, but don't do anything to provoke the two martial arts schools! You are the beneficiary of the invitation, so only you can go. If we show even the slightest intention to change the participants, it will be an insult to both of the martial arts schools."

"Okay, I just want to make the most of what I have." Jiang Zhe shrugged.

"Xiao Zhe, don't worry, the elite training camp at Thunder Martial Arts Academy is actually quite good."

"Dragon blood is unavailable, but there's plenty of second-grade chalcedony."

"Besides, our family has a long-standing relationship with Thor; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say our two families are old friends. I'm just going there to gain some experience and represent the Jiang family's support for Thor. Moreover, Thor will give me private instruction in swordsmanship when he has time."

Jiang Wu patted Jiang Zhe on the shoulder and grinned as he comforted him.

"I've hit a wall in our family's 'Xingyi School,' and my progress has almost stagnated. So it's time to go see the number one swordsman on Earth! Otherwise, won't I be unable to guide my younger brother in the future?"

Such melancholy words came from a body as tall as an iron tower.

Jiang Zhe was momentarily at a loss for words.

Even the usually carefree second brother was "hurt" by himself.

"Second Brother, since you're still here, why don't you teach me one last time?"

Jiang Wu: (◎_◎;)

Visibly, the "Iron Tower" was unstable and trembled, almost becoming the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

"Um... um, Xiao Zhe, my second brother isn't feeling well today..."

"Second brother, I want the guiding technique, and I'd also like to choose a core classic text."

"Ah, that's alright then. The medicine just kicked in, and I suddenly felt better. Come on, let's go up to the ninth floor with Second Brother to get it."

Having witnessed Jiang Zhe's terrifying comprehension, Jiang Wu was no longer worried that he would be a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. Without waiting for his grandfather's approval, he dared to hand over the core classic texts to Jiang Zhe.

The Two Elements Stance!

The Three Talents Stake!

The Six Harmonies Dragon Spear!

These are the three printed books that Jiang Zhe ultimately chose.

The first two books are about guiding techniques.

Finally, there's the "dragon's body." Jiang Chul needs to figure out the techniques for generating power within it and fill the gaps in the core of power throughout his body.

—Using the dragon's body as the general framework, ride the chicken leg, bear's shoulder, and eagle's claw!

After integrating the four forces, how much power will be generated in the end?

Jiang Zhe is looking forward to it.

On August 5th, the four members of the Jiang family, father and sons, who had gone to the wilderness to hunt dragons, finally returned. The huge spoils they brought back made Jiang Zhe's eyes widen in disbelief.

Is this... no longer pretending, and coming clean?

5000 words.

Most new books are updated in this way, some even more than 4000, in order to conform to the process of new book releases on the site.

I've already written it all out, and I'm correcting the typos...

Ugh, I wasted a whole day!

What a loss! I've lost so much money!

(End of this chapter)