Swallowing the Stars: The Wind Sword Master.

Chapter 88 Shu Heng's Collapse

The Beginning of Autumn (Chushu)

As the weather begins to cool and autumn season begins to arrive, some businesses inevitably enter their off-season.

At the gate of a villa, a dark blue Rolls-Royce T900 extended wheelbase suddenly stopped. In the front seat, a handsome young man in a business suit quickly got out of the car, turned around and went to the rear door, gently opened the door, stretched out his arm and gestured forward, the whole action was smooth and natural.

He bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Chairman Shu, please get out of the car."

Inside the car, Shu Heng maintained a composed demeanor with a stern face, his silky black suit exuding an imposing aura.

Faced with the young man who showed the utmost respect, he merely nodded slightly, stepping out with one foot in a black crocodile leather shoe on the white marble pavement. These were shoes made from the hide of a high-ranking beast general, exuding nobility and luxury.

He stood up from the car, raising his arm to reveal a high-tech watch. In this era, nothing is more prestigious than a martial artist's possessions. This watch is priced at 100 million Chinese yuan at Extreme Home.

Few martial artists would buy such a luxurious watch, because it's simply unnecessary; the materials are all pretty much the same. Furthermore, this high-value watch has a clear design flaw—it has too many functions. Martial artists don't need such complicated things; the simpler, the better, as long as the signal is good.

Shu Heng straightened up, his hands empty. The handsome young man who had opened the door quickly took out his briefcase after he came out.

Even though it was his own home, Shu Heng walked forward under the guidance of his secretary. His gait was arrogant and domineering, and he looked much fatter than last year.

"Xiao Zhang, I don't think I have anything important to do these next couple of days, right?"

The handsome young man named Xiao Zhang quickly and respectfully said, "Chairman, you don't have anything planned for the daytime tomorrow, but you're having dinner with Deacon He from the Underground Alliance in the evening. Would you like to join us?"

"Eating again?"

"Why!"

"I couldn't refuse the position of deacon in the underground alliance. I originally thought I could rest for a couple of days."

Shu Heng shook his head helplessly, seemingly annoyed, and said, "I'm just destined to be a busybody! I never have a moment of peace. There are eight companies under the group, each of which can be considered a core enterprise, involved in all aspects of business in the base city. Each company has a bunch of partners, and I can't refuse when they invite me to discuss cooperation."

"Chairman, you've worked so hard!" Xiao Zhang said flatteringly, his eyes full of admiration.

"The company's affairs are alright; I can manage to avoid them no matter what. As for the rest..." Shu Heng shook his head, looking inscrutable. "I'm a minister in all the major state-owned enterprises, not to mention the Limitless Martial Arts Academy and Thunder Martial Arts Academy. The underground alliance and all the top-ranking forces in the base city are all involved. I can't afford to offend any of them, and I can't afford to disrespect any of them..."

"Forget it, why bother talking to you about this? Here, take the bag. You can go back and rest. Come pick me up tomorrow afternoon. Let me have some peace and quiet all day."

"The last time I took a break was six months ago during the Chinese New Year..." Shu Heng shook his head, picked up his briefcase, and the next moment, he stared intently as he walked home with a brisk pace.

"Please take care, Chairman."

back home.

When Shu Heng entered the room, Yu Lan took his bag and helped him take off his shoes, displaying the demeanor of a virtuous wife.

Shu Heng dropped his pretense and asked with a smile, "What's up today? I heard Xiao Guai is back?" Now middle-aged and successful in his career, he naturally longed for a happy family. He looked around but saw no one. A slight disappointment crept into his heart. "Did she leave?"

"Yes, she came this morning. She was in a rush when she came and left in a hurry too," Yu Lan said softly with an envious look in her eyes. "She brought some nice things for Dad."

"Good stuff?" Shu Heng put on his slippers, unimpressed. What good stuff could the Ning family possibly have? He earned 100 billion a year! What good stuff hadn't he seen?

As Shu Heng strode into the living room, the more she walked, the more uneasy she felt. Why did the person on the sofa look both unfamiliar and familiar?

Upon approaching, Shu Heng froze, his eyes widening to the size of a bull's, with bloodshot veins visible on the whites of his eyes.

He looked nothing like the composed man he had cultivated over the past year. He exclaimed in surprise, "Dad! You look so young!"

At this moment, Shu Hongjing was nowhere near the old and decrepit man he had been before.

His once gray hair turned jet black and shiny, all the wrinkles on his face disappeared, and his smooth skin looked better than that of the overweight middle-aged man. His whole body became fuller, and one could faintly feel the powerful energy within it.

Especially those eyes, so sharp they were unbelievable, sending chills down your spine when you met their gaze.

Shu Heng has seen a lot in the past year; he has only ever seen this kind of look in the eyes of some generals and bodyguards!

Even at his peak, his father was only a high-level warrior, and he only became a high-level warrior in his late middle age, with a strength of only about 5000 kg.

Shu Hongjing's attitude was as rude as ever. He merely glanced at it and then sneered, "You look quite respectable, but you don't need to concern yourself with matters concerning martial artists."

Shu Heng's lips twitched. Ever since he was beaten up, he had never received a kind look from Shu Hongjing. It was as if Shu Hongjing had seen through him and looked down on him. Even if he earned 100 billion, this impression would not improve in the slightest.

"Dad, have you broken through to a breakthrough?"

"snort……"

Shu Hongjing gave a drawn-out hum, completely ignoring him.

Shu Heng opened his mouth, but hesitated. He wanted to ask Xiao Guai what she had brought, but seeing his father's attitude, he could only sit awkwardly to the side, his eyes constantly scanning his father who had suddenly become younger.

Shu Hongjing had no interest in speaking; he was engrossed in watching familiar old-fashioned TV dramas.

After watching for a while, seeing that Shu Hongjing still didn't seem to want to speak, Shu Heng was filled with doubts. He then leaned back on the sofa, picked up his phone, and opened Shu Yi's personal space on her communication account, wanting to find out what changes had occurred in his daughter.

Shu Heng frowned deeply after taking a look. Barbecue in the garden?

This plant looks somewhat unfamiliar?

Without making a sound, he flipped down and then froze.

Shu Yi, dressed in a silver-white combat uniform, stood on the back of a long-horned bull. She looked a little disheveled, but her smile was very happy, a blend of obedience and heroism.

So it was a monster that was being roasted?

Did they go to the wilderness?

That's incredibly bold. But what's wrong with Ning Ze? The wilderness is so dangerous, why did he take his daughter there? Is he crazy? Does he really think having some strength guarantees safety?

Shu Heng sighed inwardly. The wilderness area was far too threatening; many of the martial artists he knew had died that year.

Swipe your finger across the phone screen to continue reading.

Shu Heng stared blankly for a moment. This white-eyed tiger seemed a bit too big, didn't it?

This shouldn't be a beast general, right?

Could it be a lord-level monster?

Shu Heng suddenly shivered. Actually, he wasn't sure either. People of his age were just beginning to be established in the base city. They were basically left behind by the basic education system of the base city era and weren't that familiar with monsters.

Shu Heng was eager to know what was going on, so he quickly swiped his phone screen.

Shuyi's personal space is filled with photos taken by others every day, including several monsters that look quite powerful. There are also photos of Ning Ze, Ning Qianqian, and others. The number of photos is quite large.

However, these photos have one thing in common: they were all taken in wilderness areas!

For more than half a month, these people were dressed neatly and had food and water in the wilderness!

Are you kidding me?

Finally, Shu Heng fell silent when he saw a photograph; his eyeballs trembled incessantly in their sockets, revealing the turmoil in his heart.

The phone screen showed a photo that Shuyi had taken on a mountain. The mountain looked normal, the clouds looked normal, and the grass on the ground was very green. But behind her daughter was a huge creature.

A triangular fighter jet, several tens of meters long and a dazzling purple color!

Fighter jets that can fly into the wilderness! This isn't some giant toy built in a base city!

He had seen this background before, but it was too close to see the whole fighter jet; he could only see a purple expanse. He never imagined it was a fighter jet!

Shu Heng raised his head blankly, pointed his phone screen at the front, and asked in a dry voice, "Dad! What happened?"

Shu Hongjing turned his head expressionlessly, glanced at it, and said softly, "That's fake. You actually believe an editor's picture?" After saying that, he turned his head away, his expression unchanged.

Shu Heng's lips twitched violently, and he couldn't help but raise his hand to cover his chest. Even at this point, she was still lying to him!

Do you think he's an idiot?

"Dad, the comments say it was bought from their store?"

"If you say so, then so be it." Shu Hongjing replied absentmindedly, "If you already believe it, then why are you asking me?" As he said this, his tone became somewhat impatient.

Shu Heng was speechless for a moment. He stood up and walked towards Yu Lan, anxiously asking, "Do you know what happened to our daughter?"

Yu Lan looked a little guilty and replied in a low voice, "I know a little." Actually, she knew when Shu Yi first sent the pictures and videos of the fighter jets, and now half a month has passed.

Shu Heng's eyes widened, and he asked, "Where is she?"

"It seems to be on the Australian continent? I think so. They have fighter jets, and I don't know where they go." Yu Lan's voice became even lower. She had changed some clothes and bags recently, all made from the monsters her daughter had hunted.

"Are those fighter jets real? How did they get here?" Shu Heng was immediately anxious. An economy class ticket costs 1000 million, a first class ticket costs 2000 million, and a UFO-shaped passenger plane costs 2000 billion!

That dazzling purple fighter jet exudes a powerful aura. Its imposing appearance and unique triangular design make it a must-buy. It's definitely worth more than 2000 billion, and even doubling the price wouldn't be enough to buy it!

Yu Lan lowered her head and replied, "My son-in-law bought it. Dad told me not to tell you. You've been busy these days, and you came back drunk and went straight to sleep. You left before dawn..." Her voice trailed off, and when she mentioned her handbag and fur coat, her lips moved but no sound came out.

Shu Heng turned away angrily, a pang of unease in his heart. How could they have kept this from him! He interrupted Yu Lan, anxiously asking, "Where did this fighter jet come from? How much did you rent it for?"

"They said they found some treasures outside. Then they traded them for a fighter jet. I think it's worth 60 stars?" Yu Lan's tone was somewhat uncertain; she didn't know what a star was.

"Stars?"

Shu Heng was completely stunned. He had never heard of it before, but upon hearing those two words, he inexplicably felt a sense of superiority, as if they were from a different level.

Shu Heng's expression remained silent, and he asked in a hoarse voice, "What else do you know?"

"I heard they're some kind of official at the Extreme Martial Arts Academy, but I don't know the specifics of their position." Yu Lan glanced at it cautiously, then added, "Is it called Inspector or Supervisor? I forgot. Why don't you ask them again?"

"hiss!"

Shu Heng was stunned and gasped. The inspector had never heard of it before, but that was precisely why he was even more shocked!

He made a name for himself that year and finally gained the right to know who the top figures in the base city were.

For example, the top-ranking members of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall and Thunder Martial Arts Hall in Jiangnan Base City are called Inspectors... For example, the headquarters of the Xu family of the Underground Alliance is located here. The eldest son of the Xu family has a very good relationship with him, otherwise the company's business wouldn't be so successful... For example, there is a being in Jiangnan Base City who surpasses the God of War, and I heard his surname is Lan...

Since it's a position in a martial arts school, the ones he hasn't heard of are probably just above him!

Both the Inspector and the Patrolman have the word "envoy" in their titles. "Envoy" and "Ambassador" are, of course, the envoy of Hong, the world's strongest man, and the resident ambassador of the Limitless Martial Arts Academy!

One is stationed locally, while the other is on a nationwide inspection tour. There are dozens of large base cities across the country similar to the Jiangnan base city. It's obvious which one is more important; the inspector is definitely of higher status.

Suddenly jolted awake, Shu Heng quickly picked up his phone and dialed Shu Yi's number.

On the sofa, Shu Hongjing glanced over here. If possible, he would continue to keep it a secret. It was good that Shu Heng was busy and seemed to be living a comfortable life, and he wouldn't cause trouble for Ning Ze.

But it can't be kept secret anymore. Ning Ze is about to take office, and the inauguration ceremony will be held in Jiangnan Base City. Shu Heng will definitely know about such a big event.

The video call was connected.

Shu Yi stood behind the barbecue grill, holding three large meat skewers in her hand, her red lips glistening with oil from eating. Ning Qianqian was doing the same next to her.

In the foreground, a chubby chef dressed in a chef's uniform is fanning the meat skewers on the grill with a large palm-leaf fan, sprinkling seasonings on the skewers. The smoky scene makes you smell the aroma even through the screen.

"Dad, is there something you need?" Shu Yi's tone was indifferent; she must have heard about Ning Ze's situation before calling.

Ning Ze was about to take office, and they had no intention of hiding it from him from the beginning, or rather, they didn't care whether Shu Heng knew or not.

She's been updating her personal space with videos for so long; with technology so advanced these days, your online contact number is just a phone number. You can see her latest updates just by looking at her profile picture.

If anyone had cared about her even a little, they wouldn't have only found out now.

Under such circumstances, how could she possibly have a pleasant expression?

Shu Heng asked with a concerned look, "Where are you having barbecue?"

Shu Yi took a bite of a meat skewer, chewing noisily, and mumbled, "Australia. Ning Ze likes it here."

"Daughter, I heard... Xiaoze is going to be an inspector? What kind of position is that?" Shu Heng asked tentatively.

Shu Yi said directly, "The next person below Master Hong is the Inspector. It seems to be a sinecure; Master Hong tells him to focus on cultivation and not to worry about those trivial matters. His status should be similar to that of Councilor Jia in our Chinese military, right? Anyway, they're both councilors. Those councilors have visited us before."

"hiss!"

"hiss!"

Shu Heng gasped twice, feeling a chill run through his body, as if his entire body had been instantly chilled to the bone!

The echoes in his mind were still ringing: "The councilor!" "Councilor Jia!" "That kid from back then became a councilor!"

Shu Heng was so shocked that he was speechless for a moment.

Shuyi smacked her lips as she ate, then mumbled, "Dad, is there anything else?"

Shu Heng felt somewhat lost as he thought about what had happened this year. When he came to his senses, he could only manage a bitter smile.

Now that he's a member of parliament, his previous status must have been quite high. No wonder his business was so successful. At first, he was a little wary and suspicious, but later he became completely lost. His business grew bigger and bigger and he got carried away. In the end, it was all thanks to his son-in-law.

"It's alright now."

"I'll hang up now, I have another match later."

"be safe."

After ending the call, Shu Heng seemed somewhat dazed, as if he were back to when Ning Ze proposed. He remembered how calm Ning Ze's expression had been then: "It won't take that long. At most a year, at least six months or a month. A year at the latest, what do you think?"

At the time, he scoffed at Ning Ze, thinking that earning 10 billion a year was a joke. Shu Hongjing even beat him up because of this.

They got married in September, and it's only August now.

In just one year, he earned 10 billion yuan, thanks to his son-in-law's influence... He could even afford to buy fighter jets! His status was comparable to Jia Yi's; who didn't know Jia Yi?

Shu Heng was completely stunned, speechless for a long time. His heart was filled with mixed feelings, like a jumble of emotions.

That year, he got up earlier than the chickens and went to bed later than the dogs. He treated his partners with utmost care and caution. He was so stressed that he couldn't sleep, worrying that the company might run into problems one day and waste this great opportunity. He worked diligently and never dared to relax for a moment.

As a result, the company's assets rose from one billion to tens of billions, which is even more promising than the previous Qihang Group. Its momentum is unmatched. How could he not be proud?

In the end, it turned out that this was all destined from the beginning.

All the efforts of this year... all the achievements of this year... all the psychological transformation of this year... seem to have been in vain.

Shu Heng was on the verge of a breakdown. He turned around and cried out in anguish, "Dad! You've kept me in the dark for so long! Did you know all along?!" Though the question was uttered, he was absolutely certain in his heart. His grown man's voice trembled with a hint of tears.

Shu Hongjing turned his head and glanced at him indifferently, praising him softly, "This year has been good, keep it up." Then he turned his head away.

Shu Heng felt a wave of dizziness. He clutched his forehead and staggered a few steps. Yu Lan quickly supported him.

Upon hearing Shu Hongjing's only praise in a year, Shu Heng completely broke down.

That's not what I want!

(End of this chapter)