Chapter 53

Cultivating a young man like Ding Hao absolutely requires substantial funds and research capabilities. In recent years, the Ding family has been in decline, and after Xiao Yufan retired, the Xiao family moved from the capital to Qianjiang. Even if these two families joined forces, they would not have such significant economic strength.

Moreover, such a plan could not be kept secret from the Yanlong Organization, and even the intelligence networks of some major families would know about it. Those who had old grudges against the Ding family and had targeted them in the past would certainly not allow such a talented young man to rise!

Therefore, no one has been willing to connect Ding Hao with Ding Leye. In the end, Qiao Siping and Liu Yiding also reached a consensus, believing that the surname Ding was just a coincidence. Even if he were from the old Ding family, he currently posed no threat to the Qiao family.

They could even use Ding Hao to improve relations between the Qiao family and the Ding family. Although the Ding family might not be able to provide much help, it was better than letting a competitor take him in. Regardless, they could first bring him into the organization and gradually make use of him. It was based on these two points that Ding Hao had the opportunity to wake up.

Liu Yiding, seeing Ding Hao looking at him with a serious and angry expression, felt a bit embarrassed. After all, Ding Hao was his savior. He pulled over a chair and sat opposite Ding Hao.

"I'm sorry, but it was my duty!"

"Sorry?" Ding Hao was clearly unsatisfied. He had saved him out of kindness, yet Liu Yiding had knocked him out, making him sleep for a whole day!

"I need to introduce you to our organization... I wonder if you are interested in joining us and serving the country?" Liu Yiding spoke slowly and in detail, briefly introducing his identity and the organization before extending an invitation to Ding Hao.

"Do you plan to kill me to cover up if I refuse to join your organization?" Ding Hao had some admiration and respect for Liu Yiding yesterday, but now he was filled with anger. If he couldn't defeat Qinglong and was killed, it would be one thing, but he couldn't accept Liu Yiding's underhanded tactics under the guise of a friendly match.

"Pretty much." To his surprise, Liu Yiding admitted it directly.

"You..."

"It's like this. Although China has many experts, there are very few young men as talented as you. Even the outstanding young Qinglong was scared off by you. I had to be cautious. So last night, I sent people to investigate the place you mentioned..."

"What were the results?" Ding Hao realized that doing good deeds wasn't always easy. Revealing his strength so easily led to suspicion. They had even investigated him overnight, clearly seeing him as a major threat. Fortunately, few people knew about his background, so they didn't find anything.

"Hehe, the results naturally proved that you are innocent and told the truth."

"So, what do you plan to do with me now?" Ding Hao knew they had only investigated the past few years and hadn't had time to thoroughly investigate the first seven years. Without finding his true identity, they didn't know how to handle him. Plus, he had saved several lives, so they released him.

However, Ding Hao was now making a great effort to show that he had a clear conscience and wasn't afraid of their investigation. If he was part of the Yanlong Organization, he didn't have to worry about them playing tricks behind his back.

"It's not a matter of 'handling' you, but I sincerely hope you will join the organization and serve the country."

"What if I refuse? Does that mean I can't serve the country unless I join your organization?"

"Brother, I understand your feelings, but everything is over now. You are completely free."

"Oh, thank you!" Ding Hao was already a free man, so he wasn't grateful for Liu Yiding's words and his attitude wasn't much better. He stood up and started to leave. Ding Hao didn't believe Liu Yiding would let him go so easily, but if he had a chance to leave, he would take it. If not, he could spend more time in the Magic Space!

"Brother, please wait a moment?"

"Is there something else?" Hearing Liu Yiding ask him to wait, Ding Hao secretly gathered his strength, thinking that if Liu Yiding dared to detain him, he would unleash his full power and quickly escape. Ding Hao had no confidence in taking on Liu Yiding alone, let alone knowing how many experts he might have hidden around the villa.

"What are your plans for the future?" Seeing the tension and discomfort on Ding Hao's innocent face, Liu Yiding wanted to break the deadlock.

"I don't know." Ding Hao couldn't reveal his plans to find his relatives in Qianjiang so quickly. Before yesterday, he had wanted Liu Yiding to help him find his relatives in Qianjiang, but now that he knew Liu Yiding's identity, he changed his mind.

"How about we make a deal? I will teach you martial arts, and you join our organization." Liu Yiding tempted him.

"Is that a deal? You teaching me martial arts is ultimately for the benefit of your organization, and I seem to be at a loss!"

"Hehe, think about it. Our organization isn't as mysterious and dark as you imagine. And you are really talented..." It was natural for Liu Yiding to be interested in Ding Hao. Although Ding Hao was talented, he clearly lacked experience!

As the saying goes, there is no first in literature, but there is a second in martial arts. The strength he displayed should attract this young man. So Liu Yiding thought of this method. If he became Ding Hao's master, it would be much harder for other families to recruit him in the future.

Moreover, since Ding Hao was an orphan, he was an unclaimed asset. If Liu Yiding could keep him, he might really cultivate a genius like Qinglong in the future! Liu Yiding naturally didn't want to miss such a good opportunity! This was also Qiao Siping's intention.

"Do you have any restrictions? For example, dating..." Ding Hao had heard about the discipline in the military, especially in special and mysterious units like Liu Yiding's. He asked this to fit his identity and to prevent Liu Yiding from thinking too much, reducing the investigation into him.

"Except during missions, you live like a normal person. And if you join the organization, the organization will provide you with a suitable cover identity..." Liu Yiding patiently explained to Ding Hao.

"If I refuse, does that mean I might face endless surveillance and attacks?"

"Pretty much. I owe you a life, and I won't harm you until I repay that debt, but I can't guarantee that other families won't. And you have already offended Qinglong by saving me."

"Is that a threat? Then tell me what benefits I would have if I join?"

"There are many. For example, you won't have to worry about the police if you get into a fight like yesterday. Everyone in the organization is a military officer, and the lowest rank is major. When necessary, you can even authorize the police and part of the military to assist you..."

"Sounds great. What rank would I have if I join?"

"Major. Given your skills and experience, I can only offer you major. If you achieve something in the future, you can be promoted exceptionally." In Liu Yiding's view, being a major at under twenty should be very attractive. In fact, Ding Hao was also tempted.

"What about the main tasks?" Ding Hao knew that power came with responsibility.

"During missions, you must give it your all. Normally, you might be responsible for the security of important officials, monitoring local criminal organizations, ensuring stability, or even participating in military operations on the border..."

"How do I feel like you're a bit like guardian angels?"

"Pretty much. We are the guardians in the shadows!"

"Will you teach me martial arts if I join the organization?" Ding Hao was very impressed by Liu Yiding's skills. From their conversation, he knew that Liu Yiding didn't use potions and certainly didn't have a Magic Space. Having such a powerful and high-ranking master would undoubtedly give him a strong support.

"Definitely. Publicly, you are part of the organization, and poor skills won't get you big missions. Privately, you saved me, and I don't want you to die so quickly!"

"You were admiring me just now, but now you're saying I'm worthless. I scared off Qinglong!" Ding Hao knew that Liu Yiding's words still had a threatening component, but they were also true. Once he entered the world of martial arts, he had to face it.

Even without Liu Yiding, he might cause a storm in Qianjiang in the future. Liu Yiding's combat experience would be useful in the Magic Space, improving his success rate and speed in killing monsters. However, Ding Hao didn't want to be underestimated, so he protested a little.

"Your body has been trained for a long time, and you can ambush someone who doesn't know your background. But in a battle between experts, it often comes down to a matter of millimeters. Your combat skills and experience are almost non-existent! You would certainly die if you faced Qinglong!"

"Alright, you're right. One last question, do I get a salary if I join?"

"Base salary of 100,000, and other benefits depend on the mission."

"Can you not assign me any missions for now? Because I'm still a beginner!"

"I'll try, but the longer you rest now, the harder your future missions will be. This is the organization's rule. Usually, one-third of the time is spent on missions. For example, if you are assigned to protect an important official for a year, you can use the next two years to continue training and reduce public attention to you!"

"Two years off for one year of work, not bad!" Ding Hao was indeed very interested in Liu Yiding's introduction. The key wasn't the privileges, but that Liu Yiding would teach him martial arts. Ding Hao knew that Qinglong and others could match Liu Yiding because they had taken large amounts of potions for a long time.

Liu Yiding, however, had no such opportunity, so his physical training was truly impressive. His body had also been modified and would become stronger with upgrades in the Magic Space. He had outsmarted Qinglong in their battle. It would be a waste not to develop such potential...

Of course, the main reason was that Ding Hao was intimidated by Liu Yiding. After yesterday's battle, Qinglong would certainly know about his talent, and the family behind him would not let him off easily.

He had come to Qianjiang to find his relatives, and his parents were not ordinary people. They must be involved in many things, otherwise, he wouldn't have been hidden in Yun Gang for eleven years without being found! Joining the organization would provide an extra layer of protection.