Chapter 16

Li Ming left, taking Li Pancheng and Xue Na with him. He had to return to the family's base in the capital region immediately. There was another Inner Force Realm expert in the family, and he was now severely injured, requiring a long period of rest and recuperation. During this time, he would be at his weakest. Over the past few decades, he had many enemies, who only refrained from showing themselves out of fear of his strength. If they learned of his current condition, it was uncertain what might happen.

However, when Li Ming left, he and Hao Qi were on good terms. Regardless of what they thought or guessed, what didn't happen was not a concern. Now, the Li family and Hao Qi had a good relationship, and Xue Na was Hao Qi's sister. With this connection, and considering Hao Qi's strength far exceeded Li Ming's expectations, whether Hao Qi had some extraordinary encounter, found some treasure, or was secretly taken as a disciple by an Inner Force Realm expert, it was now his own business. The Li family only needed to maintain this good relationship.

On the other hand, Li Ming seemed to understand Hao Qi's mindset. As soon as he returned to the family base, he announced that he had been severely injured and defeated by Hao Qi. However, he did not mention what martial arts techniques Hao Qi used or any details of the battle. After this news was released, the Inner Force Realm experts of the entire Blue Shadow Republic fell silent. The three Inner Force Realm experts who had already arrived in Hao Qi's town also abandoned their plans to challenge him immediately and instead settled down in the town, waiting quietly.

Hao Qi was very clear about one thing: a powerful person with supreme martial arts could wield a tremendous force that intimidated everyone. However, a weak person with supreme martial arts would only become a source of disaster, a path to death. This situation was recorded in history and culture from before his穿越 (穿越 means "穿越" in Chinese, but in this context, it refers to "before he came to this world"). The saying "to possess a jade is to invite sin" aptly described this. Ordinary people were like those who possessed jade, while the powerful were entitled to it. Now, in this world, at least in the Blue Shadow Republic, after his battle with Li Ming, he was the powerful one.

And this brought about a qualitative change!

Hao Qi believed that the four Inner Force Realm experts who came to test him, including Li Ming, all had the same purpose: to covet his martial arts. After all, Inner Force Realm martial arts were a tremendous temptation for Inner Force Realm experts. Of course, if they were at the same level, unless they could definitively kill Hao Qi, any failed assassination would make them lifelong enemies, which no one could bear. Therefore, they would use sparring to gauge Hao Qi's strength. If he was weak, they would kill or capture him; if he was strong, they would admit defeat. This was a low-risk, high-reward situation, and Hao Qi even suspected that these four spots might require a price to obtain.

However, with Li Ming's example, Hao Qi believed the remaining three would be cautious about sparring with him. He was an orphan, without a family or backing, which was a disadvantage but also an advantage. It meant he had no burdens, and such people had always existed. Therefore, those in power knew the danger and fear of such individuals. They either avoided them or used all their strength to eliminate them, otherwise, it would be a great disaster.

Because of this, Hao Qi was confident that the upcoming sparring matches would not be like Li Ming's. They would be genuine sparring matches, or perhaps not even necessary, as he had already proven his strength to protect his martial arts, which was enough.

On the third day after Li Ming's departure, while Hao Qi's wound on his fist had not yet healed, an Inner Force Realm expert visited. This expert wore a suit-like, straight-cut outfit, a black hat, and carried a cane, looking more like a noble than a martial artist.

In fact, after Hao Qi invited him into the room and they had a few sips of tea, the middle-aged man introduced himself. Hao Qi learned that this man was a government official with a viscount title and the head of a family, speaking in a gentle and refined manner.

"Your Excellency Linghu Qi, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Finance of the Blue Shadow Republic, I have come to meet Brother Hao." Linghu Qi smiled and bowed.

Hao Qi returned the bow and exchanged some pleasantries. After a few rounds of tea, Linghu Qi asked, "What are your plans, Brother Hao?"

"Plans?" Hao Qi laughed. "There are still three sparring matches, including one with Brother Linghu. This is my plan, and it's also the government's plan for me."

Linghu Qi also laughed, put down his teacup, and said seriously, "I think the sparring matches are no longer a big deal. As for the four sparring matches arranged by the government, they are a rite of passage, and I believe Senior Li Ming has already told Brother Hao about it. This is something every Inner Force Realm expert must go through. Brother Hao, there's no need to complain. What I want to ask is, do you have any plans to work for the Blue Shadow Republic government?"

Hao Qi shook his head, took a sip of tea, and said, "No, I have my own plans and future goals, so thank you."

Linghu Qi did not show much disappointment. He remained gentle and refined, nodded, and said, "Do you plan to travel, right?"

Hao Qi was somewhat surprised, and Linghu Qi, seeing his expression, smiled and said, "This is a normal plan and idea. Every successful martial artist will travel to neighboring countries when they are young, and some will even travel as far as the Blue Sea, like Senior Li Ming. This is a process every martial artist must go through. There's even a saying that a martial artist cannot achieve Inner Force without this experience. Of course, this is just a saying. To be frank, although Brother Hao is already an Inner Force Realm expert, your experience is somewhat lacking. If you could travel to some countries, experience some events, and fight some strong opponents, your future achievements would be limitless."

Hao Qi took another sip of tea and said directly, "It seems you're not disappointed at all. Does it matter if I leave the Blue Shadow Republic? After all, the future is uncertain. Whether I travel to neighboring countries or go further, what if I find better opportunities elsewhere and never return? Wouldn't the Blue Shadow Republic losing an Inner Force Realm expert be a bad thing for you?"

Linghu Qi smiled mysteriously, paused, and then said, "In recent decades, technology has developed rapidly, and firearms capable of threatening Inner Force Realm experts have been invented. Especially when used on a large scale, do you know when the threat of firearms is the strongest?"

"The threat is strongest... before the gun is fired, right?" Hao Qi, coming from the 21st-century civilized world, suddenly remembered a saying from that world and said.

Linghu Qi snapped his fingers. "Exactly, the threat of firearms is greatest before they are fired, and the same applies to Inner Force Realm experts. Although Brother Hao is an orphan, we checked the records and found that you were discovered at the entrance of the Kaiyuan government hospital as an infant. Clearly, you are the offspring of our country's people. In fact, if Brother Hao wishes, we can do our best to find your biological parents. Although it's difficult, it's not impossible. The quality of the baby blanket you were wrapped in was average, not from a poor family. The neighborhood around the hospital, the people there, and those of childbearing age at that time, as well as the women who were pregnant in that area, are all clues. If you're willing, our government can find your biological parents for you."

Hao Qi immediately shook his head. He had no intention of finding the biological parents of this body. His soul was not from this world, and he had not received the nurturing of these parents. In a sense, he was free from karmic ties, which was perfect for his desire to see the world without any psychological burden. Even if the government found his biological parents, he could choose to ignore them, but why bother? If he became an enemy of the Blue Shadow Republic in the future, these so-called biological parents would be in grave danger. He had no plans to recognize his parents or let strangers die for him. It was better to leave things as they were.

Linghu Qi, seeing Hao Qi shake his head, did not press the matter further. Instead, he said, "So, it's clear that you are a citizen of the Blue Shadow Republic. Even if you leave and never return, your existence itself adds strength to our country. This is a form of international and national deterrence. As I said earlier, Brother Hao's future achievements may be limitless. If you become a supreme Inner Force Realm expert, even if you are thousands of miles away, your reputation can still intimidate the entire Blue Sea. At that time, the Blue Shadow Republic might even benefit from your glory. Therefore, whether you stay or travel, our government supports you."

As he spoke, Linghu Qi took out a piece of paper from his pocket. Hao Qi took it and saw many seals and some text, including the name of the Blue Shadow Republic National Bank and a series of numbers... one billion Blue Shadow dollars.

"This is the travel fund provided by the state, wishing Brother Hao a successful journey and not to forget your homeland. In fact, regardless of whether Brother Hao acknowledges it, the state has not wronged you. Whether it's the orphanage, compulsory education, or university, although we did not provide you with wealth and honor, we have fulfilled our basic obligations. This is your homeland, and it will always be so," Linghu Qi said, his smile fading and his expression becoming more solemn.

Hao Qi was deeply moved. Indeed, Linghu Qi was right. The state had not wronged him. On the contrary, he owed the Blue Shadow Republic something. The orphanage was not a good place, but it kept him alive and allowed him to enter school smoothly. Scholarships and compulsory education gave him the means to survive, even if these means were insignificant compared to his knowledge. In short, the Blue Shadow Republic had fulfilled its basic obligations, and he had no reason to blame it.

Moreover, the Blue Shadow Republic government knew how to handle things. The one billion Blue Shadow dollars, while perhaps insignificant to veteran Inner Force Realm experts, was a timely solution to his current financial needs. Clearly, the government knew he was in urgent need of money.

Hao Qi silently took the check, paused for a moment, and then smiled. "I accept this kindness. The Blue Shadow Republic is my homeland. Thank you."

Seeing Hao Qi accept the check, Linghu Qi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "So, what are your immediate plans, Brother Hao? If you're not in a hurry to travel, why not come back to the capital with me? I can introduce you to some Inner Force Realm experts in our country."

Hao Qi immediately said, "Speaking of which, I want to ask about the procedures for establishing a martial arts group. What are the requirements, and where do I need to go for certification? To be honest, Brother Linghu, this money has solved my immediate financial needs, but I will need more funds for my travels. Therefore, I must establish a martial arts group."

Linghu Qi nodded and said, "That's a mature idea. To travel and gain experience, as well as to improve your martial arts and find opportunities, a martial arts group is indeed more suitable than being a lone wanderer. The certification for a martial arts group has two standards: strength and a clear background, with no criminal record. Strength, Brother Hao, you understand. As for the second standard, since a martial arts group can take on tasks from various governments or deal with families and sects, an unclear background could mean the group is a spy or an enemy. The same applies to criminal records. Of course, if you are an enemy of one country and considered a villain, you might be a hero in another. So, a criminal record is not a necessary condition but is part of the group's history. These are the two standards. As for the certification location, you must go to the capital of each country. It seems, Brother Hao, that you will have to come back to the capital with me."

Hao Qi thought about returning to the capital. He was unlikely to be attacked now, given his strength. Even if all the Inner Force Realm experts of the Blue Shadow Republic came to attack him, he could take one or two down with him. This way, no one would be willing to be a pawn for others. So, returning to the capital was relatively safe, and he nodded in agreement.

Hao Qi then said, "Then I'll go back to the capital with Brother Linghu. I also need to prepare for my travels and say goodbye to some people. So... Brother Linghu, is our sparring match the only thing left?"

Linghu Qi was taken aback, then waved his hand and laughed. "We've already sparred, haven't we? What more sparring do we need?"

Hao Qi was puzzled, and Linghu Qi took a sip of tea, smiled slyly, and said, "Who says sparring must be a competition? Can't conversation count? I've already confirmed Brother Hao's character and attitude towards our country, so..."

"I lost this sparring match."

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