Chapter 77

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Mei Zheng looked at Su Mu, who was lost in thought, with a serious expression. He took a sip of tea and continued speaking.

"In this world, it's rare to find a reason to smile. On the battlefield, we all draw our bows and aim at each other. Although there is no major warfare in today's society, remember that wherever there are people, there is conflict, especially in the political arena. In the government, the political arena is a battlefield. The size of the battlefield may differ, but everything else is the same.

The political arena, like a battlefield, is a place where no one spares another. No one can stand above the crowd, as you said, the foundation of the political arena is the alliance of interests. When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down; when a tree falls, the monkeys scatter. This is the most accurate description of the political arena. Compared to a real battlefield, the political arena, a battlefield without smoke, is even more cruel and bloodless. A single thought from those in power can kill from a thousand miles away and destroy countless families' happiness.

This is also the real reason I didn't stop you from taking the civil service exam. I wanted to witness the growth of a true official and hope that you would be different from those corrupt officials. I can't guarantee anything else, but at the very least, be a good official. As long as you stand firm on this principle, everything else is trivial."

Su Mu exhaled heavily and looked at Mei Zheng. "Master, rest assured. I have my own principles. I promise I will never do anything that goes against my conscience. As long as I am an official, no matter how big or small my position, I will do practical things for the people!"

"Ha ha!"

Mei Zheng laughed loudly and patted Su Mu's shoulder hard. "That's right, that's my disciple! Don't worry, as long as you do this and serve the people wholeheartedly, I will protect you from anything. In the political arena, if they follow the rules, it's fine. If anyone breaks the rules, I want to see who has the nerve to harm my disciple!"

Name: Mei Zheng

Position: None

Hobbies: Strong liquor; weapons; combat

Intimacy: Ninety!

As the two made contact, the Official Chart suddenly displayed Mei Zheng's information due to Su Mu's conscious effort. However, what surprised Su Mu was that there was no position listed. What does this mean? Could it be that the Official Chart doesn't show anything because it has been used to its limit today, five times?

No, it's definitely not that.

There must be another explanation: Mei Zheng currently has no official position. But how could someone who can make a colonel like Song Shi willingly serve as a guard be so simple? How could he have no position? Su Mu couldn't figure it out, so he didn't guess.

Mei Zheng must have his reasons for not saying anything now. I believe that when I truly grow, Mei Zheng will definitely tell me the truth.

"Master, how about we have a drink now? I see that the cigarettes and alcohol that Senior Brother Zheng brought over are all good stuff," Su Mu said with a grin.

"You little rascal, you must be eyeing my things. Want to drink, huh? No problem, Song Shi, get out here!" Mei Zheng shouted loudly.

"Old Master Mei, what do you need?" Song Shi, who had already left, suddenly appeared in the courtyard with a smile, completely different from his usual stern expression.

"Fight!"

Mei Zheng said succinctly, "Whoever wins gets a bottle of alcohol and a pack of cigarettes. Su Mu, let me see if you've slacked off in your training. If you have, don't blame me for punishing you!"

"Master, rest assured!" Su Mu said with a smile.

Su Mu faced Song Shi without any fear. He had fought Song Shi before, and although he now knew Song Shi's identity and that he might have been letting him win in the past, so what? The Su Mu of today has a deep understanding of Xingyi Quan that is not much worse than Mei Zheng's.

"Su Mu, for this good smoke and alcohol, don't blame Brother Song, hehe, come on!" Song Shi said with a smile.

"Brother Song, here I come!" Su Mu said confidently.

At this moment, Su Mu was no longer the mayor of Heishan Town but simply a martial artist. He didn't hold back with his Xingyi Quan, fully displaying his skills. Fighting Song Shi, if Su Mu were to be careless, it would be truly arrogant. A powerful punch from his right fist attacked fiercely.

Bang!

Song Shi didn't retreat but laughed and met Su Mu's punch head-on. The moment their fists collided, a low, heavy sound erupted. Su Mu took three steps back, while Song Shi took two.

"Ha ha, good, Su Mu, you haven't slacked off these days; you've even improved! Keep it up!" Song Shi shouted.

"Sure, I'll keep it up!"

Mei Zheng stood to the side, watching the two exchange blows, a satisfied smile on his face. He had no doubt about Song Shi's strength, but Su Mu's ability to maintain his composure and fight for so long was a rare skill. Each move in their fight was as tight as the wind, a true close-combat technique.

If this fight were to happen to others, Mei Zheng was sure there would be several dead bodies on the ground by now. Mei Zheng, who always advocated real combat, despised those who only practiced forms. Only through real combat could one truly unlock their potential.

The two fought fiercely for nearly twenty minutes without a clear winner. Just as Song Shi was about to use his ultimate move, Mei Zheng suddenly interrupted.

"That's enough!"

"Su Mu, I didn't expect it, really didn't expect it," Song Shi said, his face showing surprise as he stopped his punches.

"Brother Song, don't tease me. I know you didn't use your full strength," Su Mu said with a smile.

"Alright, stop flattering each other. Song Shi, the cigarettes and alcohol are yours. Su Mu, there are two packs of cigarettes in that bag. They're no use to me, so take them. Remember to call me if you need anything, and ask me if you have any questions," Mei Zheng said.

"Yes, Master!" Su Mu said loudly.

After chatting with Mei Zheng for a few more hours, Su Mu finally left the courtyard, his back disappearing from sight. Song Shi's smile faded, and he said solemnly, "Old Master Mei, why let Su Mu enter the political arena? With his talent, if you nod, he could become a top performer in Longya. Given time, he could even replace me. Isn't it a waste to leave him in the political arena?"

"Waste? No, Su Mu is indeed very talented. I chose him because of this. I don't know who laid the foundation for him, but it's so solid that he has reached this level in just four or five years.

But I don't think it's a waste. In today's world, being a good official is more useful and valuable to the country than being a good soldier. I know Su Mu. He doesn't come from a prominent background; he's just a simple farmer's son.

But despite his humble origins, he spent four years at Jiang University with dignity and respect, treating people with his own principles. He didn't become inferior or resent the rich because of his background. A person like him, if trained in the political arena, will surely achieve great things. With good luck, he might even become a high-ranking official."

"I still think it's a waste," Song Shi said, shaking his head.

"What a waste? Who says he can't do other things just because he's an official?" Mei Zheng said loudly. "Don't forget, he's my disciple!"

"Old Master Mei, what do you mean?" Song Shi's eyes lit up.

"I didn't say anything, figure it out yourself!" Mei Zheng said, then turned and walked into the room. Song Shi, after a brief moment of shock, left with a smile, carrying the box.

Every time Su Mu chatted with Mei Zheng, time flew by. When he walked out of the bamboo grove, it was already dusk. He thought about all the things he needed to do and realized he hadn't visited Ye Xi yet. He walked towards the graduate dormitory, knowing exactly where to go.

"What should we eat tonight?"

"Want to go to the movies?"

"There's an outdoor dance at the square. The girls there are very pretty, let's check it out?"

Su Mu walked down the school path, watching the couples pass by and listening to their conversations, a smile of nostalgia on his face. A year ago, Su Mu was just like them, wandering around the school, joking with his dorm mates.

But who would have thought that a year later, Su Mu would become the mayor of Heishan Town? Life is unpredictable, and the future is uncertain, and this is no exception.

"I wonder what the guys in the dorm are doing now? We haven't been in touch since graduation. When I have some free time, I should call them and catch up," Su Mu said to himself.

In front of the graduate dormitory, a flashy sports car was parked, adorned with a sea of roses, emitting a fragrant aroma.

It was dusk, and under the setting sun, the scene was even more striking. People passing by couldn't help but stop, the girls with envy in their eyes, and the boys with hostile glares, silently cursing the man leaning against the car.

"Xixi, give me one more chance? Let me take you out to dinner tonight, okay? Please, just one chance!" the man said with a smile.

"Sun Bin, stop dreaming. I've told you, there's no future between us. Please don't do this anymore," Ye Xi said, her voice calm as she glanced at the roses.

Yes, the woman being pursued was Ye Xi.

The man in the sports car, deeply in love, was Sun Bin, the same man who had spoken to Ye Xi in the villa.

Sun Bin, who always claimed to be a playboy, had been pursuing Ye Xi since the moment he met her, never tiring of his efforts.

Sun Bin, who knew Ye Xi's background better than anyone, understood that if he could win her over, not only would he get a beautiful wife, but he would also gain a powerful ally for his father. If Ye Anbang could be persuaded to join, his father's position in Jiangnan Province would be even more unshakable.

"Xixi, please, just one more chance? Look, these roses are all for you. Take them!" Sun Bin said with a smile.

"Stop calling me Xixi. We're not that close!" Ye Xi said coldly.

"Xixi, I..."

Before Sun Bin could finish, a voice came from behind him. "She said not to call her that, yet you insist. Is there anyone more shameless than you?"

"Who? Get out here!" Sun Bin shouted angrily. Before he could turn around, Su Mu walked past him with a relaxed step.

"Beautiful lady, how about a meal together? This flower is for you."

A common rose from the school garden bloomed in Su Mu's fingers.

The onlookers were stunned!

And just as they were still in shock, Ye Xi's next action left them completely speechless.