Chapter 16: Taking the First Step Toward Becoming a Great Middleman

In the end, Zhang Ze executed a flawless combo, forcing Liu Qianqian to one knee. Thus, the farce between the two came to an abrupt close.

“Your technique has improved, but your foundation is still unstable and needs more work,” Ren Fan remarked, seeing Zhang Ze had finally had his say. He then turned to the group. “Everyone, continue practicing your martial skills. Zhang Ze, go back to your horse stance training.” With that, Ren Fan's figure had already moved off.

…

Aching all over, Liu Qianqian seized the opportunity to sidle up next to Zhang Ze. “Man, you really didn’t hold back.”

“Heh.” Zhang Ze, holding his horse stance, shot him a sidelong look.

“Do you know why your mom gave you that name?” Liu Qianqian was momentarily taken aback, but perhaps it was because he knew Zhang Ze had the cultivation of a martial artist. His face drooped in grievance, and his voice took on a whiny tone.

“You have no idea. I’ve been at this martial arts hall for almost half a year. The first two months were nothing but horse stance practice, and the rest of the time has just been getting beaten up. When I saw a newbie today, I got a little carried away, that’s all…”

“Heh.” Zhang Ze didn’t care much for his explanation. With a soft chuckle, he simply closed his eyes and ignored him.

But “Qianqian” clearly had no intention of letting Zhang Ze off so easily.

“Still, don’t think it’s all suffering. In fact, this horse stance is extremely important—it’ll be a great help with your stance training in the future. Besides, Coach Ren graduated from Anqing Martial Bureau and has a wealth of practical experience.”

Initially, Zhang Ze kept his eyes shut, intent on ignoring the chatterbox. But at the mention of Anqing Martial Bureau, his eyes snapped open.

“Did you just say Ren Fan is a graduate from Anqing Martial Bureau?”

Seeing Zhang Ze take the bait, Qianqian grew even more animated. “You didn’t know? I saw you come in with Li Sanqing and thought you were some kind of insider.” Zhang Ze quickly realized why the guy was so eager, but he truly couldn’t stand the incessant chatter.

“If you’re not going to practice moves with me, then get lost.”

…

Time passed swiftly as Zhang Ze maintained his horse stance.

Afternoon.

Within Mengyang County.

“Uncle Wu, you’re saying the Investigation Division is making moves?” Qian Xiaoyun asked in surprise, turning to the middle-aged man beside her.

Uncle Wu’s expression was grave. He replied in a low voice, “As soon as Lin Ziwei arrived in Mengyang County, she not only issued orders to the Investigation Division, but also our rural partners have one by one announced they’ll no longer purchase our family’s elixirs.”

“What did you say?”

After hearing this, Qian Xiaoyun could no longer remain composed. Her family’s plan to gain a foothold in the elixir company depended heavily on the rural market. Thus, when people like the Blindman from Chen Family Village and Erlong began to waver, the impact was immense.

“If they don’t buy our elixirs, are they giving up on cultivation? Content to remain ordinary for life?” At this, Qian Xiaoyun found it hard to sit still.

At such moments, Uncle Wen at her side knew his role well. “Miss, making those people give up cultivation and accept being insignificant is harder than killing them. Clearly, the Lin family has intervened.”

With Uncle Wen’s words, Qian Xiaoyun realized her slip. “According to our sources, Lin Ziwei promised to supply them with elixirs,” Uncle Wu stated directly.

After a moment’s thought, Qian Xiaoyun sneered. “Lin Ziwei’s bolder than her father. The Lin family controls the elixir company, and now they’re selling low-priced elixirs privately. The other shareholders surely don’t know about this.”

…

While Qian Xiaoyun mulled things over, Baldy and Li Tian had already arrived at Changping Village to meet with Erlong and the others.

“So, you’re saying you can’t do business with that kid Zhang Ze anymore?” Baldy had come on Zhang Ze’s earlier request.

Though he doubted Zhang Ze could really provide large quantities of elixirs, he’d still decided to run this errand.

“Never mind whether I believe Zhang Ze or not, the Lin family is selling elixirs at prices way below market value. Besides, do you think I have any say in whose elixirs I use?” Erlong shrugged helplessly.

“Heh. In this world, we’re all just struggling,” Baldy said, echoing the sentiment with self-mockery. “Just remind Zhang Ze for me—the situation between the two sides is getting tense. He’d best not get involved with the elixir business. He’s a decent kid…”

Clearly thinking well of Zhang Ze, Erlong added, “Where do you suppose Zhang Ze gets his goods? Isn’t it the same supplier you all used before?” Erlong muttered, shaking his head.

…

When Zhang Ze got Baldy’s call, he was already preparing for the afternoon’s knowledge training. He stepped aside to answer.

“Baldy, how did the talks go?”

“Erlong and the others can’t use your goods,” came the reply, leaving Zhang Ze momentarily puzzled.

“Why? Their current supplier is even cheaper than mine?”

Zhang Ze, who had hoped to launch his career as a middleman—and maybe even play the savior—thanks to his system, found this hard to accept.

Baldy was silent for a moment before replying, “If you have time, come back and I’ll explain it to you.”

No matter how frustrated Zhang Ze felt, Baldy simply hung up.

Pacing back and forth, Zhang Ze couldn’t make sense of it. After a moment’s thought, he called another number.

“Hey, Fatty.”

“Hey, Ze, what’s up?” At the other end, Fatty Liu was in a restaurant with Wang Chao, his mouth full of pork kidney.

“What are you doing hanging around with that guy? I’ve got a business opportunity here—need your help spreading the word.”

Hearing Zhang Ze’s voice over the phone, Wang Chao grew curious.

…

As it happened, he’d planned to rope Zhang Ze in—together with Huang Ming, the three martial artists would make a fine little crew. But now Zhang Ze had joined the Martial Bureau’s people, Huang Ming had been sent to the Investigation Division, and he was left with a useless Fatty. Wang Chao was at a loss for what to do next.

He snatched the phone from Fatty’s hand. “What kind of business? If it’s under a million, don’t bother.”

Fatty, gnawing on a pork whip, sneered at Wang Chao’s bravado. “A million? I couldn’t scrape that together if I sold all my bootleg movies, and Zhang Ze’s even stingier than I am.”

But to his surprise, Zhang Ze’s response was equally direct. “A second-tier martial artist is only worth a million? I can wire you that now, but you need to get to Heyue City as soon as possible. We’ll talk details in person.”

“Deal!” Wang Chao agreed without hesitation, and as soon as the call ended, he dragged Fatty out of the restaurant.

“My whole pot of pork whip soup, wasted!” Fatty lamented, still thinking of his tonic.

But Wang Chao was visibly excited. “We’re turning ourselves in!”