Chapter 23: Why Do Warriors Exist?

Qian Xiaoyun was somewhat surprised to see Zhang Ze and his companions. She smiled lightly at the fat man and said, “Young man, are you still thinking about me?” Clearly, their chance meeting on the outskirts of Mengyang County had left a lasting impression. The fat man, adopting the principle of “If I’m not embarrassed, you’ll be the one who is,” shamelessly replied, “You understand my feelings best, little sister.”

Qian Xiaoyun chuckled and turned to Zhang Ze. “Let’s hear it.”

“Have you heard about the incident at Chen Family Village?” Zhang Ze countered, knowing from Wang Chao’s intentions that tensions between the other party and the Lin family were already high. Their visit was simply to gauge the other side’s attitude.

After hearing the news about Chen Family Village, Qian Xiaoyun’s eyes lit up. Before she could speak, Uncle Wen interjected, “Those people at Chen Family Village made the first move. This matter isn’t enough for us to act openly.” The statement was clear; Zhang Ze understood their stance. For now, the Qian family would not lower themselves to intervene publicly.

He nudged the fat man with his elbow, a meaningful look in his eyes. “It’s time to step forward for the organization!” Noticing Zhang Ze’s expression, the fat man was suddenly swept up in a sense of heroism. “Miss Qian, do you have time tonight? I have a few good short films…”

Liu Fatty’s sudden performance left Wang Chao and Huang Ming completely caught off guard. On the other side, Qian Xiaoyun and Uncle Wen’s faces turned cold as ice.

Less than two minutes later, including Wang Chao and Huang Ming, both second-grade martial artists, the group was “escorted” out of the building by several security guards.

Rubbing his backside, the fat man stood and muttered, “The young lady is quite shy.” “Damn it!” Wang Chao, clearly furious, cursed and then kicked the fat man again. “Is this how you conduct business?” He berated Zhang Ze, who merely shrugged, saying, “I didn’t expect Fatty to resort to his charms.” “And Qian Xiaoyun didn’t even react…” Zhang Ze felt aggrieved, genuinely surprised that Fatty’s seductive tricks failed.

He recalled their previous encounter outside the city. “Last time, Qian Xiaoyun did respond.” Seeing the two still brooding over what happened, Wang Chao lost his patience. “Get out of here. Stop embarrassing yourselves!”

After their departure, inside the building, Qian Xiaoyun raised her brow slightly.

“Why didn’t I feel the same about that fat man as I did last time?” As she puzzled over this, Fifth Uncle strode into the room. “Miss, Wei Hu is in trouble.” “People from the Investigation Bureau?” Qian Xiaoyun instantly regained her composure and pressed for details. After a brief exchange, Qian Xiaoyun, accompanied by Uncle Wen and Fifth Uncle, left the building.

“Miss Lin, Wei Hu is in the interrogation room now.” Luan Yuan appeared before Lin Ziwei, speaking quietly. “Oh? Let’s go see.”

With that, Lin Ziwei strode toward the interrogation room. “Will you talk?” “Where did the pills you handled come from?” As soon as she entered, Lin Ziwei heard the Investigation Bureau’s interrogators questioning Wei Hu.

“Miss Lin, Director Luan—” Seeing the two, the staff member immediately changed his attitude. “You may leave,” Luan Yuan dismissed the interrogator and sat beside Lin Ziwei at the interrogation table.

Wei Hu, bloodied and miserable, elicited no sympathy from Lin Ziwei. She asked coldly, “Tell me, how did the Qian family supply you with pills?”

Upon hearing this, Wei Hu knew his fate was sealed. He started with a light laugh, which soon turned manic. Lin Ziwei, patient as ever, did not interrupt.

“A brute from the Lin family? I admit I sold pills, but you want me to bite others as you wish… Don’t even dream!” “Since the Lin family took control of the pill company, the number of martial artists in the province has plummeted.” “Luan Yuan, as the director of the county Investigation Bureau, surely you’re aware of these things?”

Wei Hu’s face was streaked with dried blood, his angry outburst pitiful. Even Luan Yuan felt uneasy faced with his madness. “Miss Lin, perhaps it’s best to let the staff handle the interrogation. We—” He was cut off by Lin Ziwei’s raised hand.

“I’d like to hear what these people think of my Lin family.”

Wei Hu burst out laughing again.

“The Lin family truly fears no retribution!” Meanwhile, outside the Investigation Bureau’s gates, two staff members spoke in hushed tones. The young man had just finished, when the older one quickly silenced him. “Don’t say such things. Neither the Lin family nor the pill company are people we can afford to offend.” The middle-aged man looked helpless, taking a deep drag from his cigarette stub.

“What’s left unsaid? Take us for example. Even with a stable job at the Investigation Bureau, we can’t afford a single first-grade Strengthening Pill all year.” The young man’s agitation was understandable. He was twenty-seven, and when he joined the Bureau three years ago, his physical stats were over 90S. Yet to this day, he hadn’t managed to save up for a Strengthening Pill to break through. “With a wife and children at home, there’s no hope of ever reaching second grade.”

“Why do we need so many martial artists?” After Wei Hu calmed, Lin Ziwei asked, her voice still steady. “What good does it do for you all to become martial artists?” “Do you fight wars? Do you bring peace and stability?” Her questions left Luan Yuan silent.

He knew well why martial artists existed, being a local Bureau director. Lin Ziwei’s heart was resentful, her tone icy. “The more social martial artists there are, the more resources are consumed. Those so-called social martial artists are nothing but resource drains, parasites with empty cultivation.” Even though it wasn’t directed at him, Luan Yuan felt his face burn.

Wei Hu scoffed coldly, “If you want a better life, becoming a martial artist is an unwritten rule of this society. What right does your Lin family have to deprive us?”

Leaving the Qian family building, Zhang Ze and his group headed to a restaurant. The group exchanged troubled glances, unsure what to say. Only Fatty ate with relish.

“Damn it, can you stop smacking your lips?” Huang Ming slapped Fatty’s head and cursed.

“The issue has come full circle. The Qian family won’t act, so both sides remain deadlocked. And with the Chen Family Village’s Blind Man not stepping up, no one dares accept your pills.” Wang Chao raised his glass and spoke quietly to Zhang Ze.

Zhang Ze nodded, at a loss. He thought, “It’s truly hard to make any noise…”