Fang Cheng turned his gaze to this master whom he had formally apprenticed to not long ago.
He saw a complex expression on his master’s face, a mix of emotion and a hint of unwillingness.
"In the past, I indeed had a lot of opinions on the current Special Search Team."
Ma Jianguo chuckled self-deprecatingly:
"I even went so far as to harshly criticize them as deviating from tradition, and I specifically warned you to keep your distance and draw a clear boundary from them."
"The reason I acted this way, aside from disapproving of their rampant drug use to forcibly stimulate the body, which is completely at odds with our Martial Arts Research Association’s principles of ’consolidating the foundation and nurturing the vitality through gradual progress,’ was also because of an old incident."
He picked up his teacup, his gaze becoming sowhat distant:
"More than a decade ago, when that Chief Ling took office, he made drastic changes, slashing the number of traditional martial artists and choosing to recruit ordinary graduates from the police academy instead."
"For this matter, my father, though long retired, even went to headquarters to confront him, resulting in a heated argunt. He ca back, got so upset that he fell ill, and passed away after a few years."
"You must understand, the predecessor of the Special Search Team was the National Martial Arts Hall, which my grandfather founded with fellow martial artists. My father, in his youth, also worked in the Special Search Team, following Senior Li into countless battles, earning countless rits, and rising to the position of Vice Minister. His disciples and subordinates filled the entire team."
"You could say that half of the Special Search Team was built on the efforts of our Ma Family and the martial arts community."
At this point, Ma Jianguo’s voice carried an unmistakable sense of desolation.
"But now, everything’s changed."
He let out a long sigh:
"Alas, if it wasn’t for Donghe being threatened by the Noah Organization later on, for his safety, I would never have considered letting him take the Special Search Team’s entrance exam."
Ma Jianguo didn’t dwell too long on past family glories.
He put down his teacup, then shifted the conversation, his eyes becoming bright again:
"But things are different now. According to the information I have, the Special Search Team might undergo a policy change soon."
"The Vice Minister Gu, who took office the year before last, is young and ambitious, seemingly intending to reintegrate a certain number of traditional martial artists."
"The most direct reflection of this is in the recent entrance exam, which has increased the quotas for social recruits."
He looked at Fang Cheng, speaking solemnly:
"So, Ah Cheng, if you want to apply, just go ahead and do it without any regard for my feelings."
"Dad, don’t flatter yourself."
At this mont, Ma Donghe, standing beside them, couldn’t help but interject:
"Even as the eldest grandson of the Ma Family, I’ve already taphorically turned my elbow outward, having defected. Even if Ah Cheng is your last student, why should he consider the Ma Family’s reputation?"
The heavy emotions Ma Jianguo was just building up were instantly shattered by this rascal’s words.
"You rascal! Do you start itching if you don’t talk back to for a day?!"
His old face turned red, angrily scolding, sowhat embarrassed.
"But I’m not wrong."
Ma Donghe shrunk his neck, still murmuring softly:
"Ah Cheng can’t even pass the background check now. What’s the point of applying? Does this have anything to do with your reputation?"
Ma Jianguo’s eyes widened, just about to explode again, but seeing Fang Cheng looking at him, he had to suppress his anger.
He cleared his throat a few tis, regained his grandmaster deanor.
"I was just analyzing the current situation of the Special Search Team, letting Ah Cheng think it over carefully."
Saying that, he cleared his throat again, then waved his hand, pretending to be relaxed:
"Besides, it’s just a background check, isn’t it? It’s no big deal; it’s just a matter of talking to Old Shi about it."
Fang Cheng heard this and smiled:
"No need to trouble Master with it. I think I’m better suited to be a cultured person, working a normal job and practicing martial arts in my spare ti."
"Ah Cheng, there’s nothing wrong with thinking that way."
Ma Jianguo nodded, approvingly:
"A martial artist should remain detached from fa and fortune, maintaining a tranquil mind for the long journey ahead."
"We martial artists focus on cultivating our character during Qigong practice, which is a completely different path from those monsters and power users."
"However,"
He shifted the conversation again:
"there’s an old saying, ’It’s easier to cultivate within the system.’ The resources that the Special Search Team can provide are unimaginable for those of us outside the system."
"Every formal mber receives fixed cultivation resources every month and can exchange mission points for legendary Heavenly Treasures."
"Most of these items are excavated from ancient ruins or mysterious forbidden areas. Taking them can directly enhance one’s vitality and nourish the Divine Soul, significantly benefiting Qigong cultivation. Even if you have money, you can’t buy these things outside."
"With adequate vitality supplentation, forming a virtuous cycle, you’ll be able to reach the state of ’Inner Scenery External Manifestation’ more quickly. After all, Senior Li Guizhen walked this path back then."
"Besides,"
Ma Jianguo paused, looking at Fang Cheng, his eyes full of expectation:
"with your talent, if you can join the Special Search Team, I believe it won’t take many years for you to rise to the level of Senior Investigator, or even Special-level Investigator."
"In the future, making great achievents within the team, you can also restore so pride for us old fellows and prove the strength of us martial artists!"
"Yes, Ah Cheng."
Ma Donghe also joined in, speaking earnestly:
"The status of being in the Special Search Team is quite useful, practically like having a license to kill."
"Even if it’s just an ordinary mber going out, as long as they reveal their identity, the local big shots have to treat them with respect. Who would dare not give face?"
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