Free Web NovelChapter 397: Chapter 274: Dongdong’s Martial Arts Training (Part 2)
"With Dongdong’s potential, it’s only a matter of time before she surpasses me. When the day comes that I can’t fight anymore, if she still remembers me, I can hide behind her."
No matter if these words are genuine or just an excuse, genuine care is evident. Su Mo smiled and said, "Dongdong is a loyal kid; she won’t disappoint you."
Shangguan Li agreed with a hum and said nothing more.
The surroundings grew quiet, with only the sound of wind and falling snow.
At that moment, Su Mo suddenly recalled, "Oh right, who are you waiting for here?"
Shangguan Li fixed his gaze forward and raised his chin: "Look, she’s coming."
"I’m here, I’m here! Ready to rush!" Dongdong ran out from Edge Mansion, opened the door, and jumped into the passenger seat beside Shangguan Li.
Su Mo was stunned by this: "Wait, when did you two start hanging out together?"
Shangguan Li: "Guess."
Su Mo: "...Dongdong, what are you going to do with Shangguan?"
Dongdong made a face at him: "Not telling, ha~"
"Let’s go, see you later." Shangguan Li closed the car window and drove away with Dongdong.
Su Mo stood there bewildered, rubbing the back of his head and muttering, "Oh my, the kids have grown up; water that’s been spilled can’t be gathered back, they’ve learned to help outsiders keep things from me..."
...
On the road from Edge Mansion to Mo Xue Mansion, Dongdong and Shangguan Li were chatting.
Shangguan Li: "What made you suddenly think of this?"
Dongdong leaned against the seat, lazily saying, "Since I returned from Saint Rivelan last time, I’ve become aware that among New Moon City’s masters, my level is really out of the league."
Shangguan Li: "Indeed."
Dongdong rolled her eyes: "Can’t you be a bit more courteous and encourage me?"
"Just stating facts." Shangguan Li looked into the dark night ahead and said blandly, "New Moon City is a devouring city, with a darkness beyond what most can imagine."
"It’s not just you; even your Director has to be cautious because there are many enemies here that he can’t handle right now, those who are like monsters."
Dongdong rested her small hand on the back of her head: "Uh-huh, so I have to strive to become stronger, to be a reliable help to the boss, not drag behind like during the fight with the Crow’s Nest."
Dongdong was talking about the time she and Su Mo were ambushed by the Crow’s Nest in the High-Tech Park.
Back then, Su Mo and Simon battled fiercely, while she was responsible for holding off the remaining Crow’s Nest thugs. But not only did she fail to stop them, she was even captured alive on spot, showing an embarrassing performance.
Considering Mo Xue’s intelligence-gathering abilities, Shangguan Li naturally knew about this and couldn’t help but chuckle: "It’s been nearly half a year since that happened, and you still remember?"
Dongdong turned her head away, her voice very low: "I always remember; it was the first time I became a burden to him, and it’s my most humiliating moment."
Shangguan Li gave her a meaningful look.
In a place like New Moon City, there is no shortage of geniuses.
Those favored by heaven often have pride, but it’s precisely this pride that causes countless talents to fall in this dark city.
And when a genius develops a sense of shame, proud of their talent while also recognizing their shortcomings, that’s truly the starting point towards the summit.
Shangguan Li: "Not bad, understanding shame can lead to courage. If Director Su hears this, he would certainly feel very gratified."
She paused for a moment here, sighing, "But why did I become this big fool..."
Dongdong shamelessly said, "There’s no one else in Edge who can teach me; since they don’t know, I can only come to you."
Shangguan Li said helplessly, "I can teach you, but listen well, you need to learn earnestly and sincerely, no giving up halfway, otherwise I advise you to go back early."
Dongdong eagerly clenched her fists: "Don’t worry! I’m very determined!"
Over half an hour later, they arrived at Mo Xue Mansion.
Mo Xue’s full name is "New Moon City Mo Xue Energy Co., Ltd.", mainly involved in two sectors.
One is the renowned mercenary business.
As a promising new star at the peak of prosperity, Shangguan Li’s fame needs no further mention; under him, Mo Xue Mercenaries exceed a thousand people, twice that of Edge, and with an excellent reputation.
The other sector is clean energy.
This sector was originally difficult in New Moon City because it would bite into the cake of traditional energy companies.
But with the mercenary business as a foundation, competitors couldn’t do much against Mo Xue, granting Shangguan Li her share of the cake.
Now, Mo Xue’s industries have entered a very healthy dual cycle.
Relying on the solid strength of mercenaries as the foundation, continuously expanding the energy sector.
The immense profits from industry expansion in turn consistently support the mercenaries.
Moreover, with clean energy focusing on environmental protection, it is widely praised by society, while accumulating a large network of connections in business and politics, both dual-track industries are rapidly developing.
In addition to these two sectors, Shangguan Li actually has another "sideline". freёwebnoѵel.com
That is...
Shangguan Li parked the car and led Dongdong to a sports complex next to the building.
The place was vast, with an aerobic area, anaerobic area, sparring platforms, weapon combat zones, and everything was neatly divided.
Dozens of men and women dressed in martial arts uniforms were practicing there, with loud shouts and the sound of fists and feet striking each other echoing occasionally.
As Shangguan Li entered, the dozens of martial artists faced her one by one, respectfully saying, "Master!"
"Mm." Shangguan Li nodded to them and walked through the crowd.
Dongdong was an extroverted little social butterfly, shy? Not at all.
She walked behind Shangguan Li with her hands in her pockets, raising her eyebrows at this one, and sticking out her tongue at that one, her naturally sociable demeanor leaving the martial artists a bit confused.
Shangguan Li motioned for everyone to gather, then walked into a spacious side room and sat down on a dragon-carved wooden chair.
She gestured for Dongdong to stand at the front and said, "Why don’t you introduce yourself to everyone first?"
Dongdong mimicked Shangguan Li’s posture, and in a ceremonious manner, cupped her fist and said boldly, "Hello brothers, my name is Dongdong. I’m here to learn martial arts. I’m new here, so I look forward to everyone’s guidance."
Upon hearing it was a new junior sister, the martial artists all cupped their fists in return as a greeting.
Shangguan Li nodded and said to a brawny martial artist at the front, "Dolan, you host the initiation ceremony."
"Yes, Master." Dolan brought over a cushion and a cup of tea.
He placed the cushion on the floor in front of Shangguan Li and said to Dongdong, "Kneel on it."
"Huh?" Dongdong was stunned, "Kneel on it for what?"
Dolan, puzzled, said, "Aren’t you here to be initiated and learn martial arts? Don’t you kneel for the initiation?"
Dongdong was bewildered, "Nobody told me I had to kneel..."
Dolan patiently explained, "The initiation ceremony, it’s our tradition here, everyone has to kneel."
Dongdong was a bit troubled.
She had never knelt to anyone in her life.
Shangguan Li said coolly, "This is my martial arts school, we follow my rules. To be initiated, you have to kneel. If not, then go back."
Dongdong sighed inwardly, thinking: Forget it, it’s just kneeling to be initiated, not kneeling in surrender, nothing to be ashamed of.
She plopped down on the cushion.
Dolan continued loudly, "The new student at the gate, perform the bowing ceremony! Bow to the Sun, Moon, and Big Dipper, as long as heaven and earth endure~"
When he finished, seeing Dongdong unresponsive, he anxiously gave her surreptitious glances: "Why are you so clueless, kowtow."
"I have to kowtow too???" Dongdong’s eyes went black.
Dolan kindly persuaded, "Being able to kowtow here is a privilege, many wish they could, yet don’t have the chance."
"Quickly now, kowtow, otherwise Master will get angry. Bow to the Sun, Moon, and Big Dipper, as long as heaven and earth endure~"
Dongdong reluctantly kowtowed once.
Dolan: "Second bow, united as master and student, under the bright moon across the land~"
"How is there more..." Dongdong felt like crying but continued to kowtow.
Dolan: "Third bow, always remember the master’s kindness, virtues that last forever~"
Dongdong had given up, apathetically knocking her head on the ground.
With the bowing ceremony completed, Dolan handed a ruler to Shangguan Li with both hands: "Master, please deliver the reprimand."
Shangguan Li stood up and suddenly "crack" a ruler smacked on Dongdong’s forehead.
Dongdong, holding her forehead, yelled angrily, "Why are you hitting me?"
Shangguan Li: "The first strike, as your master, I admonish you to clear away extraneous thoughts and uphold the righteous path."
"Crack." Another strike followed, causing Dongdong to gasp at the sharp pain.
Shangguan Li: "The second strike, as your master, I admonish you to stay clear-headed and unite knowledge and action."
"Crack." The third strike continued, hotly painful.
Dongdong, already irritable in nature, was getting a bit annoyed from the beating, about to get angry at Shangguan Li.
"The third strike, as your master, I want you to always remember..."
Shangguan Li placed a hand on Dongdong’s shoulder, her gaze deep yet soft: "One day as a master, lifelong as a mother. If you face difficulties in life, don’t forget your master is behind you."
Looking into Shangguan Li’s eyes, Dongdong’s irritation melted away suddenly, only feeling a warm stream flowing through her heart.
She pressed her lips together, her gaze clear, and nodded gently at Shangguan Li.
