Before leaving, however, Li Ming and Hao Qi parted on completely amicable terms. No matter what thoughts or speculations lingered in their minds, what hadn't happened simply hadn't happened. Now, a bond of goodwill existed between the Li Family and Hao Qi. With Xue Na being Hao Qi's older sister—a connection further reinforced by Hao Qi's strength vastly exceeding Li Ming's expectations—it mattered not what fortuitous encounters Hao Qi had experienced, what rare treasures he had found, or whether some Inner Qi Realm master had secretly taken him as a disciple. From this moment on, these matters belonged to Hao Qi alone; it was enough that this favorable relationship with the Li Family remained.
On the other end, Li Ming seemed to grasp Hao Qi's state of mind. The moment he returned to his family estate, he publicly announced that he had suffered heavy injuries and defeat at Hao Qi's hands. Yet, he made no mention of the martial arts techniques Hao Qi had employed, nor any specific details of the combat. Once this news spread, the Quasi-Inner Force Realm practitioners throughout the Lanying Republic instantly fell silent. The three Inner Force Realm masters who had already rushed to Hao Qi's town abandoned any immediate plans to issue a challenge, choosing instead to settle down within the town and wait quietly.
Hao Qi understood one fundamental truth: when an individual with actual strength possesses peerless martial arts, it creates a formidable power capable of aweing everyone; conversely, when someone lacking strength obtains peerless martial arts, it merely becomes a source of disaster and an invitation to ruin. Throughout history prior to his transmigration, this principle had been recorded and frequently referenced in culture—the crime of holding a jade ring is a crime in itself. Ordinary Persons commit crimes simply by holding the jade ring, whereas those in positions of power do so as a matter of course. Now, in this world—at least within the Lanying Republic—after his battle with Li Ming, he had become the one in a position of power.
And this created a qualitative change!
Hao Qi believed that the four Inner Force Realm masters who had come to baptize him, including Li Ming himself, undoubtedly shared the same objective: coveting his martial arts. After all, the martial arts of the Inner Qi Realm held an almost unimaginable temptation for those in the Inner Force Realm. Of course, among peers of the Inner Force Realm, unless one could decisively kill Hao Qi, any failed assassination attempt would forge a lifelong, mortal enemy—a burden no one could easily bear. Therefore, using a sparring match to test Hao Qi's strength served as a safe probe: if he proved weak, they would kill or capture him; if he proved formidable, they would simply concede defeat. Given such low risk and immense potential reward, Hao Qi even maliciously suspected that securing one of those four slots might have required paying a considerable price.
Yet, following Li Ming's precedent, Hao Qi was confident that the remaining three individuals would approach their sparring sessions with caution. To reiterate, he was an orphan with no noble family and no backing. While this constituted a disadvantage, it was simultaneously an advantage, implying that he bore no burdens whatsoever. Such figures had existed since antiquity, which was why those in power universally understood their danger and terror: either one did not provoke them, or once provoked, one had to deploy overwhelming force to annihilate them, lest it lead to utter catastrophe.
Precisely because of these factors, Hao Qi was certain that the subsequent sparring matches would not unfold like Li Ming's had. These would be genuine martial arts exchanges—or perhaps they wouldn't even need to happen at all, seeing as he had already proven his capability to protect his own martial arts. That alone sufficed.
Three days after Li Ming's departure, while the wounds on Hao Qi's fists had yet to fully heal, another Inner Force Realm powerhouse arrived at his door. This Inner Force Realm master wore a straight, suit-like garment, topped with a black hat and leaning on a walking stick. In appearance, he looked less like a Martial Artist and more like an aristocrat.
In fact, after Hao Qi invited him inside and they had shared a few sips of tea, the middle-aged man introduced himself, revealing that he was a government official holding the noble rank of viscount and serving as the head of a noble family. His speech was refined and cultivated.
"I am Linghu Qi, serving as the Deputy Minister of Finance for the Lanying Republic government. Pleased to meet you, Brother Hao." Linghu Qi smiled and offered a cupped-fist salute.
Hao Qi returned the salute, followed by the customary polite banter and more tea. After several rounds of this, Linghu Qi finally broached the subject: "I wonder what plans Brother Hao has for the future?"
"Plans?" Hao Qi suddenly burst into laughter. "Aren't there still three sparring matches left? Three matches, including the one with Brother Linghu. Those are my plans, and I suppose they are the plans arranged for me by the government as well."
Linghu Qi chuckled in response. Setting down his teacup, he adopted a serious expression. "By now, the sparring matches are likely of little consequence. As for the four bouts arranged by the government, they serve as a baptism. I trust Senior Li Ming has already explained the nature of the baptism to Brother Hao. It is a mandatory rite of passage for every Inner Force Realm practitioner, so Brother Hao need not harbor any grievances about it. What I actually wish to ask is whether Brother Hao has any intention of joining the Lanying Republic government?"
Hao Qi shook his head, took a sip of tea, and replied, "No, I have my own predetermined plans and future prospects, so I must decline. Thank you nonetheless."
Linghu Qi showed no sign of disappointment. Maintaining his refined demeanor, he nodded immediately. "You plan to travel and gain experience, am I right?"
Hao Qi looked momentarily surprised. Seeing his expression, Linghu Qi smiled and continued, "That is a very natural plan and aspiration. Every successful Martial Artist inevitably spends their youth traveling through neighboring countries—or even venturing further afield, much like Senior Li Ming, who journeyed across the Blue Sea region. It is a mandatory process for every Martial Artist. There is even a common saying that a Martial Artist who fails to experience these trials can never attain the Inner Force... Of course, that is merely an idiom. But speaking frankly, while Brother Hao has already reached the Inner Force Realm, your life experience is somewhat lacking. To be honest, if Brother Hao were to travel through various nations, experience different trials, and pit yourself against powerful adversaries, your future achievements would be boundless."
Hao Qi took another sip of tea before speaking directly, "You seem entirely unfazed. Could it be that my leaving the Lanying Republic poses no problem at all? You must realize that the future is unpredictable. Whether I travel the neighboring lands or venture to distant realms, what if I encounter greater opportunities elsewhere and choose never to return? For the Lanying Republic to lose an Inner Force Realm master—wouldn't that be a terrible loss for you?"
Linghu Qi offered an enigmatic smile. Rather than answering immediately, he weighed his words carefully before speaking. "In recent decades, technological advancement has been rapid, leading to the invention of firearms capable of posing a genuine threat to those in the Quasi-Inner Force Realm, particularly when deployed on a large scale. Tell me, Brother Hao, when do you suppose the threat of a firearm is at its greatest?"
"Its greatest threat... is before it is fired, isn't that so?" Coming from the civilized world of the twenty-first century, Hao Qi suddenly recalled a perspective from Earth and answered immediately.
Linghu Qi snapped his fingers. "Precisely. A firearm's threat is greatest before it is fired, and the same holds true for Inner Force Realm powerhouses. Although Brother Hao is an orphan, we checked the archives and found clear records showing that you were discovered at the entrance of the Kaiyuan Government Hospital. Though you were still an infant at the time, you were clearly the descendant of our nation's citizens. In fact, if Brother Hao so desires, we can pull out all the stops to help you find your biological parents. While the difficulty is immense, it is not entirely untraceable. First, the baby blanket wrapped around you was of medium quality, not something used by impoverished families. Second, we can investigate the neighborhoods near the hospital, the local residents, the men and women of childbearing age at that time, and any women who were pregnant in and around those surrounding urban districts. These are all leads. Should you wish it, our government can help you trace your biological parents."
Upon hearing this, Hao Qi shook his head without hesitation. He had zero intention of tracking down the biological parents of this body. His soul did not belong to this world, nor had he ever experienced the nurturing grace of these biological parents. In a sense, the karmic ties of this body were entirely clean—a circumstance that perfectly suited his desire to travel and see the world without carrying any psychological burdens. Even if the government were to successfully locate his biological parents, he could simply choose to ignore them entirely; yet, why bother creating such complications? By entangling himself in karma, if he were ever to become an enemy of the Lanying Republic in the future, those so-called biological parents would be dead meat. He had no intention of acknowledging parents, nor did he intend to let strangers die on his behalf. Remaining as he was now was far better.
Seeing Hao Qi shake his head, Linghu Qi did not press the matter further. Instead, he said, "This proves all the more that you belong to the Lanying Republic. Even if you leave the Lanying Republic, even if you never return, your very existence inherently bolsters our nation's strength. It serves as an international deterrent between nations. Furthermore, as I mentioned earlier, Brother Hao's future achievements are likely to be limitless. Should you attain the peerless mastery of the Inner Qi Realm, your renowned name would awe the entire Blue Sea, even from a thousand miles away. When that day comes, the Lanying Republic might well bask in your glory. Therefore, whether you choose to stay or travel abroad, our government stands firmly behind you."
With these words, Linghu Qi pulled a piece of paper from inside his jacket. Hao Qi took the paper and saw that it bore numerous official seals, along with text designating it as a note from the Lanying Republic National Bank, accompanied by a string of numbers... one hundred million Blue Shadow Coins.
"This is a viaticum provided by the state to wish Brother Hao a smooth journey and ensure you never forget your homeland. In truth, whether Brother Hao acknowledges it or not, the motherland owes you no debt. From the orphanage to your subsequent compulsory education and university, while we did not grant you wealth and glory, we fulfilled all basic governmental obligations. This is Brother Hao's homeland, and that is a truth that will never change." As Linghu Qi spoke, his smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
A profound sense of emotion stirred within Hao Qi. Indeed, Linghu Qi was right; the country did not owe him anything. On the contrary, he did owe a certain debt to the Lanying Republic. The orphanage was no paradise, but it had at least kept him alive and enabled him to enter an academy. The subsequent scholarships and compulsory education had provided him with the capital to survive, even if that capital was negligible compared to his original knowledge. All in all, the Lanying Republic government had fulfilled its basic duties, leaving him with no grounds for resentment.
Moreover, the Lanying Republic government certainly knew how to handle affairs, as evidenced by Linghu Qi's visit. One hundred million Blue Shadow Coins might mean little to a seasoned Inner Force Realm veteran, but for him at present, it directly resolved an urgent crisis. No doubt the government officials were well aware of his immediate financial desperation.
Silently accepting the check, Hao Qi paused for a long moment before breaking into a smile. "I accept this goodwill. The Lanying Republic is my homeland. Thank you."
Seeing Hao Qi accept the check, Linghu Qi let out a breath of relief and smiled in return. "So, does Brother Hao have any immediate plans? If you are not in a rush to set off on your travels immediately, why not accompany me back to the capital? I would like to introduce you to some of our nation's prominent figures in the Inner Force Realm."
Hao Qi immediately replied, "Speaking of which, I would like to inquire about martial groups. If one wishes to establish a martial group, what procedures are required? And where does one go for certification? To be frank with Brother Linghu, this sum of money truly resolves my immediate crisis, but if I am to travel the country, it will barely suffice as starting capital, and my future funding gaps will be massive. Therefore, founding a martial group is an absolute necessity for me."
Linghu Qi nodded affirmatively. "A mature line of thought. To travel the realm, broaden one's horizons, cultivate one's martial arts, and seek opportunities, traveling merely as a lone knight-errant is indeed inferior to operating as part of a martial group. Certification for a martial group rests on two criteria: strength and a clean background devoid of any criminal record. Brother Hao understands the matter of strength well. As for the second criterion, martial groups frequently undertake missions issued by various governments or interact with noble houses and martial sects; if their origins are murky, who could say whether such a group might be spies or enemies? The same applies to criminal records—though, of course, if someone is an enemy of a particular nation and branded a heinous criminal there, they might be hailed as a hero in a hostile rival state. Thus, a criminal record is not an absolute prerequisite, though it forms part of the martial group's resume. Given these two standards, certification must take place in the capital of each respective nation. It seems Brother Hao will indeed need to accompany me back to the capital after all."
Hao Qi considered the trip to the Capital Circle. At present, it was unlikely anyone would attempt to besiege him; his strength spoke for itself. Even if the entirety of the Lanying Republic's Inner Force Realm masters were to join forces against him, he was fully capable of dragging one or two of them down to the grave with him. Given that prospect, which Inner Force Realm master would willingly act as someone else's pawn? While the possibility existed, it was infinitesimal. Returning to the capital posed virtually no danger, so he nodded in agreement.
"Very well, I shall accompany Brother Linghu back to the Capital Circle," Hao Qi said. "I also need to make preparations for my travels and bid farewell to a few people. That being the case... Brother Linghu, does that leave only our sparring match?"
Linghu Qi paused for a moment, then waved his hand with a chuckle. "Haven't we already finished sparring? What further sparring could possibly be needed?"
Hao Qi looked perplexed. Linghu Qi took a sip of tea, a cunning smile playing on his lips. "Who said sparring must always be a physical test of martial arts? Can a conversation not count as one? I have already verified Brother Hao's character, temperament, and attitude toward our nation. Therefore, Brother Hao..."
"In this spar, I concede defeat."
### Chapter 17: The Final Baptism
*(PS: Continuing to ask for bookmarks, clicks, and recommendations. Thank you all, my friends, for your support. Much appreciated.)*
Though it was said they would return to the capital together, Hao Qi had no blood ties or close relation to Linghu Qi, and the final precaution of guarding against others could not be discarded. Therefore, Hao Qi waited until the day after Linghu Qi's departure before purchasing a train ticket to the capital. During his final day of freedom before boarding the train, he visited a bank to verify the authenticity of the check. It was a direct government-issued draft directly authorized by the Ministry of Finance, redeemable for its full value at any government bank across the nation, with the free option to withdraw either in Blue Shadow Coins or hard-currency gold coins. Of course, converting the entire one hundred million Blue Shadow Coins into gold would amount to a weight of five hundred kilograms—roughly half a ton. This constituted a substantial asset, more than sufficient to sustain Hao Qi until the establishment of his martial group and the completion of his first mission.
Hao Qi had no living relatives, and of the two people he was closest to, Xue Na had already started a family as the wife of a noble house's eldest son. Her future was entirely secure, requiring no interference from him. As for the other... Lin Xiong...
Hao Qi walked along the old street where Lin Xiong used to live, pacing quietly in solitude as he gazed left and right. He was searching for the woman who had initially brought him the news of Lin Xiong's death. No matter what, that woman had told him the truth and shown him kindness, and Lin Xiong had seemingly held deep affection for her. Now, he was entirely capable of helping this woman escape her hardships.
To repay kindness and settle scores for enmity—that was his creed.
Yet, though Hao Qi searched the entire old street and even interrogated several petty thugs and their gang leaders, he failed to find the woman. Most crucially, Hao Qi did not even know her name, leaving him able only to provide a rough description of her appearance. But how could such a search be easy?
Just as Hao Qi had spent several hours fruitlessly searching for the woman, his expression growing steadily darker and his killing intent increasingly palpable, several figures dressed in suit-like garments and wearing dark glasses emerged from the crowds. They offered respectful salutes to Hao Qi, and one of them handed him a slip of paper bearing an address before dispersing directly back into the throng without uttering a single extra word.
Hao Qi felt neither surprise nor the need to ask questions. Although the civilization of this world had only progressed to the early twentieth century—roughly the level of the First World War—governmental structures were already quite standardized and indistinguishable from those of twenty-first-century Earth governments. He was certain that during these past few days, the government had already investigated his life from childhood onward countless times: why he fought the Xu Family, why he killed the Xu Family's Inner Force Realm master, the death of Lin Xiong, and even this woman who had brought him news of Lin Xiong's fate. The government undoubtedly had every detail thoroughly mapped out. Therefore, if they wished to prevent him from running amok in the Capital Circle, the continued existence of this woman was a necessity. If she had truly been killed by the Xu Family venting their fury, then either he or the Xu Family would have had to cease to exist...
Following the address on the slip of paper, Hao Qi arrived at his destination—a rowhouse district situated within an upper-middle-class residential area of the Capital Circle. The address led to one of the villas. Upon knocking on the door, Hao Qi learned that the security personnel, service staff, and maids inside the villa were all hired by the government. The resident living within this villa was none other than the woman who had brought him the news of Lin Xiong's death, and she... was pregnant.
Though this woman had once made missteps in life, precisely because of those past experiences, she maintained a high degree of vigilance regarding contraception. Ultimately, her final man had been Lin Xiong; indeed, after meeting Lin Xiong, she had restricted her work in Lin Xiong's establishment to merely accompanying guests for drinks. Her final partner was Lin Xiong, and this child belonged to him.
After conversing briefly with the woman, Hao Qi stayed only a short while before departing. Upon leaving the villa, however, he summoned the nearby government personnel and closely questioned them about various arrangements, finally setting his mind at ease.
Ever since his battle with the Xu Family—and particularly after he struck down one of their Inner Force Realm masters on the spot—the Xu Family had begun investigating everything about him from childhood onward. Simultaneously, investigations were launched by the government and the top-tier noble houses of the Capital Circle. Consequently, this woman's existence had been uncovered. Upon discovering that she was pregnant and that there was a high probability the child was Lin Xiong's offspring, the government had immediately dispatched personnel to escort her to this villa, placing her under protective custody and providing comprehensive medical care and maintenance. Their sole objective was to tie up the only and final remaining concern for an orphan who otherwise possessed no burdens whatsoever.
And they had succeeded—at least to the extent that no cliché tragedy had occurred which might have caused this woman and Lin Xiong's sole descendant to perish. Had that happened, not even Hao Qi himself could be certain of what actions he might have taken.
As things stood now, this outcome was for the best. The government would support this woman for the rest of her life; the life of an upper-class woman she had always dreamed of awaited her. Even lacking education and capability, with Hao Qi's existence—as long as Hao Qi lived and his reputation echoed across the nations—she and her child, the ultimate lineage of Lin Xiong, would remain among the upper strata of this country. To live out a lifetime thus... was not a bad outcome after all.