The Way of Restraint

“What difference does it make?” Liu Shi asked.

“Take your own Tai Chi practice as an example. At first, it was certainly difficult, but you set a rule for yourself to keep practicing. Many people couldn’t persist and gave up—they couldn’t even achieve stability. But you persisted, gradually grasping the essence of it and experiencing its benefits. Eventually, you reached a point where you felt uncomfortable if you didn’t practice for even a single day—it became incredibly satisfying. That counts as stepping into the second level. But that’s still not enough. True tranquility comes when, during each day’s practice, it is neither intensely satisfying nor painful—it is as natural as flowing water and drifting clouds,” Su Jie said. “At that point, you have established your own foundation—the roots of your martial arts.”

“So you’re saying my Tai Chi cultivation still needs to go further?” Liu Shi nodded. “I’ve heard this principle from Master Yang Shu as well. But principles are principles. What I need right now is a way to actually reach this state of mind. Zen Buddhism speaks of sudden enlightenment, but I cannot achieve that. Is there a gradual, step-by-step method? Since this is also a science, science always has a step-by-step path upward.”

“Your problem right now is that you are too distracted by business to focus on practicing Tai Chi,” Su Jie said. “You understand the principles and postures of the art—you could even write a thesis on them. But that is useless. The value of something depends on how much energy and time you invest in it. That is also science. That is where your problem lies.”

“That makes sense. I need to re-plan my business and allocate more time to Tai Chi cultivation,” Liu Shi said. “Now I want to ask you a question, and I need you to answer me truthfully.”

“Go ahead,” Su Jie said.

“If I completely give up my business and devote myself entirely to Tai Chi cultivation, can I reach Yang Shu’s level?” Liu Shi asked a question of life choice.

“There is a sixty percent chance,” Su Jie said. “I’m talking about mental state, not physical ability or skill level. Of course, for you, reaching that mental state would already be a victory—you don’t need great fighting ability. Your advantage is that you have money, the best teachers, and the best scientific conditions. No young person can compare to that.”

Liu Shi had rich experience, having weathered many storms through years of business battles. His psychological quality was first-rate. Devoting himself to Tai Chi would make him absolutely formidable.

He had money, experience, and technology.

The only thing he lacked was youth.

Even if Liu Shi achieved the Living Dead realm, his combat ability would not be very strong—he might not even be able to defeat a professional fighter. But that would be enough.

Su Jie knew that Liu Shi was now making a decision.

Choosing between business and cultivation.

This was incredibly difficult. In ancient times, some wealthy and powerful people chose to abandon everything and retreat into the mountains to cultivate. But now, Liu Shi did not need to do that.

If Liu Shi could experience the subtle wonders of the Living Dead mindset, Su Jie believed he would definitely choose cultivation.

“In that case, I need to find a successor,” Liu Shi sighed. “It’s time to retire.”

Su Jie said nothing. This was a problem faced by all entrepreneurs as they aged. Even Old Master Xu had encountered this issue and ultimately invited Master Luo to assess the situation. He chose Xu Jiazhi—a conservative type who could maintain the status quo. Now the entire Xu family had adopted a contraction strategy and was actively transforming. Though not as grand as before, they were thriving.

“I’ve heard that you received true transmission from Luo Weiji and Ma Fengnian and are quite skilled in physiognomy,” Liu Shi suddenly said. “If you have time, take a look at my children and tell me which one can succeed me.”

“The era of family dynasties is outdated now. Children have their own space to grow,” Su Jie said. “You’ve actually already made plans for succession—you’re looking for professional managers, ones about ten years younger than you. That way, they’re mature enough not to act recklessly. After ten years, when their value is exhausted, you can replace them. They won’t stay in power long enough to become a threat to you. If your children take over too young, they’ll struggle to command authority. And if they make mistakes, can you replace them or not? If something goes wrong, who takes the blame? If you want to choose a professional manager, I can introduce Master Luo and Master Ma to you. Although I’ve studied feng shui and physiognomy, I don’t want to practice it.”

“I’ve already invited Luo Weiji and Ma Fengnian,” Liu Shi said. “But both of them declined. What do you think the reason is?”

“Your company is too big,” Su Jie said. He spoke to Liu Shi without restraint, without false modesty or excessive deference. He knew that the more this was the case, the more Liu Shi would value him. “To steer such a company, you need someone of extraordinary talent and vision. But such people are rare. You have some candidates—if you don’t choose them, they’ll bear a grudge and you’ll make enemies. More critically, even if you choose the right person, they won’t be grateful—they’ll think you’re spreading rumors and causing trouble. This is like how every emperor, after ascending the throne, kills the advisors who helped him from his old household. Who would do such thankless work?”

“What if I offer enough money?” Liu Shi asked.

“They don’t lack money. They can get money from anywhere. There’s no need for them to offend people for money,” Su Jie said. “For someone at your level, connections come first, money second.”

“Would you be willing to take a look at my successor for me?” Liu Shi asked again, a meaningful look in his eyes.

“No,” Su Jie answered firmly.

“One hundred million!” Liu Shi raised one finger.

Su Jie still shook his head.

“I can help release your sister from her contract,” Liu Shi suddenly offered.

Su Jie’s eyes moved slightly, but he still shook his head.

“Why?” Liu Shi was puzzled. He knew many things about Su Jie’s family, especially the value of his sister Su Mochen. He also knew that Su Jie’s weak spot was his sister.

Yet now, Su Jie had refused.

“Because even you cannot accomplish that,” Su Jie said. “If my sister were still in China, you could manage it. But she has already gone abroad. If you take any other actions, it would only jeopardize her safety. More importantly, our relationship has not yet reached that level. Everything you just said was testing me—testing my character.”

With the conversation reaching this point, Liu Shi simply laughed heartily. He felt that all his thoughts had been seen through by Su Jie.

He had thought that although Su Jie was formidable, he lacked life experience. He never expected that Su Jie could perceive all his intentions so clearly.

Although Su Jie had saved Liu Shi and was now sharing a room with him, he had not truly earned Liu Shi’s trust. Or rather, their relationship had not yet reached that level.

“Then let’s build the relationship slowly. You’re a very interesting young man,” Liu Shi said, lying down to rest. He looked at Su Jie, sitting motionless on the sofa beside him, calm and composed, as if meditating or training.

“Doesn’t that tire you out?” Liu Shi asked.

“It’s fine. Sleep isn’t really an issue for me,” Su Jie said. His cultivation was no longer confined to physical postures.

In the past, he had needed the “Great Corpse State” method to sleep. But now, with casual breathing, he could engage his entire body. Every part of his body moved with each breath, creating perfect coordination and harmony with the surrounding environment.

His skill had transcended physical form and entered the realm of pure mind and spirit.

This was also the result of his careful study of the “Nine Palaces Great Yu Thunder Ministry Orthodox Method.” He had developed his own insights and begun extracting its essence for practice.

Although this set of techniques had been studied by Old Master Zhang Nianquan for nearly a hundred years, it was not without flaws. Using cutting-edge scientific thinking and supercomputer analysis, Su Jie found some areas that were less than ideal.

But the majority were excellent cultivation methods. In particular, some essential parts could rapidly enhance cerebral cortex development. They also had a subtle connection to environmental coordination and the resonance of the body’s vibrational frequencies.

After fully comprehending it, Su Jie’s cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds—otherwise, he could not have defeated Yang Shu in the Tai Chi push-hands competition.

They fell silent and began to rest.

Liu Shi gradually drifted into sleep.

Su Jie, meanwhile, entered a cultivation state—clear, reflective, everything vividly before him, a pearl of wisdom firmly in his grasp.

In his breathing, he sensed a faint magnetic field swirling around him. He was like a fish in water, moving at any moment. With any movement, he would stir ripples in the pond. But it was impossible not to move—as long as one was alive, movement was inevitable.

The surrounding environment was the same.

A person constantly disrupts the magnetic field around them, creating chaos that in turn affects their own life magnetic field.

“If I could unify my actions with the surrounding environment—like a ghost fish swimming through a pond without disturbing the water—that should be true emptiness. That should be the realm of unity between heaven and man. But how exactly do I achieve that? I haven’t even reached the realm of enlightenment yet.” With this thought, Su Jie withdrew from his cultivation state.

He heard someone approaching outside.

Click!

The door opened.

Liu Shi was startled awake as well.

At the doorway stood a man and a woman. Normally, no one was allowed in without permission, but these two were exceptions—they were Liu Shi’s son and daughter.

Both were in their twenties, having worked for about a year or two after graduating from university.

Liu Shi was older than Xia Shang, and his children were a few years older than Xia Yi.

The two stood at the doorway, saw Su Jie, and were both momentarily stunned.

“Who are you?” the woman asked first.

“He’s my personal bodyguard. What are you two doing here? Didn’t I tell you not to come?” Liu Shi was annoyed at the sight of his children. “It’s dangerous here.”

“Dad, we were worried about you,” the woman said, her tone somewhat anxious.

The man, however, remained calm. He glanced at Su Jie and nodded: “Dad, since you have an expert protecting you, I’m relieved.”

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