Martial Dao: Peace by Force

Chapter 94: Chapter 83: Personally Meeting a Grandmaster

That was no small sum.

”Take it. This was always meant to be yours,” Zhai Jia said with a smile. ”Liu Zhengming didn’t even bring it up when he left. He was too embarrassed to ask for it. If it weren’t for you tonight, forget about seizing anything—it would’ve been a question if his men even made it back in one piece.”

”We share our fortunes,” Wan Ze said decisively, taking half and stuffing it into Zhai Jia’s hands.

Zhai Jia didn’t refuse this time, simply tucking the money into the inner pocket of his oversized jacket.

Watching Wan Ze seriously divvy up the spoils, he couldn’t help but break into a wide, fond grin.

Then he slung a powerful arm around Wan Ze’s neck. ”Alright, let’s go, let’s go. Stop counting. Back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep. We have to be up early tomorrow to visit Elder Gu.”

”By the way, Senior Brother, what’s Elder Gu’s story?”

”He’s one of the few surviving masters of the Gua Da Sect, seven years older than our Master. They met about thirty years ago, back when Master was young and full of fire, traveling the martial world. You could say they became friends after a good fight. After going through a few life-or-death situations together, they became sworn brothers... Elder Gu has been retired from the martial world for a few years now. His daughter basically runs the martial arts school these days.”

”His daughter?”

”Surprised? Haha, Elder Gu is open-minded and not bound by tradition. He actually has a son, too. A real success story—studied abroad at a top university, came back, but his heart wasn’t in the Martial Dao. He went to a big coastal city to work in finance and barely makes it back a few times a year. His younger daughter stayed with him to take care of him, and she also inherited all his martial skill. She’s got good talent. At thirty-one, she’s already at the Middle to Late Stage of the Refining Viscera Realm. For the younger generation, that’s pretty good.”

”That’s truly impressive,” Wan Ze said with sincere admiration. ’Middle to Late Stage of Refining Viscera... that makes her an expert anywhere.’

”Haha, with your aptitude and rate of progress, you definitely won’t need to wait until you’re her age,” Zhai Jia laughed. ”Who knows, by the next time we see her, you might have to be the one going easy on her.”

The two of them got in the car, chatting as they drove off.

...

...

Zhai Jia might seem like a goofball most of the time, but when it came to social etiquette, his skills were impressive.

Early that morning, he brought Wan Ze with him, a proper gift in hand, to visit Elder Gu.

From his respectful greeting at the door to the pleasantries and reminiscences after they sat down, his every word and action showed deep respect for his elder, while still maintaining a frank and open-hearted demeanor.

He handled both appearances and substance flawlessly.

Wan Ze observed quietly from the side, gaining a new appreciation for his fourth senior brother. He couldn’t help but be impressed.

Of course, Zhai Jia hadn’t planned on sparring at all, but then Elder Gu’s daughter, Gu Feifei, eagerly suggested they ”exchange a few pointers.”

He politely declined a few times, but when he saw Elder Gu also nodding with a cheerful smile, he no longer demurred.

The two of them took their stances in an open space in the courtyard.

Gu Feifei was in her early thirties, with a ramrod-straight posture and bright eyes. She truly possessed the valiant air of a seasoned practitioner.

She practiced her family’s Gua Da Sect techniques. Her moves were fierce, and from her first strike, it was clear her style was a balance of offense and defense.

Zhai Jia, on the other hand, was far more composed. He didn’t use his full Strength, intentionally reining in his speed and power to counter her moves just enough.

He was still using the basic framework of the Dragon Eagle Fist Technique, but in his hands, the unremarkable form was simplified to its core. At the very last second, he would always manage to neutralize the fiercest part of Gu Feifei’s assault, never overextending himself for a cheap shot.

After a few exchanges, Zhai Jia used a move called Pushing the Window and Gazing at the Moon to redirect Gu Feifei’s attack to the side. He immediately withdrew and stepped back, cupping his fist with a smile. ”Senior Sister Gu, thank you for the match. The Gua Da Sect’s techniques are truly profound.”

In that exchange, he had used only a fraction of his True Power. It was enough to display his own skill while still giving his host ample face. He had stopped at the perfect moment, showing excellent control and propriety.

Although Elder Gu was advanced in years, his mind was as sharp as ever.

He watched the entire exchange with a cheerful smile. The gap in skill between his daughter and Zhai Jia, as well as the fact that Zhai Jia was holding back, was crystal clear to him.

He knew his daughter was outmatched, but he felt a sense of helplessness.

The techniques of his sect demanded high levels of both comprehension and physical aptitude. His son’s ambitions lay elsewhere, taking him far from home. Only his daughter had loved the martial arts since she was a child and was willing to put in the hard work. For her to be able to inherit his life’s skills was already a blessing.

At noon, the Gu Family hosted a lavish banquet for Wan Ze and Zhai Jia.

The atmosphere at the table was warm and friendly. Elder Gu asked about Situ Bai’s current situation and chatted about old tales from the martial world and insights into the Martial Dao.

After the meal, the old man had his daughter, Gu Feifei, bring over five or six exquisitely prepared gift boxes.

He pointed to two boxes that were noticeably more rustic and elegant. ”These are a few old keepsakes for your master,” he said to Zhai Jia. ”When he sees them, he’ll understand what I mean. Old men like us love to reminisce. Please pass on a message for me: tell him to come visit Laojun Mountain when he’s free and see this old bag of bones.”

Then he gestured to another box. ”These are just some local specialties from Yu Yang—wild mountain goods, tea, things like that. They’re not worth much, but take them back for your brothers to try. A small token from the Gu Family.”

Zhai Jia quickly rose and accepted the gift boxes with both hands, thanking him sincerely. ”Elder Gu, you are too kind. I will be sure to deliver your words and gifts to him personally. Master often speaks of you as well. He says that as soon as he has a free moment, he will definitely come and impose on you for a few days.”

After another round of pleasantries, Zhai Jia and Wan Ze finally took their leave, carrying bags of all sizes.

Thanks to the SUV Liu Zhengming had left behind, their return trip was much more convenient. They no longer had to lug all their bags onto a crowded train.

...

After watching the car drive down the mountain road and disappear from sight, Gu Feifei returned to the courtyard, lost in thought.

’Zhai Jia... he’s gotten stronger again. Last time I saw him, he didn’t seem so... effortlessly in control.’

She felt a pang of frustration.

’We’re both Martial Artists of the younger generation, but the gap between us seems to be growing wider.’

Elder Gu, still looking as cheerful as ever, sat in his rattan chair. ”He started his training early and built an incredibly solid foundation. Plus, he was tempered in an environment like Dragon Eagle, so he has a wealth of real combat experience, and his character has been forged. You don’t need to sell yourself short. Your path is different from his. If you proceed steadily, there’s no reason you won’t achieve great things in the future.”

”Dad, don’t try to comfort me.” Gu Feifei pouted, for once revealing a girlish side in front of her father. She sighed. ”I’m well aware of the gap between us. But... that young man with him, Wan Ze... I can’t quite figure him out. He barely said a word the entire time, and his aura was almost unnervingly calm. Standing right there, I failed to even notice him several times.”

Hearing this, the smile on Elder Gu’s face deepened. ”I thought you were so focused on competing with Zhai Jia that you hadn’t noticed him.”

Gu Feifei turned her head in surprise. ”Dad, what did you see in him?”

The old man said slowly, ”His aura is contained and profound, with almost no leakage. He stands with his feet rooted to the ground, yet shows no sign of intentionally holding a stance... What have I always told you? That’s the mark of someone whose foundational skills have reached an extremely high level. If you’d looked closely at his eyes, you would have seen a clear calmness, free of the restlessness common in young people. He seems like someone who has been through a great deal. That’s not the kind of presence an ordinary disciple possesses.”

Seeing the surprise on his daughter’s face, he added meaningfully, ”A disciple that would prompt Situ to call me personally and solemnly ask me to ’take a look’ at him could hardly be an ordinary talent. That boy is a truly fine seedling. His character and comprehension are likely both top-tier.”

”He’s that good?” Gu Feifei’s expression was one of even greater surprise, which was quickly followed by a wave of regret. ”If I’d known... I should have asked him to ’exchange a few pointers’ too!”

Her eagerness amused Elder Gu, who shook his head and chuckled.

Gazing at the lush mountain scenery outside the courtyard, he said with a sigh, ”Your path is different from theirs. All I hope for is that you can live a peaceful and stable life, carry the responsibility of this martial arts school, and one day find a dependable person to start a family with. Then I’ll have no more worries and can rest in peace.”

Gu Feifei turned her head away. ”Why are you bringing up marriage all of a sudden? I don’t want to get married!”