Chapter 142: The Inevitable Path to Enlightenment

“Achoo!”

“Your temperature is 39.7 degrees—high fever,” said the adorable nurse in a pink uniform, shaking the mercury thermometer. “Sir, at your age, you really need to be careful. The weather’s been changing lately, and you’ve got a mild case of pneumonia.”

“Hmph!” Jie Yuan curled his lips in disdain. “For men like us, such trifling ailments are nothing. It’s merely that my internal energy shield isn’t fully intact. Alas, it’s the southern weather—sudden torrential rains, impossible to guard against.”

“Master,” Zhuang Dongze returned with a thermos filled with hot water, wiping his nose. “Here, drink this first.”

The emergency room was crowded. The two whispered to each other; after all, as martial cultivators, they were different from ordinary people. Usually, a little wind wouldn’t cause illness, but with the sudden violent downpour and Jie Yuan’s stubborn nature, staying out all night was unbearable—even for a grandmaster, let alone a divine one.

Zhuang Dongze felt a bit frustrated. He patted his pocket where a few hundred yuan remained. Before being sent out by the Yinshan Martial Arts Bureau, he had been given a three-thousand-yuan “budget,” but the medical expenses already consumed several hundred. Combined with living costs, the money was nearly gone.

It wasn’t the Bureau’s fault. Martial artists generally had no social income; they often retreated for cultivation and didn’t engage in earning or production. To society, they were resource consumers.

Though sects were wealthy, they spent heavily on herbs and elixirs, so they hardly grew rich.

Moreover, Jie Yuan and Zhuang Dongze were unaffiliated wanderers, with weak ties to the outside world. Jie Yuan’s pride was high, and economically, the two were “impoverished households.”

Thinking of Xiao Kaitian’s defiance, Zhuang Dongze’s anger flared. He spat angrily, “That damned Xiao Kaitian! Ignoring the challenge letter is a disgrace to martial arts.”

“Dongze,” Jie Yuan said, clutching the thermos as he took his medicine and sipped the hot water to warm himself, “your resolve isn’t strong enough yet. Remember, no matter the circumstance, your mindset must remain steady.”

“Yes, Master, your teaching is right. I admit I was biased.”

“First, tell me, is Xiao Kaitian even a martial cultivator now?”

Zhuang Dongze shook his head. Jie Yuan nodded in satisfaction. His disciple’s martial aptitude was good, but his social skills were poor, lacking experience and needing guidance.

“Secondly, did you personally hand the challenge letter to Xiao Kaitian?”

Zhuang Dongze shook his head. “No. His company is huge; you have to make an appointment to enter. I left it at the front desk. The staff said they would pass it on.”

“See?” Jie Yuan stroked his white beard and sighed. “Xiao Kaitian is supposedly at the peak of the Earth Realm. If you don’t deliver the challenge letter in person, no wonder he didn’t accept. Right?”

Zhuang Dongze suddenly understood. This time his master’s suffering was partly due to his own negligence. Clenching his fist, he said, “Master, this was my mistake. I’ll go to Xiao Kaitian again.”

“Dongze, you’re still young. Remember, mistakes aren’t terrible,” Jie Yuan said, closing his eyes with a slight sore throat. “What matters is to recognize your errors and learn from them.”

“We, as martial artists, know that talent is important, but diligent practice and continuous reflection on experience are essential steps on the path to enlightenment.”

“Yes,” Zhuang Dongze agreed wholeheartedly. “Master, I’ll take you home to rest, then I’ll visit Qing Tang World once more.”

After Xiao Kaitian finished his noon break and returned to the office, he found the report submitted by Guo Lei on his desk.

The consulting model of Qixi Media had stabilized. Recently, following Guo Lei’s plan, they began accepting external consulting orders—and surprisingly, some clients actually paid.

The consulting topics were wildly varied: academic research, writing, game design, and more. After Guo Lei explained the principles of the consultation sessions, the clients accepted them.

In truth, this was a form of early market exploration, or small-scale user experience. People from various industries and age groups voiced their most immediate opinions to guide product design and incorporate real change.

This method consistently received praise. Because it was the initial phase, fees were not high. After deducting invitation, venue, and accommodation costs, the company barely made a profit.

Running a business has always been about reputation first. Guo Lei valued long-term planning.

Xiao Kaitian approved as well. Guo Lei was reserved and steady, born into humble circumstances but hardworking, without frivolous ideas. She worked well with Lin Xiang; their cooperation was smooth.

Besides the report, Guo Lei asked Xiao Kaitian if there were any upcoming consultation topics.

There were quite a few requests. Xiao Kaitian glanced at Zhao Qixi across the office and, momentarily distracted, casually wrote down the words “High Dimension.”

“President Xiao,” the office door was knocked on. Tang Tian entered, frowning. “There’s someone causing a disturbance at the front desk, shouting your name, demanding to see you.”

“Someone looking for me? Who is it?” Xiao Kaitian tossed aside his marker and stood. “If they’re causing trouble, call security.”

“The person seems to be a martial artist. Security can’t handle him,” Tang Tian replied helplessly. She had heard some of Xiao Kaitian’s troubles from her father’s side due to family connections. His life was far from peaceful.

Now, another martial artist showed up. The corporate challenge had barely settled; was it about to start again?

“A martial artist?” Xiao Kaitian frowned but remained calm. “Send for Bai Kou. She can’t just hang around the company collecting a paycheck.”

“Director Bai said she’s not involved. She went down earlier and spoke to the person a few words,” Tang Tian shrugged. “To be frank, there are many strange employees at Qing Tang World. The visitor claims it’s a formal challenge match—a rule in the martial arts world.”

Xiao Kaitian remembered. He finally realized he had forgotten something: a letter had arrived two days ago, inviting him to a duel atop the Haitou Central Building yesterday, which he had completely overlooked.

So this formal challenge was indeed a martial arts tradition. Bai Kou, being part of the martial arts world, naturally upheld some rules. After considering this, Xiao Kaitian put on his suit and prepared to head downstairs.

Taking the elevator down, the doors opened with a “ding,” revealing a group of security guards surrounding a young man in a tense standoff. The youth wore a cold expression but hadn’t made a move.

“I’ll say it again: I’m not here to cause trouble. I have a letter for President Xiao. This is the rule. I don’t want to harm innocents. Please step aside.”

But the Qing Tang World security guards were all highly paid and fiercely loyal. They gripped their stun batons tightly, refusing to yield, encircling the youth firmly.

Xiao Kaitian frowned and stepped forward. “I am Xiao Kaitian.”