Extraordinary Realm from Persuasion System-Chapter 419 - 175: Willing to Follow Great Grandmaster Zhang to Revitalize Our Martial Arts! _4
Other considerations aside, those with high social status—while perhaps not able to strut around Great Xia with impunity—could at least expect some deference from political and business circles upon revealing their identity.
And here I am, a mere university student, really relying on this. After all, apart from this, I have no money...
Therefore, I had no particular aversion to this position.
I even thought it was quite good.
It would allow me to implement some of the reforms I had long been contemplating.
The mindset of Great Xia’s Martial Artists is far too conservative!
Everyone clings to the old rules left by previous generations, with no thought for change.
If this were before the industrial boom, it might have been acceptable.
Back then, Martial Arts were the primary means of handling matters, a way to support one’s family. Adhering to family rules and not passing techniques on to outsiders was perfectly reasonable!
But now, technology has exploded! Missiles can fly from north to south. The Qing Dynasty fell long ago!
No matter how strong you Martial Artists are, you’re ultimately mortal. Can you really be stronger than bullets?
Even I, a Great Grandmaster, can’t withstand them, let alone others.
This is modern society! Don’t be superstitious, don’t mythologize Martial Artist Grandmasters—face reality!
Besides, most people engage in Martial Arts Training primarily for physical fitness and to learn some self-defense, not aiming to become incredibly strong.
And despite all that, you still damn well refuse to teach!
Always hiding things, keeping secrets.
There’s no point to it!
People won’t beg to learn Martial Arts like they used to!
Instead, it’s the Martial Arts that are begging people to learn them!
Because people have far too many other choices.
Not to mention disciplines like Karate, Taekwondo, and Muay Thai...
They have good attitudes, teach for money, and keep it simple.
Crucially, they don’t require years of arduous training like Great Xia’s Martial Arts!
Even if their techniques are subpar, who needs to go to a battlefield these days anyway?
Comparing the two, aside from those truly dedicated to Martial Arts, no one else would choose to endure such frustration here!
If these Martial Artists of Great Xia cannot realize this and continue to stagnate, the extinction of Great Xia Martial Arts will only be a matter of time!
As a Martial Artist of Great Xia, the only Great Grandmaster in seven hundred years, the first publicly elected President of the Martial Arts Association, and someone who aims to become Transcendent and capable of fighting firearms in the future... Zhang Beixing felt it was necessary to address this issue, to get Great Xia’s Martial Arts back on track, and to do something for the martial path of Great Xia!
"However, I still need to think about how exactly to reform and get Great Xia’s Martial Arts back on track," Zhang Beixing muttered, falling deep into thought.
He wasn’t worried at all that his reforms would face opposition from the people present, or that they would contradict him. Because as long as they weren’t foolish, they could distinguish what was more important: reform or mass-producing Pseudo Grandmasters!
Humans are profit-driven creatures.
If some appear not to be, it’s not because they are particularly noble; it’s simply that the incentive offered isn’t great enough!
Just as Zhang Beixing was pondering how to enact bold and decisive reforms to get Great Xia’s martial arts community back on the right path, "Daddy, your son is calling! Daddy, your son is calling..." The urgent ringtone of his phone suddenly erupted.
Zhang Beixing pulled out his phone and saw it was Inspector Bai Xubing from the Shishi Police Department calling.
Could they have already caught that scoundrel who ambushed me? Seeing this, Zhang Beixing let out a soft sound of surprise. When he had come to Yingtian Prefecture today, someone had indeed tried to assassinate him from a distance with a gun. Now that Inspector Bai was calling, it must be about this incident.
With this thought, Zhang Beixing stepped aside and answered the call.
Inspector Bai Xubing’s voice came through, "Hello, Zhang Beixing, this is Bai Xubing. We’ve caught the person who tried to assassinate you and are interrogating him urgently!"
So soon? Zhang Beixing was somewhat surprised. How long has it even been? Not even a few hours! Their efficiency is incredible!
Little did he know, when such incidents occurred in Great Xia, regulations required setting up checkpoints within at least a hundred-kilometer radius, and both military and police would be deployed to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
"However, based on our urgent interrogation and investigation, we’ve determined that your would-be assassin likely has accomplices, possibly even here in Yingtian Prefecture!"
"Have you located this accomplice then?" Zhang Beixing asked in surprise.
"We currently know he’s hidden in the mountains not far from you, probably still determined to get you. However, we’ve found clues about the support team he was supposed to meet. It won’t be long before we confirm his location and apprehend him. In the meantime, stay inside the Martial Arts Association headquarters and don’t wander off, to avoid any unforeseen incidents!"
Inspector Bai briefly outlined their current progress and cautioned Zhang Beixing.
Hearing this, Zhang Beixing became contemplative. He pondered for a moment, and an idea surfaced in his mind. "Inspector Bai," he said, "do you want to achieve a great merit?"
"A great merit? What do you mean?" Inspector Bai asked, a note of surprise in his voice.
Zhang Beixing smiled faintly. "Exactly what it sounds like. I have an idea now..." He then whispered his plan to Inspector Bai. Zhang Beixing’s expressions were quite animated as he spoke.
A moment later, the call ended.
Zhang Beixing stood there waiting for a short while. Then, DING-DONG! A crisp notification sounded from his phone. Inspector Bai had sent him a WeChat message.
Zhang Beixing opened it and read, a smile touching his lips. He was quick to refuse verbally, but his actions are honest enough!
The next moment, a murderous glint flashed in Zhang Beixing’s eyes, his expression turning fierce. These bastards! Daring to ambush me with guns and play dirty tricks—do they really think a Great Grandmaster is so easily bullied? If I don’t wipe you all out this time, grind your bones to dust and scatter the ashes, I’ll stop being a Grandmaster!
At this thought, Zhang Beixing looked up at the other Martial Artists present. His smile widened. After a moment of contemplation, he stepped forward and clapped his hands.
"Everyone, quiet down for a moment. I have a question for you all." Zhang Beixing scanned the crowd. Seeing the numerous Martial Artists turn to look at him, he asked, "Do you want to prove yourselves? Or rather, do you want to vindicate our Great Xia Martial Arts?"
Vindicate? Hearing Zhang Beixing’s words, everyone present was momentarily stunned. What’s going on? Why would Great Grandmaster Zhang suddenly bring this up?
Wan Mingde, currently the foremost ’Zhang Admirer,’ stepped forward upon hearing Zhang Beixing’s words and asked, "President Zhang, forgive my ignorance, but what exactly do you mean by that?"
"It means exactly what it says!" Zhang Beixing replied, his expression turning serious as he continued in a deep voice, "The Martial Arts community of Great Xia has been dormant for many years, like a pool of stagnant water. Now that it’s finally showing signs of rejuvenation, shouldn’t we do something about it?
"Should we just resign ourselves to obscurity in the face of modern advancements and the firepower of contemporary weapons?
"Which of our ancestors didn’t have hundreds of disciples, wasn’t exceptionally talented and brilliant, didn’t roam the pugilist world, revered by all?"
Zhang Beixing looked at Wan Mingde, his voice thunderous as he asked, "Grandmaster Wan, are you truly content to watch our Great Xia Martial Arts languish in such decline, with even Grandmaster-level experts remaining obscure and unknown to the world?"
Wan Mingde paused, a flicker of memory in his eyes, then shook his head. "No, I am not content!"
Zhang Beixing nodded and then turned to Ma Yuankai. "Grandmaster Ma, do you want to watch our Great Xia martial arts schools decline like this, worsening day by day?"
Although Ma Yuankai didn’t know exactly what Zhang Beixing was getting at, he still shook his head earnestly. "No, I do not!"
"And the rest of you," Zhang Beixing addressed the others, "are you willing to stand by and watch our descendants learn the Martial Arts of outsiders, forgetting the roots of Great Xia? Or are you willing for us, the Martial Artists of our generation, and our Martial Arts, to fade into oblivion amidst technological development?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
Everyone shook their heads in unison, declaring as one, "We are not willing!"
"Good! Since you are not content, do not wish for this, and are unwilling to let it happen! Then, from this moment on, follow me, and together, let us revive the glory of Great Xia!"
Zhang Beixing swept his arm out, fist clenched, and declared with resounding force:
"Our first step will be to ensure our Great Xia Martial Arts Association enters the public consciousness with a completely new, positive, and powerful image! We will let everyone know that the martial path of Great Xia has always been here, and always will be!
"Everyone, are you willing to join me?"
Although the crowd was unsure of Zhang Beixing’s specific plans, they could sense he was about to make a significant move. Under Zhang Beixing’s repeated, stirring questions, they felt a long-dormant passion begin to surge within them. It was as if they had returned to the days when they first encountered Martial Arts, days filled with burning passion and ambition, feelings that had since dwindled to mere embers.
Gradually, their once dull yet steady eyes began to brighten, sparks of light flickering within them.
"We are willing to follow Great Grandmaster Zhang and revitalize our martial path!"
