I achieved mastery of martial arts during the Republic of China era.

Chapter 19: Initial Discussions on Cooperation, and the Dispute Over Personal Succession

In the south of the city, in a small restaurant.

It wasn't lunchtime yet, so there weren't many customers in the restaurant. The waiters were dozing off behind the counter, while the kitchen was filled with the sizzling sound of spatulas turning over pots and pans, mixed with the smell of cooking oil.

Zhou Tong and Ji Chang sat at a square table by the window.

The table was made of ordinary elm wood, stained with oil, and had a dull, weathered look that came from years of hardship.

Several dishes of home-style cooking were already laid out: a plate of glistening braised pork, a bowl of stir-fried pea shoots, a dish of fried peanuts, and a pot of steaming tofu soup.

A pot of old yellow wine was warming beside it. The rough pottery pot had some chips on the edge, which added to the rustic atmosphere.

Ji Changxian filled the rough earthenware bowls in front of the two men with wine, the amber liquid shimmering slightly under the dim light.

He picked up his bowl, skipped the usual empty blessings, and clinked it against Zhou Tong's: "Come on, junior brother, let's have a drink!"

With a soft "ding," the two tilted their heads back and each took a big gulp.

The wine was homemade and a bit rough on the palate, but its fiery kick went down the throat and quickly warmed the stomach, dispelling the winter chill.

"That feels great!" Ji Chang smacked his lips, picked up a peanut, popped it into his mouth, and chewed it with a crunching sound. "I've been holding back for months, and today I can finally relax a bit."

Zhou Tong smiled and picked up a piece of braised pork. The pork was stewed until tender and juicy, rich but not greasy, with an authentic home-style flavor.

He swallowed the meat and congratulated him again, saying, "Congratulations, Senior Brother, your wish has come true."

"Hey, this is nothing."

Ji Chang waved his hand, but the light in his eyes was unmistakable. "However, at least we've taken a big step forward."

He picked up the bowl and took another sip. When he put the bowl down, the relaxed smile on his face faded slightly, and he looked at Zhou Tongdao:

"Junior brother, now that I've broken through to the Bone Forging stage, our previously discussed cooperation... should be put on the agenda. I'm thinking it's time to formally pay our uncle a visit."

He paused, unconsciously poked around in the peanut dish with his chopsticks, and chuckled:

"Of course, cooperation is based on trust. I trust your character after spending these past few months with you, junior brother. I just don't know... whether I'm worthy of your attention?"

Zhou Tong met his gaze but did not answer immediately. Instead, he picked up the wine pot and refilled the two empty bowls.

The subtle sound of the wine being poured into the bowl was particularly clear in the otherwise quiet restaurant.

After doing all this, he picked up the bowl and smiled gently. "Senior brother is frank and straightforward, so I naturally trust him."

The two smiled at each other and clinked their bowls together again.

Ji Chang put down the bowl, picked up a peanut with his hand, but did not put it in his mouth immediately. Instead, he held it between his fingertips and played with it.

After exchanging a few more casual words, Ji Chang suddenly winked mischievously at Zhou Tong:

"Hey, junior brother, back at the martial arts school, Senior Brother Zheng and Senior Sister Liu were so enthusiastic in trying to win me over, and the price they offered was really good..."

Have you ever felt a sudden pang of fear, a worry that I might turn around and forget our promise, chasing after someone better?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Tong smiled slightly and nodded frankly: "I've thought about it."

Ji Chang raised an eyebrow.

Zhou Tong said calmly, "I know you are very dedicated to martial arts, Senior Brother. The generous rewards from Senior Sister Liu and Senior Brother Zheng are more than enough to support your future cultivation expenses, which has already met your needs..."

He paused, looked up at Ji Chang, and then changed the subject: "However, this thought only flashed through my mind for a moment before it quickly dissipated."

"Oh?" Ji Chang's interest was piqued now, and he stopped playing with the peanuts in his hand. "How so?"

Firstly.

Zhou Tong stretched out his chopsticks, pointed at the dishes on the table, and said with a smile, "After spending these past few months together, I know what kind of person you are, Senior Brother."

Even if you truly believe that the other side is a better choice, given your senior brother's personality, he will most likely first find an excuse like "let me think about it," and then consult with me later. He would never agree immediately and make me, his junior brother, unhappy.

Ji Chang nodded slightly, said nothing, and gestured for him to continue.

"Secondly," Zhou Tong smiled, his tone filled with undisguised confidence in his father:

"I have some confidence in my father's abilities. My senior brother chose to cooperate with us, probably not just for the immediate future, but also for the longer-term possibilities."

At this point, he picked up his wine bowl, took a sip, and his expression became increasingly composed:

"Of course, even if we take a step back and assume that Senior Brother ultimately chooses to accept their invitation, it's really not a big deal."

Ji Chang was somewhat surprised: "Hmm?"

Zhou Tong put down his bowl, his eyes clear: "If you choose to accept the invitation, it must be because you have carefully weighed the options and feel that it is the better choice at present. The most important thing in friendship is sincerity, and you should also hope that the other person is doing well."

If you try to bind someone to you based solely on a few words, or even just verbal promises, that's a waste of time and effort, potentially damaging the relationship and creating resentment.

He looked at Ji Chang and said with a smile, "Just like what my senior brother said when he approached me—there's still a long way to go, let's take it slow. If this collaboration doesn't work out, there will always be other opportunities in the future."

These words were neither humble nor arrogant, but reasonable and well-founded, pleasing to the ear and comforting.

Ji Chang was taken aback for a moment, then slapped his thigh hard, his face showing undisguised admiration:

"Excellent! Well said! Junior brother, your insight is unlike that of a young man; it's more like that of a seasoned veteran! It seems our uncle has been imparting a lot of knowledge and experience to you. I'm increasingly looking forward to this collaboration!"

He paused, as if thinking of something, and then said:

"When Senior Sister Liu and Senior Brother Zheng were trying to win me over, you just watched from afar, leaving me space. Afterwards, you didn't bring up cooperation either, again leaving me room to maneuver. Tsk tsk, Junior Brother, you really are..."

Zhou Tong smiled but remained silent.

Ji Chang clicked his tongue in admiration, in high spirits. He tilted his head back and downed the remaining wine in his bowl in one gulp. Wiping his mouth, he suddenly laughed again, with a hint of provocation: "Then, junior brother, guess again why I rejected Senior Brother Zheng and Senior Sister Liu?"

Zhou Tong looked at him with an expression of eager listening: "I would like to hear the details."

Ji Chang picked up a piece of meat, chewing as he said, "First, of course, we had an agreement beforehand, and I'm optimistic about Uncle's abilities and future prospects. The second..."

He put down his chopsticks, the nonchalance on his face fading, replaced by a calmness born of experience.

"Since my family fell on hard times, I've seen a lot of the coldness and warmth of human relationships, and I've long understood one principle: you have to be strong yourself to succeed. Senior Brother Zheng and Senior Sister Liu offered high prices, but ultimately, they were taking what they owed. What others can give you, they can also take back. Being dependent on others is never comfortable."

Zhou Tong listened with a smile, without saying a word.

"As for the third one..."

Ji Chang leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice so that only the two of them could hear him, "I don't want to choose between Senior Brother Zheng and Senior Sister Liu."

Zhou Tong's eyes flickered slightly, and he almost immediately realized: "Because... of the competition among personal disciples?"

Ji Chang glanced at him in surprise, then laughed and pointed at him:

"Hey! I told you my junior brother has a brilliant mind! He understands everything so quickly. I hadn't even said anything yet, and you already figured it out."

He nodded, confirming, "That's right, that's the matter. It's unlikely that Master would accept two personal disciples at the same time."

Liu Qing and Zheng Hao appear to be together every day, giving the impression of a loving couple. But in reality? It's all just a facade; they're actually competing with each other behind the scenes.

Ji Chang curled his lip: "If I were to join either of their factions and take their jobs, I would naturally have to speak well of them and make a good impression in the martial arts school."

"Personal disciples are crucial to the future reputation of the martial arts school. Besides martial arts skills, their interpersonal relationships and public image are also very important. Which of our senior brothers and sisters at the Bone Forging Realm hasn't been secretly offered a position by them? Their intentions are self-evident."

Zhou Tong nodded in understanding, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Recalling the scene in the martial arts school where Liu Qing and Zheng Hao stood side by side, chatting and laughing, there was truly no trace of discord between them.

These scions of prominent families are indeed adept at maintaining a flawless facade.

Comparing myself to my confused state before I awakened my memories, I couldn't help but feel ashamed.

Next, the two chatted about some trivial matters of the martial arts school and their insights on cultivation, and the atmosphere became more and more harmonious.

It was finally agreed that Ji Chang would formally visit Zhou Chengzong two days later.

After finishing the wine and eating most of the dishes, the two men got up and went home instead of going to the martial arts school.