Proving God begins with the principle that no effort is wasted.

Chapter 77 Cangwu Sect

As dusk fell, it was dinnertime.

The wooden table in the main room was ice cold. The food on the plates cooled down quickly, and the grease congealed into a thin, pale frost.

Liu Changqing sat at the table, his chopsticks resting quietly on the rim of his bowl, not touching the bowl for a long time.

He stared at the cold food in front of him, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

The Chamber of Commerce's inescapable net tightened ever more, cutting off the martial arts school's path forward, scattering its disciples, weakening its alliances, and exacerbating the secret smuggling of banned drugs, which could lead to the extermination of the entire family. Every wrong step would mean total annihilation.

"Dad, why aren't you eating?"

Liu Yun sat opposite, quietly eating her rice. The crisp clinking of bowls and chopsticks broke the deathly silence in the room.

She is twenty-two years old this year. She has been managing the martial arts school's accounts and taking care of injured disciples for many years. She is calm and efficient, and is no longer an innocent girl.

I'm not hungry.

Liu Changqing picked up the teacup, took a sip of the cold tea, found it bitter, and then gently put it down.

Mrs. Li came out of the kitchen, brought out a dish of pickled vegetables, and silently placed it on the table. She saw through her husband's thoughts at a glance, but didn't ask any questions. She simply sat down quietly, served food to her daughter, and softly reminded her, "Eat it while it's hot, don't let it get cold and it will harm your health."

Only faint sounds remained inside the room.

Liu Changqing gazed at his daughter's profile, lost in thought. The little girl who used to ride on his shoulders to watch the lantern festival in the streets had grown into a graceful young woman.

Amidst the chaos and turmoil of the world, and the conflicts in the martial arts world, his greatest desire was never for a future, but simply to survive peacefully.

"Yun'er, do you still remember the Cangwu Sect?" he suddenly asked.

Liu Yun was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "I remember, the major sect my father worked for when he was young."

The Cangwu Sect is renowned far and wide, far surpassing the martial arts schools in the city. It boasts numerous masters and exquisite techniques, making it an unattainable high platform for all lower-level martial artists.

Ordinary martial arts school disciples, even if they spend their entire lives, never have the chance to step into the school gates.

"Last month I contacted my former fellow disciple," Liu Changqing said calmly, without the slightest ripple, as if he had already decided on the outcome. "I found you a clerical job at a pharmacy, in charge of accounts and records. It's a stable and leisurely job, where you don't have to fight or get involved in the conflicts of the marketplace."

In an instant, a light shone in Liu Yun's eyes.

She had never left the county town. To her, the major sects were another world, the only way to escape the quagmire of the lower class and stay away from the chaos and bloodshed of the world.

Her surprise quickly faded, replaced by worry: "Father, what will happen to you and Mother? The martial arts school is surrounded on all sides, and the Chamber of Commerce is closing in. If I leave, what will happen to the family..."

"Your mother and I are in good health and have no worries about food and clothing."

Liu Changqing's tone was resolute, brooking no argument. In this chaotic world, he had already made his choices: the martial arts school's foundation could be abandoned, and the bonds of brotherhood could be suppressed, but his daughter's survival was the only thing he had to protect.

"Go to the sect and do your job well. Do not disgrace the sect and do not cause trouble."

Li's eyes reddened slightly. She silently wiped her hands on her apron, turned around and went back to the kitchen to serve soup, not wanting anyone to see her reluctance.

The room fell silent again.

Liu Changqing picked up his teacup, then gently put it down, seemingly casually asking but subtly probing: "Do you think Jiang Lan will be able to join a major sect in the future?"

Liu Yun paused in her soup-drinking motion, looked up, and replied frankly, without the slightest hesitation or shyness: "Junior Brother Jiang can definitely do it."

"He excelled in martial arts, defeating two top masters from Cangsong at the Qinglin Gathering. His temperament, boxing skills, and tenacity far surpass those of his peers. You entered Cangwu with your hard skills back then, but Junior Brother Jiang's talent far surpasses yours in your youth. As soon as the opportunity arises, the major sects will definitely fight over him."

Every word was firm and certain, as if stating established facts.

Liu Changqing lowered his eyes, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

With his daughter's future secured, his anxiety eased slightly. However, the martial arts school's crisis remained unresolved, the merchant guild harbored treacherous intentions, and the three-way alliance was extremely fragile; everyone was barely clinging to life.

They slowly finished their cold rice and dishes, and lay in silence all night, no one daring to easily discuss the outside turmoil.

The next morning, the frost had not yet melted.

As dawn broke, Liu Changqing summoned Jiang Lan and Sun Gengsan to his study.

The room was dimly lit, and on the desk lay a dry letter with neat handwriting and clear markings; it was a message from the Prefectural Military Affairs Department.

He sat upright in the main seat, his gaze calm, and without any unnecessary preamble, directly stated the arrangements.

"The Prefectural Military Affairs Department is short of two stewards, responsible for document processing and equipment inventory. The monthly salary is eight taels, with an additional bonus at the end of the year. It is a proper and stable official position."

"Which of you two is willing to go?"

In the current situation, a job in the Military Equipment Department is the best way out for low-level martial artists. By entering officialdom, they can escape the conflicts of the martial arts world, avoid being manipulated by merchant guilds, not have to cater to factions, live a peaceful life, and stay away from danger.

Sun Gengsan was startled and suddenly stood up.

The wooden chair scraped against the floor, making a screeching sound that broke the silence of the study.

He bowed deeply to Liu Changqing, his voice trembling with barely concealed excitement and bittersweetness: "Master, your disciple is willing to go!"

"When I first attempted to enter the martial arts gate, I failed, my meridians were damaged, and my foundation was broken. I had no hope of reaching the Nine Acupoints in this lifetime, and my path in martial arts was already cut off. Staying in the martial arts school would only be a waste of time. This job is a blessing from my master, a life-saving grace that will never be forgotten."

With mediocre talent and a lingering injury, he was utterly powerless against the turmoil within the Chamber of Commerce, nor could he rise to prominence in the struggle. This stable job was Liu Changqing's carefully arranged destiny for him for the rest of his life.

Liu Changqing raised his hand casually: "Sit down, no need for further words."

Sun Gengsan slowly sat down, rubbing his knees nervously with both hands, still unable to calm his emotions. He had been in a hopeless situation, but suddenly found a way out. He knew perfectly well that this was due to his master's secret favor and careful protection.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Changqing's gaze fell on Jiang Lan.

He didn't urge or pressure the boy, as if he had already anticipated his choice.

Jiang Lan's expression was cold, but her mind was clear.

The Armed Forces Department is safe and respectable, with official protection, and can temporarily avoid the suppression by Shi Wenshan and the Chamber of Commerce, without getting involved in the brutal martial arts school battles.

But stability is also a shackle. Once you enter officialdom, you are bound by rules and regulations, and you can no longer pursue your studies at will or fight against the odds. You are trapped in the lower-level system for life.

He also couldn't learn the internal cultivation method he longed for.

If you want to learn internal cultivation methods, you still have to go to a sect.

Moreover, the internal energy of the abdomen will soon reach the third level. The most urgent task is to seize the opportunity to improve one's strength!

After a moment of silence, Jiang Lan replied in a deep voice, "Master, this matter is of great importance, and I need to think about it for a few days."

"That's how it should be."

Liu Changqing nodded slightly. "One wrong choice can lead to a lifetime of regret. Life is a long journey; there's no need to rush into a decision."

He had already made his plans perfectly clear in his mind.

After sending his daughter away to seek refuge in Dazong, and settling Sun Gengsan in a stable life, all the vulnerable people had their futures arranged.

Jiang Lan is Guangchang's only weapon, the hope to break the deadlock, and the last trump card.

He didn't force Jiang Lan to compromise, nor did he force the young man to lie low and wait for him to choose whether to retreat into seclusion to survive or to defy the odds and break through the deadlock.

The study was quiet, with morning light streaming through the window and falling on the floor.

……