Chapter 349: Do You Want to Learn Ancient Martial Arts from Me?

The sheer volume of flattery and sycophantic praise was almost more than Chen Erbao could handle.

He was now famous in the villages for a hundred miles around. He'd made his fortune, yet he hadn't forgotten his hometown. He'd opened a factory just outside the village, providing jobs for the locals. Not only that, but Chen Erbao also paid for their full social security benefits, and the wages were on par with those in major cities. For the villagers, this was an absolute godsend.

If you could work near home, who would want to travel a thousand miles to work in a place where you didn't know anyone?

Besides, a job was a job, but working for someone you knew gave you peace of mind, right?

At the very least, you wouldn't have to worry about your wages being withheld!

Chen Erbao walked a lap around the factory and then went to the back warehouse.

The back warehouse was still under heavy guard. Not only was it enclosed by a wall, but it was also surrounded by alarms and cameras. Under Bai Xiaoqing's arrangements, security guards with wolfhounds patrolled twenty-four hours a day, keeping it under strict watch.

This was all part of Chen Erbao's plan.

Although Bai Xiaoqing and the other new managers didn't understand why Chen Erbao was doing this, his mere mention of the "face mask's secret formula" silenced all objections.

Even though these arrangements would cost a considerable amount of money, compared to the mask company's profits, it was all small change!

Arriving at the back warehouse, Chen Erbao unlocked the main gate and looked at the pool of water. He found that the Spirit-Containing Object was thriving even better in the water!

Spirit-Containing Objects were inherently able to absorb Spiritual Qi from nature. If left in one place for a long time, they could even alter the surrounding energy field and environment to better suit their own survival.

Chen Erbao carefully inspected the security measures. After confirming there were no issues, he left the back warehouse and headed for his office.

Both the suburban factory and this one had a chairman's office for him. Although he rarely worked here, the room was cleaned daily and was never dirty or messy.

Chen Erbao sat in his large chair, lost in thought for a moment. Then he picked up the landline and dialed the security office.

"Have Xie Lei come see me."

He planned to give Xie Lei the lowdown and teach him some simple fist and foot techniques from the Joyful Technique. He didn't expect him to become a Cultivator, but at the very least, he wanted to make him no weaker than an average Ancient Martial Artist!

A short while later, an excited-looking Xie Lei arrived at the office and knocked respectfully on the door.

Upon hearing Chen Erbao's voice, he cautiously entered the office.

"President Chen, you were looking for me?"

Chen Erbao folded his hands on the desk and gestured for him to sit.

"Xie Lei, I took you to see the location for the security company last time. What did you think?"

Hearing this, Xie Lei sat up straight. After a moment of thought, he answered seriously,

"President Chen, the site is big enough, and the facilities will be easy to set up. It's a great location!"

The answer was so formal and direct that it almost made Chen Erbao laugh out loud.

'What kind of answer is "It's a great location"?'

"I plan to make you the security captain over there, in charge of training. What do you think?" Chen Erbao asked.

Chen Erbao had mentioned this to Xie Lei before. His expression turned serious, and he replied earnestly,

"I guarantee I will complete the mission!"

Chen Erbao half-expected him to follow that up with something like, 'and I won't disappoint my leader's expectations...'

"Alright, alright, relax... If you want to be the security captain, you'll need to put in some work. I'm not opening a security company just to make a quick buck; I genuinely want to build it into something big. That's why I have very high standards for the skill of our security personnel!"

Xie Lei seemed to hesitate at his words.

"If you have something to say, just say it. Speak freely!" Chen Erbao said in a clear voice.

"President Chen, I think this might be quite difficult. Even if we hire veterans, we won't be much different from other security companies, because most of them also hire ex-military. In terms of skill, everyone seems to be more or less the same..."

He carefully observed Chen Erbao's expression, afraid that Chen Erbao would be displeased with him.

Chen Erbao nodded. 'Looks like the kid has given this some serious thought.'

"You have a point. If we just follow the normal procedures for recruitment and training, we really won't be much different from other security companies. But..."

Chen Erbao trailed off, letting the suspense hang in the air.

Xie Lei waited quietly for Chen Erbao to reveal his solution.

"Xie Lei, do you know about Ancient Martial Artists?"

The moment Xie Lei heard this, his gaze grew solemn, and he looked at Chen Erbao with surprise.

"President Chen, you... you know about Ancient Martial Artists?"

He had heard the term Ancient Martial Artist in the army and knew that some special forces units were basically made up of them. He had even seen an Ancient Martial Artist in action with his own eyes!

'They're completely different from normal people!'

Chen Erbao smiled, stood up, and began to pace around the office.

"It seems you do. Good..."

Chen Erbao walked over to the window, took a medium-sized pebble from his pocket, and placed it flat in his palm before extending his hand out the window.

Xie Lei looked completely baffled, having no idea what Chen Erbao was doing.

Chen Erbao's arm trembled slightly as a surge of Spiritual Power erupted from his body. Without a sound, the pebble in his palm was instantly pulverized into dust. A light breeze swept past, scattering the powder into the air.

When he turned back, Xie Lei was standing frozen to the spot.

"Did you see that clearly?" he asked with a faint smile.

Xie Lei was stunned for a long moment. His face was a mask of shock, and he stammered when he spoke,

"President Chen, you... you're an Ancient Martial Artist!"

"Yes."

Chen Erbao's calm tone struck Xie Lei's ears like a clap of thunder, leaving him unable to compose himself for a long time.

After a long while, Xie Lei was finally breathing heavily, his expression turning to one of excitement.

"President Chen... you..."

A sudden realization dawned on him—why Chen Erbao had just demonstrated his power. 'The security company needs a captain... He wants to create a team of guards with extraordinary skills...'

A glimmer of anticipation and joyful surprise flashed in Xie Lei's eyes.

"Xie Lei, are you willing to learn Ancient Martial Arts from me?"

Chen Erbao's words felt unreal to Xie Lei.

He had spent several years in the army and knew full well the transcendent status of Ancient Martial Artists.

It was difficult for an ordinary person to even meet one, and now he actually had the chance to become one himself!

Xie Lei's face flushed with excitement. "President Chen, I am willing!"

Chen Erbao turned and fixed his gaze on Xie Lei.

"You need to think this through. Once you start learning Ancient Martial Arts from me, you can never switch allegiances or secretly teach the techniques I give you to anyone else. If you violate this, you can guess what the consequences will be!"

After hearing Chen Erbao's words, Xie Lei swore an oath without hesitation:

"Don't worry, President Chen! I know the rules. I've seen it in novels and on TV. Betray the sect, and best-case scenario, your Martial Arts are crippled; worst-case, you're killed on the spot. I am willing to learn from you, Master!"

Having said his piece, Xie Lei dropped to one knee before Chen Erbao and kowtowed heavily, his forehead striking the floor!

"..."

Chen Erbao hadn't expected him to be so quick to press his advantage.

He made a lifting motion with one hand, and an invisible force surged out, raising Xie Lei back to his feet.

Chen Erbao looked at him and smiled.

"I haven't decided to take on a disciple yet. For now, it's enough that you're learning Martial Arts from me. I don't have many requirements, just the two points I mentioned earlier. As long as you can do that, we're good."