Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO-Chapter 671: Conquer the World?

"So, Second Uncle, how did you manage to control yourself?" Xu Ke asked eagerly.

He knew better than anyone how tempting the Peak Realm was to martial artists. If you were merely an Acquired Martial Artist, you might think the Peak Realm was insignificant. But Xu Ke, having once stood at the Great Perfection of the Innate stage, knew how intoxicating the power of the peak was. That kind of temptation couldn't be resisted with mere willpower and self-control.

He knew that when the thought first occurred to Xu Zhentai, he definitely wouldn't have acted on it immediately. But for such a thought to replay over and over in one's mind was the most tormenting challenge of all. Therefore, Xu Ke's question wasn't just about how Xu Zhentai managed to control himself in that single moment, but how he had endured it throughout that entire period!

When asked this, Xu Zhentai gave a wry smile. "I controlled myself through self-harm." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Whenever that thought arose, I would injure myself. I truly couldn't bear the urge, but each act of self-harm did indeed have an effect. Yet, when I killed another person and savored the pleasure of their despair, the thought would resurface. So you see how absurd this cultivation technique is, right? It truly allowed me to reach the peak at a young age, at a breakneck speed, but the price was to disown my kin and lose my humanity.

"I used to speculate that if I truly achieved the peak, the first person I would destroy would be myself. In other words, this cultivation technique's entire purpose is to destroy everything. I don't know what bastard created such a technique... It's damn sinister!"

"It's indeed very sinister," Xu Ke nodded. Having trained with his master for three years, he had never heard of such a cultivation technique.

"Later, because that life was too torturous, I decided to withdraw from the martial world and disband Tao Ranju, just to be an ordinary person and stop having thoughts of harming my wife and daughter." After speaking, Xu Zhentai took a heavy drag on his cigarette, burning more than half of it in an instant.

This was the real reason he had retired and stopped being a leader. It wasn't because he had become pure-hearted or grown weary of the martial world—he truly could not continue the practice!

"Did your subordinates agree?" Xu Ke frowned thoughtfully before asking. Being in a position of power in a large organization wasn't something you could just walk away from. Your followers gathered around you to build their own legacies; how could they react to you just saying you were done? You'd announce your retirement and probably get taken out the next second!

Xu Zhentai let out a sly laugh, finally reverting to his proud and boastful demeanor. He said with a flourish, "Of course they didn't agree. But I was retiring, not relinquishing my cultivation. They couldn't beat me, so what could they do?"

...That makes a lot of sense. You can't just retire from a large organization whenever you want. But if your fist is bigger than theirs... then never mind.

"So, now you understand why I let the Fire Guards go, don't you?" Xu Zhentai added.

Xu Ke paused for a moment before understanding. "You're afraid of going berserk again, aren't you?"

"Exactly." Xu Zhentai nodded, then said to Xu Ke with a grin, "When I go berserk, let me tell you, the first of my kin I'll kill is you."

A chill went up Xu Ke's spine. He waved his hands frantically. "That's not necessary. We're really not that close."

Xu Zhentai immediately flew into a rage and slapped him. "I risked going berserk to save you, and this is what you say? You little brat!"

Xu Ke grimaced in pain. "My mistake, my mistake." He then asked, "So in all these years, as long as you don't use your cultivation, you don't have any relapses?"

Xu Zhentai replied with a beaming smile, "Occasionally, I get some homicidal urges, but never towards your aunt or Xiao Yi. It's you I've thought about, though."

Xu Ke stiffened, then burst into mock tears. "Second Uncle, I was wrong, believe me."

"Coward," Xu Zhentai sneered, then continued, "At first, I thought about dispelling my cultivation to prevent future troubles, but I couldn't bear to do it... Mainly because keeping my cultivation could still be used for defense. Like today, it meant I was able to act."

"When I visited you in Tianhai, I noticed something was off about you, but I never imagined your progress would be this fast... Sometimes I even suspect you've secretly practiced the Sorrowful Heart Art."

Hearing this, Xu Ke chuckled, his mouth running away with him again. "Can't help being this naturally gifted. I can level up just by practicing in my spare time, no need to take certain people's crooked paths."

"Are you asking for another slap?!" Xu Zhentai was enraged once more.

"No, no, I wouldn't dare," Xu Ke said, quickly backing away.

After shooting Xu Ke an annoyed glance, Xu Zhentai finished his cigarette, snuffing it out in his palm with practiced ease. He then asked thoughtfully, "Last time you treated your mom, you showed off some impressive medical skills. Now, your cultivation is progressing at an incredible speed, and the Martial Saint has even sent Shadow Guards after you. I presume... your master must be the Medical Saint, right?"

Xu Ke was slightly surprised that Xu Zhentai had guessed so quickly. He didn't hide it, however, and nodded immediately. "That's right."

"Good lad! So it really is him." Xu Zhentai was genuinely astonished. It had only been a guess, but now that it was confirmed, he couldn't help but exclaim, "The Medical Saint... the Medical Saint! Excellent!"

"Second Uncle, do you have some history with my master?"

"No," Xu Zhentai said. "I just know he's not much of a person himself."

??? Then what was all that "Excellent!" about?!

Xu Ke felt there must be a story between Xu Zhentai and his master, but Xu Zhentai clearly had no intention of explaining. He clapped his hands and stood up. "Alright, that's all I needed to tell you. Now, I have two things to inform you of."

"What are they?" Xu Ke's expression turned serious as he stopped his joking.

"First, take good care of Xu Yi," Xu Zhentai said, patting Xu Ke's shoulder.

Xu Ke nodded.

"Second, Hu Deyao is now at your disposal. From now on, you are the new master of Tao Ranju." Xu Zhentai took out a thick copper token and slapped it into Xu Ke's hand.

Xu Ke subconsciously took it. He froze for a second, his expression changing drastically. "Why?!"

"I can see you're short on manpower. Tao Ranju still has some assets, so I'm giving it all to you. If you have the strength to subdue the Assassin's Alliance, you can bring them all back into the fold! Your uncle once had a dream of conquering the world, but alas, the dream ended before it was complete. That doesn't mean your uncle lacked ambition. So, in the future, you'll have to complete it for me. Got it?"

Xu Ke was still stunned. "Huh?!"

"Don't 'huh' me! Just say you understand!" Xu Zhentai frowned.

"I... I understand," Xu Ke could only answer instinctively.

With that, Xu Zhentai put his mask back on, turned, and walked away without the slightest hesitation.

BOOM—

As Xu Ke watched Xu Zhentai ride off on the motorcycle he'd stashed in the roadside grass, his gaze fell to the Tao Ranju token in his hand. He was completely bewildered.

How did this suddenly become about conquering the world? I have no interest in that at all!