Chapter Sixty-Seven: Meeting the Parents (Part Two)

Chapter Sixty-Seven: Meeting the Parents (Part Two)

The lengthy conversation about film was nothing more than Zhang Le currying favor with Old Master Yang and silencing Li Fang. Li Fang’s relentless questioning was not born out of any genuine curiosity about movies; rather, it was a tactic to use Zhang Le’s own interests against him.

However, judging by Old Master Yang’s expression, her efforts had failed.

Old Master Yang’s shrewd eyes could easily discern that Zhang Le’s answers were sincere, not merely polite or ingratiating lies. Not only Old Master Yang, but even Yang Guomin found himself in agreement. The film market would always matter more than a handful of trophies. Having your own box office records broken was a disgrace; breaking others’ records was a true honor—a tangible glory.

“I heard your martial arts come from the Jinchan lineage of Wudang?” Old Master Yang smiled and looked towards Zhang Le, prompted by something Yang Mingwei had said.

“Yes,” Zhang Le nodded in reply.

“How advanced is your kung fu?” Old Master Yang asked.

“I am just a step away from mastering the ‘Transforming Force’ stage,” Zhang Le answered honestly.

His reply surprised everyone, especially Yang Mingwei. He practiced martial arts too, but compared to Zhang Le, he felt a little embarrassed.

“Oh? There aren’t many young people nowadays who can reach such a level in martial arts,” Old Master Yang was astonished. He had known that Zhang Le had mastered the ‘Hidden Force’ but had not expected him to have come so far.

In martial arts, the three realms are worlds apart. A step away means standing at the threshold of ‘Transforming Force.’

“I haven’t faced the terror of life and death—what I have is just flowery display,” Zhang Le smiled. “To me, martial arts is mostly about interest and keeping fit. I don’t really care much for real combat.”

Zhang Le was well aware of his lack of practical experience. If he had been more seasoned, those dozen or so American punks—however streetwise and brutal—would not have been able to injure him.

No matter how skilled, a martial artist with no real combat experience is still vulnerable to a simple kitchen knife. That’s the true portrait of a ‘master’ without battle experience.

Getting stabbed was not just due to concern for Yang Xin’er, but mainly because Zhang Le lacked real fighting experience.

A seasoned special forces soldier, accustomed to life-and-death struggles, could easily defeat a martial arts ‘master’ with no real fighting experience. It is not at all surprising.

“To truly master kung fu, life-and-death combat is the fastest shortcut. Still, steady, diligent practice can also get you there. Once you reach a certain level, real-world experience isn’t as critical as before,” Old Master Yang said.

“To get there, you would need to control your vitality, perceive the subtlest movements, and enter the legendary ‘Pill Force’—with a tremendous boost in strength, speed, and reflexes. Only then, perhaps, could you become truly formidable. They say someone at the ‘Transforming Force’ level is unfazed by firearms, but I doubt most can reach that. I certainly don’t expect to,” Zhang Le shook his head and continued.

“Desire nothing, and you become strong. With such a mindset, you might just reach that realm one day. If you could attain the legendary ability to ‘shatter the void and see the undying spirit,’ that would be even better,” Old Master Yang said.

Zhang Le smiled and did not respond. How many throughout history have ever reached such a state? Not even the founder of Sun-style Taiji, famed as the greatest hand in the world, managed that.

“In this age of firearms, even if you reached such a height, you wouldn’t be invincible. For my part, I’m more interested in that state where one can sense danger and avoid it without seeing or hearing it,” Wei Minghua interjected.

That realm—sensing and evading danger without direct perception—is far more practical than shattering the void. A hundred years ago, several grandmasters had reached that stage, and possessing such an ability is undeniably safer.

“Have you ever considered a career in the military?” Yang Guomin suddenly asked. “With a little training, your skills and education would make you a tremendous asset.”

“Thank you, Uncle, but I’m rather rebellious by nature and not suited for military life,” Zhang Le declined with a shake of his head. He knew that, with the Yang family’s influence, joining the military would guarantee smooth sailing. But that was not the life he wanted.

“What’s so good about being a soldier? You’re away most of the time, and if you’re on a mission, you’re always on edge,” Yang Xin’er spoke up, watching her father’s expression closely. Yang Guomin had not reacted negatively to Zhang Le’s refusal, but she knew his temperament well and spoke to redirect his attention.

Discipline is a soldier’s duty, and as a high-ranking officer, Yang Guomin possessed an inherent authority. Subconsciously, he might interpret refusal as a lack of obedience, which could breed resentment.

“Have you considered any other line of work?” Li Fang asked.

Now the true intentions were revealed. Zhang Le smiled wryly to himself but forced himself to answer, “Perhaps, when my films sweep the globe and I stand atop the world of cinema, I might consider another path. For now, I have no such plans. My dream has only just begun! To give up halfway would be no different from desertion.”

“It’s good to do what you’re good at. Besides, my little sister and he both have a strong interest in film; they can look out for each other. Mom, forcing him into another career would be unreasonable,” Yang Mingwei suddenly spoke up.

“What do you know!” Li Fang snapped.

Yang Mingwei only smiled, offering no rebuttal, but turned his gaze to Old Master Yang. He knew Zhang Le would never leave the entertainment world for another career, and forcing him would only backfire. With his sister’s temperament, it might even cause a serious rift at home.

That was the last thing Yang Mingwei wanted. He looked at Old Master Yang, his eyes pleading.

“I think Mingwei is right. There’s nothing wrong with making films. There are champions in every field,” Old Master Yang declared.

Zhang Le breathed a huge sigh of relief.

“Come, let’s go outside and try some pushing hands. Wudang kung fu truly has unique benefits for health,” Old Master Yang said as he stood and beckoned Zhang Le.

Zhang Le followed Old Master Yang out to the courtyard, with Yang Xin’er and Wei Minghua joining them. Yang Mingwei watched for a moment before following to see the excitement. He wasn’t particularly interested in the bout between Old Master Yang and Zhang Le, but knew Zhang Le and Uncle Wei would inevitably spar, and that intrigued him greatly.

As everyone went outside, Li Fang and Yang Guomin exchanged a glance.

“Let them be. Didn’t you notice how satisfied the old man is with that young man?” Yang Guomin said.

“But…” Li Fang started to protest.

“The old man’s judgment is always sharp. As for that boy’s little schemes, do you really think the old man can’t see through them? Besides, I’m quite satisfied with him too. Background isn’t everything. The old man has always judged people by their character, not their family,” Yang Guomin said, waving away her concerns.

Li Fang sighed and nodded. She was, after all, quite satisfied with Zhang Le’s performance. She could tell he had employed a few cunning tactics in his words, but that was a form of ability too. Most importantly, she saw her daughter’s heart was completely set on this young man.

What mother does not wish happiness for her daughter? Forcing a couple apart would only earn her daughter’s resentment.

Happiness means something different to everyone. What she thought was happiness for her daughter might not feel that way to her. Forced happiness might not be happiness at all, but a kind of suffering.