Gu Yan listened in stunned silence.
Huh?
No way.
A civilian martial artist organization?
Isn’t this just a legalized personal force in disguise?
Uh... no, surely it can’t be that simple.
Sure enough, the next moment—
Wang Gang explained, “Although it’s a civilian martial artist organization, it’s still fundamentally under the control of our Martial Artist Headquarters.”
“Otherwise, the secular world would descend into chaos, wouldn’t it?”
“If someone were to develop a massive martial artist army in the secular world, the danger would be no less than that of the Night King.”
Gu Yan nodded subtly, agreeing, “Exactly. I despise people like that too.”
“A harmonious world depends on everyone. Those with ulterior motives should be rooted out, one by one!”
Wang Gang smiled approvingly. “It’s good that you think this way.”
“But realistically, once martial arts become universal, uncontrollable situations are bound to arise.”
“For instance, if someone with ill intentions gains power, they might commit acts that harm society.”
“To regulate the sudden surge of martial artists... we’ve even established a new department called the ‘Sword Holding Department.’”
“Its members are known as... Sword Holders.”
“They specialize in handling martial artist incidents.”
“We estimate that by February, the Sword Holding Department’s offices will be fully constructed nationwide.”
Gu Yan nodded again—it all sounded quite official.
Previously, martial artist incidents were handled by pulling a few martial artists from other departments to double up.
But now, with universal martial arts, manpower has increased, allowing for the creation of specialized departments, big and small.
Hmm, sounds even more complicated.
Gu Yan smiled at Wang Gang. “I understand. We’ll follow the department’s arrangements.”
“We’ll cooperate fully.”
“Whether it’s funding or manpower, the Gu Family will handle everything.”
Gu Tianming remained silent on the side—after all, anything solvable with money was no issue.
Seeing Gu Yan’s comprehension, Wang Gang shook his head with a bitter smile. “Ah, Xiao Yan, you... sigh...”
“We have our difficulties too. Universal martial arts is an enormous undertaking.”
“A civilian martial artist organization is another massive project—it requires sufficient incentives to attract martial artists to join.”
“Only through unified management can we ensure maximum social stability.”
“But unfortunately...”
“We’ve already invested too much funding and manpower elsewhere.”
“This decision was truly a last resort.”
“Still, rest assured—the initial construction costs will be covered by our headquarters. But the subsequent maintenance, management, and martial artists’ salaries...”
Wang Gang forced a smile. “...will have to come from you. My apologies, but this is the best deal I could secure.”
“Truthfully, if you refuse, the Martial Artist Headquarters might just support another martial artist family...”
“Civilian martial artist organizations are the inevitable trend. If you try to establish one later, it’ll be...”
Gu Yan nodded. He understood.
Once universal martial arts fully rolls out,
the resources available to ordinary businesses and martial artist enterprises will be vastly different.
Right now, the Gu Family’s early establishment under the Martial Artist Headquarters grants them a legitimate status.
If they delay, the process would only become far more troublesome.
Besides,
Gu Yan genuinely needed this official affiliation. So he smiled and said, “Uncle Wang, you’re being too formal.”
“We’re all working toward the same goal—world peace.”
“In other words, we’re comrades fighting for the same cause.”
“Let’s not speak such distant words in the future.”
Wang Gang was deeply moved.
Who would’ve thought?
A young man these days could have such ideals.
Did Gu Tianming raise him this well?
“Good.”
Wang Gang nodded.
Gu Tianming didn’t interject, quietly observing Gu Yan’s performance.
He had already made up his mind about something.
“Gangzi, stay for a meal?”
“Can’t. I still have to discuss the civilian martial artist organization with the next family.”
“You call that a ‘discussion’ with other families?”
“None of your business.”
“Heh, let me walk you out. Xiao Yan, wait here for me.”
“Oho, the former head of the Gu Family seeing me off—what an honor.”
“Hey, you...!”
The two walked out, arms slung over each other’s shoulders.
Click—
The door closed.
Old Gao stepped in, positioning himself slightly behind Gu Yan.
The room fell into silence.
Gu Yan’s smile faded, his eyes glinting with an unreadable emotion.
Universal martial arts.
Civilian martial artist organizations.
The Sword Holding Department... Sword Holders.
A rough plan was already forming in Gu Yan’s mind.
Heh, I’m really looking forward to what comes next...
After a long while,
Gu Tianming returned.
He also brought several thick stacks of documents.
Laying them out before Gu Yan, he said, “Sign these.”
[Gu Corporation Share Transfer Agreement]
[Gu Family Head Succession Contract]
“?”
Wait, the Gu Family head succession contract? Seriously?
Gu Yan slowly formed a question mark in his mind, silently staring at Gu Tianming.
The latter knew this was far too abrupt, but there was no helping it.
He had held the position for far too long and simply didn’t want to do it anymore.
It was exhausting—especially now, with universal martial arts and all.
Did he really have the energy for this? Wouldn’t it be better to travel the world with his wife, Su Su?
So,
Gu Tianming summoned his paternal authority and said solemnly, “Xiao Yan.”
“You’re grown now, almost married. It’s time to shoulder some responsibilities.”
“You handled the conversation with Uncle Wang just fine, didn’t you?”
“Sign it. From now on, you’re the head of the Gu Family.”
“The entire Gu Corporation will be yours for a long, long time.”
Gu Yan looked at his father, who was clearly talking nonsense.
Shaking his head, he signed the succession contracts one by one.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to sign—it was just that...
This...
One moment, it’s the annual meeting; the next, he’s the family head.
Too sudden. No time to prepare.
If he’d taken over earlier, his plans would’ve been twice as easy.
Gu Tianming collected the signed documents, nodding in satisfaction. “Good. I’ll handle the rest of the formalities.”
“Xiao Yan, if you’ve got nothing else, go check out your new office.”
Just then—
Ring-ring!
Gu Tianming’s phone buzzed.
Su Murong’s voice came through: “Tianming, the new year’s almost here. Tell Xiao Yan to bring Qingqiu and Ling’er over.”
“Ah, right, right. Oh, and Xiao Yan’s the family head now.”
“Really?!”
After a bit more chatter, the call ended.
Gu Tianming turned to Gu Yan, whose expression had shifted slightly. “You heard that, right? This year, bring Qingqiu over for our New Year’s Eve gathering.”
“Don’t forget!”
With that, Gu Tianming left.
Only Gu Yan remained, sighing and shaking his head.
Old man.
He sat on the sofa, scanning the 200-square-meter office.
After a long silence, he turned to Old Gao. “Old Gao, you’re my secretary now. Get someone to renovate this office.”
“Hmm... use the company’s funds.”
The old secretary hesitated for a moment, then replied, "..."
"Very well, young master."
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
ap a wealthy young lady? Or else I'll be eliminated by the system? Ye Feng, who awakened the Kidnapper System, originally wanted to live a peaceful life but never imagined he would become a kidnapper of young women. However, after some time, he discovered that all the girls the system ordered him to kidnap were far from ordinary. "Big brother Ye Feng~ You've kidnapped my heart, and now you're not allowed to leave me ever again~" "Ye Feng~ You kidnapped me back then, now it's my turn to capture you♡" "Little Feng, you're mine! You can only be mine!" "Ye Feng, none of them deserve you. Only I love you the most♡" ... This is madness, they've all gone mad! Wait, what? Why are all the girls I kidnapped yanderes?!
] This is a dark fantasy-themed dating simulation game. The main gameplay involves containing various monster girls and investigating the truth of a world shrouded in mist alongside your companions. However, due to his love for the dark and bizarre atmosphere, Luo Wei ended up turning a dating game into a detective mystery game. Women? Women only slow down his quickdraw! To Luo Wei, the female leads in the game are more like tools to perfectly clear levels and squeeze out rewards. For Luo Wei, flirting with every girl he meets and then discarding them is standard procedure. Worried about characters losing affection points? No need. With his maxed-out charm stat, Luo Wei is practically a "human incubus." A little psychological manipulation and those points come right back. It's a bit scummy, but the paper cutout heroines in the game won't actually come at him with real cleavers. However... Luo Wei has transmigrated. He's accidentally entered the second playthrough of this game. His past actions have caused all the girls to transform into terrifying yanderes. Due to the game's setting, most of the heroines he once contained are "troubled girls." Obsessive, twisted, mentally unstable, all aggressive yanderes... The type who will kill you if they can't have you... Luo Wei wants to cry but has no tears left. "I really just want to survive..." In short, this is a story of battling wits and engaging in a love-hate relationship with yanderes.
