The Way of Restraint

Chapter 193: Family Competition and External Support

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Zhang Jia went out as she spoke, intending to persuade Zhang Kaiye to return. She had already seen that Zhang Manman was determined to win this time. With the support of a powerful expert like Su Jie, and her father being the head of the family, her chances of seizing the position at this family meeting were very high.

“What position are you aiming for?” Su Jie hadn’t asked this question before, but now he brought it up.

“Our Zhang family and the Honey Badger Training Camp have recently established a security company for international security, providing bodyguard services to various important figures. The international situation isn’t good right now; a dark force is kidnapping and extorting people everywhere. Many wealthy and influential people are living in fear, making it a good time to make money. There’s a vacancy for a senior executive position in this company. If I get this position, I can use it to do many things. If it falls into someone else’s hands, it will be a weapon against me,” Zhang Manman said.

“Even Master Ma and Master Luo have been threatened. It seems a dark force is causing trouble. Is it the Typhon Training Camp?” Su Jie inquired. 

“The Typhon Training Camp is just one of its research institutes. The real mastermind is incredibly powerful, hidden deep in the shadows, and has expanded rapidly in the last ten years,” Zhang Manman said. “Even my father didn’t expect it and is now investigating the secrets behind it.”

“If that force is the driving force behind crypt0currency, it’s truly frightening. These past ten years have been the heyday of cryptocurrency,” Su Jie said. “With enough money, they can expand a thousandfold; they’re capable of anything.”

“Actually, you have someone you can seek help from,” Zhang Manman said. “He knows more than the entire Zhang family. If you get his help, your sister’s safety won’t be a problem at all.”

“I know who you’re talking about,” Su Jie waved his hand, understanding.

It was the God Maker, Odell.

Odell might know everything.

But Su Jie knew that even if he asked, Odell might not tell him. As a coach, he would definitely let him handle things himself. “How does your newly established security company compare to Jiu Ding Security?” Su Jie asked again.

“Ten times bigger,” Zhang Manman shook her head. “Jiu Ding Security only has a relatively high market share domestically. They’re trying to expand overseas, but they can’t break into the market at all. We’re different. We’ve always operated overseas, with a huge market share in Europe and America. Plus, with the current situation, the refugee crisis, and poor security, the security market is expanding rapidly. In recent years, our business has required appointments, and many wealthy people are willing to pay higher prices to hire top-notch personal protectors.”

“Relatively speaking, things are much better domestically,” Su Jie nodded. Terr0rist attacks are serious abroad, and security is chaotic. Even in New York, the largest city, it’s divided into many districts; the wealthy areas are better, while the poorer areas are a complete mess. However, the Chinatown areas in any city are generally safer and are popular tourist destinations for many foreigners.

“There are many places here where you don’t dare go out after dark,” Zhang Yun added. “It’s especially dangerous for girls. Back home, you can basically stay out as late as you want without any problems.”

“How will the security company’s executive positions be elected this time? Will it be a family vote or a martial arts competition?” Su Jie wanted to clarify this.

“Voting is one aspect, and a martial arts competition is another. Of course, the most important thing is to get the support of all the elders in the family. With you as my ally, if they know you’re at the level of the Living Dead, no one will disagree,” Zhang Manman said. “This level is hard for ordinary people to understand, but all the elders in the family practice martial arts and know the mysteries of this level.”

“Manman, this…master,” Kong Guan swallowed hard. “Is his martial arts level really similar to the Dragon Head’s? I’ve heard the Dragon Head’s strength is practically superhuman.”

“After entering this level, the human body does indeed generate incredible power,” Zhang Manman said. “You saw it just now, the security company recently took on a big contract to protect a billionaire worth tens of billions of US dollars. Mr. Larry, he’s not satisfied with any of the bodyguards we’ve chosen. If we can satisfy him and secure this deal, wont we achieve instant success?”

“That’s no problem at all.” Zhang Yun nodded, her eyes lighting up. “If this master is truly a top-tier expert, then Mr. Larry will definitely take notice. This deal won’t just be about money; it’ll have a huge impact!”

“Larry?” Su Jie asked. “Is he the tycoon from that high-tech company? I heard he’s researching a lot of life sciences, even intelligent robots. The robot that performed backflips and martial arts moves in the news a while ago was developed by his company. However, he has indeed encountered some threats and kidnapping incidents. His company’s market value has reached 700 billion US dollars, far exceeding the two major domestic groups, Mingxia and Hedao, making him one of the world’s super-rich. How did you manage to connect with them?”

“It’s not exactly connecting,” Zhang Manman said. “He was also frightened by some kidnapping incidents. His security personnel were killed several times, and he wanted to hire real strongmen. Then their people found the Honey Badger Training Camp. So it’s not so easy for you to meet Larry. You have to go through layers of screening before he will take a liking to you.”

“I heard that for this family meeting, Larry’s assistant, Cassan, was invited to specifically select bodyguards,” Kong Guan said. “They are here…” “There are applicants at headquarters, but the requirements are too stringent; no one can pass. I tried once and was completely eliminated in the first round. It’s just too harsh.”

“Larry is terrified, so he wants to find a real expert to protect him. Only my dad and experts like Su Jie can meet his requirements.” Zhang Manman nodded: “Su Jie, what do you think?”

“Sure.” Su Jie nodded. Of course, he wouldn’t refuse such a good opportunity. Even though he had cultivated to the level of a living dead, it only meant that his physical abilities and movements far surpassed ordinary people. He could exceed world records in various physical indicators, but ultimately, he was still made of flesh and blood and had to abide by the rules like ordinary people. He wasn’t truly extraordinary. He also needed to accumulate wealth and connections slowly.

Given his current status, it was impossible for him to contact a super-rich world figure like Larry. The Zhang family being able to help him make that contact was an extremely rare and valuable channel. Of course, Su Jie knew that Zhang Manman knew he had advanced to the “Living Dead” realm and possessed such abilities; otherwise, she wouldn’t have placed her bets on him.

It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Su Jie wasn’t actually after wealth and power. At his level, he could truly treat fame and fortune as fleeting clouds. But to rescue his sister, these were things he had to do.

Building connections, acquiring wealth, establishing influence, and fighting evil.

“Since you’ve agreed, I’m relieved,” Zhang Manman breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought you wouldn’t agree because of your studies. Based on your usual personality, studying and training always come first, everything else takes a backseat.”

“I’ve already mastered all the university knowledge. As for training, I can do it anytime,” Su Jie waved his hand. “You can arrange it.”

“Great. Tomorrow morning, we’ll go to their recruitment department. With your abilities, you’ll definitely pass all the tests and gain their favor. That will make things much easier,” Zhang Manman said happily. “Also, if you really become Larry’s bodyguard, the salary…the water there is extremely abundant, far beyond what those small-scale martial arts sparring can compare to.”

“No problem,” Su Jie agreed. “However, my role as bodyguard is only temporary. After all, I still have my studies to complete.”

“Of course, I know that you wouldn’t be willing to do it long-term,” Zhang Manman said. “Besides, Larry only hires such expensive bodyguards when he’s going abroad or for important events. Our security company’s top bodyguards are charged by the hour.”

While Zhang Manman, Su Jie, and the others were discussing matters, not far away, in a rather luxurious hotel, sat seven or eight people.

Among them were Zhang Kaiyu, Zhang Kaiyuan, Zhang Kailin, and Zhang Kaiqian.

And sitting behind Zhang Kaiyu were Qin Hui, Fang Hong, and Jiang Nanzhou. Fang Hong was the president of the Q University Martial Arts Club, and Jiang Nanzhou was the president of the Fighting Club.

These two had actually been recruited by Qin Hui and were now members of his company. During their holiday, they also traveled to a foreign land to attend a small, secret gathering of the Zhang family.

Zhang Kaiyu, composed and seemingly in control, glanced at his brothers present and slowly spoke: “There’s only one position for the Honey Badger Security executive. It doesn’t seem right for us brothers to fight amongst ourselves. How about you all give it to me? I’ll definitely give you a generous gift.”

“Kaiyu, your ambition is truly great. Everyone knows that the Honey Badger Security executive position is a lucrative one. Once you get it, you’ll have money and connections, and you can also access resources from the Honey Badger training camp for training. Your future prospects are limitless. Giving you such a good opportunity? Are you stupid or am I?” A young man sneered disdainfully. 

He had a long, narrow face with prominent brow bones, and his face was narrow and menacing—in physiognomy, this was called a “ghost knife face.” Such a person was insidious, cunning, ruthless, decisive, and often dared to take risks, disregarding everything, yet still managed to succeed.

In civilian circles, he would be considered a notorious bandit. In the imperial court, however, lay the ruthless warlords of a chaotic era.

He was Zhang Kaiyuan, one of Zhang Manman’s strongest contenders.

“What benefits can you offer us? Besides, even if we support you, there’s Zhang Kaitai, and then there’s Zhang Manman,” another man, Zhang Kailin, with a more docile appearance, chimed in.