Sensing the urgency of the Head of State and the nine Cabinet Elders, Ian Song completely understood their feelings. The Yanhuang Republic had been suppressed by the Immortal-Dao World for far too long—now that they finally had a chance to turn things around, of course they would cling to it tightly. The Dragon Guard Directorate was the key to their comeback.
"I have no objections. Any time works for me," Ian Song replied.
When he first entered the fantasy world, he was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage, but now he was at mid Nascent Soul. With his current strength, he could easily challenge the Immortal-Dao World, but he chose not to. No matter how strong he was, it was just one person. Only when the nation was strong could true strength be achieved.
"Since Ian has no objections, let's schedule it for three days from now!" the Head of State declared.
The Head of State waved his hand decisively, his tone firm and commanding.
After leaving the Inner Palace, Ian Song teleported in a flash to the entrance of Shayan Jade Boutique in Riverstone City. He stepped inside.
"Welcome!"
A hostess in a cheongsam greeted him with a polite smile and bow.
At the same time, a young salesgirl approached. "Hello, sir. I'm Xiaoxi, Guide No. 5 at Shayan Jade Boutique. It's a pleasure to serve you."
Although Ian Song was actually the owner of Shayan Jade Boutique, he was a hands-off boss, so most of the employees didn't recognize him.
"Thank you, I'm not here to buy anything. I'm looking for someone. By the way, is President Han in today?" Ian Song asked with a smile.
"Sorry, I don't know," the salesgirl replied with a smile, though a trace of disdain flashed in her eyes. She thought to herself, Another one chasing after President Han.
"Is Manager Vivian Su in?" Ian Song asked again.
"Do you have business with Manager Su?" the salesgirl asked.
"I'm her friend."
Just then, Vivian Su came down the stairs in her business attire. She froze for a moment when she saw Ian Song, then stepped forward and asked uncertainly, "Young Master Song, is that you?"
Vivian hesitated because Ian Song's aura was completely different from a few days ago—he seemed like a whole new person.
"It's me," Ian Song nodded. "Where's Hannah?"
"Let's talk in my office upstairs," Vivian Su suggested.
"Alright."
Vivian Su's office was small but had a scholarly atmosphere. She brewed a cup of tea for Ian Song and smiled, "Young Master Song, you came back at the wrong time. Miss Han left this morning with her team for Suncrest City."
"Why did she go to Suncrest City?" Ian Song asked.
Vivian Su replied with a hint of exasperation, "Obviously to handle the new branch store."
Hearing Vivian Su's words, Ian Song suddenly remembered that before he traveled to the fantasy world, Hannah Han had mentioned opening a branch. The warehouse was still packed with jade and precious metals, and selling it all through just one Riverstone City shop could take forever. Opening more branches was clearly necessary.
On the surface, Hannah Han seemed gentle, but at her core she was demanding. She put her whole heart into running Ian Song's business—partly for him, partly to prove her own worth.
Since Hannah Han was in Suncrest City, Ian Song didn’t hurry to chase after her. After saying goodbye to Vivian Su, he headed straight for the Zhao Family Boxing Gym.
Frank Zhao and Zoe Zhao, siblings from a branch of the Zhao family, had earned great merit by recommending Ian Song to the clan. Edward Zhao wanted to transfer them to Flame City and give them heavy responsibilities, but they refused, preferring to stay in Riverstone City.
But after Ian Song taught them the Origin-Nurturing Scripture, the siblings improved every day. Before Ian left for the fantasy world, Frank Zhao had already touched the Innate threshold, and Zoe Zhao had reached late Postnatal. Ian wondered whether Frank had broken through by now.
It was Saturday, so even in the morning there were students training. As Frank Zhao and Zoe Zhao’s skills grew, the gym’s reputation soared, drawing more and more people to learn martial arts.
As soon as Ian Song walked into the gym, he ran into an old student, Wang Song, who was surprised to see him.
"Hey, Ian, long time no see!" Wang Song greeted him.
"Yeah, Brother Wang," Ian said with a smile.
"By the way, I haven't seen you for months. Where have you been?" Wang Song asked casually.
"University," Ian replied.
Wang Song looked suddenly enlightened. "Ah, my memory! I totally forgot. Since it's been so long, let's grab lunch together at noon."
"Sure. I'll warm up a bit first," Ian nodded, then headed to the equipment area to work out.
Along the way, several old students greeted him enthusiastically. After all, his victory over Zoe Zhao and saving the gym's reputation had made his name well-known among the veterans.
Seeing all the old students greet Ian Song so warmly, the new students grew curious—especially the girls. Who could blame them? Ian was good-looking and had an impressive aura.
"Brother Huang, who's that guy? He looks pretty cocky!"
Chen Jin, a new student, glanced at Ian Song doing bench presses and asked with a hint of dissatisfaction. He’d only been at the gym for three months, but his talent had caught Frank Zhao’s eye, earning him real martial arts instruction. He was now the strongest among the new batch, able to beat many older students.
Brother Huang grinned, "What, feeling competitive? That's Ian Song, an old student. He's really strong—even second gym master Zoe Zhao might not be his match."
Brother Huang was a veteran, so he knew the inside story.
"No way!" Chen Jin protested, not believing it.
He couldn’t believe it—Brother Huang’s 'second gym master' was none other than Zoe Zhao.
Brother Huang clapped Chen Jin on the shoulder. "Don't get cocky. With your current skills, you couldn't last three moves against him!" As he walked away, he smirked to himself, thinking Chen Jin was too arrogant and needed Ian Song to put him in his place.
With Ian Song’s current cultivation, using gym equipment was pointless for him. He was only here out of nostalgia—it had been eighty or ninety years in the fantasy world, after all.
"Ian Song, right?"
Just as Ian Song finished his bench presses, Chen Jin stepped in front of him, looking down with an arrogant expression.
"Yeah, that's me," Ian said. With a glance, he could tell this young guy was itching for trouble.
"I hear you're pretty good. I want to spar with you!" Chen Jin declared.
Chen Jin spoke slowly, trying to sound imposing, but to Ian Song it was almost laughable. The guy hadn’t even cultivated inner strength; in Ian’s eyes, he was no different from an ant.
Ian Song smiled. "You want to spar? Let's do it."
The students nearby started whispering, excited to see a showdown.
Chen Jin took up a boxing stance, looking serious. Ian Song just stood there, hands in his pockets, not even bothering to take a stance.
"Go ahead and attack," Ian said calmly.
Chen Jin hesitated for a moment, then lunged forward, throwing a straight punch at Ian Song's chest.