Chapter 69: Secrecy

  The old man knew that the people of the non-hidden world families couldn't learn high-level martial arts, and when he heard that Su Nan's martial art was a family heirloom, he couldn't help but feel suspicious. Because among the nine hidden world families - Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, Qin, Liu, Li - there wasn't a single Su surname family.

  "Xiao Su, are you certain that the internal energy you've cultivated comes from your grandfather's teachings and not from following someone else?" The old man wanted to confirm once more.

  Although Su Nan didn't know the inside story, he could also infer from Old Master's words that those who could learn these martial arts were not ordinary people, so he became curious about his family background. He had asked Grandpa many times before, but couldn't get an answer at all.

  "Yes, I just followed grandfather to learn, and no one else taught me."

  "Alas!" The old man sighed, "Xiao Su, from now on try not to reveal the things you have inner power in front of others."

  Hearing Old Master say this, Su Nan felt even more strange. Why did he still have to hide his own things? Was he afraid that others would know about it?

  The old man also came from his youth, of course, he knew that young people all have a rebellious psychology. If he didn't make it clear to Su Nan, but only told him not to use internal force, perhaps he would turn around and show off everywhere instead.

  Now the old man already regards him as Chen Tong's boyfriend, and has an agreement with Chen Tong not to interfere in her affairs for the next three years. If something unexpected happens to Su Nan during this period, it will only make Chen Tong sad.

  "Xiao Su, you must remember that what I'm about to say can only be heard by your ears and digested in your belly. If it gets out of your mouth, it will bring disaster upon you." The old man's expression turned serious.

  He nodded slightly, he was originally not a talkative person, there was no need, and he absolutely wouldn't speak randomly about some things.

  Upon seeing Su Nan's response, the old man began to speak: The Xia Kingdom has been renowned for its culture since ancient times, with talented individuals emerging in every generation. Practitioners of traditional martial arts were also abundant. However, after the Aixin tribe invaded and took control, fearing instability, they vigorously suppressed martial artists, burning martial art texts, as martial arts were considered a crime. With an iron heart and laws like a furnace, how could ordinary people resist the national machinery? Using the nation's strength to persist in doing something for hundreds of years would be enough to deal a fatal blow to the world of martial arts.

  In the end, only nine families managed to leave behind a thread of their bloodline, barely passing down their ultimate skills. The other families were all eliminated, and the vast number of martial arts classics were also reduced to ashes. What was left to circulate in the outside world were only empty frameworks with no substance.

  Since then, the nine families have been in hiding and the true martial arts were only passed down to their family disciples. After the continuous wars of modern times, countless hot-blooded disciples from the nine families sacrificed themselves for the country, making their families even weaker. Of course, they also brought unparalleled glory to their families.

  Having reached modern times, it should have been a good time for their prosperity and development. However, just as they were about to flourish, they encountered another difficult period, dealing them a heavy blow once again. It wasn't until the last twenty or thirty years that they slowly began to recover from this ordeal. As a result, they are extremely cautious towards outsiders, not wanting to suffer another setback nor allow others to rise and threaten their current position.

  "What position?" Su Nan asked strangely upon hearing this. According to the old man's words, these nine families had been experiencing continuous misfortunes and were still hiding in seclusion to nurse their wounds, what other position could there be?

  "Good writing can bring peace to a country, good martial arts can stabilize the nation! Without excellent warriors, how can a country be at peace?" The old man said with a slight shake of his head. It's been too long since we've had peace, and now young people don't know the importance of military power, thinking that as long as they have money, it's enough. But they don't know that when a fat sheep meets a hungry wolf, it will inevitably be eaten by the wolf.

  "But modern warfare is a war of technology, and weapons have been modernized. If soldiers are only physically strong, they are not to be feared at all." Su Nan knew the importance of having sophisticated weapons from his time in the military.

  "This is true, but in ancient times, battles often involved two armies meeting and forming lines to face each other, with the generals engaging in single combat on horseback." The old man explained.

  "Modern warfare has long since departed from such confrontational ways." Sou Nan explained.

  "Hehe, there are some things you don't know about, and if you don't understand the inside story, then you won't understand what this means." The old man clearly didn't want to continue discussing this topic further.

  "Xiao Su, remember that the high-level martial arts are now monopolized by the nine major families. If anyone else is found to possess high-level martial arts skills outside of these nine families, they will either have to join one of their families or..." The old man didn't finish his sentence.

  "You shouldn't be a member of the nine families, how can you possess internal power?" Hearing Old Master say so much, Su Nan knew that the nine families were heavily guarded and wouldn't let their martial arts flow out casually, unless there was one possibility.

  As expected, the old man nodded, "I am an outer disciple of the Zhao family, so I was taught martial arts, but the kind of martial arts I learned can only be cultivated to this extent, and my skills cannot be improved further."

  Zhao family? Su Nan suddenly remembered the words written by the old man in the study earlier, which were to be given to a person named Weishan, and Chen Tong had also mentioned that the person's surname was Zhao. At that time, Su Nan thought it was just a coincidence and didn't pay attention to it. Now, after hearing the old man talk about the nine big families, he suddenly remembered someone.

  "Was it your intention to give that calligraphy you just wrote to General Zhao?" Su Nan asked in astonishment.

  Zhao Weishan, the former vice chairman of the Military Commission, a member of the Political Bureau for two consecutive terms, is truly a national leader. I didn't expect Old Master to know him, and he can even call him "brother" directly. If it's really his words, then Su Nan has a new understanding of the power of the nine major families now.

  Just found out they were a hidden world family, Su Nan didn't care at first, already hidden, would it still affect himself? But forgot "the greatest hiding is in the open"!

  "Yes, it's him." The old man nodded slowly.

  Seeing Su Nan's serious expression, the old man comforted him with another sentence, "Little Su, don't worry too much. Within the nine families, there are currently two opinions: one is to maintain the status quo and not allow anyone to affect their position; the other is to open up and make the nine families' treasured martial arts available to the world, in order to strengthen our entire Xia clan. With these two views existing, even if they find out about your matter, they won't take extreme actions."

  Su Nan nodded, his mind still digesting the shocking news. After all, the impact of this matter was too severe, and the people of the nine major families might be in control of the national machine. If they really wanted to deal with him, he would have nowhere to hide.

  Following the old man out of the study room until after lunch, Su Nan still couldn't think of a good solution.

  Because he still remembered to go find Xizi, Su Nan also didn't want Chen Tong and Ning Yu to follow him. Moreover, the Chen family still had to politely decline the proposal of marrying into the vice provincial governor's family, if Su Nan were present, it would be completely inappropriate, that would obviously be a slap in the face. So Su Nan advised Chen Tong and Ning Yu to listen to Old Lady's words and stay at home, while he bid farewell and left.

  Arriving at the West Lake shore, it was already dusk. A boat was rented and moored by the shore for later use. Su Nan bought a roasted chicken, a catty of dried beef, and carried a bottle of wine up to the Evening Glow Hill. The best time to pick water caltrops is around midnight. If there's a full moon shining down, within a ten-square-meter radius in the center of the lake, hundreds of silver lights would be flashing, which are the top-grade water caltrops. Coincidentally, today was a full moon night, and Su Nan naturally wanted to pick the best ones.

  Leifeng Pagoda was not high, originally built on the mountain, one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake. Unfortunately, Leifeng Pagoda has collapsed. Su Nan came up at this time and could no longer admire the evening glow of Leifeng. According to folklore, the White Lady is suppressed under the base of Leifeng Pagoda. Su Nan stood on the site of Leifeng Pagoda and reminisced about her for a while.

  People are different, but what if they only love their own feelings and live their own lives, yet still can't be tolerated? In the end, they can only fall to being suppressed. Su Nan suddenly thought of his own situation, would he become Bai Niangzi (White Lady), and would the nine big families become Fahai? He lived his own life, not provoking others, but in the end, would his fate also be like that of White Lady's?

  It's impossible that what Old Master said at noon didn't have any effect on him. After all, just Zhao Weishan alone was enough to make Su Nan realize how powerful the forces of these nine families were.

  Conservatives, liberals. Who are conservatives and who are liberals?

  From Old Man Chen's introduction, Su Nan knew that as long as the Open faction dominated the nine families, he would no longer have any trouble. But was this possible? Su Nan knew nothing about the affairs of the nine families, and it wasn't until today that he heard this term from Old Man Chen's mouth.

  It won't happen unexpectedly for the time being, because it's clear that Sunan has someone with inner power, namely Old Man Chen. From his words, Sunan knows he is still maintaining himself. Maybe Old Man Chen belongs to the open faction.

  After thinking for a while, Su Nan opened his heart. The sky won't fall down, even if it does, it's not like the days can't be spent just by covering yourself with a quilt.

  Found a clean rock, sat down on it, took out his own wine and dishes, and Su Nan started eating and drinking.

  Just after eating a few bites, I saw someone walking up the mountain from the foot of the mountain. Su Nan didn't pay attention to it, now in the bustling city, there are countless people playing by Xizi Lake at this time, and some come to climb Xi Zhao Mountain, which is a very normal thing.

  The man in his fifties, full of energy and light-footed, wore a moon-white sports suit. After arriving at the mountain, he looked around and walked straight to sit down opposite Su Nan.

  He also brought wine and dishes, a bottle of Maotai, a bag of peanuts, and a braised pig's ear. "Let's have a drink!" The man raised his own wine bottle and gestured to Su Nan.

  As he sat down, Su Nan naturally paid more attention to him. After taking a look, Su Nan's heart sank, "What a deep cultivation!" This person was actually the most formidable person Su Nan had met so far, his cultivation was on par with Su Nan's, also at the peak of the seventh layer.

  Now Sunan is suspicious of the other party's purpose in finding him, but the other party doesn't say anything and Sunan won't ask either.

  "Cheers!" Su Nan raised the wine bottle in his hand.

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