Tian Du City.

  Sword Card Master Association.

  Feeling somewhat upset, Lu Ming closed Li Ergou’s report.

  He knew that Li Haoran had set up some goals to motivate the disciples in their research. However, he did not expect them to be that passionate about it……

  Forget it.

  He would let them be.

  There had to be some sacrifice in the path to improvement.

  →_→


  He paused for a moment and then contacted Li Haoran.

  “Haoran.”


  “Yes.

  “Bring a set of clothing for Li Ergou when you go there.”


  “Huh?”
……

  He hung up the call.

  Lu Ming shook his head and continued to search for ways to improve his ability.

  The teenager in white……

  Eh?

  That child had some research as well?

  Lu Ming felt somewhat shocked. Although he had been accepted as a disciple because of his father’s special status, to put it bluntly, he had basically got in through the back door!

  The entire association, including the spirit bodies, knew that the teenager in white had come in through the back door.

  He had a hunch that something was not quite right.

  →_→


  Forget it.

  He would not think about it anymore.

  Anyway, this child was a case of pulling strings!

  Lu Ming could not be bothered with him. He had been giving him a lot of freedom and he took him for a special first generation disciple. Unexpectedly, he had done some research.

  Shush!

  Lu Ming flipped open his research file.

  First, “How to woo a girl……”


  Lu Ming was speechless.

  What does wooing girls have to do with you?!

  You didn’t even manage to brown-nose Zhou Yun. Yet, you want to publish guidelines?!

  As he flipped to the later pages, he found a huge, red stamp on their content — Did not pass the assessment. Oh, this essay had been rejected.

  Tsk.

  Children nowadays……

  Lu Ming shook his head and was prepared to close the file. Suddenly, his eyes landed on the second research essay titled “A Discussion on the Optimization and Improvement of Card Lines.”


  He opened it curiously and was instantly stunned.

  This was……

  Lu Ming widened his eyes.

  In the essay, the teenager had been optimizing the Sword Card Master lines!

  Currently, all the lines in the current market were created by Card Creators. They were seamlessly and perfectly customized for the vocation cores of Card Creators.

  They could also be used by Sword Card Masters.

  However, the Sword Card Master’s vocation cores were obviously much stronger. Perhaps they had a higher upper limit?

  Lu Ming had also thought of this question before.

  This was something fairly easy to understand.

  The same 3A game could have very different effects when played on NS, PS4, XBOX and a high configuration computer.

  It was the same logic.

  For the same game, would the Sword Card Master unleash stronger powers?

  It was such a pity.

  This kind of optimization was too difficult.

  Unless they were willing to do targeted and massive experiments on every ability, they would not be able to complete the research!

  This was simply a task that was impossible to complete!

  Lu Ming could not do it.

  The Card Creators Association had countless Card Creators and they used an unknown period of time to complete their research! The Sword Card Master Association only had a handful of people. Even if all of them were involved in the research, it was not enough!

  Therefore, the card department of the Sword Card Master was the same as that of the Card Creators.

  However, in his essay, the teenager had completely modified the vocation core of the Sword Card Master Association!

  It was too difficult to adjust to every ability!

  He would try to adjust the vocation core!

  What about making the Sword Card Master’s Original Card become more compatible with basic lines?

  For example, athree-star basic line consumed 10 points of energy. One three-star card could accommodate 1,000 lines. This was based on the standards of the Card Creator’s Original Card!

  Well……

  What if they were to follow this standard for the Sword Card Master’s Original Card?

  What if the Sword Card Master’s Original Card was modified and optimized based on the standards of the Card Creator?

  Hence, after a massive amount of testing.

  The teenager put forward a new experiment outcome.

  For the same three-star Original Card: The Card Creator’s Original Card could accommodate 1,000 standard lines, whereas the Sword Card Master’s tempered Original Card could accommodate 1,300 lines!!!

  This meant that they had a more terrifying combat ability!

  Finally, information about the optimization and modification process was enclosed in the experiment report. (The teenager had started working on the Original Card tempering index, limit performance, line capacity, energy throughput capacity, tensile strength and finally optimizing the bottom layer structure from the surface!)

  “This data……”


  Lu Ming’s scalp felt numb when he read it.

  It was simply amazing!!!

  Modifying the bottom layer!

  Optimizing the structure!

  Was this something that an average person could come up with?

  First, he had to understand the structure of the Card Creator’s Original Card very well. Second, he also had to understand the Sword Card Master’s Original Card very well. He would then be able to carry out the modifications!

  The teenager actually had such a talent?!

  That was true.

  After all, he was the child of a Card Creator grandmaster!

  He was unconsciously influenced by what he frequently heard and saw. How could he possibly be a salted fish?!

  He had underestimated him!

  Hence, Lu Ming invited the teenager for a meeting.

  “Humph!

  The arrogant and complicated look in the teenager’s eyes made Lu Ming feel very odd…… What was happening…… Was it because he had paid too little attention to him lately……

  Well, this was a child after all.

  As his master and president, he should pay more attention to him.

  Hence……

  He took a deep breath and projected the essay on the screen.

  “Look, this essay……”


  However, the teenager’s expression changed drastically the moment he glanced at it. He held into Lu Ming’s legs and became teary-eyed. “Master! I was wrong! I won’t get someone else to do my homework anymore!”


  “What?”


  Lu Ming was dumbstruck.

  Someone else did the work?

  “Well……”


  Looking aggrieved, the teenager said, “Some time ago, Senior Brother published an announcement and told each of us to hand in an essay about our research as homework. I submitted the essay “How to woo girls” and he returned it. I really couldn’t think of a second essay……”


  Lu Ming was expressionless.

  Therefore, this amazing essay……

  “Who wrote them?”


  “My dad?” The teenager in white said honestly.

  “Alright.”


  Lu Ming sighed.

  He no longer had any doubts about the person was that had written it.

  What else could he say?

  “Master, I am in the wrong,” the teenager in white said honestly.

  He had learned many things, such as Senior Brother Zhao’s swordplay, Senior Sister’s spirit body skills, Master’s legacy and so on, in the Sword Card Master Association. He even got to know the teenager in black!

  Compared to the over ten years of boring life that he had lived at home, he felt happier and more fortunate now!

  He loved this place.

  Although…… Master cuckolded him.

  However, he could not blame Master for this either.

  Love is a matter between two people. Miss Yun-er liked to interact with him but seemingly, she did not love him.

  Could he blame Master for that?

  Could he blame Master for being too outstanding and good looking?

  Nowadays……

  Even when you buy a communication device, between those of the same price, you will know to pick one with a higher configuration, better processor and larger memory……

  Was it any different for love?

  They were of the same age.

  They were both either 16 or 17 years old.

  Master was better looking, more powerful and successful, had a better character as well as a benevolent, pure and innocent heart.

  If he was a girl, he reckoned that he would also like someone like Master?

  Although he was very upset, he had never blamed Master.

  Furthermore……

  He understood now, this kind of situation was a part and parcel of life and he felt that he could face it honestly.

  “Did you really learn your lesson?”


  Lu Ming glanced at him.

  “Yes,” the teenager in white said earnestly.

  “Write another essay next month,” Lu Ming said in a low voice.

  “Understood.”


  The teenager in white understood. “Thank you, Master! I won’t fool around again! I won’t cheat again! Although I am not interested in research, I will definitely come up with a real research guideline this time!”


  Cough, cough.

  Lu Ming coughed. “Cheating? Is getting parents to do this considered cheating?”


  “Huh?”


  The teenager in white was confused.

  He had told his father to do his homework. W-was this not considered cheating?

  “Remember, child.

  “This is called family coaching.”


  Lu Ming smiled faintly and said, “You can get your father to guide you for the research essay. However, you also have to understand these things. You have to participate and be involved, understand?”


  “Oh.”


  The teenager seemed to have understood a little.

  Why did he have the feeling that Master was encouraging him to cheat?

  “This essay is very well-written.”


  Lu Ming said in a low voice, “In the future, you will be responsible for a standalone department called the Optimization department. Thisessay will also be your official contribution.

  “The development of this department……

  “I will leave it to you.”


  Lu Ming patted him on the shoulder.

  S-standalone department?

  The eyes of the teenager in white lit up.

  This was a special privilege that only Third Senior Brother and Senior Sister had! In the Sword Card Master Association, it meant a lot to have a standalone department. It was the symbol of a true first generation disciple!

  It meant that…… he was a contributor of the association!!!

  “C-can I really do it?”


  He felt unsettled.

  “Believe in yourself!”


  Lu Ming encouraged him and said, “You can also get your father to do some family coaching. However, remember, one day, you have to complete this job independently!”


  “Yes!”


  The teenager in white clenched his fists.

  Independently……

  He would definitely be able to succeed in the future!

  Hence……

  The teenager left excitedly.

  Watching him leave, a fatherly smile emerged on Lu Ming’s face.

  Although this child was a salted fish……

  He had an amazing father!!!

  If he could get a grandmaster Card Creator, a true big shot, to help the Sword Card Master Association optimize the bottom layer of their cards, that would be such an honor!

  “Xiao-Xiaojian.”


  “Yes.”


  “Take a good look at this document. Quickly digest the content and refine it as much as possible.”


  Lu Ming sent the document to Xiao-Xiaojian.

  “Understood.”


  Xiao-Xiaojian carried its own communication device and went to read it in the corner.

  Right then, Li Haoran knocked on his door.

  “Master.”


  “Come in.”


  Lu Ming said softly, “Is there anything wrong?”


  “Uh—”


  Li Haoran scratched his head with embarrassmentand said in a low voice, “Master, Senior Zhang Yang has been beaten up again.”


  Lu Ming: “(〃’▽’〃)”


  Was this not normal?

  “Well……”


  Li Haoran paused for a moment. “He was beaten up seven times in one day……”


  Lu Ming was taken aback.

  Damn!

  Is that for real!?

  Although Senior Zhang Yang liked to mess around, he was beaten up only once every few days in the past. On this occasion, he had been beaten up seven times in one day. Something must have happened!

  “I’ve investigated for the whole day but to no avail.”


  Li Haoran felt very troubled. “According to the information, Senior Zhang didn’t do anything yesterday.”


  This was the reason why they had come looking for Master.

  He was baffled.

  There had to be a reason why Zhang Yang was beaten up seven times in one day. As the acting president of the association, he had to find this unknown threat.

  “Understood.”


  Lu Ming’s expression turned more grave.

  Seven times……

  They had investigated Zhang Yang’s information and indeed, they did not discover anything amiss. Zhang Yang had been busy for the past few days. Even his Wechat official account was idling!

  He did not publish any articles!

  Lu Ming pondered for a long time. He suddenly asked, “Zhang Yang’s beatings mainly occurred yesterday?!”


  “Yes.”


  Li Haoran was very certain.

  There was no beating a few days ago! It only began yesterday!

  Seven consecutive times!

  Zhang Yang was lying down in the sick bay……

  “Yesterday……”


  Lu Ming sighed. “I think I know why.”


  “Huh?”


  Li Haoran looked at Lu Ming.

  “Yesterday……

  “Didi Beating app gave out free vouchers for beating up people yesterday and the vouchers are only valid for two days……”


  Lu Ming sighed.

  Li Haoran was wide-eyed and at a loss for words. “I-it’s because of that?”


  “Yes.”


  Lu Ming felt very helpless too.

  Vouchers…… Initially, you may not want to buy something but when you have vouchers, it is a pity not to use them. Therefore, you will try to buy more things to make up for the amount and then use the voucher.

  Free vouchers are even better……

  But, why Zhang Yang?

  It was because……

  They would use the vouchers on whoever deserved a beating more.

  Afterward, the rest was history.

  Shush!

  There was dead silence in the office.

  Lu Ming and Li Haoran glanced at each other.

  “They are too much.”


  Li Haoran was furious. “This app still exists openly!”


  “Calm down.”


  Lu Ming calmed his disciple down.

  No one could intervene in this.

  There were all sorts of illegal loan companies such as Apple Loan, Banana Loan and Carrot Loan. There were also all sorts of illegal live streaming platforms such as Chili Pepper, Essential Balm Oil and so on.

  They were everywhere!

  Even if you were to exterminate one of them today, there would be another one appearing tomorrow.

  It was the same for the Didi Beating app. After exterminating Didi Beating today, there would be Papa Beating, PiaPia Beating and so on the next day. No one had a way to stop it.

  Their characteristics were gray industrial chains, and they rampantly brushed shoulders with the law.

  Were they breaking the law?

  No, they were at the borders and did not enter the restricted area.

  What else could they do?!

  Even the police could not be bothered with it.

  They had many homicides, murders and missing person cases which had not been dealt with. They really did not have a lot of time and energy to engage in a battle of wits and courage with these people, or discuss how much of what they were doing was illegal.

  That would be too exhausting and torturous!

  “I see.”


  Li Haoran was enlightened.

  Master was very knowledgeable indeed.

  He heard that Master had come into contact with loan companies many years ago. It seemed that Master did not see eye to eye with such things and had been paying attention to them!

  He was indeed Master!

  He thought of something very quickly. “Master, how did you know that Didi Beating app sent us vouchers yesterday?”


  Lu Ming: →_→.

  Lu Ming coughed. “One of my police friends told me.”


  “Oh.”


  Li Haoran was stunned.

  This was indeed his Master. He had a wide circle of friends.

  After a long while……

  Li Haoran left.

  Lu Ming wiped his sweat and focused on improving his ability again. He did not have a lot of time left and he had to employ limited resources where they are needed most.

  Right then.

  Buzz—


  His wristband communication device vibrated.

  Lu Ming took a glance at it. It was a message from Meng Shisan!

  “Old Meng?”


  Lu Ming took the call.

  “Lu Ming.”


  Meng Shisan’s bright and cheerful laughter could be heard. “Hahaha, I’m afraid the challenge from those few Swordsman disciples has to be delayed for a few days.”


  “Huh?”


  Lu Ming felt strange. “Why?”


  Meng Shisan could not hold his laughter. “Well…… Tian Du City is a first-tier city……”


  “Huh?”


  “Didn’t the schools just reopen……”


  “So?”


  “Cough, cough, those few Swordsmen who plan to challenge you did not manage to get their train tickets……”