Swallowed Star

by Alexander Buchanez

  "Name?" Luo Feng didn't realize what it meant for the chief to give someone his name.

  Luo Feng had no initial reaction after hearing the name Zhu Ge Tao. He just sighed to himself...... the name 'Zhu Ge' is quite rare.

  "Luo Feng, using our words, that instructor is one of the Big Four of our Jiang-Nan dojo of limits" Jiang Nian smiled.

  "Big Four?" Luo Feng was startled.

  Uncle Bai glared at Jiang Nian and said in a quiet voice: "This is all private. In the Jiang-Nan dojo of limits headquarters, the chairman has the highest authority, followed by the three chiefs! The chairman and the three chiefs make up what most fighters privately call, the Big Four! Each one of them holds an immense amount of authority and power. If you want to become a chief, you have to at least be a 'Elite General' level fighter. At the same time, your dojo contribution must be high and you also need a lot of support from other general level fighters!"

  "Oh?" Luo Feng was surprised.

  There are three large factors in becoming a chief? Strength, contribution, and support?

  "Luo Feng, to a chief, 50 million really isn't that much" said Jiang Nian in a quiet voice, "From my point of view, the reason why the chief values you so much..... is because you're still so young. Only 18 years old! He has decided that you have hope in the future and you have the potential to become a general level fighter. So today, he invested 50 million to help you a bit"

  Luo Feng nodded.

  Uncle Bai laughed on the side: "However, Luo Feng, don't get cocky. You do have good talent, but becoming a general level fighter is extremely difficult! The chief only thought that you have a sliver of hope; just a possibility"

  "And because of that small possibility, he gave me 50 million?" Luo Feng gasped.

  The dojo's rules were strict. The rules were that the three scrolls couldn't exceed 50 million. Even the chief couldn't do anything to change that. He can only take out money from his own pocket to build upon the original foundation of 50 million. When fighters are growing, the type of scroll used has a huge impact on them"

  "Well, leave that thought aside for now, Luo Feng. The fact that the chief is giving you special treatment can only mean good things. The chiefs have broad connections, whether it's the army, the circle of powerful fighters, the government, and all sorts of powerful families..... each chief has their own set of connections. The chief is one of the most powerful figures in Jiang-Nan city" Jiang Nian couldn't help but to say.

  Luo Feng nodded.

  The fact that the chief is giving him special treatment is a good thing, what's the point of thinking about all of this. Since the chief is helping him, he just needs a chance in the future to return the favor.

  "Luo Feng, when are you going to move into Yang-Zhou city's fighter area? Or will you move into main sector?" asked Jiang Nian.

  Luo Feng slightly hesitated.....

  His parents' friends were virtually all in Yang-Zhou city. His own good friends were in Yang-Zhou city too.

  "I'll move into the Ming-Yue sector" answered Luo Feng.

  Chapter 27: Moving

  TL note: In case you forgot, a ping is 3.3 sq meters.

  At noon that day, instructor Jiang Nian dragged Luo Feng to eat a hearty meal with some fighters at headquarters. It was only until night that Luo Feng could return to his home in Yang-Zhou city.

  ������������

  At night, the streetlights in the southern shore region were lit up.

  There were three middle-aged men who were drenched in sweat, laughing and talking as they walked down the road. You could smell the smell of wood and paint if you go near them.

  "My waist is becoming unbearably painful. I guess I have to sleep face down tonight" said a burly man has he held his waist and said in pain, "My prostrate also hurts. I guess it's time to get a checkup at a hospital. Damn, that costs a lot of money though"

  "Old Tian, why don't you tell our boss and take a rest for two days? You can start working again when you feel better" said Luo Feng's father, Luo Hong Guo.

  "Yea, Old Tian, it's not worth ruining your body" said the slightly fat brute on the side.

  "Okay. I'll be heading home first" said the burly middle-aged man. He turned and headed towards a cone shaped apartment. The slightly fat brute and Luo Hong Guo sighed and said good bye as they headed towards another cone shaped apartment.

  Luo Hong Guo slowly walked towards his home under the dim light of the streetlights.

  "32nd floor!" Luo Hong Guo stood on the first floor and looked at the stairs. As of now, climbing up 32 floors is easy for most people. However, for Luo Hong Guo, who has been doing manual labor for an entire day, even walking is tiring, "My neck and waist are a bit sore. I should find some time to rest"

  Luo Hong Guo climbed the stairs all the way up to the 32nd floor!

  [DING DONG] [DING DONG] Luo Hong Guo stood outside the door and pressed the doorbell. He was too lazy to take the keys out of his pocket.

  [KA!]

  When the door was opened, he saw a huge, extravagant meal on the table; there were a dozen different dishes. Their family doesn't even have this much on New Years.

  "What's going on, all of this food" even though Luo Hong Guo wasn't too happy, he still walked in the house with a smiling face.

  [DAN DAN DAN DAN~~~] Luo Hua yelled while sitting on his wheelchair, "Dad, welcome home!"

  "Dad!" Luo Feng obediently brought some tea to his father and said, "From now on, dad won't have to wear this uniform anymore!"

  "Hm?" Luo Hong Guo was shocked.

  "Luo" Gong Xin Lan, who was carrying the rice bowls, smiled at Luo Hong Guo, "Our son just signed a contract with the dojo of limits. Once he passes the fighter combat exam, he'll receive two billion dollars. He even received a private villa; he brought the keys to it home"

  "What?" Luo Hong Guo was startled, "Xin Lan, what did you just say?"

  "Dad, look" Luo Feng gave Luo Hong Guo the signed contract.

  Luo Hong Guo took it and looked carefully, from the very first word to the very last word, Luo Hong Guo didn't dare miss anything...... He looked at this contract as if he was looking at a wedding certificate. All the terms on the contract were very clear.

  "This, this..... Don't you sign the contract with the dojo of limits after the fighter combat exam?" Luo Hong Guo was in a state of disbelief, "And how come there's two billion dollars?"

  Before, when Luo Feng passed the prospective fighter exam, Luo Hong Guo carefully checked.....

  When a fighter joins the dojo, they only get a hundred million.

  "Dad, this is because brother's a genius" Luo Hua said as he made a strange laugh, "What's the most important thing in this age? The geniuses within the fighters"

  "All of us are able to live in this villa?" Luo Hong Guo looked towards his son Luo Feng.

  Gong Xin Lan laughed on the side: "If you want to live there, you can go right now!"

  "Ha, haha....." Luo Hong Guo couldn't even control himself anymore; tears were welling up in his eyes. Even after all of these years, there was no chance of him changing with his current job, even if he worked for the rest of his life. He has worked so hard for his family. And now there's finally a chance to change! He can immediately live in the legendary private villa!

  Indeed, a private villa is a legendary existence for a regular person. After the Grand Nirvana period, a city has to hold 200 million people, so land is extremely valuable! Since villas take up so much space, you can't even get them with money!

  Even the few very rich people who inhabit the villas have to pay an enormous tax.

  "Even I, Luo Hong Guo, has an opportunity to live in a villa!!!" Luo Hong Guo couldn't control his happiness, "Haha, even my dog of a boss' home isn't going to be as good as mine"

  "Yup yup" Luo Hua was starting to get excited too, "Our home will have huge windows and a huge bath! It'll also have a very huge living room! Our television and laptops will all be equipped with voice recognition systems. Our living ro
om's television's display will be at least 200 inches wide. We can even roll around on our beds!"

  "A bed to roll around on, I've been wishing for one for ages" Luo Hua said excitedly.

  When Luo Feng saw his dad and brother like this, he was truly happy inside.

  Why did he work so hard?

  Wasn't it all just for this day?

  "Dad, mom, sit down, let's eat" Luo Feng laughed.

  "I'm going to take a shower" Luo Hong Guo laughed loudly, "In the future, I won't have to wear this uniform already. I'll contact my boss about this"

  ������������

  Tonight, Luo Feng's family was filled with a never before seen happiness.

  This home, which was only 36 ping, has housed this family of four for so many years. Even though they weren't satisfied with this home, for example, the parents have to sleep on the couch and rarely any sunlight gets in. The bathroom is pitifully small..... there are just too many flaws.

  However..... right when they were about to leave, Luo Feng's family was a bit hesitant, since there were way too many memories in this home.

  However, people have to go higher!

  The morning of the second day, a large truck was parked in front of the apartment. Luo Feng and his family started to move their things onto the truck.

  "Old Luo, what's happening? How come you're moving?"

  "Eh, sister Lan, what're you doin' so early in the mornin'?"

  .....

  Many familiar friends and neighbors in this small sector curiously asked Luo Hong Guo and Gong Xin Lan.

  "Haha, my son Feng joined the dojo of limits, so we're moving to the Ming-Yue sector!" Luo Hong Guo answered with pride, "Wang San, you better come to the feast I host in my home."

  Out of all the people who have lived in this poor apartment, who isn't hoping to make a change for themselves one day?

  Luo Hong Guo changed! And he relied on his son!

  "Old Luo's son sure is great, he actually joined the dojo of limits"

  "Yea, he's great. I wonder when my son can become that great too. Now old Luo got lucky and made a change for himself"

  The rumors spread from each person to ten others, from ten others to a hundred others.

  Momentarily, the news spread across the entire southern shore region and even to other apartments in other regions. They all knew that Luo Hong Guo's son has joined the dojo of limits and their family will be moving to the Ming-Yue sector! This is an unbelievably huge, joyous event, which also made many other teenagers hope to help their families"

  "Wen, when you want to find me, go straight to the Ming-Yue sector. However, give me a call before you come so I can contact the guards" said Luo Feng to his good friend Wei Wen.

  "Okay" Wei Wen excitedly hit Luo Feng's chest, "I knew that you could do this Luo Feng. Who cares about high school exams. Can one in ten thousand college graduates or military academy graduates live in a private villa? Jeez, I'll be sure to come look at your home in a few days. I haven't even stepped into a villa before"

  Very quickly--

  Under the gazes of the numerous men, women, and children, Luo Feng and his family rode a car, which was followed by a truck filled with things they couldn't bear to throw away.

  Luo Feng and his family left the southern shore region and entered the fighter's Ming-Yue sector.

  ������������

  Noon, at the entrance in front of the Ming-Yue sector. Six soldiers holding real guns were guarding the gate at both sides, scanning the surroundings.

  "Stop!" One of the guards immediately raised his assault rifle and pointed it at the incoming car.

  [CHI!] That car made an emergency brake.

  Luo Feng and his family came out of the car, and a bald, old man came out of the guardsman's lounge. He laughed: "Luo Feng, right? Last time I saw you for your prospective fighter exam, I knew your future was limitless. However, I didn't think you'd be coming to live in our sector so quickly. I was contacted yesterday. Hurry, come and help them move their things"

  "Luo Feng, we have people to help you move your things. These moving companies aren't allowed to enter here" laughed the bald, old man.

  "We understand" father Luo Hong Guo laughed and nodded.

  At once, seven soldiers rushed out of the sector and speedily helped move the things. The men from the moving company watched with awe. After that, Luo Feng and his family moved into the Ming-Yue sector.

  Luo Feng looked at the Limit Hall in the center and then looked at his surroundings. There were small bridges, flowing rivers, fake mountains and ponds, and a villa that was encircled by flowing water, "From now on, this will be my home". Luo Feng turned his head to his parents and his brother on his wheelchair. At this time, his parents and his brother all looked with excitement towards the small sector.

  "Mr. Luo Feng, this in front of you shall be your home" A few soldiers were moving things and a young woman smiled as she held a few papers, "#199 will be Mr. Luo Feng's home. This villa has three floors and a basement. The third floor also has a large terrace. The total area is 512 ping. If you count the basement, garden, and terrace, then it nears 800 ping"

  Luo Feng and his family exchanged glances.....

  And then they closely looked at this luxurious villa with red and white walls; this will be their home!

  "36 ping? Near 800 ping?" Luo Hua on his wheelchair couldn't help but to mutter.

  Chapter 28: Fighter combat exam

  Late at night on July 31st, in Ming-Yue sector's #199 villa. On the second floor in this villa, there were four huge rooms: A bedroom, a media room, a guest room, and a gigantic training hall. This training hall was at least 120 ping and took up half of the 2nd floor.

  Late into the night, the street light shined through the glass of the media room and refracted into the training hall.

  Luo Feng, wearing a loose dojo uniform, silently kneeled on the floor. Two streams of light constantly and rapidly circled around Luo Feng's body. As if they were happy, joyous birds, they flew around the dojo quickly and flexibly.

  After a while, the two streams of light slowed down and floated next to Luo Feng; they were two throwing knives.

  "With my current level of spiritual force, controlling things isn't too hard. However, if I control like four of five knives..... the speed, power, etc. diminish" Other than trying to control his new strength, Luo Feng has put most of this month's work on his spiritual force training.

  While Luo Feng was living in the Ming-Yue sector this month, he met and talked with many fighters. Luo Feng also confirmed one thing--that his telekinesis is indeed spiritual force!

  "I'm taking the fighter combat exam tomorrow, so I should rest well tonight"

  Luo Feng stood up and opened the glass door, and then headed to his bedroom to sleep.

  ������������

  August 1st, noon. Under the leadership of a fighter, thirty or so prospective fighters, including Luo Feng and Yang Wu, rushed towards the train station.

  [KU-CHI~~ KU-CHI~~] The train was moving quickly into the station and the sounds of the wheels grinding against the tracks were weak. The carriages of the train were all filled with clamor, but were also completely sealed. There were no windows to look out of. In each carriage, a person appeared on the large display.

  Inside the carriage, many prospective fighters were seated.

  "Fellow prospective fighters, future fighters, I am from the HR alliance" a middle-aged man was speaking on the carriage's display, "I'm sure all of you have heard of the HR alliance before! It's the strongest, wealthiest organization and the organization with the most fighters! I'm sure everyone is also familiar with the HR alliance's other name--The Underground Alliance"

  All the prospective fighters inside the carriage quieted down.

  Luo Feng and Yang Wu sat side by side, heads raised towards the large display.

  "Crazy, you've heard of the Underground Alliance before right?" laughed Yang Wu, "The
y are seriously wealthy! The wealthiest organization on earth, even wealthier than a country"

  "I know"

  Luo Feng laughed. While he lived in the Ming-Yue sector for the past month, he has learned of many basic information from the fighters in the same area. Prior to the Grand Nirvana period, places like the United States of America and Europe all had powerful families controlling them from behind. For example, the Morgan family, the Rockefeller family, the Onassis family, etc.....

  These families virtually controlled over half of the world's wealth!

  However, when the Grand Nirvana period came and the monsters attacked, many smaller countries were destroyed. The larger countries that had powerful armies all fended for themselves and strengthened their governments. At this time, many of the old, powerful families were afraid of being overpowered by the governments' armies. So they teamed up and created--the HR alliance��or the human rights alliance.

  Human rights alliance, it sounds good. However, it's an alliance that centers around the powerful families. It's called by fighters the 'Underground Alliance'.

  "Our alliance has the world's largest communication platform for fighters! Here, you can accept high paying missions"

  "Our alliance has power and influence all over the world! Once you join our alliance and you become one of us, you'll receive top class service whether it's in the USA or the European Union"

  "Our alliance has the largest army and the most power in the government, join us....."

  .....

  The middle-aged man spoke for 15 minutes.

  "All future fighters"

  A man who had a strict face on appeared on the screen, "Let me introduce myself. I, am Jiang-Nan city's security agency's deputy chief. My name is Liu. In our country of China, there is no doubt that our government's army is the strongest! Join our government, join our army, and no matter where you go in China, you'll have the greatest support"

  .....

  "Everyone" the person on the screen changed again, "I am the chief of Jiang-Nan city's Thunder Dojo headquarters, Wang. Our thunder dojo was created by the fastest and invincible fighter, 'Thunder Lord'. All over the world, our thunder dojo has branches....."