Extraordinary Realm from Persuasion System

Huo Honghao asked.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Beixing was momentarily stunned, then remembered that this was indeed the case. Previously, when he was in Ancient Rome, the throwing knives he had taken with him were basically all scrapped and no longer usable. His spear had been thrown into an airplane propeller, causing an explosion and being destroyed along with it. Currently, Zhang Beixing didn’t have a single handy weapon.

Now, hearing Huo Honghao say that the weapons were already forged, Zhang Beixing was immensely delighted. ”Good, thank you, Brother Huo. By the way, how is my horse’s equipment coming along?”

He remembered he had mentioned it to Huo Honghao half a month ago: he needed a set of armor that could equip his Snow-Hoofed Black Qilin from head to toe. This way, it would be convenient for him to ride and kill. He wasn’t sure about the progress so far.

Upon hearing this, Huo Honghao gave a slight smile and replied, ”That’s also taken care of. The sabers, spears, throwing knives, and the horse’s saddle and helmet—I’ve got everything sorted for you. Speaking of which, do you need armor? Our smith said there is still some steel left. If you want it, come down to the Shishi Military Zone, and we can have the master measure you up and forge a set.”

”That won’t be necessary,” Zhang Beixing declined. ”These items are already plenty. If I were to wear armor too, I’d be fine, but I’m afraid my horse wouldn’t be able to endure it.”

As his attributes kept increasing, his Power also grew stronger day by day. Therefore, if Zhang Beixing wanted to find a weapon that could fully unleash his capabilities, his weapon first needed to be sturdy enough to withstand his force. Second, it had to be heavy, with a strong impact!

According to these specifications, assembling a set of equipment, including Zhang Beixing’s own weight and the weight of the horse’s helmet, would bring the total close to a ton. If he were to add a suit of armor, the weight would be almost comparable to that of a small car.

The Snow-Hoofed Black Qilin was indeed extraordinarily gifted, true. But it was still young, not fully grown! For it to carry the equivalent of a small car and gallop wildly at such a young age—even capitalists would marvel at its capability!

”This... that makes sense. Let’s talk about the armor some other time then, Brother Zhang,” Huo Honghao said. ”Should I send someone to deliver your items now?”

Zhang Beixing nodded. ”Alright then, I’ll trouble you, Brother Huo, to arrange for someone to send it over. As for the address, set it as my horse stables; I’m heading there now.”

”OK!” Huo Honghao responded and hung up the phone.

At this, Zhang Beixing put away his phone, stood up, quickly gathered his things, picked up his bag, hailed a taxi, and left the campus.

「 」

When he arrived at the horse stables, after a short wait, a military pickup truck slowly drove over. Zhang Beixing’s equipment was placed in the truck bed.

”Hello, Grandmaster Zhang, long time no see. Here is the equipment you requested; please have a look,” a soldier who looked strikingly familiar said, getting out of the truck and greeting Zhang Beixing.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Beixing paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. ”Are you... Zhou Fan?” he asked, a note of surprise in his voice.

”It’s me. I’m glad you still remember me,” Zhou Fan smiled and replied.

”What are you talking about?” Zhang Beixing said. ”We met just before the New Year; how could I forget you so soon?”

Zhou Fan had left quite an impression on him. The first night Zhang Beixing arrived in Yanjing, he had accidentally stumbled into a Red vs. Blue military exercise and, along with Teacher Liu, had knocked Zhou Fan unconscious and sent him to the police station. Later, while undergoing Martial Arts Training in the Yanjing Military Zone, Zhou Fan had trained right alongside him, studying under his martial uncle, Liu Pan. He was definitely more than just a casual acquaintance.

”Speaking of which, I remember you were always in the Yanjing Military Zone, right? When did you come back?” Zhang Beixing asked, taking a cigarette from Zhou Fan, lighting it, and taking a deep drag.

”Just in the last few days. Came to Shishi for a mission,” Zhou Fan replied, lighting a cigarette for himself as well.

”I see.” Zhang Beixing nodded in understanding, then a thought struck him. ”Since you’re back, did you go see your sister?”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Fan was slightly startled, a strange expression on his face. ”See my sister? You... don’t you know?”

”Huh? Know what?” Zhang Beixing was also taken aback. He had merely wanted to ask Zhou Fan about Sophia Zhou, wondering why there had been no news from her for the past six months. But Zhou Fan’s reaction...

Something’s not right! Zhang Beixing furrowed his brows, his tone becoming stern. ”What happened to Sophia?”

Seeing that Zhang Beixing was truly unaware, Zhou Fan’s expression became even more peculiar. He quickly waved his hand. ”No, no, Sophia is doing great. You don’t need to worry. It’s just... didn’t you know? She enlisted in the military last year and has already been assigned to her company for two or three months now.”

”What???” Zhang Beixing was stunned once again, completely baffled.

What the...? Enlisted? Assigned to a company?

Good heavens, he had been wondering why that girl Sophia Zhou hadn’t shown up for a whole six months. So that was the reason!

”This...” Zhang Beixing scratched his head, having regained his composure. ”I really didn’t know. If you hadn’t told me, I would have thought she was still in school... How is she doing in the military?”

Zhou Fan replied, ”She’s doing very well. Thanks to the ’Heaven and Earth Natural Technique’ you taught her, Sophia’s overall capabilities have improved rapidly. In fact, over the past six months, she’s even received two Second-Class Merits.”

”That’s good then!” Zhang Beixing said with understanding.

Afterward, he and Zhou Fan chatted about various other things.

Once they finished their cigarettes, Zhang Beixing flicked away his cigarette butt and suggested, ”Let’s unload the goods now.”

”Okay!” Zhou Fan nodded. Together with Zhang Beixing, they started taking the equipment out from the truck bed.

After all the items had been unloaded, Zhou Fan wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead. He glanced at Zhang Beixing, whose face was calm, his breathing even. He truly is the only Hidden Essence Martial Artist in Great Xia; such excellent physical conditioning! Zhou Fan couldn’t help but admire inwardly.

Taking a couple of breaths to steady his own, Zhou Fan looked at Zhang Beixing and asked, ”Grandmaster Zhang, is there anything else?”

”Nothing else. Thanks for your trouble!” Zhang Beixing waved his hand.

”Alright, in that case, I’ll go back and report.”

”Mm, when you see Sophia, please send her my regards. Also, wish her a happy birthday. I remember her birthday is on the thirteenth of this month, right?” Zhang Beixing added, having recalled this.

Hearing this, Zhou Fan seemed to remember something, his expression becoming somewhat complex, but he still replied, ”Alright, Grandmaster Zhang. I’m sure my sister will be very happy to know you still remember her birthday. I won’t disturb you any further. Farewell!”

Zhang Beixing didn’t dwell on it and simply replied, ”Farewell.”

He then watched Zhou Fan drive away before summoning the Snow-Hoofed Black Qilin and beginning to equip it.

The first items to be changed were the horseshoes, as they determined how far and how long a horse could run. Next came the saddle, stirrups, reins, and so on.

After Zhang Beixing had fitted this series of equipment onto the Kylin, he took a couple of steps back and looked intently. He saw that the Snow-Hoofed Black Qilin had undergone a drastic transformation. Jet-black armor, glinting coldly in the sunlight, now protected its chest, back, flanks, and limbs securely. It looked utterly formidable.

”Not bad. Now you finally look a bit like a Kylin!” Zhang Beixing nodded in satisfaction, reaching out to pat the Snow-Hoofed Black Qilin’s body.

He then donned the equipment Huo Honghao had crafted for him: a long spear slung diagonally across his back, a saber hung at his left waist, and throwing knives at his right.

Zhang Beixing vaulted onto the horse, grabbed the reins, and gave them a sharp flick. ”Hiyah!”

NEIGHHH—

The Snow-Hoofed Black Qilin beneath him immediately let out a powerful cry and began to gallop around the riding ground, carrying Zhang Beixing on its back.

「 」

Over the next few days, Zhang Beixing spent five or six hours daily with the Snow-Hoofed Black Qilin, helping it quickly adapt to running while carrying a load.

He did this because he had a premonition: the day when Martial Artists would officially go to war with those criminal groups was imminent!

When that time came, as the president of the Asian Martial Association, he was duty-bound to participate. He would fight side-by-side with the other Martial Artists to achieve a resounding victory, compelling the world to re-evaluate their perception of the Martial Artist community!

And that day was drawing near. It would be June 18th!

”Zhang Beixing, those criminal groups in the Middle East are truly enraged! They’re about to officially declare war on the Martial Artists!”

Early in the morning, the phone call connected, and Huo Honghao’s voice came through.

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Zhang Beixing’s eyes.

”I understand, Brother Huo. It’s time to take action—westward from Hangu Pass!”