The year was 2048, according to the Huaxia calendar.
Huazhong Base City.
Inside a private dining room on the fourth floor of an HR Alliance shopping mall, the aroma of alcohol filled the air. Shen Ping, sitting at the table, was already a little drunk. He raised his glass towards a burly man beside him and said sincerely, "Captain, thank you for taking care of me all these years. If it weren't for you, I would have died in the wilderness long ago. Now that I've lost my right arm, it's time for me to leave."
He finished his drink in one gulp, then continued with a self-deprecating tone, "Actually, I should have quit a long time ago. It's just that I've always been unwilling, unwilling to give up. I wanted to hone myself in the wilderness, hoping to become a War God one day."
"Heh, I know I'm overestimating myself. After all these years of hard work, I'm still just a War General, and I'm afraid that's the limit of my life…"
The burly man patted Shen Ping's shoulder, who was wearing a bitter smile, and sighed, "Old Shen, since the Great Nirvana, countless martial artists have wanted to become War Gods, but very few have actually succeeded. Even those financial groups within the HR Alliance in the country don't have many War Gods. Just take it easy."
The other team members were silent.
They had long accepted reality. They went to the wilderness only to earn money, never hoping to improve themselves. They just wanted to accumulate enough savings before retiring.
"Alright, don't look so glum."
"Retiring is a good thing. You won't have to risk your life in the wilderness anymore."
The burly man continued, "Old Shen, you're over thirty. After retiring, you should get married and live a stable life. Don't be like Muyang here. He can't control himself and is always hitting on young girls at the university, causing trouble."
Muyang immediately became anxious. "Captain, don't talk nonsense. I didn't cause any trouble. It was mutual."
The teammates burst into laughter.
The atmosphere in the private room became lively again.
Shen Ping also laughed. "Alright, I'll listen to the captain. Come on, let's keep drinking. Tonight, we're all getting wasted!"
They drank until late into the night.
The team members left one after another.
The captain drove Shen Ping back to Zhengcheng Nanyuan District, one of the six major fortified cities in Huazhong Base City. After getting out of the car, he looked at Shen Ping, who was mostly sober, and gave him a bear hug: "Old Shen, if you run into any trouble in the future, just come find me."
Shen Ping nodded, "Don't worry, if I really have any trouble, I'll definitely find you, Captain."
The two men smiled at each other.
After they parted ways.
He returned to the 76th detached villa in the district. He first took a shower, then went to the rooftop terrace on the third floor, picked up a bottle of wine, and continued drinking. After tonight, he would completely bid farewell to his past self.
"War God… perhaps it will be a long time before I reach that level."
For other martial artists, losing their dominant arm would have meant giving up on becoming a War God. However, Shen Ping still held onto hope. It wasn't because of his unwavering will, but because he knew this was the world of Swallowed Star. He understood that Earth, under Luo Feng's leadership, would eventually reach the cosmos and become a peak civilization.
At that time, the War Gods, who were now out of reach, would be within his grasp.
He looked up at the bright moon hanging in the sky.
He couldn't help but sigh in melancholy, thinking, "Without a golden finger or innate talent, it's really too difficult to stand out on this Earth, which has been transformed by the powerful. Well, no matter what, I've tried. From today on, I'll just live a life of ease. After Luo Feng grows up, I'll move to Jiangnan Base City."
He made his decision.
He completely let go of his obsession with relying on his own efforts.
The next day.
Shen Ping took gifts to Aunt Wu's house in the Zhengcheng Nanyuan District and asked her to be a matchmaker. Aunt Wu readily agreed, not at all minding Shen Ping's missing right arm. For many families, a disabled martial artist was actually a good thing. It meant that after their daughter married him, she wouldn't have to live in constant fear.
"What kind of wife are you looking for? Do you have any specific requirements?"
Aunt Wu teased, "At your age, you're very popular with young girls. How about I find you someone young and vibrant?"
Shen Ping waved his hand repeatedly, "No, no, too lively. I'd prefer someone steady and mature. It doesn't matter if she works or not."
Although he had spent most of his earnings over the years on equipment and secret techniques, he still had a couple of hundred million in savings. Supporting a wife wouldn't be a problem. Besides, as a War God-level warrior, he would easily be able to get a job as an instructor at a district-level Limit Martial Arts Gym.
"Alright, I'll let you know as soon as I have some news."
A few days later.
Aunt Wu had news. She brought three photos to Shen Ping's house and sat on the sofa, starting to introduce them, "Take a good look and see which one you like. Let me tell you, these three girls come from good families, but they don't have any warriors in their families. I told them about you, and they are all interested."
Shen Ping quickly thanked her and then picked up the photos to look at them.
He didn't have high expectations for his other half, but everyone loves beauty, so he ended up choosing a girl with a good appearance and figure.
"Oh, you have good taste. I like this girl too."
Aunt Wu hesitated, "But I heard she works in the HR Alliance mall. I'm afraid she'll be busy. You'd better be prepared. If it doesn't work out, have her quit her job and find a stable one near the district." Working in the HR Alliance mall, whether as a server or doing something else, does require a certain standard of looks and figure. However, that kind of place requires frequent interaction with martial artists, and sometimes, there might be social obligations.
Muyang frowned, "Aunt Wu, let's meet her first and see."
That afternoon.
Aunt Wu arranged for them to meet.
The location was a cafe near Zhengcheng Nanyuan District. The environment here was elegant and quiet, very comfortable. Muyang would sometimes come here to sit for a while when he was feeling restless.
He arrived at a window seat.
He saw the girl from the photo. She was wearing a fashionable, brown and white trench coat, with only one button fastened at the chest, clearly revealing the rose-red, form-fitting dress underneath. Her legs were long and slender, and she wore pink and white boots. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her skin was fair and smooth, obviously without heavy makeup.
She was sitting opposite him.
Before he could introduce himself, the girl smiled and said, "Shen Ping of the Wild Wind Squad, I've seen you. It was at a bar on the third floor, but a warrior like you probably wouldn't remember a waitress."
Shen Ping heard the teasing in her words and couldn't help but laugh, "If I'd known I'd be sitting here having coffee with you one day, I definitely would have gone to the bar more often."
The girl smiled brightly, extending a hand as white and delicate as jade. "I'm Li Yuewei."
They shook hands briefly.
Then, they began to chat.
It had to be said, this girl was very talkative. It was no wonder she worked in the HR Alliance mall; she made one feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.
As they chatted, the topic shifted to life after marriage.
Li Yuewei took a sip of her coffee and said seriously, "Mr. Shen, if we get married, I hope you won't interfere with my work. I'm not just thinking about myself, but about the future. You should know that my family doesn't have any martial artists, so my parents really hope our children will become martial artists."
"With Mr. Shen's strength as a War God, I believe it won't be difficult to nurture a martial artist. But I hope our child can go even further."
"As for other matters, I'll follow your lead."
Shen Ping fell silent for a moment. He didn't want his wife to work in the HR Alliance mall, but what Li Yuewei said made sense. Besides, he himself didn't have much talent, so naturally, he had to place his hopes on their children.
After careful consideration, he nodded.
With no other disagreements, their affairs proceeded smoothly.
He chose an auspicious day.
Shen Ping and Li Yuewei officially became husband and wife. On their wedding day, he invited the members of the Wild Wind Squad, as well as the martial artists and their families from Zhengcheng Nanyuan District, to witness their union.
Late at night.
The daytime's hustle and bustle gradually faded away.
Under the starry sky.
Li Yuewei, dressed in a wedding dress, lay on the bed, a hint of shyness on her cheeks. Watching the calloused hand remove the dress piece by piece, her body tensed, and she whispered, "Be, be gentle later."
As the heavy body pressed down.
Li Yuewei frowned in pain, her expression contorted.
Spring nights are fleeting.
A night of revelry and joy.
The next morning.
Shen Ping looked at the crimson stain on the sheets and smacked his head, secretly regretting that he had been too vigorous last night and hadn't been gentle with his wife.
Just as he was about to say some comforting words to his wife, a translucent virtual frame slowly appeared before his eyes.
[You have obtained a wife, beginning a new chapter for your family.] [Rewards: Ninefold Thunder Blade (Second Level), Subtle Mastery Body Technique]
ps: New book, please support.
(End of this chapter)