He spoke with a cheerful smile. Huo Honghao was very amiable and didn't put on any airs, much like an ordinary neighbor—as ordinary as one could be. But one look at the military insignia on his shoulders, and everyone knew: the man before them absolutely could not be treated with an ordinary attitude!

That was two bars and four stars! A Colonel-level figure.

The only way they usually interacted with such a person was by watching television! He was someone they could see and admire, but never touch!

Now, such a person had walked out of the television and into reality. And he was even chatting and greeting them, saying he was looking for Zhang Beixing!

What in the world... Zhang's mother was utterly bewildered, her mind struggling to process it all; she simply couldn't make sense of the situation.

The relatives felt the same. They indeed didn't recognize Huo Honghao, but they recognized the military rank on his uniform!

Their gazes, filled with astonishment and uncertainty, all turned to Zhang Beixing. This is way beyond the influence an internet celebrity should have, isn't it? What kind of internet celebrity could make a military Colonel come in person?!

"Please, come in, come in!"

After a moment of shock, Zhang's mother came to her senses. Realizing it wasn't right to keep Huo Honghao standing outside, she quickly stepped aside and invited him in.

Then she called out to Zhang Beixing, "Beixing, we have a guest! He's looking for you. Hurry over and greet him."

Zhang Beixing had already been drawn by the commotion. It was just that he'd been trying to place Huo Honghao, wondering who he was and why he looked so familiar, so he hadn't reacted immediately.

Only when his mother called him did Zhang Beixing walk over. He looked at Huo Honghao, who had entered at his mother's invitation and was now standing in the entranceway, and said, "You are..."

"Hello, Comrade Zhang Beixing. I am Huo Honghao, a Colonel from our Shishi Military Sub-District."

"Ah, Commander Huo! It's an honor to meet you!" Zhang Beixing stepped forward and shook Huo Honghao's hand.

Then he asked, "Commander Huo, may I ask what brings you here today?"

"Honestly, this child!"

Seeing Zhang Beixing ask so directly, Huo Honghao hadn't yet reacted, but Zhang's mother, standing nearby, grew anxious. This silly boy is so blunt! That's a distinguished military Colonel! Even if you want to know why he's here, you should at least invite him in properly, offer him a seat, chat a bit, build some rapport, and then ask! Who just leaves a guest practically in the entranceway and jumps straight to the point without another word!

"I'm so sorry, Commander Huo," Zhang's mother said, looking at him. "My son is rather straightforward and doesn't hide his thoughts. Please, come further inside. We can talk in there, shall we?"

Hearing this, Huo Honghao smiled and waved his hand. "It's quite all right. We can discuss this matter anywhere. Besides, it shows that Comrade Zhang is a genuine person—upfront and not one for beating around the bush."

Zhang's mother remained insistent. "You're too kind, Commander. My son is just... well, never mind. Please, come in, come in!"

She ushered Huo Honghao into the living room.

Witnessing such an important figure actually arrive, Zhang Beixing's relatives, who had never experienced such a scene, all stood up, making way for Huo Honghao and offering him a seat.

Once Huo Honghao and Zhang Beixing were seated on the sofa, Huo Honghao glanced around the room. He saw that, aside from Zhang Beixing's relatives, there were also some martial artists present, and he generally understood what was going on.

His gaze then settled on Zhang Beixing, and he said cheerfully, "I've long heard that in our Shishi City, there is a young martial artist—exceptionally talented and quite remarkable for his age. Seeing you today, I find it's truly the case."

Taking the tea offered by Zhang's father, Huo Honghao sipped it lightly and, looking at Zhang Beixing, added, "Actually, Comrade Zhang, this is our second meeting!"

"Our second meeting?" Zhang Beixing murmured in surprise. Then, comprehension dawned. "Oh, right! I remember now! The last time was at the Chen Family's residence, wasn't it? I recall Elder Chen even went out to greet you then. No wonder you looked so familiar when I saw you today, like I'd met you somewhere before."

"Haha, yes. Comrade Zhang, you have an excellent memory to recall even that brief encounter. To be frank, I heard you became a Grandmaster at such a young age, breaking Great Xia's record for the youngest Grandmaster. I came today specifically to congratulate you. And, while I'm here," he added, cheerfully revealing his purpose, "I also wanted to ask, Comrade Zhang, if you have any interest in our Shishi Military Sub-District?"

Hearing Huo Honghao's words, Zhang Beixing's eyebrow twitched. Interest in the Shishi Military Sub-District? What does he mean by that? Is he here to recruit me into the army? Oh, not this again... Back in Yanjing, even before I became a Grandmaster, Wang Fengyi and his group were trying to recruit me. Now I've become a Grandmaster and returned to Shishi, and here's Huo Honghao starting it all over again. I really have no interest in enlisting!

The corner of Zhang Beixing's mouth twitched, his expression becoming a little strained. Just as he was wondering how to politely but firmly decline...

Huo Honghao, having already deciphered Zhang Beixing's thoughts from his micro-expressions, said, "Don't misunderstand, Comrade Zhang. I'm not here to invite you to enlist. After all, you're already a Grandmaster—one of the pillars of Great Xia's martial arts community. Enlisting wouldn't be appropriate. My main reason for coming is to ask if you might have some free time to visit our Shishi Military Sub-District. Perhaps you could spar and exchange pointers with our soldiers, and offer some guidance on their combat training. What do you think, Comrade Zhang?"

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