58: Chapter 58: Engineer Jiang's Rules
"As long as you're willing."
Jiang Ning didn't seem surprised by Dongfang Shuo's answer.
She nodded and then said to Chief Engineer Wang Jianguo, who was standing nearby, "Chief Engineer Wang, make the arrangements for him. Have him join Old Liu's Pipeline Maintenance Team and start as an apprentice. Room and board are included, and his salary... just pay him according to the intern standard."
"Ah? Oh... alright, okay!"
Chief Engineer Wang Jianguo was stunned for a moment before he reacted. He looked at Dongfang Shuo kneeling on the ground, then at Jiang Ning, who looked like this was perfectly natural, and felt that the world had truly become surreal.
Sending a "martial arts master" who could produce thunder with a punch and move a sword as fast as a shadow to fix pipes with Old Liu?
Just thinking about that scene felt indescribably awkward.
But he didn't dare ask more and could only nod in agreement. In this base, the Chief Consultant's orders were like imperial edicts.
"Director Zhao," Jiang Ning turned to Director Zhao Lixin, "process his onboarding and have him sign a non-disclosure agreement. Set his clearance level to... the highest level."
"Understood." Director Zhao Lixin nodded immediately. He understood Jiang Ning's intention. The man could be used, but rules had to be established. A top-level NDA meant that if Dongfang Shuo leaked any information about the project, he would face the state's most severe sanctions. This was both a warning and a constraint.
And so, the matter was settled.
Dongfang Shuo, the young master of the Kunlun Dongfang Family, dramatically became an... intern plumber at the Kuafu Project construction site.
He stood up, bowed deeply to Jiang Ning, and then followed the still-dazed Chief Engineer Wang Jianguo to complete his onboarding paperwork.
From beginning to end, he showed no dissatisfaction or complaint.
Watching his departing figure, Chief Engineer Wang Heshan leaned in toward Director Zhao Lixin and whispered, "Director Zhao, isn't the Chief Consultant's move... a bit too harsh? Making a young master from a great family haul bricks... if word gets out to the Dongfang Family..."
Director Zhao Lixin smiled and lowered his voice. "Old Wang, don't you see it yet? This isn't the Chief Consultant being harsh; it's brilliant!"
"Brilliant?"
"Think about it," Director Zhao Lixin explained. "If the Chief Consultant actually took him as a disciple, what would that look like? Our national project would become her personal private sect. That's not allowed politically."
"But if she didn't take him and just drove him away, it would be like pushing a martial arts genius with infinite potential, along with the entire Dongfang Family behind him, to the opposing side. That would cause even more trouble later."
"Handling it this way is the best solution." Director Zhao Lixin's eyes sparkled with wisdom. "Making him a worker first grinds down his arrogance, letting him know that here, there are no genius young masters, only laborers. Secondly, it tests his character to see if he truly has a heart for seeking the Dao."
"Most importantly," Director Zhao Lixin paused and said word for word, "this is setting a rule for the Dongfang Family and all ancient martial arts forces!"
"What rule?" Chief Engineer Wang Heshan pressed.
"If you want to encounter 'Immortal Opportunity' and step into this new era, fine!" Director Zhao Lixin looked at Jiang Ning's back, his voice full of admiration. "But you must first contribute to the country! You must first become a brick in our socialist construction! If you want to learn things, fine, trade your labor for it!"
After hearing this, Chief Engineer Wang Heshan suddenly understood and couldn't help but give Director Zhao a thumbs up.
"Brilliant! Truly brilliant! This way, the initiative is entirely in our hands. In the future, if those ancient martial sects want to come, they'll have to follow our rules!"
While they were over there analyzing everything so logically, Jiang Ning herself hadn't actually thought that much about it.
She hadn't considered political implications or setting rules at all.
Her thoughts were very simple and pure.
You want to come to my place? Fine.
I'm short-handed here; if you come, you have to work.
It's only right and natural.
As for making you haul bricks, it's because you don't know how to do anything else right now, so that's all you can do. Once you learn other things later, other tasks will naturally be arranged for you.
In her eyes, this was perfectly normal.
Just like in the Qingyun Sect, which new outer disciple didn't start with carrying water, chopping wood, and farming?
Wanting to reach the heavens in a single step? You're dreaming.
...
On the other side, Dongfang Shuo followed Chief Engineer Wang Jianguo and quickly completed all the procedures.
He received a set of blue overalls, a yellow hard hat, and a badge that said "Intern."
Chief Engineer Wang Jianguo watched him change out of his flowing, ancient-style white robes into the rumpled overalls, feeling that he looked awkward no matter how he looked at him.
"Um... Little Dongfang," Chief Engineer Wang Jianguo cleared his throat, trying to speak to him in an equal tone, "from now on, you're a member of our engineering team. There are many rules on the construction site. Since you've just arrived, watch more, learn more, and talk less. If there's anything you don't understand, go ask your captain, Old Liu."
"Yes, Chief Engineer Wang." Dongfang Shuo's attitude was very humble, completely devoid of his previous arrogance.
"Mm... alright, off you go then. Old Liu's team is over at Pump Station No. 3."
Dongfang Shuo nodded, took his things, and walked toward Pump Station No. 3.
He walked across the dusty construction site, surrounded by engineering vehicles coming and going and workers drenched in sweat. The air was thick with the smell of diesel, sweat, and sand.
All of this was so foreign to him.
He could even feel the curious gazes from the workers around him. They were probably wondering which leader's relative this fair-skinned lad, who looked like a movie star, was, and why he had been sent here to experience life.
If it had been half a day ago, he would have certainly felt immense humiliation and anger because of this environment and these looks.
But now, his heart was at peace, and there was even... a hint of anticipation.
He knew that this place was the Immortal Master's "dojo."
Working here was a form of cultivation.
The Immortal Master making him haul bricks must have a deep meaning. Perhaps this was a test of his character.
Not only could he not complain, but he also had to do better than everyone else so that he could gain the Immortal Master's recognition!
At this thought, he clenched his fists, his gaze becoming incredibly determined.
So what if he was a worker?
I, Dongfang Shuo, the number one genius of the ancient martial arts world, can't I even be the best worker?
He quickened his pace and strode toward his "dojo."