"Mr. Cheng, you're too kind. That day, I merely chanced upon you while saving a friend. There's no great debt of gratitude. How about we just become friends? If I ever face challenges in Shuguang City, I'll certainly seek your help. Mutual aid is the best, there's no need for formality."

Hearing this, Cheng Suyan was quietly pleased, knowing Zhou You would head to Shuguang City. Once the weather cleared up, he planned to leave, hoping Zhou You would also go to Shuguang City, as he probably wouldn't return to the Jiangnan base.

"Being friends with Mr. Zhou is an honor. Please, just call me Suyan."

"We're around the same age, so just address me by my name too."

As the two were on the verge of becoming sworn brothers, Shao Qi coughed, remarking, "The snow outside has intensified, making travel difficult. If you gentlemen have no other business, perhaps it's time to leave. Our villa doesn't employ servants, so we might not offer the best hospitality."

Only Shao Qi could be this blunt. Zhou You, having an experiment in mind, wanted to test if his methods were effective and invited them to stay for dinner. "Don't mind him. I'll cook. Stay for a drink, and I'll need a little favor from you after dinner."

Hearing about the favor, both readily agreed but insisted on helping in the kitchen.

Zhou You asked curiously, "Both of you can cook?"

"A bit," they claimed, as during their travels, it wasn't always feasible to have a chef. Grilling some meat or preparing soup was no big deal. However, they didn't know about Zhou You and Shao Qi's high culinary standards.

Zhou You glanced at Shao Qi, conveying a message through his eyes: "Look at them and then look at yourself."

With serene composure, Shao Qi declared, "I don't eat food made by others."

Zhou You whispered under his breath, "You're so spoiled." Yet, he didn't intend to let the guests into the kitchen. Only the kitchen in their courtyard was active, and his little white tiger was still playing in the snow outside.

"Please keep Mr. Shao company; I'll be right back," said Zhou You as he left the three behind.

Cheng Yuran initially had no particular impression of Shao Qi. After all, Shao wasn't the one who saved his life. However, having watched the recent broadcasts, learning that Shao Qi was the acting president of the Martial Arts Association's Jiangnan branch and responsible for its reforms, he sensed a looming threat.

Commoners, of course, would be grateful for Shao Qi's generous contribution. But those belonging to martial schools thought differently. Learning from others is excellent, but they'd also have to share their knowledge. Nothing in this world is free. If word about Shao's idea spread to other bases, all martial schools would face significant upheaval.

"Wasn't Mr. Shao from the Central Corps? How did he end up as the president of the Jiangnan base's Martial Arts Association?" The former title surely carried more prestige, but the latter was limited to the Jiangnan base.

Shao Qi responded with a faint smile, "Perhaps the senior figures at the headquarters noticed I was stationed here in Jiangnan, and the position of the president was vacant, so they let me step in temporarily. It's only for a few months, especially since we're all snowed in here."

"Will Mr. Shao be accompanying me back to Dawn City later on?"

Noticing the gleam in his eye and realizing his intentions, Shao Qi responded, "No need. Our next destination is Yang City."

With a slight unrest in his heart, Cheng Yuran inquired, "Is Yang City also planning to broadcast martial arts?"

"Well, conditions have to be right. The martial arts secrets of the Jiangnan base have already been leaked. Sharing them isn't an issue and could even bring in extra revenue. As for what might happen in Yang City – who knows? If I wanted to promote this method of learning martial arts nationwide, I wouldn't reveal it now. There are many challenges to overcome."

Cheng Yuran pondered. He had many questions, but given his unfamiliarity with Shao Qi, he doubted he'd get answers to the most confidential matters.

He turned to Long Qian, "Captain Long, are you heading to Dawn City next year?" Both exploration teams and the military undertook escort missions from the Jiangnan base annually. Long Xing was among the top teams here and usually took one or two such assignments each year.

"We'll mostly focus on mountain hunting. We only take on government missions when we absolutely can't decline. They're long and perilous, and I don't want to lose my men on such tasks."

Leaving the base without casualties was challenging. Living on the edge, it made more sense to hone their skills by hunting mutant beasts in the mountains, even if it was perilous.

Shao Qi extended an invitation for them to join the Martial Arts Association's live broadcast platform. "If you've followed the platform, you'd know it primarily serves ordinary folks and novice martial artists. Any experienced advice is precious to them. You don't have to share your martial secrets, and you can even earn extra."

While Cheng Yuran, an outsider, wasn't keen on teaching here, Long Qian was intrigued. Outdoor missions in winter were perilous and not very lucrative. Broadcasting seemed a better alternative.

Having no particular martial lineage and being a former PE teacher, Long Qian had rediscovered and practiced his old Taekwondo and Sanda skills post-apocalypse, later even mastering blade techniques. Most martial arts, barring some unique secrets, were quite similar. What mattered was how an individual applied them.

Self-taught individuals like Long Qian were numerous. Some, after reaching a certain mastery, established their schools, imparting their insights and creating teaching material. However, the value of such teachings wasn't always high.