Chapter 512: Before Leaving
The Rise of Luke Shaw
After reaching a consensus, the following steps were straightforward.
Tesla would invest several billion dollars to establish mega-factories in Shanghai and a major Southern metropolis. These factories would produce civilian powered armor and other products. In return, the local governments would offer financial and tax compensation.
The issue of ShowMe was a bit more complex. After several rounds of negotiation, both sides compromised. China agreed to allow ShowMe a certain degree of autonomy, but its data would have to be subject to regulation. This situation did not fully satisfy ShowMe executives like Zack and Charlie, who wanted complete independence to showcase their corporate culture.
Luke understood that was impossible. Achieving this level of autonomy was already quite a feat.
After days of debate, the two parties finally reached an agreement. As soon as the news of the cooperation was announced, it instantly became the media's focus.
The market value of ShowMe and Tesla skyrocketed, increasing by 30% overnight.
Due to his high percentage of shares, Luke's net worth climbed rapidly, pushing him into the top ten on the billionaires list. A twenty-year-old with billions in assets—it was impossible not to be famous.
The media raced to report the news, and some magazines went so far as to define the next decade as the Age of Luke.
His name spread worldwide, becoming a benchmark for parents educating their children and an idol for countless young people.
Details about his past—such as his family, parents, and relatives—were slowly dug up. Previously, Luke intentionally concealed this information, but now it was impossible to hide.
This was the price of becoming a celebrity.
As more information was disclosed, people realized that the billionaire Luke was not only a multi-billionaire but also had deep ties to the underworld.
His grandfather, Changlin Shaw, was the former head of the Hongmen Society. Both of his uncles were high-ranking Hongmen members. His mother, Angelica, died young but had been a famous war correspondent before her passing.
The daughter of a gang leader becoming a war correspondent—the story behind that was food for thought. As for his father, that column remained blank; no one knew who he was.
Father, Lover, and Master
Inside a Shanghai hotel, Linda dumped a box of interview requests sent by the media onto the table, saying with a look of resignation,
"I think you should disappear for a while."
"After things here are settled, I'll find a secluded place to cultivate the Heavenly Master's Strategy. The company business will be left to you."
Linda pouted. "Don't treat me like an employee. I have no interest in managing companies."
Luke chuckled. "What do you want to do?"
"Practice martial arts."
"Nothing else besides that?"
"I have plenty to do: shopping, eating, and buying clothes with Siobhan; and when I'm in the mood, fighting the dark forces of Gotham City with Barbara. Any of those things are more interesting than managing a company."
Luke's heart stirred, and he took the opportunity to ask, "One thing I've always wondered: How did you and Barbara meet?"
"That's our business. Why should I tell you?"
Luke shook his head and continued to modify his armor blueprints. Linda watched for a bit and said, exasperatedly,
"I just don't get why you're so interested in armor. You modify blueprints every day. Don't you ever get tired of it?"
"A man's hobby. You wouldn't understand."
"Hobby my ass. I think you just use it to pick up girls. That's how you fooled Barbara in the first place—giving her clothes, giving her armor, getting her into bed, and then abandoning her."
"You're a complete scumbag."
Luke ignored her. A woman's heart is a mystery; who knew what she was thinking? Linda snorted, feeling a mix of annoyance and jealousy. It took her a while to calm down. Then, as if remembering something, her eyes brightened, and she suddenly became cheerful.
"Let me ask you something: Is your mother's name Angelica?"
"What, you want to be a gossip reporter now?"
"I don't want to be a reporter! I'm just a little curious. The internet says your mother returned to the Middle East shortly after giving birth to you, and later she was hit by a stray bullet..."
The girl glanced at Luke and asked cautiously, "Is that true?"
"I don't know much about her. If you want to know, you can ask my grandfather."
Linda pouted.
"I wouldn't dare ask! Last time I just opened my mouth, the old man's face instantly went ice-cold. It nearly scared me to death."
"If you don't dare, don't ask."
Linda looked Luke up and down, unable to find any emotion on his face.
"You don't seem to care about your parents."
"Would you care about a stranger you've never met?"
"A stranger?"
The girl was surprised. "You call them strangers?"
"What else?"
Luke shrugged. "If you want to continue this conversation, I suggest you turn left and take a nap."
"You really don't appreciate kindness, you jerk."
Linda waved her fist and left in a huff.
Shortly after she left, the door was pushed open again. Lingxu Zi, wearing a white gown, walked in. After some time apart, the old man looked much better. His back was straighter, he wasn't hunching, and his hair was neatly groomed—completely shedding his former disheveled appearance.
Seeing him, Luke couldn't help but curve his lips.
"I thought you weren't coming back."
"It's hard to leave a poor home and one's native land. Some things you wouldn't understand."
The old man sighed and sat across from Luke. "Young Shaw, I must thank you. Without you, I might never have been able to return to the country."
"If you must thank someone, thank your disciple. I only helped because of her."
At the mention of Linda, the old man's expression changed. He frowned.
"You haven't truly fallen for Linda, have you?"
"What, is that a problem?"
The old man looked pained, wanting to speak up for his disciple but not daring to. He could only say helplessly,
"What about Carol Ferris? She's been with you for many years. Are you just going to abandon her?"
"Who says I'm going to abandon her?"
The old man understood and clenched his fists, wanting to punch that arrogant face. Luke continued,
"I want Carol, and I want Linda. Is that not allowed?"
Lingxu Zi: "..."
"Fine, fine, you're truly capable. Go ahead and sow your wild oats. I'll wait for the day you regret it."
Finished, he turned his back and left angrily. When he reached the door, he remembered something and had to turn back.
"I want to rebuild the Lingxu Sect."
Luke put down the virtual keyboard. "Who will be the Sect Leader?"
"Linda won't do it, so I can only choose Jiu."
"Jiu can't be a Sect Leader."
"I know it won't work, which is why I came to you. Young Shaw, help me come up with an idea."
Luke pointed to the table. The old man reluctantly got up, poured a cup of coffee, and handed it to Luke. Luke drank the coffee and asked,
"How far do you want the Lingxu Sect to go?"
"As far as possible, of course. Ideally, it should become the leader of the ancient martial arts world. That way, I can face my deceased disciples."
"If your goal is just the ancient martial arts world, you don't need to consult me. As long as Jiu exists, the Lingxu Sect will be the leader."
The old man's heart moved, and he followed up, "What if we aim for the world?"
"Can you accept the Lingxu Sect's techniques being taught to foreigners?"
"Why not? I already taught an alien. Why should I fear foreigners?"
Luke couldn't refute that. The old man was indeed remarkable. Not only did he take Linda as a disciple, but he also managed to make her willingly call him 'Master.'
"If you want to go global, the first step is to establish an Ancient Martial Arts Association in the name of the Lingxu Sect, integrate the resources of the martial arts world, and firmly hold this power in your hands."
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