Chapter 37: Executive Interview — Killing with Words and Heart!
Night had fallen, and in a secluded courtyard outside Qingyun Sect, lights blazed brightly.
This was the temporary headquarters of the Ascension Group.
At the center of the courtyard, a long table had been set.
Chu Feng sat at the head, upright and composed, exuding authority.
On his left sat Elder Liu Changqing, attending the meeting as the Chief Venture Advisor.
The old man’s face was glowing with delight, his back straight as a spear.
On Chu Feng’s right were Wu Hao and Zhang Daniu—the former was responsible for taking notes, while the latter… was there to keep things under control.
Across from them sat five men in formal posture.
These five were all former core elites of the Aotian Alliance, the weakest among them having reached the Qi Refining Seventh Level.
At their head was the first to “surrender,” Wang Teng.
At this moment, these five once-arrogant inner sect prodigies now appeared uneasy, even a bit nervous.
They looked at the young man before them, whose face bore a warm smile, yet whose eyes seemed unfathomably deep, their hearts filled with complicated emotions.
This was the Ascension Group’s “Executive Interview.”
“Fellow Senior Brothers, there’s no need to be nervous.”
Chu Feng spoke first, breaking the silence. His tone was so friendly it felt like he was chatting with old friends.
“First of all, on behalf of the Ascension Group, I welcome all of you. The fact that you made this choice proves that you are intelligent and forward-looking individuals.”
His opening words gave them face, easing the tension on Wang Teng and the others’ expressions slightly.
“But—”
Chu Feng’s tone shifted. “Our Ascension Group is an organization with ideals, ambition, and a strict corporate culture. We don’t need mere fighters. We need partners—people who will grow with us and build the future together.”
“Partners?”
Wang Teng and the others exchanged confused glances.
The word was completely foreign to them.
“That’s right, partners.”
Chu Feng’s gaze swept across each of them as he spoke slowly. “In my organization, there is no rigid hierarchy like in traditional sects. What we value is ‘worth.’ The more value you create for the Group, the more value the Group will return to you. This is our core value system.”
He paused, then picked up Wang Teng’s “application form.”
“Senior Brother Wang Teng, I’ve reviewed your information. Qi Refining Seventh Level peak, main cultivation art ‘Raging Thunder Sword Technique,’ specialized in frontal assault. You once served as the Assault Captain of the Aotian Alliance, correct?”
Wang Teng’s heart tightened—he hadn’t expected the other party to know him so well. He nodded. “Yes.”
“Very good.”
Chu Feng put down the form and leaned forward slightly, his eyes seeming to pierce straight into Wang Teng’s soul. “Then my first question: In your opinion, what was your past value—your value as an Assault Captain—based on?”
That question stunned Wang Teng.
Value?
Wasn’t an Assault Captain’s value simply about fighting? Charging at the front and killing enemies? Did that even need to be asked?
After a brief pause, he replied, “My value lies in my cultivation and combat strength. I can lead a team and break through enemy defenses.”
“Not bad, but not deep enough.”
Chu Feng shook his head.
The smile on his face didn’t fade, but his next words hit like thunder in their hearts.
“In your eyes, your value is your combat power. But in my eyes—your past value was almost zero.”
“What?!”
Not only Wang Teng, but the other four also turned pale.
One hot-tempered man nearly stood up in protest.
But Zhang Daniu’s eyes glinted coldly, a wave of oppressive aura rolling out.
The man froze and sat back down, though his face still showed defiance.
“Why zero?”
Chu Feng ignored their reactions and continued, “Because your so-called combat power, this so-called core asset, was never placed on the right platform to realize its commercial value.”
“For whom did you fight? For Li Aotian. What was your battle’s purpose? To satisfy his personal vanity and ridiculous pride. What did your victories bring you? Other than a few hollow praises and meager sect rewards—what else?”
“You struggled, risked your lives, and in the end, all the brand value and market prestige belonged solely to Li Aotian. And you? You were merely the props he used to flaunt his glory. Tell me—what value is there in that?”
Each of Chu Feng’s words was like a sharp blade, slicing straight into their hearts.
Killing with words.
It was truly killing with words and heart!
None of them had ever looked at things from this perspective before.
They had always believed that serving the strong was only natural.
But now, under Chu Feng’s dissection, they suddenly realized just how pathetic and laughable their past actions had been.
Cold sweat broke out on Wang Teng’s forehead.
In front of this President Chu, he felt utterly naked—his every thought laid bare.
“Then… in your opinion, President, what should my value be?”
Wang Teng’s voice now carried genuine humility and the desire to learn.
“Good question.”
Chu Feng nodded approvingly, leaning back with the air of someone outlining grand strategy.
“Your value shouldn’t just be your sword. Your value lies in how irreplaceable you are!”
“There are others in the sect whose swordsmanship surpasses yours, aren’t there? Yes. There are those whose cultivation is higher, right? Yes. So, as a mere fighter, your replaceability is far too high. Today Li Aotian can use you—tomorrow he can replace you with Zhang San or Li Si.”
“But—!”
Chu Feng’s voice suddenly rose. “What if you were more than just an Assault Captain? What if you knew how to manage a team, boost morale, and maximize overall combat efficiency—then you’d be a Project Manager! What if you could not only charge ahead but also analyze the opponent’s market strategy and pinpoint weaknesses in their business model? Then your irreplaceability would soar!”
“In the Ascension Group, we don’t raise muscle-headed brutes who only know how to fight. We cultivate comprehensive talents—people who can both battle and operate!”
“We’ll provide you a platform, resources, and the most advanced methodology training! We’ll help you grow from a simple frontline employee into a Division Director who can lead independently!”
“Now tell me, Wang Teng—do you want to remain a replaceable tool, or become an irreplaceable, true partner?”
Wang Teng stared blankly at Chu Feng, his mind buzzing.
Project Manager?
Business Model?
Comprehensive Talent?
Division Director?
He didn’t understand a single term.
But somehow, he could feel that a new world’s door was slowly opening before him.
Beyond that door lay a magnificent future he had never dared imagine.
Taking a deep breath, Wang Teng suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Chu Feng.
“President! I understand now!”
“Please—grant me a chance to prove my value! ”