Martial artists can never be ultimately insulted

Although Chun-Li has not yet reached the status of Bronze Ang, she has learned a lot of information that ordinary members do not know because of her impeccable lineage.

Although she initially overlooked some things because her mind was entirely focused on Yuan Chen, Chun-Li has now calmed down and remembered the many superpowered individuals recorded in the ICPO.

Similar superpowers are considered to be different forms of ki, only possessing unique characteristics based on certain mental properties.

Those specializing in treatment often have weaker combat abilities.

Especially considering Ingrid's thin and small appearance, although she lectured Yuan Chen quite a bit during their conversation, it was clear from Yuan Chen's demeanor that he only momentarily dazed before quickly adapting, indicating that Ingrid couldn't cause any real harm at all...

Hearing Chun-Li's words, Tong-Ang nodded and chuckled as he sipped his tea, teasing her:

"You old codger, didn't you say you'd retired from the game? How come you're now trying to spar with every young girl you see..."

Tong Ang's tone was initially somewhat teasing, but upon noticing the seriousness and depth in Yuan's eyes, he paused briefly, then frowned and said:

"Wait... old man, are you serious?"

"……Um."

Yuan Ping nodded calmly, then stroked his beard and said, "This is exactly what I'm pursuing now..."

As he spoke, Yuan Yi glanced at Yuan Chen beside him and said:

“Achen, you should know what I’m pursuing now… I feel it, and it’s never been clearer than this.”

“You’re mistaken.” Yuan Chen shook his head in denial almost without hesitation. The speed and decisiveness of his words surprised even Yuan himself.

After a brief silence, Yuan Chen leaned back in his chair and said, "The kind of deathmatch you're looking for is impossible with Ingrid."

"A deathmatch?!" Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Chun Li stood up in surprise, then looked at Yuan and said, "Wait! Grandpa Yuan! What deathmatch?! With Ingrid?"

Compared to Chun-Li's astonishment, Xing-Lian remained silent, while Ingrid simply watched Yuan-He and Yuan-Chen with great interest, showing little anger or tension, but simply finding it amusing.

As for the fishy-smelling fish, the panicked man revealed his panicked face and his expression changed, revealing a hint of seriousness.

“I know this request is a bit presumptuous, but I owe all my achievements to his guidance…”

In response, Ingrid simply snapped her fingers, and the surrounding space froze.

After that, Ingrid just looked at Yuan Chen with amusement.

Clearly, Ingrid simply didn't want others to overhear her conversation with Yuan Chen. Or perhaps, she didn't want such a thing to ruin the 'fun' she might encounter in this world.

Having already gained some understanding of Ingrid's personality, Yuan Chen took a deep breath after a moment of silence and earnestly looked at Ingrid, pleading, "So if possible, please do it as quickly as possible. And... in a dignified manner."

So what are you prepared to give in return?

Ingrid stared intently at Yuan Chen.

Although with Yuan Chen's current abilities, he can't give Ingrid anything of value at all.

But it's okay, Ingrid simply enjoys teasing her juniors who are very relaxed and natural when facing her.

"The question is, what do you want?" Yuan Chen said frankly, spreading his hands. "I don't know what I have that you would find appealing."

“That’s true.” Hearing Yuan Chen’s words, Ingrid nodded thoughtfully, and then said:

"Then this bento is my gift to you. After all, it's all thanks to humans that I was able to meet such a 'cute' junior like you~"

As she said this, Ingrid seemed to remember something and stroked her chin, then said:

"Hmm, if you'd like, you can cook for me every day... There's a really unique flavor to your energy~"

“No problem.” Yuan Chen nodded.

Having received a satisfactory answer, Ingrid ended the eternal time.

As time began to move forward again, the cunning and chaotic gaze turned to Yuan Chen.

Their thoughts and memories were still stuck on the moment Yuan Chen made his request to Ingrid, and as for other things... Yuan might be able to sense something was amiss, but that was all.

From those bewildered eyes, it was clear that Yuan, though aware of something, was completely unable to understand it, and then turned her gaze to Yuan Chen.

Yuan Chen then gestured with his chin toward Ingrid, who was standing to the side.

Almost the instant Yuan's gaze met Ingrid's, those cloudy white old eyes suddenly froze, and Yuan's entire thought came to a standstill.

It wasn't oppressive, it wasn't murderous intent, and there wasn't even any perceptible energy fluctuation.

Just as humans look down upon an anthill, just as stars look down upon dust, just as the concept of eternity looks down upon a moment that is extinguishing.

Then Yuan... saw it.

His soul was stripped from his body and cast into the endless river of light.

He saw the purest nothingness, and a pair of eyes, like rubies, that had opened at the very beginning of nothingness's birth...

Then he came back.

Yuan found himself still sitting at the dining table, his forehead covered in fine sweat.

Looking down at his palms, Yuan realized that his fingers were trembling. Then he looked up at Ingrid.

The silver-haired girl was holding a fresh bowl of fried rice, her cheeks bulging from eating, and she was looking at Yuan Chen with a mocking expression—she wasn't even looking at him, as if that glance she had just made was just an unintentional glance while eating.

Yuan remained silent for a long time.

Then he remembered his request and smiled with relief.

I'm attacking Ingrid?

Volume 1: Chapter 36 - Lao Yuan's Lineage

Looking at Yuan, who suddenly lowered his head and laughed, Chun-Li, whose memory was still stuck on the time when Yuan Chen made his request to Ingrid, said with a helpless expression:

“Grandpa Yuan, you’re still laughing. Don’t you think it’s strange? You’re so old, yet you’re still challenging children.”

“Yes.” Hearing Chun-Li’s words, Yuan smiled and said with some relief, “It is indeed laughable…”

As she spoke, Yuan handed the plate in front of her to Yuan Chen, saying, "Please serve me some more; I'm especially hungry today."

"Ok."

Yuan Chen nodded, indicating that there were no problems.

Seeing the potential conflict suddenly disappear, Ayaka M, standing to the side, looked blank, completely unaware of what had happened.

Sagat glanced at Yuan again, and then at Ingrid, who was leaning back in her chair, squinting in the sun after finishing her meal.

But in the end, he just glanced at it and didn't say anything more.

Upon arriving at the backyard, we found that Yuan Chen was leaving, so the Yuan Hanting Restaurant was temporarily closed for the next two days.

During his time away from Hong Kong to the fighting world, although his meridians and tendons had fully recovered with Ingrid's help, Yuan Chen still planned to study modern combat techniques.

"Although modern martial arts have not been around for very long, thanks to the advent of the information age, their development has been much faster than that of ancient martial arts."

Seeing that Yuan Chen could use his Muay Thai limbs and arms to strike with incredible fluidity, Sagat didn't know what he had to teach him, so he simply started talking about some theoretical things.

"The main thing is also spiritual tempering."

Sagat crossed his arms and said in a muffled voice:

"Ancient martial arts emphasize inner cultivation. Whether it is the Qi of the Tang Dynasty, the Prana of India, the Phuntsok of ancient Greece, the chakras of Yoga, the Mana of Oceania, etc., they are all essentially summaries of the theory of vitality and life force."

"According to the Bangkok Boxing School's attempts, this kind of inner training is for maintaining a full spirit. Similarly, modern martial arts can also be honed through ring matches and professional competitions."

"Especially for those accomplished fighters, when they appear in the ring, the roar of the crowd chanting their names together has an exhilarating effect on their spirit and body that can even surpass that of shooting."

Upon hearing Sagat's words, Tong Ang nodded and said, "That's right. If it's hard to understand, it can be roughly divided into seeking power inward and seeking power outward."

Because it was an open-air event, Tong Ang lit a cigarette with a smirk, even under Chun Li's disapproving gaze.

Smoking is not a good thing. Tong Ang didn't have this habit before. He only got into it gradually when he was undercover in Yingluo. For spies, mental pressure needs a suitable outlet.

While slowly puffing on his cigarette, Tong Ang said unhurriedly:

“In the past, seeking strength inward was considered the right path, but with the development of the times and the arrival of the information age, seeking strength outward has also become a recognized fact.”

While some traditional martial arts practitioners still believe this is meaningless, a considerable number of young, emerging traditional martial arts practitioners are indeed attempting to combine the two.

After a pause, Tong Ang, looking completely unsurprised, continued:

"After all, which young person doesn't have a desire to stand out?"

“Indeed.” Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen wholeheartedly agreed.

"After all, if I don't fight, how will the world know about my boundless ambition for domination?"

"We should focus on our inner selves!"

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, the person next to him, who had changed into a gymnastics uniform and was warming up, couldn't help but complain:

"It's precisely because there are too many fighters seeking power from the outside that organizations like Interpol exist... They can easily go astray if they're not careful, just like Sagat did before."

Upon hearing this, Sagat simply shrugged and remained silent.

Chun-Li wasn't targeting Sagat specifically; she was simply pointing out that focusing too much on reputation could lead one astray.

When Yuan Chen finished his exercise, he went to help wipe away her sweat.

"But compared to this..."

Listening to Yuan Chen and Chun Li discussing whether seeking power internally or externally was better, Tong Ang chimed in:

"Whether you go inward or outward, the Battle Realm is a place every martial artist must go... Now that you've decided to go, Yuan Chen, how are your preparations going?"

Have you found a host family yet? The eligibility requirements for the fighting game have become even stricter lately, so it might be a bit troublesome if you don't arrange it in advance.

"Homestay families..."

Upon hearing Tong Ang's question, Yuan Chen nodded thoughtfully.

Actually, it's possible to sneak into the fighting world.

After all, in that place where, apart from ordinary people, the fighting between martial artists is almost completely ignored regardless of death or injury, as long as you can enter the fighting realm and stay, basically no one will investigate or expel you.

However, Yuan Chen's identity is rather special—regardless of whether Yuan admits it or not, Yuan Chen entered the martial arts world under his tutelage.

As a once-renowned legendary assassin, his information is often individually marked and recorded within large multinational organizations such as governments and Interpol.

If it were before, it wouldn't have been a problem, but the issue is that Yuan Chen ruined Ying Luo's plans in Hong Kong, causing Ying Luo to lose a key general like Shagat. In addition, that guy Vega has planted countless spies in the fighting world through mind control...

To be honest, Tong Ang didn't want Yuan Chen to go to the Dou Jie.

But there was nothing he could do; even without asking, Tong Ang could sense Yuan Chen's fierce fighting spirit.

Such fighting spirit cannot be stopped. Rather than blocking the way here, it's better to make arrangements for getting in in advance.

Homestay is a good option, as it allows you to avoid a lot of unnecessary attention by changing your immigration status.

Although given Yuan Chen's personality, it was only a matter of time before he was exposed... but once he got through the initial problems, the rest should naturally be left for Yuan Chen to figure out on his own.

Having understood Tong Ang's meaning, Yuan Chen didn't hesitate. He simply pointed to Yuan, who was leisurely sunbathing nearby, and said, "This matter was arranged by the old man through someone. I don't know much about it."

Upon hearing this, Tong Ang looked at Yuan with some surprise.

Yuan smiled nonchalantly and said, "Don't look at me like that. I do have some connections in the assassination world."

"Then why did you say you'd retire from the business..." Tong Ang said helplessly.

He knew that, given Yuan's personality, it would be impossible for him to completely sever ties with the fighting and assassination worlds.

Just as Tong Ang was speaking, two youthful and beautiful girl voices came from outside the door.

"Hello? Is anyone there? The Wu clan has arrived as promised!"

Volume 1: Chapter 37 - It turns out we are...beloved.

A few minutes ago.

"No news...can't find...Feng Shui, really no news of that man?"

Holding his phone, on his way to Yuan Hanting, Wu Jialouluo's face was filled with resentment.

"Logically speaking, as a fighting world, Hong Kong should have abundant intelligence channels, right? Finding someone shouldn't be difficult. Could it be that someone is deliberately obstructing us?!"

Hearing her best friend's words, Wu Fengshui's face showed a hint of helplessness, and then she reminded her:

"Although I can understand your thoughts, Garuda, please calm down. The Asian fighting world has now been transferred to Japan. Hong Kong has not been the fighting world for several years."

"Moreover, according to information from the family, the defeated martial artist we saw a few days ago should be Sagate, the Muay Thai emperor of the Chiang Mai Ancient Boxing School in Thailand."

Holding a satellite phone that looked like an old Nokia, Wu Fengshui flipped through his notes, marveling as he said: