Martial artists can never be ultimately insulted

Sensing the excitement and joy in Albert's eyes, Yuan Chen simply tilted his head calmly and then asked, "So?"

"Actually, you don't need to go to school at all, do you?"

Professor Albert said, "Or perhaps, for you, going to school is just a process to achieve your goal, such as silently entering the fighting world and having the opportunity to fight more powerful opponents."

"...More or less."

Upon hearing Albert's words, Yuan Chen nodded: "Indeed, I have similar thoughts, so what does this have to do with you?"

“I can help you,” Albert said. “Whether it’s powerful fighters, special underground fighting arenas, martial arts scholars that you can’t access or even hear about at this stage, or a pass to that fighting world… I can get them all for you.”

"...Then what is the price?" Yuan Chen asked.

“You just need me to check your biometrics periodically,” Albert said.

"You decide the time, and it's entirely up to you when you want to end this deal. I won't interfere. My only request is that you promise me you won't lie to me."

Despite his great success and gray hair, Albert's face showed not just longing, but a hint of pleading.

Clearly, Albert was eager to collaborate with someone as exceptionally talented as Yuan Chen.

And Yuan Chen...

To be honest, I'm a little tempted.

Although Yuan Chen had been practicing martial arts and cultivating himself, he never had any intention of underestimating the world's science and technology.

The reason is simple: both Street Fighter and King of Fighters have made great strides in technology.

In Street Fighter, Vega mass-produced countless spare bodies using cloning technology. Even after countless deaths, he was able to preserve his soul through his powerful mental strength, thus reviving in his spare bodies.

These bodies capable of carrying the rebirth of their souls are either obtained through cloning their own DNA or through modifying and brainwashing talented individuals.

There's not much to say about the former; those spare bodies are basically just soulless shells. The latter, like the psychic Edward, once awakened and freed, only needs a little training to possess immense power.

Similar to Seth, the final boss of Street Fighter IV, he possesses a dantian engine, enabling him to absorb the ki of all fighters and master their unique techniques.

In The King of Fighters, there are Kyo Kusanagi clones mass-produced by the NESTS organization, as well as K who was forcibly implanted with Kyo Kusanagi's abilities.

In Kengan Ashura, Tokita Ohma and Woohryuki appear as clones of Shinmoo Ryu. Hayami Masaki is a clone of Meguro Masaki, a fighter who died in the Kengan tournament.

In Baki, Tokugawa Mitsunari used skeletal cells to create cloned bodies, and then used a necromancy technique to attach his soul to them, thus reviving Miyamoto Musashi...

It can be said that in this world of trenches, there is nothing that those crazy scientists cannot do, only things you can't imagine.

Besides this dazzling array of biotechnology, there are also various superpowers and combat equipment.

For example, Maxima in King of Fighters, whose strength is almost entirely derived from 80% of his own heavily modified body, and Crimson Viper in Street Fighter, who relies on high-tech equipment to fight, and so on...

Although Yuan Chen himself wasn't very interested in these things, one thing was undeniable: the hidden 'inner technology' in this world was actually quite exaggerated.

Albert... is indeed a good entry point for understanding the inside technique.

More importantly, Yuan Chen does need someone to measure his relevant physical data.

Although in a world where supernatural forces like 'qi' exist, mere physical data cannot play a decisive role in battle as it did in my previous life.

However, it is undeniable that a more detailed understanding means that Yuan Chen can develop and grow in multiple dimensions, and promptly identify and address any shortcomings.

After thinking about it, Yuan Chen nodded and said, "If that's the case, then it's a pleasure to cooperate with you."

"Happy cooperation!"

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Albert was overjoyed. He grinned, revealing a mouthful of uneven old teeth, and then asked with a smile, "So you're going to school?"

"Let's just register your name." After thinking for a moment, Yuan Chen said, "Notify me if anyone you think is worth contacting comes to the school."

“I understand.” Albert nodded upon hearing this, and then said, “In that case, let’s start by taking some simple measurements of our physical data!”

"Row."

Yuan Chen nodded and then cooperated with Albert to conduct physical measurements.

Although he had decided to collaborate with Professor Albert, since they had only just met, Yuan Chen simply cooperated with Albert to measure his body data and did not use his Qi or life energy... As for blood collection, Yuan Chen did not pay much attention to it.

For martial artists, getting injured and bleeding in battle is a perfectly normal thing. Even if Yuan Chen refused, it wouldn't be too difficult for Albert, given his status, to get it.

"The detailed data will be available in three days. Do you have anything planned during this time? Leave your contact information and then do what you want to do."

Having obtained Yuan Chen's physical data, Professor Albert's expression was as if he had found some kind of treasure. His eyes were filled with barely suppressed excitement. Judging from his expression, if Yuan Chen hadn't been there, he would probably have run back to the laboratory to conduct related experiments right now.

Upon hearing Albert's words, Yuan Chen thought for a moment and then asked, "How many students in the school are like Baki? Who are they?"

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's question, Albert's face revealed an expression that was unsurprisingly somewhat troubled.

But after glancing at Yuan Chen's data in his hand, Albert sighed and said:

"The Baki you're talking about, is it Hanma Baki? There are indeed quite a few people like him in the school, but even the school itself doesn't know about it. The relevant files are kept by special personnel..."

Yuan Chen remained silent, because the fact that Albert had mentioned it meant that the matter was not so simple.

After sensing Yuan Chen's gaze, Albert smiled and said, "And I happen to be one of them."

“…So?” Yuan Chen raised an eyebrow.

“I can give you this list,” Albert said straightforwardly. “Nothing in return is needed; it’s just a testament to our friendship.”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen sighed after a brief silence, looking at Albert's gray hair.

"Now that you say that, I'm even suddenly hoping you'll make some requests..."

Human favors are the hardest to repay, especially since Yuan Chen doesn't consider himself the kind of person who can ignore the kindness of others or accept all praise without any psychological burden.

“I don’t want to miss any opportunity.” Albert seemed very cheerful after hearing Yuan Chen’s words.

“I have been researching this for over seventy years, but due to a lack of resources, you are the first martial artist willing to cooperate with me in this research… even if it's just providing physical data. That's precisely why I must seize this opportunity…”

As he said this, Albert paused, then, as if realizing something, smiled and looked at Yuan Chen like a mischievous child, saying:

"Of course, the reason I'm willing to tell you all this is because you don't seem like the kind of person who would try to rip you off."

Upon hearing Albert's reply, Yuan Chen smiled and nodded, saying, "Then I will try my best not to disappoint you."

“The list is a bit long, and I don’t have any paper documents on hand. I’ll send them to your email later,” Albert said.

Nodding in agreement, Yuan Chen stretched his shoulders a couple of times and added, "If there are no problems, I'll be going now?"

"Please go ahead... Oh, by the way, here is my business card and access pass."

Albert handed over a pre-prepared envelope and said, "If you need anything, you can contact me using the contact information on this envelope. If you have permission to enter or leave, just show it to me, and the security personnel from PMC Company won't give you any trouble."

"Hmm." Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen nodded, took the envelope, and felt that the name PMC Company sounded somewhat familiar.

Although it felt somewhat awkward, on his first day of school, Yuan Chen was granted the right to enter and leave the school at any time…

He didn't take it too seriously, because even without Albert, Yuan Chen would still find a reason, an excuse, or simply skip class to fight and cultivate, instead of wasting a lot of meaningless things on university courses... It's not that these university courses are completely useless, it's just that Yuan Chen can grasp some basic content by just glancing at the textbook.

With nothing else to do, Yuan Chen took out the records that Baroque had delivered the previous night.

Shiranui style and Mushin style...

Let's go check out the Shiranui school first.

Yuan Chen thought to himself—compared to the Martial God School having only one sect leader per generation, the Shiranui School at least doesn't have such a strict limitation on the number of members.

More importantly, compared to the Mushin-ryu, the Shiranui-ryu has a more ancient lineage and a more complete system.

The "Secret Scroll of Flame," passed down through generations, is a fire ninjutsu. Anyone with sufficient talent can comprehend, master, and wield it, even if they are not a direct descendant of the Shiranui lineage.

Upon realizing this, Yuan Chen glanced at the address and looked surprised. After thinking about it carefully, he nodded, hailed a taxi, and set off.

The reason Yuan Chen was surprised was quite simple—the Shiranui-ryu's dojo was located in the mountains.

However, this mountain is not the deep forest that people imagine. In fact, it is located near the Tokyo metropolitan area and is not far from the old city.

Because the old city area was occupied by thugs, yakuza, biker gangs, martial arts criminals, and illegal immigrants for a long time, some surrounding areas also failed to keep up with Tokyo's development for quite some time.

Especially in the nearby Yunqu Mountain area, due to the lack of civilized visitors, there are traces of wild beasts such as brown bears and wild boars all year round.

If this were Yuan Chen's previous life, he would definitely say something like "Japanese head, four for one dollar." He would also mention famous Japanese figures or something similar.

However, in this world, it's different. Similar primitive areas are actually special zones reserved for the fighting world by relevant organizations.

For example, Tokita Ohma from Kengan lived alone in the suburbs before he met Yamashita Kazuo and joined Nogi Trading to participate in the Kengan tournament.

It is even said that when Yamashita Kazuo personally visited, Tokita Ohma had just hunted a wild boar and brought it back to the dilapidated Western-style house for a simple roasting and eating.

There are also creatures like the Yasha-onna who appeared in Baki... In order to prevent martial artists who focus on martial arts from lacking social experience due to long-term training, and from going down strange and crooked paths after entering society because they can't get enough to eat, it is only natural to leave some nature reserves that allow them to hunt on their own.

To put it another way, if in Yuan Chen's previous life, the rampant brown and black bears caused a bear plague in Japan, leading to chaos and affecting public order, then in this world, brown bears and wild boars are both part of maintaining public order...

Since a significant number of martial artists lack the ability to integrate into society and are unwilling to work for others in a subservient manner, letting them hunt on their own becomes a solution to prevent unnecessary chaos.

To put it another way, in a place like the fighting world, human disasters are more severe than bear disasters.

While pondering, Yuan Chen also took a taxi to the vicinity of Mount Kumotake. After marveling at how outrageously expensive Japanese taxis were, Yuan Chen followed the clues given by Baroque and ventured into the deep mountains.

In the tea room of the Shiranui Dojo, somewhere in the Kumotake Mountains, Genryusai Maki knelt on the tatami mat, her back ramrod straight, a cup of warm tea in front of her, and a slight sadness on her face.

"So, your father passed away last year?"

Shiranui Hanzo sat on a futon opposite Genryusai Maki, his aged voice sounding as if it came from the bottom of a deep well, carrying a heavy sense of twilight.

He was very old, so old that the wrinkles on his face looked as if they had been carved by a knife, but his eyes were still bright, so bright that they didn't look like those of an old man.

“Yes.” Genryusai Maki lowered her eyes: “On his deathbed, my father passed on the position of sect leader of the Martial God School to me, and also asked me to come and inform you of his passing.”

Upon hearing this, Hanzo Shiranui nodded slowly and did not ask for further details.

For people their age, it's common for old friends to pass away one after another; asking more questions is pointless.

Thinking about it, Hanzo Shiranui picked up his teacup, looked at the clear tea, and a touch of emotion appeared on his face.

"That old man, Genryusai."

He suddenly chuckled: "When he was young, he told me that the Martial God School would flourish under his leadership. I told him to fix the roof of the dojo first, and he actually did. He even took on a good disciple. I thought he would outlive me..."

"As it turns out, I haven't received the successor he envied yet... and he's already gone."

Volume 1: Chapter 120 - Introducing Oneself

Hearing Hanzo Shiranui's sigh, Maki Genryusai remained silent, with only the faint sound of water being added to a bamboo tube coming from outside the paper door.

"So, you're now in charge of the Martial God School?" Shiranui Hanzo put down his teacup.

“Yes.” Genryusai Maki nodded and said, “The 39th sect leader, Senior Brother Kai, went out to cultivate, and Uncle Shikong has also retired. Before my father passed away, he passed the position of sect leader to me.”

"Where is the disciple?"

"...We are recruiting."

Upon hearing Hanzo Shiranui's question, Maki Genryusai looked somewhat helpless:

"Many people sign up, but most of them are just doing it on a whim, or because they think the name 'Martial God Style' sounds cool... In the last three years, only two people have actually been able to stick to basic training, but they can only stick to technical training, nothing more."

Upon hearing Genryusai Maki's words, Shiranui Hanzo also sighed with emotion.

The Mushin-ryu and Shiranui-ryu schools have been friends for generations, and Shiranui Hanzo and the father of Genryusai Maki were even close friends.

Genryusai Maki's father, Elder Genryusai, was a key figure in the succession of the Martial God School, pulling it back from the brink of extinction.

But now, with Maki's generation... In fact, Maki herself knows very well that she is just a transitional figure.

But here's the problem: to this day, the Martial God School has not found a truly suitable successor.

But there's nothing we can do about it.

Because the Martial God School overemphasizes a martial artist's will... compared to qi, cultivating will is arguably much more difficult.

Thinking this, Hanzo Shiranui also said:

"The Shiranui School and the Mushin School have always been friends. My granddaughter... her talent in dance is quite good, so there's no need to worry about the lineage dying out. If any other suitable person comes to become my apprentice, I will introduce them to the Mushin School."

"Thank you, senpai." Upon hearing Hanzo Shiranui's words, Maki Genryusai gave a slightly forced smile.

While the two were still chatting idly, on the other side, after passing through the forest path, Yuan Chen finally arrived at the dojo that didn't look particularly impressive from the outside. The plaque on the gate had three large characters written in a flamboyant style: 'Shiranui'.

It's quite impressive.

The door to the dojo was ajar. Yuan Chen stepped forward to knock, but then stopped.

Through the crack in the door, Yuan Chen could hear a series of whooshing sounds cutting through the air, one after another, with a very steady rhythm. So, Yuan Chen simply pushed open the wooden door and walked along the corridor towards the direction from which the sounds came.

Soon, Yuan Chen saw a girl in a red ninja uniform diligently cultivating.

Although it was the first time he had seen her, Yuan Chen recognized her at a glance as Mai Shiranui.