American comics: I gradually replicate everything

"However, given your temperament, learning this skill might be very difficult for you."

Van Cannon didn't belittle or mock; he simply added a casual, objective comment.

Da Long shuddered.

He lost.

A complete defeat.

At this moment, he finally saw something clearly, something he should have seen clearly from the very beginning.

This person never considered him a threat from beginning to end, and the facts proved that this was indeed the case; the other party's skill and level in martial arts far surpassed his.

The slight resemblance to Master Oogway that he saw in this man was not an illusion; it was a confident and composed demeanor of a master.

"How many years has the tortoise raised you?"

No wonder he didn't want me to be the Dragon Warrior.

He probably discovered your talent a long time ago!

"Thousands of martial arts books, acupressure techniques, plus Tai Chi. Don't tell me you mastered all of that in three days."

Da Long's voice was hoarse; he had now accepted his defeat and acknowledged that Van Gundy was stronger than him.

But he believes that Van Can must have acquired his skills under Master Oogway's secret tutelage—only in this way can everything make sense.

"I understand now. That's why the tortoise chose you as the Dragon Warrior the moment it saw you, and abandoned the five disciples that Master trained after me."

Because the tortoise had already decided on the role, the Dragon Warrior's position has been reserved for you!

Van Ken shook his head.

"I originally thought you had accepted your failure and that you still had some potential, but I didn't expect you to say something like this."

"This is truly hopeless; there's no way to carve it from rotten wood."

Master Raccoon walked over with his hands behind his back, his tone heavy.

"Dalong, you are always so extreme, so convinced of what you believe in."

Just like twenty years ago, you were determined to get the position of Dragon Warrior.

"Dragon Hero, Dragon Hero!"

"Wasn't this the title you told me, Master?"

When Da Long saw Master Raccoon approaching, he suddenly became agitated.

"Didn't you raise me to be the Dragon Warrior from a young age?"

Who forced me to practice martial arts since I was a child, to the point that my bones were broken?

Who said I was destined for greatness? Who set high standards for me? Who filled my mind with dreams and aspirations for the title of Dragon Warrior?

Who was it that caused me to suffer in prison for twenty years?

Twenty years ago, Tai Lung was defeated by Master Oogway in one move and sent to prison. Master Shifu didn't have a chance to speak to him. Now, he listens to his disciple, whom he raised, pour out the accusations that have been building up in his heart for twenty years.

He took a deep breath and refuted with a hint of pain.

"I only said that you have the potential to become the Dragon Warrior, you can become the Dragon Warrior, but I didn't say that you can definitely become the Dragon Warrior."

You were imprisoned for twenty years, all because of your own actions.

With the dust settled from the battle, Tigress and her five companions, along with Po, approached.

"What I did?"

Da Long roared, "Then what did you do?"

That's right, you didn't do anything!

When the tortoise rejected me, you were too cowardly to say a single word in my defense!

Master, do you know how disappointed and angry I was back then?

I used to practice martial arts diligently, hoping to earn your praise and make you proud of me!

Why, why are you willing to fight against the tortoise for these five good-for-nothings, but you didn't speak up for me back then?

Why?

Master, tell me!

He pointed to Tigress and the other four, five of his fellow disciples who had recently suffered a crushing defeat at his hands.

The five Tigress clenched their fists and remained silent, their expressions complex.

Master Raccoon trembled as if he had been whipped hard.

"Back then... I was wrong back then." His voice was low. "I spoke up for Tigress and the turtle because I knew I was wrong."

But it's all too late to turn back.

My mistake was spoiling you too much; I didn't see the imbalance in your character, and I didn't see that you were falling into depravity.

I'm sorry.

He offered a heavy apology, then changed the subject, his tone becoming somber, filled with pain and severity.

"But you made even more mistakes, Da Long. You committed a terrible mistake, an irreparable mistake."

Now that your attempt to endanger the Valley of Peace has failed, your fate and punishment are now to be decided by the new Dragon Warrior.

Master Raccoon closed his eyes and stopped looking at Da Long.

Da Long was stunned when he heard his master admit that he was wrong.

But then came more anger.

He didn't know where this surging anger came from; perhaps because everything was truly beyond repair, he mustered his last bit of strength to stand up and charge at Van Can, wanting to throw a punch.

Tigress and the other four immediately pinned him down and pressed him firmly to the ground.

"Kill me!"

"Da Longchong Fanken shouted."

"Kill me, I'd rather die than go back to that prison. I was locked up there for twenty years, do you know what that was like?"

Van Can had been watching quietly without saying a word.

As the saying goes, even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes.

There is always such regret in the world—realizing one's mistakes many years later, but the past cannot be changed.

Everyone knows that if a different decision had been made back then, the final outcome might have been different. But time never returns, there are no "what ifs," and there's no room for wishful thinking.

Van Can spoke, looking at the dragon who was being forced to kneel on the ground, and pronounced his verdict.

"I won't kill you."

He paused, his tone flat.

"However, you must keep your skills."

Da Long suddenly raised his head, his pupils shrinking sharply.

Van Cannon gave him no time to react.

He tapped Da Long's chest and shoulder twice with his finger.

Before Da Long could even utter a sound, a sharp pain shot through his body, and several of his bones and tendons were shattered. He felt as if something had been drained from his body, leaving him with an empty and debilitating feeling.

It's as if all the internal energy and skills I've cultivated over decades have vanished.

He tried to clench his fist despite the excruciating pain, but his fingers curled up and felt limp, as if he couldn't hold onto anything.

"You...you ruined my skills?"

Actually, he could tell from Van Can's move, but he still held onto a sliver of hope. Now that last sliver of hope was gone, and Da Long's voice changed, filled with fear.

A fear that seeps into your very bones.

He endured twenty years of torture in prison, unwillingly bearing it all. What kept him alive was his martial arts skills, which allowed him to fight his way back.

Now, it's gone.

"No matter what, you are a disciple raised by Master Raccoon. Killing you might make him sad."

Besides, killing you would be too lenient with you; I'll spare your life.

Van Ken withdrew his finger.

"Of course, we can't let you go back and continue to be a threat, in case you escape from prison again someday."

"Besides that, there is another reason, namely Tagang Prison."

The real reason is that the martial arts skills from the thousands of martial arts books and the acupoint striking technique on Da Long's body have not been fully copied yet. Van Can keeps him alive because he is still useful.

However, this reason certainly cannot be revealed.