I became the King of Ryukyu

However, Zheng Yi didn't have a good impression of ancient boxing techniques.

In his previous life, he remembered that those boxing masters usually practiced fixed routines with their disciples. They looked like they were moving smoothly, but when they got to the ring, they would just throw a bunch of random punches and then be sent to a deep sleep by a professional fighter's hook punch.

I wonder if the boxing style recognized by the game will be different.

Thinking this, Zheng Yi took out another printed book—"Lightning Five-Fold Whip," which he bought for 150 yen at an imported bookstore on his way back.

The little old man on the cover is full of energy, making a crazy gesture, and looks a bit abstract.

Zheng Yi repeatedly touched Teacher Ma's face with both hands for a minute, but the game did not give any prompts. However, he became happy.

This shows that the Southern Shaolin Taizong Boxing Method (fragment) recognized by the system is indeed genuine.

Thinking this, he threw "Lightning Five-Strike Whip" into the trash can, and then reverently picked up "Isshin Swift Flow".

Turning to the first page, it reads: [An ancestral precept states: "To kill, first protect; to lose first, one will not truly lose."]

It is indeed completely different from mainstream Japanese martial arts.

Mainstream Japanese martial arts, such as Kendo, originated from the Wu-Yue swordsmanship. It emphasizes "attack is the greatest defense," actively suppressing and striking first to quickly defeat the opponent, thus using offense as defense.

Zheng Yi quickly skimmed through the not-so-thick "Isshin Shinsuke-ryu" and got a general understanding of it.

I tried to exert force, but couldn't get the hang of it.

It seems that my cultivation level is extremely weak, while the level of power added by the system is as solid as a rock!

The pale blue screen reappeared.

[Should I spend 20 Action Points to learn the Southern Shaolin Taizong Fist Technique (Fragment)?]

"yes!"

[Tai Zong Boxing Technique (Incomplete) has been learned, current level 1]

[Gain Passive: Stick Affinity]

[Gain Passive: Axe Affinity]

[Gain Passive: Donkey Cart Affinity]

【…】

A series of prompts popped up in front of Zheng Yi like popcorn.

He breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed that learning boxing wasn't so difficult after all.

I was initially worried that this realistic game would involve physical alterations, causing unspeakable pain.

Although Zheng Yi knew that enduring pain was an essential path to greatness, who would refuse if they could become stronger with a single click?

However, why does he show an affinity for sticks, axes, and even donkey carts when he is learning Taizongquan? What does this mean?

Without thinking too much, Zheng Yi followed the natural memory in his mind, stood up straight with his feet together, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, chest out, shoulders down, eyes looking straight ahead, and relaxed his whole body and regulated his breathing.

Next, lunge forward, keep your right hand in a fist, swing it up and down along the right side of your body from below, then overhead, and then chop it down and forward in a vertical circle.

Hearing a "whoosh" sound, the punch was powerful and looked quite imposing, but Zheng Yi frowned slightly.

He felt like an upgraded version of Teacher Ma, all show and no substance, far inferior to the punch that Cheye the chubby kid demonstrated at the hospital that afternoon.

Perhaps it's a matter of physical fitness?

Zheng Yi decided to start exercising from tomorrow. He doesn't aim to catch up with Che Ye Xiaopang's physique, but only to make himself healthier.

Just as he finished retracting his fist and completing the entire bow stance and chopping punch sequence, a prompt appeared before his eyes again.

[Tai Zong Fist Technique (Fragment) Experience +1, Current Experience 1/10]

So that's how it is; even real-world games can't escape the grind for experience points.

Zheng Yi immediately roused himself and continued to practice his bow stance and punches, steadily increasing his experience.

On several occasions, his arm strength slackened slightly, and the game did not provide any experience, making the requirements extremely strict.

Although his arms were sore and his waist and legs were weak, Zheng Yi experienced the joy of being a hardcore player as he watched his experience bar keep increasing.

Until he was no longer able to deliver a single decent bow stance chop, the level of [Taizong Fist Technique (Incomplete)] had reached level 9.

Zheng Yi put the seaweed and pork floss bento into the microwave, set the timer, and then leaned against the wall to rest with his eyes closed.

After the microwave had been running for a minute, he got up, took out the bento box, and poured a small glass of ice water from the refrigerator.

He rubbed his arms while eating.

I'm determined to reach level 10 today no matter what, because Zheng Yi has a slight case of OCD and likes to round up numbers.

After resting for 20 minutes, Zheng Yi stood up, adjusted his breathing, and started punching again with a series of hums and laughs.

Like most games, the higher your level, the slower you level up.

At this moment, Zheng Yi could faintly hear the sounds of men drinking and making noise downstairs, and he knew that it was already past ten o'clock.

Traditional Japanese companies don't value efficiency, but rather the length of time spent on the job. Leaving on time or before your superiors and seniors will earn you labels like "unambitious, uncooperative, and unwilling to share the burden with the team."

No one dared to be the first to leave; everyone endured until the department head and president departed, even if there was nothing to do the entire time. This kind of unpaid overtime is called service overtime, and there is no overtime pay.

Some young people have begun to resist this meaningless workplace culture, but for most office workers, the whole day is tense and oppressive, and izakayas are the only space where they can take off their suits and release their stress. Everyone complains about their bosses, work, and life, making it an important emotional outlet.

So after 10 o'clock, it becomes the prime time for Isshin Izakaya.

Of course, this is only in comparison to itself. Compared to other izakayas, Isshin's prime time slot is still considered deserted.

This is largely thanks to the fact that many Japanese snacks served with alcohol are raw or cold.

My dishes, like those of Koyuki, are very visually appealing, so she can handle ingredients like sashimi that don't require cooking.

With the addition of some pre-made dishes and cheap prices, many office workers who only seek the feeling of being tipsy and not the taste of food will occasionally come here to dine alone.

At first, Zheng Yi was actually a little worried about Yu Ji's safety.

He secretly took leave from the convenience store and rushed back. After witnessing how Yuki easily knocked out two drunkards, wrapped them in straw mats, and threw them onto the street, he stopped being presumptuous.

I was slightly distracted and landed the wrong foot in the lunge, so I didn't gain any experience.

Zheng Yi calmed himself down and stopped thinking wildly.

[The Taizong Fist Technique (Fragment) has been upgraded to level 10, unlocking the Secret Realm Trial function.]

As the new prompt appeared, the original experience bar disappeared, replaced by a donkey-head icon that flickered with an eerie light.

Trials in a Secret Realm?

Zheng Yi spent two lifetimes as a test-taker in small towns/islands, and the number of video games he has played can be counted on one hand.

He opened his phone and looked up some information, and only then did he barely understand the meaning of the secret realm.

He hesitated slightly, wondering whether he should go in.

The main issue is whether it's necessary for his body to enter the so-called secret realm.

According to online sources, the secret realm is fraught with danger, and it's common for explorers to die ten or more times.

He didn't believe that his weak physique, coupled with his level 10 boxing skills, would allow him to survive unscathed in that kind of place.

It would be too dangerous if the game didn't offer resurrection and body repair.