Martial artists can never be ultimately insulted.

But it doesn't matter.

It was only an impact of this magnitude.

The activation of life energy is like "virtual blood" in a game. The life therapy that is activated instantly is almost the instant the abdominal organs are impacted. It quickly activates the cells that have been deactivated by the impact, directly exempting them from the negative effects of organ damage.

Then, Yuan Chen raised his right hand and, expressionless, punched Komada's exposed back.

Compared to Komada's 'broad' back, Yuan Chen's fist seemed almost imperceptible.

But it was precisely in the next moment after being struck by this seemingly 'imperceptible,' or even 'light' blow,

With a brief pause, Komada, whose muscles were tense and veins were bulging, felt his vision turn into a white expanse and his whole body go limp.

Then his eyes rolled back, his tense muscles relaxed, and he lost all strength, slamming into the ground.

The entire arena fell silent. Even the usually bloodthirsty audience remained silent, utterly unable to comprehend why Niou Komada, whose muscles resembled small mountains, had been defeated so easily.

Not far away, watching this scene, Wu Huili narrowed her eyes and said after a moment of silence, "...spinal fracture."

"Broken spine?"

Upon hearing this, Katahara Metsudo cast a curious glance at him.

Feeling the gaze of her old friend, Wu Huiliyang simply said calmly:

"One of the widely circulated techniques in assassination boxing involves striking the upper back to vibrate the spinal cord and stimulate the sympathetic nerve trunks along the spine. This triggers temporary spinal shock, causing an instantaneous loss of muscle tone throughout the body, leading to the person collapsing due to the inability to support their body, accompanied by a violent fluctuation in blood pressure causing fainting..."

After a pause, Wu Huili added solemnly:

"In this process, the force must be precisely transmitted through the skin, muscles, and bones to impact the spinal cord and sympathetic nerves... However, when the muscles are tense, both the impact of force and the penetration of energy become extremely difficult."

To perform a precise spinal fracture under such circumstances... heh...

Wu Huiliyang didn't speak, but let out a slightly wistful laugh.

"What? You can't do it?" Katahara Metsudo looked at his old friend with curiosity.

“A direct attack on the neck or back of the head can achieve the same effect.” Wu Huiliyang didn’t answer directly, but calmly said:

“But he still did it... Clearly, his appetite wasn’t satisfied with fighters of Komada’s caliber.”

"Even Komada can't satisfy you?" Upon hearing this, Katahara Metsudo seemed to realize something and sighed helplessly.

"There are only a handful of people in the Kengan Association who can reliably defeat Komada... He really is a terrifying young man."

Despite saying it was terrifying, a bright smile involuntarily appeared on Katahara Metsudo's face.

The strong attract the strong; this is an immutable law. Katahara Metsudo, however, craves change, crises, and the vitality that erupts from the struggle.

Ignoring the events outside the arena, Yuan Chen focused his attention on Ivan in the arena.

Following Yuan Chen's gaze, the audience's eyes also turned to Ivan.

Ivan didn't know if it was because of the audience's gaze or Yuan Chen's gaze... but it was probably the latter, right? In any case, Ivan felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him.

"I... admit defeat."

Upon hearing this, the referee no longer hesitated and immediately shouted:

"The winner is Sakura-sou Charcoal Grilled Meat, Yuan Chen!"

Volume 1: Chapter 84 - Store Opening Announcement

Having achieved a crushing victory, Yuan Chen did not linger but turned back to Chun Li and the others.

"Okay, it's resolved."

As Yuan Chen emerged victorious and left the open area, everyone's gaze followed him and fell upon Chun-Li and Sakura Ibuki.

Chun-Li didn't seem to mind. As an Interpol agent—although she was still a newcomer—her self-cultivation through Qigong had given her a remarkably strong heart.

Putting everything else aside, at least they won't panic because of other people's stares.

Similarly, feeling the gazes of others, Sakura Ibuki was initially a little stressed, but soon, when she realized that these so-called CEOs, presidents, heads, and company presidents of large corporations were actually just a group of ordinary people who would shout and yell, she quickly relaxed.

"Well done, my friend!"

Seeing that Sakura Ibuki had returned to normal and even started her chuunibyou again, Yuan Chen nodded.

But just as the three were about to leave, a business card was handed to Yuan Chen as soon as he turned around.

"Mr. Yuanchen! I'm from Jinyuan Securities—"

"Mr. Yuan Chen, Toyo Heavy Machinery has always been committed to discovering outstanding fighters, and our compensation package is—"

"On behalf of the Osaka Federation of Commerce, I would like to have a meeting with Mr. Yuan Chen—"

All sorts of business cards poured in from all directions like snowflakes.

The men who were watching the game with great interest just moments ago now all wore different expressions.

A humble smile played on his lips, and he handed over his business card with respectful and proper gestures, while his gaze toward Yuan Chen was filled with fervent passion.

A fighter who can defeat Komada and Ivan's combined forces in minutes without shedding a drop of blood... his value to the Kengan Association isn't measured in billions, but in the future of the entire company!

Normally, such powerful fighters only exist in super-large corporations like the Nogi Group, but now... Sakura-sou charcoal barbecue?

To put it bluntly, what kind of garbage is this? I've never even heard of it...

In this situation, being able to sign a contract first would be of paramount importance to the company's future development!

Unfortunately, Yuan Chen seemed not to have seen it at all, and simply turned and left calmly.

“I’m not interested in that kind of thing.”

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, everyone present was initially bewildered, but then they all turned their gazes toward Sakura Ibuki, who appeared to be the president of Sakura-sou Charcoal Grilled Meat Company, standing behind him.

Feeling the gazes of everyone, Sakura Ibuki fell into a brief silence.

Although Sakura Ibuki had decided before setting off not to get too involved in the Kengan Association's affairs and to stay true to her original intentions... now, seeing the executives of these large companies collectively showing goodwill, and the readily available benefits, profits, and temptations...

Raising her head, Sakura Ibuki's eyes were filled with compassion, and through the sheep bone mask, she spoke in a high-pitched, aria-like tone:

"Money, a yardstick invented by mortals to measure their own greed, is used to weigh the value of contracts...but..."

All I did was to witness a battle worth watching and meet people worth meeting! As for the prizes, you can decide that yourselves. My friends and I have already achieved our desires.

Upon hearing Sakura Ibuki's words, everyone present was slightly taken aback. It took them a while to realize that Sakura Ibuki seemed to mean that she wasn't interested in the money and had only joined the Kengan Association to enjoy the fighting...

But wait a minute.

Is it really just for the sake of fighting? They're even giving up the 500 million yen lease on the Ginza Center?!

Thinking this, everyone present quickly realized that this meant they could bid according to the rules of the Kengan Association.

Thinking about it, people's minds immediately became active.

A three-year lease on the Ginza Center might not seem like much to a giant like the Nogi Group, but for many smaller companies, with a little maneuvering, they could easily sublet it to a company outside the Kengan Association and earn an extra 30-40%.

Just as a considerable number of small companies within the Kengan Association rely on charging 'challenge fees' to make a living, quickly recover funds, and even survive, similar internal and external transactions can be considered a way for the Kengan Association to maintain its core membership base.

Almost immediately, someone shouted, "President Sakura! I'm willing to pay 30 million yen to buy what you have..."

"Thirty million yen? You dare to speak? Fifty million yen!"

"Where did fifty million come from on the side of the road? I—"

Just as the scene was about to become noisy, a slightly aged voice came from the speakers above everyone's heads.

"Gentlemen, President Sakura is new to the Kengan Association and is not yet familiar with its style, so it would be best not to bother him too much."

"If there are no problems, President Sakura, the Kengan Association will auction off the exclusive lease rights to your Ginza Center property in three days. Five percent of the final auction price will go into the Kengan Association's operating funds, and the remaining ninety-five percent will be deposited into your company account. What do you think?"

"I am very grateful." Sakura Ibuki nodded, then flicked her cloak and followed Yuan Chen out of the venue.

Back in the car, Sakura Ibuki also took off her sheep bone mask. Her handsome face was silent at first, then turned into a meaningful smile, and then into a smug and self-satisfied expression.

This behavior used to be called "chuunibyou" (middle school syndrome), now it's called "Jiahao" (a nickname).

But Sakura Ibuki clearly didn't care; he was simply enjoying the feeling.

"Hmph, not bad! But there are still some flaws. It would be even better if you could incorporate some lines from the divine song!"

Seeing Sakura Ibuki use her chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) to deal with the members of the Kengan Association, Yuan Chen chuckled, then asked with some curiosity:

"You agreed so quickly, but aren't you really not even a little bit tempted by those bids?"

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's question, Sakura Ibuki sighed and said:

"It's impossible to say I'm not tempted at all... but what's that saying again? The quickest way is usually the worst way, so I'll stick to my own plan and be realistic."

As she said this, although there was still a hint of regret in her tone at first, Sakura Ibuki quickly regained her cheerful and smiling demeanor and said:

"Just by joining the Kengan Association, some of the problems that used to bother me have been resolved. If I greedily ask for more, I will inevitably suffer a big fall because of this sooner or later!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen and Chun Li exchanged a glance, both sensing the surprise in each other's eyes.

After all, it's one thing to be able to do this on ordinary days, but to be able to clearly see one's own capabilities and remain calm in the face of real, huge profits is a rare quality.

"In short, today is a day worth celebrating."

As she drove, Sakura Ibuki's face regained its usual calm and leisurely expression: "To celebrate, it's my treat, let's go eat barbecue!"

"Isn't that no different from eating at home?" Yuan Chen chuckled.

Meanwhile, Nogi Hideki, who had been watching Sakura Ibuki, Mototsuka, and the others leave, stood in a corner of the underground parking lot and had taken in everything from beginning to end. After a brief silence, he took out a cigarette.

Seeing the boss's actions, the secretary, Akiyama Kaede, raised an eyebrow in surprise and then said, "You seem to have a real headache? Losing 500 million yen in lease rights is giving you this much trouble?"

"A loss of 500 million yen is nothing." Hearing Akiyama Kaede's words, Nogi Hideki let out a sigh of frustration: "I initially thought it was just a family-run restaurant that got lucky, but now it seems like another giant is about to emerge in the Kengan Association..."

Having seen countless people, Nogi Hideki has witnessed many companies or enterprises that rose rapidly by forming an alliance with a powerful figure in the Kengan Association due to good fortune.

But few people realize that relationships bound by money and interests are often extremely fragile.

For martial artists who pursue fame and fortune, they will be attracted by higher prices.

For true martial artists and practitioners who are indifferent to fame and fortune, such so-called binding of interests is nothing more than a futile waste of time.

Without the favor of these powerful martial artists, these enterprises, companies, and groups lacking a solid foundation are often brought back to their original state at an alarming speed.

Many people know this, but some people will always be blinded.

But now it seems...

"She really has an extraordinary demeanor." Recalling Sakura Ibuki's clear-headed and decisive refusal, Nogi Hideki also took a deep breath, causing the cigarette to burn down to almost nothing.

Meanwhile, back home, Chunli immediately dragged Yuanchen to her room.

"Take off your clothes."

Upon hearing Chunli's words, Yuan Chen's eyes lit up, and he said, "Shall I go buy a small umbrella first?"

Upon hearing this, Chunli slapped Yuan Chen's forehead without saying a word.

"Don't be ridiculous!"

Chunli glanced at Yuan Chen with a hint of helplessness and frowned as she spoke:

"When you were fighting that guy named Komada, you could have easily deflected his impact, right? But you just stood there and took it head-on... I don't care about anything else, but I promised Dad and Grandpa that I would take good care of you, so let me see you quickly."

Upon hearing Chunli's words, Yuan Chen immediately took off his clothes, and then saw that the area on his abdomen where Komada had violated him was covered in bruises.

Upon seeing this, Chun-Li frowned, then reached out to check carefully. Only after confirming that no internal organs were damaged did she relax slightly.

Then, looking at Yuan Chen, Chunli raised her chin and said, "Alright, you can explain now."

"It's just to weed out some uninteresting guys," Yuan Chen said calmly.

"Just like that Ivan Karaev. Although his strength is not bad in the eyes of ordinary people, compared to Komada, the two are not equal... I cannot grow with a martial artist of this level."

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Chun Li instinctively wanted to tell him not to rush things.

But as soon as she opened her mouth, she sensed the calmness in Yuan Chen's gaze, and then realized that Yuan Chen already knew the answer...

Seeing this, Chun-Li sighed, then said with some pity:

"There's no need to push yourself so hard... If you need a sparring partner, come find me. At least I can keep up with your pace right now... Hmm, maybe I'll get more out of you."

As she continued, Chun-Li sighed helplessly.

Chunli was also called a genius from a young age. Her father, Tong Ang, was not able to master the release of Qigong boxing until he was twenty-five years old, making the Qi manifest externally.

Chun-Li was able to project her aura outwardly even at the age of sixteen.

Before meeting Yuan Chen, Chun Li harbored some pride in being a genius. But now, watching her younger brother struggle to even win his first spar with her, and now…