Martial artists can never be ultimately insulted.

Iori Kazuka excitedly licked her lips and said, "If this can be done... then it'll be like I'm cooperating with Interpol, right?!"

Volume 1: Chapter 136 - Recruiting People

Hanaya Mina was alright; at most, she just wanted to make money. But Iori Ichika was different. After hearing Iori Ichika's words, Yuan Chen slapped her on the back of the head without saying a word.

"What kind of crooked schemes are you thinking of now!"

"What crooked ways!" Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Iori Ichika retorted vehemently, "I'm a police officer, okay! How could I possibly do anything crooked? This is slander, slander!!"

"..." Upon hearing Iori Ichika's words, Yuan Chen remained silent, only revealing a cold smile.

After spending this time together, I've gained a deeper understanding of Iori Ichika and Yuan Chen. Simply put, this derelict official is quite adept at using someone else's name to exert influence. Even now, as the head of the Juvenile Division's inspection team, he still leverages his connections and influence within the division to facilitate his actions.

Given the chance, this guy would definitely not miss the opportunity to use Interpol's name as his own banner.

If it were just him, it wouldn't be a problem, but the problem is that it involves the people around him. So Yuan Chen turned his gaze to the side and looked at Hanaya Mina, Tenma Nozomi, and the others.

Seeing this, Iori Kazuka also cast a trusting look, hoping that Tenma Nozomi and Hanaya Mina would speak up for her.

But... even though they are friends, now feeling Yuan Chen's gaze and Iori Ichika's gaze, Hanaya Mina and Tenma Nozomi subconsciously turned their heads away.

They're all best friends. Even if others don't know about Iori Kazuka's personality, don't they know it too?

"Hey! Why did you turn your head away?!" Iori Kazuka said, waving her fist in annoyance. "Didn't we agree to be best friends for life?! Get your facts straight!"

"You know this is whitewashing, huh!" Tianma sighed in despair.

"This dereliction of duty notice of yours! If someone wanted to fight you, I would help you even if it meant risking my life! But the problem is... the problem is, how can you expect me to answer this question against my conscience!"

"This is the one thing I can't say in my defense of Ichika," Hanaya Mina said with a helpless expression.

"After all, Yihua has really helped me so many times..."

Looking at the unemployed vagrants and weak gangsters in front of him, Iori Kazuka also reached out his hand, his body trembling repeatedly.

"Traitors! They're all traitors!"

Yuan Chen didn't take this to heart. He simply exchanged a glance with Chun Li on the side of the living room, after which Chun Li sighed and said:

"Let's see how things go... Although I'm not entirely sure, if I remember correctly, Interpol had considered establishing related fighting groups in the fighting world, but it has been shelved due to a lack of manpower and the fact that the underground fighting world itself is already saturated."

"If we approach this from the perspective of women's fighting groups, headquarters might share the same view as the department. If it can be approved, then establishing contact with the local management organizations in the fighting world will be inevitable."

As she said this, Chunli looked at Iori Ichika and said, "Ichika's reputation is somewhat... complicated, but she has helped me and Yuan Chen a lot. If the organization needs me to recommend a middleman, then I will definitely choose you."

Upon hearing Chun-Li's words, Iori Ichika, as if receiving some kind of approval, suddenly swung her fist and let out a "Yay!" sound. Then, looking arrogantly at Yuan Chen, she tugged at her collar and said:

"I knew it! Officer Chun-Li has a good eye for people!"

Seeing this, Yuan Chen simply shrugged and didn't say anything more.

Yuan Chen was not surprised by Chun Li's idea, because both Yuan Chen and Chun Li knew very well that to successfully establish their own underground fighting group in a place like the Fighting World, it was not enough to just get overt support. They also needed someone to specifically contact and deal with some gray and even black areas.

Iori Kazuka was a very suitable candidate – the three factions in the old town, the Hanayama Group and the Sorimachi Group, as well as the ordinary residents, all got along very well with Iori Kazuka.

"Then it's decided!"

Yuan Chen smiled and then raised his wine glass.

Seeing Yuan Chen's actions, Tianma Xiwang paused for a moment, then also raised his wine glass.

As he raised it, he said as if in a dream:

"So—Pegasus Hope, 27 years old, unemployed, just fired, is now going to be his own boss?!"

As he said this, Tenma couldn't help but reveal a strange smile, as if marveling at how life could change in an instant.

Upon hearing Tenma's words, Iori Kazuka and the others laughed heartily. They then raised their glasses and, after finishing their drinks, began to discuss with great enthusiasm how to proceed with the match.

Setting down his glass, Yuan Chen looked at the women in front of him who were chattering about the size of the ring and the referee's uniform. He tapped the bar, and everyone quieted down and turned to look at him.

As Chun-Li watched this unfold, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

Without a sound, Yuan Chen seemed to have naturally become the backbone in everyone's hearts.

“Your idea is good. But there’s a problem at this stage.” Yuan Chen held up a finger: “You haven’t really seen what top-level women’s underground fighting looks like. Groups built on imagination will be slapped to death by reality.”

Tianma originally wanted to say that there isn't a single women's fighting team that can truly be called top-tier yet, and all teams are still figuring things out... but then she recalled Yuan Chen's current status as an active member of the Kengan Association and asked, "So what are your thoughts?"

"My suggestion is to first find a large group to observe carefully and broaden your horizons."

As he spoke, Yuan Chen took out his phone, dialed a number, put it on speakerphone, and placed it on the bar counter.

It rang twice before the other end answered.

"Hmm—Little brother Yuan Chen? Is there something you need? Why did you call me on your own initiative?" Katahara Sayaka's voice came from the phone, full of enthusiasm, like a burning flame. In the background, the commentary of the fighting match and the cheers of the audience could be faintly heard.

"It's like this, I'd like to ask if there are any combatants who would be a good match for me recently, any kind of competition is fine," Yuan Chen said.

"I'm planning to form an all-female underground fighting group with some friends, and I want to let them experience the atmosphere of a top-level group."

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, on the other side, at the Kengan Tournament venue, Katahara Sayaka, who was drinking water, suddenly widened her eyes, and then—

"Huh—?! ...

With her beautiful voice, Katahara Sayaka's distinctive and penetrating voice drew the attention of everyone around her, even the two Kengan fighters on the stage.

Katahara Sayaka also looked embarrassed and immediately apologized to everyone, signaling the referee to continue the match.

If it were anyone else, and they engaged in such disruptive behavior, they would definitely be kicked out if discovered.

However, Katahara Sayaka is clearly different—as the daughter of Katahara Metsudo, the president of the Kengan Association who has ruled for over seventy years and is still full of energy at over one hundred years old, neither the spectators nor the participants would find it annoying to take such a trivial matter so seriously.

After order was restored, Katahara Sayaka immediately lowered her head. Although her voice was low, it was still filled with strong excitement as she said:

"Really? Really? Really?! This isn't a joke, it's a serious 'I'm going to rent a venue right now!'"

Yuan Chen, hearing Katahara Sayaka's still clearly discernible excitement and elation through the phone, smiled and said:

"Of course, but right now it's just a makeshift operation. Come on, let's all say hello."

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, although they were not quite clear about what had happened, they already knew Yuan Chen's identity in the Quanyuan Association and assumed that he was an angel investor. Tianma Xiwang and the others then introduced themselves in a daze.

Meanwhile, Katahara Retsudou, who had come with his older sister to watch the game—actually to prevent any inconsiderate individuals from disturbing her—looked at the excited expression on her sister's face and asked curiously, "What happened? Why are you so happy?"

"It's Chen!" Katahara Sayaka said with a smile after hearing her younger brother's question, "Chen is planning to form an underground fighting group!"

"Yuan Chen?"

Upon hearing his sister's words, Katahara Retsudo was slightly taken aback.

At first, Katahara Retsudo was somewhat wary of Yuan Chen—although it was true that he was a very good cook, he was easygoing and calm, and although he was only eighteen years old, he showed a calmness that far exceeded his age and strength.

At eighteen, he was at the very end of the most intense period of adolescence. To possess such great power at this age, yet still maintain inner peace, unlike those mediocre people who are flamboyant and arrogant, he was humble and polite. Moreover, his older sister seemed to like him very much, even affectionately calling him A-Chen... It would be strange if Katahara Retsudo wasn't worried.

However, upon hearing that Yuan Chen wanted to form a fighting team, Katahara Retsudou quickly perked up, and his eyes became slightly more serious.

"Form a fighting group?"

"Yeah, you should listen to it too."

As she spoke, Katahara Sayaka connected her phone to Bluetooth and then handed an earphone to Katahara Retsudo.

Hearing their conversation and seeing that Lie Tang had joined in, Yuan Chen offered a brief greeting.

Katahara Retsudo returned the greeting briefly, then asked curiously, "You're forming a new fighting group? What kind? Speaking of which, if it really is a new fighting group, it might compete with the Kengan Association, right? Is that alright?"

“No problem,” Yuan Chen said. “It’s an all-female fighting team.”

"Oh, it's women's combat!" Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Katahara Retsudo nodded thoughtfully, then a hint of interest appeared in his eyes.

As the eldest son of Katahara Metsudo, Katahara Retsudo still cares about the development of the Kengan Association. He was initially worried that a new underground fighting group like Gen Chen, with his strength and connections, might clash with the Kengan…

The main concern is that this could cause a rift in the relationship. After all, compared to the size of the Kengan Association, ordinary fighting groups are like ants compared to elephants. Even if the Kengan Association doesn't target them, the aftershocks of friction with other large groups could destroy those second- or third-tier small and medium-sized fighting groups.

But if it's women's combat, that's a completely different story...

Then, Yuan Chen briefly explained the concept and purpose of the women's underground fighting club.

Upon hearing that Yuan Chen planned to use this as a core element to bring in personnel from Interpol, the Violent Police Force, and even the Violent Armed Forces Mobile Unit, thereby maximizing their influence and luring out organizations like Yingluo...

Katahara Sayaka was fine, but as the leader of the annihilation force in the Kengan Guardian Force, Katahara Retsudou immediately realized that there was a huge opportunity in this.

As the eldest daughter, Katahara Sayaka was greatly indulged by Katahara Metsudo, who did not assign her too many responsibilities or missions, but simply allowed her to choose the life she wanted.

This led to Katahara Sayaka not being interested in the development of the Kengan Association itself, but simply being passionate about fighting and killing, and actively learning about broadcasting and hosting to serve as a referee.

Unlike Katahara Retsudo, who was groomed as a successor, Katahara Retsudo was well aware of how deep the darkness of the underworld was... It was like the ocean. If the surface world of fighting was calm and peaceful, then the Kengan Association was like the underwater world full of undercurrents, and even deeper down, there were many unseen deep seas filled with all kinds of monsters...

Yingluo is one of them.

If this is a probe used by Interpol or other related forces to conduct 'deep-sea exploration'... then the Kengan Association cannot remain uninvolved.

While Katahara Retsudo was still pondering, Katahara Sayaka, standing to the side, had her eyes light up after hearing Yuan Chen's idea.

"Ah—! I get it! I completely understand! This is amazing!!"

Katahara Sayaka tried to keep her voice down, but couldn't hide the excitement in her words; her eyes shone as she said:

"The current fighting world is full of smelly old men fighting. Although it is exciting, it is definitely missing something!"

Especially with changing social attitudes, the practice of cultivating qi has become very popular, and the physiological differences between men and women have been narrowed. It seems the market for women's combat sports is a completely untapped market!

"I'll ask my father to arrange a boxing match right away, and I'll cover all the expenses! Just hurry up and come, I can't wait!"

"Okay." Yuan Chen nodded, chatted for a few more minutes, and then hung up the phone.

Pegasus, standing to the side, looked at Yuan Chen with a blank expression, then asked with some curiosity, "Who are those siblings?"

"Oh." Yuan Chen nodded upon hearing this and said succinctly, "I have a good relationship with the eldest daughter and eldest son of the Kengan Association's president, Katahara Metsudo. Let's see if we can get some extra investment."

Upon hearing this, he was stunned for a moment, and then Iori Kazuka, standing to the side, exclaimed in astonishment, "Katahara Metsudo... isn't that the head of the Bank of Japan and the Japanese underworld?!"

Volume 1: Chapter 137 - Club Confirmed

Upon hearing Iori Kazuka's words, Tenma Nozomi and Hanaya Mina, who were standing nearby, were initially stunned. However, this moment of surprise lasted only a few seconds. When they realized who was on the other end of the phone, they couldn't help but spit out the drinks in their mouths.

"Commander, Commander!" Pegasus Hope covered his mouth, his face full of astonishment.

"The Bank of Japan...and the underground business world?!" Hanaya Mina shrank back, then looked around nervously and said:

"What if some terrifying gangsters come out and wipe us all out at any moment?!"

“It’s modern society now,” Yuan Chen waved his hand and said, “We don’t need to be so crude.”

Waving his hand, Yuan Chen said:

"Anyway, let's eat first. I'll let you know when the competition schedule is finalized. Remember to call me when the start date is decided. I know a few good female fighters."

As he spoke, Yuan Chen pointed to Han Zhuli and the others standing to the side.

Sensing the gazes of Tianma Xiwang and the others, Han Zhuli smirked, casually picked up a cup and threw it outside. Then, with a single Wind-Breaking Blade, she shattered the cup from a distance, causing Tianma Xiwang to widen her eyes in disbelief.

On the contrary, Iori Kazuka seemed unsurprised, even clicking her tongue in amazement as she said, "Not bad, you seem to have gotten a lot stronger since I last saw you! I remember you had to charge up your power last time!"

When Han Zhuli first met Yuan Chen, they immediately joined forces, and the delinquent girl and the derelict police officer formed a fairly deep friendship.

Having been impressed by Han Zhuli's strength, Iori Ichika can now clearly sense that Han Zhuli seems to have become even stronger than before.

"It's alright, considering I've been exercising regularly." Han Zhuli gestured with her chin toward Yuan Chen.

Although it was embarrassing, the growth rate with Yuan Chen was indeed very fast. Every time we sparred until we were exhausted and bruised, we would feel a significant improvement in our abilities after being with Zhuo Ge.

In Yuan Chen's words, it accelerates the recovery and regrowth of physical damage through life energy; it is all-natural, pollution-free, and has no negative effects.

Although she was skeptical about the lack of side effects—for example, Han Zhuli could clearly feel her body almost instinctively responding to Yuan Chen's needs—she didn't pay much attention to it because it was quite comfortable and saved time on breakfast.

"Me too! Me too!" Wu Jialouluo raised his hand and said, "I'll participate in women's combat too!"

Excitement gleamed in Wu Jialouluo's eyes.

Despite possessing considerable strength, it's a pity that Wu Jialouluo never had many opportunities to truly demonstrate it.

Neither the Kengan Association nor any of the top-tier fighting organizations in the underground world have officially established dedicated women's fighting competitions.

Although they had started testing the waters, the intensity of the trial competition was far too limited. Wu Jialouluo lost interest immediately after just one glance at the average level of the contestants.

Fighting someone of that level would probably make you sweat less than playing a game with Yuan Chen.

And now... Yuan Chen Group's scheme has the addition of Katahara Shoka and Katahara Retsudo, as well as the covert funding from Interpol.

As an assassin, Wu Jialouluo had already sensed something interesting.

In response, Tianma simply shrugged and pointed at Yuan Chen, saying, "As long as the big boss thinks it's okay, I'll do whatever I want."