Awakened Zhongli Template, Retiring in Terra

Shi Lei stood in the shadows, grinning wickedly.

"Ah, I've had such a hard time looking for you."

By Their Own Methods

The alley was dimly lit, making it hard to see clearly.

The ten young men quickly gathered together and warily looked toward Shi Lei. Since he had used Originium Arts to block the road, he was probably no good person.

"Friend, who are you?"

"Hmph, my little brother practiced your bullshit martial arts until he was half-paralyzed. I happened to pass by today, and I finally caught you!"

Some of their fighting moves were identical. They had also mentioned words like sparring matches and senior brothers during their conversation, leading Shi Lei to deduce their identities. They were probably disciples of a martial arts school, or some sort of martial sect.

When dealing with swindlers like these, they acted like hooligans when you reasoned with them, but started talking about the law when you acted like a hooligan.

As the saying went, use their own methods against them. If he wanted to deal with them, he had to be even more shameless than they were.

"Paralyzed? Hey, wait a minute. Friend, isn't there some misunderstanding here?"

The young man had inexplicably been saddled with the blame and hurriedly called for a stop. They could not even beat one beast girl, and now another person had appeared—someone they had even less chance of dealing with through violence. They had to reason things out and talk about the law.

Shi Lei sneered and suddenly raised his voice.

"A misunderstanding? Then state your name!"

One hot-blooded young man stepped forward, wanting to start a fight, but his companion hurriedly stopped him. The previous man cupped his fists in greeting, his attitude exceedingly polite.

"I am the third disciple of Iron Fist School, a traditional martial arts sect from Shangshu. My codename is Iron Fan. Recently, under my master's orders, I came to Lungmen to establish a branch school. Friend, I have never heard of the paralyzed apprentice you mentioned. There must have been some mistake."

The arrogance they had displayed earlier had now transferred itself entirely onto Shi Lei.

"Damn it, the guy's paralyzed. Of course you wouldn't see him at the martial arts school. You've harmed so many people. Today, either compensate me or leave your legs behind. Pick one."

Upon hearing that these people were repeat offenders, the tiger-faced beast girl immediately became somewhat indignant. However, considering that they were already trapped like turtles in a jar, she did not interrupt.

"Friend, it's all a misunderstanding. We're a legitimate martial arts school. We would never..."

Slap.

Shi Lei covered his face with the folded map and directly delivered a slap with his other hand. This method was not fatal, was not illegal, and was intimidating, making it especially convenient to use.

"Stop rambling. Iron Fist School did it. Today, either pay up or leave your legs behind!"

"..."

The young men present did not want to sacrifice a pair of legs. One after another, they retreated, leaving Iron Fan at the front.

"So... friend, how much do you want?"

"Medical expenses, lost wages, nutritional expenses, plus emotional damages. It should come to at least one million Lungmen Dollars, right?"

"We don't have that much money."

Shi Lei scoffed and repeated their own words verbatim.

"What does you not having money have to do with me? Iron Fist School's mistakes should be repaid by its disciples. You could demand one million from a young lady you were extorting, so why can't you come up with one million for me? Are you screwing with me?"

Iron Fan glanced toward the Rock Spine. Feeling that there was no way to instantly climb over such a tall stone pillar and escape, he withdrew his gaze.

"Of course not, but our martial arts school truly cannot produce that much money. How about this? She owes us one million, and we owe you one million. We'll transfer the debt, and she'll owe you one million instead. How does that sound?"

The beast girl immediately flared up upon hearing that, clenching her fists as she roared.

"When did I ever owe you one million?"

Shi Lei was amused by Iron Fan's naive idea. These young men looked to be only in their twenties—how could they suggest something so absurd? It was honestly ridiculous.

"Are you saying you'll hand the videotape over to me? How would I know whether there are copied versions of that tape?"

To his surprise, Iron Fan's gaze sharpened as he pointed out the flaw.

"Friend, before this, I never mentioned a videotape to you. Since you know about it, could it be that your little brother being half-paralyzed was a lie?"

Shi Lei suddenly kicked out, sending Iron Fan flying backward into the crowd behind him with a front kick.

"Do you not understand your situation? You're still trying to play clever games here? Whether my little brother was hurt is not important. What matters is whether you still want your little brother."

At those words, all ten young men instinctively covered their crotches, protecting their little brothers born of the same father and mother.

"You used violence, so I used violence. You used lies, so I used lies. I merely repeated what you did to this lady and turned it back on you. Why can't you accept it now?"

"..."

Shi Lei did not care whether they responded. He directly issued his final ultimatum.

"You're martial artists, but I'm not. Hurry up and call someone to bring the videotape over. Every half hour, I'll break one person's leg. Whoever tries to run will get their leg broken too. Forget ten of you—even with that lady added in, you might not be my match."

After saying that, he deliberately turned around, exposing his completely defenseless back to the ten young men.

He had actually wanted to pat his raised backside with one hand, taunting them to the fullest. But when he thought of how Rex Lapis would never do something like that, he abandoned the idea. Messing around might very well deduct Roleplay Value, making it more trouble than it was worth.

"Watch out behind you!"

The beast girl did not even need to warn him. Shi Lei knew that someone among the young men behind him would be unable to resist. After all, if they got rid of him, they would not have to pay money or sacrifice their legs. It was worth trying.

A fist the size of a sandbag struck his back, yet it had no effect at all. The young man who had been held back refused to believe it, took a running start, and launched a front kick, but still could not budge him in the slightest.

After several people battered him like a raging storm for several minutes, Shi Lei remained completely unharmed. Seeing someone frightened enough to try running, he summoned a Rock Spine with one hand to block the other exit.

"Hey, have you had enough? Hurry up and call someone to bring the videotape over. My patience is limited. Once I make a move, your legs and little brothers are definitely done for. Who wants to try first? You, you, or you?"

The young men he pointed at all backed away and dodged, unwilling to bid farewell to their little brothers born of the same father and mother. Iron Fan truly had no other choice but to call the martial arts school.

Half an hour later, a middle-aged man in training clothes arrived carrying a videotape. Shi Lei and the others entered the alley, and he raised a hand to summon a Rock Spine that sealed off the road.

"Listen, I'll make this clear beforehand. I'm letting this lady out right now to verify what's on the tape. If you try to pull anything, I'll break all your legs!"

The young men had already witnessed his strength and urged the middle-aged man not to try anything. Only then did the man claim he had brought the wrong tape and take out another palm-sized videotape.

Heh, trying that trick on me?

Shi Lei let the beast girl go out to verify it. Only after receiving her confirmation did he remove the Rock Spine and walk out of the alley with her.

"If you want these people punished, you can take this videotape to the Lungmen Guard Department and accuse them of malicious editing and defamation. Anyway, I already know they're disciples of Iron Fist School. I'll pay them a visit when I have the time."

That last sentence was meant for the people in the alley. Iron Fan's face turned ugly upon hearing it, but he did not dare act recklessly.

"Thank you, sir. If you had not helped me today, I fear it would have been difficult for me to get away. My name is Waai Fu. May I ask my benefactor's name, so I can visit and thank you another day?"

Received 2 Roleplay Value based on the host's performance.

Shi Lei was not seeking the beast girl's gratitude. He had only done it to follow his heart; he simply did not want to see the tragedy of an adult video unfold. He found it troublesome to keep covering his face with a map and thought that, after returning, he should ask Texas to help him buy a mask.

"No need, ma'am. If fate wills it, we will meet again."

Something Big Is Coming!

Shi Lei did not leave his name behind and simply turned to leave.

He had watched from the mouth of the alley for quite some time. Every move the beast girl made had been exceptionally polished. Being able to fight ten opponents alone without falling into a disadvantage meant she had at least ten years of training.

But that was all there was to it.

Had he ever read Lao She's "The Broken Soul Spear"?

Train martial arts for a lifetime, and one gunshot wiped it all out. Beyond seven steps, the gun was fast; within seven steps, the gun was fast and accurate.

Unless...

Unless body cultivators like those from cultivation novels appeared in the Terra World, the limits of martial arts would always be there.

Based on Shi Lei's current understanding, the upper limit of Originium Arts was far higher than that of martial arts. Practicing martial arts was fine for strengthening the body and staying fit, but it was still somewhat lacking when it came to fighting.

By the time he returned to Penguin Logistics, it was already five-thirty. He took the elevator to the top floor.

Shi Lei clocked in and was about to head to the Safe House when he noticed Texas walking over from her workstation.

"Hey, you haven't left yet?"

"Mm."

She nodded in response and followed him into the elevator.

Texas had originally gotten off work at five. When she realized he had not returned, she waited for him at the company. If she received any message asking for help, she could set out at any time.

However, with his true strength, he could probably handle any trouble himself.

Texas knew that, yet after work, she still chose to sit around a little longer. Her concern for a friend never showed on her face; it appeared in her actions instead.

Shi Lei pressed the elevator button and turned his head to ask.

"Texas, are you free right now?"

"What is it?"

"It's like this. I've worn this set of clothes for several days now, and I want to buy some spare clothes, pants, a hat, and a mask. They don't need to be expensive. Anything wearable will do."

Texas's gaze swept over him. He seemed to have worn that set for around a week, so it was indeed time to change. She lowered her eyes further and looked at her own clothes.

"New employees receive uniforms. There's a measuring tape in the Safe House. I'll take your measurements and send them to Isu. The uniform should arrive in around two or three days."

The three Messengers currently wore uniforms printed with the Penguin Logistics logo. They were black and white overall, slim-fitting and neatly tailored, with a rather good appearance.

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you."

"You're welcome."

The two arrived at the Safe House, but they did not see any other colleagues. Texas found a measuring tape in the utility room and came over to measure Shi Lei's height, shoulder width, chest circumference, hip length, and other figures. She recorded them on her phone and planned to send them to Isu later.

"Straighten your back."

"Ah, okay."

Texas's movements were meticulous, like those of an experienced tailor. After finishing the measurements, she edited a text message on her phone. A moment later, she raised her head.

"Done."

"Thank you, thank you very much."

"It's nothing. Let's go. Didn't you want to buy a hat? There's a store across from the company."

Shi Lei left the Safe House with her and crossed the street at the crosswalk. Though it was said to be across from the company, it was actually four or five hundred meters away. It was a medium-sized shopping center with restaurants, clothing, baby products, and everything else. Since he was unfamiliar with the place, he let Texas lead the way.

Seeing customers enter, the saleswoman greeted them enthusiastically.

"Welcome. What can I help you two with?"

When Texas interacted with outsiders, she seemed to always be this brief and concise.

"Him. A hat."

"Sir, what style of hat would you like? Here are our most popular styles at the moment..."

"No need. I'll just look around."

Shi Lei raised a hand to interrupt her and walked straight inside.

Usually, the goods merchants placed in conspicuous spots were their seasonal featured products. If he wanted low prices and good value, he had to look at the bottom shelves deep inside the store.

He walked all the way to the back and immediately took a liking to a black baseball cap on the upper shelf that cost five hundred Lungmen Dollars.

"Sir, you have a great eye. This is a limited edition from our store. How about buying a pink baseball cap for your girlfriend as well? They're a matching couple's set, and you two would definitely look great wearing them!"

Texas expressionlessly took out Lungmen Dollars and placed them on the counter. The cashier looked slightly surprised, glanced at her, then at Shi Lei, her gaze carrying a hint of envy.

Kid, you've skipped decades of detours in life.

Seeing that Texas could not be bothered to explain their relationship, Shi Lei naturally did not deliberately bring it up either. After buying a mask at the pharmacy, he bid her farewell and returned to the Safe House to heat up some food.

December 3rd.

Shi Lei had no work today, just like usual.

He clocked in at nine, spent an hour and a half checking inventory and shipping goods, then sat in the office area until noon for lunch.