Liu Yun was baffled. Ever since he had been gravely injured and lost his status as a Martial Artist, he had become a well-known object of pity in this neighborhood.
These were chaotic times, and the harshness of the world was out in the open. Who could his visitor be? An idea struck him. He tried using the crystal in his hand to scan the visitor outside, testing the Machine Race Clone's abilities.
"Comparing the data with that in the host's mind, this is Wang Tianba of the Limit Dojo, a former comrade of the host."
The crystal identified the visitor through the thick security door. Liu Yun peered through the peephole. The familiar bald head, thick cigar, and ramrod-straight posture all gave off an air of rugged heroism. It was Wang Tianba, his old comrade who had once gone on missions with him. The Machine Race Clone's abilities worked just fine.
"Brother Tian? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be out on a mission?"
Liu Yun opened the door. Wang Tianba didn't stand on ceremony; he walked straight in, talking as he went.
"Hey, I just finished a mission, so I thought I'd check in on a sick friend. Do my bit for society. Are you brewing Chinese medicine?"
Wang Tianba was the sort who made himself at home anywhere. He wandered around, spotted the stove and the Chinese medicine simmering in Liu Yun's kitchen, and, as an old hand, quietly put two and two together.
Wang Tianba was a minor leader at the Limit Dojo. Xiao Wu and Sun Feiyan, both qualified Martial Artists, served under him.
Back then, Liu Yun had often gone on missions with them. But things had changed. He had left the front lines and gradually drifted away from his old friends.
"What are you thinking now? You even gave up your private villa for Martial Artists. Embarrassed? Nobody did this to you. I saw your physical evaluation from the Limit Dojo. Are you doing any better? Don't do anything reckless."
A hint of concern showed on Wang Tianba's tired face. They had shared the bonds of battle, after all, but Liu Yun's condition was a difficult problem.
"I'm doing better. I've been drinking Chinese medicine lately. It's amazing stuff—it can cure anything. I'll be back to full health in no time."
Liu Yun said he was nearly recovered. In reality, the advanced technology of the Machine Race had already healed him; the medicine was merely improving his physique.
Wang Tianba rolled his eyes. He thought Liu Yun was simply fooling himself and would end up paralyzed all the same.
"Traditional Chinese medicine is an excellent part of our culture, and it does have its mysteries. But there's been plenty of debate about it these past two years! You can't rely on it to treat your illness. You should trust modern medicine, which combines the latest technology."
The man, who looked like a mob boss, told Liu Yun to trust science. He wasn't looking down on Chinese medicine, of course; herbal remedies just had their limits.
But Liu Yun had already been healed, so he was utterly convinced.
"I'm taking medicine. I've already been cured, so stop saying that!"
Liu Yun tried to explain again, but Wang Tianba didn't believe him at all. He had given it a lot of thought. He knew times were hard, but some things still had to be said.
"Your illness is too serious. How could herbs cure it? Ah, forget it. Take care of yourself!"
Wang Tianba sighed deeply and sprang up from his chair. He knew how cruel all this was for Liu Yun.
"But think about it. Apart from me, everyone else has basically forgotten you since you left. I saw your request to take the Martial Artist strength recovery test. They said they didn't have time to arrange a test just for you, so you may have to take it with the newcomers."
Wang Tianba lit a cigar and explained. Liu Yun was surprised. What was going on? Shouldn't it have been enough to test his basic abilities?
"So that's how it works? People really do forget you once you're down. Hmph. Or maybe they just don't believe I can heal myself?"
Liu Yun thought that there had to be a reasonable explanation for his sudden recovery. And he absolutely couldn't let anyone discover the secret of his Machine Race Clone. He had to guard it with his life, forever.
"That's right! Nobody's going to waste time on someone who's lost all his strength. I came to tell you to be ready for it. I'm off."
Wang Tianba was blunt. In this era, there was no room for tears. Even Liu Yun had to face the law of the jungle. Liu Yun saw him out of the neighborhood, then headed back inside. All the way, he wondered what he should do.
Liu Yun had once been a Senior Fighter, with 5,000 kilograms of force in each arm. He had been highly respected in the neighborhood. But now? Aside from a few old friends who still came to see him, everyone else treated him like he didn't matter at all.
As Liu Yun slowly walked back through the neighborhood, lost in thought, a burst of commotion suddenly shattered the quiet around him.
He looked up to see a group of young men and women surrounding a sturdy young man with a slightly immature face. The young man wore a tight-fitting combat suit. He was a Beginner Warrior, standing in the middle of the neighborhood with an air of absolute authority. The people around him looked at him with a mix of fear and resentment.
The new Beginner Warrior was named Li Lei. His exceptional strength and arrogant manner had quickly made him famous in the neighborhood. He thought highly of himself and treated the longtime residents with contempt, as if everything in the neighborhood should make way for him.
After all, Li Lei really was a rising star. A Warrior Level Martial Artist so young might well become a War General one day. People were already eager to curry favor with him.
"Well, well. If it isn't Liu Yun, once the talk of the town! How'd you end up like this? Can't even watch where you're going?" Li Lei's voice wasn't loud, but everyone nearby could hear it. His words were full of mockery and provocation.
His words set off a round of whispers. Still, nobody dared to pick a fight with a promising young Warrior over a cripple. A few sycophants even began accusing Liu Yun of not knowing his place, just to entertain the esteemed Martial Artist.
The sudden taunt caught Liu Yun off guard. Then anger surged within him, an indescribable fury. He drew a deep breath and tried to calm himself, then looked at Li Lei evenly. This was an old acquaintance, too.
"The road's wide. Why do you have to block me? If there's nothing else, let me pass."
Li Lei sneered. "Hmph, block you? You think you're worth blocking? You're the one in my way. Now get lost! You should stay home instead of coming out to make a fool of yourself."
Liu Yun was furious, but he remembered that he hadn't yet mastered the Machine Race Clone's abilities. If he revealed them too soon, it could jeopardize his plans. He had to be patient now to win in the long run.
One of Li Lei's lackeys brought up Brother Tian, who was also a Senior Fighter. He was generous and loyal to his friends! Li Lei reconsidered. Liu Yun still had old friends who might step in if Li Lei tried to hurt him.
"Brother Lei, the people around this old geezer will ditch him sooner or later! He's a cripple now. We can deal with him later."
One of the men beside Li Lei made the suggestion. Li Lei immediately lost his nerve. He was afraid a Senior Fighter might come after him, especially since he had only recently become a Martial Artist.
"Fine! I'll let the cripple off for now!"
Li Lei laughed brazenly, though he no longer pressed the matter. With a cold snort, he led his large group away.
Liu Yun was furious too. He knew why this had happened: it was all because of his pretty younger sister. Li Lei would definitely come after him again.
"Hmph, I'll go take the test now. I bet my strength will reach War General Level this time. Then I'll kill you!"
Liu Yun planned to go home and drink some more of the restorative medicine. Using the Machine Race Clone's computing power, he had come up with a simple but highly effective prescription to boost his strength. When these people found out that he hadn't just kept his strength but had grown even stronger, he wondered what their faces would look like.
Before you continue