Challenging the Dojo

Prince Edward Road West, Kowloon, at the intersection with United Road.

Beneath a building on the street, the entire first and second floors had been opened up into a single space, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. A red carpet was laid out before the entrance, and the sides of the storefront were packed with waist-high flower baskets, creating a scene of festive jubilation.

Directly above the entrance hung a gold-leafed plaque with a touch of classical charm: Shark Martial Arts Gym.

"Heh!"

"Ha!"

A synchronized chorus of shouts rang out on the street outside the shop.

More than thirty disciples, dressed in training uniforms emblazoned with "Shark Martial Arts," formed a formation on the street. They executed a set of fierce, powerful punches with precise, rigid movements, completely blocking the already narrow United Road.

Once the disciples dispersed, a string of firecrackers, thousands of rounds long, was set off with a crackling roar. Thick smoke billowed into the air, and red paper scraps scattered and drifted across the ground.

After the firecrackers died down, the rhythmic beating of drums and gongs took over. A brightly colored Guan Gong Lion leaped before the entrance of the Shark Martial Arts Gym. Its sequence of movements—leaping, probing, scratching, welcoming guests, bowing, and displaying its might—immediately drew cheers from the surrounding crowd.

Nowadays, it is rare to see a lion dance performance at a shop opening. In this area of United Road, West of Prince Edward Road, the residents—many of whom had been resettled here following the demolition of the Kowloon Walled City years ago—held a deep affection for this traditional performance.

Amidst the lively atmosphere, the crowd on the street grew increasingly dense.

"The Boxing King Mai is out!"

"Master Mai, wishing you a prosperous opening!"

"Congratulations, Master Mai!"

Amidst the enthusiastic shouts and flattery, a tall man in a black training uniform stepped out from the doors of the Shark Martial Arts Gym.

The man stood around one meter eighty-five, with thick, sturdy joints in his hands and feet. His posture was upright, his frame lean and incredibly powerful. Though a smile hung on his face, he exuded a strong sense of danger.

It felt as if, at any moment, he might truly transform into a shark and devour anyone standing before him.

"Look, that's the Hong Kong and Macau Boxing King, Shark Yan. He really does have a murderous aura in person."

Standing outside the crowd, Fish Head Xu held the promotional flyer and watched Shark Yan greeting guests at the door. He couldn't help but shiver, turning to Yang Chu beside him. "Chu-zai, you said you wanted to come and see for yourself—you aren't actually planning to crash the opening and challenge him, are you?"

Although the flyer contained the arrogant claim of welcoming martial arts peers for exchange and sparring, anyone could see that to provoke someone on their opening day was not only cutting off their livelihood but also slapping them in the face.

"No rush, Brother Xu."

Yang Chu shook his head slightly and pointed to the crowd standing outside the lion dance area. "Look at those few people."

Fish Head Xu tilted his head, peering in the direction Yang Chu indicated.

While the vast majority of the crowd were merely curious onlookers cheering and applauding, there were indeed a few individuals with dark, sullen expressions on their faces.

Yang Chu felt that at today's opening of the Shark Martial Arts Gym, he might just get to see a real martial arts showdown.

If he could witness that, it would be well worth the trip for Yang Chu.

"Thank you all for taking the time to grace us with your presence. Today, the Shark Martial Arts Gym is officially open. We are recruiting students and fellow practitioners. We welcome all friends who are interested in learning, training, and fitness to sign up—"

In front of the shop, after exchanging pleasantries with the guests who had come to show support, Mai Rong'en saw that the time was right. He strode to the center of the onlookers and performed a cupped-fist salute.

"Master Mai!"

But before Mai Rong'en could finish his sentence, other voices erupted from the crowd.

"Today is the opening of Master Mai's gym; why don't you show us a move or two so we can broaden our horizons?"

"That's right! Decades ago, opening a gym meant setting up a ring to let other masters test your mettle."

A few figures standing in the crowd, clearly harboring ill intentions, shouted loudly toward the surrounding people.

Troublemakers in the crowd joined in the clamor, and even the guests who had come to offer support wore smiles, looking on as if they were watching a show.

In the past, Hong Kong was filled with martial arts schools. If an outsider wanted to open a gym and take on students, they had to pass three trials and gain the recognition of other masters.

Today, with Hong Kong's economy booming, some of these outdated customs were no longer followed. There were many gyms run by foreigners and Koreans, but regardless, there would always be those looking for an excuse to stir up trouble.

"Is there anyone in Hong Kong or Macau who doesn't know the name Mai Rong'en?"

Mai Rong'en seemed to have anticipated such a scene. Looking at the few clamoring figures in the crowd, a sinister grin spread across his already fierce face. "Whoever wants to test my mettle, I welcome you at any time."

After saying this, Mai Rong'en swept his gaze over everyone present with a look of disdain.

Those troublemakers who had started the chatter, or the representatives from other gyms, immediately shrank back into the crowd, not daring to make a sound.

Mai Rong'en's reputation as the Hong Kong and Macau Boxing King wasn't just from titles won in tournaments hosted by wealthy tycoons. Before that, he had already made a name for himself in underground boxing matches, even knocking out a Muay Thai champion in a semi-public bout.

People could talk big, but when it came to being the first to step into the ring, no one dared.

"It seems no one wants to test my mettle?"

Mai Rong'en scanned the circle, and seeing that everyone had gone quiet, a faint smile appeared on his face. "My promotional poster says it clearly: I welcome all martial arts peers to come for an exchange. Whoever wants to come, I, Mai Rong'en, am here to take it."

After Mai Rong'en finished speaking, a martial arts practitioner in the crowd, seemingly unable to bear the provocation, jumped out.

It was a middle-aged man wearing a traditional long gown. His build was well-proportioned. After stepping out from the crowd, he cupped his fists toward Mai Rong'en. "I have long heard of Master Mai's great name, I..."

"Wait a moment!"

Before the middle-aged man in the long gown could finish, a hand suddenly reached in from outside the crowd, grabbed him by the shoulder, and threw him back into the throng.

Whoosh—

Outside the Shark Martial Arts Gym, the entire crowd erupted in an uproar.

All eyes converged as a young man with short hair and a massive backpack walked in, unhurried, through the congested crowd.

"You, you, you..."

The middle-aged man in the traditional long gown, having been tossed into the crowd and caught by a few others, barely managed to steady himself and was about to unleash a torrent of abuse. However, after touching the shoulder that the other had grabbed, his expression shifted, and he fell into a stuttering silence.

"Have they swapped in someone else?!"

Mai Rong'en stood with his arms crossed, chin held high, watching the scene before him with a look of indifference.

Seeing that there were no further disturbances, he looked haughtily at the short-haired youth with the massive backpack. "So, you're the one here to test my mettle and see if I'm qualified to open a martial arts gym?"

The short-haired youth stood before Mai Rong'en, casually tossed his massive backpack to the side, and slowly raised his slightly lowered head. "Hong Kong and Macau Boxing Champion Mai Rong'en—steel-reinforced bones, fierce fist techniques, and an undefeated streak of thirty-nine matches. I've come to fight you."