Xiahou

Li's All-You-Can-Eat Hot Pot.

The copper pot bubbled and steamed, filled with a broth simmered from fish bones and shrimp heads. Large slices of lamb, squid, raw shrimp, dace balls, and oysters churned in the pot. Vegetables were tossed in, blanched, and quickly fished out by hungry hands.

"Hey, make way, make way!"

Fish Head Xu carried five or six plates of fish and vegetables in each hand, shouting at the bustling crowd while carefully navigating toward a table by the window.

"That's enough, Brother Xu, it's already plenty."

Seeing Fish Head Xu return to the table yet again, Xiahou Wu stood up quickly to help take the plates, setting them on the table before gesturing for Fish Head Xu to sit. "Brother Xu, please, sit down. You're being so hospitable that this guest is starting to feel embarrassed."

"Eating at the same table is a rare stroke of fate, after all."

Fish Head Xu wiped the sweat from his forehead, grinned at Xiahou Wu, and pointed toward Yang Chu, who had been eating non-stop since they arrived. "I'll go grab a few more plates. With Chu-zai here, no need to worry about leftovers."

Xiahou Wu glanced at Yang Chu, who seemed rooted to his seat, eating incessantly since they entered the restaurant. He then noticed several staff members near the counter pointing in their direction. He followed Fish Head Xu, smiling as he said, "In that case, Brother Xu, I'll join you."

The two returned with another four or five plates of vegetables and meat each. Two of the plates Fish Head Xu had brought earlier were already empty, but this time they didn't get up again, choosing instead to sit and focus on cooking and eating.

This was already the fifth round. Fish Head Xu blanched a few leaves of greens and began sipping his tea at a leisurely pace.

Xiahou Wu finished several more plates of meat and vegetables, let out a soft breath, and set down his chopsticks.

"Have some tea. The Biluochun at this place is quite authentic." Fish Head Xu reached out to pick up the teapot and poured a cup for Xiahou Wu.

"Many thanks."

Xiahou Wu nodded in gratitude, then looked at Yang Chu, who was stuffing whatever he cooked into his mouth, and a smile touched his face. "Brother Yang Chu's appetite is, well, quite astonishing."

Since entering the hot pot restaurant, aside from the initial mountain of food he had fetched, Yang Chu had barely left his seat, eating the entire time.

Even though he considered himself a martial artist with a hearty appetite, the amount he had consumed this meal was less than a quarter of what Yang Chu had put away.

"Don't be so formal, just call him Chu-zai. Chu-zai's stomach has no bottom, which is exactly why we come to all-you-can-eat places." Fish Head Xu shrugged, already accustomed to Yang Chu's capacity.

As for what the owner and staff thought, Fish Head Xu couldn't be bothered. When he paid, he had specifically paid for four seats, which he felt was more than fair.

"You can call me Chu-zai."

Yang Chu looked up to say this, his chopsticks never pausing.

"Chu... I think I'll just call you A-Chu..."

Xiahou Wu paused for a moment, watching Yang Chu, who had already returned to his rhythmic cooking and eating, his face still wearing that seemingly reserved and harmless smile.

Through their two encounters, Xiahou Wu could tell that Fish Head Xu was a man without much guile, a rather warm-hearted person. But Yang Chu—Xiahou Wu felt he couldn't quite see through him.

If Yang Chu practiced martial arts, he lacked the telltale signs common to such experts. One had to understand that every martial artist, regardless of their school, usually bore the marks of years of grueling physical conditioning.

Furthermore, Yang Chu's observation skills were sharp. That day in the car, he had pegged him as a martial artist at a single glance. And today, after he had defeated Shark Yan in their bout, the look in Yang Chu's eyes as he chased him down—the way he carried himself—

Xiahou Wu was all too familiar with that look. It was the fanaticism of a martial arts devotee.

After they had finished a pot of tea and Yang Chu had cleared every last scrap of food from the table, he finally set down his chopsticks.

"Let's go, Chu-zai. If we don't leave now, the owner is going to come over with a broom to chase us out." Seeing Yang Chu finish, Fish Head Xu stood up, glanced at the middle-aged, stout woman standing by the counter, and said with a laugh.

Xiahou Wu smiled as well, picked up his large backpack from the seat, and stood up.

Yang Chu wiped his mouth with a napkin and followed the two out the door, never once paying attention to the gazes directed at them.

"Starving ghosts reincarnated! I've run this shop for years and never seen anyone eat like that!"

The stout female owner standing by the counter erupted in a tirade the moment the three left. She turned to see her staff snickering and grew even more incensed. "What are you all standing there for? Playing zombies? Get back to restocking!"

Thinking of this, the owner felt a pang of regret. Earlier, when Fish Head Xu mentioned they had big appetites and paid for four seats, she had secretly mocked them for being fools, thinking she'd make a profit.

But this time, it was clear she had taken a massive loss.

After leaving Li's All-You-Can-Eat Hot Pot, the group arrived at the nearby Kowloon Park, which was currently under construction.

Xiahou Wu tossed his large backpack aside, turned to look at Yang Chu, and asked, "A-Chu, you were the one who wanted to find me, right?"

"Not at all, we just wanted to get to know a great master like you." Seeing the situation, Fish Head Xu stepped forward, trying to crack a joke.

"Brother Xu, don't worry, it's not what you think."

Yang Chu didn't back away this time. He placed his left hand gently on Fish Head Xu's shoulder, guiding him to the side.

"Re... really not?" Fish Head Xu tilted his head, asking Yang Chu with uncertainty.

Yang Chu nodded slightly and looked at Xiahou Wu. Suddenly, he spread his arms and mimicked the opening stance the burly man had used when they fought.

"I want to ask you, what kind of martial art is this?"

"Hmm?"

Xiahou Wu watched Yang Chu's movements and instinctively raised his arms. But seeing that Yang Chu didn't follow up with another move and was instead waiting for an answer, he furrowed his brows. "And then?"

Hearing Xiahou Wu's prompt, Yang Chu shifted his stance and performed a few more movements the burly man had used. His build didn't look particularly muscular, but his movements gave off a sense of immense, mountain-like weight.

"This is Mongolian Wrestling."

Xiahou Wu's eyes lit up as he watched Yang Chu. "Also known as Boke. It is a martial art from ancient battlefields for close-quarters, unarmed combat. It emphasizes an unbreakable defense, stability in the lower body, and features various throwing and grappling techniques. Manchu Buku evolved from Mongolian Wrestling, and many schools of grappling have borrowed from its strengths to shore up their own weaknesses."

"Mongolian Wrestling, is it?"

Yang Chu straightened his back, recalling the burly man he had encountered. With a round face, narrow eyes, and a thick-set frame, he truly possessed the traditional look of a Mongolian.

"You really do recognize him."

Yang Chu's gaze landed on Xiahou Wu again, a strange glint in his eyes. "It seems your research into martial arts, or rather, kung fu, is quite profound."

"Since I began practicing, I have considered myself well-versed in strikes, grappling, internal arts, and weaponry."

The look on Xiahou Wu's face was no longer the restrained, humble smile from before; his tone and demeanor seemed to radiate a powerful, deep-seated confidence from the inside out.

"Then how would one counter this Mongolian Wrestling, or these throwing techniques?" Yang Chu asked with genuine curiosity.

"That cannot be generalized," Xiahou Wu shook his head gently. "In martial arts, it is difficult to truly define who is superior or inferior; there is no absolute method of restraint, as it all depends on the individual. However—"

Xiahou Wu's face gradually took on the same spirit he had shown earlier at United Road when sparring with Shark Yan. "If I were to break it, it would depend on the opponent's physique, strength, combat experience, technical mastery, and timing—"

As he spoke, Xiahou Wu began to demonstrate with his hands.

"Wrestlers have a low center of gravity and stable footing, but most have never learned to parry or block. That is a flaw one must know how to exploit. If the opponent is strong and my strength is lacking, I would use guerrilla tactics, attacking the lower body—stomping the feet, kicking the shins, or striking the knees. But the footwork must be swift and clean to avoid being grabbed. Or, I would use grappling: when they reach out to grab, I would pull their hair, gouge their wrists, break their fingers, or strike their eyes and groin. Alternatively, I could use the ground-fighting techniques of floor-wrestling to attack vital points or drag them into a tangle. But the best way is to use wrestling to break wrestling, while integrating kicking, striking, falling, grappling, rolling, and throwing into one."

Finishing his demonstration, Xiahou Wu stopped and looked at Yang Chu. "In the end, it all comes down to an individual's physique, skill, experience, and combat mindset.

They say it is first courage, second strength, and third kung fu. Courage is the mindset; one must be bold when facing an enemy, without fear. Strength includes both raw power and clever leverage. As for kung fu, it goes without saying—the common saying is that kung fu is just time. Technique and methods are all polished through repetition; it is merely a matter of familiarity."

After hearing Xiahou Wu's words, Yang Chu stood silently, as if digesting everything he had just been told.

After a long while, he spoke. Instead of commenting on the utility of Xiahou Wu's advice, he asked abruptly, "Who are you challenging next? When? I want to watch."

"How did you know I was going to challenge others?" Xiahou Wu's brows arched slightly, his eyes fixed on Yang Chu, sharp as blades.

"Shark Yan's gym opened today. You went to challenge him, and as he said, you are looking to make a name for yourself."

Yang Chu did not hide anything, stating it plainly. "And since you are proficient in strikes, grappling, and internal weaponry, but only used your fists against Shark Yan today—that was because he is a boxing champion. So, the one you are challenging next... is it a leg fighter? I remember Fish Head Xu telling me that there is a recognized King of Northern Legs on Hong Kong Island."

"Heh—"

Xiahou Wu suddenly laughed, the blade-like aura that had been surging within him vanishing into thin air. He did not answer Yang Chu's question directly, instead turning to Fish Head Xu. "Brother Xu, could you leave me your number? I'd like to treat you to tea when I have the time!"

"Sure thing! You have no idea, Chu is such a dull person; he never has anything to say."

Fish Head Xu ran over excitedly and gave Xiahou Wu his home landline number.

"Many thanks to you and Ah Chu for your hospitality. I have matters to attend to, so I must be going."

Xiahou Wu repeated his farewell, walked over to pick up his large backpack from the ground, turned back to smile at Yang Chu, and headed out of the park.

He walked slowly, and a low, murmuring voice seemed to drift back: "...First fists, then legs, then grappling; internal arts and weaponry combined into one... Shoulders and hips aligned, elbows and knees aligned, hands and feet aligned. Grappling is dead, seizing is alive. Only when grappling is mastered does one advance to weaponry. Weapons are an extension of the hands and feet; this is what is meant by the unity of man and weapon... Heart and intent aligned, intent and qi aligned, qi and strength aligned. Internal yin and external yang, the inside and outside flowing as one breath..."

"Wow, he really is a master! How does that saying go? 'Gentle as a maiden when seen, fierce as a tiger when striking.' Tsk tsk—"

Fish Head Xu watched Xiahou Wu's retreating figure and sighed in admiration. Suddenly noticing Yang Chu looking at him, he exclaimed, "It's not like I made that up! When I first entered the martial arts world as a young man, that's what the old masters used to say. Real experts are just like that."

As he spoke, Fish Head Xu looked at Yang Chu. "Chu, where to now? You aren't still thinking of going to Shark Yan's gym to learn boxing, are you?"

"Let's go to the library."

Yang Chu's eyes were slightly unfocused, as if he were still immersed in certain thoughts.

Fish Head Xu was used to this state of Yang Chu's and nodded. "That works. Once I drop you off at the library, I'll go check on that new stuntman at Big Brother's film set and see if his skills are as sharp as yours."

"Thank you, Brother Xu!"

Yang Chu gently patted Fish Head Xu on the shoulder and walked out of the park.

On a coastal road in Victoria Bay, a taxi slowly pulled to a stop.

Xiahou Wu took his large backpack from the trunk and walked over to a white Honda Accord that had been parked by the roadside for some time.

"If you had been ten minutes later, I would have left."

Standing in front of the white car was a man in a high-end suit and a fedora, chewing on a cigar and leaning on a cane. He looked at the approaching Xiahou Wu with visible annoyance.

"Sorry for the wait."

Xiahou Wu, carrying his massive backpack, walked up to the middle-aged man with the cane, gazed out at the distant Victoria Bay, and spoke calmly.

"Forget it, I won't bicker with you. Blowing in the sea breeze is a decent way to clear the air."

Seeing Xiahou Wu's indifferent expression, the middle-aged man seemed to want to lash out but held back. As if just trying to make conversation, he asked, "How is Ah Ying?"

"She isn't very happy about me coming to Hong Kong Island."

Xiahou Wu looked out at the ships on Victoria Bay and the forest of skyscrapers on the opposite shore, his voice remaining flat.

"Ah Ying's temperament is just like the Master's."

The impeccably dressed man shook his head and asked Xiahou Wu, "By the way, did today go smoothly?"

Before Xiahou Wu could answer, the man chuckled to himself. "I can tell just by looking at you. In front of you, what is a Hong Kong-Macau boxing champion? If you were willing to fight for me, the money you'd earn would be enough to build ten Unity Sects back in Foshan."

Xiahou Wu kept his eyes on the distance, showing no reaction to the man's words.

"Fine, I'm short on time, I won't talk about that anymore."

Seeing Xiahou Wu's reaction, the man sighed in resignation, turned back to the driver's side of the Accord, and tapped on the window.

The driver inside immediately handed a document folder to the man with the cane.

"The things you wanted."

The man leaning on a cane walked over to Xiahou Wu and tossed the document bag at him. "This is just about every true master currently on Hong Kong Island. It took me a long time to collect all of this."

Xiahou Wu reached out and took the bag from the impeccably dressed middle-aged man. He didn't rush to open it, keeping his gaze fixed on the distant sea.

"Once I help you with this, we are square."

Seeing that Xiahou Wu remained silent, the man with the cane continued on his own. "I will contact some media outlets and newspapers to report on you. It won't be a massive scale, but it will be enough for you to build a reputation. The files also contain the information you wanted on the high-ranking police officials. Once you have enough fame, you'll be qualified to make contact."

Having said that, the man with the cane ignored Xiahou Wu, pulled open the car door, and slid inside.

"Drive!"

The white Accord drove off along the road, leaving Xiahou Wu standing alone by the seaside.

"Brother Xin, is this the expert you met who defeated Shark Yan this morning? Why didn't you try to recruit him?"

After the car had traveled a short distance, the driver asked with some confusion.

They were involved in underground boxing matches and semi-public fighting events; there was no reason to let an expert who could defeat the Hong Kong and Macau boxing champion slip away so easily.

"Recruit him?"

The man with the cane sitting in the back seat let out a cold hum. "You'd be more likely to get yourself killed."

"I don't know, Brother Xin. Isn't he looking for those files to challenge people? If we could turn it into a boxing match..."

The driver clearly didn't quite understand. He had handled the files earlier and naturally seen their contents. Combined with the fact that Xiahou Wu had defeated Shark Yan that morning, he could roughly guess that the files were for challenging other martial artists.

If a duel between experts of this caliber could be turned into a boxing match, the profits would be unimaginable.

"Stop thinking about it. We aren't on the same path, and he's not someone we can afford to provoke."

The man with the cane recalled the files he had collected, which included the requirements for the Hong Kong police to hire martial arts and combat instructors. He roughly understood what path Xiahou Wu intended to take.

Whether it was a sigh or a note of regret, he murmured, "A man like that—high martial arts, ruthless methods, and ambition. It's just a different era now; if this were ancient times or a martial arts novel, he would be aiming to become the leader of the martial arts world and the number one under heaven."