Jiang Yun's Trial

"Wait up! Why are you walking so fast?" Tights jogged after him.

Seeing Tights catch up, Jiang Yun reluctantly slowed his pace. "What do you want from me, anyway? I only did it on a whim. You don't have to follow me."

"You said you're a martial artist. Could you tell me some stories about martial artists? I want to put them in my novel. I'm a famous novelist, you know!"

Tights' eyes seemed to light up, giving Jiang Yun a headache. Why was this woman so troublesome? She really was a beauty, with long legs and a slim waist. In his previous life, she would have been a national goddess. But right now, all he cared about was martial arts. He hadn't given much thought to romance.

During the years he'd spent in the Dragon Ball World, he'd realized that beautiful women were especially common there. Maybe it was because the world had more Vital Energy, and people were physically stronger than those in his previous world. With just a little training, they could build a robust physique.

"I'm talking to you. Are you listening?" Tights stood with her hands on her hips, frowning as if annoyed by Jiang Yun ignoring her.

"What do you want, anyway? I'm really short on time." Jiang Yun truly was in a hurry. When he got back today, he still planned to give the Martial Alliance its next set of training instructions.

"I told you already! I want to hear stories about martial artists because they'll enrich my writing. And, of course, I want to thank you for saving my life."

That was what Tights said, but it wasn't what she was thinking. I could've dealt with those thugs without your help. Bulma gave me several things to protect myself with.

Seeing that the woman was determined to stick around, Jiang Yun stopped arguing. He might as well take a break.

Then Jiang Yun joked, "I'll tell you, sure, but you have to buy me a meal!"

Tights' eyes lit up at that.

"No problem. That's easy! But you have to tell me all about it after we eat," Tights readily agreed.

Having a meal with him shouldn't be a problem. He's pretty handsome, so I'll say yes. It's not like I'll lose anything. Tights had a little scheme of her own. She wouldn't have agreed if it were anyone else; plenty of people wanted to take her out. She'd only said yes because Jiang Yun had saved her, and she was curious about him.

Jiang Yun hadn't expected her to agree, so he could only follow her to the restaurant. When they arrived, he couldn't help but laugh to himself.

Isn't this my business? That's right, Tights had brought him to Huayun Restaurant, one of Jiang Yun's establishments. What a coincidence.

"Welcome. We hope you enjoy your meal, sir and madam."

The greeter at the entrance spoke with great respect. Jiang Yun had brought this style of service over from his previous life, and he'd put a lot of effort into it. It made customers feel welcome, which was one reason Huayun Restaurant was so popular.

Of course, the delicious food was just as important. Though it was called a restaurant, the place was enormous, more like a luxury club. It had ten floors in all. The first was for dining, while the others were for entertainment. The top floor was reserved for hosting wealthy people of status and government officials.

Inside, the restaurant's lavish decor blended old-fashioned and modern elements, modeled after ancient Chinese architecture. Jiang Yun had designed it himself, a tribute to his homeland. As he looked around, he felt satisfied once again.

"Hello, could we have a private room?" Tights asked, sounding practiced. She must have been there many times.

"Of course. This way, please." The waiter led Jiang Yun and Tights to a private room. As soon as he left, Tights eagerly said, "This has been the hottest restaurant in West City for the past three years. Its food is famous throughout West City, and people even come from other cities to eat here." Seeing how highly she praised his business, Jiang Yun found it amusing. If this girl knew it was mine, I wonder how surprised she'd be.

"Hey, what are you laughing at? Was what I said that funny?" Seeing Jiang Yun snickering, Tights wondered if he was making fun of her. She could almost see an anime-style anger mark appear on her head.

"No, no. I just thought of something funny." Jiang Yun seemed to be telling the truth, and Tights' annoyance faded.

After a busy meal, Jiang Yun told Tights the stories he'd heard from the village elders. She seemed very pleased with them, and before leaving, she gave him a business card.

The address on the card was for Capsule Corp.

Hmm, Hoi-Poi Capsules. Jiang Yun frowned as he looked at it. Tights... Tights. Right, she's Bulma's older sister! That was it. Because the original story gave her so little attention, and because she spent most of her time in space writing novels, Jiang Yun hadn't recognized her right away.

"Interesting!" Jiang Yun looked at the card, memorized the information on it, then casually tossed it into the trash and turned to leave. A murmur seemed to drift from his lips.

We'll meet again!

Martial Alliance Base...

"I'm sure you've all felt that your martial arts have reached a plateau. Some of you haven't made any progress in months. So I've decided to organize a trial." That was right: a trial. Jiang Yun knew that martial arts weren't just about conditioning the body. After three years of training, these people had brought their physiques to a certain level. Now it was time to train their hearts.

Jiang Yun believed martial arts should follow nature and ultimately reach a state of unity between heaven and humanity. That was why the ascetics of old had left the world behind to cultivate their minds deep in the forests. True martial arts should grow through the trials of life and death. Goku in the original story had grown through constant battles. Whenever he faced an enemy, his strength increased rapidly, but during peaceful times, it grew much more slowly. That was because he lacked pressure from the outside world.

As martial artists, they needed to cultivate the heart of a warrior. As the saying went: "There is endless joy in struggling against Heaven, endless joy in struggling against Earth, and endless joy in struggling against others." True martial artists should dare to wrestle tigers and fight hawks. Jiang Yun didn't expect them to reach Goku's level of serenity like the sky and swiftness like lightning—that was a level he himself hadn't reached yet—but they could still greatly strengthen their mental discipline and avoid becoming slaves to power.

"I want you to live in the wilderness for three months. You may not form groups; each of you must survive alone. Wrestle tigers and leopards, battle hawks, fight fierce beasts. When you return, you'll find that you've made enormous progress—not physically, but mentally. I hope you'll forge a true Martial Heart." Jiang Yun pounded his fist against his chest.

Ordinary people might have considered such a trial cruel, but Bu Chen, standing beside Jiang Yun, thought it was perfectly reasonable. He'd undergone this kind of training himself, though he'd spare them the details of how grueling it was. Only those who'd experienced it could understand. They'd have to watch out for wolves, tigers, leopards, and ferocious beasts in the forest, as well as mosquitoes, ants, snakes, and insects.

Hearing about the training, everyone thought it didn't sound difficult at all. Bu Chen looked at them and chuckled to himself.

You guys are in for it. You'll soon find out just how "fun" it is.

Jiang Yun could tell what they were thinking, so he warned them, "Don't assume it'll be easy. If you die, don't blame me. A martial artist should always stay alert."

At Jiang Yun's words, they all dropped their last traces of contempt.

"Now, move out!"

"Yes!"

Everyone scattered...