Martial Arts Training

"This place feels so familiar. I wonder if there are any familiar faces here."

"To think there are buildings like the ones back home in this foreign country."

"Maybe someone was homesick."

Ah Xing had settled here several days ago, but until now, he had been leaving early and coming home late.

Only in the past two days had he found time to get to know the neighbors.

Ah Xing stuck to his usual ways, never in any hurry.

Whenever he had time, he went out wandering, then returned here when it was time to rest.

Ah Xing had rented a small courtyard and set up Plum Blossom Stakes in it, partly to practice and maintain his identity as a martial artist, and partly to show off his martial arts to the agents who had followed him.

That afternoon, in the courtyard.

Ah Xing went "flying" all over the Plum Blossom Stakes.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

His movements were a dizzying blur.

After loosening up his muscles, Ah Xing took out a soccer ball.

He started kicking it at a wall behind the Plum Blossom Stakes.

The wall had been built specifically in the middle of the courtyard.

It was there for kicking the ball against, and also to intimidate the agents watching him.

Thud-

Ah Xing kicked the ball, and it shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, almost embedding itself in the wall.

Thud-

Another kick, and cracks began spreading through the wall.

Thud-

The wall split open, leaving an impression shaped like the ball.

Kick after kick, each one felt as though it had landed on the agents' heads.

"Is Mr. Ah Xing home?"

Coulson's voice came from outside the gate, accompanied by repeated knocking.

Ah Xing stopped kicking the ball and turned to Coulson, who stood outside the gate. "Why is it you again?"

Ah Xing picked up the cup of water on a nearby stand and took a few sips.

Coulson looked at the cracked wall, then at Ah Xing, who looked utterly relaxed and had not even broken a sweat.

[Emotional Value from Coulson +60]

"What are you here for? I can't help you with the Wraith." Ah Xing looked thoroughly displeased, as though he was deeply annoyed by the interruption.

Afraid that Ah Xing would throw him straight out, Coulson wasted no time taking out the letter.

"What's this?" Ah Xing quietly took the letter. Although he knew perfectly well what kind of letter it was, he had to keep up the act and choose his words carefully.

At that thought, Ah Xing's brows suddenly furrowed, his displeasure giving way to a solemn expression.

"Mr. Ah Xing?"

"Well, if there's nothing else, then..." Ah Xing pointed toward the gate.

Coulson was speechless. This was why he disliked dealing with Ah Xing, who disappeared at the drop of a hat.

Mr. Cheng was much easier to talk to. Although getting key information out of him was difficult, at least he did not constantly send people away.

If Mr. Cheng had known anything about this, Coulson would never have come here.

"Mr. Ah Xing, I know you may have been hurt by an official organization before.

But please trust us just this once. We are dedicated to protecting humanity.

We really have been working hard to protect the world.

I hope we can be a little more open with each other," Coulson told Ah Xing earnestly.

Far away, the original, who was in secluded cultivation at Old Man's Antique Shop, nearly burst out laughing at those words.

That was quite a funny thing to say.

If he had not known that sixty or seventy percent of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agents were Hydra, he might have believed it.

If S.H.I.E.L.D. had not been researching the Space Stone, he might have believed it too.

After a brief exchange of looks and a moment of silence, Ah Xing looked at Coulson. "Then are you prepared to learn more? Even if you can't change anything after learning it, and it might ultimately lead to your death?"

"Of course. I was prepared for that when I came here," Coulson replied calmly.

Ah Xing nodded.

"If you want to know something, come inside with me."

Ah Xing led Coulson indoors.

The furnishings were sparse. Even basic necessities such as tea, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea were absent.

Coulson fell silent. Either Ah Xing lived an extremely simple life, or he had no intention of staying here long.

"First, let me teach you some basic facts about this world."

Coulson could not help leaning forward, anticipation and seriousness in his eyes. Was he finally about to learn some of the world's secrets?

"Back when humans still ate raw flesh and drank blood, danger never spared this weak species."

"To ensure their kind could survive alongside powerful beings, countless capable and determined individuals kept searching for the truths of the world."

"The truths of the world were not always entirely correct, but they still offered a path to the supernatural."

The two sat facing each other in silence.

"That's it?"

"That's it."

A long pause followed.

Coulson's expression gradually twisted. "You're really finished?"

Ah Xing looked faintly disdainful. "Isn't that enough?"

"Then... at least tell us who sent this letter?"

Understanding dawned on Ah Xing. "Oh, that's what you wanted to ask. You should've said so sooner."

[Emotional Value from Coulson +5]

"..."

"Look at this mark, this design, and the sender, Freddy. If I'm not mistaken, he should be a member of the Wilder Sect."

Coulson's eyes lit up, yet inwardly he was alarmed. Just how much did S.H.I.E.L.D. actually know?

And how many secrets lay hidden beneath the surface of the world, unknown to them?

His instincts as an agent allowed him only a brief moment of wonder before suspicion set in.

What kind of organization was this?

A sect? Did they worship some deity?

How had it come into existence? Did it possess supernatural powers?

Why had he never heard of it before?

Coulson did not know where to begin asking.

Fortunately, Ah Xing did not keep him in suspense.

"The Wilder Sect is an organization made up of anomalies that band together for mutual support.

By anomalies that band together, I mainly mean those with a degree of self-awareness."

Coulson frowned as he listened. "Mr. Ah Xing, if I remember correctly, containing anomalies is one of your foundation's missions?"

Coulson deliberately used the word "missions" to probe the foundation's organizational structure.

Seemingly oblivious, Ah Xing said, "Who told you that? We're pretty free to do as we please. Look, I didn't interfere with the Wraith that appeared in New York."

"So this sect hasn't done anything heinous?"

Or is it simply your foundation's covert proxy?

Of course, Coulson did not voice that last question. He had no desire to fall out with Ah Xing.

"That's hard to say. According to rumors, some powerful figures support this sect's existence.

Aren't you always promoting freedom and democracy?

That line of thinking has already spread into the supernatural world, and quite a few people are preaching it.

They argue that conscious individuals should have the right to determine their own fate.

They shouldn't simply be contained and oppressed. Doesn't that fit your views on freedom rather well?

I don't know much beyond that. I've only had contact with them a few times, and at most, we crossed paths on official business."

Hearing this, Coulson could not stop grumbling inwardly. What kind of thinking was that? It was absurd.

There were actually people who sympathized with anomalies and Wraiths?

"I don't know much beyond that. I haven't had contact with them."

Seeing that Ah Xing had no intention of continuing the conversation, Coulson could only rise and take his leave.

At least the visit had not been wasted. He had gained a little something.

Ah Xing watched Coulson leave.

He wondered whether S.H.I.E.L.D. had any other agents available.

They just kept grabbing Coulson and working him to death.