Achievement Unlocked, Special Rewards

Shen Yan looked toward the commotion at the street corner without a trace of fear.

Scarface Liu was coming in force with his men, and a fight was unavoidable. The brute strength Shen Yan had relied on before stood no chance against a gang of thugs. He had to use the system to improve his fighting ability if he wanted to win this tough battle with confidence.

Without showing any outward sign, he focused, held his breath, and called up the system panel in his mind.

A cool notification tone sounded, and the data appeared clearly before him:

[Host]: Shen Yan

[Current Good and Evil Points]: 76

[High-risk street brawl detected. Eight enemies, including a boss-level target. Combat skill exchange channel unlocked]

[Available skill]: Intermediate Fighting Mastery

[Exchange cost]: 70 Good and Evil Points

[Skill effects]: Permanently enhances physical strength, reaction speed, and dynamic vision. Instills muscle memory for close-quarters street combat, subduing enemies with a baton, blocking, and dodging. Suited to fighting multiple opponents while outnumbered

The cost of 70 points would leave him with almost nothing.

But Shen Yan's eyes showed no hesitation.

In troubled times, strength was the foundation of survival. The price was worth paying for a complete victory.

"Exchange for the skill."

[Ding! 70 Good and Evil Points deducted. Remaining Good and Evil Points: 6]

[Intermediate Fighting Mastery successfully exchanged. Skill activated]

The next second, a scalding current surged from his dantian through every limb and bone.

A steady force instantly welled up in his somewhat slender frame. It was not raw brute strength, but a sense of control he could exercise at will.

His vision sharpened abruptly. He took in every slight movement of the tea drinkers around him, the breathing of the thugs at the street corner, even the path of the wind as it swept past the corners of their clothes. His dynamic vision had improved dramatically; nothing looked blurred or unsettling anymore.

His limbs were no longer stiff. The turns of his wrists, the shifts of his feet, and the movements of his waist and abdomen were light and coordinated. The baton, once unfamiliar, now felt like an extension of his arm. He could judge exactly how much force to use, every movement matching his muscle memory.

His reactions became several times faster. The paths of enemy attacks were automatically predicted in his mind, and blocks, dodges, and counterattacks formed without thought, like reflexes. Even when surrounded, he could pick out openings with precision.

His entire bearing transformed. All traces of youthful inexperience and mildness vanished. His shoulders and back were straight, his center of gravity low, and his stance as steady as a pine. The restrained, battle-hardened composure about him made him impossible to underestimate.

Standing beside him, Old Chen keenly noticed the dramatic change in Shen Yan, and a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

In the space of an instant, the young man had transformed. His eyes were cold and bright, his posture agile. He looked nothing like a newcomer who had just joined the force, but rather a veteran of countless street fights.

The old patrolman suppressed the questions filling his mind and silently stepped back half a pace, leaving the stage entirely to Shen Yan.

The two walked slowly out of the teahouse.

The sight at the street corner greeted them, and the atmosphere instantly grew taut.

Seven or eight thugs stood on either side, all dressed in short, close-fitting fighting clothes, their jackets open to reveal vicious-looking tattoos. Wooden clubs and iron chains hung at their waists, and their expressions were fierce and belligerent. Cigarettes dangled from their mouths as their sinister gazes locked onto Shen Yan, their bodies radiating street-tough swagger and hostility.

Shen Yan swept his gaze over them, and the system displayed the lackeys' Good and Evil Points details:

Green Gang thug A: -12

Green Gang thug B: -11

Green Gang thug C: -13

Green Gang thug D: -10

Green Gang thug E: -12

Green Gang thug F: -11

Green Gang thug G: -14

At the center of the crowd stood their boss, Scarface Liu.

He wore a navy silk short jacket with a subtle pattern. The fabric was fine, but he wore it with a dissolute swagger. His collar hung wide open, a cowhide belt was fastened around his waist, and black cloth boots covered his feet. He was stocky and imposing, with broad shoulders and a thick back. One look was enough to tell he was a ruthless fighter hardened by years of combat.

A dark red scar slashed diagonally across his left cheek from brow to jaw, its twisted, ugly lines resembling a coiled centipede. When he spoke, the scar twitched with his expressions, making him look even more vicious.

He lazily twirled a gleaming dagger between his fingers, his gaze arrogant and sinister, full of killing intent as it passed over Shen Yan. The brutality of someone long accustomed to a position of power radiated from him.

The system immediately displayed his complete individual panel:

[Target]: Scarface Liu

[Identity]: Minor Green Gang boss in the West District

[Background]: Has operated in the West District for eight years, rising through armed street fights. Attached himself to the Green Gang and colluded with the Japanese. Specializes in collecting protection money, extorting craftsmen, and running errands for Japanese agents. Vindictive over the slightest offense, he is a local tyrant deeply despised by the neighborhood.

[Good and Evil Points]: -60

[Thoughts]: A mere rookie patrolman dares wreck my livelihood and make me lose face? I have to cripple him today to establish my authority, or I'll never be able to hold my head up in the Green Gang again.

At the sight of that negative value, a barely perceptible glint flashed in Shen Yan's eyes.

The reward for a boss-level target was far greater than for a lackey.

This was a guaranteed profit.

Scarface Liu stepped forward twice, spun the dagger around his fingers with a flourish, and spoke with all the swagger of a street tough:

"Officer Chen, your rookie doesn't seem to understand the rules. He beat my men and made me lose face?! Aren't you going to give me an explanation today?"

Old Chen smiled faintly.

"Scarface Liu, we both make our living on these streets. That's a pretty spineless thing to say. Officially, those three idiots of yours tried to abduct a young woman in broad daylight. With these uniforms on, it was our duty to intervene! Personally, when two sides fight and yours comes off worse, you ought to accept the loss! What sort of explanation do you want from me?"

Scarface Liu was momentarily at a loss for words.

They really were in the wrong this time.

He looked back and glared at the three good-for-nothings, tempted to drop the matter-but for men in his line of work, face mattered more than anything!

"I'll discipline my own men. You don't need to stick your noses in!"

He glanced warily at Old Chen's hand, which rested on the holster at his waist.

"The Imperial Army's been keeping a close watch lately. It'd be best if there were no gunfire on the streets. You don't want to have tea with the military police, do you?"

Old Chen scoffed and turned to look at Shen Yan, who was eager to make a move.

"Fine, I won't get involved. Settle it yourselves."

With that, he stepped aside, revealing Shen Yan behind him.

Looking at Shen Yan, who was not yet twenty, Scarface Liu said in a low voice:

"For Officer Chen's sake, break one of your own hands and pay me a hundred silver dollars in compensation, and we'll call it even!"

Shen Yan stood straight, his baton hanging at his side. His tone was flat, but his words rang out clearly:

"Not breaking it. Afraid of pain. No money. Poor."

Scarface Liu clenched his teeth, the scar on his face twisting:

"Still wet behind the ears, but you've got a mouth on you."

He turned to look at Old Chen again:

"Officer Chen, I gave him a chance out of respect for you. He wouldn't take it, so don't blame me for not holding back!"

Old Chen raised a hand slightly and made a gesture that said, "Do as you please."

The hand behind his back slowly clenched despite himself.

The kid looked confident, but could he actually handle this?

If things went badly, he would still have to lend a hand. The boy was a promising talent; he could not let him be crippled just like that.

Seeing that Old Chen really was staying out of it, Scarface Liu relaxed a little.

He raised a hand and waved:

"Cripple him!"

At his command, the thugs roared and swarmed forward.

Wooden clubs whistled shrilly through the air, and iron chains cracked as they swung. Every attack was vicious and merciless.

Shen Yan's gaze turned cold, and his imposing presence surged.

After the upgrade, he moved as fast as a ghost.

He sidestepped a club smashing down at his head and swung his baton upward, striking his attacker squarely on the wrist. A sharp crack of breaking bone sounded alongside a scream, and the club fell to the ground.

He shifted his feet and maneuvered through the crowd.

He did not meet force with force or linger in any fight. Every blow landed precisely on a vulnerable spot-a forearm, the back of a knee, the side of a neck-with cunning, vicious force that instantly stripped his opponents of their ability to fight.

An elbow to the chest knocked the breath out of one man, a knee to the lower abdomen broke another's guard, and his baton strikes were clean and decisive. The entire sequence flowed smoothly, without a wasted motion.

In only a few breaths, the thugs who had been so arrogant moments before fell one after another, wailing and unable to fight back.

Only Scarface Liu remained standing, frozen in place, his face as pale as paper and his clothes soaked with cold sweat.

It's over.

I misjudged him.

This kid knows how to fight!

Shen Yan walked slowly toward Scarface Liu, each step seeming to land on his heart.

At last, their eyes met.

"You... kid, leave me a way out..."

Shen Yan grinned:

"No need. I don't want to see you again, either. I can't afford to treat you to a meal."

"I'm going down, but don't think you'll live either!"

Scarface Liu looked crazed. Roaring, he gripped his dagger and lunged wildly, its cold, gleaming edge aimed straight at Shen Yan's heart.

Shen Yan's gaze was calm. Instead of retreating, he advanced.

He turned sideways, slipping close past the blade to evade its edge, and smashed his baton into the elbow of Scarface Liu's knife arm. The dagger clattered to the ground.

He immediately turned his wrist and drove the butt of the baton hard into Scarface Liu's chest.

The burly man flew backward like a kite with its string cut and crashed heavily onto the stone pavement. A mouthful of blood gushed from his mouth, and he lost all ability to resist.

Without pausing, Shen Yan swung his baton again, bringing it down hard on both of Scarface Liu's elbows and knees!

"Argh-!"

Scarface Liu's scream cracked. He lay on the ground like a heap of mud, twitching uncontrollably.

The street corner fell silent for a moment, and even the wind seemed to stop.

Shen Yan leaned on his baton, breathing slightly hard. His clothes were a little disheveled, but he still stood straight.

He had fought eight men alone and won a complete victory, establishing his authority.

Just then, system notifications appeared in rapid succession and rang through his mind:

[Ding! Achievement unlocked: One Against Many]

[Punished the bully Scarface Liu. Good and Evil Points +60]

[Punished seven Green Gang thugs. Good and Evil Points +12, +11, +13, +10, +12, +11, +14]

[Protected the people in the jurisdiction and established rules on the streets. Bonus reward: +30]

[Achievement reward: Storage space increased to 10 cubic meters]

[Achievement reward: Minimap range increased to a 100-meter radius]

[Current Good and Evil Points]: 179

Old Chen strode over and patted Shen Yan on the shoulder, his eyes full of approval:

"Good lad, you didn't disappoint me! From now on, your word carries weight around here!"

He then spoke to the Green Gang members on the ground:

"Take your man away. Go back and tell your hall master that if he's unhappy, he can come find me, Old Chen."

Hearing this, the lackeys who could still move hurriedly picked up their boss and limped away.

Watching them leave, Shen Yan asked quietly:

"Uncle Chen, did I cause you trouble? I got a little carried away just now and couldn't hold back..."

Old Chen waved a hand, his voice low but firm:

"Trouble? Here in the West District, there's hardly anything that can stump me, Old Chen. I've been working these streets since Yuan Datou was in power. I've even had tea with the Green Gang's senior elders. If I hadn't wanted a steady living, I might not have lost out to the likes of Huang Jinrong. I'll handle this. The sky won't fall, so from now on, do what you need to do without holding back."

With that, he glanced sidelong at Shen Yan and grinned, a hint of cunning in his smile:

"You rascal, you usually act so listless, but you've been hiding your abilities well! You almost fooled these old eyes of mine!"

Shen Yan scratched the back of his head, smiling along as he replied:

"I'd just arrived and didn't dare stand out. I only dared let loose today because you had my back, Uncle Chen."

"You sly little devil!"

Old Chen laughed and raised a hand, giving Shen Yan a punch in the chest that was neither too hard nor too light. His tone was warm:

"Come to my place for a few drinks tonight. I'll explain how things work on these streets and the Green Gang's rules, so you don't stumble into trouble again."