Ben stood in front of the middle-aged woman, eyeing her casual attire—a white nightgown, slightly curled hair with a few curlers, and a pair of slippers. Despite her laid-back appearance, she exuded an air of authority.
Recognizing her immediately, Ben greeted her with a nod.
"You are?" he asked, pretending not to know.
"I'm the landlady here!" she declared, squinting at him while puffing on a cigarette. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
Ben smiled and replied, "Oh… I heard there's a tailor here with exceptional skills. I'd like to have some clothes made."
The landlady's eyes flickered with recognition. "You must mean Old Bo—Master Mark. His craftsmanship is indeed top-notch, high quality at a fair price. His shop is right over there." She pointed towards a modest tailor shop down the alley.
"Thank you." Ben cupped his hands in gratitude before walking towards the shop. Behind him, the landlady's gaze darkened slightly.
Inside the tailor shop, a stocky man greeted him warmly. "Sir, looking to have some clothes made? Look at my fabric—top quality and affordable."
Ben nodded but let his eyes wander to the roof beams, where two bamboo poles hung with numerous iron rings.
"What are those?" he asked nonchalantly.
Master Mark's expression stiffened momentarily before he forced a chuckle. "Just some decorative trinkets."
Ben smirked. "They look a lot like arm rings for practicing Iron Wire Fist."
Master Mark's face darkened. Living in seclusion meant keeping a low profile, and he was suddenly on high alert.
"Who exactly are you?" he asked, his muscles tensing like a predator ready to pounce.
Ben remained calm. "Master Mark, don't misunderstand. I'm a martial artist too, so I recognize the Iron Wire arm rings."
"If this is just a misunderstanding, then leave. I'm not taking any customers today."
Ben didn't budge. "Oh, come on, Master Mark. I came all this way. You'd let me leave empty-handed?"
"What do you want?"
"I want to see if the Hung Gar Iron Wire Fist truly embodies the balance of strength and softness, as the legends say."
Master Mark clenched his fists, ready to fight.
Ben didn't wait. He struck the air with his palm, releasing a burst of internal force that shattered the bamboo poles. The iron rings clattered down.
"Master Mark, catch your weapons!"
Stunned, Master Mark instinctively extended his arms, slipping them into the rings as they fell.
"Clang! Clang!"
As soon as he took his stance, Ben lunged. The narrow shop filled with the sounds of fists clashing against iron.
Not far from the shop, a breakfast stall owner was kneading dough when the commotion caught his attention. He peered towards the tailor shop and saw two figures locked in combat.
Moments later, a body crashed through the window, landing heavily on the ground. The breakfast stall owner's jaw dropped—it was his neighbor, Master Mark.
For years, he had never suspected that the humble tailor was a martial artist. But what shocked him more was the person who had defeated him.
The young man stepped out of the shop, pressing forward with another attack.
Master Mark barely dodged, but his opponent's speed was overwhelming. Blow after blow forced him back until he was struck in the shoulder, sending him flying ten meters before crashing down.
Master Mark coughed up blood, and his opponent advanced again.
Realizing he couldn't stand idly by, the breakfast stall owner grabbed his rolling pin and hurled it like a bullet toward the young man.
"Whoosh!"
The rolling pin sliced through the air, heading straight for Ben.
Ben raised a hand and shattered it effortlessly.
The stall owner's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he kicked open the door behind him, retrieving a long staff. He grasped it firmly and charged.
Before he reached his target, his staff was already in motion, striking at Ben's face and chest.
Ben caught it between his palms, causing the stall owner's breath to hitch. This young man was far stronger than he had imagined.
"The Five Tiger-Subduing Staff Technique," Ben mused. "Truly a formidable art."
Though he spoke with admiration, he showed no mercy. With a forceful tug, he yanked the staff away, sending it flying back towards its owner.
"Whoosh!"
The stall owner barely dodged. But before he could recover, Ben was upon him.
With the power of his Ancient Sword Blood Technique, Ben moved like a shadow. His fist landed on the stall owner's shoulder, sending him crashing through a wall.
The stall owner lay in a pile of debris, unable to move.
A notification flashed before Ben's eyes:
Congratulations! You have defeated a Dark Force martial artist. Gained martial arts points: 2484. Temporary spiritual energy points: 1242.
Ben smiled. These martial artists were indeed worth fighting.
With two opponents down, he turned his attention to the next challenger.
Pig Cage Alley housed many masters. Besides the "Lovers," there was one more expert yet to appear—the successor of the Twelve Roads Springing Legs.
However, it seemed he hadn't arrived in the area yet.
That meant Ben's next fight would be against the formidable duo, the "Lovers."
But before challenging them, he needed to grow stronger.
Opening his attribute panel, he examined his stats:
Name: Ben
Age: 19
Martial Arts: Dragon's Roar Iron Shirt (Transcendent), Iron Sand Palm (Transcendent), Cloud Chasing Step (Transcendent), Ancient Sword Blood Technique (Proficient), Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms (Skilled)
Current Realm: Blood Exchange
Martial Arts Points: 18311
Spiritual Energy Points: 2433
He immediately spent 2000 spiritual energy points, pushing himself to the Peak of Blood Exchange Realm.
Advancing to the Innate Realm would require 3000 points, which he lacked. Instead, he used his remaining points to upgrade his Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms from Skilled to Proficient.
The Lovers were not to be underestimated. Increasing his strength was the best way to ensure victory.
With his preparations complete, Ben set his sights on his next challenge.
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