Martial artists can never be ultimately insulted

While Yuan was still sighing and feeling helpless, Yuan Chen looked at Sagat and said:

“Although you say this is compensation and gratitude, it doesn’t involve any awakening of life energy. Simply put, it’s the power that awakened after I was buried underground in the ruins for a month, when my body and mind were at their limits, because I wanted to live and get rid of hunger.”

Volume 1: Chapter 24 - The Unexpected Visitor

“…” Sagat was slightly taken aback upon hearing Yuan Chen’s words.

Although Yuan Chen's words were harsh, it didn't seem like something that was particularly hard to accept.

At least, Sagat honestly asked himself, if it were him, although he would feel extremely weak and on the verge of death if he didn't eat or drink for a month, with his strong body and the energy within him, as long as he was well prepared, it seemed that he could not possibly not survive for a month.

However, Sagat soon realized that there was a problem with his thinking.

The key is not hunger or near death, but the changes in Yuan Chen's mental state during this process.

Perhaps, as Yuan Chen said, it requires certain qualifications and special abilities to awaken such power?

Just as Sagat was still hesitating about whether this was true, Chun-Li, who was standing to the side, seemed to remember something and said:

"Wait a minute, you'd better be mentally prepared before you start trying."

Although Chun-Li disliked Sagat intensely, especially after he nearly killed Yuan Chen a few days ago, when it came to matters of principle, she didn't choose to conceal her wariness and aversion towards Sagat. Instead, she spoke to Sagat under his questioning gaze:

At that time, Yuan Chen had not yet cultivated anything; he was just an ordinary person.

"……Wait?"

Upon hearing Chun-Li's words, Sagat, who was standing to the side, was also slightly taken aback. He then looked at Chun-Li and said with a face full of suspicion.

"You mean, Yuan Chen only started becoming a fighter three years ago?"

"To be precise, it started a year ago."

Upon hearing this, Yuan also chuckled and said, "For the past two years, I've been making up for the physical depletion caused by prolonged hunger and building up my foundation. I should have started cultivating a year ago."

"..." Hearing Chun-Li's words and Yuan's supplement, Sagat took a deep breath, then couldn't help but rub his temples and said:

"Is this... really something that humans can do?"

Even when a powerful martial artist is immobilized by the ruins, they can still endure the pressure thanks to their superior physical abilities. They can also extend their lifespan by subtly manipulating their body to reduce unnecessary activity of their internal organs.

However, without spiritual practice, ordinary people may not even be able to perceive their physical condition, let alone understand the distribution of their heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys on the left and right sides of their body.

Not to mention the unnecessary struggles, wild movements, shouting, and other wasteful behaviors that occur when one is in a state of extreme panic.

Thinking this, Sagat rubbed his temples and said, "Someone who hasn't trained... how could they possibly survive a month?"

Who knows?

Yuan Chen shrugged: "Anyway, we made it through. Maybe this is a kind of quality that is necessary before life energy is awakened? It's just that it's not visible on a daily basis."

“Phew, I can’t learn that.” Shaking his head, Sagat said, “But anyway, if you need it, I’ll teach you Muay Thai.”

"Thank you for your help," Yuan Chen said.

“It’s nothing,” Sagat shook his head.

After dealing with the matter concerning Sagat, Yuan Chen turned his curious gaze to his uncle Tong Ang standing to the side.

"Speaking of which, Uncle, how's the matter with the Shadow Organization going?"

"Yes, it's being processed."

Upon hearing this, Tong Ang nodded, a hint of melancholy in his expression. He then couldn't resist putting a cigarette in his mouth, but he didn't light it because Chun Li was staring intently at him.

"Once the investigation here is almost over, I should be transferred to another place to continue working... As for you and Chun-Li, let's go to the Battle Realm together then."

Tong Ang said, "The two of them can look out for each other, but because things are complicated in Hong Kong, it's best to keep a low profile when you go there."

Tong Ang's face showed a hint of helplessness.

"Vega's mental strength has reached the point where he can maintain his spirit even after physical death, and then be reborn through genetic cloning. Although Interpol has been conducting a secret manhunt, so far..."

He didn't continue speaking; Tong Ang simply shook his head and let out a long sigh.

Yuan Chen expressed his understanding.

Don't let Vega's quirky appearance fool you, he's the best of the best among Akuma's disciples.

But who is Akuma? He splits the earth and the sea. In the Capcom battle, when a giant doomsday meteorite that current human technology cannot handle is about to hit the earth, Akuma leaps out of the atmosphere and kicks the meteorite to pieces with a single Great Red Flame.

In terms of expressive power, comics could practically shatter the entire Earth.

The fact that Vega can survive so many defeats to Akuma and keep regenerating demonstrates his terrifying power.

Regardless of the physical combat ability brought about by his enhanced mental strength, which even nuclear bombs cannot destroy, the fact that he can forcibly brainwash others and remotely control and perceive their thoughts leaves no loopholes for any spy who wants to get close to Vega.

Although it is set up that people with strong willpower can resist Vega's mental erosion, the very fact that they can resist Vega's mental erosion means that they will attract Vega's attention.

Just as Yuan Chen was still thinking, the waiter next to him pushed open the door.

Facing the stench of the fish, the waiter subconsciously shrank back and then said, "Um... someone's coming."

"Someone's here?" Chunli blinked upon hearing this, then asked curiously, "Wasn't it closed for a while? Why are people still coming?"

"I heard they came to express their gratitude," the young waitress said cutely. "And they were very firm, saying they wouldn't leave unless they could thank me in person... They also brought a lot of gifts..."

Upon hearing this, Xingyi said, "Then let's go take a look. I'd like to get some exercise too."

"Huh?! You?"

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Chun Li's face showed a look of surprise. She then frowned and said, "You've just woken up. You should rest and replenish your nutrition instead of getting out of bed and moving around."

"It's almost done."

Upon hearing Chunli's words, Yuan Chen simply smiled and then raised his left hand, which was covered in a thick cast. With a little force, cracks appeared on the cast.

According to Yuan Chen's conjecture, the Sun Talisman was definitely not something he acquired after waking up—

There is no concept of time and space in the dimension in which Ingrid exists.

When she entered that place, Ingrid may have already inscribed the sun symbol, but after returning to this world, she fell into a two-day sleep due to physical and mental exhaustion before waking up.

Now, the power absorbed by the sun rune is transformed into life energy. Although it cannot be processed in the form of qi, it can still achieve the same physical strengthening effect.

Volume 1: Chapter 25 - Sagat Takes on Apprentices

When they saw Yuan Chen stand up like that, Chunli and the others were also quite surprised and their mouths dropped open.

Or rather, especially Chun-Li.

Seeing Yuan Chen fully recover from near death, Chun Li, after a brief moment of stunned silence, couldn't resist going to Yuan Chen's side and feeling him up and down.

Feeling Yuan Chen's still firm muscles despite his much thinner physique, and then feeling his left arm, which was clearly broken and splintered, with bone fragments even exposed to the air...

After confirming that the thing had indeed healed, Chun-Li said with an incredulous expression:

"Didn't we agree that it takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone?... Your heart had already stopped beating back then, how come you've recovered all of a sudden?! Are you sure there won't be any aftereffects?"

"Don't worry, it won't happen."

Yuan Chen shook his head.

Although it appeared to be completed in an instant, in reality, with Ingrid's help, the Sun Rune had already completed the repositioning and bonding of the bones while Yuan Chen was still asleep.

After Yuan Chen woke up, he only needed to be directly converted into life energy to quickly complete his recovery.

Although it makes sense, even Yuan Chen himself, having personally experienced this complete healing process, couldn't help but exclaim in amazement that it was truly astonishing!

After confirming that Yuan Chen was really alright, they went to the main hall.

What surprised Yuan Chen was...

The people who came into view were none other than Huo Yinqiang and Huo Yindan from the Xiangwu Martial Arts School.

Upon hearing that someone was coming, the father and son, who had been sitting and waiting, quickly stood up. However, when they saw that Sagat was among the people who came, their expressions immediately became extremely stiff.

After all, just two days ago, Sagat went to Hibiki Dojo to challenge them and collect protection money. After being ambushed and blinded in one eye by Hinata Kyo, he was almost controlled by anger and killed Hinata Kyo directly.

Although Huo Yinqiang was ultimately saved thanks to the intervention of Yuan Chen and Chun Li, he was still seriously injured.

Given the current situation, it's not fair to say that enemies meeting are bound to be extremely hostile; it's foreseeable that the atmosphere on the scene would become very tense after Sagat was discovered.

Sagat remained expressionless and showed no reaction, but when looking at Sagat, Hibiki's expression was clearly somewhat stiff.

However, as a seasoned adult, Huo Yinqiang was able to control his temper to some extent, but for the still young and impetuous Huo Yindan...

Looking at Sagat, Dan Hibiki's displeasure and annoyance were practically written all over his face.

He was even itching to go over and have a serious talk with Sagat, but he was held back by Hibiki's stern gaze, his face full of bitterness and resentment.

After calming himself down slightly, Huo Yinqiang bowed to Yuan Chen and said:

“You’re finally awake. I’ve heard from Dan that if you hadn’t appeared in time, I might be dead by now. And you were even seriously injured while protecting me… I’m so relieved to see you’re alright.”

As he said this, Huo Yinqiang quickly picked up the package next to him and presented it to Yuan Chen with a respectful expression, saying, "I came here specifically to express my gratitude. I am new here and don't have anything to offer, so I brought some gifts from my hometown."

Actually, at the very beginning, Hibiki Takeshi was prepared to directly present a gift that would better represent his feelings—

money.

But after thinking about it, I realized that for martial artists of this level, wealth is not something that can be easily obtained, and it is certainly beyond the imagination of a second-rate martial artist like myself.

Instead of doing that, let's just say it differently.

"If there's anything I can do to help, please feel free to let me know!"

Huo Yinqiang bowed to Yuan Chen and said, "As long as it's within my power, I will do my utmost to accomplish it, even at the cost of my life!"

“Me too!” Dan followed suit, bowing in thanks.

Although he disliked Sagat, Huo Yindan still respected Yuan Chen.

After all, if it weren't for Yuan Chen's sudden appearance, his father would surely have died in the Northwest.

Sensing the sincerity of the father and son, Yuan Chen chuckled and said, "There's no need to be so serious. It's just helping out when you see injustice... As for gifts, there's no need."

Yuan Chen said, "You've just opened your martial arts school in Hong Kong, and that's exactly the time when you need money..."

"No, no, no, they are really just some local specialties from my hometown."

Upon hearing this, Huo Yinqiang quickly added, "I know that for a martial artist of your level, money and fame are like dirt, so I specially selected some local specialties from my hometown."

Upon hearing Huo Yinqiang's words, Yuan Chen opened the gift box and glanced at it before accepting it after confirming that it was indeed some local specialties.

Meanwhile, Yuan Chen was also secretly observing the father and son in front of him.

There's not much to say about Hibiki Takeru, as he's not featured much in either the manga or the game's storyline.

The manga tells the story of Chun-Li's legendary adventure, where she ambushes Sagat but is then killed by him with a single punch.

That is why, most of the time, Huo Yinqiang only appears in Huo Yindan's memories.

After Hibiki Kou's death, Hibiki Dan embarked on a path of arduous training in order to find a way to defeat Sagat. In fact, Dan's personal storyline in Street Fighter Alpha is to find Sagat and seek revenge.

In the story, Sagat had already come to understand his true nature as a martial artist.

After realizing that his killing of Hibiki Kou's father had caused Hibiki Dan to fall into the same vortex of revenge and anger as himself, he chose to deliberately throw the match and lost.

Even at the last moment, Dan did not succumb to anger and revenge, and chose to give up.

Having broken free from his obsession with revenge, Huo Yindan began to act on his own...

A journey as a comedian.

Yes, the only designated comedian in the Street Fighter universe, he brings laughter from the moment he appears, and it's very effective—

For example, forcibly imitating the Instant Hell Kill, only to end up destroying one's own Qi Sea because the drive was not driven by killing intent.

Overall, he is a purely good person and the comedic relief in the game.

However, aside from his comedic roles, Dan is also extremely talented.

This can be seen from the fact that by simply copying the wave flow, one can create a 'strongest flow' that is more suitable for oneself.

However, even if we can figure it out, that's something for the future.

Dan is indeed only at the apprentice level right now, and he still needs to practice.

Thinking it over, Yuan Chen said, "I've been in a deep sleep for the past two days. Speaking of which, your martial arts school..."

"We are ready to open for business."

Upon hearing this, Huo Yinqiang took a deep breath and said: