Martial artists can never be ultimately insulted

Yuan Chen made the suggestion.

Regarding Yuan Chen's suggestion, Xing Shuizhai hesitated, but it was the middle of the night, and besides the remaining ingredients in the refrigerator, there weren't many other materials for Yuan Chen to showcase his culinary skills.

Or perhaps... more than the food itself, Baki and the others look forward to exchanging martial arts insights during and after meals.

While cooking, Yuan Chen felt a little fortunate—although there wasn't much food left in the refrigerator, thanks to the fact that the Sakura family owns a barbecue restaurant, and their main business is charcoal-grilled meat and barbecue rice bowls, there was plenty of meat, rice, and side dishes.

Then, amidst shouts and cries, the rice in the pot rose and fell like ocean waves.

It's hard to say about other dishes, but Yuan Chen has been making fried rice for three years now. He is an absolute master of fried rice. Even for a serving of ten people, with plenty of ingredients, Yuan Chen only needs about twenty minutes to cook the fried rice using multiple stoves, woks, and multiple threads simultaneously.

When the ten servings of diced meat fried rice were put into a bowl and placed in the dark, Baki, who hadn't had much of an appetite before, was just looking forward to a late-night snack to get some nutrition...

As the steam evaporates, in the night's glowing heat, the edges of the diced meat are crispy, the scallions are bright green, the egg evenly coats every grain of rice, and then the fried rice is coated with a glistening layer of fragrant lard...

Almost instantly, the hunger that had been infected by Yuan Chen's will resurfaced in Baki's body.

"It feels... even more tempting than I imagined!"

After serving the rice and plating it, Baki was the first to move.

Use a spoon to put the fried rice into your mouth. As you chew, the outer shell of the fried meat, which has been stir-fried until it is charred, cracks open, releasing a rich aroma. The crispy crust crackles slightly, and the fatty oil melts in your mouth, flowing freely between your lips and teeth, mixed with the salty and savory sauce flavor.

Following the diced meat are the rice grains, steamed in advance for tomorrow's rice bowl. Now cooled, the rice is dry, fragrant, and chewy with a slightly crispy outer layer and a soft, chewy interior. The rich aroma of eggs and the spiciness of scallions combine to add depth while cutting through the greasiness, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.

As you chew, the aromas of rice, meat, eggs, scallions, and wok hei (wok aroma) blend together...

It's just one dish, but it satisfies almost everyone's requirements.

While Baki was still marveling at how such simple ingredients could produce such a balanced and harmonious delicacy that could be described as perfect,

Suddenly, a slightly heavy breathing sound came from the side.

"Ugh, ah~"

Looking over, Wu Fengshui, holding a rice bowl, had a beautiful blush on his cheeks. He was panting as he happily chewed the freshly cooked fried rice, and even his fair skin was covered with a faint pink.

Not only Wu Fengshui, but also the other girls beside him clearly entered a strange state. While their body temperature rose and their cheeks flushed, their eating and chewing speed increased. Every now and then, they would let out a comfortable breath because of some wonderful feeling coming from inside.

Eating... can you really eat to this extent?

Baki was slightly taken aback—had something been put in the rice?!

While Baki was still confused, Hori Ki, who was standing nearby, also let out a soft "Eh".

Just as he was about to ask, Baki felt a warm current slowly seeping outward from his stomach wall, spreading layer by layer along the texture of blood vessels and fascia throughout his body!

Realizing something, Baki suddenly raised his head and looked at Yuan Chen.

Yuan Chen simply smiled, took the apron, and said:

"We were not well received!"

Volume 1: Chapter 78 - Wu Lei'an, Awakening

Baki could feel an invisible heat spreading throughout his body as he chewed and swallowed. This warm, tingling yet incredibly comforting heat, like lukewarm water, traveled through the torn muscle fibers, stitching them back together like a needle and thread.

Those scars accumulated from long-term training and combat... even those subtle wounds that were previously imperceptible, perhaps only becoming noticeable with age, became so apparent at this moment.

Similarly, at this moment, Baki could feel them gradually dissipating under the heat.

This was undoubtedly a comfortable process—and that's precisely what surprised Baki the most.

Because such minor injuries are actually the most difficult to treat. Each time they are discovered, tools such as fascia scrapers are needed to scrape them hard in order to affect the inside to some extent.

And now... it's like the surface grime on toilet tiles; without any deliberate cleaning, it's simply washed away naturally when you shower with the showerhead.

“Dietary supplements are also part of the treatment,” Yuan Chen explained succinctly.

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Baki's lips twitched, but in the end he simply nodded in agreement, without saying anything more, and took a big mouthful of rice.

Just as Xing Shunying was in the Caoyu, suddenly, a sigh came from the side.

This immediately attracted everyone's attention; they couldn't understand who would utter such a disappointed sigh while enjoying such delicious food.

Feeling the fishy smell, Wu Fengshui said somewhat embarrassedly, "Um... I didn't mean this tasted bad."

"..."

[Xinggao] didn't speak, but just looked at Wu Fengshui curiously.

There wasn't much malice involved; after all, they had only eaten a few bites of food, not enough to turn them into devoted sons of the chef.

But these gazes made Wu Fengshui feel a little embarrassed, so he scratched his head and said:

"Well... if it's all fried rice, I subconsciously compared it to the Yuan Hanting fried rice that Brother Yuan Chen made before."

Wu Fengshui said with a sigh, "I used to eat this all the time in Hong Kong and didn't notice the difference, but now I've tried a similar fried rice. Although they're both fried rice, Yuan Hanting Fried Rice is definitely better."

Upon hearing this, Chun-Li smiled and shook her head, saying:

"Yuan Hanting Fried Rice also includes Chinese sausage, ham, and fresh peas... but the ingredients left in the refrigerator are limited, so this is already very good."

"Fully nutritious!" Baki added, his eyes shining.

"Actually, fried rice... isn't it very unhealthy? It's high in carbohydrates, and you have to stir-fry it with lard. The eggs also need to be fried until dry and fragrant, causing the protein to denature, in order to release more aroma at the cost of losing nutrients. But now..."

Baki pursed his lips and looked down at his own body, saying:

"Although I don't know why, I can feel that not a single nutrient has been lost, and it has entered my body in a more comprehensive way..."

"Yes, some hidden injuries that I couldn't feel before have also healed." Wu Qiqi nodded in agreement, shoveling rice into her mouth as she spoke:

"But thinking about it carefully, it's less about healing and more about purification... By the time the body is weak enough to feel these hidden injuries, treatment will probably be impossible."

Just as Xing Su was chatting idly, some rustling sounds of struggling to get up came from the side.

Looking to one side, Wu Lei'an, who had been lying flat on the sofa and was clearly close to death, suddenly sat up.

"…woke up?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Qiqi and the others also showed expressions of shock. You see, before, Wu Lei'an was only one step away from death, but now…

"The human body is amazing."

Baki sighed slightly: "As long as the wound heals before it becomes inoperable, even a life-threatening injury can be turned into a minor one... It's truly..."

Although he didn't finish speaking, he expressed his feelings about the past.

Although this statement sounds simple, isn't it just another way of saying that as long as a person isn't dead, they won't die?

However, this very thing, which seems like utter nonsense, is now being presented in an undeniable way in the world of online chatter.

The overwhelming sense of absurdity made the sight of the gruesome scene still somewhat difficult to accept.

Looking at the bloody mess in front of him, and seeing that Wu Lei'an was still frozen in the moment he was knocked unconscious, he rubbed his head in annoyance.

Although he was a madman in battle and a crazy demon in his daily life, perhaps because he had just experienced a painful defeat? Or perhaps because he could clearly feel that his body had not yet recovered, Wu Lei'an still gave people the feeling of being somewhat restless, but at least he was able to control himself.

With a rumbling sound coming from his stomach, Wu Lei'an also propped himself up and walked towards the dining table.

"Lei An, how are you doing?"

"...Tsk, hungry."

While in a deep sleep, Wu Lei'an was almost powerless against Yuan Chen's hunger. The activation and healing process of combining life energy also required the body to consume stored nutrients and convert them into life energy, so Wu Lei'an felt extremely hungry.

It was clear that Wu Lei'an was indeed very hungry, so hungry that he lost his usual lively and sharp-tongued manner, and his whole being exuded a kind of listless temperament.

Thinking this, Wu Lei'an glanced at the group of people eating at the bar in front of Yuan Chen.

Wu Lei'an didn't take Wu Hori and Wu Horiyu seriously, but when he saw Baki, he raised an eyebrow and asked impatiently, "Who is this kid?"

“My junior,” Yuan Chen replied.

"Hello~" Baki smiled and said in response to Wu Lei'an's question, "My name is Hanma Baki, I'm seventeen years old, and a second-year high school student!"

After completing his self-introduction, Baki added with some anticipation:

"I saw your fight with Senior Yuan Chen and felt your intention. If there's a chance, I hope we can spar sometime! Whether it's in the park or a more suitable place, it's fine!"

He had initially paid no attention to Baki, but after hearing Baki's challenge, a sinister smile appeared on Wu Lei'an's face:

"Huh? You think you can defeat me just because Yuan Chen can? Fine, come on! I'm ready anytime!"

"Calm down, Lei'an." Hearing Wu Lei'an's words, Wu Qiqi, who was standing to the side, shook his head helplessly and said:

"Your first priority is to get your body in good health, and then you can think about fighting..."

And frankly, even if you weren't injured right now, I don't think the champion of the Tokyo Dome's underground fighting arena is an opponent you could easily defeat.

Upon hearing Wu Hori's words, Wu Lei'an frowned slightly in displeasure: "The Tokyo Dome underground fighting arena?"

After thinking about it with some suspicion, Wu Lei'an seemed to remember something, and a look of interest appeared in his eyes as he looked at Baki.

"Hanma... Baki! I remember now, it's you! The son of the one who claims to be the strongest creature on earth... I've wanted to play with you for a long time, so you'll know that the one who will become the strongest creature on earth can only be me!!"

Although I was just knocked down by Yuan Chen, it doesn't matter. That's how we fighters are. Even if you are the strongest creature on earth, even if you are the king of the underground fighting arena, as long as you haven't crushed me, I will let you know what it means to be a damn mastermind!

Upon hearing Wu Lei'an's words, Baki showed no anger whatsoever, simply smiling and saying, "Alright, I'll be waiting for you. I think Grandpa Tokugawa is also looking forward to a strongman like you coming to his battlefield!"

After saying that, Baki paused, then added, "But the one who will ultimately defeat Yujiro Hanma... will definitely be me."

When he said the last sentence, Baki's voice was very calm, as if he were stating an absolutely certain fact.

"Not necessarily."

Nearby, while serving rice to Wu Lei'an, Yuan Chen said calmly, "It could also be me."

"Huh? Senior is participating too?" Upon hearing this, Baki was taken aback at first, then slapped his forehead and said, "Oh right! If it's Senior, he'll definitely want to challenge the strong as well."

While in the park, he had already sensed Yuan Chen's fighting spirit. Now, Baki only recalled it briefly before remembering the undisguised madness contained within Yuan Chen's fighting spirit—the desire to humiliate all the strong in the world and become a unique and unparalleled powerhouse.

Thinking this, Baki smiled and invited, "Then if you have the chance, senpai, come find me at the Tokyo Dome! Grandpa Tokugawa would definitely like you too—"

As he said this, Baki suddenly paused.

Recalling Tokugawa Mitsunari's almost bloodthirsty fervor for battle and killing, and then recalling the intense fighting spirit displayed by Genji, as well as his gentleness and courtesy so different from his demeanor during battle, Baki thoughtfully remarked:

"Hmm, maybe I just really like it!"

"Then I'll look forward to it~" Yuan Chen smiled upon hearing this.

Then he looked at Wu Lei'an beside him and said, "Your body lost a lot of nutrients during the emergency treatment. Now, the most important thing is to find a place to sit down and eat."

Upon hearing this, Wu Lei'an also glanced around.

Baki... This is Yuan Chen, and he seems quite interesting? He's worth defeating, I'll keep him for now.

Wu Qiqi... I even stole Yuan Chen's opportunity while fighting with him. Although Wu Lei'an is a troublemaker, he is also a guy who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment and would not do anything to betray him.

Wu Hori-xiong... is an elder in the family, but it doesn't really matter if he's targeted.

Wu Feng Shui...

Wu Lei'an turned his gaze to Wu Fengshui and fell into a brief silence.

Feeling the gaze from his own brother, Wu Fengshui shrank back and asked weakly, "Uh... what's wrong?"

"...Why are you eating here?"

Upon hearing this, before Wu Fengshui could say anything, Yuan Chen couldn't help but steal a glance.

Does that mean it can't be served on the table?

Wu Fengshui, somewhat unwilling, said, "Why can't I eat here?"

"...Did you feel how Yuan Chen's punch killed me?" Wu Lei'an asked calmly.

“…Uh…” Upon hearing this, Wu Fengshui opened his mouth, then weakly said, “Because…it was very heavy? And you couldn’t dodge it?”

Upon hearing this, even someone as unruly as Wu Lei'an remained silent for a long time before finally taking a deep breath and comforting himself, "Never mind, after all, your liberation rate is only twenty-eight percent."

"...That really makes you look bad." Wu Fengshui couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Enough with the nonsense, you brat." Wu Lei'an pointed disdainfully at the three little girls, Huang Ying, who were happily eating not far away, and said, "Go to the kids' table."

"Fine, I'll go..." Wu Fengshui pouted, then excitedly ran over with his rice bowl, saying, "Sister Chunli, I'm here!"

Well, Chun-Li didn't think she could get along with this group of natural-born battle maniacs, so she had already gone over to chat with these lively high school girls about girlish thoughts.

After chasing away the stinky girl, the area in front of Yuan Chen's bar was completely occupied by the stinky man.

Wu Lei'an accepted the rice and offered a simple thank you.

Although their reactions were lukewarm, and their words were still barbed, everyone was surprised to see Wu Lei'an, whether it was Wu Qiqi, Wu Qixiong, or even Wu Fengshui, who had been relegated to the children's table but was still secretly observing his scoundrel brother for fear of displeasing Yuan Chen.