The Pugilist's Challenge

Hah, look who dragged herself here. Almost thought you'd weasel out. Who's your masked friend?

It's the rule. The way to the arena is for disciples' eyes only.

Stupid rule.

Endfield Industries? Sounds familiar from my travels... Alright, let's see if you can handle what we've got!

What, the Stockade's gate's that wide open now? How much fight you got in you? You better not be a spy.

Oof. Wrong boss. But hey, I'm hiring. Pledge to me now, save yourself the begging when you get flattened! Hahaha!

Heh, she can snap your bones with one finger. Enough talk. The raft. Now. / Heh, he can snap your bones with one finger. Enough talk. The raft. Now.

Heh. Not so fast... Outsiders must be blindfolded!

Still a rule. It keeps things in line ... and traitors like you in check.

Sorry you have to bear with this, Endmin.

Please, hold for a moment. I must inspect your weapons first.

Maybe don't call me Big Sister anymore. That title's from the past.

No. To me, you'll always be the Big Sister who frowned but still took the time to fix my mistakes.

You are...?

Remember? I'm that kid you saved from bullies! You taught me how to defend myself, and brought me to the masters.

Alright, inspection's complete. Big Sister, I'll take you to the arena. This way, please.

Oh, it's you... Did you ever master the last stage of Cangbo Fist?

Regrettably, no... So I turned to weapons instead.

Big Sister... You promised to guide me back then, but you left so suddenly. Now that you're back, we can train together again.

Big Sister, good to see you well.

That's enough... Can we have the hostage back now?

Fine... I'll be ready.

Ugh, that kitty. I discipline her every day.

Let's go, Endmin.

Heh, if I win, there's gonna be another round against the old man, right?

My respects, Master.

My thanks.

Defeating Master isn't anything to celebrate... The trials ahead will only get harder.

Nothing escapes your eyes. I'm worried about Wuling.

I don't have time to patrol the city myself. Can you check on it so nothing slips through?

...

Back in the Stockade, all I thought about was fighting.

If the me now ran into the me then ... we'd probably get into a scrap.

He's terrifying as a foe ... not just for his size and strength.

No more talk. Wuling's fate is in play. We cannot afford to lose.

After the masters left, no Stockader could match me. Yet I had an oath, so I went to challenge Wuling.

Wuling City was just a construction site at the time, not much bigger than the Stockade. Zhuang was the lead Tianshi. She took me on.

No. We fought for a long time. I passed out first.

So naturally, I asked for round two, tore my stitches, and nearly died. She saved me again, then made me stay to recover.

She told me I could go at her again once I was better. Then she reminded me that my fists weren't just for fighting — they were for protecting.

So I stayed long enough to become one of them. Now I throw punches to keep them safe.

Yeah... That ancient feud between the Stockade and Wuling always felt hollow to me. People just needed a push to drop it.

All this reminiscing almost made me forget... Endmin, can you do me a favor?

His mind and strategy.

When I came to, I learned Oripathy had almost killed me. She was the one who saved me.

Speaking of Tianshi Zhuang ... has she been working on something? Haven't seen her around lately.

The research is going fine. All approvals were cleared by her a few days back, no delays.

I haven't seen her for days either, but she had everything arranged well in advance. We just follow the plan.

Oh, Endmin, glad to see you here.

There are new reports from the North Wuling Exclusion Zone ... all forwarded to Tianshi Zhuang.

My latest design failed again... Ugh, will I ever pass the assessment?

Oh, Zhuang promised to come for noodles last time, told me to start the pot, but the noodles went soggy and she never showed! What could have kept her?

Hey-yo, Endmin! Hotpot for one today?

Well, Tianshi Zhuang's always busy... But Captain Mi ... that's not like her! She's a regular for my sweet rice cakes, yet she hasn't come by in two days.

Endmin, if you see them, please tell them to come by and visit when they have time.

Yes, please do! We'd appreciate it!

Last big news was Viceroy Zhuang and you came by for a stroll. A rare sight indeed.

However, I just saw a suspicious guy in the city. Seems to be from the Stockade, but I didn't recognize him.

Yes, originally. Mi Fu caught me once, and after that, I ended up working as her informant.

Today was our day to exchange information, but I can't find her...

Phew, I'm glad to hear she's alright.

Actually, nothing major. Just that things are lively back at the Stockade. Heard a lot of folks who were drifting outside have been returning lately.

I'll take you to him.

Alright, down to business.

Hmm... Aren't you Mi Fu's friend? Come closer and we can talk.

I just wanted to know how my disciple has been doing here.

Uh ... did people here give her a hard time? Oh, does she have friends?

Don't worry. I bear no ill intentions, nor do I seek trouble here.

Hm. She sounds kind. Guess our grudge against Wuling made us too quick to judge.

If my child has found a boss here who sees her worth ... then a huge weight can be lifted off of this old heart.

She's still close with Ruan Lin's girl... Good. She hasn't forgotten her roots.

So she hasn't changed ... still values her bond. The Stockade's in her heart ... and she hasn't forgotten us either.

Sounds like she's been through a lot... *Sigh* She usually carries her pain alone.

So, would you mind taking care of her over the next few days? I'd really appreciate it.

Oh, what does she like to eat around here?

Thank you for letting me know.

She's never been good at taking care of herself. Once she's focused on training, she forgets to sleep, forgets to eat... Every. Single. Time.

To secure victory, one must understand both self and foe. Alright, the hour has come. Farewell!

*Sigh* No rest, no bite ... how's she supposed to win a fight?

Can't risk being seen. I'll leave this to you.

You're back. How's the city?

He hasn't changed.

Hm? What was he doing in Wuling City?

Yeah... Let's head to the raft station.

Of the three masters, he cares most about his disciples and gets along best with everyone.

...I really don't want to throw a punch at him.

You, and the masked one ... you've got some skill, I'll give you that.

Hmph, don't get cocky! Senior Master's ultimate technique is unbeatable!

Same rule. Blindfold before you go.

We're here.

What? For real?

Wagging your tail now, huh? Weren't you so high and mighty yesterday?

Wait, where's Senior Master? He was always the most punctual.

By the Stockade's rules, if a party doesn't show up in time, they automatically lose the match.

We can't let Senior Master be dishonored... Big Sister, we will fight in our master's stead!

Very well. Let's begin. To live or die is the river's ways!

Our fists know no regret!

Thanks for going easy on me, Senior Master.

...You came late on purpose, didn't you? So those disciples could give me a preview of your techniques.

No one knows a master like their disciple. You see right through me.

Senior Master... I appreciate your kindness, but the sweet rice cakes...

*Sigh* Stubborn as always. You used to fight all the time, and even after all these years, nothing's changed!

No need to thank me. My own skills fell short. I couldn't give you a reason to stay.

I knew it. You've always been this kind to me. Even back then, you pretended to lose just to give me confidence.

You've always been stubborn. Had I won, you'd have resented us forever. So I let myself lose, hoping you'd feel my care ... and maybe come back.

Um... I heard this was a treat you liked. Care for a taste?

After Boss... After Zhuang Fangyi saved me, I ate them for three months straight. Then I quit for good.

I still buy them every day, just for the skewers. The cakes go to the kids.

We've drifted too far apart ... there's no going back now.

Hmph. Told you, you old fool. She's not that child from years past anymore. Had to see for yourself, huh? Happy now?

Sure... I need to find somewhere to clear my head.

Moo? What are you doing here? Didn't we agree that...

I came to see our beloved disciple, whom we gave everything to, now turning against her masters for the sake of our enemy.

Is that a no? Then you must defeat me on the stage. But if you lose ... hmph. You'll bear the consequences.

It was the Wulingers who saved me... Grand Master, please stop treating Wuling as the enemy.

Heh, Wuling this, Wuling that... Fine, I'll give you a chance to show gratitude.

Admit you were wrong, renounce Wuling, and come back to us before tomorrow's match ... then I'll release Zhuang.

Admit I was wrong... Renounce Wuling... Tsk!

You've endured much all these years. But now ... can you not come back?

It's because of him that I am who I am today. I know exactly how far I am from him... There's no way I could ever beat him.

Endmin...

When I first started training, there were certain moves I just couldn't grasp. Both Senior Master and Master told me to give up. It was Grand Master who insisted on teaching me.

I've honed my moves for years. I hope I can actually win this time.

...

Thank you, Endmin.

It's been ten years, but the old man's build has hardly changed. He never missed a session of training.

The fighting schools outside Qingbo ... be it Yinglung or UWST, nothing gets past his eyes.

I'll do my best. But if the worst were to happen —

You'll have to look after the boss.

For now, I'd like to have some time alone.

And for that reason, you, the wildcard, have to be dealt with before the final match.

Ruan Lin's little girl almost ruined everything for us.

Decide for yourself how you'll handle things. Farewell.

Now you know our intent.

Excuse us for the delay!

My child... Mi Fu, are you tired? Want to take a break before we spar?

Senior Master...

It's fine. Don't worry about me... Let's do this. Our fists know no regret!

*Sigh* So be it. To live or die is the river's ways!

What's all this nonsense?

Senior Master...

Stand aside, all of you!

Big Sister, you're good... I admit defeat.

Hmph, what a disgrace.

My turn! Let's see how long you last against my gun!

To live or die is the river's ways...

Hold on. Where are the other two?

Endmin, I'm trusting you to check on Wuling City for me.

Endmin, Mi Fu's spoken of you. I know she trusts you.

We can't talk here. Let's find somewhere more discreet.

What's the holdup? Get the blindfold on and go.

Hey, masked one! Quit dilly-dallying, put your blindfold on and move!

You probably sensed her personality from her moves, Endmin.

When facing my Master, focus on what she's doing, not what she's saying.

When I mastered some basics, she kept her head aloof and I thought I made a mistake.

But then she turned around and rewarded me with opened chestnuts.

As for this fight ... I think she probably missed me all these years.

She hid nothing from me.

Before I learned to fight, I used to play on his shoulders.

He treated me like his own baby girl. Really spoiled me, he did.

If the other masters got angry, he'd show up to defend me.

...

But I'm not a baby girl anymore.

Grand Master has always been like that.

Brutal with his words, punches, and kicks.

He raises disciples with loving, rock-hard fists.

I think there's this ancient Yanese saying.

"Weep more in training so you bleed less in the fighting."

Tsk. I think that describes him well enough.

He's not a kind person, but "bad" is not a word I'd use.

After all ... my Grand Master taught me everything he knew.

Be careful out there.

Please look out for Wuling City, Endmin.

My Master and my Senior Master fight in different ways. I must ready myself quickly.

Also, I should find a tipster to update me about the Stockade, and find out where they're keeping the boss.

Hopefully I can free the boss without fighting my masters...

Need to talk about something, Endmin?