Chapter 12: Human-Shaped RPG

The sudden appearance of Li Sanqing took Wang Chao somewhat by surprise.

“I didn’t expect this,” he said, his words carrying a subtle undertone.

Wang Chao cast a sidelong glance at Zhang Ze. “So you’ve already found someone to rely on?”

Clearly, in Wang Chao’s eyes, Li Sanqing’s presence here could only be explained by a close connection with the other party.

Li Sanqing offered no explanation. He advanced slowly, his voice calm: “Wang Chao, you know the consequences of selling pills illegally…”

As he spoke, Li Sanqing drew a steel pipe from behind his back. He held it with apparent nonchalance, yet it whistled sharply as he swung it.

“Heh…” Wang Chao chuckled softly, his gaze at Li Sanqing full of disdain—and a trace of envy.

“You children of the Martial Bureau, enjoying those resources... How could you ever understand the hardship people like us endure?”

Even as he spoke, Wang Chao’s grip tightened around his dagger.

Zhang Ze watched the tension between the two escalate and frowned. He had only just broken through to the first martial rank two days ago. Though his physical stats had soared to 169S, he was utterly clueless about combat techniques. If he were to intervene, he could only rely on a clumsy flurry of unskilled blows.

He wisely retreated a few paces, giving the two men room. At the same time, he turned his attention to Liu the Fatty’s condition, thinking, What does their fight have to do with me?

He had barely taken two steps when a sharp metallic clang rang out, jarring his eardrums with its intensity.

Sparks flew as the dagger scraped against the steel pipe. In Zhang Ze’s eyes, the two men’s movements were no different from those in an action film from his previous life—perhaps even more exaggerated.

After several exchanges, they broke apart once again. Li Sanqing’s steel pipe now bore a strange bend, while Wang Chao’s dagger had snapped clean in half. It was clear that their clash had been truly ferocious.

Though Zhang Ze had lived a stifling life in his previous world, the stability of society had shielded him from such scenes. This is what it means to be a martial artist? He was shaken, and a strange sense of anticipation stirred within him.

A soft cough sounded by his ear. At some point, Fatty had wandered over and stood idly at his side.

“You…” Zhang Ze eyed Fatty’s two-hundred-pound frame, then glanced at the rope not far away.

“Ze, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Whatever it is, save it. Let’s get out of here first.” Zhang Ze tried to leave, but Fatty blocked his way.

“Wait—Wang Chao isn’t just some simple black market dealer like you think.”

It was rare to see Fatty so serious, and Zhang Ze paused in surprise.

A dull thud sounded nearby. Wang Chao had kicked an old, rust-covered machine. Though battered, it was still solid steel, yet under his foot, a bizarre dent appeared.

Zhang Ze swallowed hard. Witnessing it firsthand, he finally understood—these martial artists were far more than just physically strong; they were like living RPGs.

“I want to stay and work with Wang Chao.”

“What did you say?” Zhang Ze was truly stunned, his eyes wide in disbelief.

Fatty nodded again. “Wang Chao and his people aren’t as simple as you think. Before you arrived, we talked a lot. You know, I used to sell discs because it gave me some freedom. Now you’re a martial artist, and with your connection to Li Sanqing, getting into the Martial Bureau isn’t that hard.”

Zhang Ze realized then that Fatty also saw Li Sanqing as someone on his side. Just as he was about to clarify, the fight across the room ended.

Wang Chao clutched his chest, blood trickling from his lips—he was clearly badly hurt. Though Li Sanqing bore no visible injuries, his breath was uneven.

“Martial artists from the streets shouldn’t be this strong,” Li Sanqing muttered in confusion.

Wang Chao gave a soft laugh. “Did I ever claim to be one of those empty, useless wastes?” He mocked, ignoring Li Sanqing and turning instead to Zhang Ze and Fatty.

“Have you two made up your minds?”

At Wang Chao’s question, Fatty shot Zhang Ze a final look and murmured, “Trust me…”

The next moment, Fatty was at Wang Chao’s side.

“You should understand why I’m letting you go,” Wang Chao said to Li Sanqing, his tone unbowed.

“I could say the same to you,” Li Sanqing replied. Together with Fatty, Wang Chao approached Zhang Ze.

“It doesn’t matter where you are. What matters is that now you’re a martial artist, you’ll have to face certain things.”

With that, Wang Chao and Fatty turned and left. Fatty’s last gesture to call him was met only with Zhang Ze’s indifference.

...

“What’s so special about Wang Chao?” Zhang Ze asked as he left the factory with Li Sanqing.

“Spend more time with him and you’ll understand.” Zhang Ze found the answer unhelpful, so he pressed on, “Why are you following me?”

“Do you believe I can get you into the Anqing Martial Bureau?” Li Sanqing stopped and looked at Zhang Ze with a serious expression.

“You?” Zhang Ze scoffed. “A mere second-rank martial artist?”

It was hardly surprising for Zhang Ze to react this way. After all, getting into the Anqing Martial Bureau was no easy feat.

“First come to my mentor’s martial gym. Solidify your rank, study actual combat for two months, then take the entrance exam in September.” Only upon hearing this arrangement did Zhang Ze truly begin to believe him.

“Why help me?”

“Ask yourself: who once forced their way into the Provincial Investigation Bureau headquarters?” Leaving these words behind, Li Sanqing strode away, not caring whether Zhang Ze followed.

...

At the same time, in a company conference room in Mengyang County.

A young woman sat at the head of the table, with Uncle Wen standing straight at her side. Once everyone had gathered, Qian Xiaoyun finally spoke.

“Representatives from the Lin family have already arrived at the pill company. Let’s hear your thoughts.”

Though young, Qian Xiaoyun’s style was crisp and decisive, putting pressure on those present.

The middle-aged man with a thick beard to her right looked refined and handsome.

“The Lin family only sent that fool Lin Dong for now, and the boy from the Anqing Martial Bureau will be returning soon. They’re not a threat in the short term,” he said, getting straight to the point.

“But after running the pill company for so long, we can’t underestimate the Lin family’s influence. Especially since Lin Ziwei may come in person soon—if that happens, the Investigation Bureau will surely give them their full support.”

Having said this, the man fell silent and looked toward Qian Xiaoyun at the head of the table.

“Uncle Wu, do you think the time has come?” she asked after a moment’s thought, taking back the floor.