Wang Ye held the gleaming gold baseball bat, weighing it in his hand as he looked at the gangsters with a half-smile.
When he duplicated Red Skull's memories back at the church, he had also perfectly copied all of Red Skull's combat skills.
While Red Skull wasn't exactly a martial arts master, his abilities were more than enough to deal with a few street thugs.
Besides, back at the Hydra HQ, Wang Ye had sparred with several agents skilled in various forms of martial arts—duplicating both their fighting techniques and combat experience.
Now, Wang Ye had fully mastered and integrated styles including: Tai Chi, Muay Thai, Sanda, MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, Pro Wrestling, Sumo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and more.
With that level of skill, it was already clear what kind of devastating fate awaited the fools who'd just picked a fight with him.
"Looks like you're refusing to toast and would rather drink punishment!"
The scar-faced thug leader saw that Wang Ye not only refused to cooperate but even started flashing around a golden bat.
Such blatant disrespect for their "profession" made his blood boil.
With a wave of his hand, he shouted to his men:
"Get him!
Let's teach him a lesson!"
A blond thug charged ahead, raising a steel pipe as thick as a wrist and swinging it down toward Wang Ye's head.
Just before the strike landed, Wang Ye sidestepped smoothly, avoiding the attack with a slight shift.
In the same instant, he reversed his grip on the bat and struck the thug's back of the head with lightning speed.
THWACK!
The blonde instantly went cross-eyed and collapsed, foaming at the mouth.
The other thugs, who had just been complaining about the blonde stealing the spotlight, froze in their tracks.
The boss looked at his fallen underling, grinding his teeth.
"You're just strong because of that gold weapon!
If you've got real skill, how about fighting us without it!"
Wang Ye smirked and, in response, calmly placed the golden bat back on the register.
Then he beckoned them with a taunting wave.
"Come at me. All of you."
Seeing that Wang Ye had really given up the weapon, the five remaining gangsters regained their courage and charged with machetes raised.
This time, a blue-haired youth was the first to reach Wang Ye—but before he could even swing, Wang Ye slapped him so hard, he spun like a top and collapsed next to the blond—also foaming at the mouth.
The remaining four stared wide-eyed.
They looked at each other, realizing they were seriously outmatched.
They turned to their leader.
This guy wasn't just tough—he was untouchable!
"You're only strong with your fists!
If you're really something, fight us without using your hands!"
The gang leader looked longingly at the valuable antiques and tried one last desperate bluff.
Truly, people die for money.
Wang Ye cooperatively clasped both hands behind his back, keeping that same mocking grin on his face.
The four remaining thugs gritted their teeth and charged again.
They really took their sweet time, even with just a few steps between them.
This time, the leader was cautious and waited until the others had engaged before rushing in himself.
As expected, even without weapons or hands, Wang Ye was still way out of their league.
The red-haired thug charged in first—and saw black.
He was instantly side-kicked out of the store, crashing into the purple- and green-haired gangsters behind him. All three were knocked flying and landed in a heap on the street, joining the Foaming-at-the-Mouth Club.
The watching crowd gasped and stepped back in fear. The commotion only made them more curious about what was going on in the antique shop.
Seeing all this, the gang leader gave up all dignity and collapsed to his knees, pleading for mercy.
"Big bro!
Sir!
Grandfather!
I was wrong! I'm scum! I'm not even human! Please, have mercy and spare my miserable life!"
"Get lost."
Wang Ye snorted.
"I don't want a homicide on my record.
Drag your people out of here—and don't ever let me see you again."
He glanced disdainfully at the gang leader, who was practically shaking from fear.
This guy called himself a gang boss?
Protecting ten blocks? Please—what a joke.
"Yes, yes! I'll take them away right now!"
The leader, grateful beyond words, slammed his head to the floor four or five times, then began dragging his unconscious underlings to the alley around the corner.
As for the two lookouts? They had already run off the moment things started going sideways.
At the same time, the skinny young man—who had fought through the crowd to approach the shop—arrived just in time to witness the entire beatdown.
He looked down at his thin, frail body… and seemed to reach a decision.
(No, no… I'm not planning to rob the place!)
Inside the store, Wang Ye dusted off his hands (though they were clean), then sat back down in the lounge chair.
He casually tapped the armrest twice.
At once, the hidden Hydra agents across the street vanished—silently following the gangsters who had just been "taught a lesson."
As for Wang Ye?
He acted like nothing had happened, humming a tune and shaking his leg—utterly relaxed.
Just then, the skinny youth reached the door, but hesitated before stepping in.
He took a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and knocked politely.
Knock, knock, knock!
Wang Ye looked up slightly and saw the nervous young man at the door.
He smiled warmly, a sunny, comforting smile, and stood up to greet him.
"Good morning, sir! Here to browse antiques?
You're in luck—our grand opening special gives 50% off one selected item to our very first customer!"
"Hello, I'm Steve Rogers. Actually; I'm not here to buy anything. I… uh…"
Steve scratched his head awkwardly, unsure what to say in the face of such a warm reception.
"Hahaha, that's perfectly fine! You don't have to buy anything—browsers are always welcome!
Please, come in."
Wang Ye made a gentlemanly gesture, inviting him inside.
Of course, he already knew what Steve wanted—but it was too much fun to tease the future Captain America.
Steve looked embarrassed but walked in anyway.
Wang Ye followed behind like a skilled salesman, enthusiastically introducing each antique in the shop.
Steve looked around at the dazzling displays, thinking to himself:
Wait, what am I even doing right now?
I came here to ask for combat training—not admire antiques!
"Um… sir, sorry to be rude, but…
Would you be willing to teach me the martial arts you used earlier to handle those gangsters?"
"I… I don't have money.
But I can work for you—cleaning, cooking, laundry—I can do it all!"
Steve looked like he was ready to back out, but something in him refused to give up.
His eyes were filled with determination and hope.
Wang Ye rubbed his chin and studied Steve for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"Oh, of course!
If it can help you, I'd be happy to teach you.
As for payment, just handle cleaning duties around the shop."
"Really?!
R-Really?! That's amazing!"
Steve had already been preparing himself for rejection after seeing Wang Ye's hesitant expression—but then came this unexpected plot twist.