East Asia, Zen City.
This is one of the most well-known "martial arts hometowns" in China.
In the past, there were many martial arts schools in Chancheng, and one could often see many young adults practicing martial arts and boxing with their masters.
The sounds of "footsteps" and "qi" breathing were endless.
But now, with the changes of the times and the advancement of science and technology, learning martial arts is no longer a glorious path with a bright future.
In fact, due to some ill-intentioned people learning poorly and using it as a pretext to deceive and corrupt the atmosphere... over time, more and more people regard martial arts as a fraud and no longer trust in it.
So, there is much more ridicule and mockery than praise and appreciation.
Ancestral things, just like that... declined rapidly...
Surely some left, and others held firm.
Today.
"Let's start today's practice and jog a thousand meters first."
Chancheng, Beicheng District, on a certain street.
Early in the morning, a gray-haired young girl came out of the house alone and habitually began her daily morning jog.
Step by step.
"Good morning, Xiaohua, I'm going to a new school today. Is it strange to wear new clothes? Aren't you going to the martial arts gym?"
On the street, an old man, who also got up early for a walk, smiled and greeted the gray-haired girl.
He had emigrated from northern China in his early years and spoke with a local accent.
As close neighbors, both sides were used to seeing each other and were obviously relatively familiar.
"Good morning, Uncle Ji."
The gray-haired girl known as "Xiaohua" responded somewhat listlessly, "I have to go to the hospital after practice today and then take a flight. I don't have time to change clothes."
Hearing that—
"Ay, in such a hurry? Then go quickly, don't delay."
"Got it, Uncle Ji."
After the brief conversation, the gray-haired girl continued jogging forward.
On the way, she encountered many neighbors who offered to chat along the way.
There was "a youth slightly older than her, a woman who ran a breakfast shop, and a man named 'Brother Sa' who valued love and justice."
The latter told Ahua that during the half-year she would be at school, her father would receive some help from him with taking care of things.
Because, when he was down in his early years, he had received some favors from Ahua's father, and this could be considered returning the kindness.
Soon after—
"Study well. With me here, your uncle will never go hungry."
"Thank you, Brother Sa."
The gray-haired girl responded politely.
She then headed to the park where she usually trained and practiced boxing for a while.
Although she was in a hurry, she didn't treat it superficially.
End.
"Alas~ this time the performance still wasn't perfect."
The gray-haired girl sighed like this after finishing the display.
But she wasn't too discouraged.
"It's time to visit dad in the hospital."
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Just inside an alley, which the gray-haired girl passed through not long ago.
"Buzz~"
A white light flashed and a vigorous figure appeared out of thin air.
"!!!"
She was in midair and realized that her landing posture would be terrible, most likely headfirst.
"Bang!"
In a rush, she forcefully slapped the ground with her palm and bounced again.
This time, she took the opportunity to adjust her form and landed firmly on one knee.
"Here it is."
"Bang~ bang~ bang~"
Behind her came quite loud applause, seemingly intended to catch her attention.
Gray-haired girl (?)... Fu Hua, wearing the Valkyrie armor of "Shadow Knight·Moon Wheel," turned around sharply and looked toward the sound source with extreme alertness.
She had already made the initial move of the Cunxin Fist and could launch a rapid continuous attack at any moment.
She was confident she could subdue most enemies in an instant.
However, after seeing clearly who the visitor was—
"You!!!"
Fu Hua showed a surprised expression on her face.
That person, a brunette in civilian clothes.
"Immortal Red Kite, long time no see."
He... Ling Ke had a calm smile on his face and said to himself: "Of course, according to your physical time, we were still fighting not long ago."
"Unfortunately, I won that 'war.'"
He spread his arms. "This is the 'result of the battle.'"
"…"
Fu Hua frowned.
Indeed, as Link said, from her perspective, not long ago she was in the Sahara Desert, in North Africa, trying to storm the World Serpent Organization's base and stop Link from destroying the world (now the Age of Civilization).
But, again as he said, she—
Nowadays, time had gone back more than 50,000 years.
The pre-civilization era that was already extinct… the era in which she lived was given a "second chance."
In other words—
"Exactly."
Ling Ke seemed to see through what Fu Hua was thinking and continued laughing: "There is no enmity between you and me."
"Although strictly speaking, you are also one of Otto's black gloves, but… since you and I don't have direct hatred, I may as well give you a blessing."
One of his "right hands" gestured for Fu Hua to take in her surroundings. "Do you remember where this is?"
"Huh?"
Fu Hua still frowned.
At first, she didn't react right away.
But, right then—
"I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming… old antiques, old antiques!"
Another sly voice sounded in her head. "This is me… uh, this is your hometown!"
"Chancheng! Northern City!! Takegwan Street!!!"
That voice… the Herrscher of Knowledge seemed very excited.
But soon calmed down again. "And later, you won't even burn this memory, will you?"
"Alright, alright, fortunately I recycled everything when I was on Taixu Mountain."
"Lend me the remaining 'feathers.' Damn it, all my power (power) is gone."
The other party said so many words that it made it hard for Fu Hua to focus on herself.
Fortunately, Ling Ke, who was standing not far away, showed no signs of taking action against her.
That's fine, but for a moment—
"…"
The expression on Fu Hua's face was a bit strange.
But a bit softer.
Maybe she was happy now.
"So, this is it!"
Some long-standing memories in her mind became as clear as the clouds dispersing, and she sighed quietly.
The corners of her mouth seemed to curve slightly.
But.
"What's your goal?"
When Fu Hua looked again at Ling Ke not far away, she still seemed extremely wary.
At this, the latter didn't mind.
The other party's reaction perfectly fit the contents of the "script" he had prepared.
So—
"My purpose has been fulfilled, and what comes next is your free time."
The corners of Ling's mouth slightly lifted. "Will it be to serve as 'Fu Hua,' fight for the sake of civilization, and destroy your own era with your own hands?"
"Or leave everything behind and return to live as 'Hua'… for example: visiting your biological father?"
"After all, you're also from China. Could it be that, like Raiden Mei, you're also a 'dutiful daughter'?"
"…"
Fu Hua didn't respond.
Seeing her like this—
"In any case, I look forward to your choice."
Ling Ke smiled and said: "In this situation, I hope you can give me a different and interesting 'answer.'"