At a street stall in the middle of a busy market, an old vendor yawned and waited for customers. A young man approached, grabbed a shirt and pants without a word, pushed money into the old man's hand, and walked back into the crowd before the vendor could speak.
The vendor looked down at the bills. They were soaked in blood. He looked up, but the young man was already gone.
---
Baki poured water bottles over himself in an alley, washed the blood off, and changed into the new clothes. The police had been searching for him for hours. He had spent most of those hours fighting off mercenaries until one of them finally gave up the Black Market's location.
He flagged down a taxi and got in. The driver turned on a talk show partway through the ride. A guest was describing the marketplace killer. Red hair. Tanned skin. Six-foot-three. Demonic face. The driver clicked his tongue and muttered something about the government failing its people.
When they reached the destination, Baki handed the driver more than the fare and stepped out. The driver called after him. Baki turned around. The driver got his first clear look at him and went very still. He held up the extra bills. "You gave too much."
Baki smiled. "That's your tip for being a good driver."
He walked away. The driver sat there for a moment, then put the car in gear and left without calling anyone.
---
The building in front of Baki was large, with two guards at the entrance. They stepped forward the moment he approached.
"Private property. Keep moving."
Baki sighed. "You know, it's been six hours since I landed. I thought I might actually see China's good side this time." The guards moved to grab him. Baki chopped both their necks. They dropped. "I guess you were just doing your jobs."
He kicked the door open. Several men in the hallway turned around. Baki looked at them. "Why are a bunch of men just standing in a hallway doing nothing?"
One of them shouted and they all rushed in. Baki weaved through the first wave without effort, sending each one back with a single counter. Their attacks got slower and more hesitant with every exchange.
A voice cut through the hallway. "Back off. He is not someone you can handle."
Lin Yichen walked in with Li Wei behind him. Everyone stepped back. Li Wei took off his suit jacket as he walked forward, his eyes bright. "I've heard about you. You're strong."
He threw a straight punch at Baki's face without warning. Baki caught the fist in his palm. "Sadly, I can't say the same about you."
He twisted and flung Li Wei sideways. The massive frame hit the wall and the concrete cracked on impact. Dust fell from the ceiling.
Li Wei pushed himself out of the rubble. His shirt was torn, blood at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were steady. "I knew I couldn't win. I still want to try."
He launched himself upward like a missile, rising tackle aimed at Baki's chest. Baki sidestepped. Li Wei flew past and hit the floor hard, cracking the concrete.
He was back up instantly. He jumped high, spread his arms, and dove down with his full body weight. Baki raised one hand and caught him mid-dive by the chest. The impact sent a shockwave through the floor but Baki didn't move. He tossed Li Wei aside.
Li Wei came back with both hands locked together, swinging a double overhead chop with everything he had. Baki caught both hands in his palms. Their fingers interlocked. Li Wei pushed down with his full strength. Baki held him without effort.
Li Wei pulled his head back and drove it forward in a headbutt.
Baki met it with his own.
CRACK!
The windows shattered. Li Wei stumbled back with blood running down his forehead. He didn't fall. He dropped his stance and rushed one last time, arms wrapping around Baki's waist, legs driving forward. His muscles pushed to their limit. His face went red. Veins bulged on his neck and arms.
Baki's feet slid back two inches. Then stopped.
Baki laughed. "A man who fights knowing he can't win. How beautiful!" He grabbed Li Wei's arms and lifted. Li Wei's feet left the ground slowly, inch by inch, until Baki had the seven-foot man held over his head.
Li Wei kept punching down from above. One, two, three hits on Baki's skull. Baki didn't flinch. "Impressive spirit!"
He slammed Li Wei into the floor.
BOOM!
The concrete shattered. A crater opened up. Chunks flew outward. Dust filled the hallway.
When it cleared, Li Wei was in the crater with his eyes rolled back. His hand was still gripping Baki's ankle.
Baki looked down at him for a moment. He gently pulled Li Wei's fingers loose and set his hand down. Then he turned to Lin Yichen. "Now. Shall we talk?"