Chapter 17

He Yuzhu said nothing more, only feeling a stifling tightness in his chest, as if it were stuffed with a wad of water-soaked cotton.

He stood up silently and walked with heavy steps into the small room used for storing sundries, gently closing the door behind him.

Leaning his back against the cold door panel, he focused his mind and entered the space.

Inside the space, the supplies collected from the foreign firm were piled high like a mountain, but with the Japanese checking so strictly now, these things could only be looked at and not used.

He began to carefully count the money in the space: there were 10 Small Yellow Fish in total; two hundred and forty silver dollars; an unknown number of "Central Reserve Bank" notes; and Japanese military scrip printed with the sun flag.

"System!" He Yuzhu called out in his heart.

A cold electronic voice responded immediately: "Host, please speak."

"Can I use these ten Small Yellow Fish to upgrade the system? I need to strengthen my physique; it would be best if it could allow this small frame of mine to kill Japanese soldiers face-to-face!"

"Host, as long as you consume 10 units of gold (which is ten Small Yellow Fish), you can upgrade the system. After the upgrade, the host can choose one of the following functions: 1. Detection function: The host can perceive the position and form of all objects within a two-meter radius. 2. Strengthening function: The host can permanently double their base strength and speed."

In truth, he wanted both functions! After calculating carefully, the second function better met his current needs; only solid strength and lightning-fast speed were the foundation for survival and revenge in these chaotic times!

"I choose the second one!" He Yuzhu did not hesitate for even half a second, his tone decisive.

Before his voice had even faded, a scorching hot current surged through his entire body! Every inch of muscle and every joint was torn, hammered, and reshaped by an invisible, immense force! Overwhelming power surged and roared through his limbs and bones, and he subconsciously threw a punch into the air, "It actually carried a faint sound of breaking wind!"

Feeling the surging, brand-new power within his body, a strong impulse to verify and vent it rushed straight to his head.

"I need to find someone to spar with! Go to Qianmen!"

The atmosphere on Qianmen Street today was somewhat strange. Not only were there more plainclothes agents with shifty eyes, but there was also a gathering of various street performers: magicians, wrestlers, people breaking stones on their chests, and surprisingly, a group of Japanese ronin performing Kendo.

These people were dressed in various ways, most of them having strong builds and sharp eyes.

He Yuzhu watched a few groups and tossed out quite a few copper coins.

He continued walking forward and returned to the busiest part of Qianmen Street, where many people were gathered around a notice.

He Yuzhu squeezed to the front and stood on tiptoe before he could clearly see the large characters on the notice:

Notice:

It is hereby scheduled for the 17th day of the 12th month of the 33rd year of the Republic of China (the same day and month of the 19th year of Showa) to hold the first "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" National Martial Arts Tournament at the drill ground of the Imperial Collaboration Army's First Division barracks outside Yongdingmen.

We sincerely invite heroes and masters of all sects and schools from across the land to come and perform. All wandering performers, such as those who do magic tricks, break stones on their chests, walk on stilts, or produce snakes from empty basins, may also take the stage to display their skills.

The tournament specifically includes a friendly exchange segment for Chinese and Japanese martial artists to meet through martial arts and participate in this grand event.

Regardless of victory or defeat, those who perform on stage will be well-compensated, with a minimum of twenty silver Big Ocean dollars.

Beiping Special Municipality Imperial Collaboration Army Headquarters

"The Imperial Collaboration Army is holding a martial arts tournament? And a Japanese-Chinese 'friendly' exchange?" He Yuzhu's brows knitted into a knot, his thoughts racing, "What kind of act is this? Buying hearts? Showing off power? Or... is it a pit dug for people to jump into?" He pondered repeatedly, unable to see the full picture for the moment.

A biting cold wind carrying snow dust rushed toward his face; he shrank his neck and felt the cold.

He caught a glimpse of the familiar "Big Bowl Tea" teahouse nearby, from which came the hoarse voice of a storyteller reciting *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* with varied intonations.

He lifted the heavy indigo cotton door curtain and ducked inside.

The teahouse was filled with smoke and the sound of mixed voices.

He found a bench in the corner and sat down, starting to listen to "Guan Yunchang Warms the Wine to Slay Hua Xiong," but because he had things on his mind, he didn't take in a single word the old gentleman said; his thoughts had long been drawn away by that strange notice outside and the shifty-eyed plainclothes agents.

After sitting for less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he stood up and left his seat.

After exiting the teahouse, he wandered aimlessly along the street.

Upon reaching a shop with a sign hanging that read "Chen's Clothing Store," his footsteps paused slightly.

He looked down at his own old cotton-padded jacket, stained with oil and grime and worn shiny at the cuffs, and his bloated cotton trousers. After a moment of hesitation, he raised his hand, lifted the heavy dark blue coarse cloth cotton door curtain, and walked inside.

The shop had a small coal stove burning, the fire bright and the warmth cozy, dispelling the bitter cold from outside.

An old tailor with graying hair and copper-rimmed reading glasses was hunched over, pedaling an old-fashioned sewing machine; the light "tap-tap-tap" sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet shop.

Seeing a customer arrive, the old tailor stopped his feet, took off his glasses, looked up to size him up, and asked, "Little customer, looking to have clothes made?"

"Yes, sorry to trouble you, please take my measurements and make two sets for me to change into." He Yuzhu stood up straight.

The old tailor picked up a soft measuring tape worn smooth, and with nimble movements, carefully measured his shoulder width, arm length, chest circumference, waist, and trouser length. Before long, he recorded a string of numbers in a small, rough-edged notebook on his desk.

He Yuzhu asked the old tailor about what had happened on Qianmen Street over the past two days, but the tailor was mostly clueless.

He Yuzhu shook his head and walked to the wooden rack against the wall where fabrics were piled. His fingers slid over the materials of varying thickness, and he finally picked out three bolts of gray, thick, and durable home-woven coarse cotton cloth.

"Master, just use these three types of cloth; make me one set of each."

"Alright, this cloth is solid, durable, and long-lasting!" The old tailor nodded in agreement.

He Yuzhu paid the deposit and was just about to turn and lift the curtain to leave when the curtain was suddenly pulled open from the outside with a "whoosh," and a blast of biting cold air poured in.

Two figures walked in, one after the other.

Leading the way was a little girl of eight or nine, her round face frozen like a ripe apple, wearing her hair in two thin pigtails. She was wrapped in a slightly oversized indigo-colored wax-printed coarse cotton robe, with matching fabric trim at the cuffs and hem; though old, it was clean.

Closely following her was a young girl of about thirteen or fourteen, her figure just beginning to show grace. She wore a well-tailored indigo fine cotton robe, covered by a thin cotton vest of the same color, with crow-blue fine trim at the collar and cuffs. She carried a small indigo bundle in her hand. Most striking was her appearance: her brows were like distant mountains containing black, her eyes like autumn waters rippling, and her skin was as white and translucent as jade, like a piece of fine thin-bodied white porcelain, exuding a cold, distant, and fragile reserve.

He Yuzhu's gaze was firmly drawn to the girl walking behind; wasn't this the very girl he had glimpsed lying on a hospital bed with an IV drip in the consulting room when he looted that Japanese pharmacy a few days ago?

How could she have come to this clothing store? He Yuzhu subconsciously lowered his head quickly, pretending to still be looking at the fabric, while his Adam's apple rolled involuntarily.