In China, street stalls were popular because they sold clothes at cheaper prices than regular stores. A crowd buzzed around the narrow street where several vendors had set up shop.
An old man yawned as he waited for customers. Just then, a young man approached. Before the vendor could greet him, the stranger grabbed a shirt and pants, thrust some money into the old man's hand, and walked away.
Before the vendor could process what had happened, the man had already disappeared into the crowd. He murmured to himself, "What a weird young man. His clothes were strange too—pure blood red, like they'd been dipped in blood."
Then he looked down at the money in his hand. His eyes widened. The bills were soaked in blood. "B-Blood?!"
The vendor looked around frantically, but the young man was already gone.
---
Meanwhile, Baki poured water bottles over himself, washing away the blood. Then he changed into the clothes he'd just bought.
With the police searching for him, he couldn't stay in one place for long. After beating up dozens of mercenaries, he had finally found the location of the Black Market. Now he was heading there.
He'd abandoned his bike hours ago. Standing by the roadside, he waited for a taxi. One arrived quickly. He climbed in and gave the driver an address.
Baki plugged in his earbuds and listened to music. The taxi driver started the car and, after a while, turned on the radio. A talk show began to play.
At first, everything seemed normal—until a new guest appeared on the show. Since the driver hadn't watched the news all day, he didn't know what was happening. When he heard the guest talking about a murder in a marketplace, he was surprised. "Tsk, tsk. What's the government doing? That murderer should be hanged."
The guest described the killer's appearance. "You won't believe it. You know the ancient water deity from the texts? What was his name? The Black Emperor? Yes! Gongong—that's it. He looked just like the mythical water deity: red hair, slightly tanned skin, tall and muscular build, around six-foot-three. And his face... it was demonic!"
The driver listened carefully. When they reached the destination, he called out to his passenger. Baki nodded, pulled out some money, and handed it to the driver before getting out.
The driver counted the bills—it was much more than the fare. He called out to Baki, who turned around. Seeing him clearly for the first time, the driver suddenly thought of the murderer whose description he'd just heard. He gulped. "Kind sir, you gave me more than the fare."
Baki smiled. "It's okay. That's your tip for being a good driver." With that, he walked away.
The taxi driver immediately sped off. For a moment, he considered calling the police. But looking at the money, he decided against it. "No reason to get tangled up with cops."
---
Baki stood in front of a large building. Two guards flanked the entrance. He approached, and they immediately stopped him. "This is private property. You can't enter."
Baki sighed. "You know... it's been six hours since I landed in China. I thought I might see China's good side this time."
The guards frowned. "What are you talking about? If you don't leave immediately, we'll have to use force."
Baki waved his hand dismissively. "Let me finish. I have too many grievances. So, where was I? Ah, yes. I landed six hours ago. Instead of checking into a five-star hotel, all I've been doing is running around. The police have been annoying—but hey, they're just doing their jobs, right? What I don't understand is why a bunch of weaklings keep coming to kill me. If someone wants to kill me, they should at least be strong. But no—just more weaklings."
At this point, the guards moved to attack. In a blur, Baki chopped both of their necks. Their bodies dropped to the ground. "Phew... I guess you guys were just doing your jobs too."
With that, Baki kicked open the door. Inside, several men turned around. Baki whistled. "What? Why are a bunch of men just standing around in the hallway doing nothing?"
The men looked at him suspiciously before one shouted, "Intruder! Grab him!"
All the men rushed at Baki. He sighed. "Should I kill them or not?"
Just as Baki was contemplating, one of them threw a punch at him. Baki grabbed his arm and used his momentum to fling him around. "I guess not this time."
The others threw attacks at Baki. Baki easily weaved through them and countered each one. Enemies were sent flying back with each strike. Fear gripped them. Their attacks became more and more hesitant.
Just then, a voice rang through the hallway. "Back off. He is not an opponent you can take on."
Lin Yichen walked in, followed by Li Wei. Seeing them, everyone backed away. Li Wei slowly took off his suit as he walked toward Baki. "I heard of you. You're strong."
Without warning, Li Wei threw a straight punch at Baki's face. Baki caught the fist easily in his palm. "Is that so? Sadly, I can't say the same about you."
With a simple twist, Baki flung Li Wei aside. Li Wei's massive frame flew through the air and crashed into the wall. Dust and debris fell from the impact point.
Baki started walking toward Lin Yichen. But Li Wei's voice stopped him. "Wait... that's not enough."
Li Wei pushed himself up from the rubble. His shirt was torn, revealing his muscular body. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes burned with determination. "I knew I could never win. But I would still like to try."
Li Wei stretched his arms backward and suddenly leaped upward. His body shot into the air like a missile, delivering a rising tackle aimed at Baki's chest.
Baki simply stepped to the side. Li Wei's massive body flew past him and crashed into the floor behind him. The concrete cracked from the impact.
Li Wei rolled and got back on his feet. He leaped high into the air, spreading his arms backward. He dove downward like a falling eagle, aiming to crush Baki beneath his weight.
Baki looked up calmly. Just before Li Wei reached him, Baki raised one hand and caught Li Wei by the chest mid-dive. The force created a small shockwave, but Baki didn't budge. He tossed Li Wei aside like a ragdoll.
"Not bad," Baki said with a grin. "Keep going."
Li Wei charged forward and grabbed Baki by the throat with both hands. He lifted Baki off the ground, his massive hands squeezing Baki's neck. For a moment, he held Baki in the air, choking him.
Baki's expression didn't change. He simply grabbed Li Wei's wrists and squeezed. Li Wei's eyes widened in pain as his grip loosened. Baki pulled Li Wei's hands away from his neck like opening a door. Then Baki landed on his feet, still holding Li Wei's wrists.
Li Wei gritted his teeth and suddenly pulled Baki forward. Using the momentum, he lifted Baki over his shoulder and tossed him across the entire hallway.
Baki flipped in mid-air and landed on his feet, sliding backward. "Oh? That was a good throw."
Li Wei didn't give him time to rest. He rushed forward and grabbed Baki with one hand, lifting him up. With a powerful swing, he threw Baki into the wall. Baki's body hit the concrete, cracking it.
Before Baki could fall, Li Wei was already there. He caught Baki and held him against the wall. Then Li Wei delivered a series of brutal elbow strikes to Baki's face. BAM! BAM! BAM! Each hit echoed through the hallway.
"Good combo," Baki said calmly, his face barely bruised. He suddenly headbutted Li Wei. The impact sent Li Wei stumbling backward.
Li Wei shook his head to clear it. Then he grabbed Baki by the head with both hands. He started spinning Baki in a circular motion, faster and faster. The centrifugal force increased with each rotation. After several spins, Li Wei jumped into the air, still spinning. He spun Baki several more times in the air, building even more momentum before slamming Baki into the ground with tremendous force.
The floor exploded. A crater formed where Baki landed. Dust filled the hallway.
Li Wei stepped back, breathing heavily. But then he heard laughter from the crater.
"Haha! That was a good technique!" Baki stood up from the crater, brushing dust off his shoulders. He didn't have a single serious injury.
Li Wei's eyes widened, but he didn't give up. He raised his hand high and brought it down in a powerful chop aimed at Baki's skull.
Baki raised his forearm and blocked it. The impact created a small shockwave, but Baki's arm didn't move. "Too slow."
Li Wei jumped back and then charged forward with his elbow leading. The flying elbow aimed straight for Baki's face.
Baki tilted his head. The elbow passed by his cheek, missing by centimeters. As Li Wei flew past, Baki grabbed his arm and threw him to the ground.
Li Wei rolled and immediately leaped high into the air. He stretched his body out completely and dove down, aiming to crush Baki with his full body weight.
Baki looked up and crossed his arms. Li Wei's body crashed into Baki's guard. The floor beneath Baki's feet cracked from the pressure. But Baki stood firm. Then he pushed upward, sending Li Wei flying back.
Li Wei landed and immediately leaped forward, both hands raised high above his head. He attacked with a double downward chop, putting all his remaining strength into the move.
Baki caught both of Li Wei's hands in his own palms. Their fingers interlocked. For a moment, they struggled—Li Wei pushing down with everything he had, Baki holding him back effortlessly.
Li Wei pulled his head back and then thrust it forward, delivering a mighty headbutt aimed at Baki's forehead.
Baki met the headbutt with his own. CRACK! The sound echoed like thunder. The collision created a shockwave that shattered the windows around them.
Li Wei stumbled back, dazed. Blood poured from a cut on his forehead. But he refused to fall. He lowered his stance and rushed at Baki one final time, wrapping his arms around Baki's waist in a desperate tackle.
Baki didn't dodge. Li Wei's legs drove forward, pushing Baki backward. Li Wei's muscles bulged as he shouted, "I know I can't win! Yet I fight—not because I think myself your opponent, but because it's my duty to stop any invader!"
Baki's feet slid across the floor, leaving marks on the concrete. But slowly, Baki's body tensed. His muscles expanded. His feet stopped sliding.
Li Wei pushed harder. His face turned red from the effort. Veins popped out on his forehead and arms. But Baki didn't move anymore.
Baki laughed. "A figure who aspires to be strong... how beautiful! And you, my friend, aspire to be strong! Haha!"
Baki's muscles bulged. He grabbed Li Wei's arms and started lifting. Li Wei struggled, but inch by inch, he rose off the ground. Soon, Baki held the seven-foot giant over his head. The scene looked almost comical.
"No... not yet!" Li Wei shouted. Even while held overhead, he threw punches down at Baki's head. His fists rained down—one, two, three hits. But Baki didn't flinch.
"Impressive spirit!" Baki said. Then he slammed Li Wei down onto the concrete floor.
CRACK!
The floor shattered. A crater formed where Li Wei's body hit. Dust exploded outward. Chunks of concrete flew in all directions.
When the dust settled, Li Wei lay in the crater. His eyes had rolled back, showing only white. He was unconscious. But his hand... his hand was still gripping Baki's ankle. Even knocked out, his body tried to complete its duty.
Baki looked down at the unconscious man. "You fought well, big guy." He gently pried Li Wei's fingers off his ankle and laid his hand down.
Then Baki turned toward Lin Yichen. "Now... shall we talk?"