KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

For the past few days, Yan Yue had been darting through the streets and alleys of Cangzhou City like a nimble mouse. She keenly sensed the presence of those around her, trying to find any clues related to the Flying Thieves Sect. However, time passed quickly, and the first ten days or so had gone by like flowing water, with no progress whatsoever. Yan Yue grew increasingly anxious. After discussing it, the master and apprentice decided to change their strategy. Since searching aimlessly was like looking for a needle in a haystack, they might as well take the initiative and attract the Flying Thieves Sect's attention, hoping they would come to them, even though this was extremely risky.

Night fell, and the moonlight bathed the earth like water. Yan Yue and Tang Fulu, dressed simply with their faces obscured by their loose clothing, hurried towards the territory of the local gangs in Cangzhou. The figures of the old man and the young man moved with steady steps and agile movements, as if they had become one with the darkness.

"Who goes there?" the gang member asked warily, but before he could react, Tang Fulu swiftly bent over, his hands gathering at his sides, a powerful energy sweeping through his body like a storm. Tang Fulu opened his usually squinted eyes, his gaze firm and sharp, like a tiger ready to pounce.

Super Special Move: Great Impact Wave

"Boom!" As Tang Fulu thrust his hands out forcefully, a massive energy wave erupted. The energy wave, carrying boundless power, slammed directly into the gang's gate, instantly blasting it open and sending the gang members sprawling and disheveled.

Yan Yue's mouth dropped open in astonishment. This was far more effective than his own [Gale and Rain]. He had never witnessed such terrifying power before, and only now did he truly understand Tang Fulu's strength. A feeling of respect for his grandfather welled up within him, and he also realized that being a Grandmaster was not merely a simple symbol of status, but a mark of mastery over a sect's martial arts.

Tang Fulu, after all, represented the pinnacle of Chinese martial arts, so it wasn't surprising that he possessed such formidable strength. However, this was the first time Yan Yue had witnessed her grandfather display such astonishing power, and she was deeply shocked.

"But why did the old man go to such lengths?" Yan Yue was filled with doubt. He knew his grandfather was always gentle and kind, so why would he be so ruthless towards these gangsters this time? Was there some hidden reason?

Before Yan Yue could even think, Tang Fulu had already rushed into the gang's base.

Super Special Move: Whirlwind Power Fist

……

"Tell me, can you contact the Flying Thieves Sect? We have some questions to ask," Yan Yue said calmly, holding the gang leader bound. Tang Fulu, meanwhile, was drinking tea nearby.

The gang leader looked at the twelve-year-old blindfolded brat in front of him with disdain in his eyes. He thought to himself, what can a little kid do to me? However, when he saw the light of his spiritual energy swirling in Yan Yue's hand, his heart tightened.

Seeing that the gang leader remained silent for a long time, Yan Yue grew anxious. He knew time was of the essence and he couldn't delay any longer. So, without hesitation, he used his spiritual energy to instantly sever the gang leader's hands, causing him to let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Then, Yan Yue grabbed the leader by the collar and lifted him up with one hand. His voice was filled with anger and authority: "We had some urgent business just now, so we stormed in, but none of your brothers are dead. If you still don't talk, I can shut everyone here up. Anyway, once you're all dead, the Flying Thieves Sect won't be able to take your commissions anymore, and they'll come after us. You agree, right?"

The gang leader was utterly shocked; he hadn't expected this seemingly weak child to be so ruthless. He began to regret his underestimation, realizing he had encountered a true master. Terror filled his face, and sweat streamed down his forehead…

Soon after, three members of the Flying Thief Sect arrived at the gang and saw Yan Yue and Tang Fulu sitting at the main entrance, drinking tea with stools and small tea tables set up, completely ignoring the gang members lying on the ground, seriously injured.

The leader stepped forward and said in a cold voice, "So it was you who injured our men?"

Yan Yue chuckled, "So what if it is? Hand over the commission now!" The man's eyes turned cold, "You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences!" With that, he launched an attack on Yan Yue.

At this critical moment, Tang Fulu made his move! His aura erupted instantly, and he abruptly stood up, charging towards the three thieves with astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, the three thieves were rendered powerless to fight back, collapsing to the ground severely injured.

The leader of the thieves looked at his unfathomable opponent with astonishment and confusion, his mind filled with questions. He couldn't help but ask, "Who exactly are you people? Why are you looking for us, the Flying Thieves?"

"It's because..." Yan Yue was about to answer when suddenly, a loud "bang..." rang out. Taking advantage of the moment Yan Yue spoke, the three thieves swiftly pulled out smoke bombs and detonated them, instantly filling the surrounding area with thick smoke. Then, using their unique thief's light-footed skills, they vanished into the smoke in an instant.

Yan Yue sensed the entire process clearly. She sensed the direction they left in, and a smug smile appeared on her lips.

“OK! Grandpa, let’s follow!” Yan Yue’s expression was slightly joyful as she turned to Tang Fulu and said.

……

The territory of the Flying Thief Sect.

Xiaolong huddled in the corner of the room, her body trembling like a leaf in the wind. The next room was completely silent, as if all life had been drained from it. The screams of the mistress and her daughters had long since vanished, replaced by a deathly silence. However, this silence brought Xiaolong no peace; instead, it intensified her fear. Heavy footsteps were slowly approaching her, each step a dull thud, striking her heart like a hammer blow, shattering her last line of defense.

Tears of fear welled up in Xiaolong's eyes and streamed down her cheeks. She covered her mouth and nose tightly with her hands, desperately trying to control her breathing and the trembling caused by fear, afraid to make a sound. But she knew it was futile; the other person would definitely sense her presence.

With a chilling sound, the wooden door to Xiaolong's room was slowly pushed open. A powerful killing intent, accompanied by a thick stench of blood, rushed out and instantly enveloped the entire room. Xiaolong closed her eyes tightly in fear, a wave of despair washing over her; she was powerless to struggle any longer.

Just as the killer's breathing could reach Xiaolong's ears, the terrifying footsteps suddenly stopped, as if time had frozen at that moment.

"who?!"

"Bang!" A crashing sound came from the doorway. Perhaps the thief outside had sensed something was wrong and was fighting with the murderer. Then she heard the sounds of fighting and screams outside. She knew that the enemy she had encountered this time was very powerful, not someone an ordinary thief could handle.

Xiaolong immediately realized what was happening. Taking advantage of the fighting outside, his trembling, weak body grabbed the pager and quietly climbed out the window, hiding in a corner not far away.

Xiaolong climbed out the window and discovered that the ground was littered with the corpses of his clansmen, and blood stained the village roads. The moonlight cast a hazy, bloody mist on the ground, and the moon itself appeared eerily crimson against the backdrop of the blood mist.

Xiaolong saw the murderer's face, his eyes widened, and his face was full of disbelief.

She never imagined that the murderer was actually her father, the leader of the Flying Thieves Gang—Long.

At this moment, the dragon exuded a violent aura, with black energy flowing eerily throughout his body, a stark contrast to the gentle and kind father he once was. His eyes were cold and ruthless, filled only with killing intent, as if he had become a stranger. One by one, the thieves who came to stop him fell, their limbs and fragments flying everywhere.

Xiaolong was filled with pain and confusion. She couldn't understand why her father had become like this, or why she had guessed correctly. She stared blankly at the scene before her, unable to accept this cruel reality.

"Sister? I'm so scared..." Several children sneaked up behind Xiaolong, hugged her legs tightly, and cried. They looked terrified. Their eyes were full of fear and helplessness, tears streamed down their cheeks, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

Xiaolong's face turned pale instantly. She stared wide-eyed at her surroundings, her heart filled with fear. But when she saw the children's expressions, a hint of determination appeared in her eyes. She knelt down, gently stroking the children's heads, and comforted them, "Don't be afraid, your sister is here! Your sister will protect you."

After saying this, Xiaolong quickly picked up the youngest child, then took the hands of the other two children and carefully ran towards the house not far away. She tried to keep her footsteps as quiet as possible so as not to make a sound and attract Long's attention.

Finally, they hid in a corner of the house. Xiaolong quickly found some planks and straw to cover herself and the children. She nervously watched the situation outside, tightly gripping a hidden dagger coated with deadly poison—a gift from her master when she became an apprentice a few days ago. Xiaolong's whole body was tense and trembling, ready to deal with any danger that might arise.

After finding her hiding place, Xiaolong fumbled for her pager and dialed it without hesitation. She closed her eyes and prayed silently, hoping for help. Her long, disheveled silver hair made her look utterly helpless and broken.

"Yan Yue..." she called softly.

(In a few more chapters, this prologue to the "China Chapter" will be finished, and the main characters will have grown up, at which point the main storyline of '94 will begin. I don't know how well I've written it, but I'll keep writing anyway.)