KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

After returning to Shicheng, the group sent Kusanagi Shizuru back to the airport. Yan Yue, Tang Fulu, and Zhen Yuanzhai decided to go to Zhen Yuanzhai's home in Lushan to pick up Shunying and Mingtianjun and return to Wudang Mountain together.

On the train, Yan Yue chatted with Zhen Yuanzhai and was astonished to discover that this seemingly perpetually drunk old man knew all the martial arts styles of China. This fact shocked Yan Yue; he couldn't imagine that one person could master so many martial arts techniques. It turned out that the reason Zhen Yuanzhai was able to teach disciples with superpowers like Athena and Shii Kensou was precisely because of his mastery of various martial arts styles. This exceptional teaching ability filled Yan Yue with deep respect for Zhen Yuanzhai.

Furthermore, Yan Yue learned that Chin Gentsai's favorite style of Drunken Fist was because, in this world, it was Chin Gentsai who created it. Yan Yue couldn't help but marvel that those who become grandmasters all possess extraordinary abilities; Tang Fulu was like that, Chin Gentsai was like that, and so were Kusanagi Shizuru and Sakazaki Takuma. Chin Gentsai's achievements lay not only in his mastery of martial arts but also in his creative power after mastering them. Yan Yue speculated that Chin Gentsai's Drunken Fist contained the essence of all Chinese martial arts.

As the train sped along, Yan Yue fell into deep thought. He realized that a true master was not merely someone with superb skills, but also a wise person who constantly explored and innovated to pursue higher realms. During his conversation with Zhen Yuanzhai, Yan Yue gained new insights into his future cultivation. Perhaps with the aid of the Qi cultivation method, the "Flowing Water Rock-Shattering Fist" could be further improved and strengthened, allowing Yan Yue's own flowing fist technique to truly reach a higher level.

In the evening, Yan Yue and her group got off the train in Shanghai. They still needed to wait for their connecting train there. The technology in this world wasn't very advanced, and train transfers weren't very convenient, so after buying their tickets, they stayed in Shanghai for two days.

"Looks like the old men are playing mahjong again, sigh..." Yan Yue was speechless. Is mahjong really that fun? I'm blind, can't they at least look after me a little...?

And so, Yan Yue strolled leisurely through the streets of Shanghai, contemplating cultivation and occasionally thinking of her younger sister, Xiao Long. Suddenly, the sound of fighting erupted ahead. Following the sound, Yan Yue discovered a boy of similar age engaged in a fierce battle with a group of gang members. The boy was agile, his punches and kicks swift as the wind, and he possessed immense strength. With a powerful punch, he knocked two gang members to the ground, but the gang members were resilient, quickly getting back up after being knocked down.

Yan Yue's heart skipped a beat; this young man's skills were extraordinary. He moved closer to observe him more closely. The young man's moves were sharp and unique, targeting vital points, and every punch and kick contained immense power.

Yan Yue was quite surprised when he got closer. He discovered that the boy was using a brick!

This was the first time Yan Yue had ever seen this set of brick-wielding techniques. As Yan Yue was thinking, a figure suddenly flashed behind the boy, and a burly man more than two meters tall grabbed the boy's neck. The boy struggled desperately, but to no avail, and was lifted up by the man.

"Bang!" The boy was slammed heavily against the wall, instantly spitting out blood and groaning in pain.

The other gang members were overjoyed and cheered. Some even grabbed axes, ready to execute him.

There is murderous intent!

Upon seeing this, Yan Yue immediately rushed forward. He unleashed the Flowing Water Rock-Shattering Fist, quickly knocking down several gang members.

Seeing this, the burly man put down the boy and lunged at Yan Yue. Yan Yue nimbly dodged to the side, then kicked the burly man in the chest, knocking him back.

During the battle, Yan Yue discovered that the giant's strength was not to be underestimated, and that Yan Yue was somewhat unable to injure him. Yan Yue decided that he had to go all out to deal with him. He concentrated his energy and used the essence of the Flowing Water Shattering Rock Fist, and for a moment, the wind from his fists howled, and his momentum was overwhelming.

A hint of surprise flashed in the burly man's eyes, but he suddenly smiled and said, "Hey, blind young man, this is a personal feud between our Axe Gang and this kid. You seem pretty good, so just don't help me beat him up later. I'll help you apply for a Double Flower Red Pole position in the Axe Gang, how about that?"

Yan Yue stood protectively in front of the boy, sensing his painful breathing.

"No."

The moment he finished speaking, the burly man's expression changed drastically, and he sprang up and charged directly at Yan Yue. He leaped high into the air, crashing down on Yan Yue like a cannonball.

Yan Yue's thoughts flowed freely, her mind remained still as water, and her hands slowly opened, as gentle as flowing water.

【Water Flow Rock Crushing Fist】

Yan Yue's movements appeared slow, yet they contained boundless power. His fist techniques flowed as naturally as water, yet were as hard as rock. Just as the burly man's attack was about to strike, Yan Yue subtly dodged to the side, simultaneously transforming his fist into a palm and pushing away the man's force. Then, he swiftly turned and, with lightning speed, struck the man's vital point with a punch.

The burly man's eyes widened, and he collapsed to the ground in disbelief. His body twitched a few times, then fell still.

The other gang members were terrified and scattered in all directions. They had thought they could easily deal with a little blind man, but they never expected him to be so powerful.

Yan Yue helped the boy up and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

The boy shook his head with difficulty, somewhat defiantly, and looked at Yan Yue gratefully: "Thank you for saving me."

Yan Yue smiled and said, "No need to be polite. It's only right to help those in need." As she spoke, Yan Yue gave the boy's injuries a quick treatment. Hadilan had taught Yan Yue some first aid techniques before, and Yan Yue was just putting them to the test.

"However, your kung fu is really amazing, especially that brick-throwing technique. It's the first time I've ever seen it, so cool!"

The boy chuckled: "This is a martial art passed down in my family, called 'Expert'."

Upon hearing this, Yan Yue couldn't help but chuckle: "Expert? So there really is such a technique."

"Of course it's a joke, hahaha..." The boy laughed along with the joke.

"Wow, it really doesn't hurt as much anymore. Thank you!" The boy was very happy after his injury was treated.

The boy suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way, what's your name? I'm definitely going to be your friend!"

"My name is Yan Yue, what's yours?"

“I’ve already abandoned my original name; they all call me Shanghai Kid.” The boy seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly said with passion, “But sooner or later, I will make everyone in the city look up to me. I will become the God of War of Shanghai.”

"The God of War of Shanghai?" Yan Yue suddenly realized, "So that's how it is..."

"What's wrong?" The boy looked at Yan Yue with a puzzled expression.

"It's nothing, I just don't like the name 'God of War in Shanghai'," Yan Yue said, scratching her head somewhat embarrassedly.

"What's wrong with it?" The boy was very angry. He thought that Yan Yue was looking down on his title.

"What I mean is, can we change it to something that sounds better?" Yan Yue quickly explained.

"What?" The boy's eyes widened as he looked at Yan Yue with anticipation.

"The God of War of Shanghai!" Yan Yue said confidently.

"!" A hint of surprise and excitement flashed in the boy's eyes.

"How about it, isn't he handsome?" Yan Yue smiled smugly, as if she had come up with a perfect word.

"Great!" The boy clapped his hands in delight, his eyes shining. "Shanghai Martial God! Great!" He was so excited he almost jumped up.

This new title filled the boy with immense pride; he felt it was more imposing and resounding than the previous one. From that moment on, he decided to make this title his goal and pursuit, striving to become a true Shanghai Martial God.

Yan Yue then put on a helpless expression and complained, "Then I can't call you 'Shanghai Martial God' every time I see you, can I? That would be so silly."

Upon hearing this, the boy said somewhat discontentedly, "Then you can call me by my abbreviation, just call me 'Martial God'!"

"Yes, Shenwu!"

……

Night fell, and moonlight spilled across the ground like a silver veil. Yan Yue and Shen Wu stood under the moonlight, chatting animatedly; their long shadows appeared exceptionally lonely. Yet, in this quiet night, a flame of hope for the future ignited in Shen Wu's heart.

Shenwu looked at Yanyue, his eyes flashing with determination: "It's a promise! Let's embark on the path to becoming strong together."

Upon hearing this, Yan Yue smiled with delight and grasped Shen Wu's hand tightly, saying, "Alright, from now on, we're partners."

The next morning, sunlight pierced through the clouds, bathing the land of Shanghai in its glow. The train station bustled with people, a cacophony of noise filling the air. Shenwu brought Yanyue and the two elderly men to the station, helping them with their luggage and arranging seats. The two elders were deeply grateful and curious. They hadn't expected Yanyue to make such a good friend in just one night. Once everything was ready, Shenwu stood on the platform, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

As the train slowly started moving, Shenwu began to run, shouting loudly as he ran, "Yan Yue! Goodbye! I will definitely become stronger!" His voice echoed in the air, as if it were going to travel through time and space to reach Yan Yue's ears.

Yan Yue, sitting by the car window, shouted, "Take care! Shanghai Martial God!"

As Shenwu's figure receded into the distance, Yan Yue's heart was filled with anticipation. "So that's where the title 'Shenwu' comes from. Good luck, Shanghai Martial God. Next time we meet, I'll treat you to hairy crabs."

The train gradually accelerated, pulled away from the platform, and sped off into the distance. Yan Yue sat quietly in his seat, recalling the past, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew this was a new journey, and a new challenge.

"The King of Fighters tournament is just a few years away, I need to get stronger quickly! Little Sister Xiaolong, I will definitely protect you!"

(The prologue "Huaxia Chapter" has ended; the main story "Orochi Chapter" will follow.)

(The National Day holiday is over, so updates will be slower from now on. I'll definitely be focused on work, and I'll only be able to update more on weekends or holidays. So far, I've been trying my best to connect the King of Fighters story and characters, and I've also expanded the world-building from my own perspective. After thinking about it for a while, I've decided to stick with just one female lead and stick to the action-packed manga route. I wonder what you think of my choice of Xiaolong as the female lead? You might not know Xiaolong; she's a character who appeared in the King of Fighters spin-off "Max Impact." I think although she's not very strong, her characterization is good, and her appearance and abilities are quite distinctive.)