Chapter 57: Group Discount for Ninety-Nine Percent Off (Seeking Readership)

In the evening, Hua Shier treated Liu Yi to a drink at his martial arts gym to thank him for his help as a plant earlier that day.

Liu Yi was a quick-witted fellow. Having figured out the true purpose behind Hua Shier opening a martial arts gym, he smiled and said, "No wonder you looked down on the meager fees we collected from the usual students. Turns out you came up with such a brilliant method. In my opinion, you didn't open this gym to accept disciples, but to go fishing, didn't you?"

Hua Shier took a bite of his food, smiled without answering Liu Yi's remark, and instead asked, "What's the background of that Zhuo Yifei?"

This Zhuo Yifei looked exactly like the famous action star known as the "Big Brother" in the real world. Coupled with the name Zhuo Yifei, Hua Shier had realized during the day that this person must be a character from Jackie Chan's film *Project A*.

The time setting of that movie seemed very close to *Bodyguards and Assassins*, and Hua Shier suspected that his current mission world might involve more than just a single plotline.

Liu Yi didn't even have to think before answering, "This Zhuo Yifei is no ordinary person. He's a notorious fixer with connections in both the underworld and legitimate circles across all walks of life. The rumor is that as long as you have enough money, he can get you whatever you want. There's only one thing: he doesn't touch the human trafficking business!"

Hearing this, Hua Shier became certain that this Zhuo Yifei was indeed the one he had in mind. In *Project A*, when the pirates wanted to buy guns, they had contacted him through an intermediary.

After finishing, Liu Yi couldn't help but look puzzled. "Hey, logically speaking, you should be quite familiar with Zhuo Yifei. How come you don't even recognize him?"

"What do you mean?"

Liu Yi laughed. "This Zhuo Yifei also loves to gamble, but he's the exact opposite of you. You always lose every time you bet, while he wins every time he bets. He's a prominent figure in several major gambling dens around Central, and almost anyone who goes there frequently should know him!"

Hua Shier searched Shen Chongyang's memories and confirmed that his predecessor did not know Zhuo Yifei. He immediately retorted with a scoff, "Are you making fun of me? You said it yourself, those are major establishments. The places I went to were all small-time gambling dens! Besides, don't ever bring up gambling again; I've quit gambling!"

Liu Yi wore a skeptical expression. "Really or not? I've heard you say you've quit gambling so many times my ears have grown calluses. Let's see how many days you can last this time!"

Hua Shier glared at him. "If you're not going to drink, get the hell out of here!"

Liu Yi chuckled heartily. "Eat your food, eat your food!"

Hua Shier defeating Zhuo Yifei was no big deal, as the latter had no real reputation in the martial arts community. However, following this incident, the news began to spread rapidly, letting more people in the martial arts circles know about it.

This meant that an increasing number of challengers would come knocking on his door, bringing a steady stream of wealth.

Hua Shier was full of confidence regarding this. Since ancient times, literature has no first place and martial arts has no second. Just imagine hanging the plaque that read "Number One Under Heaven, Leader of the Martial World" right above the door—wouldn't that provoke everyone's envy and anger?

Any true martial artist would find that hard to swallow. They were all his potential clients.

What was more, to further provoke his peers in the martial arts community, Hua Shier had deliberately put up that couplet: "With a single fist, I suppress the northern and southern martial arts realms; with a single kick, I pacify martial practitioners from all eight directions!" Such a blatant provocation was simply beyond endurance for anyone in the martial arts world—something even an aunt could not tolerate if an uncle could.

Sure enough, the very next day, just as Hua Shier got off work and walked up to the entrance of his martial arts gym, he saw a martial arts master accompanied by more than a dozen disciples coming to issue a challenge.

The master appeared to be around thirty years old, with a thick, long black braid and a tall, sturdy build. Seeing Hua Shier approach the door, he immediately stepped forward and demanded, "Are you Shen Chongyang?"

Hua Shier was overjoyed. It looked like business was about to open today, and he quickly replied, "I am indeed. May I ask who you are, honored guest?"

The martial arts master cupped his fists and said, "Mo Zaijiang of Mo Family Fist, here to challenge you and smash your signboard!"

"You are warmly welcomed!"

Hearing this, Hua Shier became even happier, grinning from ear to ear, which left Mo Zaijiang momentarily stunned. "Did I not make myself clear, or did you mishear? I'm here to smash your signboard. Why on earth are you so happy?"

Hua Shier waved a hand dismissively. "Hey, of course I'm happy to make friends through martial arts! By the way, Master Mo, do you happen to have an older sister named Mo Zaiti?"

Mo Zaijiang looked completely bewildered. "What older sister? Everyone in my family is male; I have six older brothers, and I'm the seventh!" He shook his head and snapped, "Right, I'm here to challenge you. Why are we talking about so much nonsense? Are we going to fight or not?"

After all, Hua Shier had spent over a year working in society, and adhering to the principle that the customer is god, he didn't get angry at the visitor's poor attitude. Instead, still wearing a smile, he pointed at the red paper notice and said, "Master Mo, have you read the words on this notice?"

Mo Zaijiang directly pulled out a hundred-dollar Hong Kong banknote, had one of his disciples find a stone to weigh it down right in front of the gym door, and then pointed at Hua Shier, shouting aggressively, "If I beat you, I'll smash your gym!"

With that, he assumed a Mo Family Fist stance. "Is this okay? I'm coming!"

By this time, the area around the martial arts gym was once again surrounded by onlookers. These onlookers even called over their friends and acquaintances, and seeing Mo Zaijiang strike a pose, they shouted to the crowd: "Come quickly, another martial arts duel is starting!"

With this shout, not only did more onlookers gather around, but many people also poked their heads out from the shops on both sides of the street to watch.

Hua Shier looked around and kindly advised, "Master Mo, wouldn't it be better if we spar behind closed doors?" After all, it was business—harmony brings wealth, and one must always preserve a client's dignity.

To his surprise, Mo Zaijiang didn't appreciate the gesture at all. "Behind what closed doors? I want everyone to see what kind of 'Number One Under Heaven' you really are!"

Since the other party was so eager to court death, Hua Shier was more than willing to oblige. He lazily assumed a starting stance of the Great Sage Pi Gua style and curled his index finger. "Bring it on!"

Mo Zaijiang lunged forward with a bounding stride. Mid-way, he abruptly twisted his waist, used the rotational force to whip his back leg out in a fierce kick, and shouted a rather chuunibyou-style battle cry: "Mo Family Piercing Heart Kick!"

Seeing the opponent's moves, Hua Shier couldn't be bothered to waste any time. He simply grabbed Mo Zaijiang's ankle and tossed him aside with a casual flick.

Mo Zaijiang weighed over a hundred pounds, but if Hua Shier had been in the mood, he could have slammed him back and forth like the Hulk smashing Loki.

Mo Zaijiang tumbled across the ground a few times and only came to a halt when his disciples rushed up to steady him. From this single move alone, he knew he was no match for his opponent. Remembering his earlier bravado and looking at his current pathetic state, his face flushed red. He yelled at the dozen disciples who were about to rush forward to avenge him, "Stop! Haven't we embarrassed ourselves enough? Let's go!"

With that, he got to his feet and prepared to leave, but Hua Shier called out to him with a smile, "Master Mo, wait a moment..."

Hearing this, Mo Zaijiang paused his steps, turned around in exasperation, and snapped, "You've already proven your point. I admit I lost to you. What more do you want?"

Treating this potential major client like a close family member, Hua Shier walked right up to him and personally helped brush the dust off his clothes.

"Master Mo, I heard you have six older brothers. I bet they're all very formidable. Why don't you have them all come and issue a challenge? If you come as a group, I'll give you a one-percent discount."

Mo Zaijiang: "......" He had no idea what a one-percent discount was; all he knew was that he desperately wanted to break the bones of the guy standing right in front of him!