Long Bar Establishment

The smell of alcohol and smoke lingered in the air as the wooden doors of the Long Bar creaked open. Jin Wei walked in first, his expression calm, as if this routine of coming to work was just another day for him. But behind him, when Jin Xuanji stepped into the bar, the chatter slowed and gazes turned. Murmurs floated around. Drunkards paused mid-drink. The workers behind the counters stiffened. And near the corners, the guards—strong, armed, and well-fed on pride—locked eyes on him.

It was not because of his clothes, which were simple yet clean. Nor because of his face, now mature and oddly unreadable. It was because everyone knew who he was. Jin Xuanji—the brother of the hardworking bar boy who had no Inner Energy, the man labeled failure since birth.

One of the guards, tall with an arrogant swagger, approached. His eyes darted to Jin Wei, ignoring the older brother beside him.

"Why have you brought this 'man' into our establishment?" the guard sneered, his lip curling.

Jin Wei opened his mouth, probably to apologize or explain, but before he could speak, Jin Xuanji stepped forward and cut in with a smirk.

"A man wanted a drink, and this is how you treat your guest?" Jin Xuanji said, his tone light but laced with thorns.

The guards didn't like the way he said it, especially not the one standing at the back—the one with sharper eyes and a presence heavier than the others. Jin Xuanji's gaze shifted. He knew that face. That cruel sneer and thick arms. Even now, he could remember how this man used to wander into their poor street, raise hell, laugh as he harassed people, and always got away with it.

'Xia Yuze,' Jin Xuanji thought, his jaw tightening. Even in this life, he's here.

'Fuck. Even though I don't have Inner Energy to use technique, I still have a chance. If I use a martial art that requires too much energy, every part of my body might break. My body's still that of a civilian, so the martial arts I can use are little to none.'

Xia Yuze's voice broke his thoughts. He stepped forward and growled, "You dare mock us?!"

His fingers gripped the hilt of his sword. A chill spread across the bar. Whispers stirred among the drunkards.

'Jin Xuanji, this guy really came here. Is it because of his little brother's... incident?' Xia Yuze wondered, his muscles tensing.

'I can probably use Fuan Martial Art. That martial art is very simple, works well against stronger styles that rely on energy. But I don't think it'll work on someone who uses a sword... Ah, fuck it.' Jin Xuanji's eyes narrowed, a fire dancing beneath the calm.

Snickers erupted from the onlookers as Jin Xuanji stepped back and dropped into a stance. His hands floated to his sides, open and steady, one leg bent slightly forward while the other stretched back, weight grounded, balance perfect. The stance of Fuan Martial Art—an art mocked for its simplicity but known among true martial artists for its effective counters.

Xia Yuze scoffed. "You even learned a martial art before coming here? You lowlife."

He unsheathed his sword, its silver gleam catching the dim light. His knees bent, body low, sword extended forward—like a hunting viper about to strike. And then, without warning, he rushed forward.

The air split as the sword swung. Jin Xuanji's body moved instinctively, slipping just out of reach, parrying the blow with the side of his arm. Another slash came, he stepped to the side, his palm brushing the sword just enough to redirect. Again, and again, Xia Yuze attacked with brutal force, but Jin Xuanji blocked, dodged, parried, each move clean and minimal, almost like a dance.

"He's... holding his ground?" someone whispered.

"No way. Isn't that Jin Xuanji? The failure?"

"Maybe he trained after all?"

Jin Wei stood frozen at the side, his hands clenched. "Brother..." he mumbled, eyes wide with worry.

Jin Xuanji heard none of it. His breathing was slow, his muscles strained but focused. Inside, his body screamed with fatigue, but outside, his posture remained confident.

'Fuck. My legs are getting heavy. I can't keep this pace for long. I need to end it soon. But he's not careless—if I miss one parry, it's over.'

Xia Yuze grunted, hearing the whispers, noticing the shift in atmosphere. Rage flared in his eyes. "You think this trash can fight me?! You worms think he can win?!"

He stepped back and adjusted his posture. His feet spread wider, knees bent deeply, sword raised behind his back shoulder in a reverse grip, like he was ready to lunge forward and slice from beneath. The Red Viper Stance. A killing stance.

People gasped.

"He's serious now."

"His actually going to kill him!"

"I don't feel sorry"

"2 more order of chicken please!"

But Jin Xuanji didn't back down. Instead, he exhaled slowly and shifted his weight, preparing for the final flurry.

Xia Yuze lunged. His sword swept upward in a deadly arc, aiming to tear through Jin Xuanji's chest.

Jin Xuanji twisted his body sideways at the last second, raised both arms, and smacked the blade's flat with open palms. The force shot pain up his elbows, but he didn't stop. His foot came up and struck Xia Yuze in the stomach, followed by a shoulder rush that sent the man flying backward, crashing into a table, cups shattering, ale spilling.

The bar went silent.

Jin Xuanji stood there, panting slightly, sweat dripping down his forehead. But he smiled.

Xia Yuze didn't move.

"Anyone else have a problem with me drinking here?" Jin Xuanji asked, his tone amused, but his eyes sharp.

Jin Wei rushed over. "Brother, are you okay?!" Jin Wei had the eyes of a man who was watching with fear for his elder brother.

"I'm fine," Jin Xuanji replied, ruffling his little brother's hair. "Told you I just wanted a drink."

The entire bar watched in silence as Jin Xuanji stand before the guards who was scared to move since the eyes of Jin Xuanji was that of a man ready to kill.