How to describe Hong Kong, this city?

Probably due to the childhood filter and the heavy influence of numerous Hong Kong films, many young people from the mainland developed a deep sense of longing for this place.

But in reality, once you're there—it's just so-so.

The streets are extremely narrow, with most being merely two-way, two-lane roads. The distance between buildings is so close it's suffocating, much like being in a pigeon coop.

However, the streets are indeed clean, and as you walk along, you occasionally see officers in uniform patrolling, just like in Hong Kong movies.

But Chen Nuo didn't really like this place.

If you include his previous life, Chen Nuo had visited this city many times.

He always felt that many people in Hong Kong had a strange attitude. Whenever you encountered locals and spoke Mandarin instead of Cantonese, you could subtly feel a kind of condescending air from them.

Even in restaurants, the waiters rarely had a pleasant expression.

This sense of superiority has historical roots.

In the 1990s, Hong Kong's economic level far surpassed that of the mainland. An ordinary person in Hong Kong could earn a monthly salary of over ten thousand Hong Kong dollars.

In that era, a truck driver in Hong Kong could afford to keep a mistress in a place like Shenzhen and not be burdened by the expense.

Keep in mind what the 1990s were like—ordinary monthly salaries in mainland first and second-tier cities were just a few hundred yuan.

But after the year 2000, the gap began to close at a rapid pace. By the time Chen Nuo was reborn, Hong Kong's economy had declined significantly. This was due to the transfer of the economic center, as its status in regional economics had been greatly weakened.

But now, it was 2001.

The sense of superiority was still very strong.

Chen Nuo and his group didn't bother having breakfast at the hotel in the morning; they stepped out and walked along Canton Road, casually picking a tea restaurant to eat at.

The group's attire clearly marked them as tourists from the mainland—mainly Brother Lei and Zhu Dazhi.

These two were dressed in the standard mainland men's fashion of that era: wearing T-shirts with the hems tucked into their pants. They even hung cellphone cases on their belts.

Looking stiff and proper, but in fact, quite out of touch.

Chen Nuo didn't mind these details, nor did he deliberately try to correct the dress sense of Brother Lei and others.

To him, a person's confidence had nothing to do with what they wore.

Steve Jobs, for instance, would wear just an unassuming T-shirt to every press conference, yet he still radiated splendor.

There's no need to conform to other people's discriminatory gaze and deliberately imitate their dress code.

At the tea restaurant, the waiters were noticeably indifferent and impatient, especially when Brother Lei and Zhu Dazhi enthusiastically perused the menu, flipping through it back and forth as they made their choices. The waiter stood there, impatiently tapping the table with the pencil in hand, a weary expression on his face.

They also muttered something in Cantonese under their breath.

Even though they couldn't understand, it was clear that it wasn't anything nice.

Zhu Dazhi was rather dense and completely failed to notice the waiter's expression.

Brother Lei, cunning as he was, noticed and became a bit displeased. He couldn't understand what the waiter said, but he caught one particular word.

Northerner.

Just as Brother Lei was about to glare and lose his temper, Chen Nuo patted the back of his hand to calm him down.

Chen Nuo looked up and quickly ordered from the waiter, "Three servings of pork bone lo mein, two servings of rice noodle rolls, two servings of double-skinned milk, five iced milk teas."

Chen Nuo spoke in Mandarin.

He could speak Cantonese but just didn't want to. He wouldn't indulge them!

Only then did the waiter leave, still showing impatience.

"You fool, we're eating in a restaurant. You want to get mad at the waiter before the food has even arrived? Aren't you afraid they'll spit in your food?" Chen Nuo said with a smile to Brother Lei.

Brother Lei was somewhat unhappy. "Damn, what an attitude! I'm the customer, not a beggar."

"It's normal. Locals look down on mainland tourists nowadays, thinking we are poor."

"Huh?"

Chen Nuo smiled and gestured with his eyes toward the waiter. "Do you know how much a waiter here can earn in a month working at this place?"

Without waiting for Brother Lei to guess, Chen Nuo said with a laugh, "In an area like this, in a shop that does such good business... a monthly salary can be over ten thousand Hong Kong dollars."

"Bloody hell!" Brother Lei's eyes widened.

Ten thousand?! In Jinling, an envied civil servant only earns about a thousand a month!

The salary Brother Lei offered to his own store's sales staff was five hundred plus commission per month, which was quite considerate already.

In Hong Kong, a waiter earns a monthly salary of over ten thousand?

"It's different," Chen Nuo shook his head and explained. "That amount of money, if spent in the mainland, is indeed a lot. In Hong Kong, though, these people are actually living quite miserably. These waiters are from the lower classes. They might all live in a village house, even waiting for public housing. Oh, public housing here is somewhat like the affordable housing back home, but it's rented at a very low price by the government to the ordinary people. And they might not get a turn for it, possibly waiting for up to ten years. There's a term here called 'coffin rooms.' Often, a whole family will live in one space, which might be just seven or eight square meters in area. Many of those earning a monthly salary of over ten thousand are actually the poor here, living in places not much different from pigeon coops."

Pausing, Chen Nuo asked with a smile, "Brother Lei, how big is your house in Jinling?"

Brother Lei felt a bit embarrassed. "Well... about a hundred square meters. I bought it a couple of years ago, planning to get married."

"A hundred square meters in Hong Kong would be called a thousand-square-foot luxury home."

"Damn, is Hong Kong that twisted?"

"Yeah, it's a small place with severe monopolization of resources, rampant inflation, and inflated prices," Chen Nuo continued as he pointed at the menu. "You saw when we ordered just now, right? How expensive is everything? Just an ordinary street-side tea shop like this, and a few of us eating ordinary things are spending several hundred. In our place, that's a person's monthly salary."

Brother Lei did the math, factored in the monthly salary of over ten thousand, and instantly felt that these Hong Kong people were utterly miserable...

High wages in numbers, but the local purchasing power is low.

These topics were too complex and a bit sensitive, so once the waiter had served the meal, Chen Nuo stopped discussing them.

He brought a bowl of double-skin milk to Song Qiaoyun and said with a smile, "Mrs. Jiang, try this."

Then he served another bowl to Xiao Yezi.

「Money, or to be precise, currency, depends on its buying power.」

Numerical value is meaningless.

People in Hong Kong earning twenty thousand a month can barely afford a bottle of mineral water for ten or eight dollars, and a bowl of noodles costs fifty.

Renting a room of seven or eight square meters costs three to five thousand.

Where's the sense of happiness in that?

「When they returned to the hotel, Old Jiang was still resting in his room.」

Teacher Jiang had made up his mind not to go out. He was in his room practicing Inner Breath, adjusting his condition in preparation for the battle.

Chen Nuo bought some takeout for Song Qiaoyun and brought it back.

Song Zhicun had not shown up, and nobody from the Song Family had come either. It wasn't clear whether it was out of martial virtue, not wanting to disturb the opponent before the match, or because of some other condescending thoughts—perhaps a bit of both.

Chen Nuo asked Song Qiaoyun; the martial arts contest was scheduled for two days later at a gym owned by the Song Family in Hong Kong—their so-called flagship store.

Having clarified these things, Chen Nuo was temporarily relieved.

So, for the next two days, he simply relaxed and took Xiao Yezi, Brother Haonan, Brother Lei, and Zhu Dazhi around Hong Kong every day.

The car from Dong Tian Society became their exclusive vehicle, which was convenient to use anyway.

Brother Lei and Zhu Dazhi visited various iconic locations from Hong Kong cinema they had wanted to see: Tongluo Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Temple Street...

The result...

"Damn, it's actually better not to go; the streets are old, shabby, and narrow, sigh!"

Disillusionment, all around disillusionment.

Chen Nuo had originally wanted to take Xiao Yezi to Disneyland.

But upon inquiry, he realized his mistake... Disneyland in Hong Kong hadn't even opened in 2001.

However, they did make a trip to Ocean Park.

They also took a day to visit a famous filming location for Hong Kong movies: the sets on Lantau Island.

The result was yet another disappointment. It was already dilapidated.

By 2001, the golden age of Hong Kong cinema had passed, leaving only its afterglow.

They also visited the well-known Hong Kong Coliseum, which had a distinctive look, but it was just so-so. Built in the 1980s, it was already somewhat worn. It wasn't until 2009 that it underwent a renovation.

The only thing that impressed everyone was the famous Central district.

It's actually Hong Kong's current CBD, with all kinds of beautiful skyscrapers and office buildings built against the backdrop of Taiping Mountain.

However, to Chen Nuo, who was used to the sight of Lujiazui, Central always felt somewhat provincial and cramped. It was the same issue: too little land. The space between buildings was so narrow it felt suffocating.

The dazzling Hong Kong of the golden age of cinema, ultimately, existed only in memories of childhood...

「On the third evening after arriving in Hong Kong, Song Zhicun finally showed up!」

Accompanied by his entourage, this elder from the Song Family, whom Chen Nuo had met once before, came to the hotel and personally hosted a dinner for Teacher Jiang and his wife, Song Qiaoyun.

Chen Nuo unapologetically joined in on the meal.

Song Zhicun had already heard from his subordinates that Teacher Jiang and his wife had also brought along a group of disciples.

He was somewhat surprised.

Because when arranging the itinerary, the Song Family had only taken care of the tickets and accommodation for the couple.

If you had mentioned the additional people earlier, the Song Family wouldn't have minded the extra cost. This way, it just made them seem petty.

At the dinner table, Song Zhicun was very polite... with a kind of indifferent courtesy.

Since the contest was the next day, nobody drank. They casually talked about matters of the martial arts world.

However, Teacher Jiang was clearly not much of a talker—having secluded himself in a school, he had been out of touch with the martial arts world for many years, and many topics were beyond his reach.

Chen Nuo, on the other hand, through his deliberate conversational prodding, heard quite a bit of Bagua from Song Zhicun.

As the dinner was drawing to a close, Song Zhicun suddenly sighed.

"Teacher Jiang, actually, if it were up to me, there's really no great need for this competition. Our two families are essentially one and the same. Since we're family, there should be no need for strife. Acknowledging our ancestors and reuniting after a long separation should be more about sharing affection. But... for the wishes of our predecessors, this contest had to be arranged. Please show some leniency on the platform tomorrow."

These were beautiful words.

Teacher Jiang was somewhat moved himself.

But Chen Nuo didn't quite trust this Song Zhicun.

If it was really about affection, why, after Teacher Jiang and his wife had been in Hong Kong for so many days, hadn't they been invited to his home to meet the family? Song Qiaoyun was, after all, the only direct descendant from the main branch of the Song Family. None of the uncles or elders showed up, not even a word from Song Zhicun's father.

Sure enough, following that, Song Zhicun smiled. "Since we're family, besides the match, we should ultimately also discuss affection. For tomorrow's martial contest, according to the old customs of the martial world, there should always be some stakes. The bets agreed upon by our ancestors, whether it's offerings or family heirlooms, are naturally included. However... I've heard that you've been living a modest life in the mainland, so I took the liberty of adding some extra wagers."

With that, Song Zhicun, smiling amiably, produced a check.

"This is two million Hong Kong dollars, a Standard Chartered bank cashier's check, cashable at any time."

Teacher Jiang's face changed. "Are you trying to bribe me?"

"Of course not!" Song Zhicun shook his head. "This is the prize money for tomorrow."

"Prize money?" Teacher Jiang shook his head. "This isn't money I can only get if I lose, is it?"

"Where did you get that idea!"

Song Zhicun sighed. "Teacher Jiang, you're underestimating me. This prize money will be certified by several esteemed elders from the martial arts community who are invited to the scene of the competition tomorrow. After the competition, win or lose, it's all yours!"

Win or lose, I still get two million? Then why wait until after the competition? Isn't this just an appearance fee? Isn't this redundant? Zhang Linsheng was a bit bewildered.

But Chen Nuo chuckled to himself.

This Song Zhicun, isn't he clever. Just think... win or lose, I'll give you two million... so when you're up on the martial arts stage, would you have the heart to strike me hard? Don't say you wouldn't. Even if you hesitate for just half a second at the critical moment—for someone of Teacher Jiang's caliber in martial arts, that would likely be enough to determine the winner!

This was Song Zhicun's purpose tonight.

First, he used gentle words to talk about affection, and then money to underscore it.

All to shake Teacher Jiang's will to fight!

Although Song Zhicun originally had a slightly higher chance of winning, the stakes of this competition were too great for him. Using such a tactic, successful or not, was worth it even if it added just a slight edge to his chances of winning.

Teacher Jiang was an honest man, and after Song Zhicun's manipulation, sure enough, his intensity softened.

Song Zhicun then added, "After tomorrow's competition, my family has also prepared a dinner. Although my father is seriously ill, he will attend personally. At that time... it will also be a time for our two branches of the family to gather, to have a heart-to-heart talk. Ah, why bother with century-old grudges? We're all family after all."

Song Zhicun then took his leave, mentioning that someone would be sent with a car to pick them up the next day, before departing with his entourage.

Teacher Jiang sighed. "This Old Song, he's not really a bad person, huh."

Chen Nuo glanced at Teacher Jiang from the side and chuckled softly. "But not really a good person either."

It's fine, using a bit of psychological warfare, but not too extreme. Not playing dirty. Chen Nuo was quite satisfied.

Alright, you play your psychological games and try to soften my fighting spirit with sentiment. Then I'll use cheating tactics against you. Quite fair.

「The physical stamina of humans has its limits.」

Martial artists might have a higher threshold, but it is definitely not unlimited.

Chen Nuo was very clear that even with him puppeteering Zhang Linsheng—a form of cheating—Linsheng's own physical condition had its limits. There were still moves that, even using Chen Nuo's spiritual power and consciousness for control, Brother Haonan simply could not perform.

Thus, Chen Nuo had other preparations.

In the evening, the chauffeur assigned by Dong Tian Society in Hong Kong delivered the item Chen Nuo had urgently custom-ordered two days ago...

「The day of the decisive battle!」

Around noon, Chen Nuo was waiting at the door of Teacher Jiang's room with Zhang Linsheng.

When Teacher Jiang and his wife came out, Teacher Jiang himself appeared to have undergone a significant change in demeanor!

The usually rotund schoolteacher now had an aura of composure and steadiness, with a twinkle in his eyes that gave off a sense of deep and tranquil waters.

He wore a short coat made of hemp, thin-soled cloth shoes, and his hair was neatly combed as well.

Song Qiaoyun followed behind her husband, giving a gentle nod to the two disciples waiting at the door.

"Let's go." Teacher Jiang, head held high and chest puffed out, walked ahead.

Chen Nuo and Zhang Linsheng, both dressed in sportswear today, trailed behind Teacher Jiang like two sidekicks.

"Brother Haonan."

"What?"

"Don't you think our master looks really spirited today?"

"Mhm, Master does have the demeanor of a martial arts master today."

Teacher Jiang, leading the way, overheard his two disciples whispering and couldn't help feeling a bit proud.

He had been meditating and adjusting his Inner Breath for three consecutive days, bringing his condition to the best state possible for his current level. Hmph, those two lads have some discernment!

But then, the conversation continued behind him.

"Don't you think our master today looks a lot like Huo Yuanjia?"

"Ah? Now that you mention it, there is a resemblance!"

Teacher Jiang almost stumbled, turning back to glare fiercely at his two foolish disciples.

I'm going to a martial arts competition! Look like Huo Yuanjia? Can't you make small talk? Huo Yuanjia, for crying out loud, died on the stage!

「In the hotel lobby downstairs, members of the Song Family were already waiting.」

The one leading them seemed to be in his thirties. He was wearing a suit, donning black-framed glasses, slender and tall in stature.

Seeing Teacher Jiang and the others exit the elevator, the man smiled and approached them.

"Mr. Jiang!"

Old Jiang looked at the man curiously.

"I am Song Chengye. Song Zhicun is my older brother."

It became clear then; this man was the third son of the current generation of the second branch of the Song Family.

He had heard that the second branch of the Song Family had three sons in this generation. The eldest, Song Zhicun, was the one set to duel with Old Jiang today.

This third son, Song Chengye, was the youngest child, born to the old man of the Song Family in his later years. However... it was said he didn't practice martial arts.

Looking at him, with his slender figure and refined demeanor, he indeed didn't seem like a martial artist.

"I have long heard of Teacher Jiang's prowess in martial arts. I specially requested permission from my father to come and escort you to the place of the duel today." Song Chengye's smile and tone were very polite as he pointed outside. "The car is ready."

With the other party being courteous, Teacher Jiang naturally responded in kind. Song Qiaoyun also came forward to greet him.

Song Chengye's attitude toward Song Qiaoyun was even more polite, with an added touch of warmth. "Strictly speaking, Elder Sister Qiaoyun, I should call you 'cousin.'"

After a pause, he spoke in a lower voice, "This duel is truly ill-timed. What should be a warm family reunion, relatives acknowledging and meeting each other, has turned into a confrontation of fists. Sigh... this time, you all have been truly wronged."

Outside the hotel, two cars were already parked there.

"Mr. Song, Cousin Qiaoyun, please ride in my car. We can chat along the way," Song Chengye suggested, gesturing toward a Mercedes-Benz in front and smiling. "Your two esteemed disciples can take the van behind. My men will take good care of them."

Teacher Jiang was just about to nod.

Yet, Chen Nuo instinctively felt something was wrong and suddenly said, "Master, let's all take one car. I still have something to tell you."

Teacher Jiang was somewhat puzzled, but Song Qiaoyun nodded. "Alright, since we came together, we should travel together."

Song Chengye was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Very well, then I'll join you in the van."

Thus, the group got into the van, leaving Song Chengye's subordinates to take his own luxury car.

Inside the van, Teacher Jiang and Song Chengye sat in the second row, with Song Qiaoyun and Zhang Linsheng in the third row.

The third row could theoretically fit three people, though it would be a bit tight, but it wasn't appropriate to sit too close to Mrs. Jiang.

Chen Nuo, however, voluntarily took the front passenger seat.

The vehicle started moving, the van leading the way with the Mercedes trailing behind.

Along the way, Song Chengye exchanged a few pleasantries with Teacher Jiang. Noticing Teacher Jiang wasn't much for conversation, he didn't press further and instead kept talking to Song Qiaoyun, mostly about some legends of the Song Family ancestors.

Hong Kong is small, and the streets are narrow. The convoy moved at an unhurried pace.

Just as they reached a crossroads where they needed to turn into a tunnel...

Suddenly, Chen Nuo felt a slight stirring in his heart!

A small truck driving toward them from the side ahead gave him an inexplicably odd feeling.

The truck had been approaching at a steady pace, but as it got closer, it suddenly accelerated.

Chen Nuo quickly glanced in the rearview mirror.

He saw Song Chengye, sitting in the second-row seat, his body postured with knees slightly bent, head down, chest hunched, and arms lightly crossed in front of him...

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat!

At the same time, the engine of the small truck to their side front suddenly roared violently...

His powerful spiritual power allowed Chen Nuo to instantly perceive, from more than ten meters away, the ferocious expression on the truck driver's face! The accelerator was floored!

The soundproofing of the van was excellent, and the other passengers did not hear the engine's roar from outside.

Once Chen Nuo realized this, his eyes flashed with a sharp glint!

He watched the truck. The driver was gripping the steering wheel when suddenly, his expression changed!

The steering wheel uncontrollably turned to one side on its own! The driver cried out in alarm but couldn't react in time. The small truck crashed headlong into the metal roadside barrier, then flipped onto its side, sliding forward for many meters due to inertia...

The loud crash outside startled their convoy, and their driver immediately hit the brakes!

The people in the van stared in astonishment at the truck, which had smashed the barrier and lay overturned on its side seven or eight meters away, its tires still spinning slowly.

They then saw the truck door open, and the driver, bleeding from his head, crawled out.

By then, pedestrians had gathered around, quickly helping the driver to the side of the road to sit down, while someone else called the police...

Inside the van, Teacher Jiang and the others looked surprised, not expecting to witness such a car accident.

Chen Nuo carefully observed Song Chengye and indeed caught a fleeting look of shock and suspicion in his eyes, which he quickly concealed.

"Young Master, it seems there's been an accident over there," the driver said, glancing back at Song Chengye.

Song Chengye frowned but said nothing.

Chen Nuo, however, suddenly spoke up, "Mr. Song, isn't the time for the duel approaching? Should we stay here and watch the commotion, or proceed to the duel?"

At Chen Nuo's words, Song Chengye immediately shook his head and laughed. "Traffic accidents are for the police to handle. Let's go to the martial arts hall."

He casually opened the window and instructed the two subordinates who had gotten out of the Mercedes parked behind them, "Go take a look. Help out if you can."

As the car slowly started moving again, Chen Nuo smiled. "Mr. Song, you have a kind heart."

Song Chengye nodded and smiled but said nothing more.