Many days passed after the martial arts school opened, and no one came to learn martial arts. Chen Mo was not in a hurry. He spent his days learning and sparring with the martial artists. Previously, Chen Mo did not have this opportunity. In modern society, there are very few true martial artists. These martial artists could be considered top experts in modern times, and finding even one would be difficult, let alone having several to train with him.
As his practical experience and combat skills accumulated, Chen Mo's fighting ability rapidly improved, and his combat power became increasingly formidable. The martial artists looked at Chen Mo with growing respect.
Chen Mo combined his extraordinary strength and speed with various combat techniques, drawing from the strengths of many styles to gradually form his own fighting style and create a set of combat techniques best suited to himself.
The martial artists' skills were mostly suited for one-on-one combat, using clever techniques to defeat stronger opponents. However, many of their techniques, such as continuous strikes, grappling, and using minimal force to achieve maximum effect, were not suitable for Chen Mo. Additionally, these techniques were less efficient in quickly eliminating large numbers of enemies.
Chen Mo's physical strength far exceeded that of ordinary people, so he often did not need many techniques. Simple, direct, and powerful battlefield techniques were more suitable for him.
However, Chen Mo still learned many useful techniques from the martial artists, such as targeting vital points, attacking and exerting force, dodging, and quick movement.
Chen Mo discarded some of the complex and intricate moves, simplifying them into swift and direct attacks aimed at vital points. With his immense strength and extraordinary speed, the power of these moves was astonishing.
After his own set of combat techniques matured, Chen Mo also revisited some of the grappling and force-deflecting techniques he had temporarily set aside.
Although Chen Mo's physical abilities made him nearly invincible in this world, he knew that he might encounter stronger opponents in the future. Relying solely on brute force would not always be effective.
Continuous learning and sparring with the martial artists also allowed Chen Mo to handle enemies skilled in techniques, preventing them from using their skills to defeat him.
One evening, after dinner, Chen Mo did not continue training but returned to his study on the third floor.
He picked up a file on his desk and began to read. It was information on Steve Rogers that Chen Mo had someone investigate. The file included his records, resume, family and friends, recent experiences, and places he frequented.
Steve Rogers was born on July 4, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York. His father was a soldier in the 107th Infantry Regiment and died from mustard gas during World War I. His mother was a nurse in a tuberculosis ward and unfortunately contracted the disease, passing away in 1926.
After his mother's death, Rogers moved into an orphanage, where he met his only friend, James Barnes.
After reaching adulthood, Rogers left the orphanage and became an ordinary worker. Despite his kind and upright nature, his frail body often made him a target for bullies. However, Rogers never backed down from bullying. He always bravely fought back, even though he was often left bruised and battered. He remained steadfast, never avoiding or retreating.
Closing the file, Chen Mo leaned back in his chair, reflecting on the information and comparing it with the movie scenes he remembered.
At that moment, there was a gentle knock on the study door. "Come in, Eddie," Chen Mo said, knowing that only old Eddie was on the third floor besides himself.
The door slowly opened, and old Albert walked in carrying a tray. He poured a cup of coffee for Chen Mo.
The rich aroma of the coffee filled the air, instantly relaxing Chen Mo. He took a sip, savoring the smooth and delicate flavor.
"Thank you, Eddie. The coffee is excellent," Chen Mo sincerely praised.
"Happy to serve you," old Eddie replied, clearly pleased with the compliment. He bowed slightly and left the study.
Chen Mo shook his head with a smile. Ever since taking on the role of butler, old Albert had adhered strictly to his noble upbringing, being meticulous in his manners. It took Chen Mo some time to get used to it. Initially, Albert even ironed the newspaper every morning before handing it to Chen Mo, a practice Chen Mo eventually persuaded him to stop.
Steve was now working at a factory in Brooklyn, where a few bullies often picked on him. The resilient Steve frequently bore injuries from these encounters.
The factory was not far from the martial arts school, and Rogers passed by it every morning and evening on his way to and from work. Each time, he would curiously glance at the sizable Chinese martial arts school.
He couldn't read the Chinese characters on the sign, but he had heard that it was a place where people learned kung fu. However, he couldn't afford the lessons.
To Steve, this martial arts school was a very mysterious place.
Once, he saw a lean Asian man being robbed by two burly white men. Despite his slender build, the Asian man moved with fierce speed and agility. Steve was about to step in to help, but before he could take more than a couple of steps, the two white men were already on the ground, defeated.
A few days later, he saw the same remarkable Asian man again, this time emerging from the martial arts school.
This added another layer of mystery to the school, making Steve even more curious about it.
That evening, as Steve passed by the school after work, he noticed something unusual. A strange atmosphere enveloped the place, causing Steve to slow his pace.
Inside the martial arts school, Chen Mo sat on the sofa, sipping coffee, the butler, Albert, stood by in his impeccable suit, while the four martial artists quietly stood at attention.
"They finally couldn't hold back any longer, though it's a few days later than I expected," Chen Mo said, putting down his cup and looking through the window at the shadows in the alley across the street, where many malicious eyes were glinting in the darkness.
"Master, it's 'Mad Dog' Johnny's men. Those two guys I taught a lesson to last time are also there," said the lean Huang Quan.
"Give them an inch, and they can't wait to take a mile. Just a bunch of fools blinded by greed. Ah Quan, go open the door," Chen Mo said with a disdainful smile.
Having long noticed someone spying on them, Chen Mo decided to play along, sending Huang Quan to stir things up while putting on a show for Steve.
As soon as Chen Mo finished speaking, the door of the martial arts school was pounded heavily. Huang Quan stepped forward and opened the door, and a dozen burly white men with clubs filed in.
The crowd parted to make way for a short, stout white man in a suit and hat, with a crazed and arrogant expression. He was one of Brooklyn's mafia bosses, "Mad Dog" Johnny.
Surveying the room, Johnny saw only a few not-so-strong-looking Asians and an elderly white man. Feeling in control, Johnny walked towards the sofa, ready to sit down.
"Did I say you could sit?" Chen Mo, who had been calmly sitting on the sofa the whole time, suddenly spoke.
Johnny's movement halted. As a mafia boss and one of the controllers of Brooklyn's underground order, Johnny felt his dignity was being challenged. Furious, he glared at Chen Mo on the sofa.
"Kid, it seems you need a lesson to understand who's in charge here! Get him!"
"As you wish." Chen Mo waved his hand, and Huang Quan and the others stepped forward to meet the mafia thugs wielding clubs.
Like tigers among sheep, the four martial artists swiftly took down the thugs, leaving them all lying on the ground within moments.
The room suddenly fell silent, except for the groans of the fallen thugs. Johnny's face darkened even more.
"Who did you say is in charge here?" Chen Mo asked in a low voice, staring into Johnny's eyes.
"Haha! Haha! Chinese kung fu, indeed impressive! But this is America! Here, we decide who is in charge with this!" Johnny's expression changed suddenly, and he laughed as he pulled out a gun, pointing it menacingly at Chen Mo.
Among the thugs on the ground, a few also pulled out guns and pointed them at Huang Quan and the others, slowly getting back on their feet.
The situation seemed to be back in Johnny's control.