Strong Miscellany

(This miscellany is a record of a Warrior's achievements. The power of Si's painting probably kept it shaking with a unique rhythm, despite the reader's struggle to hold on to it tightly.)

In earlier records, the "Pugilist of Hongshan" was portrayed in almost comedic fashion. He was someone with incredible combat skills who sought to challenge every warrior of Talos-II and seize the title of "Supreme Master of the Fighting Arts".

And because he is from Hongshan, he naturally targeted every military organization under the HAS. Various watchguard districts, the Yinglung Special Task Force, and the Bureau of Swordmancers found him a source of nuisance.

Nevertheless, he was peerless in combat. No one in HAS was his match. The HAS then stepped in and granted him the title "Pugilist of Hongshan". With that, he finally shifted his gaze away from the region and started picking his fights elsewhere.

Various folk tales also described how the Pugilist of Hongshan challenged every school of martial arts in the tradition of "door busting". The solution was supposedly: "Leave no doors but keep the door frame. Taunt no one and give no cause for grief."

Many martial artists of Hongshan began looking up to the combat techniques of the Pugilist. However, he was also an avid traveler and gave neither formal instructions nor authored any manual.

There were also rumors of the "Pugilist" offering teachings of wisdom, but most turned out to be scams that cheated people out of their money. In spite of this, his reputation alone continued to attract a huge crowd of self-proclaimed adherents and disciples.

Someone once visited the Pugilist's home and found only a dusty tome titled "Martial Codex" on the table. Everyone knows that the "Martial Codex" is a classical work of Great Yan, but it only contains instructions for basic exercises, strength building and athletic training routines, and leading a healthy life. It was definitely not some "powerful technique" that people were clamoring for. But the visitor flipped it open and found handwritten comments of astonishing value.

"Seek flowing water and stillness in movement. Wait for the flow to freeze and let all settle into serenity. Exit the ice by shattering the shackles, then wait for the annual cycle once more."

The training routines described were simply too challenging. Not many people dared to attempt it.

The sky poured and thundered. Thirteen days and thirteen nights of storm tainted by the Blight laid waste to Hongshan.

The Pugilist of Hongshan returned to a horrendous hellscape. Many of his compatriots lay dead.

People saw a lone figure scaling a great mountain, cursing and roaring at the heavens.

Lightning illuminated the skies and the face of the Pugilist of Hongshan.

A sundering bolt struck down at the Pugilist with a deafening blast. He answered with his fist.

The Empyrean arc broke and the rain scattered. Having endured the strike, the Pugilist let loose a mighty roar and threw another fist at the heavens.

The storm clouds broke open, and thus ended the calamity.

Since then, when people spoke of his title, they did so with a voice of respect and reverence.