HI3: Starting from the Previous Civilization

[General POV]

At Dawn Security Company's cafeteria—a spacious, buffet-like setup—rows of dishes lined the counters. Mu and Yan, arms slung around each other's shoulders, each hoisted a cup of "Oolong Tea," their expressions growing conspicuously edgy.

"For welcoming Master Bo to Dawn Security, let's drink!" Mu hollered.

"Cheers!!" Everyone else echoed, downing the supposed "Oolong Tea" in great gulps. In truth, it was 90% vodka mixed with 10% whiskey—something their boss had taught them to call "Oolong Tea."

Master Bo was at a complete loss, watching this chaotic scene with a puzzled frown. He and Hua barely remembered how they ended up here. Their minds still replayed that airport fiasco, step by surreal step. Looking around at the wild crowd, Bo sighed deeply.

"Since we're here anyway… they don't seem like bad people. I'll wait for a chance to apologize to the boss later."

Habit made him reach to his side, only to realize Hua wasn't there. Moments ago, she was munching on a roast pork knuckle. Now, she'd vanished.

"Hua? Where'd you go?" Bo murmured, scouring the noisy hall. Then he spotted her—facing Fan directly, eyes focused as though confronting a rare beast.

Fan still felt a phantom ache from that "inch force" punch at the airport. Unconsciously, he shuffled a half-step back. 'Thank goodness for Adaptive Evolution. Anyone else would've been bedridden for weeks…'

Hua bowed low, voice trembling slightly with a childlike note, "I'm sorry, Mr. Fan. I truly am."

Fan simply smiled, waving it off. "It's nothing—I'm fine already, see?" With a broad gesture, he patted Hua's head reassuringly. "Today's your and your father's welcome party. Have whatever you like!"

Hua nodded vigorously, then darted back to Bo, whispering something about Fan's kindness. Bo, relieved, lifted his own glass toward Fan in a silent toast. Fan raised his own "Oolong Tea" cup with a friendly wave.

(And yes, that time it really was just normal tea, not the flammable concoction.)

Yet Fan's inward thoughts were more mischievous: 'Heh heh… once your old man's officially on board, I'll help you grow in ways you never imagined, little martial artist…'

Hua's cheeks burned slightly at Fan's smile. She ducked behind her father, while Bo noticed her shy reaction and allowed himself a small grin. Ever since Hua's mother passed, he'd rarely seen such variety in his daughter's expressions. He savored this moment—until he took a hearty gulp of the so-called Oolong Tea and promptly spat it out.

"Cough, cough—What in the world is this?!" Doubling over, Bo glanced at the label on a rolling bottle. "Spiritus? 96%??" A few steps away, the other recruits were filling giant washbasins with the same stuff and guzzling it like water. Bo could only wipe cold sweat from his brow, thinking: 'Do they have actual blood or just liquor in their veins?'

Muttering "I'll just stick to tea," Bo reached for a teapot, feeling absolutely ancient beside these reckless youths.

…

Once the party ended, the canteen floor was littered with groaning men in undershorts, passed out like infants. At some point, Fan had slipped out of the festivities, returning only when the entire place was half-asleep. The only ones still sober were Fan, Master Bo, and Hua—huddled under the fading afternoon sun at the foot of the main office building. A sweeping red glow painted the sky, setting everything ablaze in warm, orange radiance.

Fan dug into his pocket, producing a slim envelope and a key ring.

"Master Bo, here's Hua's school admission letter and the keys to your new place. It's not far from here. The address is on that note, and I've already sent your luggage over."

Bo accepted the keys and the papers with both hands, choking out, "Thank you so much…" and made to kneel again. Alarmed, Fan pulled him upright.

"Please, no need for such courtesy. Just call me by name. I'm not much older than Hua."

At that, Hua, standing nearby, puffed out her cheeks like a little steamed bun. She shifted her weight, eyes flashing in annoyance. In one quick move, she was about to land a low kick on Fan's shins. But Bo snatched her arm, scolding, "Hua! What are you doing?"

Tears welled in the girl's eyes. Pointing at Fan, she cried, "Dad, he's making fun of me, calling me a boy! You introduced me back at the airport—I'm a girl! He knows that!"

Master Bo paused, recollecting certain… events from Hua's grade school years: the swarm of female classmates offering her Valentine's chocolates… the time a gaggle of little girls fought over her.

'Now that I recall, the boss's remark isn't totally off…'

He nodded quietly.

Seeing her father's non-committal response, Hua burst into sobs and dashed away into the glowing sunset.

"Hua! Wait—it's dangerous to run off like that!" Bo yelled, shooting Fan an apologetic look before sprinting after her.

"Hua, in my heart you're always a girl! Always!"

Her wails only grew louder, echoing across the red-stained horizon. Fan casually waved goodbye at her retreating figure. Once they disappeared from sight, he narrowed his eyes, grinning like a playful fox.

"Have fun, Hua, adjusting to your new life… heh heh."

Meanwhile, father and daughter vanished into the city at twilight, Bo eventually scooping up Hua like a stray kitten when she ran out of breath. Dangling at his side, Hua still sniffled, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Don't be too upset," Bo coaxed, "You'll grow up just fine! One day you might look just like your mom." He pulled out a family photo, briefly flashing it before her. Hua stared, renewed hope flickering behind her tears. If Mom was so elegant, maybe she could be, too… someday.

Unfortunately, neither father nor daughter realized that in this world's strict timeline, certain rules were absolute. Some dreams might be doomed from the start.

Bo glanced again at the map they'd been given. Following the instructions, they arrived at their assigned residence—only to freeze in shock.

"Wha…? Our old dojo? But… didn't we just move overseas?!" Indeed, the place looked like an uncanny replica of their previous home, but bigger and more refined. A newly built training yard, complete with ironwood dummies and racks of gleaming weapons. Inside the main house, modern appliances and cozy furniture. Everything gave the impression that someone had put immense care into reproducing their old life.

Hua, exploring, found her bedroom practically unchanged—except for a newly laid-out school uniform and a note. After reading it, she scowled.

"That jerk…"

In a fit of childish rage, she tore the note to shreds, vowing to make that "certain person" regret underestimating her.

…

[In the Big Hollow Underground]

Elsewhere, Yan and Mu ran for their lives, the roar of a jeep's engine closing in from behind. Their daily "special training" had begun again.

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This is the last chapter for today. Not sure when I'll upload the next one, but if we get 100 power stones by the end of the week, I'll post a bonus chapter!