How Did I Become Invincible Under Heaven? – Chapter 1

Chapter 1: This Is A Master, Absolutely A Master
Yong’an City, Jili Wharf.
Nightfall.
Flames flickered, and the sounds of fighting filled the air.
“Charge! Drive them back!”
“Damn it, Jili Wharf belongs to our Fierce Tiger Gang!”
“My head, he broke my head.”
“Damn it, shut up, are you a dog?”
Down by the wharf, two groups of people were locked in a chaotic brawl. Some wielded wooden sticks, others threw punches, fighting fiercely and creating quite a scene.
Meanwhile, in an alley.
Two figures squatted in a shady corner, wooden sticks beside them, with some food laid out in front of them.
“Little Fatty, where did you buy this pig head meat? Why does it smell of alcohol?”
Lin Fan, squatting, picked up a piece of pig head meat and put it in his mouth. He noticed the strong smell of alcohol, but the meat was genuinely good.
“Brother, I didn’t buy it. I secretly picked up leftovers from our Hall Master. Our Hall Master is so wasteful; he pours alcohol into it if he can’t finish.” Little Fatty said truthfully. With his meager gang pay, he couldn’t afford such things.
“If this is poisoned, won’t we be done for?”
“Heh heh, don’t worry, Brother. If anyone’s done for, it’ll be me. I tasted it, it’s not poisoned,” Little Fatty chuckled foolishly.
Looking at Little Fatty before him, he didn’t say anything. He picked up another piece and put it in his mouth, then turned his head to look at the fighting on the wharf in the distance, feeling utterly helpless.
How could a person be so unlucky?
That’s right.
He wasn’t from this world. He had transmigrated. He only remembered walking while looking at his phone, missing a step, falling into a sewer, and then opening his eyes to find himself in a strange place.
It had been exactly two months.
Unfamiliar with the place and people, he had to find a way to fit in. No decent establishment would take in someone like him, with an unknown origin and strange clothes. So, he had no choice but to join the local gang, becoming a low-level thug.
The one he called Little Fatty was Zhao Er, the second son in his family. He came from a poor background and belonged to the Fierce Tiger Gang.
And he himself was part of the other gang currently engaged in the firefight, the Loyalty Hall.
As a low-level thug, he naturally had to fight often. For him, fighting was dangerous; a slight mistake could lead to severe injury. Fortunately, he had a sharp eye and immediately spotted Zhao Er, who had peculiar bone structure and clear eyes.
The first time, he didn’t know if the other person would agree, so he dragged Zhao Er into an alley and gave him a thorough beating. Zhao Er cried out miserably, making him realize that settling scores was inevitable when you’re involved in this life.
Afterwards, under his heartfelt verbal guidance, Zhao Er had a change of heart and became his good rival in the Fierce Tiger Gang.
Whenever there was a fight, during the formation of ranks, he would quickly find Zhao Er, confirm their eye contact, and during the brawl, they would fight their way to a corner to rest, waiting for the fighting to end.
“Brother, meeting you was truly my good fortune. Since then, I’ve never been injured again.” Zhao Er was genuinely grateful to Brother Lin before him. He had never imagined that surviving in a gang could be so easy.
“Nonsense. With your strength, you’d be bedridden after a few fights.”
“Brother, you’re so capable, why don’t you show it? If you show it, the gang will definitely pay attention to you, and you wouldn’t be a low-level thug like you are now.”
This was something Zhao Er couldn’t understand. He still remembered some days ago, just like usual, acting with Brother Lin. The people on their side were like they had taken drugs, charging at Brother Lin like madmen.
He thought something bad was going to happen, but who would have thought Brother Lin would shatter their ferocious momentum with three blows of his club and then lie down on the spot, sleeping more soundly than anyone else.
“You don’t understand.”
Lin Fan shook his head.
When he transmigrated, he realized he was in an ancient world. The first thought that came to his mind was: early stage martial arts, mid-stage cultivation, and late stage immortality.
Therefore, he immediately inquired about martial arts. However, the news he received was grim: Yong’an City didn’t even have a single martial arts school, let alone the so-called martial arts. What seemed impressive was merely the result of practiced skill and physical conditioning.
But he didn’t believe it.
Impossible.
If there were truly no martial arts, what was his cheat?
The cheat appeared when he was angrily beating Zhao Er with a wooden stick. He vaguely remembered that while he was having a good time, a screen appeared in his mind, accompanied by a prompt.
【 Learned Beginner Staff Technique 】
【 Proficiency +1 】
With this, he absolutely refused to believe that this world lacked extraordinary martial arts.
Perhaps the imperial court’s control was too strict, not allowing the existence of individuals capable of fighting a hundred enemies, thus completely suppressing martial arts.
And those who controlled true martial arts had always been members of the imperial family.
This was his thought, and he considered it the most likely possibility.
Because there was still a crucial piece of evidence: the display on his status panel.
【 Name: Lin Fan 】
【 Realm: None 】
【 Beginner Staff Technique （ Great Accomplishment 12/1000 ）】
If there were no martial arts, no supernatural abilities, why would his cheat display a realm? Having a realm meant one could cultivate, right?
With this, he was deeply convinced.
“Brother, Brother…” Zhao Er nudged Lin Fan’s arm.
Lin Fan snapped back to attention. “What is it?”
“It’s getting quiet at the wharf; it’s almost over. We should go out too,” Zhao Er reminded him.
This was their usual routine. So far, it had never been discovered. After all, it was a dark and windy night, with people moving about; who would notice them here?
At this moment, the pig head meat placed on lotus leaves on the ground was also finished. Lin Fan wiped the oil from the corner of his mouth, picked up his wooden stick, and stood up.
“By the way, how is your mother’s illness? Is there enough money? If not, tell me; I still have some,” Lin Fan asked.
They rarely met privately precisely because they were afraid of being seen by someone with ulterior motives. Why would rival gangs be so familiar? There had to be something.
“Brother, it’s enough. Didn’t you say you were saving your money to go ashore? You keep it for yourself.”
He didn’t understand what “going ashore” meant.
But he felt it must be very important to Brother Lin.
Therefore, he wouldn’t affect Brother Lin’s plan to go ashore.
“Alright then.”
Lin Fan nodded. Zhao Er was his first close friend since arriving in this world, and the reason he joined the gang was due to life’s circumstances; he was a decent person with no issues.
Then, Zhao Er took out the chicken blood he had prepared and smeared some on themselves, proving that their fight had also been intense and that they had drawn blood. It wasn’t an easy feat.
“Ready?”
“Ready.”
“Begin.”
As they neared the alley exit, without a word, they picked up their sticks and started fighting. They cursed and fought back and forth, moving from left to right, blending into the periphery of the crowd without attracting any attention.
Bang!
Lin Fan kicked Zhao Er to the ground. Zhao Er, with his backside in the air, tried to get up but was kicked in the rear again by Lin Fan. Using this momentum, Zhao Er scrambled on all fours, rolling and using the force to disengage from the fight. He stood up, rubbed his backside, pointed at Lin Fan, and roared with a fierce expression.
“I’ll fight you to the death! Our Fierce Tiger Gang will not lose!”
He was about to charge forward, but it was as if an invisible hand was holding him back.
“Don’t pull me! I’m not afraid of him.”
That demeanor, that tone—it could be classified as excellent acting.
Lin Fan looked at the surrounding situation. Both sides had sustained injuries. At this point, it should be time for the Hall Masters of both factions to engage in verbal combat.
As expected, the Hall Masters of both sides appeared.
Yuan Jiang, the Hall Master of the Fierce Tiger Gang, was thin and had a long face. His squinting eyes gave him a sinister impression.
His own Hall Master, Wang Changhai, though middle-aged, was sturdy and looked capable of fighting. But in reality, their Hall Master’s body had long been weakened by wine and women; he would pant after a few steps.
However, people said that in his youth, Wang Changhai was brave and daring, capable of fighting four opponents at once. With a broadsword, he had carved out a bloody path and became the Hall Master of the Loyalty Hall.
“Monkey Yuan, Jili Wharf isn’t a place your Fierce Tiger Gang can meddle with. If you want a fight, I’ll see it through to the end. Let’s see how many men you have.”
Wang Changhai was quite satisfied with the current situation. Overall, their Loyalty Hall had a slight advantage.
Monkey Yuan’s expression remained calm.
This sent a jolt of surprise through Wang Changhai. He felt something was wrong; the calmness was too unnerving.
There’s a problem.
As expected, Yuan Jiang clapped his hands and looked towards the shadows not far away. Wang Changhai followed his gaze. It seemed like only a faint flame was burning, but when torches were lit nearby.
He realized that someone was sitting there, leisurely eating hot pot.
“Brother Chen, it’s your turn to act,” Yuan Jiang said.
At this moment, Lin Fan also noticed someone over there. The only thought in his mind was that this person was acting cool, sitting there eating hot pot in the darkness, ignoring the fight between the two gangs.
This situation gave Lin Fan a sense of unease.
Could it be… a master?
After all, only a master could be so calm.
Calmness was the standard for a master.
In Lin Fan’s eyes, the middle-aged man referred to as Brother Chen slowly put the last piece of meat into his mouth, picked up his wine cup, and drank it dry. Then, he wiped his mouth with a cloth and slowly stood up, walking towards them.
The man’s build was robust, even half a head taller than Wang Changhai. Especially when he rolled up his sleeves, his thick, powerful arms were exposed, exuding explosive strength.
Lin Fan had the idea of quietly retreating and shielding everyone.
But Wang Changhai was standing right beside him, so retreating was impossible.
“Who is he?” Wang Changhai asked gravely.
Yuan Jiang, confident of victory, replied, “Wang Changhai, this is the renowned Iron Fist King, Chen Niu. I specially invited him, a master. Today, Jili Wharf will definitely belong to our Fierce Tiger Gang, and you, Wang Changhai, I will beat you like a dead dog.”
Iron Fist King?
Chen Niu?
Wang Changhai’s mouth hung slightly agape, as if he were stunned. In reality, the nickname reminded him of his own nickname from his youth.
“Nine times a night.”
“Never heard of him. Who is this nobody? Beat him to death.”
Wang Changhai looked to his side and waved his hand. The few low-level thugs with wooden sticks standing to his right, faced with their Hall Master’s command, dared not hesitate. They roared and charged towards Chen Niu, raising their wooden sticks and smashing them with all their might towards his head.
Facing the incoming sticks, Chen Niu let out a low growl and raised his arms to block.
Crack!
Crack!
Wood chips flew. The moment the wooden sticks touched his arms, they snapped.
Under the stunned expressions of the low-level thugs, Chen Niu punched and kicked, knocking down several of them.
Wails of pain erupted.
Wang Changhai’s expression was one of shock and disbelief.
“Hahaha… good.”
Yuan Jiang rejoiced. As expected of the master he hired for twenty taels of silver, he was truly formidable. No, he had to bring him under his wing afterward, even if it cost more silver, it would be worth it.
At this moment, Lin Fan’s expression was also grave. The man’s ability to break wooden sticks with his bare arms was enough to indicate he was a master, not even showing a hint of pain.
Could he truly be a martial arts master?
Thinking this, his hand gripping the wooden stick became sweaty, and his heart pounded with tension.
He desperately wanted to ask the man, “Brother, where did you learn martial arts? Can you show me the way?”
But clearly, now was not the time.
Chen Niu looked at Wang Changhai proudly, blew away the wood chips stuck to his arm, raised his hand, and made a provocative gesture towards Wang Changhai.
This enraged Wang Changhai, his chest heaving. Like a burning fire, he roared at Lin Fan and the others standing to his left:
“Go!”
The low-level thugs were fearful but dared not disobey their enraged Hall Master.
Lin Fan tightly gripped his wooden stick and charged towards Chen Niu with the others.
When he first learned Beginner Staff Technique, his method of using the stick felt as if he had practiced for years.
From Beginner to Minor Accomplishment, and now to Great Accomplishment.
With every bit of progress, he felt his own strength increase, and his technique for applying force became ingrained in his mind.
As the people around him roared and swung their clubs.
Lin Fan also roared, lowered his center of gravity, transferred power from his waist to the tip of the stick, his arm muscles solid as stone, not holding back any strength, exerting full force.
The wind from the stick whistled fiercely.
The calm and composed Chen Niu didn’t even take the scene before him seriously.
He just wanted to tell everyone.
Don’t you know this iron arm of mine has broken countless staffs? I’ve long since lost all pain from being beaten.
Bang!
Several wooden sticks simultaneously struck his arm.
Crack!
The wooden sticks broke.
“Ah…”
A scream erupted.
Chen Niu’s arm bent at a strange angle, and Lin Fan’s wooden stick struck his neck with lightning speed.
Bang!
A dull thud sounded.
Chen Niu knelt on his knees, falling forward, lying motionless on the ground.
【 Beginner Staff Technique Proficiency +1 】
Lin Fan was startled, “He’s gone already?”
When he struck, although the opponent’s arm was hard, he felt the force he exerted could crush it. To be honest, he was prepared to be kicked down by the opponent.
But the current situation was somewhat unexpected.
It seems he wasn’t a master.
Zhao Er, in the crowd, was initially very worried about Brother Lin. But after seeing this, he was about to shout “Good,” when he suddenly remembered his allegiance and quickly covered his mouth, nearly revealing himself.
Yuan Jiang blinked, his mouth agape, frozen in place.
No, what’s going on?
He’s down just like that.
What about his confident claim of being a master?
Enraged, Wang Changhai saw this and burst into laughter.
“Haha, a master? He’s a master? Yuan Monkey, did a donkey kick your brain?”
“Good, well done! Hall Master will reward you handsomely.”
Yuan Jiang’s face turned ashen. He waved his hand and led his men to retreat in a sorry state. As for Chen Niu, lying there, he didn’t even glance at him.
Lin Fan glanced at Chen Niu and followed the others back.
Wang Changhai patted their shoulders, praised them a few times, waved his hand, and led the low-level thugs to celebrate. This was the life in a gang.
He did not go to celebrate.
Instead, he felt a bit disappointed. He had thought that with the appearance of a martial arts master, he might find a trace of martial arts, but as it stood, there wasn’t even a single clue.
…
Indoors.
Lighting the oil lamp, he approached the table and looked at the book placed there.
《 Direct Interpretation of Laws and Decrees 》
That’s right, he needed to study now.
Gangs had no future. To put it bluntly, they were common folk. To find clues about martial arts, one needed status and position.
Therefore, he had to pass the imperial examinations.
The higher the status, the closer one could get to the core.
Study hard.
To prepare for the Public Security Bureau’s entrance exam in a month.
Flipping open the book, dense text met his eyes, making his head feel as large as a bull’s and his eyes see stars.
He just wanted to say, this is truly unbearable.
But he had no choice; he had to grit his teeth and power through.