Bangu politely declined the Hero Association's offer of a car, insisting on walking back, claiming it was "part of his training to feel the city's breath after the great battle."
Naturally, Lin Mo had no objection. Saitama-kun, thinking there was nothing else to do, also agreed.
Genos followed his teacher every step of the way.
The group of four walked through the streets of Z-City, forming a peculiar sight.
Although there were some small gravel and dust scattered on the streets, as Sitch had observed earlier in the command center, most of the buildings were intact, and even the streetlights and shop windows remained unbroken.
Citizens were spontaneously organizing themselves, sweeping and hosing down the streets, filled with a post-disaster joy and hope for the future.
This was completely different from the negative atmosphere that pervaded the city after its destruction in the original story.
Lin Mo was naturally happy to bring a positive influence to this world, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved upwards.
"Mr. KING, look," Bangu said, pointing to the harmonious and vibrant scene, his aged face full of emotion.
"Destruction is always easier than protection. To transform power capable of destroying everything into a protective barrier—this is the highest realm of martial arts."
At this point, his eyes suddenly dimmed, as if recalling an unpleasant memory. He gently shook his head and sighed:
"Blindly pursuing destruction and power leads nowhere. If only that unfilial disciple... could understand this principle..."
Although his voice was soft, it was still heard by everyone with keen hearing.
Lin Mo knew he was referring to Garou, but he didn't respond, just listened quietly.
Soon, they arrived at the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist dojo, located in a corner of the city.
The dojo was an ancient and elegant Japanese building, exuding a strong sense of historical depth.
Fortunately, it had indeed suffered no damage during the previous disaster.
A young man in a white training uniform, with a somewhat timid expression, was already anxiously waiting at the entrance. He was Bangu's senior disciple—Charanko.
"Master! You're back!" Charanko exclaimed excitedly when he saw Bangu, then noticed the three people behind Bangu, and his heart skipped a beat.
That bald man... that Demon Cyborg... and that... that man! The Strongest Man on Earth, KING!
Charanko's legs felt a bit weak.
Although he was also a martial artist, he wasn't very strong, so it was inevitable to feel nervous seeing these important figures.
Especially Mr. KING. He was just standing there calmly, and there was no terrifying "Emperor Engine" roar that was rumored to emanate from him.
But Charanko's legs couldn't help but tremble when he saw the three hideous scars on Mr. KING's face.
He felt an inexplicable sense of pressure.
"This is Mr. KING, who saved Z-City, as well as the unfathomably strong Saitama-kun, and his disciple Genos-kun."
Bangu solemnly introduced them to his disciple. "Charanko, why are you just standing there? Go prepare tea and snacks!"
"Yes! Yes! Hello, Mr. KING! Hello, Saitama! Hello, Mr. Genos!"
Charanko, as if waking from a dream, hastily bowed ninety degrees, then almost ran into the dojo with his arms and legs moving in unison.
Upon entering the dojo, a fresh scent of sandalwood and wood wafted through the air.
The floor was spotlessly clean, and everyone took their seats on the tatami mats.
Saitama sat cross-legged without ceremony, while Genos sat behind Saitama in a standard seiza posture, his back ramrod straight, as if ready to record and learn at any moment.
Charanko soon brought out fragrant gyokuro green tea and plates of exquisitely crafted, seemingly expensive wagashi.
Saitama's eyes instantly lit up. He unceremoniously picked up a rabbit-shaped daifuku and stuffed it into his mouth, praising indistinctly, "Mmm... delicious!"
Bangu personally poured a cup of tea for Lin Mo. The emerald green tea liquid in the white porcelain cup was particularly pleasing to the eye.
He didn't rush to the main topic, but instead chatted with Saitama about the snacks for a few moments, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.
"Saitama-kun," Bangu said, looking at Saitama, who was enjoying his food, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes.
"Your pure strength truly astounds this old man. May I ask which school or sect you trained under? Or perhaps, do you have some unique training method?"
"Training?"
Saitama swallowed the snack in his mouth, thought carefully, and answered earnestly:
"100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run every day, for three years."
"..."
The dojo instantly fell silent.
Genos still looked unconvinced: "That training intensity is high for an ordinary person, but it's absolutely impossible to reach Master's level with it."
He had long categorized this explanation as a pretext for "Master not wanting to reveal the truth."
Bangu, on the other hand, twitched the corner of his mouth slightly; he naturally didn't believe a single word.
To him, these words were just a top-tier expert's way of not wanting to reveal his method of becoming strong.
Indeed, how could such a thing be casually told to others? He had been presumptuous.
He increasingly felt that this bald young man was unfathomable, and increasingly felt that he was a raw jade worth carving.
But he also knew that this matter could not be rushed.
So he turned his gaze to Lin Mo, his expression becoming extremely solemn:
"The title of 'strongest man on earth (title/epithet)'—seeing it today, I know the rumors are true. The power you used on the tower earlier, its control was simply miraculous."
"This old man dares to ask, how did you manage to control such a vast amount of energy with such exquisite precision?"
Here it comes!
Lin Mo's heart tightened. He picked up his teacup, gently blew on the floating tea leaves, and did not answer immediately.
The more he remained silent, the more Bangu and Genos anticipated, and even Charanko perked up his ears.
After building up everyone's anticipation, Lin Mo slowly put down his teacup and recited the impressive lines he had seen in his previous life:
"Power is like a constantly flowing river."
"Some use it to build dams, thinking they can control everything, unaware that they will eventually be swallowed by the flood. Some use it to turn waterwheels, irrigating fertile fields; though they only take a ladleful, they can benefit all things."
"The strength of power is not the key. How to guide it, to make it flow in the direction you desire—this depends not on the dam, nor on the waterwheel, but on 'will.'"
These profound words left Genos and Charanko dumbfounded, impressed but not understanding.
Saitama, meanwhile, nodded while stuffing the last piece of wagashi into his mouth, clearly only thinking, "That sounds amazing."
Only the martial arts master Bangu, his body suddenly jolted, and an unprecedented gleam erupted in his eyes!
"Will... guiding the flow of power..."
He murmured, "So that's it! We martial artists spend our lives seeking to train the 'dam,' to make it stronger, capable of holding a more powerful current."
"Yet we overlooked that what truly controls the river is the 'will' that guides it! Mr. KING, this old man... I have learned much!"
"Ding! Detected martial arts enlightenment from S-Class Hero 'Silver Fang'! Energy value +1000!"
"Ding! Detected theoretical impact from S-Class Hero 'Demon Cyborg'! Energy value +600!"
The system's notification sound was simply heavenly music.
Those impressive lines, honed by countless netizens in his previous life, were so effective!
Lin Mo was ecstatic inside, but his face remained calm, and he simply replied:
"Merely a slight insight."