C46: Card Fragments
[Famousness from Cornell Stokes (Cottonmouth) +110]
[Famousness from Mariah Dillard (Black Mariah) +40]
When all was said and done, Cottonmouth was just a man. Even if he had consolidated his control over Harlem's criminal underworld through his cousin Mariah Dillard—once a councilwoman and later known as Black Mariah in the streets, it didn't change the fact that he was ultimately vulnerable. Especially after losing key lieutenants like Willis Stryker, known as Diamondback, and other loyal enforcers, Cornell Stokes was no longer a credible threat to Li Ran. The Water Pit Viper had lost his fangs, and Li Ran dismantled him with practiced ease.
"Ah Xing, are you really leaving Harlem?"
Outside the Golden Tiger Chinese Restaurant, Mrs. Connie and the local community stood with conflicted expressions. Since Li Ran's arrival and especially after his strike on Cornell's Paradise club, Harlem's crime rate had seen a noticeable drop, even catching the attention of Misty Knight and the NYPD's special investigations unit.
"I'd even pay double if you'd stay and keep watching over us," Connie said earnestly.
"I didn't protect you for the money," Li Ran said softly, shaking his head.
Now that he had earned the final increments of fame from his skirmish with the Harlem Paradise syndicate, his purpose here had been fulfilled. Even if he lingered, aside from Luke Cage, Harlem's bulletproof protector and a figure now being whispered about in the same breath as Daredevil, there was little else to gain in terms of fame.
"Even if it was only for a few days, Ah Xing..."
"Thank you," Dad said, embracing him with a firm pat on the back. "You did right by Harlem."
"I only did what I could," Li Ran replied. "Even after I leave, someone else will stand guard. Harlem's not defenseless, not while people like Luke Cage are still here."
He gave a nod toward Luke, who smiled wryly but said nothing—his silent acceptance as heavy as a vow.
"Then what's next for you?" Dad asked, looking from Li Ran to Luke with a meaningful glance, perhaps still hoping Harlem's new guardian might reconsider.
"My next step is to keep looking for Willard," Li Ran answered. "That's the real reason I came to New York."
…
"Oh, James, look who finally returned."
Outside the Chinatown antique shop, Old Jack raised a bushy brow at the sight of Li Ran and gave a hearty chuckle.
"I was beginning to think you'd been snapped out of existence like in those Avengers battles," he teased.
"How could I miss your charming sarcasm?" Li Ran grinned. "Just took a short detour to the darker corners of the city."
"You changed your hairstyle?"
"Yeah, what do you think?"
"You really want the truth? You look like you lost a fight with Medusa from the Inhumans."
"Haha, thought so too."
After exchanging friendly jabs, Li Ran stepped into the shop. Time might've stood still here, but dust certainly hadn't. A fine layer coated everything from the jade dragons to a chipped gargoyle said to be from Gotham's old cathedral ruins.
With a sigh, Li Ran grabbed a cloth and began cleaning. While he worked, his mind drifted to the glowing panel of his system.
A 1,000-point boost in reputation—legendary fame now flickering like a lit fuse beckoned him toward the Black Iron Treasure Chest.
He ran a hand through his longer hair and muttered to the system, "This hair cost me a lot in fame, so it better be worth it."
With that small motivational jab at himself, he traded the 1,000 legendary fame points and opened the treasure chest. A familiar white light flared from the interface.
[Dark Iron Treasure Chest – Opened]
Reward: Class C Card Fragments ×2
Effect: Combination Available
Description: Unknown C-Class Card Fragments. Collect five fragments to synthesize a new card.
...
[D-Rank Card – Ip Man]
Skill: Wing Chun Boxing
Background: A martial artist devoted to the philosophy of Wu Chi, Ip Man leads the Wing Chun school. Known for challenging masters from various schools, he gained recognition in Foshan after defeating a northern fighter. He became widely respected, hailed as the city's greatest martial artist.
Note: "I want to fight ten!"
Li Ran raised his eyebrows. Of all the cards to draw, he hadn't expected this one focused entirely on martial arts.
Although it shared roots with the kung fu style of [Ah Xing], the Ip Man card's form was different. Where [Ah Xing] leaned into raw explosiveness and trickster adaptability, possibly drawing comparisons to DC's Bronze Tiger or Marvel's Iron Fist—[Ip Man] was pure refinement, calm precision embodied.
The card's appearance reinforced a theme Li Ran had been setting up all along: Penglai. With its mythical East Asian undertones and rumored ties to ancient warriors and immortals, it made sense to deepen its lore. If [Ah Xing] was the raw hero of the street, [Ip Man] might be a guardian of Penglai's sacred martial canon.
Now the only question was how to introduce such a character without disrupting narrative balance.
Setting that dilemma aside, Li Ran turned his attention to the other prize from the chest.
[Class C Card Fragments ×2]
His eyes lit up. From earlier pulls, he already had three C-Class fragments—one from a previous Dark Iron chest, one from [Phantom Thief Kid], and two from his skirmish at the abandoned StarkTech factory near Hell's Kitchen.
He moved to the system panel. As he slotted in the pieces, a glowing shift occurred.
[Class C Card Fragment ×5 – Combination Available]
The five fragments shimmered together. Beneath their icon, a new prompt blinked:
[SYNTHESIZE]
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