Chapter 25: Confrontation
Chapter 25: Confrontation
After obtaining the information from Wu Yi Academy, Chen Chuan headed straight to the Fist House. Upon arrival, he sought out Yu Gang and briefed him on the day's events.
Yu Gang asked, "So, you turned down the sponsorship?"
Chen Chuan nodded, "Yes, Mr. Yu, I don't want to be bound by the so-called Mutual Aid Society."
Yu Gang suggested, "It's good that you've made up your mind. Let's have a look at the student information you got."
Chen Chuan took out the documents from his shoulder bag, and Yu Gang flipped through them one by one. He commented, "The content here isn't scarce, but it's quite vague, making it challenging to create a detailed and reasonable strategy based on this."
Chen Chuan nodded in agreement. Aside from the students' names, heights, weights, and specialties, there wasn't much specific information on the documents.
Yu Gang pointed out, "Without sponsorship, you won't have any informational advantage. You'll have to rely on your own abilities to confront those students head-on."
Chen Chuan merely smiled dismissively, "Then let's confront them."
In reality, after mastering the Shocking Spirit Fist, he had gained the confidence to spar with the senior students who had mastered Power Force. Initially, he was mentally cautious, but for some reason, after the street brawl yesterday, even though nothing had changed, the sense of awe he once had for the senior students seemed to have vanished all of a sudden.
Yu Gang seemed to sense his state of mind and asked in a low voice, "Kid, did you meet someone after you left yesterday?"
Chen Chuan was surprised by Yu Gang's perceptiveness, but he had nothing to hide. "Yesterday, on my way back, I was attacked by some suspected gang members."
Yu Gang glanced at him, not delving deeper into the details. Being attacked by gang members was not unusual for those living in the West City, as they dealt with gang members daily. Moreover, Chen Chuan was Nian Fuli's nephew, so there was no need for Yu Gang to inquire further.
Yu Gang continued, "Regarding the admission re-examination, there are strategies with and without information. My suggestion is that for the next month, you need more practical combat experience and exposure to opponents with different styles. In this regard, Lu Ke is no longer sufficient as a sparring partner."
"So, you can seek out some martial arts gyms and challenge their fighters for exchanges. Some fighters won't refuse a good opponent, but you also need to choose the right martial arts club. Some clubs might not be so accommodating, and if you don't have the right background, they might just try to cripple you."
There was another option, which was to participate in the underground rings organized by the two major gangs, where one could encounter various types of opponents. But considering that Chen Chuan was Nian Fuli's nephew, Yu Gang didn't mention this.
Chen Chuan nodded, and the first place that came to mind was the Show General Kung Fu Gym, which had left a good impression on him during his previous visit. Moreover, it was located nearby, so he decided to start by choosing this place for a trial.
At noon, after continuing his basic training for the day, he left the Fist House early and ran all the way to the Show General Martial Arts Club in Xigang District.
Arriving early, the light boxes outside the door were not yet lit, and inside the hall, there were only a few scattered trainees and the fighters of the Show General Martial Arts Club.
Xiao Liang was using resistance bands to practice his moves. When he saw Chen Chuan enter, he was momentarily startled, then remembered something. Coach Gu had told him to inform him if that young man came again, but upon seeing Chen Chuan, he doubted if he had mistaken the person. This young man had a good appearance and lacked the fierce aura of someone who had been engaged in combat for years.
Xiao Liang approached and greeted him with a smile, "Young man, it's been a while. Are you practicing?"
Chen Chuan got straight to the point, "I heard that I can spar with the fighters here. Is it possible today?"
Xiao Liang's heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Chen Chuan, then cautiously replied, "Well... how about you wait for a moment? Our coach just stepped out..."
At that moment, a voice interrupted, "Why look for the coach? I'll give it a try."
A muscular man in his late twenties rose from the mat. His face was rugged, and his body was solid with muscles. A white sweatband hung around his neck, and as he walked, his eyes were fixed intently on Chen Chuan.
Xiao Liang quickly added, "Young man, this is our senior fighter, Senior Brother Yan."
Senior Brother Yan approached Chen Chuan. Initially, he had assumed that Chen Chuan was the type who, after learning a few things, would think himself invincible and come to challenge the gym. He wanted to try to intimidate him, but Chen Chuan appeared calm, not in a forced way. Senior Brother Yan said, "Interesting. How about we spar?"
Chen Chuan, not one to back down from a challenge, replied, "Sure."
"Do you want to use protective gear?"
"No need," Chen Chuan replied.
"You're brave." Yan Shixiong smiled, revealing his teeth. "Don't scream in pain later."
Chen Chuan chuckled. "It won't come to that."
"You're tough. I like that about you." Yan Shixiong gave him a thumbs-up and removed his sweat towel, then went to warm up nearby.
Chen Chuan took off his outerwear, leaving only his shirt, and began to stretch his limbs.
His warm-up routine followed the methods in the booklet given to him by Yu Gang, which was not unique to Wu Yi University. The booklet had been out for over a decade and was already widely circulated outside. Many people had likely adopted its techniques, so those who wanted to see his skills couldn't discern anything special, and could only wait for him to step onto the ring.
It wasn't yet time for the ring confrontation, but people loved watching a show. The previous sparring sessions had always involved the same few individuals, but now a new face had arrived, immediately drawing everyone's interest.
The onlookers gathered around, and even those who had been training below came over. Some brought several watermelons, slicing them and offering pieces to everyone.
Someone started to heckle: "Hey, Old Yan, go easy on our little friend here. Don't scare him."
"Yeah, don't be like that guy last time who wet himself."
"You're just here to watch the show. If you're going to be gross, get lost."
"Hahahaha!" Laughter erupted around them, a welcome relief from the monotony of training. These people were letting loose, enjoying the rare entertainment.
Yan Shixiong rolled his eyes and said, "He won't get that chance."
Once both men had sufficiently warmed up, they stepped onto the ring.
This was Chen Chuan's first time on the ring. He felt a slight bounce under his feet, making it a bit challenging to stabilize his center of gravity.
Yan Shixiong immediately recognized this and narrowed his eyes, saying nothing.
Since this wasn't an official competition, there was no need for a referee. How far they would go depended entirely on their mutual willingness.
Xiao Liang, remembering the sandbag from that day, suddenly felt a bit uneasy. He called out, "Hey, take it easy! Don't hit too hard!"
Yan Shixiong didn't realize he was referring to Chen Chuan and responded impatiently, "I know."
Someone eagerly pulled the rope, and the ring bell sounded.
Yan Shixiong immediately pressed forward, his feet positioned one front and one back, but with the front lower and the back higher. His front foot constantly lifted and dropped, as if ready to kick at any moment.
Chen Chuan assumed the stance of Major Free Fighting, his center of gravity slightly lowered. Although it looked ordinary, as if anyone could handle it, once he adjusted his stance, it exuded a unique aura.
Ordinary people couldn't discern the difference, but many in the audience immediately noticed the change. The heckling stopped, and everyone became serious.
Yan Shixiong also put aside his underestimation, seeing that Chen Chuan was steady. He didn't stay still either, lifting his front foot in a feint kick, but it was actually a spin, followed by a back sweep kick.
In that instant when he took a step forward, Chen Chuan's eyes flashed, and he rushed forward, using a Major Free Fighting technique called "Push Mill Hand," pressing it directly onto Yan Shixiong's waist and hips. The latter's back sweep didn't come out, and he was pressed down from mid-air, slamming onto the ground with a thud.
Unless facing a strong enemy or sudden danger, Chen Chuan wouldn't use his Second Self to overlap, but only during the moment of attacking, making it both concealed and unexpected, while also saving time for his Second Self to overlap.
Seeing Yan Shixiong's disheveled state, someone below booed, saying, "Old Yan, you underestimated your opponent. You didn't even probe first, and you don't know their bottom line, yet you're being reckless. You're showing disrespect to your opponent."
"Exactly. If this were a proper ring match, being pressed down like that would mean defeat."
They were just talking, and the martial arts gym was a business that needed to attract attention. It had to be both capable and visually appealing, and no matter who stepped onto the ring, they wouldn't dare show off their skills to others.
After Chen Chuan's success, he didn't continue but immediately retreated.
This was a friendly sparring, not a deadly fight, and it was on someone else's turf. Moreover, he was hoping to spar with the martial arts gym's members, so he had to give them some face.
Yan Shixiong climbed up, unaffected by the situation. Ring fights often involved getting hit, and if one couldn't control their emotions, there was no point in stepping onto the ring.
However, he knew Chen Chuan had held back, and he didn't need to thank him. The best way to show respect was to defeat the opponent once again.
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
