Chapter 55: Decisive Move
Chapter 55: Decisive Move
Shu Han almost laughed at Chen Chuan's words, saying, "So I've been underestimated, huh? Alright, let's do it here." He turned and walked back to his original position.
Chen Chuan observed Shu Han, his hand casually in his pocket, appearing nonchalant. He felt that today, he must demonstrate absolute strength to make this senior give up completely.
Since their previous fight, Chen Chuan had a good understanding of the senior's characteristics—extremely agile and skilled at luring enemies with feints. If they were in an open area, the senior would likely keep dodging, and the fight could drag on. But that would be a waste of time.
That's why Chen Chuan chose this place, subtly setting up an environment that hindered his opponent's abilities while benefiting himself.
Shu Han took off his outer garment and tossed it aside, his expression solemn. He had gained an understanding of Chen Chuan's strength that day and knew this junior wasn't easy to deal with. But indeed, as Chen Chuan said, he hadn't fully demonstrated his abilities that day.
Afterward, Shu Han had reviewed the fight, considering how to increase his chances of winning. Chen Chuan had only been a student for about ten days, so his strength shouldn't have changed much.
Shen Shao glanced at the two of them and moved aside a bit. He also helped move the nearby chairs and stools, saying, "I'll move these so they don't get damaged."
Chen Chuan maintained his casual posture and said, "Senior Shu, you go first this time. If I make the first move, you might not get a chance."
Shu Han's anger was subtly provoked, but this wasn't his first fight. He had endured verbal taunts before, so he could still keep his cool. He warned, "Junior Chen, you'd better be ready."
After saying this, Shu Han slowly advanced, taking one step and then another. As he continued to test the waters, on his third step, his figure suddenly flashed, and he leaped forward, closing in on Chen Chuan.
He had used this move in their previous fight, not because it was his only skill, but because Zhong Wu's head had been turned into a pulp by Chen Chuan's kick, proving the latter's exceptional leg technique. Shu Han had to get inside his opponent's range, making it difficult for Chen Chuan to execute leg maneuvers.
Though Shu Han was a member of the Free Fighting Division, he had also trained in grappling, wrestling, and throwing techniques. At close range, every move was an opportunity. As a third-year student at Wu Yi Academy, he had also cultivated his Qi Force. Last time, he refrained from using these skills to avoid injuring Chen Chuan, but this time, he wouldn't hold back.
As Shu Han made his move, Chen Chuan suddenly extended his hand and pushed outward from the center line!
Shu Han was startled by the speed of the hand, which reached his face in an instant. Fortunately, maneuvering in tight spaces was his forte, and he had planned to counter his opponent's next move. So, he immediately tried to dodge.
If Chen Chuan had displayed formidable strength in their previous encounter, this time, he revealed an unexpected speed. Before Shu Han could evade, Chen Chuan's hand was already pressing against his chest.
This strike didn't engage many muscles; it was a simple single-handed exertion of force, not overly powerful, and caused no harm. But it momentarily stunned Shu Han, disrupting his fluid movements. To act again, he needed to readjust, creating an opening.
After the push, Chen Chuan's arm remained still, and his fingers quickly grasped Shu Han's chest, pulling him up by his shirt!
Chen Chuan's previous training in Great Free Fighting focused on the root and middle joints, but Correct Free Fighting also trained the fingertip joints. With the Second Self enhancement, his speed surpassed Shu Han's reaction time, allowing him to grab his opponent instantly.
Shu Han felt his feet leave the ground and immediately realized the danger. He grabbed Chen Chuan's arm with his waist and legs, intending to pin him down. Even if he couldn't grasp the muscle knots, he could use his body strength to bring Chen Chuan down and execute a joint-locking technique to turn the tables.
But Chen Chuan didn't give him the chance. He released Shu Han's collar, slightly lifting his arm to create a brief space for exerting force. Then, he transformed his grip into a fist and struck downward, pounding Shu Han's chest with a loud bang!
Shen Shao was startled, "Sky Rattling Mallet?"
Chen Chuan's move was indeed an imitation of the Sky Rattling Mallet, but his inability to harness the power of Primordial Wholeness Energy meant that the force behind it was not significant. However, it struck Shu Han at a tricky moment in his breathing rhythm, causing him to falter and lose strength in his movements. Simultaneously, Chen Chuan grabbed Shu Han's collar and, using the momentum to press him forcefully onto the ground.
Shu Han's back hit the ground with a loud thud, but he didn't seem to be seriously injured. He quickly recovered and kicked his legs, moving backward to create distance before standing up.
Chen Chuan also straightened his body.
After getting up, Shu Han remained silent, showing no intention to attack again.
Shen Shao wanted to say something but held back.
After a while, Shu Han spoke with a hint of gloom, "I lost."
He was well aware that Chen Chuan had almost secured victory with that single push. There were numerous ways Chen Chuan could have targeted him afterward, and even the final slam to the ground was restrained. Otherwise, Shu Han would have been completely deprived of his resistance.
Chen Chuan said, "You two can leave now."
Shen Shao quickly responded, "Okay, okay." He then grabbed Shu Han and started walking out.
"No need to see you out," Chen Chuan added.
Throughout the fight, Chen Chuan had remained in his original position, using only one hand. This wasn't due to a significant disparity in strength between the two but because Chen Chuan had realized that Shu Han relied on his initial momentum and exceptional agility to execute his moves. Once his rhythm was disrupted, it became challenging to continue.
Chen Chuan's victory stemmed from his faster reaction, which allowed him to halt Shu Han's momentum and gain the upper hand.
However, such targeted tactics were only effective because Chen Chuan already understood Shu Han's characteristics. Against an unfamiliar opponent, this strategy wouldn't have the same impact.
Although Chen Chuan was still far from mastering the Universal Energy Technique, his practice of Correct Free Fighting had caused his Anomaly Organs to extend towards his palms and fingertips, making his force emission smoother and more natural. This served as a test of his previous training, and the results encouraged him to eagerly continue his practice.
On the other side, as the two emerged from the dormitory building, Shu Han maintained his silence.
He had been almost defeated by Chen Chuan in a single move, and even then, he hadn't used his full strength. This time, the outcome was decided in an instant, and Shu Han couldn't find any solace. He was acutely aware of the gap in their abilities.
Shen Shao placed a hand on Shu Han's shoulder, attempting to console him. "I know it feels bad, but some people are just born different from us. What's the point of comparing ourselves to those with Natural Talent? We can't compete with them."
"You're right," Shu Han agreed.
Suddenly, Shu Han lifted his head and said, "His talents are beyond what most people can match. Aside from Jiang Xuelong, I've rarely seen anyone as gifted as him. He's already this powerful after only a few days of enrollment. But the higher his talent, the more I can't bear to watch him squander it."
"Listen," Shen Shao said, running his hand through his hair, "Does this concern you? Why can't you let it go?"
Shu Han spoke resolutely, "Jiang Xuelong saved my life. Without him, I wouldn't be here today. I don't have the ability to do what he wants to do, nor do I have the qualifications to cultivate a good Power Technique. But now I see someone who can fulfill Jiang Xuelong's wishes and has the qualifications to do so, yet he's wasting his talent. I can't just stand by and watch. I can't get past it."
"No," Shen Shao said helplessly, "A forced melon isn't sweet. If someone doesn't want to do something, you can't force them. It won't work, so why not just let it go?"
"I'll convince him," Shu Han said firmly, "And if I can't, others will." With determination, he walked out.
"Sigh, everyone's so stubborn," Shen Shao muttered, following behind.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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