Challenge Letter

Yu Gang came outside and saw that more than a dozen people had gathered in the open space. Most stood scattered around the perimeter, dressed in dark blue work uniforms, each with loops of polished, silver-bright iron chain wrapped around their fists. Their expressions and bearing were exceedingly fierce.

Four people stood at the front. The leader was a man in his thirties, short and stocky, wearing plain glasses and an old-fashioned, unadorned collared robe. Behind him stood two burly middle-aged men. A little farther away was a young man in his early twenties with a crew cut and a defiant look in his eyes.

Seeing Yu Gang, the leading man smiled and cupped his fists. "Teacher Yu, it has been a long time."

Yu Gang returned the gesture. "I did not expect Mr. Qi to honor this humble place with his presence. My accommodations are shabby, with nothing fit to offer in hospitality. Please forgive the poor reception."

Mr. Qi gave a sigh. "Not at all. Qi did not come here today for tea or wine. I merely came to see Teacher Yu."

Yu Gang said, "Yu is only an ordinary boxing instructor. What is there to see?"

Mr. Qi smiled. "Teacher Yu, why be so modest? Who does not know of your abilities? Qi came here specially today to invite Teacher Yu to join our Iron Chain Gang. Ah, Teacher Yu, do not rush to refuse..."

He waved a hand. "We know Teacher Yu has troubles weighing on him, but we can help Mr. Yu resolve them."

Yu Gang said deeply, "Yu's affairs are not something the Iron Chain Gang can resolve. They would only bring you trouble."

Mr. Qi was unconcerned—or rather, extremely confident. "How would we know without trying? Teacher Yu, those powerful nobles are not easy to provoke, but neither is our Iron Chain Gang. Once you join the Iron Chain Gang, we will be brothers. Your affairs will be our affairs. We will help you, and we will do it in a way that satisfies Teacher Yu."

Yu Gang said nothing.

Mr. Qi cupped his fists again, raising his voice so that everyone present could hear. "Teacher Yu, once you join Iron Chain, Qi can acknowledge you as my master. Surely Teacher Yu will no longer doubt the sincerity of our Iron Chain Gang?"

Yu Gang fell silent unbidden. The Iron Chain Gang was no group of kind souls. With matters having reached this point, he had to give them a clear answer. Otherwise, he would be refusing to give these men face.

Mr. Qi maintained his smile and his cupped-fist posture as he waited for a response.

After a moment, Yu Gang seemed to reach a decision. Looking at Mr. Qi and the others, he said, "How about this? Yu knows nothing but fighting. Let one of my students compete with one of your men. If you win, I can agree to join the Iron Chain Gang. If you lose, do not come looking for me for at least a year."

Mr. Qi appeared to have anticipated this. Lowering his hands, he smiled. "We must give Teacher Yu face." He turned his head and called, "Ding Shuo."

"Here!" The crew-cut young man in his early twenties stepped forward from behind him. "Mr. Qi."

Mr. Qi said, "Compete with Teacher Yu's student. Be careful. Teacher Yu possesses great skill; his student surely will not be lacking either."

Ding Shuo found Lu Ke behind Yu Gang and shot him several vicious looks.

Yu Gang called Lu Ke over and instructed him, "Lu Ke, go compete with him. Be careful." Lu Ke answered somewhat nervously, "Yes, Master."

Mr. Qi said, "Mr. Yu, we are all friends. This is not a fight to the death; stop at the point of contact." Then he looked to his side. "Ding Shuo, did you hear that?"

Ding Shuo said, "Mr. Qi, just watch." He took off his shirt, revealing a body of knotted muscle. He pulled out Fist Wraps from his pocket and bound his hands, then began hopping lightly to loosen up.

Lu Ke also began warming up, but he seemed somewhat out of sorts, constantly taking deep breaths.

Chen Chuan had also arrived at the entrance of the training ground and watched the commotion outside. The Iron Chain Gang and the Blood Scar Gang were Yangzhi City's two largest gangs, and clashes often broke out between them.

He did not know the exact grievances between them, but he had heard that the Blood Scar Gang was backed by Mo Lan Company. If the Iron Chain Gang could stand toe-to-toe against the Blood Scar Gang, some force must also be supporting them from behind.

He just did not know why they had come for Yu Gang this time. To be fair, if Yu Gang were recruited by the Iron Chain Gang, it would disrupt his training plans...

Before long, Lu Ke and Ding Shuo had finished their preparations. They stepped into the open space, cupped their fists in greeting according to custom, then each retreated several steps and took their stances.

Ding Shuo grinned. With a sudden forward rush, he immediately launched a jumping knee strike at Lu Ke, looking exceptionally fierce.

Lu Ke hurriedly dodged aside. After Ding Shuo landed, his feet pivoted nimbly as he followed Lu Ke's movements. After throwing a fierce combination of punches, he suddenly swept low without warning. Lu Ke gave away no opening and raised his knee in time to block it, but the kick carried tremendous force, forcing him to shift sideways to bleed it off.

Chen Chuan watched closely. Judging from the smoothness of Ding Shuo's posture and force generation, as well as the faint, hard-to-discern sound of his exhalations, he concluded that this man had also mastered the Breathing Method. Still, as long as Lu Ke performed normally, it was not as though he had no chance.

Under Ding Shuo's relentless assault, Lu Ke dodged again and again. Though he had been defending all along, his defense remained steady. Even while evading, he continued observing his opponent and searching for a flaw.

He soon found an opportunity. After Ding Shuo threw two punches and was about to sweep low again, Lu Ke suddenly raised his leg and drove a straight front kick directly into the other man's abdomen.

It was a beautiful kick. It not only disrupted Ding Shuo's low attack, but also delivered a powerful counterattack.

That strike should have broken his opponent's rhythm and marked the beginning of a counteroffensive. Yet, unexpectedly, Ding Shuo not only did not have his movements interrupted, he instead thrust his abdomen forward. Lu Ke instantly felt a force surge up against the sole of his foot, sending him stumbling backward uncontrollably.

With his physical condition, he should have regained his footing quickly. Yet it was as if he suddenly cramped up. His legs went weak, and he fell to the ground. He hurriedly rolled and came up on one knee, bracing a fist before him to guard against Ding Shuo's follow-up attack.

Ding Shuo did not rush in. Instead, he took two steps in place and beckoned upward at him with his palm, seemingly telling him to get up quickly.

At that moment, Chen Chuan noticed a flush rise on Lu Ke's face, while his breathing became much more rapid. Remembering something, Chen Chuan turned to look toward where Lu Ke had originally been sitting. Beside Lu Ke's usual water bottle was a small medicine bottle with its cap off, two pale yellow tablets still inside.

Lu Ke took a hard breath and stood up. Ding Shuo suddenly darted forward, a gust of fist wind rushing at him. Lu Ke instinctively raised his arms to block, but before his hands could come up, a knee rammed into his ribs. He gave a muffled groan, his breathing thrown into disorder. He staggered several steps and fell again, catching himself with his arms before he could collapse flat.

Now everyone could see that something was wrong with him.

Ding Shuo said dissatisfiedly, "Hey, what are you doing? Did you have some kind of episode?"

Yu Gang let out a faint sigh. "Lu Ke, come back." He paused. "Mr. Qi, this round..."

"Wait, Teacher Yu."

A voice came from inside the building.

Mr. Qi and the others looked toward the sound and saw a well-proportioned young man with a refined, heroic air walk out from within.

Chen Chuan walked to Yu Gang's side and said, "Teacher Yu, I count as your student too, right? Senior Brother Lu seems physically unwell, so this match is somewhat unfair. The outcome has not yet been decided. May I take his place and continue?"

Yu Gang looked at him. "You did not need to come out. This is not your affair."

Chen Chuan said seriously, "Mr. Yu, it was not my affair before, but now it is. You understand, sir—if things end that way, I might not be able to continue studying under you."

If it had only been Yu Gang's affair, he would not have stepped forward on his own. But Nian Fuli had reminded him that Yu Gang had a case hanging over him, and told him to learn from Yu Gang without getting too close, likely out of some concern. Yet if Yu Gang joined the Iron Chain Gang, Chen Chuan certainly would not be able to continue learning from him in order to avoid suspicion. Rather than let that happen, he might as well try to change things himself.

Mr. Qi smiled at that moment. "Teacher Yu, this is your student too, is he not? Since we agreed that your student would fight, it is within the rules for him to take the field."

Ding Shuo clicked his tongue, but he did not particularly object. Beating a man who was having an episode gave him no satisfaction at all. Besides, the first few exchanges had done no more than warm him up.

Seeing that they had no objection, Yu Gang considered it for a moment before saying to Chen Chuan, "Be careful. This young man Ding's fists and kicks are formidable."

Chen Chuan understood immediately. If Ding Shuo's fists and kicks were formidable, then his other techniques were somewhat inferior. That meant Chen Chuan could fight more freely.

Lu Ke climbed to his feet and came to Yu Gang, clutching his ribs. "Master, I..."

Yu Gang patted his shoulder. "Do not overthink it. Your master was negligent. Go back and take your medicine quickly."

Lu Ke answered softly. He looked back at Chen Chuan, who had begun warming up, drew in a hard breath, and slowly walked back into the building.

Before long, Chen Chuan finished warming up and stepped into the open space, standing face-to-face with Ding Shuo.