The Difference Was Obvious

Senior Brother Chen?!

The moment they saw Chen Ping's intimidating, Zhong Kui-like expression,

the arrogance on Wang Jinquan and the others' faces was snuffed out in an instant.

Wang Jinquan's mouth twitched as he shot Zhou Kai a vicious glare...

This kid really had some kind of connection with Chen Ping!

"Let's go!"

With a low shout,

Wang Jinquan ignored the person Zhou Kai had pinned down and led his underlings away without looking back.

Seeing this, Zhou Kai released the wrist he had been gripping.

"Damn, feels like my bone's cracked..."

The man's lips had turned purple, and his face was flushed red from holding it in, yet he did not dare utter a single complaint.

Even Brother Wang had backed down. What could he possibly say?

He could only tuck his tail between his legs and flee in disgrace.

Watching their retreating backs, Zhou Kai asked Chen Ping, who had walked over beside him, "What are those guys? Got nothing better to do?"

Chen Ping frowned and shook his head. "They're all rotten apples. The one who fought you just now only got promoted last month."

"Instead of training properly, he spends all day running around with Wang Jinquan."

Chen Ping's disgust was utterly undisguised. There was none of the tactful restraint of social niceties, and he was even harsher than when he had scolded Du Feng that day.

Zhou Kai was somewhat surprised.

When Chen Ping had mentioned the members on the first floor before, he had looked equally disdainful.

It seemed Falcon Wing Boxing Gym was not entirely united internally.

Its management was lax, and it harbored all sorts of filth.

Chen Ping seemed to see through Zhou Kai's thoughts and said solemnly, "Normally, don't meddle in other people's business. But if anyone comes after you, one word—fight!"

"As long as you want to reach a higher level of martial arts, you'll have to trample these stumbling blocks beneath your feet sooner or later."

Zhou Kai nodded. "Got it."

He finally understood... Coach Chen held a very unusual position within Falcon Wing.

And now, this big shot was willing to have his back.

At last, Zhou Kai felt a hint of long-lost warmth in his heart.

Things really seemed like they were about to get better.

"Find somewhere to rest. After the assessment, I'll take you to meet the master."

Chen Ping tossed out those words and turned to leave.

A little after nine in the morning, Ma Yifan came over.

"Buddy, you feeling confident about today's assessment? I'd say you've got a great shot."

Zhou Kai had a good impression of this guy, whom he had only just met but who had still been willing to help him, so he was happy to chat a little more.

He replied casually, "Shouldn't be a problem."

Ma Yifan smacked his lips, his face full of envy. "I got here two weeks before you. Talent really fucking hurts."

At least two-thirds of the boxing gym's members had no interest in ancient martial arts at all. They had come purely because of Chen Ping's reputation as a former national fighting champion, hoping to pick up a few moves for self-defense.

There were already few people like Ma Yifan who were genuinely interested in ancient martial arts. Then, due to all kinds of miscellaneous reasons, the basic members on the first floor could only send one to three people upstairs each month on average.

It was nothing more than picking the best of a bad bunch.

But there was no helping it.

Though Zhou Kai had not deliberately looked into it, he had heard news about things like "the decline of ancient martial arts," "martial arts are dead," and "a wave of boxing gym closures."

For Falcon Wing to keep such a large venue running in this environment was already something of a miracle.

"Don't overthink it. Come on, I'll spar with you."

Zhou Kai suddenly stood and beckoned to Ma Yifan.

"Sure! Knew helping you out wasn't for nothing!"

"Next time, even if your ex-girlfriend comes charging over to kill you, I'll cover for you! Worst case, I'll even front you the bride price, hahaha."

Ma Yifan threw back his head and laughed.

Zhou Kai took it as nothing more than a joke.

But the remark struck precisely at the sore spot of Lu Yan, who had just entered through the door.

Lu Yan frowned. "Xiao Kai, when did you start seeing someone?"

The hairs on Zhou Kai's back stood on end, and he hurriedly waved his hands. "No! Little Ma was just joking!"

Ma Yifan's gaze flicked back and forth between them, and he gave them a sleazy grin that said, I get it.

Zhou Kai could only tell him to go wait somewhere else.

"Sis, you're awake? I thought you'd be bedridden all day. I even took leave for you."

Zhou Kai went up to her.

The tips of Lu Yan's ears were faintly pink.

"Thanks... Um, is this something you dropped?"

She took a card from her pocket, confusion in her eyes. "I don't remember it."

Her actions were obviously meant to change the subject. She did not want to bring up the embarrassing incident of getting completely drunk and being carried home by her little brother.

"Let me see."

Zhou Kai took it. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the material was hard.

On the front were several small words stamped in gold:

[To Sleepless Dreams]

On the back was a specially encrypted phone number.

Dreamless again.

What the hell did those persistent bastards want?!

Someone had most likely slipped this card into Lu Yan's pocket while he had been settling the bill.

Zhou Kai's expression darkened.

The words "Dreamless" were like a bomb, constantly reminding him of the dangers both inside and outside the dream, making his entire body uneasy.

"Xiao Kai?"

Lu Yan was not wearing makeup today, and there were faint dark circles beneath her eyes, but it did not diminish her beauty in the slightest. She had an oddly natural, fake-landmine sort of look.

She watched him in confusion.

Zhou Kai clenched the card and stuffed it deep into his pocket.

He gave a dry chuckle. "It's nothing, just some junk ad card."

"Sis, get some rest first. I'll go practice boxing with him."

Lu Yan pursed her lips. "Mm-hm. Then do your best."

As the assessment drew near, Chen Ping still had not shown himself.

As usual, Du Feng taught in his place and also served as the assessment examiner.

Before long, the assessment began.

Du Feng had the members willing to participate line up in several rows and spar with him one by one.

Anyone who could last ten moves would have their remaining tuition waived and could advance to the trainee area next door for further training.

This time, Ma Yifan was extremely confident in himself. After Zhou Kai had fed him moves for half an hour, the sky had cleared, the rain had stopped, and he felt invincible again. He immediately took the first spot in line.

Zhou Kai, meanwhile, was forcibly dragged by him into the second spot.

While they waited, Ma Yifan whispered with exaggerated facial expressions, "Du Feng only got promoted last month too."

"He's probably the one who hits the lightest among those guys over there."

"Since he's the examiner this time... what the hell am I scared of? Let's do this!"

Zhou Kai frowned slightly.

If skill levels were divided into First Level beginner, second level proficient, and Third Level mastery,

then Du Feng's Comprehensive Combat should fall within the second level range.

As for Chen Ping, he was at least Third Level or above, perhaps even higher.

They were both second level, but Zhou Kai also had the boost from Light Footwork. Against that guy, he had it in the bag.

"Coach Chen isn't here, but don't expect me to go easy on you."

Not far away, Du Feng struck a coach-like pose, the smile on his face still fairly mild.

The assessment officially began.

But at that moment, a discordant voice came from the trainee area beside them. The voice arrived before the person did.

"Du Feng, you useless trash who hasn't even learned the Falcon Strike Technique, thinks he deserves to be an examiner?"

"Is this how Chen Ping trains his members?"

Among a group of trainees over six feet tall, a man under five-foot-nine with a build remarkably like Popeye walked out with a grin.

Who else could have such distinctive features but Wang Jinquan?

Chen Ping was gone. Wasn't this the perfect chance for him to cut loose?

After all, he was doing it for the good of the boxing gym!

Hopefully, the quality of the trainees would be a little higher from now on.

His reason for stepping in was more than righteous enough. Even if Chen Ping found out afterward, surely he could not do anything to him.

Since he had a legitimate cause,

he strode up to Du Feng with his head held high and ordered, "Get out of the way. Today, I'll do it!"

Du Feng's expression instantly froze, and his mouth twitched. "Brother Wang, don't do this..."

Wang Jinquan snorted coldly, malice dripping from his voice. "Heh, Du Feng, getting full of yourself?"

"If you don't want a beating, go wait on the side!"