Warrior's Fighting Spirit

Chapter 49: Warrior's Fighting Spirit

Makoto Kyogoku subtly started to usher them away.

Lin Xinyi froze, not knowing what to say.

Just then, Miss Suzuki, who was standing nearby, recognized his awkwardness and stepped in.

"Let's go, Lin!"

Suzuki Sonoko smiled and leaned closer, helping him out of the predicament.

After the prior injury treatment and working together on the case, she was even more enthusiastic towards Lin Xinyi.

And strangely, even though Makoto Kyogoku was also handsome, perhaps it was because his darker skin wasn't to Miss Suzuki's taste, or maybe because Lin Xinyi's good looks slightly outshone his, When Suzuki Sonoko first met Makoto Kyogoku, she didn't habitually fawn over him like she usually did with handsome men.

Not only did she not fawn over him, but she was now completely on Lin Xinyi's side:

"It's fine if this guy doesn't want to bother with you."

"Anyway, our Ran is also very strong, just let her train with you!"

"Uh..."

Lin Xinyi hesitated to speak:

Actually, for him right now, Mouri Ran was already a strong enough sparring partner.

He had also considered having Mouri Ran assist him in his training, and Miss Mouri Ran had readily agreed.

But Kudo Shinichi had strong opinions about it.

The thought of Ran having physical contact with Lin Xinyi during intense private training made the great detective, who always claimed, "I've never touched Ran, I have no interest in Ran," immediately flip his lid.

So, under Kudo's squirming, both overt and covert, objections, Lin Xinyi had no choice but to find another sparring partner.

"Let's just go!"

"Ran and Kudo are still waiting for us to take the train together."

Suzuki Sonoko saw Lin Xinyi's hesitation but continued to persuade him to give up.

Anyway, she had plenty of ways to help Lin Xinyi find suitable sparring partners; there was no need for her idol to stay here and be rejected.

What was a Japan Karate Champion, anyway?

If Miss Suzuki got serious, one phone call could bring combat champions from various countries to Tokyo for a party.

So, she casually linked arms with Lin Xinyi, pulling him away.

"That..."

Ever since Suzuki Sonoko appeared, Makoto Kyogoku had been standing there with a blank stare, silently pondering something.

Now, just as it seemed he was about to successfully drive Lin Xinyi away, he suddenly spoke:

"That... that... that..."

Makoto Kyogoku stammered several "that"s, which, if spoken in Chinese, would be enough to make a black brother call the police.

Somehow, the Kickboxing Prince had completely lost his previous composure in battle.

A faint blush, almost imperceptible to others, appeared on his dark face.

He hesitated, trying to keep his voice calm:

"Who is this lady?"

The question was directed at Lin Xinyi, but his eyes were discreetly glancing at Suzuki Sonoko.

"I'm Suzuki Sonoko, a student at Teitan High School."

"Of course, besides that, hahahaha..."

Miss Suzuki burst into an unreserved laugh:

"I'm about to be Lord Lin Xinyi's girlfri—"

"Cough, cough."

Lin Xinyi promptly stopped Miss Suzuki's infatuation.

He subtly pulled his hand away from Suzuki Sonoko and replied:

"Miss Suzuki is my friend; we just met today."

Lin Xinyi calmly clarified his relationship with Miss Suzuki.

It wasn't that he had any prejudice against Suzuki Sonoko; after all, who wouldn't have a good impression of a beautiful girl who actively expressed her admiration?

However, for some reason...

Lin Xinyi always felt that Miss Suzuki wasn't looking for a serious relationship, but rather seemed to be a fan.

And this kind of fan-like affection was the most unreliable:

Don't be fooled by fans calling celebrities "brother" or "husband"; after some time and once the initial passion fades, fans will naturally forget their past idols and fall for the next handsome face that appears on screen.

So, it's better to make some things clear.

Since he wasn't ready to take things beyond friendship for now, he had to decisively state his position to hopefully cool down the overly enthusiastic person.

Wait a minute...

Lin Xinyi suddenly thought of something:

That woman, Miyano Shiho, always gave him the cold shoulder, acting like an ice queen, and her words were always so sarcastic...

Damn it!

So that's what she was thinking all along!

Lin Xinyi belatedly realized this, and his mood was quite subtle.

While he was preoccupied with his own thoughts, he failed to notice something:

After hearing him say that he and Suzuki Sonoko had "just met today," Makoto Kyogoku's expression immediately relaxed considerably.

"My apologies, I was rude earlier."

Makoto Kyogoku's attitude became much more cordial.

Not only did he humble himself to apologize, but he also extended his hand to Lin Xinyi:

"Mr. Lin Xinyi."

"Please, you must allow me to befriend you."

"Uh..." Lin Xinyi was a bit taken aback.

He didn't know why Makoto Kyogoku's attitude had suddenly changed, but somehow, he felt this "dark-skinned guy" wasn't up to any good.

"Ahem..." Seemingly embarrassed by how quickly his attitude had shifted, Makoto Kyogoku awkwardly made an excuse for himself:

"I was short-sighted before and didn't recognize a true master."

"Now I see that Mr. Lin Xinyi indeed has something extraordinary about him. If I could spar and exchange pointers with you, it would certainly be very beneficial for my Karate training."

"Oh?"

Lin Xinyi's gaze immediately sharpened:

Something extraordinary?

Could he have noticed it?

My Internal Energy.

Yes, after returning home last night and attempting to cultivate his family's martial arts, he had, in just one night, cultivated a kind of utterly unscientific energy within his body.

This energy could significantly boost his physical capabilities and enhance his strength.

According to the secret manual, this energy should be the "Internal Energy" that he had never managed to cultivate in his previous life.

Lin Xinyi had even specifically asked Miss Mouri Ran if she had also cultivated Internal Energy.

After all, for Mouri Ran's powerful strength, which was completely disproportionate to her delicate physique, Internal Energy was the most plausible explanation.

But Ran's answer was no; she was just that strong purely based on her physical prowess.

She even, with a hint of concern, advised Lin Xinyi to watch less Dragon Ball, saying that martial artists in reality couldn't cultivate ki—it was too unscientific.

Given this, Lin Xinyi's Internal Energy seemed to be unique.

Or perhaps, Ran's realm hadn't reached the point where she could harness supernatural energy, while Lin Xinyi, thanks to the ingenious cultivation method from his family's secret manual, had taken a shortcut and mastered this energy early.

That was his guess.

As for why his family's martial arts could produce such an effect in this alternate world...

Don't ask; just attribute it to Conan-science.

"He noticed the difference in me so quickly."

"As expected of a master of the 'Rifle Realm'!"

Lin Xinyi secretly sighed in his heart.

He was still far behind Mouri Ran, not even reaching the "Pistol Realm," so he naturally wanted to learn more from a master like Makoto Kyogoku when given the chance.

Therefore, he also forgot the awkwardness of being rejected earlier and smiled as he shook Makoto Kyogoku's hand.

And as they shook hands, Lin Xinyi noticed:

Makoto Kyogoku's gaze towards him was a bit off.

Beneath the surface of his friendly look, there was a hidden hostility, a spirit of defiance and unwillingness to yield.

It was like a male lion vying for the throne, passionately challenging the old lion king.

It was as if Lin Xinyi had become the lifelong rival he absolutely had to defeat.

"Is this the Warrior's Fighting Spirit, the desire for battle?"

"He really did sense the Internal Energy in me, which is why he sees me as a worthy opponent."

Thinking this, Lin Xinyi met Makoto Kyogoku's gaze without any fear.

Even though he was nowhere near as strong as Makoto Kyogoku at that moment, he still unleashed his Warrior's Fighting Spirit, facing the challenge without backing down.

Because a warrior must possess their own courage.

One can admit defeat to a stronger opponent, but never cower.

If you don't dare to face an opponent stronger than yourself, you can never surpass yourself.

"Mr. Makoto Kyogoku."

"I look forward to our match."

Lin Xinyi's eyes burned with fighting spirit, and the grip of his handshake unconsciously grew tighter.

"I won't lose."

Makoto Kyogoku was equally brimming with fighting spirit, a fiery glint in his eyes.

Their gazes clashed intensely in mid-air, their hands tightly clasped.

The atmosphere gradually grew tense.

And the strength of their handshake, amidst the invisible clash of their auras, unconsciously...

grew stronger and stronger, stronger and stronger, stronger and stronger.

"Hiss—"

Lin Xinyi's expression suddenly changed:

"Q-quickly, let go!"

"Are you trying to twist rebar or something?!"

P.S. Just to reiterate.

Martial arts are merely a backdrop; this book will mostly not feature fight scenes.

This setting is mainly to give the protagonist superpowers like wall-running and bone shrinking/face changing – it's not a system-based novel. Since the protagonist is a modern Forensic Officer, to reasonably justify these powers, they have to be attributed to ancestral martial arts.

There's no other way; in a world where people start shooting up Tokyo Tower at the slightest disagreement, you can't survive without some kind of cheat.

Thanks to the Guild Leader benefactors [Misaka 12508], [Ancient Embers], [Fearless Laughter for the Rest of My Life], and [Hermit of the Deserted Island] for their generous support! Thanks~(*°▽°)=3

Thanks to [Sawano Midori], [Night Glow Moon], [Fox's Nonsense], [SCP-343], [Revealing a Rich Smile], [Charming Bloody Scenery of Blooming Flowers], [Started Reading Novels in '05], [Mu Yu Xixi], [Just a Name], [Cool Night, People Entering Petal Bed], and other readers for their generous support~