The Way of Restraint

Chapter 134: Martial Arts Gradually Takes Shape

“Zhou Chun, you probably still aren’t his match right now.” Xiong Zhiguang said, “Even though I was just testing him, he was able to exploit the tiny flaws in my movements in an instant and counterattack me. Our strengths are about the same, but if we go underground to fight, my chances of winning are higher than yours.”

Although Xiong Zhiguang was slapped in the face by Su Jie and lost all face, his strength was actually quite formidable. He had lost to Liu Long in their earlier encounters, but after reflecting on it, he trained in Southeast Asia. He didn’t know how many underground fights he had been through or how many times he had escaped death.

He returned this time wanting to make a name for himself.

But he just happened to run into Su Jie, who directly knocked him into the abyss.

However, he didn’t feel discouraged at all. Instead, he was actively planning some countermeasures. For someone like him, who was used to life and death, as long as he wasn’t dead, there would always be opportunities.

“But you still lost to that little trash.” Zhou Chun was indeed a bit wary of Xiong Zhiguang.

“Let’s not talk about that. Let’s think about how to join forces and expand.” Xiong Zhiguang said, “This time when I went to his club, I saw someone I shouldn’t have seen, which is Zhonglong Group’s chairman Song Longhua’s granddaughter, Song Qiong.”

“Could it be that Zhonglong Group has already invested in him?” Zhou Chun’s expression changed drastically. He knew that Haoyu was running rampant in business, but it also had rivals, with Zhonglong Group being the foremost. They had fought many times, and it had always ended in a tie. If Zhonglong Group got involved, many of his schemes would be meaningless.

Xiong Zhiguang’s observational skills were outstanding. In this short time, he had not been dazed by Su Jie’s slap and had even noticed who was beside Su Jie.

“Let’s take our time to discuss this.” Xiong Zhiguang said to Zhou Chun, “I have some ideas, but I need your help.”

The two walked into the club.

At the same time, at a table next to Grand Ascent Club, Hua Xing, Su Jie, Song Qiong, and Mu Qiang were chatting.

“That Xiong Zhiguang is much calmer than Zhou Chun. He can still endure after being slapped.” Song Qiong, though a little girl, had a keen observational ability: “When he left, his gaze lingered on me for a while.”

“This person has a sharp and angular face, with a straight nose and uneven features. It can be seen that he is a person with determination, able to endure hardships, tenacious, but also has a sinister heart. He can tolerate and endure humiliation, but has a strong desire for revenge. This is a typical ‘night owl’ face in physiognomy. He definitely will retaliate after being at a disadvantage, and will hide in the shadows, like a venomous snake, striking at you once, and if he misses, he will hide again, waiting for the next opportunity to strike.” Su Jie said, “Indeed, we need to be careful of him. He is more terrifying than Zhou Chun. Zhou Chun is relatively shameless and rogue, but sometimes he can’t endure it. I’m not afraid of dealing with such people, but Xiong Zhiguang is different.”

“You even understand physiognomy?” Song Qiong asked in surprise.

“I know a little, I learned from Professors Luo and Ma.” Su Jie nodded, “I don’t know if you know them?”

Whether it was Luo Weiji or Ma Fengnian, these two “masters” actually disliked being called masters and preferred to be referred to as professors.

They believed they were scholars, academic experts like Socrates, Plato, and Da Vinci, and in reality, they were also studying academics.

“My grandfather doesn’t touch this.” Song Qiong said, “My grandfather is a soldier, an atheist, follows state policy unwaveringly, and has taught us to do the same since childhood. But I know these two masters are quite famous. By the way, Su Jie, I want to invest in your club, how about it?”

“How do you want to invest?” Hua Xing, who was responsible for business negotiations, immediately recognized the opportunity and hurriedly asked.

“I plan to invest thirty million first.” Song Qiong said, “You can form a team to compete in the Haoyu Cup. Of course, Su Jie must participate. This time, besides the individual champion, individual results will also be counted towards the team, but each team must have at least three members registered. Coach Hua Xing, do you want to participate?”

“My physical condition has declined significantly, so it would be quite difficult to compete and I probably won’t achieve good results.” Hua Xing said.

“No problem, I’ll find three people.” Su Jie instantly thought of Zhang Manman and Zhang Jinchuan. The three of them had collaborated quite happily in the war-torn area.

Both Su Jie and Zhang Jinchuan wanted to take action against Haoyu.

“This is what I’m thinking: I’ll invest thirty million to test the waters. Even if it’s a loss, it’s still a way to thwart Haoyu.” Song Qiong had a decent business mind; she quickly recognized Su Jie’s value: “Also, your club can change its name. I think ‘Dian Dao’ sounds great. If it’s called Dian Dao Martial Arts Club, it’s different from fighting and has a cultural vibe. We can rearrange the shares.”

“I agree.” Hua Xing immediately expressed his stance.

Now he was the major shareholder, but he knew that although he had many connections, they were all limited to the fighting world. Teaming up with Su Jie to make some small money was fine, but wanting to make big money and expand influence was far from enough. Now that Song Qiong wanted to invest, he couldn’t ask for more.

“I don’t mind either.” Su Jie had never cared much about money and shares. As long as it was enough for him and he could find something beneficial for his practice, that was good enough.

Like this time in the war-torn area, Zhang Jinchuan at least made several hundred million, and he didn’t take a single cent, feeling no regret at all.

In fact, he had contributed a lot this time. If he hadn’t stopped Zhang Jinchuan from killing Gaier in time, everyone would have been under General Awasi’s revenge.

“Let’s sign the contract as soon as possible.” Song Qiong’s face showed signs of joy.

The three of them finalized the investment and shareholding arrangement.

Hua Xing held thirty percent, Su Jie held thirty percent, and Song Qiong was the major shareholder, having directly invested thirty million. Plus, she provided various resources.

After this matter was settled, Su Jie’s emotions didn’t fluctuate at all; he still went home to sleep.

When he got home, Su Shilin happened to be sitting on the sofa and asked, “How did it go?”

“Not bad.” Su Jie nodded, “I secured thirty million in investment for my martial arts club.”

“I meant how did you get along with Song Qiong.” Su Shilin asked.

“The martial arts club is her investment.” Su Jie said.

“Stinky kid.” Su Shilin was exasperated, wanting to blow up but held back: “Hurry up and go to bed. You need to prepare for the National College Entrance Examination properly these days. We’ll talk after you get into college.”

Su Jie obediently washed up and lay down, and when he opened his eyes, it was already three in the morning.

He finally restored his biological clock.

“There aren’t any places to train in the city.” Su Jie thought about how to improve his martial arts. Training in the city was impossible; he could only go to deep mountains and forests, far from human habitation, to get close to nature: “I’ll practice soft skills first. After the National College Entrance Examination, during the summer vacation, I’ll go to Minglun Martial Arts Academy and properly train for two months, pushing my horizontal training skills to the extreme.”

Without an environment to practice the Thirteen Protectors’ Golden Bell Iron Shirt Dragon-Tiger Vajra Qi Gong, Su Jie didn’t feel anxious. He had his own ideas.

He hadn’t finished watching Odell’s teaching videos yet.

There were hundreds of hours of videos, and he had only learned the Magic Step.

The Magic Step was a complete set of coordinated movements for athletic neurology, different from other martial arts. It also contained some visual illusions from magic, deceiving the eyes and brain. Moreover, it required a significant amount of physical exertion, consuming energy quickly.

Su Jie set a training plan for himself, insisting on mastering the Magic Step before the National College Entrance Examination.

Watching Odell’s instructional videos, he began to move his footwork.

Whoosh!

His body slid to the left and then back again. Sometimes it looked like he was leaning forward, but in reality, he was retreating.

This footwork, not to mention in actual combat, was pleasing to the eye even just for viewing.

Thus, Su Jie’s daily training transformed into the Magic Step. He didn’t watch Odell’s later teaching videos but repeatedly viewed the Magic Step, pondering and walking. After a week of focused practice, he suddenly felt like he was truly floating while walking, as if gravity didn’t bind him as much anymore.

Of course, this was a psychological illusion. In reality, his long-term practice had strengthened his motor nerves again, making his speed and reflexes quicker.

In traditional martial arts, footwork was also extremely important.

It is said that the first thing to practice in the Xin Yi Ba change is the “chicken step,” which requires practicing for three years to build a solid foundation before practicing the fist techniques.

Su Jie settled down and earnestly practiced the Magic Step. Sometimes, during his practice, he would integrate the Crystal Ball technique, maintaining high-speed movement while the Crystal Ball could still show a stable floating feeling.

This had already transformed from martial arts into a profound acrobatic dance art.

Of course, during the practice, Su Jie felt himself becoming increasingly relaxed. With a breath, he felt like a snowman melting under the sun, as if he were turning into a slug stuck to the ground, with not a single bone in his body.

In the process of practicing relaxation, his perception also became more sensitive.

His movements were light and soft.

Time flew by, and soon it was June.

During these days, Su Jie had no fluctuations, just practicing the Magic Step and the Crystal Ball, relaxing himself. As for studying, he wasn’t worried at all; the National College Entrance Examination would definitely not be a problem for him.

Finally, June 7 arrived.

It was the day of the National College Entrance Examination.

For all high school students, this was definitely a significant day that could determine their fate, but Su Jie felt it passed quite blandly.

During the two days of exams, he still practiced every day, not disrupting his biological clock.

On the evening of June 8, after finishing the last exam, he walked out of the examination hall, looking at the sunset hanging in the sky, the evening glow splendid, another beautiful day.