The Way of Restraint

Su Jie hurried to Larry’s office. There were no outsiders yet — only Larry, waiting.

“Mr. Larry, it seems this visitor isn’t particularly friendly?” Su Jie could already infer a great deal from his boss’s expression. His physiognomy skills were growing increasingly refined.

“They’re from Typhon Training Camp. They’ve also started a security company, and they’re here to pitch their personnel and products to me. In fact, I have substantial evidence that the Typhon Group has been involved in multiple assassination attempts against me.” Larry had gradually developed trust in Su Jie.

He had used big data analysis to evaluate Su Jie’s personality and behavior, and the conclusion was that Su Jie was honest, reliable, and trustworthy.

As a Westerner, Larry preferred using data to analyze user behavior and character. He had built his empire on search engines, collecting vast amounts of user data from around the world and developing AI algorithms to precisely push targeted ad products to users. He even analyzed user behavior and personality — and his conclusions were often more accurate than physiognomy or fortune-telling.

He also consulted divination and fate calculations, but his ultimate goal was to use computer programs and data to mathematically deduce fate.

That was true science.

Larry was a believer in science.

“This is audacious. It’s like stealing someone’s things and then trying to sell those very things back to them — outrageous!” Su Jie was equally displeased after hearing this, but his mind stirred — perhaps he could use Larry to uncover many of Typhon Training Camp’s secrets.

Larry and Typhon Training Camp were adversaries.

As they were talking, Cass led three people inside.

The leader had blond hair, blue eyes, and skin so pale it looked like he had albinism. His eye sockets were deeply sunken, his nose was large and aquiline, and his lips were razor-thin. This physiognomy was that of an utterly ruthless, extreme villain.

The other two had brown skin — it was impossible to tell which country they were from — and both exuded a sharp, fierce aura. Anyone approaching within three feet of them would feel an involuntary chill.

Cass gave Su Jie a meaningful glance — a signal for him to protect Mr. Larry with everything he had. Then she began the introductions: “Boss, this is the head of the newly established Typhon Security Company, Cress. And these are Typhon Security’s S-class bodyguards, Harvey and Saga.”

“Mr. Larry, it’s an honor to receive an audience with you in person.” Cress extended his hand to shake.

Su Jie immediately stepped in to block him, speaking in flawless American English: “I’m sorry, Mr. Cress. To ensure Mr. Larry’s safety, it’s not convenient for him to have any physical contact with others at this time.”

These people were from Typhon Training Camp. Cress in particular — one look told Su Jie he was an expert assassin with countless kills to his name. Su Jie sensed an extremely dangerous aura emanating from him. Even with Su Jie protecting Larry, he couldn’t afford to be careless.

Although the three had undergone strict screening before entering, for people like this, even bare-handed, killing a man was easier than killing a chicken.

And for someone with special training, hiding weapons in a way that eludes inspection was basic skill.

Of course, Larry’s security screening went far beyond standard airport security — it was presidential level, perhaps even higher. If these three had hidden anything, it would have been easily detected.

But if Cress managed to shake Larry’s hand, the situation would become virtually unsolvable. Even Su Jie would have difficulty intervening.

For his boss’s safety, Su Jie naturally wouldn’t let that happen.

When Su Jie directly blocked him, Larry didn’t say anything, but Su Jie could sense from within that he approved.

Cress withdrew his hand, gave Su Jie a deep look, sat down in the designated seat, and then spoke: “Mr. Larry, your bodyguard is truly diligent.”

“This is Mr. Su Jie, an ethnic Chinese. He practices Chinese Martial Arts,” Larry said. “He’s my best bodyguard — bar none. I understand quite well why you’ve come this time. You want my company to switch to your security team. That’s not impossible, but first you must earn my trust. I’m a very pragmatic person. How about this — send out your men. If they can defeat my bodyguard, then we can discuss further cooperation. If they can’t, then obviously I’ll stick with the best.”

Su Jie understood that Larry was using him as a shield. To directly refuse Typhon Security’s people would show a lack of business acumen. Defeating them on their own professional terms, while simultaneously testing their capabilities — that was the optimal approach.

“Chinese Martial Arts?” Harvey, the brown-skinned man behind Cress, laughed. “It’s just performance dance, really. Mr. Larry, I think you’ve been deceived. I heard what you just said. As an S-class bodyguard of Typhon Security, I’d like to play around with your bodyguard.”

Su Jie didn’t respond. He waited for Larry’s cue.

“Then Mr. Su Jie, why don’t you have a sparring match with this Mr. Harvey?” Larry said, clearly interested.

At that moment, Sawai Takeji also entered and knelt beside Larry, ready in case someone tried to assassinate him while Su Jie was preoccupied with Harvey.

“Come on, then.” Harvey stepped forward to showcase his abilities and gestured invitingly at Su Jie.

Su Jie shook his head. “You alone are no match for me. It’s better if all three of you come at once.”

“What?” Harvey was naturally offended by such words — anyone would be. “Since you’re so arrogant, I don’t mind teaching you a lesson.”

Boom!

Harvey made his move. He closed the distance, raising his knees and elbows in a flurry of motion — striking, smashing, using both in tandem. His style had elements reminiscent of Muay Thai and Baji Quan from traditional Chinese martial arts, but with many subtle modifications. It operated at very close range, unsuitable for long-distance fighting in a ring, but extremely effective in chaotic security work.

Harvey’s physique was incredibly solid — like a shield, capable of withstanding any attack — while his elbows and knees were like swords and spears hidden behind that shield, each strike potentially lethal.

As he charged forward, the air vibrated with a faint rumble. The sheer force of his momentum was enough to make onlookers tremble with fear.

But he stopped short the moment he reached Su Jie.

Su Jie had simply executed a single straightforward kick, planting it precisely on Harvey’s knee. This destabilized Harvey entirely, sending him flying backward to crash against the wall with a loud bang.

The kick had been so fast that not even a shadow was visible. When Harvey flew back, it was as if Su Jie hadn’t moved his leg at all — or perhaps he had. Like a magic trick. If not for having witnessed it with their own eyes, no one would have believed such speed existed.

“I told you, all three of you should come at me together,” Su Jie said again. “If three of you can’t defeat me, then I really doubt Typhon Training Camp’s S-class bodyguards are qualified for Mr. Larry’s security.”

Harvey got up and checked himself over. He found no injuries. The kick Su Jie had used was a pushing force, not a penetrating one.

He shot a questioning look at Saga and Cress.

Among the three, Cress was clearly the strongest. He stood up, nodded, but said nothing. Harvey and Saga quickly positioned themselves at angles, forming a pincer to surround Su Jie.

This had the flavor of a “Mandarin Duck Formation.”

Just like those from Jiu Ding Security, these men had undergone formation training — a proven tactic for victory in military combat.

Su Jie moved. He didn’t wait for the three to attack first. Instead, he cut into their midst, aimed at Cress — the strongest of them — and drove a punch straight in. He was essentially walking right into the encirclement.

The three-man formation was like a net — a pocket designed to trap Su Jie like a fish. Once they closed around him, he’d be caught.

But by charging in himself, Su Jie was playing right into their hands.

“Not good!” Just as Cress was about to block Su Jie and Harvey and Saga were about to close in, they suddenly discovered that their opponent’s power was ridiculously immense. He wasn’t a big fish — he was a giant whale. The momentum of his charge could smash straight through a wall. Before Cress could steady himself, he was sent flying.

In that split second of being launched, a thought actually crossed Cress’s mind: *This guy — put him in the NFL and no one could stop him.*

Su Jie spun around and came face-to-face with the fists of Harvey and Saga.

He didn’t dodge. Instead, he let their punches land on his body. Without even looking, he grabbed both men by their clothes, one in each hand, and — as if picking up chickens — slammed them onto the ground.

The three of them ended up in a heap, weak and numb, unable to move.

“Sorry, but the three of you are still a bit too weak to handle our boss’s security.” Su Jie clapped his hands and returned to Larry’s side.

“Let’s go.” Cress knew there was no point in staying any longer. Once he’d recovered his strength, he stood up abruptly, gave Su Jie a deep look, and left with Harvey and Saga.

“Boss, those three were very strong,” Sawai Takeji said after they’d gone. “That Cress might even be stronger than me.”

“Analyze their data.” Larry couldn’t do anything without data. At the same time, he nodded at Su Jie. “Even if they were strong enough, I still wouldn’t let them into my security team.”

“Boss, besides pitching their security services, according to my intelligence, those three have another agenda. Several Silicon Valley executives have already agreed to their terms,” Cass said, displaying her investigation on the screen.

“Those people had no choice. If they don’t accept Typhon’s security, they’ll face Typhon’s attacks. Typhon orchestrates multiple attacks every year, purely to create panic,” Larry said. “Then they insert their security personnel into major companies, building an enormous network. When their full layout is complete, no company will have any secrets from them.”

“Honey Badger is trying to take advantage of the situation — they’ve quickly set up their own security company to cut into this market and compete with Typhon,” Cass said. “Boss, we might actually be able to cooperate with Honey Badger. If Typhon continues its current expansion, we could end up isolated. Some of the megacorporations are afraid — they’ll surrender to Typhon and become their accomplices, and then they’ll turn around and try to suppress us.”

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