Brother Chen?!
The moment they saw Chen Ping’s terrifying expression—like that of Zhong Kui himself—the arrogant swagger on Wang Jinquan and his crew’s faces was instantly snuffed out.
Wang Jinquan’s eye twitched, and he glared viciously at Zhou Kai.
*This brat really does have some shady connection with Chen Ping!*
“Move!” he barked in a low voice.
Without a backward glance, Wang Jinquan abandoned the man Zhou Kai had restrained and led his lackeys away with their tails between their legs.
Zhou Kai, seeing this, released the wrist he had been gripping.
“Fuck, feels like the bone cracked…”
The man’s lips were purple, his face flushed from holding back the pain, yet he didn’t dare let out so much as a fart. Even Brother Wang had chickened out—what else could he say? He could only tuck his tail between his legs and flee in disarray.
Zhou Kai watched their retreating figures and asked Chen Ping, who had walked up beside him, “What are these guys here for? Bored out of their minds?”
Chen Ping frowned and shook his head. “They’re all rotten apples. The one who just fought you was a trainee who only advanced last month.”
“He doesn’t train properly. Just fools around with Wang Jinquan all day.”
Chen Ping’s disgust was merciless, stripped of any social niceties—far harsher than when he had cursed Du Feng that day.
Zhou Kai was somewhat surprised. Earlier, when Chen Ping had mentioned the first-floor members, he had worn a look of utter disdain too.
So the interior of Falcon Wing Boxing Gym wasn’t a monolith after all. Management was lax, harboring filth and corruption.
Chen Ping seemed to read Zhou Kai’s thoughts and said in a deep voice, “Normally, don’t stick your nose in other people’s business. But if anyone messes with you, one word—fight!”
“As long as you want to reach higher levels of martial arts, these stumbling blocks will eventually have to be trampled beneath your feet.”
Zhou Kai nodded. “Got it.”
He finally understood… Coach Chen’s status at Falcon Wing was anything but ordinary. And now, this big shot was willing to have his back.
For the first time in a long while, Zhou Kai felt a warmth in his heart.
Life really did seem to be getting better.
“Find somewhere to rest. After the exam, I’ll take you to meet the teacher.”
Chen Ping dropped these words and turned to leave.
…
A little past nine in the morning, Ma Yifan came over.
“Bro, feeling confident about today’s quiz? I think you’ve got a pretty good shot.”
Zhou Kai had a good impression of this guy who had lent a hand despite their chance acquaintance, so he was happy to chat.
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” he said offhandedly.
Ma Yifan clicked his tongue, his face full of envy. “I’ve been here two weeks longer than you. Talent really fucking hurts.”
At least two-thirds of the gym members had zero interest in ancient martial arts. They had come purely to learn a few self-defense moves under the banner of Chen Ping’s “former national combat champion” title. Genuine enthusiasts like Ma Yifan were few to begin with, and due to all sorts of messy reasons, the first-floor basic members could only promote one to three people upward each month. It was purely a matter of picking the best from the worst.
But there was nothing to be done about it. Without even deliberately looking into it, Zhou Kai had heard news about the “decline of ancient martial arts,” “martial arts is dead,” and the “boxing gym closure wave.” For Falcon Wing to maintain such a large operation in this kind of environment was already a miracle.
“Don’t overthink it. Come on, I’ll spar with you.”
Zhou Kai suddenly stood up and beckoned to Ma Yifan.
“You got it! Knew I didn’t help you for nothing!” Ma Yifan said with a broad laugh. “Next time, even if your ex-girlfriend comes charging at you, I’ll block her! Worst case, I’ll front the bride price for you, haha.”
Zhou Kai treated it purely as a joke.
But those words precisely struck the landmine that was Lu Yan, who had just walked through the door.
Lu Yan’s delicate brows furrowed. “Xiao Kai, when did you start dating someone?”
Zhou Kai felt the hairs on his back stand on end and waved his hands frantically. “I’m not! Brother Ma was joking!”
Ma Yifan’s eyes swept back and forth between the two, a cheeky “I get it” grin spreading across his face.
Zhou Kai could only tell him to wait on the side for now.
“Sis, you’re awake? I thought you’d be bedridden all day. I already asked for leave on your behalf.” Zhou Kai went up to greet her.
The tips of Lu Yan’s ears were slightly pink.
“Thanks… uh, is this yours?” She pulled a card from her pocket, confusion in her eyes. “I don’t remember it.”
The gesture was clearly meant to change the subject—she didn’t want to bring up the embarrassing matter of getting dead drunk and being carried home by her younger brother.
“Let me see.”
Zhou Kai took it. It was finely crafted and hard to the touch.
On the front were a few small, gilt characters:
*[To the Sleepless Dream]*
On the back was a string of specially encrypted phone numbers.
Dreamless again.
What did these lingering ghosts want!
This card had almost certainly been slipped into Lu Yan’s pocket by someone while he was paying the bill.
Zhou Kai’s expression darkened.
The word “Dreamless” was like a bomb, constantly reminding him of the crisis both inside and outside his dreams, making his skin crawl.
“Xiao Kai?”
Lu Yan wasn’t wearing makeup today, and faint dark circles lingered under her eyes, yet it didn’t diminish her looks in the slightest. She was an all-natural beauty that completely defied the dreaded “no-makeup landmine” stereotype.
She looked at him in confusion.
Zhou Kai clenched the card and stuffed it deep into his pocket.
He let out two dry chuckles. “It’s nothing. Just a garbage advertisement card.”
“Sis, you rest first. I’ll spar with him for a bit.”
Lu Yan pursed her lips. “Mhm, good luck then.”
…
The quiz was drawing near, but Chen Ping still hadn’t shown up.
As usual, Du Feng was substituting for him and also doubling as the examiner.
Soon, the quiz began.
Du Feng had the participating members line up and face him one by one. Whoever could last ten moves could waive their subsequent tuition fees and advance to the trainee area next door.
This time, Ma Yifan was brimming with confidence. After Zhou Kai had fed him moves for half an hour, the skies had cleared, the rain had stopped, and he felt invincible again—he stepped directly into the first position.
Zhou Kai had been forcibly dragged by him into second place.
While waiting, Ma Yifan whispered with a theatrical wink, “Du Feng actually only advanced last month.”
“He’s probably the lightest hitter among that bunch over there.”
“Since he’s the proctor this time… what the hell do I have to fear? Charge!”
Zhou Kai frowned slightly.
If skill levels were divided into Rank One Beginner, Rank Two Proficient, and Rank Three Master, then Du Feng’s mixed martial arts should fall within Rank Two. As for Chen Ping, he was at least Rank Three or higher, perhaps even beyond.
They were both Rank Two, and Zhou Kai still had the bonus of his Light Footwork. Taking this kid down would be child’s play.
“Coach Chen isn’t here, but don’t expect me to go easy on you either,” Du Feng said from nearby, assuming a coach’s posture with a relatively gentle smile.
The quiz officially began.
Yet right at this moment, a discordant voice came from the adjacent trainee area, arriving before the person.
“Du Feng, you waste who hasn’t even learned the Falcon Strike Technique—are you worthy of being a proctor?”
“Is this how Chen Ping trains his members?”
Among a group of trainees all over 1.8 meters tall, a man under 1.75 meters with a physique eerily similar to Popeye walked out grinning.
With such distinct features, who else could it be but Wang Jinquan?
Chen Ping wasn’t here—wasn’t this the perfect time to cut loose? Anyway, he was doing this for the good of the gym! He hoped the quality of the next batch of trainees would be a bit higher.
His reason for acting was sufficiently justified; presumably, even if Chen Ping found out afterward, he couldn’t do much to him.
Since the cause was righteous, he walked up to Du Feng with his head held high and commanded, “Scram. Today, I’m in charge!”
Du Feng’s expression instantly froze, his eye twitching. “Brother Wang, don’t do this…”
Wang Jinquan let out a malicious snort. “Heh, Du Feng, am I giving you too much face?”
“If you don’t want a beating, go wait on the side!”