“Our sparring match doesn’t really mean much,” Zhang Jinchuan said. “Neither of us dares to go all out. It’s no different from those traditional martial arts ‘hand exchanges.’ I look forward to the day we can fight for real—on a platform, in a cage, whatever it takes. That’s when I’ll see your true potential.”

“After so many moves, your technique is above mine, and your stamina is better,” Su Jie replied. “But your ability to take hits is a little weaker.”

“You’ve trained specifically to withstand blows, haven’t you?” Zhang asked. “Specialized conditioning, over and over again. I know Uncle Mang did electric current stimulation experiments on you. Even elite agents find that agony unbearable, yet you endured it. That’s impressive.”

“You know about that?” Su Jie was surprised Zhang had studied him too.

“Of course. I’m a direct disciple of former principal Liu Guanglie. Many coaches at the Minglun Martial Arts Academy stay in contact with me. I even planned to set up a research fund there, but the Haoyu Group barged in and ruined it. Damn those Fengs—they have to meddle in everything.”

“Minglun Martial Arts Academy is a gold mine—remedies, human physiology, kinesiology, psychology research, plus its brand value. In sports science, it’s top-tier. I can’t understand why Liu Zihao would invite the wolf into the house,” Su Jie said, shaking his head. Decades of teaching experience and priceless experimental data made the academy the nation’s number-one sports science brand.

“Zihao’s short-sighted,” Zhang said. “If it were me, I’d proceed steadily, wait for the right opportunity. As living standards rise, sports and wellness will have huge market potential. The health supplement industry is a mess right now—what’s needed is a credible giant to dominate. Minglun could have soared, but thanks to that interference, they’ve set themselves back years. Mark my words, the fallout will be obvious later. Personally, I see big potential in things like Neizhuang Liquor—mass-produce it, and it could take the world by storm. Remember that tycoon who came back from ruin just by selling health supplements?”

Su Jie thought of the Nie family’s “secret ointment” and “internal strengthening wine.” Ordinary names, extraordinary effects—essential to his own progress. Without them, his intense training might have left him crippled. The liquor, taken in small amounts, heated the organs, sharpened the mind, boosted dopamine and endorphins, and primed the body for peak performance without side effects. The ointment strengthened joints, promoted circulation, and healed injuries quickly. Used together, they turned dedicated training into rapid transformation.

“What a shame,” Zhang said. “Those remedies were perfected over decades, tested thousands of times, all from ancient formulas passed down to Minglun. And Liu Zihao just handed them over. My sources say Haoyu plans to mass-develop them with him, pushing into the supplement market.”

“Haoyu has the online channels, Zihao has the media brand—but these can’t yet be mass-produced. I worry Haoyu’s greed will ruin their reputation,” Su Jie admitted.

“They will. Haoyu devours markets like locusts,” Zhang sneered. “Word is Feng Shoucheng’s three sons have been… altered in fortune—one’s a Taotie, one a Pixiu, one a Yazi. Ancient beasts, never sated, never merciful.”

“We both know the truth about face-reading,” Su Jie said. “Right now, I just hope we can get the armed group to release the detained cargo so the Xu family’s shipment leaves safely, or Feng’s scheme will succeed.”

“The cargo’s on three cruise ships at a nearby port, guarded by armed men. No one can leave, and supplies cost a fortune. On top of that, daily port fees and detention fines are piling up. Two options: storm the place, drive them off, and have the crews sail out—quick and direct. I’ve analyzed it: they’re lightly manned and disorganized. Or wait for negotiations. But if Feng keeps interfering, delays will multiply. Commercial talks can drag on forever.”

Zhang’s first proposal was straight from an action film—storm in and rescue everything.

“That’s not wise,” Su Jie refused. “Not because I’m afraid, but first, breaking the established order here will harm all Chinese businesses, not just Xu’s. Second, we came to resolve this peacefully. Unless they try to kill us, starting chaos will spiral out of control and give others an excuse.”

“You’re cautious,” Zhang said. “I figured peace was unlikely from the start. If Feng’s plan were easy to foil, it wouldn’t be worth his effort. He might even be baiting us into the obvious move.”

“So we came for nothing?” Su Jie asked.

“It depends on the bigger players,” Zhang replied. “Zhang Manman’s father, Zhang Hongqing, has pulled many strings. The overall picture’s clear; now it’s about fine moves. You won’t take my first suggestion, and I doubt Manman will either, so let’s drop it. We’ll adapt as things come. By the way, want to join my company?”

“Your tech firm? I’m not skilled in that field. But if you need talent, I can recommend my sister as a consultant,” Su Jie said.

“I know your sister—AI expert at Haoyu’s R&D lab. I even know about her old company, the trap she fell into, and the predatory contract she signed with Feng Yuxuan. You want her out, but the penalty’s too high, right?” Zhang said shrewdly. “If you join me, I can get her free, give you shares and a big salary.”

“You can manage that?” Su Jie asked, tempted.

“Of course. I’ve fought Feng’s family many times and never lost,” Zhang said.

“If you can really do it, I’ll join after this mission,” Su Jie agreed cautiously. He wasn’t easily swayed—he’d turned down similar offers before. Zhang was a genius, but Su Jie would watch him closely. Too many brilliant men had crooked hearts. He wouldn’t let his sister leap from one wolf’s den into another.

Truthfully, Su Jie hoped to build enough wealth and influence to let his sister start fresh on her own. He didn’t want lasting ties, not even with the Xu family.

Zhang was about to speak again when a deafening bang echoed from the distant gate—it had been blown open. His face changed instantly.

“Not good!”

Su Jie’s instincts screamed danger—far worse than the stray bullet incident earlier.

“Find cover!”

Without hesitation, Zhang dashed away.

A pickup truck burst through the gate. 

Su Jie spotted the dark muzzle of a gun protruding from inside, aimed directly at them.

Pup-pup-pup—gunfire erupted. 

Su Jie leapt aside in the nick of time, avoiding the bullets. The truck kept charging, its passengers clearly targeting them without restraint. In this place, such attacks were routine.

‘If not for today’s stray bullet giving me practice, I’d be dead,’ Su Jie thought, diving behind a building corner.

A sharp sting hit his arm—a bullet had ricocheted from the ground, grazing him. Blood welled up, but it was only a surface wound.

Swiftly, he tore a bandage from his clothes, the kind pre-treated with disinfectant and coagulant, and wrapped it tight in seconds.

‘This is real excitement!’ His adrenaline surged—no fear, only exhilaration, like an athlete injected with pure energy. This was far more thrilling than any fight.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep