Ian Song had no idea why Zoe Zhao was so angry. He thought about it for a while but still couldn’t figure it out, so he gave up and headed to the equipment area. He maxed out the weights on the bench press and started doing reps—over a dozen in a row, but not a drop of sweat appeared.
"Boring."
If it weren’t for Frank Zhao being somewhat interesting, he honestly wouldn’t want to come to the gym anymore.
"Who’s in charge here? We’re from Dragonforce Martial Arts Gym, paying a visit. Come greet us!"
A voice like a broken gong rang out. Everyone in the gym turned curiously to look and saw a tall, fierce-looking bald youth standing at the entrance. There was a long, narrow scar on his left cheek, like a centipede crawling across his face, making him look even more menacing.
At the same time, a middle-aged man in a black cloth shirt, slicked-back hair, and hands clasped behind his back strode in with measured steps. He had an air of authority, and two energetic young men followed closely behind him.
"Judging by their posture, they’re here to challenge us!" Ian thought to himself.
Henry He greeted them with a smile, clasped his fists to the bald youth, and said, "I’m Henry He, manager of the Zhao Family Boxing Gym. How should I address you, friend?"
The bald youth ignored Henry’s courtesy and spat, "Who the hell are you? Get Frank Zhao out here to greet my master!"
Martial artists are hot-blooded by nature. Henry had greeted him politely, but the other responded with insults—anyone would find that hard to swallow. Henry’s face darkened and he stared coldly at the bald youth. "And who the hell are you, coming to my Zhao Family Boxing Gym to cause trouble?"
"Nice one!"
The gym trainees, sensing a good show, quickly gathered together and stood behind Henry.
"You little punk! How dare you mouth off to your grandpa? Take this!" The bald youth shouted and swung his fist at Henry’s face.
"Bring it on!"
Henry’s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing in them. He strode forward, raised both arms to block the bald youth’s punch, and kicked out with his right leg at the opponent’s calf.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
With a series of heavy blows, the two exchanged several hard strikes. The bald youth grunted and staggered back several steps, while Henry stood firm as a mountain. The gym trainees cheered for Henry, and some even started mocking the bald youth.
The bald youth’s face flushed red with anger, and he roared as he charged at Henry again.
The slick-haired middle-aged man spoke up: "Abiao, stand down. You’re not his match."
"Yes, Master."
The bald youth obediently stepped back.
The slick-haired middle-aged man took a step forward, smiling. "I am Jason Xu, master of Dragonforce Martial Arts Gym. I’ve come today to learn from Master Frank Zhao. Is Master Zhao here?"
If people show me an inch of respect, I’ll return them a yard.
Since Jason Xu was being so polite, Henry responded in kind: "So it’s Master Xu—I've heard a lot about you. My master has been away for some time, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed."
"Away? I bet he’s just scared of my master and doesn’t dare show his face!" one of Jason Xu’s young disciples shouted, his face full of disdain and mockery.
"What did you say? Say that again if you dare," Henry’s face darkened as he glared at the young man.
"I said Frank Zhao is a coward hiding in his shell, too scared to accept the challenge!" The young man stared provocatively at Henry.
"Henry, teach that arrogant punk a lesson!"
One of the trainees shouted.
Most people who come here to learn boxing do so because of Frank Zhao’s reputation. Hearing this kid insult Frank Zhao made everyone uncomfortable.
"Yeah, teach him a lesson! Show that kid how tough Zhao Family Boxing really is!" another trainee chimed in.
Henry raised his hand and everyone fell silent.
The next moment, he stepped forward and stared at the young man. "Insulting my master is insulting me. Either apologize, or fight me."
The young man smirked, "Why should I apologize to a coward hiding in his shell? Actually, I’m curious to see what kind of disciple a coward can teach!"
"You’re asking for it!"
Hearing his master insulted again and again, Henry couldn’t hold back any longer. He lunged forward, arms spread, launching a rapid barrage of attacks at the young man.
The young man didn’t fight back. Instead, he used nimble, agile footwork to dodge, all the while taunting Henry with sarcastic remarks to provoke him.
Standing in the crowd, Ian Song pondered. That young man kept provoking and mocking Henry, even insulting Frank Zhao, obviously trying to make Henry lose his cool. Ian found such petty tricks beneath contempt.
Sure enough, after more than ten consecutive attacks, Henry still hadn’t landed a single hit. With the opponent’s constant insults, Henry’s eyes grew increasingly agitated.
"Henry, calm down! He’s trying to provoke you on purpose!" Seeing this, Ian called out.
With Ian’s reminder, Henry snapped to his senses, slowed his attacks, and began to study the opponent’s footwork, looking for weaknesses.
Henry was already a skilled fighter. Now that he wasn’t rushing in and kept steady, the young man’s evasive moves started to backfire, and he gradually fell behind. It was just like the fight between Ian and Zoe Zhao before.
Seeing things go south, the young man’s eyes grew panicked. He secretly cursed Ian, then started hurling even harsher insults at Frank Zhao.
Henry was still angry, but after Ian’s warning, he refused to fall for the bait and kept his attacks steady.
Finally, the young man couldn’t hold back any longer and started trading blows with Henry.
After another dozen moves, Henry landed a heavy elbow to the young man’s chest, sending him staggering backward.
"All bark and no bite!" Henry stood tall and mocked him.
The young man’s face turned blue and then white.
"Master Zhao’s disciples really are impressive. Zhi Bai, go learn a few moves from Master He." Jason Xu said in a deep voice.
"Shameless! If you can’t win, you just send in another for a wheel battle!" one of the trainees cursed.
"That’s right! Dragonforce Martial Arts? More like Bugforce—they only know how to talk big!" another trainee cursed.
"What did you two just say? Say it again if you dare, and I’ll smash your eggs!" The bald youth glared fiercely and shouted at the two trainees.
Hearing this, the two trainees were intimidated by the bald youth’s aura and shrank back, not daring to speak again.
"Who dares touch my gym’s trainees? Tired of living, are you?"
A crisp female voice rang out, and Zoe Zhao strode in, facing the bald youth. "With a face like that, you should stay home! Coming to my gym to act tough—what if you scare my trainees? Get lost, now!"
"Zoe, you’re awesome!"
"Zoe, you’re a boss!"
"Yeah, ugly ghost, get out!"
"Ugly ghost, you scared me! Hurry up and get lost!"
With Zoe Zhao’s arrival, all the trainees felt like they’d found their backbone and started cursing at the bald youth.
"You little brat, you’re asking for it!"
The bald youth flew into a rage, swung his fist, and charged straight at Zoe Zhao.
Seeing this, all the trainees broke into smiles. This guy couldn’t even beat Henry, and now he dared to attack Zoe Zhao? He must have a death wish.