Chapter 57: Power System

The coaching session ended.

In a dressing room specially set aside by the club, Zheng Haokang was changing into his undergarments and trousers.

At that moment, a somewhat effeminate middle-aged man pushed the door open, speaking incessantly.

"Ah Kang, have you really decided to retire next year and join the entertainment industry?"

"Didn't you see how enthusiastic everyone was toward you today? Those appearance fees don't even amount to a fraction of the registration fees..."

Glancing back at the manager speaking, Zheng Haokang did not respond.

The manager continued to nag

"I think it's such a waste. You are in the prime of your youth and strength; you should be working harder and striving more..."

"What is there to waste?"

Zheng Haokang pulled on a tight-fitting shirt, interrupting him.

"What's the difference between fighting on a stage and fighting in a movie? It's all acting for the audience to provide entertainment. As long as there's money to be made, isn't that enough?"

The manager froze for a moment, then couldn't help but nod.

"That seems to make sense."

"Don't let this information leak out for now."

Zheng Haokang faced the mirror on the vanity and tidied his hair.

"Once I win the defending champion challenge, I'll announce it to the public. By then, I guarantee it will be explosive news and land on the front page of the newspapers."

Hearing this, the manager's bitter face finally showed a hint of joy.

"Ah Kang, you really are quick-witted. It seems my worries were unnecessary..."

It was true that Zheng Haokang was a rising boxing king, the champion of the KFC World Fighting Championship.

But in this world where entertainment is supreme and everything is mundane, no matter how great a boxing king's fame might be, its commercial value was actually comparable to that of a second-tier celebrity.

However, if he could use his current fame to successfully break into the entertainment industry and film a high-grossing kung fu movie, things would be different.

With the combined effect of both, backed by heavy investment from capital, there was a complete possibility of ascending to the status of an A-list action superstar.

Looking at Zheng Haokang's handsome features and his muscular physique, the manager's eyes couldn't help but shine with wild imaginings.

Having finished dressing, Zheng Haokang asked casually

"Where is Ah Xiang?"

"Waiting in the parking lot."

"Go out with him in one car in a bit to lead the reporters away."

Before heading out, Zheng Haokang gave instructions: "I'm going to Jenny's house tonight. It wouldn't be good to be followed by paparazzi."

"Uh, alright then."

The manager nodded in agreement.

He knew that Jenny was a third-tier minor celebrity that this new boxing king had just started seeing.

The two walked out of the club venue.

Many fans and reporters were still gathered outside, shouting

"Zheng Haokang, Zheng Haokang, I love you!"

"Zheng Haokang, look over here..."

*Click, click, click—*

The reporters raised their long lenses and microphones, scrambling to thrust them forward to ask various questions about celebrity gossip.

Wearing sunglasses and wearing a smile, Zheng Haokang waved to acknowledge them.

Several bodyguards surrounded him, shouting, "Make way!"

They protected him as he squeezed through the crowd and took the elevator downstairs.

………………………………

Wantong Shopping Center, underground parking lot.

The cool-toned fluorescent lights flickered sparsely, making the area appear somewhat dim.

Zheng Haokang stood before the emergency exit door, smoking a cigarette.

Hearing the clamor at the exit fade into the distance, he stepped toward another backup SUV parked nearby.

As he walked to the front of the car and pulled out his keys to open the door, his peripheral vision caught a figure standing near a nearby pillar.

Zheng Haokang ignored it and continued to open the door, preparing to get in.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of hurried footsteps, the frequency increasing rapidly.

He immediately looked up.

He saw the figure from before running toward him at high speed.

*Whoosh!* A gust of wind struck.

Zheng Haokang's eyes narrowed. His internal warning system triggered, and he instantly made a dodging movement.

*Bang!*

Using the momentum of his run, the opponent suddenly unleashed a flying side kick, striking the vehicle behind him.

The car alarm immediately blared.

Amidst the piercing noise, Zheng Haokang sidestepped to the side.

Looking at the clear footprint dented into the car body, his pupils contracted slightly.

One had to realize that the bodywork of an SUV was much thicker than a regular sedan, at least one centimeter thick.

The power of this kick was rare even among heavyweight fighters.

Zheng Haokang assessed himself; only if he had a solid stance in training and delivered a full-power kick could he barely achieve a similar effect.

Yet, the opponent's physique appeared significantly leaner than his own.

How could there be such immense power?

Filled with suspicion and alarm, Zheng Haokang glared at his opponent

"Who are you? What do you want?"

The person wore a mask, covering half of their face.

However, the eyes that were visible were bright and shining, faintly revealing a sense of anticipation.

"Mr. Zheng, I am your fan. I only came here today because I want to challenge you!"

Having said that, his figure suddenly blurred as he lunged forward with clenched fists.

Zheng Haokang did not dare to be careless. He took a defensive stance and retreated with a backstep.

In an instant, the opponent's continuous combination of techniques bombarded him like a storm.

Heavy punches, follow-up hooks, leaping high kicks, and sweeping low kicks.

The speed wasn't exceptionally fast, but the transitions between techniques were extremely tight, without any pause, and the power was unexpectedly massive.

As a professional fighter with a Sanda background, Zheng Haokang could recognize the opponent's style.

But every time he thought he had found an opening and attempted to counter, the opponent would either dodge in advance or intercept and disrupt him.

This forced him to eventually choose the most conservative approach.

He used his forearms to block, protecting his vital organs first to weather this wave of attacks.

At this moment, Zheng Haokang felt quite frustrated.

With this level of skill, the opponent would have more than enough ability to compete in the world's top MMA tournaments and fight for a gold belt.

How could they be his fan?

And what kind of fan is this crazy?!

Coming at him without a word and fighting with everything they had.

Was this person treating him like a boss in a video game, or a mortal enemy?

Zheng Haokang felt as if he had encountered a monster, and he couldn't help but feel like retreating.

However.

The opponent's perception was exceptionally keen. Seizing his moment of distraction, they caught the opening.

With a sudden step-in side kick, the distance was closed instantly, followed by a flying kick.

Zheng Haokang only had time to block with both arms, and he was kicked back several steps, nearly falling.

A piercing pain immediately shot through his arms, as if his radius had developed cracks.

Fortunately, at this moment, the opponent's offensive eased, and they stopped in place.

Looking at him blankly, the opponent asked with confusion

"Aren't you a world-class boxing king and a free combat champion? Why are you so weak?"

Hearing this, Zheng Haokang's face instantly burned.

Feeling that the opponent was deliberately insulting him, his anger was ignited.

He was Zheng Haokang, the man called a combat genius since childhood, who had triumphed through professional matches and held the title of "King of Combat."

How could he be beaten like this by an unknown person who casually claimed to be a fan?

His expression became incredibly solemn as he reset his stance.

He then employed grappling techniques—which were forbidden in the ring but highly effective in real combat—combined with punching and throwing attacks.

Throat grabs, shoulder grabs, wrist twists, and arm locks; his moves became sharp and decisive, without any wasted motion.

Zheng Haokang lived up to his reputation as a boxing king.

Although his physical strength was at a disadvantage during the fight, his mental state adjusted quickly, and his technical skills were extremely proficient.

For a moment, he even caused the opponent some minor trouble.

But that was as far as it went.

Just as he ducked low, stepping in close to attempt a waist-lock rotation for a hip throw...

*Slap!*

The opponent grabbed his shoulder directly and threw his entire body backward.

Zheng Haokang fell onto the concrete floor with a muffled groan and scrambled to his feet.

By then, the opponent's next attack was already upon him.

A whip kick tore through the air, the wind whistling.

It blew Zheng Haokang's hair wildly across his forehead.

A foot stopped abruptly just half an inch in front of him.

Then—

It slowly retracted.

Zheng Haokang's eyes widened, his chest heaving, feeling as if he had just escaped death.

The opponent standing before him, however, showed a look of disappointment in their eyes.

Like a climber who had finally reached the summit of a mountain only to find that the magnificent view they had envisioned was not there.

This person claiming to be Zheng Haokang's fan...

Was none other than Fang Cheng, who had arrived a step too late and missed the coaching session.

He had chosen this method to gain actual combat experience against a world-class fighting champion.

And through this fight, to clarify a general power hierarchy.

A world-class boxing king, who should represent the highest level of human combat and peak physical condition, was far inferior to "Berserk Mashima Goro."

And far inferior to the mysterious man in black who had died at his hands.

Zheng Haokang's strength was, at most, only half a step stronger than a normal Mashima Goro.

Fang Cheng suddenly realized.

Unknowingly, he had also reached a level of non-humanity in a certain sense.

Thinking of this, while he felt a sense of achievement, he also felt a certain sense of loss.

After a few seconds of silence, he checked the skill growth gained from the battle.

[Boxing Experience +10]

[Sanda Experience +10]

[Jiu-Jitsu Experience +15]

Glancing once more at the still-stunned Zheng Haokang, Fang Cheng turned and left.

"Wait!"

Zheng Haokang suddenly called out

"Can you tell me... have you also seen those monsters, just like I have?"

Fang Cheng froze upon hearing this.

He turned back, his gaze meeting the eyes of the combat star.

(End of Chapter)