Chapter 46: The Hidden Gate

A winter afternoon.

Sunlight filtered through the clouds, spilling into a courtyard covered in white fine sand that lay in a state of chaotic disarray.

Two figures, one lean and the other brawny, stood in stark contrast as they faced off.

*Whoosh—*

A violent gust of wind struck, sending black, messy hair dancing wildly across his forehead.

Fang Cheng kept his head lowered, but his eyes suddenly snapped open, flashing with sharp intent.

He watched as the ferocious, beast-like figure lunged toward him.

With lightning speed, he thrust his wrists forward, seizing the opponent's neck and left wrist respectively.

Simultaneously, he exerted force from his waist and back, twisting his body 90 degrees. He used his right leg to hook the opponent, shifting their center of gravity to the left.

Next came the throwing technique, intended to hurl the man away.

However, Goro Majima possessed immense strength.

Even as he lost his balance, he managed to force himself to a halt and violently yanked himself back.

Fang Cheng had been intently sensing the minute changes in his opponent's musculature.

Seeing this, he immediately transitioned from a wrist-pulling maneuver to a *sumigaeshi* (corner reversal).

As he fell backward, he kicked his right leg upward.

Utilizing the opponent's own forward momentum, he easily executed a rear throw.

The beast-like figure traced an arc through the air before crashing heavily against the rockery.

Fang Cheng immediately swung his legs downward.

Using the force of his kick against the ground, he thrust his hips upward and instantly sprang back to his feet.

Through days of flexibility training and bridge exercises, he had naturally mastered the "Carp Leap" (*liyu dating*), a classic move in traditional martial arts.

In truth, the martial philosophies of all combat styles share a common core

It is nothing more than destroying the opponent's momentum and seizing it for oneself.

Ultimately, one integrates that momentum into their own "flow" to enhance the limit of their explosive power.

If a move fails, one must change tactics immediately rather than falling into a deadlock of brute strength.

This is the true essence of combat performance in Free Fighting and Mixed Martial Arts.

Otherwise, how is it any different from a street thug swinging wild, uncoordinated punches?

Facing an opponent like Goro Majima, who possessed raw strength but lacked technique, Fang Cheng had moved from initial discomfort to a gradual realization of the martial essence of "using the opponent's force against them."

He began to fully leverage his advantages, achieving effective counter-measures.

At this moment, he moved like a spinning spiral, rolling and pivoting.

As long as he caught a single opening, he would use the kinetic energy of the opponent's own charge, applying a slight pull to send them flying and inflict greater damage.

The various throwing techniques he employed were not limited to the realm of Jiu-Jitsu.

Gradually, he began to integrate the grappling and throwing methods of Sanda.

Waist-grabs and chest-clamping, leg hooks and shoulder-locks, arm-reversals and wrist-breaks...

His body moved with lithe elegance, appearing effortless amidst the storm of violent attacks.

He even began to risk the dangers of close-quarters grappling to employ the boxing and kicking techniques that had previously lacked utility.

He once again attempted various combinations of boxing and Sanda.

In this round, his performance was visibly more adept, giving the impression that he was beginning to fuse the three disciplines into one.

Even when occasionally thrown by the opponent's brute force, he could promptly kick, stomp, or roll to neutralize the danger.

Moreover, Fang Cheng possessed 20 points in Constitution; his durability was far from lacking.

The sun began to tilt, and the light grew somewhat cold and desolate, yet somehow felt even more intense.

The two men on the field had been fighting fiercely for an hour, yet they continued to chase and strike one another without signs of fatigue.

However

One was tense to the absolute limit, exhaling like a bull.

The other was relaxed to the absolute limit, maintaining long, steady breaths.

If one ignored the devastating scene of destroyed rockeries, trees, and pavement surrounding them, it would truly seem as though they were merely engaged in a casual sparring session.

【Congratulations. Through unremitting effort, your Agility has increased.】

A notification suddenly floated before his eyes.

Fang Cheng paid it no mind.

He stepped back with a lean, dodging a tackle, and spun into a roundhouse kick.

As he counterattacked, he swiftly regained his distance.

The battle continued.

A moment later, several new notifications appeared.

【Facing an unimaginable powerful enemy, you have comprehended combat philosophy and applied it. Skill has reached Expert level.】

【Jiu-Jitsu Lv1 (0/250)】

【Congratulations, you have received a skill enhancement reward. Please choose between two enhancement directions.】

Fang Cheng remained unmoved.

Though he was not using a "Focus" skill, he was completely immersed in the battle.

The blood in his veins boiled, transforming into an endless surge of fighting spirit.

Some chase fame; some chase profit.

Some simply wish to keep challenging.

To challenge the daunting hardships and formidable enemies, and to enjoy the rush of adrenaline and the thrill of climbing toward the peak, step by step!

Dust flew and bodies collided.

*Bang!*

*Clang—*

A relatively lean figure ducked low to avoid a sweeping kick.

Immediately, he stepped in, drove his shoulder forward, and slammed the muscle-swollen monster into the doors and windows of the house.

Glass shattered across the ground, stained with splashes of bright red blood.

Seeing Goro Majima's swaying figure, showing signs of exhaustion, Fang Cheng's eyes narrowed.

"It's time to finish this!"

The thought flashed through his mind, and his body reacted instantly.

He kicked off the wall for momentum, closing the distance for a collision.

Spinning in mid-air, his legs clamped around the target's neck like a pair of scissors.

The massive impact dragged Goro Majima directly to the ground.

Fang Cheng once again employed a sacrificial technique, attempting to strangle him with the strength of his legs.

*Creak— creak—*

Under the pressure of the leg muscles, the neck emitted a sickening, faint sound.

Goro Majima clearly realized the mortal danger; his eyes bulged as he desperately tried to pry the legs apart with his hands.

For a moment, the grip loosened slightly.

Fang Cheng's raw strength was indeed inferior, but at this moment, his stamina was clearly superior.

In this struggle of endurance, he had firmly taken the upper hand.

Slowly, Goro Majima's resistance began to wane.

His face contorted, his exhalations outweighed his inhalations, and the bloodshot veins in his eyes gradually receded. His bulging muscles seemed to shrink as his body slowly returned to normal.

Finally, his breathing became almost imperceptible.

Fang Cheng's chest heaved as he took deep breaths, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

He was savoring the pleasure of victory.

Suddenly, an ill omen flashed through his mind.

"Crap! Did I actually kill him?"

At that thought, Fang Cheng immediately snapped out of his near-frenzied combat state.

He released his legs and stood up, intending to check on Goro Majima's condition.

A sharp, piercing voice suddenly rang out from inside the house.

"Stop it right now!"

Then, a young woman in a bathrobe ran hurriedly into the courtyard.

It was the woman in the white dress he had seen at the entrance earlier.

Clearly, she was Goro Majima's wife or girlfriend.

Faced with her furious, questioning gaze, Fang Cheng's eyes drifted.

He spread his hands, signaling that he was actually innocent.

The reason he had beaten Mr. Majima so violently was entirely at the man's own request.

He just didn't know if she would believe him.

………………………………

*Wail— wail—*

An ambulance with flashing warning lights rushed the unconscious Goro Majima toward a nearby hospital.

Standing on the street under the setting sun, Fang Cheng looked somewhat speechless.

The Club had sent him to win over a VIP client, yet he had beaten the man into hospitalization.

How did things even go this far?

Fortunately, both parties had signed a mutual understanding agreement before the match, outlining the circumstances. Otherwise, he would likely be heading to the police station right now.

As for... how Goro Majima had turned into that kind of monster?

Fang Cheng didn't ask.

In this situation, not being berated by the man's family was a win.

He privately speculated on various possibilities.

The only thing he could confirm was one point

"This world is definitely not simple!"

Fang Cheng's eyes shimmered with an inexplicable light as he stared at the panel floating before him.

It felt as though a door hidden within the mist was slowly opening toward him.

(End of Chapter)