The King of Black Fog

The ring was an octagonal cage, and Lou Yong had really splurged on the training equipment, which was quite high-end.

"How should I address you, boss?" Su Su pushed open the cage door.

"Surname Li," said Li Changzhou as he walked in.

Su Su followed him in, casually shutting the cage door behind her, "What are you good at, Boss Li?"

"Fists, I guess."

"Do you need boxing gloves?"

"No, I like it direct," he replied. He didn't have equipment like boxing gloves; practicing with them would be a waste.

In the midst of their conversation, Su Su covertly observed Li Changzhou.

His demeanor was relaxed, with no imposing aura, but he had a good build, tall and well-proportioned. Besides being too handsome, there was nothing else out of the ordinary.

"What are you good at, Coach Su?" asked Li Changzhou.

"I'm average at everything, but if you're using fists, I'll use fists too," she replied.

"Great!" Li Changzhou responded cheerfully.

The "Water Buffalo Style·Great Strength Bull Fist" could only increase strength; it had no real techniques to speak of, so this was a good opportunity to learn.

Su Su smiled slightly, with the unintentional condescension of an insider giving tips to an amateur.

"I'm just an amateur, so don't get your hopes up," she said.

"That's great, I'm an amateur too!" he replied.

Mu Rong, in the audience seat, blinked. Li Changzhou's expression was much more excited now than when he had seen her.

"Mu sister, why are you here?" Li Qianxia asked curiously.

"I saw the message your brother posted in the group, and I happened to be free, so I came to watch," Mu Rong explained.

"Miss Mu," interjected Lou Yong, "the shooting area here is under construction. Come and visit when you're free. Miss Yang and Miss Li as well, lots of people from our line of work will be here."

"Sure, thank you, Boss Lou," Mu Rong smiled and nodded.

Li Qianxia and Yang Qinglan didn't join in the conversation, their eyes fixed on the ring where the match had started.

At first, Su Su held back, attacking Li Changzhou as if she were toying with him.

After several probing attacks failed to hit, she got serious.

Though a woman, her movements could be described as "tough and agile."

Her fists were like forged steel; with every punch and move, it seemed she could knock down anything.

She feinted a few times, then suddenly found an angle and struck out like a venomous snake.

It was dodged by Li Changzhou, who then faced a different approach as the snake turned into a bear paw — direct punches, swinging punches, all ferocious and seemingly accompanied by the sound of wind.

A few people who had come with Mu Rong gasped in admiration.

Su Su's techniques, which looked ordinary on TV, were terrifying when they were happening right before one's eyes, like a fierce beast pouncing directly at you to bite several times.

Li Changzhou dodged the beastly punches left and right, fleeing in embarrassment within the octagonal cage, looking like he was barely escaping with his life.

"Boss, this guest of yours is really strong, to be able to last so long!" came a carefree exclamation.

Another usually silent male coach, in front of three beautiful women, couldn't help but speak up, "Just in terms of dodging, he's almost as good as us."

What he meant was, he wasn't just better at dodging than Li Changzhou, but he could also fight back.

But Su Su on the stage had a completely different idea from the two men.

Aside from special techniques, using only her hands, she had already put forth her full effort.

Li Changzhou appeared like a sandbag in training, a tree battered by a storm, but Su Su knew very well that he was like a bird perched on those tree branches. When the storm came, he would simply fly away, and the slightest stir of grass or wind left him completely unfazed.

Bang!

Suddenly, Li Changzhou made his move, gently pushing Su Su away as if he were pushing away a child reaching for candy.

His gentle force made her, who had solid foundational skills, stumble several steps back.

She steadied herself, ready to charge forward.

"Forget it, let's stop here," said Li Changzhou.

"Why?" asked Su Su instinctively.

"It turns out you are really an amateur."

The opponent was just an ordinary person; without any special skills, there was nothing compelling him to continue the fight.

Su Su's face cooled as she said, "You can stop, but only if you can knock me down first!"

No sooner had she spoken than she exploded like a barrel of gunpowder, unleashing a fierce attack. Her fists, like the shrapnel in the barrel, zipped straight toward Li Changzhou's face.

Li Changzhou caught the first punch with the palm of his hand.

Then he caught the second punch, the third, the fourth, as well as Su Su's unrestrained elbow strikes, kicks, and any sneak attacks.

Just his right hand alone, like a large umbrella, shielded him from all the rain.

The audience below, not just the two coaches, but even Mu Rong and Lou Yong who had some understanding of Li Changzhou's capabilities, couldn't help but be astonished.

Su Su's skills were exceptional, her experience even more so. It was one thing for Li Changzhou to defeat her using skills, but being able to so casually catch all of her attacks without using any skills exceeded what an ordinary player could imagine.

"You are very impressive," Li Changzhou commended Su Su, "I just have a bit more luck than you."

But it was precisely this bit of luck that meant she would never be able to beat him.

If someone like her were to gain player status, she would definitely have the advantage in the early stages. Even Yang Qinglan's "Attract And Repel" might not be able to handle her.

And once she had that early advantage, the rest would be smooth sailing.

Su Su in front of him wasn't a player, but in the game, there definitely would be a "Su Su" who could become a player. He must be cautious of these people—Li Changzhou's mind was no longer on Su Su, as he started to be wary of those real opponents.

Li Changzhou, paying no attention to the stunned and incredulous Su Su still standing there, opened the gate of the ring and walked out.

"Brother Li," Lou Yong approached, "without comparing wins or losses, can't we learn some moves and patterns, accumulate some combat experience?"

"I've already learned them," said Li Changzhou.

As for experience, players mostly matched skills against each other. Su Su could only help those novice players to practice their courage to fight and not just think about dodging when they see a fist.

Zheng Qing had already trained him with a dagger for this.

"You've learned?" Lou Yong said in surprise.

"With the physical qualities there, some moves just take one look to get."

Lou Yong fell silent. He wanted to say that just because you have seen the moves and can execute them does not mean you can remember them or use them in real combat.

In passing talk about deep issues, Li Changzhou was young and possessed such strength. Getting a bit arrogant, he might hold a grudge if others said too much.

It wasn't worth the effort to thanklessly attempt the impossible.

Li Changzhou walked over to his sister and Yang Qinglan, ready to boast (there wasn't much to boast about, but anything could be flaunted to those he was close with), when Mu Rong from Gusu City suddenly spoke up.

"Classmate Li, are you interested in forming a team?" Mu Rong asked with a smile.

"Forming a team? In the game?"

"Yes." Mu Rong nodded with a smile, her affability, if scaled from 1 to 10, was now at an 8.

"Thank you, but I've got teammates already."

"My instinct is 'Battle Song,' which can soothe the heart, inspire morale, awaken teammates' potential, and even disrupt the enemy. If we team up, it could be said to be a union of the strong."

"Thanks for the invitation and trust," Li Changzhou tactfully declined.

"No problem," Mu Rong smiled again, "if you ever need teammates, or help in real life, feel free to contact me. Here's my business card."

Li Changzhou scratched near the corner of his left eye by the temple with his right hand, not taking the card, and glanced at Yang Qinglan from the corner of his eye.

"Qian Xia has my contact information. If there's any matter, let her contact me." Mu Rong put the business card away naturally, still maintaining her graceful composure without any dip in her affability.

"Sure, if there's a matter, we'll definitely seek your help. If you come across a white card, feel free to contact us too," Li Changzhou lowered his right hand and said with a smile.

"Certainly."

Mu Rong turned her pretty face to the side, her chest jiggling slightly, and said to Yang Qinglan:

"I'm sorry, Classmate Yang. The game is too difficult. I only invited Li to make sure I survive, not to oppose you."

"Understood," Yang Qinglan's face remained emotionless.

Mu Rong bid farewell to Lou Yong, saying she had things to tend to, and left with a group of people.

Once leaving the Eternal fitness center, a black business car came by, and the assistant hurried forward to open the door.

Sitting in the car, the assistant asked, "Sister Mu, where to now?"

"To the Special Warfare Bureau." The current Mu Rong was neither affable nor sweet, her expression tired and cold, elbow resting on the armrest of the car, slender fingers pressed against her forehead.

The black business car drove silently.

"Sister Mu, I thought after Sheng Ming's incident, you didn't want to form teams with men anymore. Why the sudden change of heart to find Li Changzhou?" The assistant asked as she opened a bottle of water and handed it to Mu Rong.

Mu Rong took the water, her moist lips speaking, "He's strong, good-looking, young, and still a university student."

"I get it!" The assistant became enthusiastic, "What Sister Mu means is—this guy is naive, easy to manipulate; and since he's also handsome, if you really get together with him, that would work out too!"

Mu Rong finished her water and handed the bottle back to the assistant.

"Not easy to manipulate, but easy to get along with. Call me when we get to the Special Warfare Bureau," she said, then closed her eyes.

Inside the gym, Li Changzhou and the others also said goodbye to Lou Yong.

"Boss Lou, if you come across a white card, feel free to contact me any time. I treat everyone equally regardless of gender. I won't just help Mu Rong because she's a woman and not help you."

"Thank you so much! Brother Li, if you ever need anything, you can count on me too!"

"No problem, we help each other out!"

"Once the shooting range is completed, be sure to come by. A lot of friends will be there!"

"I'll definitely come if I'm free!" Li Changzhou said.

As they left the gym, Yang Qinglan immediately said, "Your desire for the white card is too obvious."

"You only think it's obvious because you know my ability. In their eyes, I'm just a somewhat capable university student who likes making friends, is a bit naive, and slightly willful," said Li Changzhou.

"I hope you seem like a university student eager to make friends and naive, not like a big idiot with something clearly off," Yang Qinglan replied.

"Harsh but fair," Li Changzhou expressed his view on Yang Qinglan's words in a roundabout way.

Yang Qinglan glanced at him and felt amused inside.

"Something is off!" Li Qianxia, who had been silent, suddenly exclaimed.

"What's the matter? Such yelling," asked Li Changzhou impatiently.

Li Qianxia wasn't in the mood to criticize his attitude; she asked both of them, "Is Mu Rong trying to become my sister-in-law?"

"Is she?" Li Changzhou hadn't noticed.

He wasn't paying attention nor cared about the thoughts of the Gusu woman.

"No way!" Li Qianxia took Yang Qinglan's hand firmly, promising her, "There's only one sun in the sky, and Qing Lan, you are my only sister-in-law!"

Yang Qinglan was startled.

"If my brother dares to cheat, I'll break his legs!"

"Hm?" Li Changzhou realized something was off. Could it be that he was the one to be sacrificed on the altar of righteousness?