Chapter 123

Liu Haishan pondered for a moment before saying, "If I don't fight, I will never be able to move past this hurdle in my heart, and I will lose the courage to pursue Beibei."

Hearing this, Zhou Yu paused, then said, "If you are determined to fight, remember this: do not let him get close to you."

Liu Haishan nodded and replied, "Thank you."

Zhou Yu said, "Don't thank me. Go on, and remember—the moment you let him get into close quarters, you have lost."

Liu Haishan said nothing more and walked toward the group.

As Liu Haishan returned, Xiao Zhi said, "Haishan, if you're not feeling up to it, we can postpone the match for a couple of days. It’s getting quite late."

Liu Haishan shook his head. "No, Chief, I understand what you mean. But I need to know exactly how much of a gap there is between us. I want to know how much 'hollow' there is in my title of 'King of Soldiers'."

Xiao Zhi shook his head and gestured for the others to step back, clearing a space for the two of them.

Liu Haishan then said, "Chief, I hope you will give this your all."

Xiao Zhi was taken aback and looked toward Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu smiled and remarked, "Old man, you've given yourself away."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhi glanced at Liu Long and understood instantly. It turned out that earlier, on the third floor, Liu Long had seen through his Bagua footwork.

Xiao Zhi was puzzled as to how he had managed to see through it. Bagua footwork and Taiji footwork were remarkably similar; unless one was proficient in at least one of the two styles, it was rare for anyone to distinguish between them.

Xiao Zhi said, "Zhou Yu, let's change the rules."

"How would you like to change them?" asked Zhou Yu.

Xiao Zhi looked at Liu Haishan and said, "If you can force me to use a second style of footwork, we will call it a draw. If you can force me to use a second style of boxing, you win."

Liu Haishan remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Zhou Yu laughed heartily. "Alright, old man, you're the one who said it."

"I did," Xiao Zhi nodded.

Zhou Yu turned to Liu Haishan. "Forget everything you know. Fight with your instincts. Remember what I told you, and most importantly, believe in yourself."

Xiao Zhi did not adopt a formal stance. He simply said to Liu Haishan, "Haishan, come, prove yourself to me."

Liu Haishan nodded and began to walk toward Xiao Zhi. He did not know whether Zhou Yu's warning about the danger of close-quarters combat was true or not, but he did not want to lose too quickly, so he stopped two meters away from Xiao Zhi, watching him stand there in silence.

Although Xiao Zhi was motionless and appeared completely relaxed, Liu Haishan felt that he was utterly flawless, with no openings whatsoever.

Suddenly, Liu Long shouted, "Your aura! You are a tiger; you must possess the spirit of a tiger!"

Liu Haishan shuddered. *That's right. I am a King of Soldiers.* No matter the circumstances, that is what he was. The path he had taken to earn that title had been arduous—no matter how difficult, hadn't he persevered through it all? Was there anything he feared? No.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, a faint, powerful pressure emanated from his body.

Xiao Zhi smiled. "This is the strength you should have. Come, let me see exactly what you are capable of. Don't disappoint me."

"Chief, forgive me," Liu Haishan said.

With that, he launched a straight punch, aiming directly for Xiao Zhi’s face.

Seeing the strike, Zhou Yu and Liu Long both sighed simultaneously. He had already lost.