Chapter 41: Sixth-Degree Black Belt

Wang Xing noticed that Chen Erpao’s gaze kept falling upon those four individuals, and he couldn’t help but scrutinize them himself. Gradually, he too discerned their unusual qualities, and the two exchanged a knowing smile.

“Though these four Japanese men are not particularly impressive in stature, if their combat abilities are combined, even someone of Liu Huagang’s caliber would have quite a struggle dealing with them,” Chen Erpao commented coolly.

“All four are highly skilled. Coming together to Hong Kong, could they be hiding some secret purpose?” Wang Xing wondered aloud.

Chen Erpao nodded. Four skilled Japanese arriving in China, their eyes brimming with disdain for the Chinese people—there was no way they were here for mere tourism.

“After the match, let’s follow them and see what their aim is.”

“Yes, good. I’ve been wanting to teach these Japanese a lesson; they’ve been far too arrogant lately,” Wang Xing agreed without hesitation.

Once the victor of the first match had chosen a minor girl from the crowd, there was only a brief intermission before the second bout was about to commence.

Liu Huagang's expression remained as cold and impassive as ever, as if every soul owed him money. His opponent was Mo Qiang, a black belt sixth dan who held three consecutive championship titles in the underground boxing circuits.

Mo Qiang’s build was neither thin nor fat, his muscles uniformly defined, leaving no doubt as to the explosive power lurking beneath the surface. His smooth, gleaming scalp lent him an air of dominance and masculine vigor.

“We’re about to witness quite a spectacle—a tiger and a wolf in battle,” Chen Erpao muttered under his breath, eyes riveted on the ring.

At the referee’s signal, Mo Qiang instantly launched a classic taekwondo downward kick, slicing through the air with a whooshing force. Liu Huagang switched his fists to claws, and with a swift motion, caught Mo Qiang’s leg mere centimeters from his own forehead.

Mo Qiang couldn’t help but admire Liu Huagang’s grip. Taekwondo’s greatest weapon was the leg, and Mo Qiang knew precisely the force behind his own kick, yet the opponent had caught it with a single clawed hand.

Yet admiration aside, his offensive did not relent. Mo Qiang lunged forward, his hand formed into a knife, slashing down toward Liu Huagang’s neck. Liu’s hand bulged with veins, and in an instant, his strength surged, flinging Mo Qiang a meter away.

Mo Qiang had barely regained his footing when Liu Huagang’s assault pressed forward, swift and relentless like an eagle spreading its wings. Both of his claws slashed fiercely, weaving a dense web of shadows that threatened to envelop Mo Qiang.

Mo Qiang’s face grew grave; suddenly, he abandoned the taekwondo stance, dropped low, and wrapped himself around Liu Huagang’s body, limbs entwined. Liu Huagang clearly anticipated that his opponent, besides taekwondo, was also proficient in jujitsu. His face showed not a hint of panic. Though his movements were restricted, it hardly impeded him.

“Ah!” Liu Huagang shouted, his claws like twin dragons emerging from the sea—swift as lightning. One hand seized Mo Qiang’s arm, the other his thigh; the powerful grip seemed to sink into the flesh. Mo Qiang was struck with a surge of pain, and his previously tight hold weakened immediately.

Liu Huagang allowed him no respite. His eagle claw technique raged downward, forcing Mo Qiang, in astonishment and agony, to roll aside. Liu’s claws missed but left a terrifying gouge on the platform. Mo Qiang looked at the deep claw mark, and his back chilled, thinking, If I hadn’t dodged in time, that blow might have crippled me.

Seeing that jujitsu had no effect, Mo Qiang quickly switched to Japanese karate hand techniques, though his footwork remained taekwondo. Combining the two, his attacks became markedly fiercer.

Liu Huagang’s eagle claw strikes were powerful and direct, pure offense against Mo Qiang’s own. After just a few exchanges, Mo Qiang bore several glaring claw wounds, while Liu Huagang remained unscathed. It was immediately clear who was superior.

In the next few moves, Mo Qiang was unable to defend, suffering more injuries, and finally, after Liu Huagang delivered a thunderous leg strike, Mo Qiang was sent flying out of the ring.

At that moment, the four Japanese watched Liu Huagang with a hint of admiration in their eyes.

“Kobayashi, this man is stronger than any of us. He’s a real talent. If we can recruit him, he’ll be a powerful asset,” one of them said.

Kobayashi nodded. “He is indeed very strong. Just based on the skill he’s shown, he surpasses even our respected Chunin back home. We must follow him and persuade him to join us. If the enemy gets to him first, he’ll become a troublesome obstacle.”

“Kobayashi is right. Using a Chinese to fight Chinese is the best approach. If we can’t use him, we must eliminate him as soon as possible,” another Japanese added.

As Chen Erpao had predicted, Liu Huagang took only his prize money, ignored the minor girls entirely, and left in haste.

No sooner had Liu Huagang stepped out the arena doors than the four Japanese followed after him, with Chen Erpao and Wang Xing trailing close behind.

Liu Huagang neither drove nor took a taxi. He walked several kilometers, finally arriving at a secluded, quiet alley lined with dilapidated rental houses, the kind only the poorest and most destitute would inhabit.

“Wait, friend,” Kobayashi called out in fluent Mandarin.

Liu Huagang regarded the four unexpected visitors coldly. “What do you want?”

“We’d like to be your friends. We can see you urgently need a large sum of money. We can help you. All you have to do is follow our instructions when we need something done. Complete the tasks, and the money will flow plentifully,” Kobayashi got straight to the point.

Liu Huagang stared at Kobayashi and suddenly replied, “You’re Japanese. I don’t deal with your kind, much less work for you.”

“Idiot!” one of Kobayashi’s companions shouted angrily, the others glowering at Liu Huagang.

“Kobayashi, think carefully. Work for us, and as your people say, you’ll enjoy endless riches and power. You should weigh your options well,” Kobayashi smiled, unfazed, and spoke again.

“There’s no need to say more. All my life, I’ve hated you Japanese most. Most Chinese have backbone and won’t be bought by you,” Liu Huagang rejected him righteously, unmoved by the tempting offer.

Now Kobayashi grew annoyed, having tried again and again only to be met with hatred. His faint smile vanished in an instant.

“Kobayashi, let me teach him a lesson and show him what’s what,” one of the Japanese said arrogantly, confidently striding toward Liu Huagang.

At that moment, Chen Erpao and Wang Xing, hiding in a corner of the alley, watched with anticipation, picturing the Japanese soon writhing in pain on the ground.