The next few days passed uneventfully. Lu Zheng, holding a record-breaking thirty-seven strands of luck’s light, felt elated and brimming with confidence.
So, before the weekend, he bought several Go strategy books and spent three strands of luck to transform himself into a skilled amateur with both theory and experience.
Since he’d tackled Go, the other three arts couldn’t be ignored.
Three strands for calligraphy, three for traditional painting, and music, with its many instruments, was trickier. Lu Zheng spent three strands to boost his music theory and another six to enhance his skills with the xiao flute, guqin, and piano.
In total, eighteen strands of luck’s light were spent.
Yet these skills were merely passable, just enough to show off.
“Good grief, refining one’s character is costly!”
Lu Zheng now understood the pain of urban middle-class parenting. The double reduction policy was truly a blessing!
With so much spent on side pursuits, his main path couldn’t lag. Physique, spirit, true qi, and blood qi consumed another four strands.
Spending over half his stock in one go, Lu Zheng finally felt satisfied.
…
Weekend, at the subway station.
Lin Wan, smiling brightly, linked arms with Lu Zheng, “Missed me these past few days?”
“Absolutely!” Lu Zheng said earnestly. “What case kept you so busy?”
“An emotional con artist, swindling feelings and money. I caught him yesterday!”
Lu Zheng: (´°Δ°`)
Lin Wan glanced at him, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just didn’t think people like that still existed,” Lu Zheng said indignantly.
“There’s plenty of them. This guy was slick, juggling two relationships and planning to flee abroad. Airport facial recognition nabbed him, and we arrested him.”
“Right, right.”
“Finally, a day off. Let’s not talk cases. Shall we go?”
Lin Wan, one hand on Lu Zheng’s arm, used the other to book a ride on her phone.
“Are you allergic to animals?”
“Nope, why?”
“Good. Let’s hit Aotian first, then pet some cats this afternoon, and catch a movie tonight?”
“Sounds great.”
While others dated with shopping and films, Lu Zheng’s date was accompanying his girlfriend to a fight gym.
Aotian Fight and Fitness Club.
“Morning, Goddess Lin!”
“Wanwan’s here!”
“Wow, the master!”
“Good morning, master! Teach me again later!”
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan changed, warmed up, and began one-on-one training.
Lin Wan learned fast. After just two weeks of self-study, her skills had soared.
To Lu Zheng, the current Lin Wan could trounce her two-week-ago self.
Rubbing his chin, he wondered if he should teach her the “Eighteen Forms of Mountain Bearing.”
Could she cultivate martial blood qi in the modern world?
Even if not, it would boost her vitality, strength, speed, and reflexes.
As a criminal police officer, her job was far riskier than most. Lu Zheng didn’t want her in danger.
*Thwack!*
Lu Zheng executed a chop, his palm stopping at Lin Wan’s neck. “If I were an enemy, you’d be dead.”
“Too fast!” Lin Wan exclaimed.
“Not beyond limits. I just prepared my move in advance. You could’ve noticed.”
“Right, right!” Lin Wan nodded eagerly, eyes gleaming.
“Impressive skills, mate!” a voice called out.
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan turned to see the gym’s owner, Lü Tieling, with a burly man beside him who’d spoken.
“Lin Wan, Lu Zheng!”
Lü Tieling had long abandoned any rivalry with Lu Zheng, not that he’d ever shown it, so it wasn’t awkward.
“Let me introduce my sect brother, Li Changyang. I’m just an amateur, but my junior’s a pro!”
Li Changyang waved modestly, “Pro? Just scraping by.”
“No kidding! A Kunlun Fight signed athlete, scouted by UFC!”
“Wow—”
“Pro fighter!”
“Terrifying!”
To the gym’s fitness and fight enthusiasts, UFC was the pinnacle of combat sports.
“Changyang, I’m telling you, Lu Zheng’s incredible. Fights me like it’s a game, leaves me floored without breaking a sweat!”
Lu Zheng grinned, “You’re too kind. I did sweat a bit.”
“Haha—”
“Master’s being humble. Just a tiny bit of sweat, mostly ‘cause the room’s too warm.”
“Boo—”
After some banter, Lü Tieling and Li Changyang changed and hit the ring.
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan, having trained all morning, took a break to watch.
“Lu Zheng, how many rounds can Lü hold out?”
Lu Zheng chuckled, “So little faith in him? His weight class is higher than his junior’s, you know.”
“Weight class without skill is just posturing. You’re lightweight too, but you’d toy with him, right?”
Sure enough, despite the crowd cheering for Lü Tieling, he was getting pummelled, not landing a single punch on Li Changyang.
And that was with Li Changyang sticking to stand-up techniques, no ground game.
*Thud!*
Finally, Li Changyang used a move like a body slam, grabbing Lü by the waist, flipping him, and slamming him to the mat.
A step, a twist.
Lü Tieling tapped the floor frantically, “Stop, stop! I give!”
Li released him and stood.
Lü Tieling got up, rubbing his shoulder, “You’re even stronger than two months ago.”
“Got a match coming up. Been prepping hard.”
“Badass!”
“Win this one, and I should sign with UFC.”
“Epic! Let me know when you’re fighting. I’ll cheer you on live!”
“Haha, deal!”
Li Changyang hadn’t gone all out against Lü Tieling. Spotting Lu Zheng below, he grew curious.
“Brother Lu, fancy a spar?”
Lu Zheng shook his head with a smile. Li Changyang’s strength was far below a boar demon’s, and his skill and speed didn’t match a green-robed ghost. Why bother? To bully him?
“Just a friendly bout, point sparring.”
Lin Wan’s eyes narrowed. Though Li Changyang’s tone was polite, a hint of pride shone through.
“Can you take him?” she asked, grinning, her words barely audible.
“Piece of cake,” Lu Zheng whispered back, for her ears only.
“Go on! Show him the might of Chinese martial arts!”
