As soon as the words were spoken, August’s figure appeared at the Extensive Martial Arts Training Center, with his butler, Mr. Bill, following closely.
Jack Winifred rose from his chair and gazed at August, a smirk playing on his lips. “August, I thought you were long gone.”
“You can rest assured that I won’t depart this world before you do,” August replied confidently. He walked up to Jack, exuding a powerful aura that clashed with Jack’s own.
Jack, the head of the Winifred Group in the capital, had come to Langstel for two reasons: to inspect the Winifred Group’s operations in Langstel and to settle an old score.
Jack and August were peculiar friends. They had known each other for most of their lives, and they had spent a good portion of that time competing, whether in business, tea art, martial arts, or chess.
In the realm of martial arts, Jack had been in August’s shadow for over a decade, which had been a source of great frustration for him.
That’s why he brought Evan, a formidable martial artist, to challenge the elite fighters from August’s privately owned Extensive Martial Arts Training Center during his visit to Langstel.
“August, let’s skip the pleasantries. I’ve brought Evan, my high-level martial artist. Your students in the training center don’t seem very impressive,” Jack taunted, pointing towards Evan.
August gave Evan a sidelong glance and sensed that this man was undoubtedly formidable. Even his own senior disciple, Theodore, might not be his match.
However, August wasn’t concerned. He had confidence that when Leo arrived, even ten Evans wouldn’t be able to best him.
“Winifred, you’re getting up there in years, yet you’re still as competitive as a young man. Not good for your health,” August teased.
“Enough chit-chat. I brought a high-level martial artist to give your students a taste of true martial arts,” Jack said, signaling to Evan.
Receiving Jack’s order, Evan dashed forward like a lightning bolt and struck Theodore with a fierce punch.
With his master present, Theodore couldn’t afford to show weakness. He met Evan’s punch head-on.
“Boom!”
After a muffled sound, both of them took a step back. Evan retreated two steps, while Theodore was pushed three steps back.
Evan belonged to the type of fighter who grew stronger in battle. He channeled his inner energy, bulging his muscles, and concentrated immense power in his fist, which struck Theodore like a thunderbolt.
The intense pressure left Theodore with no choice but to attempt a blocking posture, as he couldn’t withstand Evan’s raw strength.
“Spurt!”
Theodore was sent flying with a single punch. In mid-air, he spat out a mouthful of blood and knocked over a wooden training dummy before crashing to the ground.
As Theodore lay on the ground, he struggled for a moment but ultimately failed to stand up.
This situation left August with an expression of momentary shock. He hadn’t expected his senior disciple, Theodore, to be utterly defeated by Evan.
Jack gleefully laughed, “I told you, the fighters in your training center are all weaklings. My high-level martial artist can disable one with just a single punch!”
The other burly men who had come with Jack joined in the laughter.
The other disciples in the training center quickly helped Theodore to his feet, and they all glared at Evan with anger.
Evan spat on the ground and cursed, “You’re all trash. Is this the best Extensive Martial Arts Training Center can offer? Who’s next? Step forward!”
One of the disciples couldn’t contain his rage and shouted, “Screw you! You’re the real trash!”
After his outburst, the disciple moved forward as if to confront Evan, but his fellow disciples held him back.
“Don’t be impulsive. Even Theodore couldn’t match him. Going against him would just result in taking a beating for nothing!”
“Even if we get beaten, I can’t tolerate this guy being so arrogant!”
“Our master is here; we must wait for his command!”
August’s face turned ugly, and the butler, Mr. Bill, remained silent and grim.
Noticing August’s expression, Jack took even more pleasure in his apparent victory. “August, you used to be so arrogant. After all these years, you’ve finally been defeated by me. But I’m disappointed. You opened this martial arts training center, and yet there isn’t a single fighter worth their salt. It’s quite underwhelming.”
August checked the time on his watch and replied icily, “Winifred, you’re gloating over defeating one of my disciples at the Extensive Martial Arts Training Center. Don’t get carried away. Wait for my own high-level fighter to arrive, and then you’ll have something to cry about.”
Jack didn’t believe it for a second. “You’re just bragging. If you had a high-level fighter, you’d have presented them already. You wouldn’t let me hold the upper hand.”
After so many years of friendship, Jack believed he knew August well.
Evan, who had a penchant for brawling, was getting increasingly agitated due to his lack of action. “Before coming here, I thought the Extensive Martial Arts Training Center was a place with hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Now it seems like a gathering of trash.”
Another disciple, filled with anger, swore vehemently, “Screw you! I’m going to fight this guy.”
However, the other disciples from the Extensive Martial Arts Training Center restrained him.
“The Extensive Martial Arts Training Center is certainly a place of hidden talent. But your presence, as a piece of trash, has contaminated it,” a cold voice, as chilling as a winter’s wind, blew in from outside the training center’s entrance.
Turning toward the voice, Leo’s figure emerged at the gate of the Extensive Martial Arts Training Center.
“Leo!” August’s face lit up with a hint of joy as he rushed to greet him.
Leo’s appearance caused Jack to tense up. Could this be the high-level fighter that August had mentioned?
Jack scrutinized Leo’s appearance carefully but soon relaxed. He couldn’t sense the aura of a strong martial artist emanating from Leo.
After being insulted by Evan, Leo had become extremely agitated. He roared angrily in Evan’s direction, “Hey, where did you come from? Come over here and meet your doom!”
Leo completely ignored Evan and instead focused on August. “Mr. Browne, I hope I’m not too late.”
“You’re right on time!” August said with a smile, patting Leo’s sturdy shoulder.
Jack walked up, looking at Leo with disdain. “August, is this the guy you claimed was a high-level fighter?”
“Oh, you don’t believe me?” August retorted.
Jack sneered, “This kid, with his small build, would be sent flying by a single punch from Evan.”
“Is that so? I’m afraid this kid will be begging for mercy in tears after our little sparring match,” Leo said with a cold smile.
“Kid, arrogance should be backed up by skills. You better not cry for your parents later,” Jack taunted.
Leo ignored him and took a confident step toward Evan. “Get ready to meet your end. I’ll make it quick for you.”
Evan, who was quite burly, appeared insignificant in Leo’s eyes, much like an ant. Leo wouldn’t have even bothered to fight him if it weren’t to help August save his dignity.