The Way of Restraint

Chapter 67: A Million-Yuan Bet

“You look pretty comfortable now, kid. Earning a high salary and training in such a nice facility. But let’s see how long you can keep up the scam. Hand over the money you conned and turn yourself in to the police. Admit you’re a fraud.” Zhou Chun walked toward Su Jie, and as the surrounding people sensed trouble, they quickly dispersed.

“Zhou Chun, you were probably expelled from Minglun Martial Arts Academy after what happened last time. Then you turned to the Haoyu Group. If I’m not mistaken, you became Feng Hengyi’s punching bag, which drastically boosted your skill level,” Su Jie replied calmly, hitting the mark with his guess.

It was likely Zhou Chun had come this time specifically to target him.

Because Su Jie wanted his sister, Su Muchen, to switch jobs, he had already become a thorn in the Feng family’s side.

“You’ve got a death wish,” Zhou Chun narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice. “Let’s see what that tramp Nie Shuang and Gu Yang have taught you. And that blind old man—can’t believe you’re doing so well here. But your good days are over.”

“Boss, you’re here,”

Just as Su Jie was about to respond, Manager Xu hurried to the door to greet someone.

The newcomer was flanked by assistants and secretaries. He wore gold-rimmed glasses and, though dressed in a suit, gave off a scholarly air.

This was Qian Youguo, the boss of Starshine Combat Fitness Club and Qian Zheng’s father. He single-handedly founded Starshine Combat Fitness Club and was quite wealthy. However, compared to the giant that was Haoyu Group, he still fell short.

He had taken this visit very seriously upon learning that Haoyu had sent someone to evaluate investment opportunities, choosing to show up in person.

Haoyu’s moves were always shrewd, entering markets ahead of the curve.

Qian Youguo had been paying close attention to Haoyu. When the company partnered with Minglun Martial Arts Academy, he knew they were stepping into the fitness and combat sports market.

With such a giant entering the field, the entire industry was about to be reshuffled. Clubs that weren’t vigilant would likely get wiped out in the upcoming quake.

Qian Youguo wanted to seize this opportunity. If lucky, it could be his ticket to skyrocketing success.

Haoyu Group had many video platforms, entertainment resources, a film company, and self-media channels—not to mention a massive advertising force. If they made a move, they could go nationwide in an instant.

“What’s going on?”

He had originally come to meet Zhou Chun but immediately sensed something was wrong.

Manager Xu whispered a quick explanation of what had just happened.

Qian Youguo immediately understood.

“Mr. Zhou, sorry I’m late. Let’s sit down and talk this over. This is all my son’s fault—kids don’t know any better, please don’t take it to heart.” He tried to smooth things over. “Manager Xu, take young Su to the finance department to settle his pay.”

That was a clear sign Su Jie was being dismissed.

Su Jie frowned but didn’t take it to heart. He had only become a coach at Qian Zheng’s request; otherwise, he wouldn’t have come at all. Since Qian Youguo said so, he didn’t argue and prepared to leave.

“Hold on, you little con artist! Think you can just walk away? Planning to scam people somewhere else?” Zhou Chun sneered. “Mr. Qian, I can’t let this slide. This punk needs a lesson. Scamming people at such a young age—clearly his parents failed at raising him. Let me do it for them.”

“Zhou Chun, how do you plan on educating me? A little match between us?” Su Jie stopped in his tracks when he heard Zhou Chun bring up his parents. “How about we make a bet? We each put up 300,000 yuan. We’ll fight right here. Whoever loses has to hand over the prize money and admit in front of everyone that they’re a fraud. Do you dare?”

“You’ve got guts, kid.” Zhou Chun’s grin turned vicious. “300,000? That’s too little—make it a million!”

“I don’t have that much,” Su Jie raised an eyebrow. He only had 200,000 yuan on him. With Starshine Combat Fitness Club’s payout, he’d have 300,000 at most.

Originally, he had saved up 200,000 from working at Minglun Martial Arts Academy. His sister Su Muchen had given him another 100,000, and Starshine Combat Fitness Club’s monthly salary should’ve brought him to 400,000. But over the past few months, he’d spent 100,000 on various nutritional supplements and premium secret formula herbal balms from the academy’s website.

“I’ll lend it to you.” At that moment, Hua Xing stepped forward.

“Hua Xing? You want to be the hero now? I’ll deal with you later!” Zhou Chun’s gaze was like a venomous snake. He wasn’t polite to Hua Xing either. After all, Hua Xing had been his rival in the past, just a bit older. Now retired and working as a coach, Zhou Chun looked down on him even more.

Zhou Chun was an active athlete on the rise, ranked in the national top ten.

Meanwhile, Hua Xing had peaked at around the 30th rank during his prime.

“Su Jie, I believe in you.” Hua Xing patted Su Jie on the shoulder. “I don’t know why he hates you, but he’s notorious for being petty and using dirty tricks during matches. He’s never fought fair. Since getting in with the Haoyu Group, his skills have improved fast. But considering his age, he’s close to retirement. There’s no more room for growth, which means he’s hiding something. Be careful.”

After a few words of caution, he turned to Qian Youguo. “Old Qian, all the students are watching. This is turning into a match. We have the license to host competitions—why not make it official?”

Qian Youguo’s eyes lit up. “Mr. Zhou, what do you think?”

“Set it up,” Zhou Chun said. “Consider it part of my evaluation. If the event is well handled, I can submit a positive report to the company.”

Qian Youguo nodded and signaled to Manager Xu.

Manager Xu immediately began organizing things and returned shortly with a contract for both parties to sign.

As Zhou Chun signed it, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes like a snake ready to strike.

‘This guy’s born vicious. He’s definitely planning to go all out on me,’ Su Jie instantly realized.

“Please transfer the deposit to the designated account,” Manager Xu said.

Su Jie and Zhou Chun immediately started the transfer. 

Hua Xing helped Su Jie borrow seven hundred thousand.

The match instantly drew a crowd. 

The place was in an uproar. Fighters were always eager for action, and with a good show like this, how could they not join in? Some even started messaging their friends.

At that moment, Manager Xu quickly organized staff to isolate the area and strictly prohibited any photo or video recordings from being uploaded online. They even blocked the signal in the venue—it was clear they had a lot of experience organizing such events.

“The match rules are—” Manager Xu had just begun to announce when Zhou Chun interrupted, “No rules. No referee. It ends when one party is knocked down, loses the ability to fight, and begs for mercy.”

“Boss, that’s against the rules,” Manager Xu hesitated.

“Do as he says,” Qian Youguo ordered. “Just assign more security. No filming, and don’t let this spread online.”

“You little con artist, dare to go through with this?” Zhou Chun casually shook out his limbs, took off his shirt, and began warming up. A vicious aura rushed forth—he was planning to go all out and seriously injure Su Jie.

Su Jie didn’t warm up. He simply stepped onto the platform. Neither of them wore any protective gear or gloves.

It wasn’t according to regulations, but Zhou Chun insisted on doing it this way.

Su Jie didn’t say a word. He just stared coldly at Zhou Chun.

Zhou Chun stepped onto the platform and looked into Su Jie’s eyes, which made him feel even more disgusted.

“Then let’s begin,” Manager Xu cautiously asked Zhou Chun.

At that moment, Su Jie slowly walked toward Zhou Chun. His steps were heavy, as if he was carrying a thousand pounds. This clearly wasn’t standard footwork for a fighter.

Bang!

Zhou Chun’s body shifted. He suddenly lashed out with a kick aimed at Su Jie’s knee joint.

He was fast—like a firecracker going off.

Su Jie’s lower leg was struck squarely.

The sound of muscle colliding echoed through the venue—everyone heard the harsh impact.

In fighting, leg strikes are the most powerful—especially from a national-level expert like Zhou Chun.

That kick could snap a tree trunk as thick as a bowl. With such a solid hit, anyone would’ve suffered a broken leg.

But Su Jie didn’t move. He kept walking forward.

“Damn it! Courting death!” Zhou Chun didn’t hesitate. As soon as the kick swept through, he snapped back and launched a straight punch aimed at Su Jie’s nose.

The punch shot forward like a military bayonet!

Su Jie kept advancing, closing the distance. The punch landed on his forehead with a loud *crack*.

Still, he didn’t budge.

Whap whap whap!

In an instant, Zhou Chun launched a combo—one kick, two punches.

The kick hit Su Jie’s ribs. The punches landed on his neck and chest.

Still, nothing.

In just two or three seconds, Zhou Chun had thrown five attacks.

Two kicks, three punches.

Every strike landed, every kick targeted a vital spot.

But Su Jie was like an indestructible Buddha, unfazed by the barrage.

He stood like a boulder beneath a waterfall, unshaken by a thousand years of pounding. As tough as steel.

His body was tempered through external martial arts—rage coursed through him. His bones were solid, blood boiling, hair like needles, body like a shield!

Zhou Chun quickly adjusted his tactics, preparing to strike with a finishing move.

Swish!

By now, Su Jie had already closed the distance. He ignored everything—whether blades or arrows—unshaken. Charging forward, he raised his hand for a palm strike.

Hoe Strike! Heart-Intent Palm technique!

‘No matter what tricks you pull, I only have this one move.

Even if a thousand troops stand before me, I will still use this one move.

I care not for my life. Still, it’s this one move.

Within five steps—even in front of kings and nobles—this one move remains.’

His heart blazed like an inferno. His spirit surged within the flames. All his essence, energy, and spirit became one with this strike—ferocious, dignified, ruthless, bold, unstoppable.

This single palm had transcended. The form wasn’t important—it was the momentum.

This momentum could move mountains and fill oceans!

This force could shake rivers and destroy demons!

Zhou Chun suddenly realized—under this strike, he had no way to retreat.

Su Jie had seized the critical offensive point, like a blade wedged into the center, cutting off all escape.

All Zhou Chun could do was watch as the palm came down, covering his entire face.

His whole face was swallowed by those five fingers.

As Su Jie’s hand covered his face, Zhou Chun suddenly felt—darkness.

Then the palm struck down, and Zhou Chun felt like his face had collapsed—flattened!

He hit the ground. Lost consciousness.

Five seconds.

The fight was over.

For the first four seconds, Zhou Chun went berserk, treating Su Jie like a punching bag. In the last second, Su Jie countered with a single slap—and Zhou Chun dropped instantly.

“He’ll wake up soon. I held back and didn’t cripple him,” Su Jie said to the stunned Manager Xu. “Transfer eight hundred thousand to my card. Give the rest to Teacher Hua Xing.”

With that, he stepped down from the platform, grabbed his backpack, and walked straight out of Starshine Club.

Even when Qian Youguo called out repeatedly behind him, Su Jie didn’t look back.