The Way of Restraint

Chapter 153: Heartfelt Allegiance and Small Groups

“Alright, we have plenty of time to chat. Let’s first take a stroll around the campus, then we can have dinner together. It’s on me; we’re all brothers in the same dorm now.” Tan Dashi waved his hand. “We have military training tomorrow, so we should rest early today.”

It seemed that he was used to giving orders, unconsciously taking on the role of a leader. However, as if recalling something, he quickly turned to Su Jie and said, “Boss, what do you think?”

Upon hearing Tan Dashi call Su Jie ‘Boss’, Lin Tang cast a doubtful glance, seemingly unable to understand why a classmate he had just met in the dorm would refer to someone as ‘Boss’.

“Let’s go, let’s go,” Wang Shun, who was more straightforward, said. “This is my first time on campus. I heard the school cafeteria is quite good, and the library is huge. I plan to wake up early every day to grab a seat in the library.”

“Don’t wear yourself out; you can work out with the Boss,” Tan Dashi replied.

The four of them tidied up their things and left the dormitory.

Su Jie used his skills in physiognomy to observe his three roommates. He found that Wang Shun had an honest appearance but possessed a strong sense of pride. Being new, he was quite reserved. Tan Dashi had a bold and outgoing demeanor, but he was also keen on taking advantage of small benefits and harbored a strong desire to climb higher. Deep down, he didn’t truly respect Su Jie. His invitation to the gym was actually a way to test Su Jie’s abilities again, to see if he was as formidable as he appeared in the videos—this was a manifestation of his social savvy.

Lin Tang was quiet and taciturn, making it difficult for Su Jie to analyze his personality. However, from his facial features, it was evident that he had a round and radiant forehead, indicating a good family background and wealth. His full and bright ‘Yintang’ suggested intelligence and wisdom. His eyes were spirited yet reserved, implying a kind and benevolent character. Overall, combining the analysis of his teeth, tongue, brows, and ears, it was clear that Lin Tang came from a decent family, was diligent, intelligent, and resourceful, with his own opinions. Though proud, he was not malicious and had some good intentions.

In summary, these three individuals each had their own characteristics; fundamentally, they were not petty or scheming. Their personalities were still not fully developed, showing some youthful bravado and a fighting spirit, but they could potentially be good friends.

Su Jie understood that in college, aside from acquiring knowledge, the most crucial aspect was building connections and friendships. The bonds formed during school would be immensely important when entering society later.

“This campus is really big,” Wang Shun remarked as they walked, expressing his amazement.

Before they knew it, they had reached the entrance of the gymnasium.

The entire gymnasium was enormous, shaped like a sphere, and housed facilities for basketball, volleyball, table tennis, swimming, diving, badminton, indoor tracks, athletics, gymnastics, bodybuilding training, physical training, comprehensive strength training, sanda training, wrestling training, combat sports, and martial arts tai chi, among others. 

Su Jie even spotted a shooting training range.

“Boss, how about you teach me a couple of moves here?” Tan Dashi suggested as the four of them entered the gym, finding a combat training area with soft mats, sandbags, tires, and other training equipment.

Su Jie looked around and realized that the training environment here was vastly inferior to Ming Lun Martial School. However, it was understandable; Ming Lun Martial School specialized in combat training, while Q University was merely for show. The focus of both was different.

“Sure, how do you want to compete?” Su Jie asked Tan Dashi, aware that he was eager to try his skills, and that his admiration was not as profound as it seemed.

“Let’s go by the mixed martial arts rules,” Tan Dashi said, warming up. “Boss, you better go easy on me.”

“I will,” Su Jie nodded.

Tan Dashi didn’t attack immediately but began to circle around Su Jie, seemingly searching for an opportune moment to strike. 

Su Jie remained still, allowing Tan Dashi to move behind him without turning around.

Tan Dashi frowned, feeling that Su Jie was being somewhat arrogant. 

Suddenly, from behind Su Jie, he made a quick move, delivering a swift kick aimed at Su Jie’s calf. Quick, accurate, and fierce; it was clear that Tan Dashi had a solid foundation in martial arts.

“Not bad, almost at the level of a provincial team.” Su Jie expressed his appreciation. With such skill, if facing ordinary people on the street and being a bit ruthless, it would be no problem for him to quickly incapacitate three to five opponents when both sides are unarmed. Ordinary people only know how to push and grab; their punches lack any form, making them fundamentally incomparable to professionals.

At the moment Tan Dashi kicked out, Su Jie shifted his body to the side, causing the kick to miss. However, Tan Dashi continued his assault, one hand protecting his head and the other delivering a flurry of jabs, making a whooshing sound that resembled a barrage of arrows, targeting Su Jie’s head.

Instead of dodging again, Su Jie extended one hand, forming an eagle claw to seize Tan Dashi’s fist. With a casual grip, he captured Tan Dashi’s punch. “Ouch, ouch, ouch…” Before Su Jie could apply any real pressure, Tan Dashi felt as if he had been grabbed by the seven inches of a snake, his face contorting in pain, completely devoid of strength to retaliate.

Su Jie had grasped the “marrow sinew,” a point where the radial nerve is concentrated in his arm. Once seized, a person would feel weak and numb, unable to move. Of course, to effectively capture this point requires extremely profound skill and finger strength, ensuring that the grip penetrates muscle and bone. Tan Dashi was quite skilled and strong, but before Su Jie, he was simply inadequate.

Su Jie smiled and released Tan Dashi, who took a while to regain feeling in his arm. Shaking his arm, he shouted, “Come again!” seeming quite unwilling to accept defeat.

Whoosh! 

Su Jie made his move. 

In that instant, Tan Dashi didn’t even have time to see clearly; his neck was seized by Su Jie’s hand, and it was as if he were lifted by a camera shot from a movie, his feet leaving the ground while he flailed his arms and legs in a chaotic manner. However, it was all disordered because at that moment, his neck was constricted, his brain deprived of oxygen, and his consciousness became hazy, only sensing the approach of death.

But then Su Jie let him down, allowing him to gasp for air. 

“My goodness.” Wang Shun, who originally knew nothing about fighting and martial arts, could also see that Tan Dashi weighed at least one hundred eighty pounds, yet Su Jie could lift him off the ground with one hand around his neck. How much strength must that arm possess?

“Impressive!” Lin Tang’s eyes sparkled with admiration, looking at his roommate with newfound respect. The reason Su Jie used this neck-holding technique was to let Tan Dashi understand the depth of the situation. The feeling of being choked and suffocated is the most profound experience. For instance, in mixed martial arts, there are those who have been knocked out by techniques like the “rear-naked choke” or “guillotine,” leaving them with the greatest psychological trauma.

When Su Jie taught at his club, he summarized his experience: the best way to get those “stubborn” individuals to learn obediently is to instill a certain fear in them, which will make them take your theories seriously and practice diligently. Now, he applied his teaching method on Tan Dashi, aiming to eliminate any emotions of challenge from him and instill a sense of respect.

This was a minor teaching tactic, and moreover, it posed no harm to the body. Sure enough, after coughing for four to five minutes, Tan Dashi regained his senses, his expression immediately changing as the inner unwillingness vanished completely. “The boss is the boss; I truly admire you now. How do you train? If I can learn even one-tenth of your strength, I could definitely sweep the world.”

“Is it really possible to train to this level? To lift someone with one arm?” Lin Tang, having witnessed it firsthand, couldn’t believe that Su Jie, who seemed not very muscular, could possess such great strength.

“It is achievable,” Su Jie nodded. “We are all from the School of Life Sciences, and we might even research this point in the future. If you’re interested, you can train with me every day.”

“Alright, I’ll definitely train with you,” Lin Tang said, pulling out his phone to look something up.

Su Jie saw that his phone was constantly displaying numerous messages, and soon some of his videos appeared on the screen, including videos that were only circulated internally and not visible to outsiders, which Lin Tang also managed to see. 

“Awesome!” Lin Tang exclaimed after watching for a while, closing the page and giving Su Jie a thumbs up. “Brother Su, you really are a master. I initially thought that martial arts and combat were just so-so. It seems I must practice with you every day from now on. I hope to become a master myself after graduating from university.”

“Four years should be enough,” Su Jie replied, glancing at Lin Tang’s physique. Although somewhat slender and appearing to lack exercise, he still looked healthy and did not exhibit any signs of illness. It was not too late for him to start training now. If he spent a significant amount of money on health supplements from Minglun Martial Arts School, then in four years, he could compete with professional athletes at the provincial level. However, there was no hope of becoming a true powerhouse.

“Let’s go eat,” Tan Dashi said, not wanting to continue the competition as the shadow of the earlier scene lingered in his mind.

“I’ll treat you guys. Let’s not eat at the cafeteria; let’s go for a nice meal outside,” Lin Tang suggested. “I know a private restaurant that does great food, but it needs to be reserved in advance. Luckily, I have some connections.”

“Alright.” Su Jie could tell that Lin Tang was quite wealthy.

The four of them exited the school gates, and Lin Tang called for a high-end business car, providing an address that indicated his familiarity with B City. Su Jie also noticed that Lin Tang’s Mandarin had a hint of a Beijing accent.

“Su Jie, you’re really impressive. You opened a martial arts club, and it seems to have a great reputation in the industry,” Lin Tang expressed his interest in Su Jie while in the car. “I don’t really like sports; I find them tiring. Do you have any methods that can improve my physique and make me strong without exercising?”

“None,” Su Jie shook his head. “It’s not something that can be taught with a century of skill. But I do know of a health wine that, if you take just a small sip, can make you go from disliking exercise to really enjoying it.”

What he referred to was “Internal strengthening wine.”

“Is there really such a thing? Can you get me some?” Lin Tang quickly asked. “Money is not an issue. Did you drink that health wine to become this strong?”

Every boy has a dream of martial arts, fantasizing about possessing formidable skills, but most fear hard work and the need for persistence over time. Thus, they seek miraculous remedies to enhance themselves, and it seems Lin Tang shares this mindset.