Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Jiang Yicen was never physically strong as a child, often catching colds and fevers. When he was three, a Taoist priest visited his home and read his fortune, suggesting that a change of environment would improve his health. Consequently, his family sent him to live with his maternal grandfather, where he received meticulous care. As he grew older, his immunity gradually strengthened, and his health improved and he grew much stronger. However, compared to his older brothers, he was still a thin, frail younger brother who couldn't fully protect himself.

Although his family had bodyguards to protect him, they still worried about Jiang Yicen's safety in these chaotic times. They found a master to teach him martial arts—partly to make him stronger, and partly so he could escape danger if he ever got into a tight spot.

Jiang Yicen not only learned how to shoot but also studied martial arts. His second brother had received a Western education, and the master who taught him came from the Central Martial Arts Academy and specialized in Sanda (free combat). Back then, the Central Martial Arts Academy had already hosted Sanda competitions. The academy's founder aimed to eliminate flashy, impractical moves and emphasize practical training. His master was one of the top martial artists in the academy and had even won the champion of the fighting competition at the first national martial arts examination.

Since Jiang Yicen wasn't as physically strong as others, his master tailored a fighting technique to suit his physique. Even if he couldn't match others in strength, he could rely on clever techniques and agility. His second brother jokingly called this fighting style "sneaky and dirty" because Jiang Yicen had once used it to defeat him. Of course, Jiang Yicen knew his brother had gone easy on him so he wouldn't lose too often and become discouraged in his martial arts training.

His sparring partners were all skilled fighters using punches and kicks, so Jiang Yicen picked up many techniques.

In that era, martial arts couldn't stand up against firearms, but here everything he had learned was finally coming in handy.

When Cao Ken confidently challenged him to a match in the ring, he wasn't afraid.

The body of this Jiang Yicen was much stronger than his previous life's. Although he looked thin in clothes, he must have done some daily exercise, with a bit of muscle definition. But since arriving here, he hadn't had a chance to train.

Jiang Yicen and Cao Ken each warmed up and put on protective gear with the help of the club's boxing coach.

Jiang Yicen asked the coach, "Could you explain the boxing rules here to me?"

Hearing this, the coach thought he had no idea how to box and looked alarmed, urging him, "Sir, if you don't know how to box, you'll get hurt in the ring."

Jiang Yicen replied, "It's fine. Just tell me the rules."

Lan Yan had never seen Jiang Yicen do any sports and chimed in, "Yeah, yeah. Don't go up there. It's okay to admit defeat once in a while. After all, this isn't your strong suit."

The coach just couldn't understand these rich kids. He quickly explained the scoring rules of boxing to Jiang Yicen, adding, "If you can't take it, just surrender."

Jiang Yicen carefully compared the rules: modern boxing rules were different from what he knew.

In the past, boxing was still in its infancy, allowing kicking and wrestling takedowns, and protective gear was rarely worn. Now, however, there were strict restrictions on where to strike, and protective gear was mandatory.

Jiang Yicen knocked his fists together a few times to test the modern gear, trying to get used to it. He felt the gear limited his performance somewhat.

After arriving in the modern world, he faced new challenges. He was almost used to it by now.

Accepting Cao Ken's challenge wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. He knew that Jiang Yiting and "Jiang Yicen" didn't get along; Jiang Yiting actually despised this "younger brother." In a way, Cao Ken represented Jiang Yiting's attitude toward Jiang Yicen.

Jiang Yicen's eldest and second brothers were very protective of him, and their friends naturally reciprocated that kindness. Later, when their family fell into hard times, his brothers' friends offered money, suggestions, and practical help. None of his brothers' friends would blatantly bully their friend's younger brother.

Cao Ken, already fully geared, walked toward Jiang Yicen, looking smug, as if he were the king of the boxing ring.

"Yicen," he said, "it's not too late to back out. Just admit defeat today. After all, with your little body, you might be able to handle Nan Shuyi, but there's no way you can handle me."

Jiang Yicen suddenly kicked toward his abdomen, stopping just a few centimeters away.

He said sternly, "I don't have the word 'surrender' in my vocabulary. And watch your language."

This man had repeatedly insulted him and Nan Shuyi with foul language, which he found deeply offensive.

Cao Ken was clearly startled. His body stiffened—he hadn't even seen how Jiang Yicen's leg moved, and it almost hit him in the waist!

Cao Ken just thought he was bluffing. "Hah, so arrogant. Don't go crying to your mommy later. Your man can't save you."

Jiang Yicen rolled his neck and stretched his arms. "How about we go three full rounds? No one's allowed to quit early, deal?"

Modern amateur rules: only three rounds, three minutes each, it's all about who can hold out first.

The two stepped into the ring.

Someone posted in the group chat that the Jiang brothers were going to fight in the boxing ring, and many people were curious and came to watch.

Cao Ken weighed more than Jiang Yicen, and he was a full size bigger, built like a powerhouse. No matter how you looked at it, Jiang Yicen was just there to get beaten up.

Jiang Yicen had just observed Cao Ken; Cao Ken's reach wasn't longer, so he couldn't rely on jabs and straight punches to control the distance between them.

Cao Ken struck first, his target clear—Jiang Yicen's face—but Jiang Yicen dodged by tilting his head to the side.

Jiang Yicen's strategy was to keep baiting Cao Ken into throwing punches through feints, sways, and retreats, then counterattack the moment Cao Ken lost balance while punching.

He landed a heavy right hook, and Cao Ken's head snapped to the side, nearly knocking him senseless. That was a powerful punch!

Feeling humiliated, Cao Ken slurred, "So you've learned something, huh? Trying to ambush me? I'll show you who the real pro is!"

His attacks grew sharper. Jiang Yicen took a small step back, and Cao Ken charged with a right punch aimed at Jiang Yicen's head, but he hadn't expected Jiang Yicen to read it, stepping back and dodging, so Cao Ken's right punch hit nothing.

After missing a few punches, Cao Ken started getting pissed off, while Jiang Yicen grew calmer. He ducked under Cao Ken's range and threw an uppercut at his chin!

Cao Ken was dazed again, his teeth aching. When did Jiang Yicen get so good? He'd known Jiang Yiting for ages, so he naturally knew about Jiang Yicen. Jiang Yiting had been keeping tabs on his younger brother; he shouldn't have had any boxing training. How was this possible?

The opponent's attention wavered slightly. Jiang Yicen didn't waste a word, seizing the opportunity to launch a fierce assault on Cao Ken!

Left hook! Right hook! Then a left hook!

Cao Ken could only dodge blindly, being backed step by step to the ropes. One more step back, and he would be forced out of the ring. Jiang Yicen delivered a final heavy punch straight to the face, and Cao Ken flipped backward over the ropes!

The spectators were stunned.

Everyone thought Cao Ken would be the one fighting with bloodshot eyes, but the reality was the opposite—Jiang Yicen had beaten Cao Ken to a pulp with no chance to fight back!

Jiang Yicen fought fiercely, furiously, with a kind of composed madness.

In truth, he was venting his emotions. Since arriving in this new world, day after day, he had been suppressing his feelings, facing injustices, living under someone else's name, enduring a stifling life, dealing with one complicated person after another, and it had worn him down.

Even though this was the world he longed for, he still had to face it alone in an unfamiliar environment, hiding his true self.

Today, Cao Ken gave him the perfect excuse to let it all out, and he successfully released all his dissatisfaction with everything that had happened during this time.

"Holy shit, that's awesome!"

"What's up with Brother Ken today? Is he going easy? The last time he fought me, he didn't hold back at all. What a performance."

"Bro, are you okay? Can you get up?"

Cao Ken's friends and coach rushed to catch him as he tumbled out of the ring.

Hearing their comments, he nearly fainted from anger.

While a friend was wiping his sweat, his expression twisted with rage as he glared at the other: "Can't you be gentler? That hurts like hell."

The friend, who had always thought Cao Ken was tough, couldn't immediately accept the fact that he had been defeated by Jiang Yicen, who was slimmer than him.

Friend: "Huh? Are you hurt? Is it serious?"

Cao Ken, clutching his jaw: "Ow, could you shout any louder?"

Jiang Yicen had struck him hard a moment ago, and now it felt like his jaw was about to dislocate.

The round ended, and the referee raised Jiang Yicen's hand to signal the end of the round, declaring him the winner.

When Nan Shuyi rushed over, he saw Jiang Yicen landing punch after punch, sending Cao Ken off the ring.

He never expected that the person he was supposed to worry about would actually knock Cao Ken off the ring—Cao Ken, who was bigger in stature, especially considering he had trained in boxing for years and even participated in amateur matches.

Through his interactions with Jiang Yicen recently, he saw him as a gentle and refined person—very particular about his food and drink, well-mannered, never speaking too loudly, and respectful of others. Nan Shuyi had a typical assumption that someone so cultured would not be fond of a sport like boxing, an adrenaline-pumping sport.

But he was almost frozen in shock as he watched Jiang Yicen calmly pull aside the ropes, ready to step out of the ring.

Nan Shuyi stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Yicen's waist to steady him, helping him jump down from the platform to the ground.

Jiang Yicen had dressed casually for the outing today, and with the recent rise in temperature, he wore a thin sweatshirt underneath.

He was genuinely happy to see Nan Shuyi: "Nan Shuyi, you're here."

Nan Shuyi hid his shock, his face darkening as he pulled off Jiang Yicen's headgear.

"Are you out of your mind? Do you even know how to box?"

Onlookers: Hey, Master Nan, are you even talking sense? How about you take a look at Cao Ken over there, bleeding from the nose!

"I only know a little, I'm not a pro." Jiang Yicen's forehead was covered in sweat, and his damp hair plastered to his forehead.

Professional or not, Nan Shuyi first called for a towel from the coach nearby.

The coach, used to attending to guests, promptly fetched a new towel still wrapped.

Nan Shuyi tore open the package and pressed the towel against Jiang Yicen's forehead: "Let me take off your gloves."

Jiang Yicen caught his breath and steadied himself, but didn't let Nan Shuyi remove his gloves, insisting firmly, "No, I'm not done yet. I promised three rounds with Cao Ken, and I can't back out."

Nan Shuyi gazed steadily at his face, flushed red from the exercise and heat, and saw a newfound determination in the usually gentle-mannered man's eyes.

He said, "Give me a reason. I invited you out today, not to have you go home injured from the boxing ring. Don't risk your body like that."

Jiang Yicen could sense his anger, but he truly had to finish all three rounds today. As long as Cao Ken didn't concede, he had to fight the remaining two.

"I won't lose."

Nan Shuyi guided Jiang Yicen to sit on the bench, then looked over at Cao Ken, who was getting his muscles loosened up by his coach across the way.

He lowered his voice, "I know Cao Ken has a grudge against you, but we can deal with it another way. It's not about winning or losing; I can take care of it."

Nan Shuyi really didn't want to see Jiang Yicen get hurt by someone like Cao Ken—not even a small bruise was acceptable.

Jiang Yicen shook his head: "Nan Shuyi, some people need this kind of approach. Only when they feel pain themselves do they learn what they shouldn't do. Otherwise, they'll never stop bullying others."

Nan Shuyi's face hardened, but he couldn't refuse Jiang Yicen: "I'll let you continue, but your fighting style earlier was problematic and could get you hurt. You need to follow my instructions."

Jiang Yicen looked at Nan Shuyi and breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want any rift to grow between them, so he smiled in response.

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

Nan Shuyi met Jiang Yicen's smiling eyes and his anger melted away. It was that phrase again.

He sighed inwardly, unsure if he was the one listening to Jiang Yicen, or the other way around.

Tch, I suppose I'm the one who owes you.

He pulled over a chair for Jiang Yicen: "Come sit here. Let me explain how to quickly knock Cao Ken off the ring. You can use a surprise attack in the first round, and in the second round, it's best to do this..."

Jiang Yicen obediently sat beside him, back straight like a diligent student, nodding in response as he listened.

Zhou Yi watched from the sidelines, completely stunned. Was this still the same friend of his who was always indifferent to everything and never compromised on his own principles?

He caved so easily today? Not only did he concede, but he also voluntarily analyzed Cao Ken's weaknesses for Jiang Yicen, teaching him how to attack and defend against dirty tricks.

No, was this really the Nan Shuyi he had known for over a decade?

What ghost had possessed Nan Shuyi? Get out of his body now!