Chapter 27: Lu Huaibin, the Fierce Tiger

Lu Huaibin!

Hearing this name, Xu Yi felt an instinctive tremor run through his body. He stopped his attack in disbelief, turning his head in astonishment to look at the young man.

Lu Huaibin! As a martial arts student, how could Xu Yi not know that name?

A three-time national martial arts champion, a master of Xingyi Quan, and a representative of the Guangzhou martial arts community. He was a legendary figure who had once achieved a seventeen-match winning streak at the quadrennial international tour, leaving international boxing champions sobbing in defeat.

Back in university, Xu Yi’s mentor had shown him recordings of Lu Huaibin’s matches. Even through the screen, one could sense the man's terrifying power. In many ways, it was under Lu Huaibin’s influence that Xu Yi had embarked on his own journey into the practice of Xingyi Quan. In his early years, Lu Huaibin had even been his idol.

The man’s martial foundation was exceptionally fierce; his strikes were like a tiger descending from the mountains, earning him the nickname "The Fierce Tiger." Li Zhengdong had once claimed that this man’s combat ability was so extreme that he had likely killed people before. Yet, this powerhouse had vanished into retirement three years ago.

Xu Yi never expected to encounter this legendary figure in Donghai City.

He was deeply astonished, his eyes fixed on Lu Huaibin. As the man finished speaking, his entire demeanor underwent a cataclysmic change. From a distance, even while standing still, Lu Huaibin’s posture resembled a tiger coiled and ready to pounce. He did not attack, simply watching Xu Yi as if waiting for him to prepare himself.

Xu Yi cupped his hands solemnly. "Xu Yi of Donghai!"

Lu Huaibin nodded faintly. "I shall use only one strike."

With those words, he moved. His body surged forward like a tiger suddenly unleashed. There were no flashy techniques, no sudden feints—just a seemingly plain, straightforward, and direct punch.

So fast!

Xu Yi felt a jolt of alarm. The moment Lu Huaibin moved, he understood what a true master was. Even under the effect of his "Slow-Motion" ability, which had reduced Lu Huaibin’s speed by fifty-one percent, the punch still arrived with lightning speed.

Thoughts raced through his mind. Xu Yi tried to dodge, but he was struck by the overwhelming sensation that there was nowhere to hide. In the blink of an eye, he gritted his teeth, stood his ground, and planted his feet in a firm horse stance. He pulled his hands back to his abdomen, took a deep breath, and thrust one hand upward in a drilling motion. His arm moved like an axe splitting wood, channeling the strength of his entire body into the heel of his palm.

Xingyi Quan! The opening of the Splitting Fist!

Xu Yi completed this opening move in an instant. His gaze burning like a torch, he brought his palm crashing down against Lu Huaibin’s incoming straight punch.

"Boom!"

A violent collision erupted. An invisible shockwave stirred a circular gust of wind. A pool table closest to them let out a splintering "crack" before collapsing entirely, not to mention the various scattered objects in the room that were sent flying everywhere. Huang Dabao had long since cowered in the distance, his eyes widened in sheer shock.

Damn! Are these two even human?

On the field, Xu Yi felt as though his palm had struck a piece of incredibly hard steel—no, damn it, Lu Huaibin’s hand was harder than steel! The impact sent a numbing vibration through his palm all the way up his arm, and he was forced back four or five steps before he could regain his balance.

Lu Huaibin, on the other hand, fared much better. After the clash, he gracefully stepped back, not only perfectly dissipating the force but maintaining a flawless defensive posture, ready to strike again at any moment.

Xu Yi’s expression darkened. In terms of this single exchange, he was clearly half a step weaker. Both Ah-Wen and Ah-Wu had understood how to dissipate force during combat, but Xu Yi clearly lacked that technique. That was the gap. In a battle between experts, even the smallest gap could be the difference between life and death.

Lu Huaibin evidently noticed this. Just as Xu Yi was stirring to attack again, he waved a hand. "There is no need to continue. The fact that you could withstand my punch purely through physical strength shows a level of talent I have rarely seen in my life."

"However, your martial arts foundation is abysmal. You haven't fully realized the potential of your physical power. If we keep fighting, you will undoubtedly lose within twenty moves."

Xu Yi frowned. He had to admit that Lu Huaibin’s words made sense. But if the man could win, why stop? Xu Yi remained vigilant.

Seeing Xu Yi’s reaction, Lu Huaibin shook his head. "You needn't be like that. Although you are slightly lacking, your strength barely meets the standard I require, so for the purpose of this test, you can consider yourself to have passed."

Without another word, Lu Huaibin pulled out his phone and made a call.

"Hello? Master Zhang?"

"Yes! We have crossed hands... it’s not bad... it should be sufficient."

"Shall you speak with him now?"

"Understood! My pleasure."

Lu Huaibin tossed the phone to Xu Yi. Xu Yi caught it with one hand, looking at Lu Huaibin in confusion, but he answered the call.

"Hello, Mr. Xu. Let me introduce myself. My name is Zhang Chongyang! Those in the underworld who give me face call me Master Zhang; those who don't call me The Madman. I wonder how Mr. Xu would like to address me?"

The voice on the phone was ordinary, sounding to Xu Yi just like the man next door who sold cotton candy.

This was "The Madman"? One of the three hall masters of the Donghai Gang? No, Dabao’s intelligence was incorrect. Compared to the strength displayed by The Madman, the "Scarface" he had dealt with earlier was merely a small-time thug. The so-called three halls of the Donghai Gang were clearly a ruse to mislead outsiders. This man was far from as simple as he appeared.

His question was also intriguing; he was testing Xu Yi’s stance toward him. If it were hostility, he would be called "The Madman"; if it were goodwill, "Master Zhang."

Xu Yi let out a cold snort, skipping the question entirely. "Just say what you have to say."

"Haha! It’s clear that Mr. Xu is always direct. I intended to send someone to invite you for a talk, but I heard that as soon as you took action, you floored over twenty of my brothers in minutes. They haven't even recovered yet." The Madman’s voice on the phone remained unhurried, but he was making it clear to Xu Yi that he was already aware of his actions.

Xu Yi frowned. "What exactly do you want?"

"Haha! Mr. Xu, you misunderstand. Talent like yours is treated as an honored guest wherever it goes. Would you be interested in working for me?"

"Money? Women? That’s no problem. I can satisfy whatever you need."

Xu Yi refused categorically. "Sorry! Not interested."

"Ah! It seems Mr. Xu holds a strong opinion of me. Of course, I won't force you against your will. But I have a business proposition; I wonder if Mr. Xu might be interested in that?"

Xu Yi refused again. "Not interested. If Mr. Zhang only has such boring questions, there is no need to continue this conversation."

"Haha! Mr. Xu, don't be so quick to refuse. This cooperation would benefit us both."

"I recall that you have a teacher and his daughter in Donghai City, correct? You wouldn't want anything to happen to them, would you?"

"Furthermore, you have Huang Dabao looking for three of Scarface’s former subordinates, but he has found nothing, right?"

A chill erupted in Xu Yi’s eyes, and a murderous intent radiated from him.

"I am warning you! Do not touch them, or I will kill you sooner or later!"

"Haha! Mr. Xu is getting excited again. If we are cooperating, why would I move against your people? I am simply reminding you that I can help with both of those problems! As for killing me? That won't be easy; you have to find me first, Mr. Xu!"

Xu Yi’s expression was icy, but his mind had calmed. He finally understood why The Madman had hired Lu Huaibin to test him: it was to demonstrate his power and to threaten Xu Yi. If he didn't cooperate, The Madman could cause trouble for Li Zhengdong and the others at any moment, while finding The Madman himself would be near impossible.

Xu Yi took a deep breath. "What kind of cooperation do you want?"