Chapter 95: Chen Xingyan, do not blame me for abandoning all decency!

With a look of smug triumph, Chen Xingyan asked, “Well?”

“Your body is incredibly supple. You actually threw me to the floor,” Cheng Yao said, eyeing her joints and waist—especially that tiny waist of hers, so slim and springy, with beautifully sculpted abs that were strikingly sexy.

It had to be said: Chen Xingyan was devastatingly charming like this.

What she used was certainly technique, but technique still required strength and flexibility in combination.

Without question, Chen Xingyan had both. No wonder she was a second-degree black belt.

If they went strictly by the rules, Cheng Yao did not think he stood a chance against her. But if the rules were set aside, he could shamelessly keep “fighting” her until she begged for mercy.

Some foreign show for demon ninjas?

No, that did not seem right...

“Again!”

Cheng Yao got back up. He had no real talent for combat; he was all flashy moves and no substance, relying entirely on his naturally strong physique. And yet the result was surprisingly impressive.

At the very least, Chen Xingyan was left panting from beating on him.

If it were Chen Ruiyong, Cheng Yao would not even need to say much—at the very least, one punch from the man could be extorted into one hundred thousand yuan.

No matter how fierce the punch, would he not still have to kneel and beg Cheng Yao not to die?

“Strong! I’m convinced. Teach me...”

Cheng Yao delivered the full trio of sincere praise.

Chen Xingyan’s eyes brightened at once, and she said with a smile, “You know, our place is basically a martial arts school too, because mixed martial arts is a complete fighting discipline that combines striking and grappling into real combat. If you truly want to learn the essence and have us teach you, you’ll have to become a disciple first.”

“Become a disciple?”

Cheng Yao frowned. Was there still such a thing in the twenty-first century?

Was it not all just money changing hands?

The sudden uselessness of wealth left him a little unaccustomed.

Still, if that was the rule, then so be it. It was nothing major.

“That’s right.” Chen Xingyan nodded lightly, then said gravely, “And you can only take one teacher. From then on, no matter what competition you enter, you and your teacher will be tied together. One rises, both rise.”

“Fine, I’ll go become a disciple right now...”

With that, Cheng Yao was about to walk toward Chen Ruiyong.

“Hey, wait...” But Chen Xingyan quickly cut him off. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To become a disciple.”

“The real expert is standing right in front of you. Who are you going to bow to?”

Chen Xingyan pointed at Chen Ruiyong in mockery. “That old man? He only reached fifth-degree black belt at thirty-five. If I were him, I’d be ashamed enough to dig a hole and crawl into it. I’m twenty-three this year, second-degree black belt, first-degree in actual combat, and in another two years I’ll probably surpass him. If you want a future, you should learn from me.

“What he can teach, I can teach too. Do you understand?”

“Got it. You’re pretty close with Instructor Chen, huh?”

“That’s right.” Chen Xingyan smiled and nodded.

Looking at her, Cheng Yao thought: So you want me to betray my master and turn against him? And to take a woman as my teacher... I, a proud man, how could I—

“Master!”

“Good!” Chen Xingyan nodded with a pleased smile, very satisfied with Cheng Yao’s attitude.

It was not that Cheng Yao absolutely had to take a teacher. The main reason was that if he refused merely because she was a woman, he was afraid he would be targeted and torn apart by the militant feminist crowd.

Was Chen Xingyan, that irresistible little treasure, not more appealing than that old man Chen Ruiyong?

Chen Xingyan grew serious. “In private, just call me by my name. In formal situations, call me Master—for example, during competitions and such, otherwise it feels a bit odd.”

“Okay, Xingyan.”

“...Mm.”

Being called by her name so abruptly, jumping straight from Chen Xingyan to Xingyan, left her a little unaccustomed.

But as Chen Ruiyong had said, Cheng Yao really was a good prospect.

“Oh, right. From now on, Chen Ruiyong will be your senior apprentice-brother. Remember that. Call him Senior Brother.”

“Got it.”

As a teacher, Chen Xingyan was very responsible. She first explained the concrete techniques of mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts included striking, throws, ground fighting, and more. Combat sports emphasize getting as close as possible to real fighting, so the rules of competition are kept as simple as possible, striving for minimal restriction.

Compared to that, mixed martial arts is more comprehensive. When conflict arises, it offers richer offensive and defensive methods and can handle more complicated situations.

“Actually, I think Kudo and combat sambo are closer to street fighting. On top of having fewer restrictions, they also use a gi, which means offense and defense against clothed opponents. By rule, both allow headbutts, which free sparring and mixed martial arts don’t even cover. Kudo can even strike the groin.”

Chen Xingyan did not put down other martial arts, either, because only what is truly well trained can be called strong.

“In everyday sparring, you need protective gear, because the risk of injury is still high, especially concussions...”

When people hear mixed martial arts, they may immediately associate it with blood and brutality...

In truth, that is a huge misconception.

Modern mixed martial arts should be considered a very safe sport, with a rather good safety record. In other sports—such as sanda, boxing, wrestling, football, and even tug-of-war—there have been more serious injuries and deaths. The exaggerated portrayal of mixed martial arts is really just commercial hype, a gimmick meant to attract more viewers.

Cheng Yao listened with interest. “Are there many competitions each year?”

“Plenty. Several hundred every year. But martial arts are not taken that seriously in our country, unlike abroad, especially when it comes to things like broadcast rights—you get it, right?”

“Mm...”

Abroad, many things were taken very seriously, like motorcycle racing and the like. They truly competed with their lives on the line. Red Bull, in particular, had a spirit worth learning from, though its methods were not recommended; one misstep and a person could be gone.

In the corner, seeing Chen Xingyan teaching Cheng Yao so earnestly, Chen Ruiyong nodded in satisfaction. If this boy was lusting after Chen Xingyan’s beauty, then getting him to become her disciple would be much easier.

He only needed to make a slight move...

Chen Xingyan, don’t blame me for not acting human!

After more than an hour of training, they had basically worked on the fundamentals. Cheng Yao had exceptional physical condition, so it was not difficult for him to keep going. In fact, it was almost too easy.

So Chen Xingyan suggested he wear weighted gear.

Cheng Yao did not refuse.

Over here, Chen Ruiyong had also finished instructing the students and said with a smile, “Cheng Yao, how does it feel?”

“With a master teaching me, it’s indeed much better. I learned quite a lot in just one hour. Senior Brother, I’ll head out first.”

“Wait, what did you call me?”

“Senior Brother?”

“No, what’s going on? Didn’t Chen Xingyan tell you?” Chen Ruiyong was a little stunned.

Cheng Yao nodded. “She did. To learn the real essence, I have to become a disciple first, so she took me on as her student. Please guide me well from now on, Senior Brother.”

“?”

After saying that, Cheng Yao left with sweat still soaking his body.

Chen Ruiyong stood rooted to the spot, scratching the back of his head. Then he looked at Chen Xingyan, who had changed clothes and come out. “Chen Xingyan, are you even human?!”

“What did I do?”

“You... you’re leading a good boy astray...”

Chen Ruiyong was seething. In just this short time, he had been cut off by Chen Xingyan. This was like lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot.

Chen Xingyan’s expression turned cold. “My ability is not much worse than yours. What’s wrong with me taking a disciple?”

“That’s only because I was holding back! You’re itching for a beating, aren’t you?!”

“If you dare lay a hand on me, I’ll tell Dad. Been a while since you’ve felt the bite of the belt, hasn’t it?”

“Fine, you win!”

Chen Ruiyong was so angry his face had gone red. He pointed at Chen Xingyan, his shoulders trembling.

Chen Xingyan smiled. “Relax. The efficiency of my teaching him will definitely be higher than yours.”

Chen Ruiyong gave two cold laughs, smiling without speaking.

Yes.

That was because Cheng Yao was shameless.