Encounter: Part 3

Lin Sheng went to a hotel and booked a room before he bought a new gray tracksuit, changing his persona while putting a hat on.

He then brought the cash into a gold shop and went about until evening to exchange part of the money in his suitcase into gold, silver powder, and a few other materials. After that, he deposited the other half into his bank.

Upon placing the suitcase filled with materials in the hotel, he made his way to his destination.

The Zhongning Gang that Seahawk Roland was a part of, was the third strongest faction in Ninghai City.

He learned from Sarroux that the gang's headquarters was in Jiuhe district.

It was not until he arrived at the Zhongning Gang Headquarters that Lin Sheng realized how the collective was not just a mere gang.

While Seahawk Roland may have been a senior figure who was already past his peak, he maintained his position by relying on his disciples.

The gang's headquarters was a nine-story building with a huge "Karsman Fitness Center" sign hanging in front of it.

Lin Sheng carried his short sword into the building, and a receptionist greeted him warmly.

"Bro, are you here for the gym? We have an ongoing promotion right now for the end of the year. Don't you worry, we're one of Ninghai City's two largest fitness centers, and we have everything here."

"I heard that Mr. Seahawk Roland conducts classes here. Is that true?" Lin Sheng could not be bothered with the platitudes and went straight to his question.

"Mr. Roland's class is only once a week, and unfortunately, his class for this week was yesterday. I'm afraid you'll need to wait until next week for another class," the receptionist responded.

"If you're interested in our combat classes, you can register as a member first. We have special promotions for members, and you'll be able to choose your preferred trainer for personal training…"

Lin Sheng frowned slightly. The person was actually not there.

"In that case, who's the strongest fighter you have here? Since you're the best fitness center in Ninghai City, I suppose your combat sports classes aren't half bad, right?"

"That's natural. Our coaches here have their own strengths. I think when you asked for the strongest, that question itself is problematic. All of the trainers here—"

"Let's cut to the chase. Money isn't a problem as long as you can find a trainer whom I'm satisfied with," Lin Sheng said flatly.

The receptionist brightened as he heard that and arranged for Lin Sheng to rest in the VIP lounge while he went to look for the trainers.

Soon, a muscular hulk of a man wearing a white singlet came over with the receptionist. He was leading the way.

"Good day." He held his hand out. "I'm Trainer Hu, Hu Zhen. My specialty is boxing."

Lin Sheng shook his hands.

"Can I give it try? I've trained a little before."

"No problem," Hu Zhen said confidently as he led Lin Sheng out of the lounge and into the training room next door.

Lin Sheng took off his jacket, looking at the former while he was putting on his boxing gloves.

"My criterion is simple. You just need to beat me," Lin Sheng said.

"As for the payment, that's not a problem. What I want is improvement."

Hu Zhen felt that something was off.

A few guests who had come over to have a look were even more intrigued when they heard that.

"Wow, someone's up for a fight." Someone snorted softly.

"Come on, then." Hu Zhen had a bad feeling as he quickly adjusted his pose and stared at Lin Sheng.

He had been training hard as a boxer for six long years and won at least a dozen fights, big or small. Given his experience, the moment he got serious, his entire persona changed.

"Hah!" He roared as he took a few quick steps forward and shot out a straight jab at Lin Sheng's nose.

*Foosh!*

His jab was much faster than a normal person's, and it was accurate too. It was clear that Hu Zhen had a good grasp of boxing techniques.

The jab was so fast that it was his best jab for a while.

The spectators did not expect him to pull out a punch so quick, and their eyes opened wide in anticipation.

Hu Zhen was a common fixture in that center, and many guests had received his melee combat defense training.

When they saw that jab, they knew in their hearts it was a beautiful one.

In the Xilin boxing technique, the shortest and quickest jab was a piercing fist aimed at the opponent's nose. If the hit connected, it was usually an instant knock out.

Plus, the technique was very useful in close-quarter fighting, firstly because most preferring to use their legs due to the advantage of length. Secondly, since it was a jab, it relied only on the strength of the arm. Hence, even though it was fast, it lacked strength.

Most would not have chosen that move to knock one's opponent out right away.

Yet, Hu Zhen not only used it, but he also used that standard piercing fist right out of the bat.

*Huff!*

Just as Hu Zhen's arm trembled and his fist stopped, he was stunned as he looked at Lin Sheng who was facing him.

His fist had missed right at the very last second.

Just when he thought he might connect, Lin Sheng tilted his hand and easily avoided the strike.

*Bam!*

Lin Sheng performed a right uppercut, hitting Hu Zhen's face like a thunderbolt. The punch connected with the latter's ear.

Hu Zhen staggered backward as his head buzzed. He then retreated to the wall and was not able to move for a good while.

"Are you guys f*cking with me?"

Before anyone in the gym could get upset, Lin Sheng roared in anger.

"I told you, money isn't a problem. What I want are pros!"

Two people entered the room and quickly helped Hu Zhen up as a person in a suit, seemingly the manager walked in and whispered to a few staff for a bit.

Not long after, a half-naked man in black shorts walked in.

The man had a white lion tattoo on his body while his arms had two black skull tattoos. His build was muscular and his body was oiled.

The man heard what the manager had to say and looked at the gym's customers.

He then made his way to Lin Sheng.

"Are you the one who's looking for Master Roland?"

"Yes." Lin Sheng measured the person and realized that he was on a totally different level than Hu Zhen.

The man was muscular all over, and his skin was firm with all kinds of scars on his body; he seemed like a veteran brawler.

A knife scar on his right shoulder was the most eye-catching part of his body, snaking around like a centipede.

"You want to meet the master? Sure!" The man sneered. "Beat me, and I'll take you there!"

*Bam!*

Their two fists met as they struck at the same time.

What surprised Lin Sheng was, just like Sarroux, this person had trained to harden his body as well.

When their fists connected, it felt as if he was punching a solid chunk of cowhide.

What surprised him further was the man's quick step back, pointing at him and roaring, "This b*stard is here to cause trouble, get him!"

A big ruckus later, a few goons armed with fruit knives came charging through the entrance and started slashing at him.