16: Section 16

"Come! Attack me with the moves you've learned." Mark's voice was steady; though he looked relaxed, he actually left no openings.

Jing Yuan suddenly lunged, aiming a straight punch directly at Mark's face.

Mark immediately raised his arm to block.

Bang!

A dull thud sounded, and a smile appeared on Mark's face behind his arm.

Mark parried Jing Yuan's attack and then gave a low growl: "I'm making my move!"

Mark feinted with a left hook followed by a right whip kick; Jing Yuan was fooled, and his footing faltered.

Mark took the opportunity to unleash a combo, with every strike landing on Jing Yuan.

Jing Yuan felt as if a dozen solid iron weights had suddenly smashed into him!

Compared to Mark, those guys from the Law Enforcement Office had fists as soft as cotton.

"Hey, this kid is really tough. He took a dozen punches from the Captain and can still stand up!"

The onlookers below the stage began to whisper among themselves.

Mark gave Jing Yuan an opening to adjust his footing.

Once steady, Jing Yuan mirrored Mark's move, feinting with a left hook followed by a right whip kick, but Mark blocked it with his knee.

Immediately after, Jing Yuan unleashed another combo, but Mark simply leaned back and tilted his body slightly, easily dodging Jing Yuan's attacks.

Mark was indeed experienced; he could easily neutralize any of Jing Yuan's attacks.

"What? Haven't gotten into the zone yet?" Mark teased.

Jing Yuan indeed hadn't gotten into the zone yet.

He held his breath and focused, quietly releasing his Mental Power.

Relying on his eyes alone, Jing Yuan really couldn't fully capture Mark's movements, but it was different with Mental Power perception.

"Whew!" The look in Jing Yuan's eyes changed.

Mark knew Jing Yuan was getting serious, and he said, "I'm going to get serious too!"

Mark punched directly, his fist even whistling through the air.

The power and speed of this punch were so great that everyone below knew no one could take this hit from the Captain.

However, Jing Yuan's next move shocked everyone.

Jing Yuan also threw a punch, meeting Mark's fist head-on.

Bang!

The two were evenly matched!

Mark immediately withdrew his fist and swung his right leg out like a whip.

Bang!

Their legs collided at the same time!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The two launched a storm-like offensive.

Mark punched Jing Yuan in the face, and Jing Yuan punched Mark in the face.

Their fists were like phantoms, coming and going like the wind.

Everyone below the stage was stunned!

Mark was recognized as powerful; on the Lighthouse, no one could fight him to this extent.

Both sides exchanged punches and kicks without any hesitation.

The two fighters were thoroughly enjoying themselves, and the audience below cheered in excitement.

They fought for dozens of rounds, only ending when Jing Yuan's physical strength was exhausted.

Mark looked like he could still go on, but he didn't continue.

In other words, the match ended in a draw.

A gratified smile appeared on Mark's face; he wished there were as many warriors like Jing Yuan as possible.

Chapter 16: Charles's Recruitment

The news of Mark and Jing Yuan fighting to a draw in training quickly spread.

No one expected that someone capable of rivaling Captain Mark would appear on the Lighthouse.

In the upper levels of the Lighthouse, in Charles's residence.

The habitually temperamental Charles had become increasingly unstable lately.

His recent small schemes against Mark had failed one after another, and all of this was thanks to Jing Yuan.

Now, he heard more news. This Jing Yuan could actually rival Mark in combat power!

Although Jing Yuan had a record of defeating a dozen Law Enforcers before, Charles hadn't taken it seriously. He knew exactly what his subordinates were worth.

But being able to draw with Mark definitely meant he was among the top combatants of the Lighthouse.

Mark was already strong, and now with Jing Yuan by his side, how could Charles not be angry?

"Lord Leader!" The slender Light Bearer, Fan Lü, walked over, lightly stroking Charles's chest and said, "Jing Yuan is different from Mark. Captain Mark has the deep trust of the City Lord and is himself the Wilderness Hunter Commander; his status is equal to yours, Lord Leader. Captain Mark is your competitor. But Jing Yuan is just a newcomer. I think the City Lord's intention is for you to recruit Jing Yuan, not to make an enemy of him and hand him over to Mark."

Fan Lü's words gave Charles a sudden realization.

"Then tell me, how should we recruit Jing Yuan?"

"It's actually very simple. What do people need most? Among those needs, which can Captain Mark provide, and which can't he? As long as we can give Jing Yuan what he wants but can't get, he can be used by us."

Charles thought for a moment and smiled sinisterly, "Good! Go and invite Jing Yuan to come over."

...Another early morning, Jing Yuan and his three roommates headed out, preparing to go to the Armament Preparation Depot for training.

Suddenly, a slender and cute girl appeared in front of him.

Behind the girl were two Law Enforcers.

Jing Yuan was puzzled: People from the Law Enforcement Office? What kind of trouble is Charles trying to stir up now?

"Hello, Jing Yuan!" Fan Lü introduced herself, "I am Light Bearer Fan Lü."

"Fan Lü? Vandy? Two Light Bearers?"

Jing Yuan then realized that Light Bearer was just a religious title.

"Does the Lord Leader have business with me?"

Jing Yuan knew that Charles must be looking for him; otherwise, why would Fan Lü come?

"Yes. The Lord Leader invites you to the Light and Shadow Society for a talk." Fan Lü's voice was gentle, quite different from Vandy's fierce demeanor.

"I'm not familiar with the Lord Leader, and there's nothing to talk about even if I go."

Fan Lü still said in a steady voice, "If you don't go, how will you know there's nothing to talk about? Jing Yuan, this time, the Lord Leader is sincerely inviting you to clear up some previous misunderstandings."

"Clear up misunderstandings?"

Fan Lü's words piqued Jing Yuan's curiosity. Was Charles really such a magnanimous person?

After thinking for a moment, Jing Yuan said to his roommates, "You guys go ahead! I'll go with her."

"Jing Yuan, should we..." Chu Feng and the others were worried Charles was going to deal with him and asked if they should go find Captain Mark for help.

Jing Yuan shook his head, "No need, I'll be right back."

Jing Yuan followed Fan Lü and arrived at the Light and Shadow Society Cathedral.

Inside the cathedral, there was a private space created by Charles.

Beside a long dining table, Charles sat quietly waiting, his eyes gloomy.

Fan Lü pushed the door open and entered, with Jing Yuan following behind.

Seeing Jing Yuan arrive, Charles actually stood up to greet him.

"Hahaha! Jing Yuan, you're finally here!" Charles walked toward Jing Yuan enthusiastically.

"Lord Leader, I wonder what business you have with me!"

"Sit and talk." Charles pointed, gesturing for Jing Yuan to sit in a dining chair.

With Jing Yuan's current strength, he wasn't afraid of Charles at all; even if there were people lying in ambush with guns, he could retreat safely.

However, when Jing Yuan swept with his Psychokinesis, he didn't find anyone in ambush.

Charles sat at the head of the table and shouted to the side, "Bring it out!"

Several maids came over with trays, first placing the cutlery, then the meal coupons, and finally opening the lids to reveal a fragrant steak in front of Jing Yuan.

Even Jing Yuan couldn't help but be startled.