279: Chapter 279 Divine Skill Manual, or the Path to Becoming Stronger

"Xu Hao?"

Fang Cheng frowned slightly, his gaze falling upon a somewhat familiar figure sitting on a leisure chair in the mall opposite him.

That person had a streak of striking yellow hair dyed on his forehead; it was precisely Xu Hao, who had come to the club to challenge it a month ago.

At that time, he consecutively defeated multiple professional fighters, boasting that he was invincible throughout the entire club, and his arrogance was matchless.

In the end, he was politely persuaded to leave in a "draw" by Fang Cheng, who had returned to work after the New Year.

Although it was ostensibly a tie, anyone with discerning eyes could tell that Xu Hao had actually lost.

At this moment, Xu Hao seemed to have been waiting for Fang Cheng to come out, and seeing Fang Cheng notice him, he instantly bounced up from the chair.

"Bro, long time no see, last time... Hehe, we can be considered to have gotten acquainted through a fight."

He walked forward, making small talk with an inexplicable smile on his face.

Fang Cheng watched Xu Hao approach, seeing that his attitude this time had clearly restrained itself a lot, no longer as arrogant as last time.

Thus, he asked, "Something the matter?"

"Nothing much, it's just... after fighting with you last time, I went back and pondered for a long time."

Xu Hao rubbed his hands, his gaze circling around Fang Cheng, and lowered his voice a bit:

"Bro, be honest with me, are you really just a sparring partner? I don't believe it."

He paused, leaned in a little closer, his eyes carrying a probing intent:

"That set of skills of yours is definitely not something an ordinary person can have. When you fought me last time, you must have held back, right? And you held back quite a bit!"

Fang Cheng's heart stirred slightly, but on the surface, he remained calm:

"You're overthinking it. I'm just an ordinary person who makes a living by punching and sparring. Being able to tie with you last time was mostly due to luck."

"Luck? My ass luck!"

Xu Hao couldn't help but curse, but quickly reined it in, glanced at a customer passing by, and then continued speaking:

"Bro, let's not speak in riddles; I know you definitely have real skills."

"Do you have some kind of secret? Or... did you apprentice under some School and practice some special Punching techniques? Can you guide me a few moves? Or tell me how to practice? Don't worry, the price is negotiable!"

Fang Cheng looked at the undisguised desire and inquiry in Xu Hao's eyes, guessing secretly in his heart.

This guy didn't look like he had gone back to practice hard for many days, pondered techniques, and wanted to win back his face.

Could it be that he watched too many Wuxia movies, suddenly had a whimsical idea, and suspected that there was some reclusive expert behind him, wanting to dig out a Secret Manual?

"Secret..."

Pondering his choice of words slightly, Fang Cheng shook his head and replied in a flat tone:

"I don't have any secret. I just persist in practicing boxing every day; practice makes perfect, that's all."

"As for guidance, that's out of the question. There are plenty of good coaches in our club; if you really want to learn, you can sign up. I'm just a sparring partner and have no qualifications to teach others."

Seeing that Fang Cheng was impervious to reason, the smile on Xu Hao's face gradually faded.

He looked around left and right, confirmed that no one around was paying attention to this side, lowered his voice again, his tone carrying a hint of mystery:

"Bro, don't rush to refuse. I know you might want to keep a low profile, but some things aren't things you can keep a low profile about just because you want to..."

Fang Cheng frowned slightly and looked at him: "What do you mean?"

Xu Hao's eyes flickered as he glanced at Fang Cheng:

"The wind on the Dao has been a bit tight recently. I heard some news that someone seems to be secretly investigating a person with very strong martial skills, and the described characteristics are somewhat similar to yours..."

Fang Cheng's pupils imperceptibly contracted for a split second, but quickly returned to normal.

Then, he appropriately revealed a bit of bewilderment and a bit of surprise:

"Ah, investigating me? Why? I'm just a little sparring partner working hard in the club to make money to support my Family. What's there to investigate?"

Xu Hao stared closely into Fang Cheng's eyes, as if wanting to see something from them:

"Is that so? Maybe I heard wrong."

His words took a turn, the corners of his mouth hooking into a meaningful smile:

"However, bro, my methods are wild, and my news is relatively well-informed. If you want to know who is playing tricks behind your back, or want to know to what extent they have investigated..."

He paused, looking at Fang Cheng pointedly:

"Just agree to my condition from earlier. You don't have to teach me any peerless martial arts; just occasionally guide me a few times and tell me some ways to become stronger. The news I get will definitely be useful to you."

Fang Cheng still shook his head with a blank look in his eyes, politely refusing:

"I appreciate your kind intentions, but I really am just an ordinary person. I have no interest in what you're saying, and I can't help you."

"Of course, if you want to find me as a sparring partner to exchange techniques and enhance training results, I'm quite happy to take the order."

A clear look of disappointment flashed across Xu Hao's face, but he didn't force it further.

Immediately, he pulled a business card out of his pocket and handed it to Fang Cheng:

"Fine then, bro, consider it me talking too much. However, you'd better take my words from earlier to heart. This is my business card, and my phone number is on it."

"Just in case... I mean just in case, if you change your mind one day, or really encounter any trouble and want to find someone to ask about things, you can call me, consider it making a friend."

Fang Cheng looked at the somewhat flashy business card, quickly scanning a string of identity markers on it:

"Midnight Forest Bar, Security Department Manager", "Fierce Tiger Combat Club, Gold Medal Coach".

Then, without refusing, he took it, tucked it into his pocket, and nodded:

"Alright."

Right at this moment, a crisp voice came from the escalator not far away, carrying a hint of excitement.

"Brother Cheng!"

Zhou Xiumei jogged over in small steps, still carrying two cups of newly bought milk tea in her hands.

She ran close, stopped her footsteps, and looked curiously at Xu Hao who was standing beside Fang Cheng with striking yellow hair, asking:

"Who is this..."

"A former student of the club."

Fang Cheng said casually, his tone natural, as if he were simply introducing an ordinary acquaintance.

Seeing this, Xu Hao tactfully nodded friendly to Zhou Xiumei as a greeting, and then immediately bid farewell to Fang Cheng:

"Then I won't disturb you guys, let's chat another day."

Having said that, he turned and left neatly, his stride relaxed as he blended into the crowd of the mall,

as if just now had merely been a chance encounter, and he had never said any strange words.

Fang Cheng withdrew his gaze, turning to look at Zhou Xiumei beside him:

"Let's go, time to eat."

Zhou Xiumei blinked her pretty big eyes, vaguely sensing that the atmosphere between Fang Cheng and that yellow-haired youth just now seemed to have a tiny trace of subtlety.

But seeing that Fang Cheng didn't mean to elaborate, she sensibly didn't pursue the question.

She raised a bright smile and handed one of the cups of milk tea to Fang Cheng:

"Here, bought this for you, half sugar, no ice, your favorite flavor."

Fang Cheng reached out to take it, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly: "Thanks."

Then he very naturally changed the subject, looking toward the elevator leading upstairs:

"Hungry? It's getting late, let's go up and see what you want to eat."

Once food was mentioned, Zhou Xiumei's attention was immediately successfully diverted, her eyes lighting up:

"Okay! I saw GG when I came over just now, and I heard there's a newly opened buffet on the third floor with really good reviews. Classmates recommended it too! Shall we go try it?"

"Alright, I'll listen to your arrangements."

Fang Cheng smiled and nodded, his tone relaxed and pleasant.

The two chatted as they walked side by side toward the slowly rising escalator, their figures blending into the lively midday atmosphere of the mall.

After lunch, Zhou Xiumei went back to class to continue studying vocal music attentively.

Carrying his bag and wearing a duck-tongue cap, Fang Cheng left the club, hailed a taxi outside the shopping center, and headed towards Guanlan District.

The urban landscape outside the car window flashed past rapidly, and sunlight filtered through the glass, dyeing a layer of pale golden halo.

Gazing at the flashing glass curtain walls one by one, Fang Cheng leaned against the seat, his fingers gently tapping on the window sill, his eyes slightly narrowed, as if pondering some important matter.

A moment later, as if having made up his mind, he took out his phone from his bag and dialed the number memorized in his mind.

The phone connected, and a pleasantly surprised voice came out from the earpiece:

"Hello, Boss!"

Fang Cheng opened his mouth to ask:

"Old Xu, what's your situation right now?"

"My Family and I are vacationing in Tiannan Province. The climate is good and the scenery is nice here; it's much more comfortable than Dongdu."

An enthusiastic voice came from the other end of the phone, precisely Xu Sanduo, who had run out to avoid the limelight because he caused trouble with the golden bumpa bottle.

After exchanging pleasantries for a few sentences, Fang Cheng's voice gradually lowered:

"There's a matter, could you please help me investigate it."

"No problem!"

Xu Sanduo immediately understood, his tone turning respectful:

"Although I am not in Dongdu, my subordinates are still around. Whatever you want investigated, Boss, just speak, and I guarantee completion of the mission."

Fang Cheng then softly gave a few instructions.

The rustling sound of a pen tip sliding across paper came from the other end of the phone, seeming to record carefully.

A few minutes later, Fang Cheng put down his phone, his expression relaxing slightly.

Unawares, the car had already driven into the Binhai Highway.

The sea breeze carrying a salty and damp breath drilled in from the half-open car window; the distant sea surface rippled with sparkling light, and a few seagulls circled low in the air.

When that familiar high-rise residential building came into view, Fang Cheng snapped back to his senses and immediately spoke out:

"Master, stop at the north gate of Haitian Garden ahead."

When getting out of the car, the sunlight was slightly dazzling.

Fang Cheng stood at the entrance of the residential complex, gazing at the newly planted ginkgo saplings, then put on his cross-body bag and stepped inside.

Afternoon.

The hum of the electric drill echoed in the empty room.

The decoration workers were busy drilling holes in the walls and installing various pipes and training facilities.

Fine cement powder fell in rustling succession, forming a hazy dust mist in the sunlight.

Fang Cheng held his breath, standing in the house under construction, carefully inspecting the decoration condition.

The kitchen's tiles and cabinets had already been laid, and the bathroom's waterproofing project had also been more than half completed.

He squatted down to check the flatness of the floor and tested running water into the newly installed bathtub.

After standing up, he focused on observing the structure of the living room used as a training ground.

"These two support beams must be sturdy enough."

Fang Cheng pointed at the ceiling and exhorted the decoration workers, his voice exceptionally loud amidst the construction noise.

"The iron frame below is used for hanging sandbags; the load-bearing capacity needs to be further strengthened. Money is not an issue; safety and reliability are the most important."

After all, the weight of the sandbags he used for practicing boxing was extraordinary, and ordinary ceilings and hanging racks certainly couldn't withstand the ravages of long-term training.

"Can do, guaranteed no problem."

The foreman nodded and noted it down, then specially explained a few sentences to Fang Cheng.

For dynamic loads like hanging sandbags, adding support beams could directly disperse the force, which was a traditionally effective reinforcement method.

If steel structure hanging racks were added along with fixed steel plates, it could completely withstand an oversized sandbag weighing 500 KG.

Fang Cheng nodded upon hearing this.

The reason he chose this decoration company in the beginning was precisely because he valued their experience in decorating combat clubs.

The foreman didn't feel surprised either; fanatic kung fu fans who remodeled their homes into boxing gyms like this were something he had seen plenty of times in his career.

The two then discussed several detailed issues, including sound insulation measures, safety protection, and so on.

Until the setting sun slanted westward, the decoration workers packed up their tools and left off work, finally leaving only Fang Cheng alone in the house.

The orange-red light obliquely shone in through the floor-to-ceiling windows without curtains installed, casting long lights and shadows on the rough cement floor.

Time slowly shifted with the sunlight, and the sky gradually grew dim.

The lights of distant buildings lit up one by one, like scattered stars.

Ring-ring—

In the darkness, accompanied by vibration, a muffled ringing sound emitted.

Fang Cheng took out his phone from his bag and saw clearly the displayed number.

His gaze flashed slightly, and he immediately pressed the answer button.

"Hello."

Fang Cheng's voice resounded in the empty bare room, carrying a bit of echo.

"Boss, the matter you wanted investigated has some clues."

The deliberately lowered voice of Xu Sanduo came from the other end of the phone.

Hearing this, Fang Cheng walked to the window and instructed in a deep voice:

"Speak."

"The Dao has indeed not been very peaceful recently, and quite a few things have happened, mainly concerning that batch of antiques leaked from Xishan."

Xu Sanduo's voice carried a hint of caution, roughly stating some disputes of various forces he had learned about, as well as the conflict events that occurred.

Afterwards, he cut into the Lu Family and the Red Tiger Gang that Fang Cheng had instructed to focus on.

"On the Lu Family's side, just the day before yesterday, they just changed to a new Family head. The one who came to power is a person named Lu Yongquan; he isn't very old, his methods are quite formidable, and his city-fu is also very deep."

"This person is said to be the illegitimate son of the previous Family head Lu Shirong. Because of this identity, he has always been somewhat unfavored within the Lu Family. Being able to successfully ascend to power this time, the process is definitely not simple. Some disputes occurred during this period, and specific details are very hard for outsiders to inquire about clearly."

"However, what can be confirmed is that quite a few senior executives of Jinlu Group, as well as the heads of several subsidiaries underneath, have been removed and replaced at lightning speed. Looking at this stance, the interior of the Lu Family is definitely unstable right now, and it's undergoing a major shuffle."

"As for the Red Tiger Gang... they have been a bit abnormally low-profile recently, with almost no major actions, completely different from their previous arrogant and domineering appearance."

"The brothers on the Dao guess that their Gang leader might have a problem, or is holding back some major ultimate move, and no exact news has been passed over temporarily."

Fang Cheng listened quietly, letting out a soft "en" from his nasal cavity, noncommittal.

Xu Sanduo seemed to feel a bit of dissatisfaction from this simple response, and immediately added oathingly:

"Boss, rest assured, I will have people watch both sides closely. The moment there is any hint of trouble, I will report to you at the first instance!"

After making the guarantee, his tone turned, entering the second key point:

"As for that Xu Hao whom you specifically asked me to pay attention to, Boss, I actually dug up some of his background."

Hearing this, Fang Cheng's spirit perked up slightly:

"Continue speaking."

"This Xu Hao's foundation is indeed not very clean."

Xu Sanduo began to narrate in detail:

"His parents divorced very early, and his Family relationship was quite terrible. Since he was a child, he was a delinquent teenager who liked to stir up trouble and get into fights. He dropped out of School in his teens to mix in society, and in his early years, he joined a Gang called the 'Black Eagle Gang' on the west side, but he never made anything of himself in it, just a low-level minor character."

"In June of last year, the Black Eagle Gang's territory was targeted by the Red Tiger Gang, and it was eventually annexed by the other party. The Gang members were basically all absorbed, except for this Xu Hao..."

Xu Sanduo paused here, as if organizing his language.

"What happened?"

Fang Cheng pursued with a sentence.

"He disappeared."