Chapter Fifty-Five: "This Fellow Is No Human"

Chapter Fifty-Five: "This Guy Isn't Human"

Taking a deep breath, Chen Xiao raised his fists and gritted his teeth. "Come on!"

The burly man scoffed the moment he saw Chen Xiao's stance. After all, Chen Xiao had never formally trained in martial arts, and his posture looked rather awkward and unorthodox. The man sneered, "Kid, do you even know how to fight?"

"Whether I know how or not doesn't matter. What counts is that I can beat you up!"

The burly man's brow furrowed, a glint of anger in his eyes. He glanced back at his master. Young Master Ma nodded at him darkly, signaling him to let loose—if it were someone else, Ma might have hesitated, wary of their background. But Chen Xiao? Just a poor kid who rides his bike to school! Hmph!

The burly man cracked his knuckles, the joints snapping audibly. He shook his head and grinned menacingly. "Kid, you're asking for it. Don't blame me!"

With that, he lunged forward in a few quick steps and, in a flash, was standing before Chen Xiao. His fist shot out, aiming straight for Chen Xiao’s face! All Chen Xiao saw was a blur as the enormous fist closed in. Knowing he couldn't dodge with his skills, he braced himself, crossing his arms before his face to block the blow.

Bang!

The heavy blow sent Chen Xiao staggering back five or six steps, his forearms feeling as if the bones might snap.

"How does that feel?" the burly man sneered, watching Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao deliberately shook his arm. "Not bad. Try a little harder—I'm still standing!"

The taunt made the burly man's eyes flash with murderous intent. With a shout, he twisted and charged again, this time punching straight at Chen Xiao's chest and abdomen. Chen Xiao tried desperately to block with his arms, but the man's fists were like sledgehammers, easily knocking his arms aside. The punch landed squarely on Chen Xiao's stomach. His vision darkened, as if his guts were being twisted inside him; cold sweat beaded on his brow and he staggered back, gasping for breath. Still, he gritted his teeth and lifted his head. "Again! Didn't you eat? Your fists are as soft as cotton!"

"Stubborn brat." After just two punches, the burly man had gauged Chen Xiao’s strength—he had some foundation, but was only a bit stronger than the average person. With a few heavy strides, he launched another barrage, his fists raining down like a storm!

Chen Xiao fought to defend himself. The onlookers could only hear the ceaseless clang of blows. From afar, it seemed as if Chen Xiao was completely engulfed by the onslaught, his arms rising left and right in a desperate attempt to block. But even so, he could only fend off half of the punches. The rest landed on his body—his chest, his abdomen, his arms…

Under the burly man's assault, Chen Xiao was completely overwhelmed, pummeled like a sandbag!

Finally, with a resounding crack, the man’s fist smashed into Chen Xiao’s chin, sending him flying backward and crashing heavily to the ground.

Chen Xiao’s face and arms were bruised and swollen. If he were to remove his shirt, his torso would likely be covered in welts. Yet, after lying on the ground for a few seconds, he silently forced himself up. Though his movements were stiff, he stood, spat a bloody glob on the floor, and, panting, sneered, "Now this is interesting. Hit a little harder!"

The burly man, furious and amused, barked, "Still mouthing off! Too bad your fists are too weak!"

He twisted and attacked again. Chen Xiao, seemingly on the verge of collapse, quietly stepped back half a pace. As the man closed in, Chen Xiao suddenly pivoted, unleashing a spinning kick. His leg whipped out like a whirlwind! The burly man, overconfident, was caught off guard—Chen Xiao’s kick landed squarely on his shoulder, powered by every ounce of his strength. The man staggered!

"Nice!"

"Good kick, Bike Kid!"

The students from Gide Academy cheered loudly. Though they usually looked down on Chen Xiao, at this moment, their loyalty to their schoolmate took over.

The burly man practiced hard qigong. Chen Xiao’s kick, though it made him sway, did him no real harm. But in front of so many people, being struck by someone he’d just been battering so mercilessly was a blow to his pride. Furious, he landed a punch on Chen Xiao’s face.

Bang!

Chen Xiao’s head snapped back, blood spraying from his mouth and nose as he toppled backward. Inside, he cursed: Damn it, why can’t I use my powers yet…

Struggling to rise, he barely got to his feet before another punch crashed into his stomach. Chen Xiao doubled over like a shrimp, his insides churning, nearly fainting.

Suddenly, his mind buzzed; the latest blow left his vision spinning, his ears ringing as if he were hallucinating! Forcing his head up, his dazed eyes swept the crowd. Some were shouting encouragement, others screaming, all their expressions so clear and slow, yet their voices seemed stretched, twisted in his ears…

Everything around him seemed to blur and sway. Finally, what filled his gaze was his opponent’s vicious expression—Chen Xiao could see the murderous intent in the man’s eyes as clearly as day…

The burly man grinned wickedly, raising his fist for a final blow—aimed right at Chen Xiao’s chest! This strike was ruthless. Though it wouldn’t kill him, it would surely leave him bedridden, vomiting blood for a month or two!

Before the fist even landed, Chen Xiao could feel the air shift. In his dazed state, he saw the incoming blow with startling clarity—every movement, every trajectory was crystal clear!

It was as if guided by instinct. He raised his right hand and, almost effortlessly, caught the man’s fist!

The burly man’s face changed instantly! His final, forceful punch was stopped in its tracks, as if all his strength had landed on a cushion of air!

He immediately tried to wrench free, but Chen Xiao’s hand had become as unyielding as an iron clamp. The man’s fist was held tight, utterly immovable! Then, a tremendous force surged from Chen Xiao’s grip. The burly man resisted at first, but the overwhelming power twisted his hand so hard he cried out in pain, his body involuntarily bowing down! From where Chen Xiao gripped his fist, the faint, sickening sound of bones twisting was audible!

Breathing hard, Chen Xiao stared into his opponent’s eyes, his hand still gripping tight.

"You—just now—just now…" At last, his breathing steadied, and with a sudden, guttural roar, he shouted, "You enjoyed beating me, didn’t you?!"

Boom!

Everyone saw a figure rocket into the air, soaring higher and higher…

Mouths dropped open—Gide Academy’s gymnasium was built to official standards, and the ceiling was a full seven meters high!

Yet that flying figure nearly struck the roof!

…

Bang!

The sound landed like a blow to every heart in the room. The burly man crashed to the floor; his jaw was grotesquely misshapen, the bone likely shattered! Without a sound, his head lolled to the side and he passed out cold.

A deathly silence fell over the hall. For half a minute, no one moved. Then, two of Young Master Ma’s henchmen rushed over, quickly dragging the unconscious man away. Someone shouted in panic, "Young Master Ma! His jaw is broken! And—"

The other, holding the limp hand, stared in horror. "His hand’s ruined! Every bone is shattered!"

For a fighter, if the hand is crushed, even if it heals, their skills are lost by half. In other words… this man was finished!

"Damn it! Kill that brat!"

Ma’s henchmen were hardened thugs. Seeing their comrade crippled, they flew into a rage, all caution forgotten, and charged at Chen Xiao together!

The crowd gasped—even Young Master Xu didn’t have time to intervene…

Bang! Bang!

Two loud crashes—two figures hurtled away, left and right! One slammed into the wall, cracking the exterior with the impact, while the other sailed over the heads of the crowd, crashing into the main doors of the gym, splintering the wooden panels to pieces!

Chen Xiao stood there, oblivious to the terror in the eyes around him. He raised his hands, staring in a daze at his palms.

Strength… Is this what power feels like?

At this moment, he felt as if his body was brimming with endless energy, the sensation of strength flooding through him—so exhilarating, so intoxicating!

He looked up at Young Master Ma, whose face had gone deathly pale, horror etched across every feature. Chen Xiao grinned.

"I feel great! How about you?"

…

Countless eyes fixed on Chen Xiao—was this guy even human?