Chapter 60: A Singer Who Knows Martial Arts—Or Is He a Peerless Master?

Su Bai glanced at the young man standing before him, then looked around at the several men who had been eyeing him with predatory intent. He turned and leapt onto the ring.

Sun Zhenglong, watching his agile movements, couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration—what skill!

The crowd was surprised to see Sun Zhenglong personally step into the ring. One by one, they gathered around.

As the owner of this club, Sun Zhenglong’s strength was well known to them. A retired special forces soldier, since the founding of this club, he had never met his match. The only times he had faced a worthy opponent were when his former comrades visited. Those few, exhilarating bouts were the most thrilling spectacles for everyone present.

But since those matches, Sun Zhenglong rarely took to the ring. After all, few who came here were worthy of his effort.

Now, seeing Sun Zhenglong step up once more, the audience was excited. Even if his opponent was quickly defeated, the chance to witness Sun Zhenglong’s skill was worth it.

Most of those present were boxing enthusiasts, the club’s primary focus. Each had picked up a few moves themselves, and they hoped to learn something from Sun Zhenglong’s rare demonstrations.

Sun Zhenglong beckoned to Su Bai with a single hand. Instantly, the place erupted in deafening cheers.

“Take him down! Take him down!”

Zhang Mingke, still gasping for breath from his recent sparring, had been planning to rest. But, drawn by the commotion from the neighboring ring, he couldn't contain his curiosity and came to have a look. What he saw startled him.

He had no idea how Su Bai had ended up facing Sun Zhenglong. And now, both were already in the ring, clearly about to start.

“Su Bai, what are you—?”

Su Bai glanced down at Zhang Mingke and waved nonchalantly. “Don’t worry, brother. We’re just having some fun! I know my limits!”

As soon as Zhang Mingke spoke, the crowd around them erupted in excitement.

“So that’s why this guy looked so familiar—it’s Su Bai!”

“Su Bai, a singer, actually boxes?”

“If this gets out, his fans are going to be shocked!”

The audience buzzed with speculation. Sun Zhenglong realized then that his opponent was a celebrity. Looking down, he saw more and more people pulling out their phones to take pictures.

Sun Zhenglong immediately spoke up, “This is just a friendly match between Brother Su and me. Everyone is welcome to watch.”

“But please, put your phones away. I don’t want any videos or photos from this to end up online!”

“Staff, collect everyone’s phones!”

Immediately, seven or eight staffers began gathering everyone’s phones. Those who had planned to film reluctantly handed theirs over. Long-time patrons knew just how much influence Sun Zhenglong wielded. Otherwise, he couldn’t have established such a large venue in a city as expensive as Beijing. Besides, most who came here were wealthy, influential, or officials looking to relieve stress. No one wanted to risk offending Sun Zhenglong over a video.

Sun Zhenglong regarded Su Bai with renewed curiosity. Wasn't this man a singer? And yet he knew martial arts? He resolved to hold back his strength—if his opponent was clearly outmatched, he would stop, making sure Su Bai wasn’t hurt, and that Zhao Hongbing’s pride was appeased. That was a delicate balance to strike.

Confident in himself, Sun Zhenglong charged straight at Su Bai, throwing a direct punch as he neared. The audience gasped as the blow hurtled toward Su Bai’s face.

Zhang Mingke’s heart leapt to his throat. If that punch landed, it might break Su Bai’s nose.

But just as the fist came within three inches of Su Bai, Su Bai twisted aside, dodging nimbly. At the same time, he launched a sweeping kick.

Sun Zhenglong withdrew, raising an arm to block. Su Bai pulled back his leg and remained steady, while Sun Zhenglong staggered back three steps.

“Damn! Is this for real? Su Bai is this strong?”

“In the first round, Sun Zhenglong is actually at a disadvantage?”

“Using stillness to control motion? That takes serious skill!”

Sun Zhenglong looked at Su Bai again, setting aside any trace of condescension. He knew now—he was up against a true expert.

He began to bounce lightly on the balls of his feet. The crowd recognized the stance—Sun Zhenglong was getting serious.

He threw another straight punch, and as Su Bai dodged, Sun Zhenglong shifted, turning his fist into an elbow strike aimed at Su Bai’s chest.

Su Bai gathered strength in his palm and pushed sharply at Sun Zhenglong’s elbow.

The crowd heard a sharp smack as Su Bai took half a step back. Sun Zhenglong, however, staggered seven or eight steps before stopping at the edge of the ring.

He looked at Su Bai, his eyes wide with shock. Just now, he’d felt a terrifying force impact his elbow. Even now, the muscles in his entire arm trembled.

Recalling the exchange, Sun Zhenglong felt a chill. He knew—if they’d been on a battlefield, he’d already be dead.

He was certain that, in the instant Su Bai had attacked his elbow, Su Bai had the power and skill to strike his throat. If he had, death would have been certain.

Yet Su Bai hadn’t done so—he’d left Sun Zhenglong his dignity.

Sun Zhenglong brought his fists together in salute. “Brother, your skill is extraordinary. I concede defeat!”

An uproar swept the crowd.

The undefeated champion of the Azure Dragon Club had lost? And not to a fellow veteran or a seasoned fighter, nor to a martial arts heir—but to a singer! A newly risen singer, at that!

Suddenly, a rumor flashed through everyone’s mind: that delivery men in yellow uniforms all belonged to a mysterious organization, capable of anything.

Su Bai’s singing ability had already shocked them. Now, his fearsome combat ability left them reeling.

Everyone recalled the explanation video aired on last night’s “Entertainment Focus,” where Su Bai had chased after a kidnapper; the next scene showed the criminal subdued. At the time, many had wondered how the kidnapper had been overpowered. Now, those present understood—it had been Su Bai alone.

If only videos were allowed—if footage of this bout were posted online, the uproar would be unimaginable.

No one dared imagine the consequences.

Sun Zhenglong jumped down from the ring and turned to Zhao Hongbing. “Hongbing, if there’s some misunderstanding between you and Brother Su, why not let it go for my sake?”

Zhao Hongbing nodded awkwardly. He had never expected Su Bai to defeat Sun Zhenglong.

No one knew Sun Zhenglong’s strength better than Zhao Hongbing. Sun Zhenglong had once been crowned King of Single Combat. And now, this man had lost to Su Bai?

Just who was Su Bai, really?