Chapter 104: An Unquestionable Outcome

Facing the strike launched by Dong Xin, Chen Hao did not feel as though he were facing a formidable enemy. In his eyes, the opening move she took such pride in was as simple as children’s play.

However, Chen Hao did not lower his guard just because his opponent’s strength was inferior to his own; he remained fully focused. He chose not to engage Dong Xin in a head-on collision.

Even though her strength was less than his, her technique followed the fierce and forceful style of Hung Ga. If he were to meet her head-on, it would undoubtedly play right into her preferred way of fighting.

This style of direct engagement was not Chen Hao’s forte. Although the Chen family’s martial arts, the Nine Dragon Crescent Fist, also possessed a form suited for brute force, it was not the path Chen Hao specialized in. His specialty, the Type II Crescent Moon, was an agility-based style that relied on speed.

It followed the philosophy that of all martial arts, only speed is invincible, relying on lightning-fast strikes and nimble movement to combat enemies. Therefore, Chen Hao would not be foolish enough to attack an opponent’s strengths with his own weaknesses.

This did not mean, however, that Chen Hao was ignorant of hard-style martial arts. Before specializing in Type II, he had learned every form within his family’s repertoire. He had ultimately chosen the speed-oriented Type II because Chen Ding’an believed it was the most suitable for him at the time.

Chen Ding’an had intended for Chen Hao to transition to other forms once he grew older and his body became more robust. As of now, Chen Hao was only truly proficient in Type II.

Yet, despite his specialization, he was not entirely unversed in other schools of martial arts. He had studied hard-style boxing similar to the Hung Ga practiced by the Dong family quite extensively. Choosing to avoid active engagement, he relied entirely on evasion, not even resorting to basic parrying or blocking.

Chen Hao utilized his speed advantage to the fullest, leaving the opponent’s strength with no room to manifest.

Dong Xin found the first few exchanges incredibly frustrating. Her opponent was like a loach freshly pulled from the water; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get a grip on him. Just as she felt she was about to pin him down, he would slip away with a slick, fluid motion.

Moreover, Chen Hao’s control of the pace was impeccable. He did not push his speed to the absolute limit; instead, he maintained just enough of an edge to stay slightly faster than Dong Xin.

It was this slight advantage in speed that allowed him to lead her in circles. Dong Xin, oblivious to this, mistakenly believed the gap between them was small, thinking that with just a little more effort, she could catch him.

Because this was all a calculated trap, and Dong Xin was completely unaware, she was walking step by step into his snare.

Chen Hao’s approach to sparring involved his brain just as much as his limbs. This was a world of difference from martial artists like Dong Xin, who only knew how to use brute force.

One should not underestimate Chen Hao’s calculations, as they often yielded great results. Impulsive individuals like Dong Xin, sensing that the gap was small, would force themselves to increase their speed. Such strained efforts only exposed greater flaws and led to sloppy, desperate moves.

This was the opportunity Chen Hao was waiting for. He wanted to defeat Dong Xin in the simplest and most effortless way possible, to show her that what he said yesterday was not a joke or a hollow threat, but a fact.

Chen Hao never belittled anyone he sparred with; he always gave his all. This dedication was sometimes reflected in his techniques and sometimes in his strategy.

The reason why everyone from Chen Hao’s father to martial arts masters across the country held him in such high regard was not merely because of his martial skill. It was also because he was one of the few in the younger generation who actually used his head.

Why engage in a mutually destructive head-on clash when a bit of strategy could defeat the enemy? Chen Hao had realized this long ago, but Dong Xin had not, which sealed the outcome of their match.

The two had exchanged dozens of blows. Chen Ding’an and Dong Jianguo watched intently; Chen Ding’an wore a constant smile, while Dong Jianguo’s expression grew increasingly grim.

Both men clearly understood the situation: Dong Xin had exhausted her full strength trying every possible way to attack, while Chen Hao was playing with her like a kitten, avoiding her strikes with the most energy-efficient movements.

Though they had sparred for dozens of rounds, they had actually made physical contact fewer than ten times. This lopsided match made Dong Xin increasingly restless.

Finally, unable to endure it any longer, she forced Chen Hao back with a powerful strike and shouted, "You brat! Do you only know how to hide? We’ve been fighting this long and I haven’t seen you launch a single attack! You’re either dodging or weaving! Are you a monkey? If you have the guts, fight me head-on!"

Chen Hao picked at his ear. "It’s not that I don’t want to fight, it’s just that I’m afraid if I make a move, you’ll be defeated in a single round! My mom said that girls value their reputation. Regardless of who my opponent is, I must be considerate of a girl’s face. I can’t let them lose too shamefully."

Seeing the expression on Chen Hao’s face, which seemed entirely sincere, only fueled Dong Xin’s rage. "Don’t act like you’ve already won! If you think you’re so great, show me your real strength and fight! I’ll look after my own reputation; I don’t need your consideration!"

Chen Hao scratched his head. "Alright! My mom also said one should respect a girl’s wishes. Since you’ve said so, here I come, okay?"

"Bring it on!" Dong Xin shouted, steeling herself.

"I’m really coming now?" Chen Hao asked again.

"Don't hold back! Give it everything you've got!" Dong Xin yelled.

"I won't be merciful, you know?" Chen Hao asked once more.

Dong Xin lost her patience. "Why are you acting like such a sissy? Stop the chatter! Hurry up... ah!"

Dong Xin had fallen for it again. Before she could finish her sentence, Chen Hao moved. His speed was impossibly fast, reaching a level Dong Xin couldn't even perceive. He appeared right in front of her. In the instant she failed to react, Chen Hao twisted his body and landed a half-step crushing punch directly toward her waist.

However, just as his fist was about to make contact, he pulled back. He turned his fist into a palm and struck her side, sending her tumbling to the ground with that single blow.

Seeing this, Dong Jianguo broke into a cold sweat. He couldn't help but stand up from his chair, nearly rushing in to block the strike for his daughter. As an observer, he saw Chen Hao’s movements clearly and realized how devastating that strike would have been at full power.

Dong Jianguo was well aware of his daughter’s weaknesses. While she seemed accomplished in Hung Ga, she had a major flaw: her over-reliance on raw power made her waist and footwork inflexible.

He didn't know if Chen Hao’s aim at her waist was intentional or spontaneous, but either way, had the strike landed with full force, Dong Xin would have been severely injured. That was not something he wanted to see.

To his surprise, Chen Hao had shown restraint at the very last moment. This left Dong Jianguo not only startled but secretly pleased. It seemed the boy had a soft spot for his daughter after all!

Since Chen Hao had held back, there was no need for him to intervene. The match was effectively over, with Dong Xin’s defeat confirmed.

It was a pity; until today, he had hoped his daughter would do him proud and soundly defeat Chen Ding’an’s son. Sigh... a father unable to beat a father, and a child unable to beat a child... was this some tragic cycle? But at the thought that Chen Hao might become his son-in-law, Dong Jianguo quickly felt relieved.

He knew his daughter’s personality well; she was incredibly competitive and strong-willed. If she were to marry a man weaker than herself, who knew how miserable their future life together might be!

It must be said that Dong Jianguo was thinking a bit too far ahead—the two children were barely ten years old, and he was already considering their marriage.

Dong Jianguo, lost in these irrelevant thoughts, was quickly brought back to reality by Chen Hao.

After knocking Dong Xin down, Chen Hao stepped forward and offered a hand, as if to help her up. "Are you okay? Nothing serious, right? I didn't use much force just now, you shouldn't be hurt!"

It would have been better if Chen Hao hadn't said that. As soon as the words left his mouth, Dong Xin became even angrier. "What is that supposed to mean?! You mean even if you go easy on me, I’m still no match for you?"

"Uh..." Chen Hao scratched his head. "While that wasn't exactly what I meant, what you said is indeed a fact... I watched you box yesterday and mentioned you had a major weakness. You understand it now, don't you?"

"Hmph!" Dong Xin remained unconvinced. "You clearly ambushed me just now; that doesn't count as real skill! If you’ve got the guts, let’s go again!"

"Sigh..." Chen Hao shook his head and said coolly, "Then I’ll spar with you using the same boxing style you use! I’m afraid if I use my own signature techniques, you’ll be defeated in less than a single move!"