Chapter Ten: Preparing for a Rainy Day

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In a desolate, abandoned building, two dark figures tangled fiercely in the dim light. The sound of fists pounding flesh echoed through the empty factory, unleashing the rawest form of wildness.

In seven days, Gu Zhongyan’s progress had far exceeded Matt’s expectations. If Matt hadn’t personally trained him, he would never have believed that this tiger-like young man had been nothing more than a brute-force novice a week ago.

Mental power had strengthened not just Gu Zhongyan’s body, but also his reaction speed and thinking ability. Forced into real combat by Matt, Gu Zhongyan summoned the same determination he had once used to traverse the magical world in search of a spell to break the boundaries of reality, absorbing combat instincts through relentless defeat.

The limited supply of healing potions ensured that no matter how badly he was injured, not a single mark remained on his body. Otherwise, Father Langdon would surely have noticed something amiss by the next day.

Such intense pressure yielded extraordinary results. After a week of sparring, combined with his already-strengthened physique, Gu Zhongyan dared not claim he could defeat Matt head-on, but he was certainly capable of holding his own.

Now, the two men were like beasts locked in a deadly struggle in the jungle, entwined and ferocious. Matt, tall and robust, was like a tiger descending from the mountain—muscles bulging, fists cutting through the air with fierce wind, aiming straight for Gu Zhongyan’s chest.

Compared to Matt’s adult stature, Gu Zhongyan seemed a bit weaker in presence. But that didn’t mean he was easy to bully. A week of training had sharpened his gaze into something like two steel knives, piercing the darkness with dazzling light.

Facing Matt’s heavy blows, Gu Zhongyan moved with the agility of a cheetah sprinting across the grassland. His right hand blocked his chest, while his left transformed into a claw, slicing through the air toward Matt’s shoulder.

In the darkness, their exchanges were intense and relentless—fists and feet, every move fierce and wild. Anyone who saw them would think it was a fight to the death, not just combat training.

One was powerful and dynamic like a tiger, the other nimble and swift as a leopard. Hook punches, straight jabs, front kicks, side thrusts, elbow strikes and knee blows—every attack and counter carried the ferocity and dominance of beasts.

Still, the differences in physique, experience, and skill could not be bridged in such a short time. Gu Zhongyan was still a step behind Matt. One slip, and Matt seized the opportunity.

Like lightning, Matt grabbed Gu Zhongyan’s wrist with one hand, pressed his shoulder with the other, twisted and locked him in place, rendering him completely immobile.

This move was a powerful restraint, locking down almost all of Gu Zhongyan’s points of force. Every time this situation occurred during their training, it signaled the end of the fight.

But this time, Gu Zhongyan refused to give up.

The move was indeed formidable—head, hands, legs, feet, every point of leverage suppressed. Unless his strength vastly exceeded his opponent’s, escape was impossible.

But there was still one place left.

His waist.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Zhongyan tightened his waist muscles in an instant. With a roar, his taut muscles flexed like a spring, propelling his body in a reverse spin. Like a backflip, his legs whipped out like steel rods, striking at Matt behind him.

Caught off guard by Gu Zhongyan’s unexpected counterattack, Matt had no choice but to release his grip, dodging the sweeping legs by leaping backward.

Gu Zhongyan landed from the backflip, steadied himself, and was about to launch another attack when he heard applause.

Matt had already stepped out of the fight, sighing with admiration. “Although I’ve praised your rapid progress more than once these past days, today I must say it again—your improvement has surpassed anything I imagined.”

“This move was taught to me by Old Stick. It took me two years to break it. You managed it in a week.”

“Looks like there really are geniuses in this world. You’re ready to graduate from combat training.”

“This… Is it really enough?” Gu Zhongyan was surprised.

He had wanted to finish training quickly, but only a week? Wasn’t that too fast?

Matt nodded. “I’d like to keep beating you for a few more days, but honestly, what you lack now isn’t skill, but real combat experience.”

“To improve further, you need true opponents and real battles.”

“That’s something I can’t help you with. So congratulations—you’ve graduated.”

Receiving Matt’s confirmation, Gu Zhongyan relaxed, casting him a grateful look.

“Thank you, Matt. This week must have been tough for you.”

He knew that he wasn’t the only one suffering; Matt, too, had endured a lot—training daily and going out at night to punish evildoers. If not for his superhero constitution, an ordinary person would have collapsed.

Matt shook his head. “No need for thanks. We’re both aiming to take down Fisk, aren’t we?”

“Now your combat skills are ready. Isn’t it time to topple Fisk?” Matt said.

At the mention of their mission, Gu Zhongyan grew serious and nodded. “Of course. But Fisk controls the entire underworld of Hell’s Kitchen. Relying on just the two of us won’t be enough. We need other forces.”

“You already have something in mind?” Matt asked, catching Gu Zhongyan’s meaning.

Gu Zhongyan smiled. “Just making preparations. If you want to know, follow me.”

With that, Gu Zhongyan slipped out of the building, heading toward the other side of the city. Matt followed close behind.

One empowered by mental strength, the other a seasoned superhero—their speed through the darkness was so fast it seemed like two streaks of black lightning flashing by.

Soon, they arrived several blocks away, in a dark alley much like those in Hell’s Kitchen.

A show was unfolding before them.

In the shadows, a black-haired woman in a leather jacket, her figure striking, was lifting the rear of a car to block its advance.

Though he couldn’t see, Matt’s superhuman hearing and analytical skills quickly pieced together what was happening.

“The other force you mentioned—is it this woman with the strength to lift a car? Who is she? Superpowered? Mutant?” Matt asked.

Gu Zhongyan replied, “Jessica Jones, a private investigator. With her help, our operation will go much more smoothly.”

“As for her strength, it’s a bit like your hearing—thanks to chemical experiments. You two are kindred spirits in that sense.”