Walking Sandbag

Sima's opponent was nicknamed "Little Spoon," who had been training under Jiliang for two or three years and was currently accumulating competition experience while applying for registration as a professional boxer. He was about the same height as Sima, but possessed larger pectoral muscles, thicker waist and legs, and a prominent scar on the corner of his eye, giving him an oppressive aura that overshadowed Sima. Sima stepped over the ropes onto the boxing ring, twisted his neck to loosen up his muscles, and squinted slightly. The Gu insects in his chest and abdomen stirred slightly, and his entire body gradually warmed up with excitement. As the match began, Little Spoon swaggered forward, intending to launch a probing attack. Sima suddenly unleashed a left jab with unusual and astonishing force. Little Spoon instinctively raised his right arm to block it, but his body swayed slightly and he lost his balance. Immediately afterward, Sima closed the distance and landed a right hook to his abdomen. Little Spoon instantly doubled over like a shrimp, curling up into a tight ball. Jiliang hurriedly called a halt to the match, steadied his disciple, and asked how he was doing. Hissing and gasping for air, Little Spoon was pale with pain, suspecting that his ribs were broken, while his head buzzed like a panicky child.

Frowning with caution, Jiliang called for a stretcher to carry Little Spoon away. He sized Sima up, making no effort to conceal his irritation, and checked his gloves once more—standard 284-gram boxing gloves, entirely orthodox with nothing amiss. Sima apologized to the gym owner, explaining that his practical experience was lacking and he had failed to control his strength. To Jiliang's ears, this sounded like feigning modesty after taking advantage. In his view, Little Spoon had underestimated his opponent, letting his guard down during the distraction of the jab and failing to protect his abdomen. This kid really knew how to throw a vicious punch!

Jiliang glanced at Tu Yifeng, and seeing no reaction from him, put on his own gloves and mouthpiece to step into the ring and spar with Sima personally. Since it was just sparring, there was no need for a referee or a timer. Jiliang told Sima to unleash his attacks freely without holding back, possessed as he was of ample confidence and certainty. Sima sensed that his opponent's emotions were a mixture of resentment and contempt, yet he remained utterly calm. They were destined to exist on entirely different planes of humanity; in Sima's eyes, Jiliang was no different from a walking punching bag. After offering a polite word, Sima launched into a torrential storm of attacks. His punches were both swift and heavy, catching Jiliang off guard just as Little Spoon had been. Fortunately, Jiliang was a veteran of countless battles with tight defenses, and he quickly regained his footing, occasionally launching counterattacks to disrupt Sima's rhythm.

Tu Yifeng could tell that Sima's coach was a professional boxer whose fighting style aimed at knocking out opponents rather than winning on points. Sima was indeed fine timber; he could skillfully execute combination punches and maintain high-intensity assaults for extended periods without showing signs of fatigue, a truly rare and precious talent. Tu Yifeng wanted to see where Sima's limits lay, but Jiliang was losing face and began to counterattack with full force, seizing an opening to strike Sima repeatedly with audible thuds and considerable power. Fearing Sima might be injured, Tu Yifeng had no choice but to call off the match.

Drenched in sweat and panting heavily, Jiliang felt his age for the very first time. His punches felt as soft as cotton, and yet he had failed to knock the opponent down. Sima, in truth, was completely fine; although he had taken a few hits, he handled them skillfully by stepping back to absorb and diffuse the impact, avoiding any substantial harm. However, continuing the fight would not yield a victory over Jiliang unless he wore the man down through sheer stamina, but since this was not a life-or-death struggle, there was no need to go to such lengths. Sima took off his gloves, unwrapped his hand tape, and proactively shook hands with Jiliang, offering a few polite words of gratitude. Having the owner of the boxing gym willing to spar with him was a rare learning opportunity. Jiliang remained depressed, tight-lipped and expressionless; after all, the person had been invited by his master, leaving him with no standing to criticize. Come to think of it, against such a formidable thorn, it was fortunate he wasn't here to challenge the gym—if he hadn't stepped up personally, he might well have capsized in the gutter!

Tu Yifeng called Sima into the reception room, offering a few words of praise regarding his solid foundation, abundant stamina, and mastery of combination boxing techniques, before cutting straight to the point. He asked why Sima sought private tutoring when he already had a dedicated coach. Sima replied that his instructor, Coach Cui, was far too rigid, teaching entirely according to the paradigm of boxing matches and refusing to step an inch beyond the boundaries. Sima had no intention of becoming a regular boxer and would never participate in amateur or professional matches; instead, he hoped to learn more practical combat skills—such as how to handle situations without protective gear or gloves, how to deal with multiple opponents, or what to do in the pitch of night or during a torrential downpour, among many other scenarios. Tu Yifeng understood completely. Rather than giving a flat refusal, he cautiously asked Sima what line of work he was actually in. Sima smiled and answered vaguely that his job was similar to being a police officer, the kind with an official establishment, maintaining social order and stability.

Weighing the pros and cons, Tu Yifeng told Sima that he could teach him, provided he could produce credentials proving his official status.

This was the first meeting between Sima and Tu Yifeng, and they left a favorable impression on one another. Sima found Tu Yifeng to be professional, with disciples who possessed genuine skills, while Tu Yifeng believed Sima had influential backing and a bright future, making him well worth befriending.

Upon returning to the Second Division, Sima inquired with Zhou Lingri about obtaining official documentation. It was not a whimsical notion on his part; criminal investigators had detective badges, SWAT officers had tactical badges, armed police had military credentials, and Gu masters also had official documentation known as the "Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigation Field Agent Credential." This was specialized identification exclusive to the Second Division, duly registered within the public security department, allowing them to request SWAT support during emergencies on field missions. Logically speaking, since Sima was not a field operative, he was unqualified to obtain such a document, but after "White Dove" inquired about its purpose, she gave a wave of her hand and instructed Zhou Lingri to handle the matter through exceptional channels.

A week later, the two men met again at the Pingxi Boxing Gym. Tu Yifeng turned the "Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigation Field Agent Credential" over and over in his hands, staring blankly for a long while, unable to determine whether it was genuine or forged. If it were fake, why go to such elaborate lengths inventing an "Intelligence and Investigation Field Agent Credential" instead of simply forging a standard police or armed police badge? He asked Sima to wait a moment, stepped out to a quiet corner, and pulled out his phone to call an acquaintance at the public security bureau. Upon consultation, he learned that such a credential indeed existed; introduced only a few years prior, even professional forgers might not be aware of it. The person on the other end was an ironclad buddy from his youth—a friend of many years who had stood the test of time. Hesitating for a moment, the contact hinted to Tu Yifeng that he should help out wherever possible, as the credential holder's organization carried considerable weight.

Returning to the reception room, Tu Yifeng agreed to Sima's request, offering him a "private lesson" once a week lasting about 45 minutes. He would teach him practical combat techniques—not a vast amount, amounting to perhaps four or five sessions in total—with no audio or video recording permitted, relying primarily on Sima's personal comprehension and practice. He repeatedly reminded Sima that someone like him, who had undergone professional training, possessed dangerous hands lacking a sense of measured restraint, and could easily kill an ordinary person. He must exercise extreme caution and avoid entanglements with the law at all costs. Sima readily agreed, promising never to resort to physical force unless absolutely necessary, and even then, to always hold back and leave plenty of leeway.