Chapter 29: I am not a beginner. I am an expert

Tan Li was momentarily stunned.

Everyone in the dojo was also stunned.

No one had expected Gu Zhaoping to react this way.

Seeing Tan Li come in so arrogantly and issue such a blatant challenge, she wasn’t angry at all.

Instead, she even seemed to agree?

Tan Li insisted that only by sparring with him could she take over as the dojo master.

She simply said,

“If you want to fight me, come.”

Huh??

She agreed just like that?

Dojo Master Gao’s face suddenly changed, and his heart almost jumped out of his chest!

Oh my, although he didn’t know why Miss Gu was being so bold, what was going on?

How could this be okay?

She was a wealthy heiress, a big boss, not someone who should be fighting Tan Li!

Besides, even though Tan Li was a terrible person, his skills were undeniably high-level.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gained fame online.

Master Gao knew his own student best.

Although their new boss had taken a few private lessons with Coach Gao, that was just basic training not nearly enough!

Even if she was a genius!

Master Gao was afraid that Gu Zhaoping might suddenly get excited and want to spar, unaware of just how despicable and underhanded Tan Li could be.

Or maybe she didn’t want to back down and lose face.

Master Gao quickly interjected,

“Wait, what do you mean? I’m also a dojo master! Tan Li, if you want to spar, then fight me! Why won’t you challenge me? Are you afraid?”

Tan Li was already dumbfounded.

He had never expected that his casual online challenge yesterday just some trash talk would actually lead to this.

He just wanted to see how talented this so-called jiu-jitsu prodigy, Miss Gu Zhaoping, really was after only a few years of training.

But how could he have known that things would escalate so quickly?

Even summoning a spirit with a ritual wouldn’t work this fast was the universe eavesdropping on him?

How did this happen?

How could this Gu heiress turn out to be Coach Gao’s student?

Even worse, she had heard about the challenge, decided to visit the dojo, and was now planning to buy it?

Could this be any more coincidental?

In the midst of his shock, Tan Li suddenly noticed the camera beside Gu Zhaoping and shivered.

He realized what was happening and immediately became cautious.

“No, I won’t fight you!” he said warily.

Tan Li believed he had seen through everything.

“Why would I fight you? You’re just a beginner! Even if I win, what’s the point? That wouldn’t be an honorable victory! Besides, you’re a woman how could I dare go all out? What if you accuse me afterward? What if you claim I sexually harassed you? Then what would I do?”

His online challenge had only been to attract attention, to get more people to sign up for his jiu-jitsu classes.

But now, if this turned into a real fight, it would be a disaster.

While the crowd watched in shock and worry, Coach Gao’s heart sank.

He knew the reality of the situation best.

Based on Miss Gu’s skill level…

He had a feeling…

Gu Zhaoping chuckled softly, letting out a light scoff.

Her posture remained the same, her gaze calm.

Her expression didn’t change much, as if she found this amusing.

She spoke in a relaxed tone,

“Try attacking first, then think about your next step.”

Tan Li was at a loss for words.

What was this?

Was she putting on an act, assuming he wouldn’t dare go all out?

Why wouldn’t this heiress listen?

If they actually fought, it would be a lose-lose situation!

If he won the match, he’d lose face.

She’d gain the moral high ground.

Then, even if she still wanted to buy the dojo, she’d be embarrassed to do so.

And since she clearly had the money to buy it, why should he even fight?

If he really did win, wouldn’t that just give her an excuse not to purchase it?

He did want to make things difficult for the Gao family, but he wasn’t stupid enough to throw away a few million for nothing.

With that money, he could open his own dojo somewhere else.

Plus, he had already learned the Gao family’s marketing strategies.

He could just copy them one-to-one.

His family had been running jiu-jitsu dojos for generations there was no way he’d be worse than them!

In just a few short moments, Tan Li’s mind ran through countless calculations.

He quickly said, “No, no, I refuse. I won’t fight. Jiu-jitsu isn’t a completely safe sport it’s easy to get injured! You claim to be studying law, right? I won’t play this game with you. If you want to buy the dojo, let’s just sit down and sign the contract.”

“ Unbelievable!”

Coach Gao interrupted him forcefully!

His voice was so loud that everyone turned to look.

“In front of Miss Gu, you don’t get to decide! You just said that whoever becomes the dojo master has to spar with you. So now, you must fight Miss Gu!”

His voice boomed like a bell.

The crowd was stunned.

They stared at him in shock.

Tan Li had thought Coach Gao would stop the fight.

But upon hearing his words, he was dumbfounded.

What?

Coach Gao looked righteous and firm, utterly convinced.

“You’re going to fight her!”

He even added,

“If you don’t, you’re a coward!”

Tan Li: “……”

“Are you fighting or not? Are you backing out now? Are you afraid Miss Gu will beat you? Are you scared of embarrassing yourself? Or have you changed your mind and don’t want to sell anymore?”

Coach Gao continued to taunt him relentlessly.

“You said it yourself! Everyone here 18 pairs of eyes saw it. 18 pairs of ears heard it. Isn’t that right?”

The others: “……”

Coach Gao, what are you doing?

Do you have a grudge against Miss Gu?

Why are you setting your own boss up like this?

Tan Li felt like this man had lost his mind.

Now what?

His face turned pale, then green.

He had no choice now.

Coach Gao was pressuring him from behind, and in front of him, Gu Zhaoping was already in position, waiting.

If he backed down now, he’d become a complete joke and the camera was still rolling!

After struggling for a while, Tan Li clenched his teeth, finally getting into a stance.

He mentally prepared himself a thousand times over.

Fine, then.

If they fought, at least his techniques would be legal there were cameras, after all.

If Gu Zhaoping tried to accuse him later, he’d have video evidence proving he had done nothing wrong.

Experts could analyze the footage.

Gritting his teeth, Tan Li muttered,

“Fine. It’s just a spar. No matter who wins or loses, we can still negotiate the business afterward. After all, she’s just a beginner, not a professional. I’ll go easy on her.”

He took off his jacket, adjusted his clothes, and stretched his muscles.

His voice came out through clenched teeth.

These two had really backed him into a corner.

“Let’s start, then. But don’t cry if you get hurt ”

He lunged forward.

Master Gao and the other coaches wanted to intervene.

But Coach Gao, as if he had expected this, stretched out a leg and blocked them like an iron wall, shoving them back!

Tan Li’s arm felt an unprecedented hardness and strength, as if infused with his determination, even carrying a sense of joy and anticipation.

For a moment, a few people were still bewildered, unable to comprehend Coach Gao’s reaction.

Tan Li was even more confused.

In his mind, he had already planned out a takedown.

He would lift Gu Zhaoping and throw her down, then lock her up that would be it.

A gust of wind swept past his eyes.

Something seemed to flicker.

Tan Li froze.

He hadn’t even figured out what had just flashed before his eyes.

In that instant, he only caught a glimpse of a pair of eyes cold, calm, deep black.

They brushed past his line of sight, not even giving him an extra glance.

Then, his belt suddenly tightened.

He felt his arm slip out of his control.

Before he could even react

His entire center of gravity was completely lost.

He toppled forward uncontrollably!

Nearly half a second later, his combat instincts finally kicked in.

This was

This was, this was ?!

BANG!

The motion-activated lights in the hallway instantly lit up, startling everyone once again.

A loud thud echoed across the mat.

A body weighing around 160-170 pounds flipped through the air a sizable dark figure locking every pair of eyes in the room onto Tan Li’s body.

They all stared blankly as he was thrown!

Only when he lay on the ground, his body flooded with pain, did Tan Li sluggishly and dazedly stare at the familiar dojo ceiling lights.

What.

Holy sh

He got thrown?!

In a proper match, there was no room for distraction.

He should have gotten up immediately to respond.

But this was so sudden that Tan Li was completely dumbfounded, his ability to think completely wiped out!

He got thrown??

No way he, Tan Li, got thrown by Gu Zhaoping, a rich heiress?

A mere beginner who had trained in jiu-jitsu for at most one or two years?

A young, slim woman?

Even if he had suddenly become paralyzed, this result shouldn’t have happened!

What was his level?

What was her level?!

Even if he stood still and let her throw him, Gu Zhaoping shouldn’t have been able to do it!

What was going on?

What the hell was going on?!

The next second, he heard a faint, indifferent whisper devoid of any emotion.

“You got distracted.”

One second.

He felt his belt tighten again.

That familiar sensation returned.

A weightlessness seized his back.

His heavy muscles suddenly felt light as he was lifted into the air

With a smooth, practiced, even elegant motion

BANG.

A knee-drop throw!

This time, as the stairwell lights flicked on again, Master Gao and the other coaches finally widened their pupils, their mouths hanging open in stunned silence.

The cameraman was frozen in place, staring blankly for a long moment.

Finally, his face hesitantly emerged from behind the camera, looking at the half-squatting figure in utter shock.

Gu Zhaoping was still wearing a silk shirt.

A tailored pair of suit trousers.

Clothes entirely unsuited for movement

And she hadn’t even warmed up.

She had stepped out of her car, sat for a while, and then immediately faced off against Tan Li.

Wait.

Wasn’t he a high-level black belt?

Wasn’t he a well-known jiu-jitsu blogger with an online following?

Hadn’t he publicly challenged Gu Zhaoping?

He was a professional!

An actual professional!

He had even been the previous dojo master his credentials weren’t fake!

At this moment, the cameraman finally realized

No way.

Gu Zhaoping actually knew jiu-jitsu?!

She actually knew?!

She wasn’t bluffing?!

Only then did Coach Gao slowly lower the arm he had resolutely held in front of everyone.

A mysterious smile crept onto his face one filled with satisfaction, yet tinged with an inexplicable urge to cry.

Who could understand him?

He had been thrown so many times.

Over and over again, for so many days!

Even Miss Gu had praised him for being throw-able!

Finally, someone else could experience his suffering!

Miss Gu’s throws

They were truly a masterpiece.

Once she engaged, there was no escape.

Not for him, Coach Gao.

And not for you, Tan Li!

Gu Zhaoping pinned Tan Li’s hands, locking him firmly to the ground.

Though his combat skills were far superior to Gu Zhaoyan’s, his earlier complacency and distraction had given her too many openings.

That was all she needed to execute her signature locks, leaving Tan Li utterly immobilized.

Gu Zhaoping tilted her head slightly.

Squatting above him, she asked,

“How else do you want to fight?”

She slowly bent his arm backward, pressing it onto his back.

From a distance, she looked terrifyingly elegant.

The loose yet perfectly tailored silk shirt.

The rolled-up cuffs revealing toned forearms, a pearl-studded watch glinting on her wrist.

Her hair, neatly combed back into a sleek style.

Even the luxurious brand-name flats she wore

The soft leather creased gently against the mat as she crouched.

“Is this enough?”

Tan Li’s pupils shrank.

He hadn’t even had time to speak!

But it was as if Gu Zhaoping had already made a judgment from his reaction.

Coolly, she arched a brow.

“Not enough.”

Then, her arm stretched out.

She grabbed Tan Li’s waistband And lifted Tan Li Had absolutely no time to react!

Coach Gao turned his face away, gloating yet unable to bear watching.

“Bang!”

A bear hug slam!

“Bang!”

A sweeping hook!

“Bang!!”

An over-the-shoulder throw!!

Coach Gao closed his eyes and shook his head.

The other coaches were all dumbfounded.

The voice-activated lights flickered on!

Off.

On!

Off!

Coach Gao only felt the stairway’s voice-activated lights flashing on and off in his face.

He couldn’t help but click his tongue twice and shake his head with deep regret.

Tan Li was so stubborn that it felt like he might actually start enjoying getting thrown.

If he wanted a reward, he should have just said so instead of insisting on a match before signing the contract.

Hmm, it seemed like Miss Gu had really been holding back on him before, treating him as just another sparring partner and even going easy.

But as for this guy who came knocking on her door asking for a beating, she had no reason to show mercy.

A disposable sandbag who would say no to that?

“Is this enough?”

Gu Zhaoping asked again.

Tan Li shuddered all over, and before she could decide he still needed more, he immediately blurted out,

“Enough, enough, more than enough! Completely enough! Let’s sign the contract, right now, immediately!”

He was covered in bruises and swelling all over.

He really couldn’t take it anymore good heavens, he was about to go crazy!

Only then did Gu Zhaoping stop.

At this moment, she finally responded to what Tan Li had arrogantly said to her earlier

“You’re just a beginner. I won’t fight you. Even if I win, so what? I’d have to go easy on you.”

“I’m not a beginner,”

Gu Zhaoping squatted down and said calmly.

She even smiled, as if generously forgiving his mistake.

“I’m an expert.”

…

…

Shock.

Silence.

The silence was deafening.

Hearing this, Tan Li trembled all over, on the verge of tears.

Gu Zhaoping what kind of person was she?

She wasn’t like those students in class who just used him as a sparring partner!

Her throws were real, the kind used in actual fights, treating him as an enemy, a true opponent!

Even more ruthless and relentless than professional fighters constrained by competition rules!

Wait.

Tan Li suddenly realized why did it feel like Gu Zhaoping was actually enjoying throwing him around?

Tan Li finally broke down.

What the hell was going on?

How did things end up like this?!

How was he supposed to know that this wealthy lady really knew Jiu-Jitsu?!

And how was she this good at it?!

If she was this skilled, why did she even take lessons from Coach Gao?

Was she scamming people?

And on that show, why did she just say she was “good at it”?

Good at it?!

This wasn’t skill this was a monopoly!

He had been completely deceived.

That classmate who leaked the news, just you wait!

This was straight-up a death trap!

A death trap!

Gu Zhaoping stood up and said,

“Let’s go sign the contract.”

Watching Tan Li, whose face was swollen and bruised, stumbling as he was dragged forward by Gu Zhaoping out of the training room

The cameraman fell into a long state of shock.

No one had told him that today’s shoot would include something like this.

Just then, his phone rang.

Hurriedly, he answered it was the director.

“Hey, did you manage to film anything from Gu Zhaoping’s side?”

The director, planning the next episode’s recording, sounded impatient while checking in on the cameraman.

He still had no idea what kind of footage he’d get from her, but chances were, it would be even more absurd than her self-introduction.

“…I filmed it.”

The cameraman’s voice trembled.

He looked down at the freshly recorded memory card in his hand, his hands shaking, terrified he might break it.

“I…I filmed it.”