Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Nameless Technique (Part One)

“Eh?” Indeed, feeling a bit smug, Zhao Li believed he held some weight in the prison, but the old warden’s words knocked him flat.

So even this wouldn’t work? Didn’t Wolf Tyrant say that as long as you beat them until they submit, they’ll acknowledge your existence and not bully you? Was he lying?

That couldn’t be. The tone Wolf Tyrant used, and the way those men treated him in the military camp, it all seemed right. So what did the old warden mean by saying this?

Seeing Zhao Li’s puzzled expression, the old warden leisurely took another sip of red wine and motioned for Zhao Li to drink his juice. “Drink it fresh, otherwise it loses its original flavor.”

With the juice in his mouth, Zhao Li could barely taste anything, anxiously waiting for the old warden to explain.

“You think that beating one into submission means everyone will accept you?” The casually asked question left Zhao Li dumbfounded.

“If someone like Sanders isn’t enough, does that mean you have to fight every single person?” Zhao Li couldn’t understand. From the warden’s tone, fighting did seem possible, but apparently, one person wasn’t enough.

“To win, you must defeat the leader. What’s the point of beating Sanders?” The old warden cradled his wine glass and asked Zhao Li, “Do you really think Sanders is the leader in there?”

Zhao Li truly hadn’t considered this. Yesterday’s encounter was half him venting his anger, half him frustrated at his own insignificance. As for the opponent, he hadn’t really chosen.

“Sanders, former senior instructor of the African Special Forces, an expert in firearms and explosives, not particularly skilled in close combat. He ended up here because, during a mission, he used any means necessary, burying over fifty hostages and more than a hundred terrorists, which brought public outrage.” The old warden slowly recited Sanders’s resume.

“In my fifty years of prison management, especially in this prison, Sanders’s fighting skills rank only third from the bottom. Do you really find it impressive to defeat him?” The old warden’s slow tone shattered Zhao Li’s pride completely.

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“Third from the bottom?” Zhao Li could hardly believe it. How could someone so formidable only rank third from the bottom? How strong must the others be? He couldn’t help but ask, “So what are the bottom two like?”

“The last place can do nothing, only some folk fitness routines.” The old warden glanced at Zhao Li, as if he knew he’d ask, “As for the second from the bottom, it’s a cripple without legs. You’ve seen both. What, thinking of challenging them?”

Sanders, with such terrifying strength, only ranked third from the bottom. Zhao Li simply couldn’t accept it, especially after he’d just won a victory at the cost of many wounds. The more he thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed. The legless one—Zhao Li knew—and the one with no skills, could it be that female inmate?

“And you, when you used weapons, you were decent, but your last fight—what was that? Child’s play? Pretending?” The warden’s voice suddenly grew louder. “If I hadn’t been there, do you think you’d have survived to victory? Sanders could have crushed you with one hand! If you weren’t just a rookie, you would’ve been sent to meet the Reaper long ago, yet you sit here feeling proud.”

Zhao Li believed every word. In the last bout, he’d won through sheer persistence, not skill. Everyone knew Sanders had held back, and in the end, Zhao Li had caught him at a moment of exhaustion. Even so, Zhao Li’s performance was decent, aside from some shameless cheating with basic fitness techniques.

“Yes, sir!” Alone, Zhao Li had felt proud, but now, after the old warden’s blunt words, his illusory pride was punctured, and he answered, crestfallen.

“But I must admit, your perseverance is noteworthy. Have you specifically trained to withstand beatings?” The old warden now seemed to be making casual conversation, asking Zhao Li.

“No, sir!” Zhao Li had now completely lost his earlier pride, appearing wilted, his bruised face comical.

“What’s wrong, a few words and you lose confidence?” Suddenly, the warden’s tone grew commanding, filling the room with authority. “Sergeant, stand at attention! Look at me! Are you a soldier or not?”

Zhao Li instinctively snapped to attention as ordered, spilling red juice everywhere. “Yes, sir, I am!”

“Good!” The warden’s tone softened again, “Still, don’t be discouraged. You’ve only practiced combat skills for less than a year and managed to fight Sanders to a draw. That’s impressive. I am proud of you for that!”

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First the criticism, then the praise. Zhao Li couldn’t tell what the old warden was up to, so he could only respond, “Yes, sir!” and stared straight at him, unsure what to say.

“In my decades of military life, especially these years in prison, I’ve picked up a lot from these ruthless men. There’s a set of skills quite suited to what you’ve been learning—are you interested?”

Zhao Li didn’t quite understand, so the warden clarified, “I have some martial arts techniques that are perfect for you, left behind by someone who’s now dead, very similar to your style. Interested in learning?”

Such a lucky opportunity? Zhao Li suddenly didn’t know if he was in hell or heaven. Who wouldn’t want something like this? He quickly nodded.

“Good. But let me warn you, these came from a criminal, so the training might be different from standard military combat techniques. Be mentally prepared.” After saying this, the warden chuckled at himself, “Ah, why am I telling you all this? Special Forces skills aren’t standard either. I’m getting old and talk too much…”

Zhao Li now felt certain he’d just entered paradise. How did such fortune find him? He was so excited he didn’t know what to say. He wanted to thank the warden, but somehow, seeing the old man and remembering his dream of beating him up, he felt embarrassed.

“What are you staring at? Before you’re sure you can train, clean up the juice you spilled on the floor!” The warden could read Zhao Li’s thoughts and scolded him fiercely.

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Second update, striving for the rankings, please vote for recommendations—thank you all for your support!