Chapter 119: The Police Station Martial Arts Tournament

Just as Liu Yunfei finished saying he would treat the two policemen to drinks tomorrow, the door to the conference room swung open. Before anyone could be seen, a voice rang out: "Oh? Quite bold, aren't you? Offering bribes and trying to corrupt public security officers right under the national emblem of the police station." The voice carried an air of authority, with not a hint of jest.

A tall, dark-skinned, middle-aged man then strode in, his crisp police uniform radiating stern authority. He immediately slapped a serious label on Liu Yunfei. While Liu remained unfazed, the two officers who had been with him turned pale with fright, hurriedly standing up to offer tea and cigarettes. "Director Zhu," they stammered.

Liu Yunfei was somewhat surprised. Although the director was the head of the station, there was no need to be this terrified of him. It seemed this man was a formidable character, keeping his subordinates as skittish as mice before a cat.

Director Zhu accepted a cigarette and took a few puffs, his eyes scanning Liu Yunfei from head to toe and back again. Liu felt a bit annoyed—he wasn't a criminal, so why was this guy acting so imposing?

"Kid, you're in trouble," Director Zhu finally spoke. "Zhou Jinbao's arm couldn't be reattached. He’s in a coma at the People's Hospital from blood loss, and the doctors are still fighting to save him. It’s hard to say what the outcome will be. The Zhou family is charging you with intentional injury. Even if he survives, it still counts as a severe injury."

"He got what he deserved. I was acting in self-defense to protect the public," Liu replied.

"His evil is not for you to punish. You acted because she was your girlfriend, and your use of force was clearly excessive. Even in self-defense, causing such grievous harm carries criminal liability," Director Zhu said, taking another deep drag of his cigarette.

"Can't a man act in self-defense for his girlfriend? Does it have to be a stranger? I don't recall such a rule. Besides, I had no idea his arm was so fragile—it was like paper."

Director Zhu suddenly stood up. "Whether or not you bear criminal responsibility is for the court to decide. Come with me."

Liu Yunfei had no choice but to follow. They wound through the station until they reached a small room, seemingly the station's gym, equipped with a treadmill, barbells, resistance bands, and a punching bag. A thick mat covered one side of the floor.

Director Zhu removed his leather shoes, stepped onto the mat, placed his hat on the floor, and beckoned to Liu. "Come, let's spar."

Liu Yunfei thought to himself that this room clearly doubled as a place to discipline suspects. He wondered how many people had been beaten here under the guise of "sparring." But he had met his match today; if he didn't beat the director, he would at least make him lose face.

Liu took off his shoes and stepped onto the mat. Seeing that Director Zhu was a seasoned fighter, he decided not to win by brute force alone and immediately assumed a hybrid Tai Chi stance.

Director Zhu was a veteran who had served as an instructor in a special operations company, where he had mastered a formidable style of military combat. If not for the restrictions on special units participating in major military competitions, he was confident he could have won the national Sanda championship every year. He was only at this station temporarily. He had initially found the reports of a "master" who could rip off a man's arm to be an exaggeration, expecting a delicate youth who would tremble at the sight of a slaughtered chicken.

However, when he saw the stance Liu adopted—a style he had never seen before—he grew tense. He realized he had underestimated the boy. An expert’s skill shows the moment they move; while he didn't recognize the stance, it was perfectly balanced in both offense and defense, leaving no obvious openings.

Unable to wait for the boy to move, Director Zhu lunged forward, feinting with a "Black Tiger Steals Heart." It was a classic move, with his other hand ready to strike the moment an opening appeared. As he extended his arm, Liu Yunfei casually traced a circle with his right hand, parrying the strike. To his shock, Zhu found that Liu’s circular motion had sealed off every possible angle of attack. "Good!" Zhu exclaimed in genuine admiration. Shifting his strategy, he dropped low to target Liu’s lower body.

Liu’s technique had been specially created for him by the Old Eccentric, Gao Renhou. Knowing Liu possessed immense natural strength, Gao had not included any low-stance defenses. But Liu didn't want this policeman to know the extent of his strength. Instead of defending, he used the "borrowing force" principle of his hybrid Tai Chi, grabbing Zhu’s ankle and pulling him forward. *Rip!* Director Zhu landed in a split on the mat, his tight trousers tearing at the crotch.

If this were a real fight, Zhu would have been in grave danger. Liu, however, had no desire to be an enemy of the state and did not press the attack.

Director Zhu stood up, pulling his trousers together to hide his underwear, and laughed awkwardly. "Not bad. You're quite something. Let's go again."

They exchanged a few more moves, but Zhu realized he was completely outmatched. The boy’s technique was a masterclass in Tai Chi; he felt like a dog chasing its tail while Liu remained effortless. His defense was airtight, and his strikes were like a sudden, inescapable storm.

"Done?" Liu asked, dusting off his pants.

"Yeah. I can't beat you," Zhu conceded. He didn't want to admit it, but he had lost. He felt embarrassed as he stood there, his police trousers covered in white cotton fluff from the mat.

"I didn't realize Director Zhu had such a playful side," Liu remarked, glancing at the widening tear in his trousers, which now revealed a Mickey Mouse ear.

"Ahem," Director Zhu flushed, though his dark skin hid it well. He pinched the torn fabric shut, already planning to scold his wife for buying such underwear. How embarrassing.

"Don't worry," Liu added, laughing. "A real man travels the world, even if he has to patch his pants when he gets home."

"Follow me. Let's talk business," Zhu said, cutting the conversation short and walking out.

The station was buzzing with gossip. Officers had gathered upon hearing the news, and as they saw the director, they bowed their heads in fear. But as they looked down, they caught sight of the tear in his trousers. Zhu noticed their gaze and, feeling self-conscious, began to walk with a strange, restricted gait, which only drew more attention. "What are you looking at? Are you sick?" he roared.

Gossip thrives in small circles. By the next day, the officers were whispering: "I saw Director Zhu’s pants ripped yesterday, a huge hole."

"Oh? I wasn't there last night. What happened?"

"I saw it with my own eyes. He was in that small room with the kid they brought in for a long time. That boy is quite the pretty face."

Someone who hadn't been there asked, "You don't think... is he a homosexual? I mean, Director Zhu is always so stern, but he drags handsome young men into that room, and the screaming coming from there... we were too afraid to go in."

"Exactly! And he’s always so cold to the pretty policewomen here. I knew there was something wrong."

Another officer chimed in, "You're all talking nonsense! He's a man of integrity, you know. Should a director be flirting with female officers instead? Stop spreading rumors about the boss. The truth is, he has a medical condition—something about his groin. Didn't you notice how he was walking with his legs clamped together?"