HBWMA -Chapter 75 Instinct, Skill

Time passed in a flash—half a month had gone by.

On the western outskirts of Lian City, Top Peak Ecological Training Base.

Ring X.

On the sparring stage marked “X,” Shen Qingyu swung a heavy punch straight into Shen Guiling’s right cheek.

Although both of them wore protective helmets, the impact at such close range still made Shen Guiling’s head ring. He stepped back in a tactical retreat, shaking his head hard to quickly regain clarity.

Shen Qingyu bounced lightly on the spot, teasing as he swung his fists again.

“Sorry about that, Brother A-Ling. I went a bit too hard just now.”

“……”

Shen Guiling’s right cheekbone still felt numb.

He didn’t respond. Biting down hard on his mouthguard, he counterattacked with a punch. Shen Qingyu didn’t dodge either. The two of them crashed straight into each other—punches for punches, kicks for kicks. The brutality of it made it impossible to believe they were actually brothers of the same surname.

Zheng Song watched as their strikes grew increasingly ruthless and turned to look outside the ring at Old Master Shen.

What he didn’t expect was that the old man wasn’t even paying attention to the fight. He was wearing reading glasses, completely absorbed in his phone, clearly enjoying himself.

Even Shen Zhi couldn’t stand it anymore and leaned down to remind him quietly, “Old Master…”

“Hm?” Old Master Shen looked up with a chuckle, only then noticing the fierce battle on stage. “Oh! They’re fighting already? Don’t worry about it. As long as they don’t break an arm or a leg, it’s fine.”

Then he went right back to his phone.

“……”

Shen Zhi glanced at Zheng Song and gave him a look that said: make of that what you will.

Zheng Song silently stepped aside.

Shen Qingyu had been training in combat techniques since he was six, while Shen Guiling had only just begun ten days ago. It was impossible for him to be Shen Qingyu’s opponent. Under normal circumstances, he would be getting beaten.

Just like now—Shen Qingyu was completely dominant, suppressing him at every turn.

However…

Zheng Song studied Shen Guiling’s bruised face thoughtfully.

Both young masters had their strengths, but compared to Shen Qingyu, Zheng Song actually admired Shen Guiling more.

Because he was not only ruthless—he was also intelligent.

Shen Guiling knew very well that he was inferior in strength and technique, so he never fought head-on in his weak areas. When Shen Qingyu attacked him, he rarely rushed to retaliate. He lay in wait, always conserving energy, waiting for the perfect moment for a decisive counterstrike.

“Good! Hahahaha!”

Old Master Shen suddenly jumped up from his chair, clearly excited by something he had just seen.

The sudden movement distracted Shen Qingyu for a split second.

Zheng Song’s eyes sharpened slightly.

Opportunity.

As expected, Shen Guiling suddenly lifted his head and slammed it forward. It was a headbutt.

Even with protective helmets, Shen Guiling was willing to injure himself a thousand to hurt the opponent eight hundred. That reckless ferocity caught Shen Qingyu off guard.

Taking advantage of the brief moment of disorientation, Shen Guiling flipped him down and mounted him, landing punch after punch with brutal force.

Shen Qingyu’s teeth rattled. He could only raise his arms to protect his face while kicking at Shen Guiling’s abdomen.

But Shen Guiling had already anticipated it. He landed one final punch to Shen Qingyu’s right cheek, then instantly sprang back several meters.

“Damn you…” Shen Qingyu muttered through clenched teeth as he struggled to his feet, his gaze ferocious as if he wanted to tear Shen Guiling apart.

Shen Guiling wasn’t in much better shape either. That desperate exchange left his entire body trembling.

The two boys stood there like young lions on opposing sides of a savannah—neither willing to submit.

Old Master Shen, however, acted as if nothing had happened.

“Alright, that’s it for today. Go change your clothes. You’re both filthy.”

Shen Qingyu exhaled, removed his helmet and gloves, pulled out his mouthguard, and walked straight toward Shen Guiling. As he passed, he deliberately bumped his shoulder into him.

Shen Guiling lifted his eyes slightly. His elegant phoenix-shaped eyes curved faintly upward.

Shen Qingyu smirked. “Not bad. But next time, you won’t be so lucky.”

“Is that so?” Shen Guiling replied calmly, patting his shoulder where he had been hit, a faint smile on his lips.

Shen Qingyu’s expression darkened. As they brushed past each other, he also patted his own shoulder in return.

Old Master Shen watched this with satisfaction.

“Good! All full of character. When Lanxi comes back, the Shen household will be even livelier.”

“……”

Are you sure about that? Shen Zhi didn’t even dare imagine it.

Fifteen minutes later, Shen Qingyu and Shen Guiling came out of the shower in clean clothes. Both had just washed up—Shen Qingyu hadn’t even dried his hair properly, while Shen Guiling had already applied medicine to his injuries.

Shen Qingyu let out a cold laugh and deliberately shook his head hard in front of Shen Guiling, spraying water everywhere.

“……”

“Sorry, Brother A-Ling, didn’t notice,” he said casually, not even glancing at Shen Guiling’s expression before strolling over to Old Master Shen. “Grandpa, what were you laughing about just now?”

“A-Ling Young Master.” Shen Zhi thoughtfully handed him a towel.

“Thanks.” Shen Guiling took it and was about to wipe his face when he heard Old Master Shen laughing heartily.

“It’s Xiaohua and Sui’er again, hahaha! Tell me, how is that little Sui’er so dumb? It’s been half a month and she still hasn’t managed to handle that big yellow dog? Your great-grandmother said she’s changed tactics now—she decided to befriend the dog first, and only apologize after it stops biting her.”

Shen Guiling calmly continued wiping his face.

Shen Qingyu had no interest in Jiang Huashan or Fu Sui’er. He took a sip of water and said lazily, “Haven’t seen her in half a month and Fu Sui’er hasn’t improved at all. Still that brainless. Half a month and she hasn’t even finished one apology task? Befriending a dog? How did she even come up with that?”

Old Master Shen shook his head.

“That’s not how you should put it. Sui’er has a quick temper and strong pride. Apologizing is the thing she hates most. But in these half a month, she’s been trying every method. No matter how many times she fails, she hasn’t given up. Ah… she’s really grown up. I’m so happy I could cry.”

Shen Qingyu set down his cup and glanced sideways at the old man.

“I told you before—you’re biased toward girls. A dumb girl who’s been chased by a dog for half a month is worth crying over?”

Old Master Shen glared at him.

“You don’t understand. Doing what you love is instinct. Doing what you hate—that’s skill. This isn’t just about apologizing anymore. Sui’er is overcoming herself.”

Shen Qingyu paused slightly, not replying.

Old Master Shen wiped the corner of his eye and looked between Shen Guiling and Shen Qingyu with a serious expression.

“Remember this. A person’s greatest enemy is never others—it’s themselves. Everyone has desires, things they want to do. The moment you can go against your own will and do what you don’t want to do, control your thoughts to think what you’re afraid to think—only then can you be considered a qualified leader.”

“The girls are already catching up. You two had better work harder too.”