Chapter 4 – Old Rivals, Old Habits

  Zedwan slowly stirred what remained of his green tea, now lukewarm and slightly bitter. Across from him, Liu Kei leaned back in his chair as the tournament’s intermission settled into a rare moment of calm. A gentle breeze swept beneath the wooden canopy above them, carrying the distant hum of the stadium.

  Zedwan broke the silence, his tone casual but edged with curiosity.

  “I heard your old rival—Shao Moon. He sent his students to compete too, didn’t he? But he’s not here himself?”

  Liu Kei gave a small nod.

  “Doesn’t look like it. He sent a representative instead—one of his senior disciples is watching over the newcomers. We already met earlier in West City.”

  He paused, then added,

  “Our agreement still stands. Our students aren’t allowed to eliminate each other.”

  Zedwan smirked faintly. “Still stubborn as ever, huh?”

  “There’s just one thing worrying me now…” Liu Kei’s gaze slid sideways.

  Shinin.

  The boy was pretending not to listen, lazily doodling something on the table with a fingertip—what appeared to be a smiling face made of cheesecake crumbs.

  Liu Kei sighed.

  “Your son lacks fighting spirit. Every time he faces an opponent who looks even slightly intimidating, he starts talking about withdrawing.”

  He clicked his tongue.

  “And that’s a waste. His kung fu fundamentals are solid. Even his silat form looks clean.”

  A beat.

  “…You taught him silat, didn’t you?”

  Zedwan straightened slightly, pride flashing across his face.

  “Of course I did. I’m his father.”

  He took a sip of tea.

  “Even with my duties training the beast legions under Goddess Diana, I make time when he comes looking for me at the training grounds.”

  Liu Kei raised an eyebrow.

  “And?”

  Zedwan exhaled.

  “And I’ll admit it—his combat techniques are outstanding.”

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  A pause.

  “But discipline?” He shrugged. “Nonexistent. Too much gaming. Too little focus.”

  Liu Kei immediately pointed at him, grinning.

  “Then that’s your fault! Neglectful father!”

  Zedwan shot back without missing a beat.

  “Oh please. I enrolled him in your school. I pay tuition every month so you can discipline him.”

  He leaned forward.

  “Where’s your integrity as a teacher, huh?”

  Liu Kei pretended not to hear a word.

  Instead, he turned sharply toward Shinin.

  “Hey, kid. Go wash that messy face. There’s more cheese on you than dignity.”

  Shinin saluted dramatically.

  “Aye, Sifu!”

  He hopped off his chair and marched toward the restroom, offering an exaggerated cartoon-style salute before disappearing inside.

  Zedwan shook his head, then quickly shifted topics.

  “So. What about Troy and Danny? I heard they’re sending students too.”

  Liu Kei chuckled.

  “Troy did. But his students are still traumatized.”

  “…From?”

  “From your beast disciples.”

  Zedwan blinked.

  Liu Kei continued, clearly amused.

  “Back then, inter-dojo sparring sessions were brutal. One got tackled by a minotaur. Another got body-slammed by a half–grizzly bear.”

  He grinned wider.

  “To this day, they’re still afraid of wrestling techniques from half-beasts.”

  At that exact moment—

  Zedwan, who had casually popped the last bite of Shinin’s abandoned cheesecake into his mouth—

  Choked.

  Violently.

  “PFFFFTT—HAKKK—!”

  The crumb lodged in his throat. Worse, part of it launched upward—

  —and exploded out through his nose.

  “—AAHHH!!”

  Liu Kei froze for half a second.

  Then burst into uncontrollable laughter.

  “HAHAHAHAHA!”

  He nearly spilled his drink.

  Right on cue, Shinin returned from the restroom, face freshly washed—

  —and immediately joined in with his unmistakable hyena-like cackle.

  “KEHEHEHEEEEKH—KEH KEHHH!!”

  Liu Kei clutched his stomach, wiping tears from his eyes.

  “How could anyone doubt he’s your son?”

  He pointed between them.

  “Father shooting cake out his nose. Son laughing like a deranged hyena. Same bloodline. No question.”

  Zedwan slumped back into his chair, groaning as he wiped his nose with a napkin.

  “I… I want to go home…”

  Their laughter echoed beneath the wooden canopy, blending into the strange harmony of a world where martial arts, monsters, and absurdity coexisted.

  And somewhere beyond the stadium walls—

  the winds were beginning to change.