Looks like things are beginning to come together!
Sonny brightened immediately. "Oh, I see—his agent had a last-minute commitment and couldn't make it. But he asked me to pass along his regards, and as for the coaching fee, he said to just go with your terms. Everything's negotiable."
George Brown waved his hand. "No rush, no rush." He turned to Pedro with a smile. "Old friend, over ten years ago we had a debate. Back then, you argued that boxing should be a sport of high intelligence and refined technique, while I insisted it could never escape its roots in the aesthetics of violence. Ha! We were still young then. Now, after all these years, meeting again, I wonder—do you still believe what you said back then?"
Pedro frowned. "What are you really trying to say?"
"Heh, don't get worked up, old friend. This kid has a solid physique—broad frame, thick bones, long reach. His natural gifts are excellent across the board. And because of that, he could go either way—toward technique or power. But honestly, I think he's better suited to becoming an aggressive fighter."
Pedro seemed to catch a strange undertone, answering calmly, "Which path this kid takes in the future will be his own choice. Our role is just to guide, nothing more. There's no need to argue about it."
Brown chuckled, a trace of pride in his voice. "I haven't achieved much myself these past years, but at least two of my students became world champions. Of course, I'm not using that as proof I was right and you were wrong back then. But since we're both planning to train him together, I think it's best to establish the hierarchy."
Pedro's face darkened. "Oh? And how exactly do you propose we establish that?"
Brown sized up Jason Luo again, then said quickly, "My terms are simple. Let him transfer to my camp and become my official disciple. In that case, I won't charge a cent in coaching fees. And I'm not exaggerating—under my system, I guarantee he'll break into the professional ranks within three years, make his mark, earn his fortune, and climb to the top! As for you, old buddy, you can just assist me by polishing up his technical training..."
...
The courtyard fell silent. Pedro's face turned dangerously dark, and with a sudden hitch in his breath, he broke into a violent cough...
Even Sonny couldn't take it anymore. "Old Brown, that's going too far..."
Jason Luo finally understood. This old bastard was treacherous! That morning, Coach Pedro had told him clearly that he was his last hope. Now this schemer wanted to take everything away. Even if Jason became a world champion one day, Coach Pedro would be reduced to a footnote. It was like killing the coach with words!
Enough was enough!
Furious, Jason Luo held up his coach and exploded, "You old bastard! Are you blind? I'll only ever have one coach in this life, and it's him! What, you think every world champion was trained by you? Coach, let's go! I may be slow, but I'll master every technique and strategy you teach me and carry them forward. I, Jason Luo, will risk my life to win you a Gold Belt, just to show them how blind they are! And listen well, old man—if it weren't for your age, I'd knock you out right now. I won't allow anyone to insult my coach in front of me!"
With that, Jason Luo helped his coach to his feet and started walking out. But after a few steps, still seething, he turned back and roared, "Never!"
The roar tore through the air, thunderous and raw. His bloodshot eyes blazed with fury, so fierce it startled both Brown and Sonny.
Supporting his coach, Jason Luo pressed forward without looking back, murmuring to calm him. "Coach, don't get angry. He's not worth it. Your health is what matters most. If you fall ill from this, I'll have no choice but to go back to being a poor kid again."
Just then, Brown suddenly burst into loud laughter. "Wait! Old buddy, wait and let me explain!"
Pedro slowed, and Jason Luo had no choice but to stop as well.
Brown jogged up to them. "I yield, I yield! You've always had an eye for people, and this time I'm truly convinced. That kid tore into me—and he did it well. Strangely enough, it felt satisfying!"
"All these years, you haven't found a single disciple worth raising. Just now, I was only testing the kid's character for you, old friend. Ha! I like him. At the very least, he's not an ingrate. For that alone, he's worth the investment..."
The twist was so sudden that Sonny struggled to process it. Still doubtful, he leaned in and muttered, "Brown, you've completely lost me. I'm warning you—if you set another trap for the old devil, I'll cut ties with you myself."
"Hey!" Brown's face flushed red with excitement. "Come on, do you really think at my age I'd still be hung up on those petty quarrels from back then? Technical fighter, power fighter—that's all nonsense! Boxing has only one purpose: to knock your opponent down and win! Today's on me. I'm sorry, alright? Now come inside. I've got some good whiskey waiting—we'll talk it over with a drink."
Pedro's expression softened. "So you're saying you'll help train the kid?"
"Of course! Old buddy, don't worry. I'm only here to assist. I just want to see how far this kid can go with both of us behind him. I'm old now, with no other hobbies. Whenever I see promising talent, I just can't resist. If I don't find something to do, I'll die of boredom in this big house, ha!"
"Alright then, come in. Have a proper drink with me. I even saved some top-shelf Chivas just for you..." Brown suddenly turned overly warm and enthusiastic, almost uncomfortably so.
But Jason Luo still held his grudge. He stepped forward to intervene. "Coach isn't in good health. He's quit drinking."
Brown froze. "Quit... drinking? Did I hear that right? How is that possible?"
Pedro was equally surprised. "What nonsense are you talking about? Who said I quit drinking?"
Jason Luo stood firm. "I'm not talking nonsense. Starting today, you've quit for good—not a drop."
"I..." Pedro knew why Jason Luo was saying that. Not wanting anyone else to discover his condition, the old man had no choice but to silently agree.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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