Chapter 155: Strength

Everyone has moments in their life that leave a huge impact, events that can fundamentally change who they are. These turning points are rare, even over a whole lifetime.

For Leng Ji, the first major turning point was in his childhood, when his father left the family.

He didn't have many memories of his father. In the few he did have, his father was usually at a gambling table. So, his father's absence left a bigger impression than his presence ever did. Leng Ji had spent his life trying to escape the shadow of his parents' absence, but he didn't really miss his father that much.

Instead, it was his mother who had a greater influence on him, raising him on her own.

Like many people, he didn't have clear memories of his childhood, just fragments. He remembered beating up a kid at school who tried to steal his homework. He also recalled coming home after getting beaten up, with his mother crying as she comforted him.

These experiences led him to a simple conclusion early on: strength is what matters. To make the world treat you kindly, you have to show it your strength.

So, Leng Ji decided to be the one with the strongest fist.

...

Through his computer screen, Chu Cheng watched as Leng Ji started to move. He was suspended like a figure on a cross, with his hands and feet bound by a black mass that looked like thick tree vines.

Suddenly, as if sensing an intruder, the strange substance spread over his arms and legs, then covered his torso, wrapped his head like a helmet, and finally encased his whole body. Leng Ji was now fully covered in a bizarre armor, transforming into something beyond human.

With this transformation complete, Leng Ji regained full control of his limbs. He leapt down from a height, landing heavily on the ground. The black substance engulfed his face, making his features unrecognizable.

Yet, even without seeing his face, Chu Cheng could sense the intense, murderous gaze locked onto Batman, as if Leng Ji wanted to tear him apart.

Leng Ji raised his arms and roared like an enraged beast. Pitch-black tentacles shot out from his stomach, rushing toward Batman at incredible speed. These tentacles moved even faster than those from the previous Leng Ji.

Luckily, Batman was far enough away, and with his six-times accelerated reaction ability, Chu Cheng had time to respond. Having been on guard, Chu Cheng quickly pressed the control to dodge, making Batman roll out of the way.

But this time, Batman didn't just dodge. While rolling, he threw an electric shock device that stuck to Leng Ji's chest with a snap, like it was magnetically drawn to him. 

High-voltage electricity surged out, sending electric currents through Leng Ji's body. This was a new, upgraded shock device for Batman, more powerful than the older model.

Designed to take down super-enhanced humans and overload exoskeletons or robot circuits, this shocker packed more punch, trading off continuous shock for a stronger, more explosive impact.

The voltage chain-well, described as strong enough to take down an elephant, was deployed. But this time, it didn't work.

Leng Ji let out a low growl, resisting the electric shock. He ripped the device off his body and crushed it into scrap metal with his bare hands.

Chu Cheng raised an eyebrow.

"This guy is stronger than the others," Friday noted.

"Yeah, I noticed," Chu Cheng replied.

Despite tearing off the shock device, Leng Ji never took his eyes off Batman. He remembered what he had learned long ago: always face your toughest opponents head-on. Look them in the eye and show no fear.

Because if you show fear, they'll only get worse and take everything from you. Running away was never an option. You had to stand your ground and face it like a man.

That's how Leng Ji had always lived his life. He used his fists to defend himself from the kids who bullied him. Initially, it was just self-defense, but over time, he became the one others feared.

Kids were afraid of him and never dared to stand up to him. He discovered the power of fear and, for the first time, felt important. He became addicted to that feeling.

After high school, he became a professional boxer. He realized he was good at making people bleed and used that talent to carve out his path. He made some money and got a gorgeous girlfriend.

If things had continued this way, he might have become a famous boxer, seen as a martial arts master.

But then, his best friend Jeff came to him for help.

Jeff was in debt, and it wasn't just any debt—it was to a dangerous local gang. The amount was beyond what Jeff could ever pay back. If he didn't settle by the end of the week, they would come after him. 

Jeff's only way out was for Leng Ji to throw this week's fight.

Leng Ji stayed up all night. He drank all the wine in the fridge, thought things through, and decided to do his friend a favor. 

Since he was a kid, he always had a crowd around him, but Jeff was the only one he considered a real friend. Choosing between winning or losing and saving his brother's life wasn't even a choice.

The next day, he took a beating on the field and lost the game on purpose.

Unfortunately, his false punches were exposed. He lost everything. The promising future he saw for the first time shattered, like a mirage.

After that, he joined the military.

He did well in the army, fighting in the most dangerous places, against private armies and terrorists. He quickly climbed the ranks and earned a reputation.

Leng Ji realized that no matter where he went, it wasn't much different from his school days. If you're strong and intimidating, you become the center of attention. People respect you and imagine you as someone perfect, ignoring who you really are.

After earning several medals, he was transferred to a special unit. It was an elite team that offered safety, privileges, and independence. Only the best could get in.

That team became what is now Secret Service Nine.

Leng Ji couldn't wait to share the good news with his girlfriend, thinking he'd surprise her. But when he found her, he also found his best friend, Jeff, hiding in his girlfriend's closet in his underwear.

Jeff, the friend he threw the game for, the one who saved his life.

Leng Ji almost killed them both, but he held back.

It made him realize he didn't need friends or partners. They were just obstacles. To succeed, he needed to be stronger. In the end, the only thing he could rely on was his own power. People can betray anyone or anything.

Now, Leng Ji was facing the toughest opponent of his life.

Fortunately, he was now at the strongest he had ever been.

...

*Zzzzzz—*

Batman's electric glove struck Leng Ji's chest, sending a jolt of electricity through him, but it had no effect. The enhanced strength of Batman's armor also didn't make a difference. His superhuman punch barely moved Leng Ji.

Batman quickly dodged to avoid Leng Ji's counterattack, then used his joint-locking skills to grab Leng Ji's arm. By the book, this should have given Batman the upper hand. But Leng Ji suddenly flexed, unleashing incredible strength that sent Batman flying.

Batman rolled and immediately got back on his feet. Leng Ji's eyes stayed locked on him.

For Leng Ji, this was it.

He was about to defeat the strongest opponent he'd ever faced.

After this, he would be unstoppable.