Spy-x-War Showdown-Chapter 49 - 48 Practice as if Your Life Depends on It

49: Chapter 48: Practice as if Your Life Depends on It

49 -48: Practice as if Your Life Depends on It

At six o’clock in the evening, Yang Yi followed Wang Wenjiang back to the Beautiful Restaurant.

Danny had resumed his usual restaurant manager attire.

He was very professional in his greeting when they arrived, but he didn’t say much to Yang Yi.

Yang Yi and Wang Wenjiang found a table for two.

Wang Wenjiang casually asked, “What should we have for dinner?

You’re training for muscle, so no need to diet, but try to avoid harmful stuff.

And by the way, you’re treating.”

Yang Yi was surprised, “Ah, I have to pay?”

“Of course.

The captain here is the manager, not the owner of the restaurant, and even if he were, you would still have to pay.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, right?”

Yang Yi let out a sigh and said with a sense of deflation, “Whatever, I’ll just have what you’re having.

Right now I just want to rest for a while.”

Wang Wenjiang promptly ordered four dishes and a soup.

Honestly, the food at the Beautiful Restaurant was quite good.

Even though it was in the United Kingdom, the flavors were absolutely authentic, which led Yang Yi to down five bowls of white rice.

Just as Yang Yi was about to finish his meal, Danny finally found time to sit down at their table and asked with a smile, “How do you feel about your first day?”

Yang Yi answered wearily, “It’s okay, but my arms feel like they can’t be lifted anymore.

If there’s nothing else, I’m going to head up, take a bath, and sleep.”

Wang Wenjiang shook his head repeatedly on the side and said firmly, “No, absolutely not!”

Danny ignored Yang Yi and asked with interest.

“What’s not okay about it?”

“He can’t endure hardship.

Can’t stand stretching or leg pressing, not because he’s too delicate, he really can’t take it, and then…”

Wang Wenjiang paused and frowned, “There’s another issue, though I’m not sure if it’s good or bad.”

“Let’s hear it.”

Danny seemed very curious, interested in whatever had made Wang Wenjiang uncertain.

Wang Wenjiang frowned and said, “His memory is too good.

I thought smart people had good brains when it came to studying, but I didn’t expect his body memory or, rather, muscle memory to be outrageously strong.

He remembers every move I demonstrate once, and the key is that he can do it right the first time.

Even for actions that are complex or require skill, by the third try at most, he can definitely perform them correctly.”

Danny was surprised, “That’s a good thing though!

A genius, that’s what geniuses are supposed to be like, right?”

Yang Yi replied with a lack of energy, “That’s what I’m saying, I’ve been calling myself a genius and you guys wouldn’t believe it.”

Wang Wenjiang interjected anxiously, “But it’s not the same for Little Egg…”

“Little Egg?”

“It’s the nickname Ah Ming gave him.

The problem with Little Egg is, well, let’s say I taught him some basic moves in Sanshou like the straight punch, Swing Punch, Jab Punch, and kicks like side and front kicks, as well as the most common responses to situations, and he can do them after one lesson, executing the moves perfectly.”

Danny still looked puzzled, “But that’s great.”

Wang Wenjiang frowned and said, “But when I use the Jab Punch to probe, he should either step back to dodge or block with a side punch and then counterattack, right?

But no matter what combinations I teach him, he only knows how to use that specific combination.

If I aim the Jab Punch at his head, he knows how to return the strike, but if I change the angle slightly, he still uses the same combination to counter.

How can this work?”

Yang Yi said lazily, “Hey, to put it simply, he lacks adaptability, doesn’t know how to improvise, and just memorizes by rote without being able to flexibly grasp and apply the moves.”

Wang Wenjiang clapped his hands and said, “Exactly, that’s the point!”

Danny laughed and said, “Oh, I thought there was some serious issue.

It’s just that then, he’s just starting out and lacks experience.

Practice will naturally make him better.”

Yang Yi perked up and said, “That’s what I think too.”

Wang Wenjiang shook his head and said, “No, why didn’t I do the same when I started out?

Captain, he’s just too clever.

Being too clever isn’t good.

But I think the main issue is that he lacks sufficient motivation.

Back when I was in the military…”

Danny raised his eyebrows and glared at Wang Wenjiang, who quickly changed his words, “When I used to train, I didn’t remember things as clearly as he does.

I had to practice many times to get it right.

But I practiced as if my life depended on it, I felt a sense of urgency.

I wanted to beat everyone, but he, Little Egg, just doesn’t have that kind of energy, that drive to fight to the death.”

Danny looked at Yang Yi, who spread his hands helplessly and said, “I feel a great sense of urgency, you know.

Someone is trying to kill me, after all.

Besides, I’m fully committed to learning this, so how could I just go through the motions?”

Wang Wenjiang still shook his head and said, “What’s missing is that drive to fight to the death as if you’re demanding your opponent’s life with every strike.”

Danny sighed and said, “The environment, it’s all about the environment.

Little Egg used to live a carefree and easy life; how could he possibly develop a constant state of readiness for a fight to the death?”

Yang Yi thought about it carefully and found Danny’s words quite true.

Although Yang Yi had lost his parents at a young age, he truly grew up in conditions where he didn’t need to worry about anything.

This environment had shaped his character so that even if it couldn’t be described as lazy, it definitely lacked a constant, strong sense of crisis.

Even now, being hunted by the Destroyer, Yang Yi couldn’t be like Danny and the others who had emerged from a sea of corpses and blood.

It was the character forged by his life environment and couldn’t be changed quickly.

What could Yang Yi do?

After all, he hadn’t known he would end up on a path of revenge, striving to become a Spy and working hard for it.

If he had the ability to foresee the future, of course things would be different now, but the problem is he’s just a smart person, not a deity.

Looking at a somewhat dejected Yang Yi, Danny pondered for a moment and finally said softly, “Little Egg, what price are you willing to pay to become a qualified Spy, one that can handle the experts of the underworld?”

Yang Yi sighed deeply and said to Danny with determination, “I’ve given up a peaceful life and a bright future.

I’ve given up everything!

You ask what price I’m willing to pay?

Anything but my life.

It’s not that I’m afraid of death, but I can’t die yet.

So, as long as it doesn’t kill me, I’m willing to pay any price!”

Danny thought for a moment, then nodded and said, “Okay, I understand.

I’ll think about how to help you grow faster.

You can leave now; go rest.”

Yang Yi stood up and after a pause said to Danny and Wang Wenjiang in a firm voice, “Don’t consider my feelings or worry about me.

As long as it won’t kill me, then I’m ready to train to the brink of death!

I am determined and aware of it.”

Wang Wenjiang nodded with satisfaction and said, “That’s the spirit.

Don’t worry, with that awareness, I guarantee you’ll be able to train properly.”

Danny smiled and said, “Alright, got it.

Go on up.”

Yang Yi didn’t move, and with a flattering smile he said, “Just one thing, can you not call me Little Egg anymore?

It sounds terrible.”

Danny waved his hand dismissively, smiling mischievously and said, “You can’t shake that nickname until you can beat them.

Alright, Little Egg, get going.

Oh, and remember to settle your tab, thanks.”