Shadow Empire

Chapter 1078 Attack, Business, and Work
"Alright, that's all for today!" The coach clapped his hands, and everyone in the boxing gym who was sparring, training, and hitting the punching bag breathed a sigh of relief.

The day's training has come to an end, and for everyone here, this sound is perhaps as beautiful as heavenly music.

The boxing gym has a fairly high profile in the industry because of its star player, Ethan.

Previously, they might have needed some financial assistance from Lance to keep the gym running.

But now, the fees paid by young people who come here simply to learn boxing are enough to cover the operating expenses of the entire gym and even generate a considerable profit.

The coach is a very strict person. Even young people who blindly want to follow the trend and learn from him are trained very rigorously.

Not everyone can handle it; some people come a few times and then stop, so the money they paid is essentially wasted.

Some people are still persisting, not just to avoid wasting their money, but more importantly because they can genuinely learn something valuable from it.

Although it's a bit tough, there are basically only two types of people who are willing to spend money to learn boxing and study here for a long time.

One type wants to improve their quality of life by becoming a good boxer, even if it's just a blue-collar boxer, they still have their own status and income in the boxing world.

Another type is those who are simply rich and passionate about boxing. They don't need to think about the future; as long as boxing doesn't bore them, they will practice with full concentration and integrate into the group.

People clapped to encourage each other, congratulated each other on completing another day of training, and praised each other for improving their skills.

This is also a unique feature here; compared to other boxing gyms, it seems to have a more... commercial atmosphere?

Actually, that's not the case. In the beginning, when there weren't many people in the boxing gym, it was always the coach who clapped to praise Ethan for improving his skills.

Later, as more students joined, they began to applaud and praise each other, which became a unique feature of the gym and has been preserved ever since.

The dozen or so trainees didn't leave. Instead, they wiped their sweat as they came to the main arena, where Ethan was training.

Scientific training.

Lance's previous conversation with him suggested that he try scientific training and playing style, and he said he would consider it. But that was actually his way of implicitly agreeing.

The coach has been training Ethan using relatively scientific training methods and playing styles, for example, right now—

There were two people in the ring, both wearing full protective gear, and they were constantly attacking Ethan.

Ethan couldn't retaliate; he could only dodge. Sometimes, if he couldn't dodge, he had to quickly distinguish which punch was a heavy one and which was a light one, and then take the hit head-on.

This training method teaches Ethan to dodge more effectively.

In the past, people thought that hiding was a disgrace to warriors, and that real men never flinch when facing danger and attack.

However, with the emergence and validation of scientific training and fighting techniques, dodging has become a skill that people in the ring must at least know, if not be proficient in.

The crowd below the ring watched as Ethan, covered in sweat, dodged the attacks of his two sparring partners. Although he still took a punch quite often, his overall movements were very fluid.

Such training is actually very tedious, but Ethan's perseverance has impressed many people.

The coach likes him. He is very serious and hardworking. In addition, he is a "big star". His behavior is spurring on all the fighters in the gym, making them work even harder.

After practicing for another twenty minutes, Ethan finally finished his training session for the day.

"How are you feeling?" The coach walked up behind Ethan and started massaging his shoulders.

Ethan was panting heavily, unable to fight back, only able to dodge and take hits. This training was simply hell!

But its effects are also very obvious.

Ethan, who had just started this kind of training, basically became a target. He was not used to this dodging combat mode, and his sparring partner always treated him like a punching bag.

However, as the training time continued to increase, he gradually mastered the way of dodging. Now, relying on just one person to train him is no longer very effective, so two people were arranged to train him.

Ethan nodded between breaths, "It's alright. I've clearly improved a lot compared to before, and I've also made some progress in stamina management. Even if I don't knock down my opponent in the first seven rounds, I don't have to worry too much about stamina."

These are all positive aspects. The coach is very satisfied with his progress. "In a few days, I'll help you find a better sparring partner, a real-game sparring partner."

Ethan didn't object. He knew very well that this was exactly what he needed: a real combat sparring partner to help him fully absorb the knowledge, experience, and insights he had gained.

After the coach arranged the training plan for tomorrow, he left on his own initiative. He knew that everyone was tired after a long day and the last person they wanted to see was him.

As soon as the coach left, everyone gathered around and chatted with Ethan for a while. The reason they came here was because they saw Ethan was here.

Ethan was also willing to chat with them, which was a way for him to relax.

Another ten minutes or so passed, and Ethan stood up, and the others knew he was going back.

In the eyes of these people, Ethan was like an ascetic, maintaining strict requirements for himself.

He never went out to fool around with other students, and of course he wouldn't go out by himself either. He lived a very simple life, going between two points every day.

He's either at the boxing gym or at home; he rarely goes anywhere else.

In his own words, life is still long, and there are still decades to come to enjoy it all.

Why not pursue the life you want most when you are young and full of energy?

People find it hard to understand his asceticism, since the people of the Federation pursue freedom, happiness, and unrestrained enjoyment, rather than rigidly adhering to their own set schedules.

He took a shower, changed into casual clothes, and walked out of the boxing gym with a backpack.

He lives just across the street from his place, about 300 meters away. Walking to and from the boxing gym every day is a way for Ethan to relax and enjoy himself.

He enjoyed this feeling, walking alone on the city streets, as if he were detached from the city, able to perceive the rhythms and changes of the city and even the world.

He felt a sense of loneliness, but he didn't dislike it; on the contrary, he liked it.

He greeted people, said goodbye, and then embarked on this not-so-long, solitary journey.

His mind was still filled with reflections and takeaways from today's training. It was already past six o'clock in the evening. After he got back to his lodgings, he would get something to eat, read a book for a while, and then he could rest.

As he was walking, two cars suddenly swerved and sped towards him from the opposite lane. He dodged, and the two cars came to rest on the sidewalk. Ethan frowned, staring at the people inside the two cars. The next second, the car doors were pulled open, and a group of people got out.

They were all wearing masks, carrying sticks, and staring at Ethan with hostile eyes.

Ethan took a deep breath, turned and ran...

"It's a pleasure to do business with you!" Lance shook hands with the gentleman in front of him, then took two glasses of wine from the tray held by the person next to him, and handed one of them to the other man.

The gentleman opposite him looked at Lance with a smile, "It is my honor to cooperate with the renowned Lance family, Mr. Lance!"

The two clinked their glasses together, making a crisp sound, and then drank it all in one gulp.

There wasn't much wine in the glass, just a sip, about an ounce, which was just right to finish in one gulp.

It's just a ritualistic thing. Federals like rituals; it makes them feel like their lives are modern and sophisticated.

Lance is negotiating a liquor supply partnership with a local gang. Liquor prices in New Gold City are high, referring to cost price, which is significantly higher than prices in the south, due to a variety of reasons.

Someone approached Lance, discussing a stable supply of alcoholic beverages. Lance had no reason to refuse, and the price offered was also very reasonable.

Over the past two days, Lance conducted a background check and confirmed that this was indeed a gang operating a smuggled liquor business. It wasn't particularly large, and it had been around for a long time.

They didn't need too much alcohol, but the real purpose of this collaboration wasn't about how much money they would make, but rather about getting Lans's alcohol into the Golden State market.

It's not just Xinjin City; once he establishes a foothold here, he will expand to the surrounding areas and eventually seize more of the liquor market.

The prices here are higher than in the south, so the profits from alcoholic beverages will be higher. Whether it's through cooperation or direct operation, it's a good thing.

The fact that someone is willing to take the initiative to contact him to discuss cooperation shows that Golden Lion Wine already has a stable customer base here.

The two men put down their glasses, and the gang leader who had ordered the drinks asked, "Approximately when will our drinks arrive?"

“I can’t wait to recommend this new series of wines to my clients. The craftsmanship is clearly superior, and the price is more reasonable. I can already imagine how much people will like it!”

Lance maintained his reserved smile and corrected a small mistake, "Our collaboration doesn't involve alcohol, but rather some naturally fermented fruit juice."

"I will include a user manual with the product, please pay attention to it."

The guy on the other end paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Have you always been this cautious?"

"Okay, juice, interesting name."

"So when will my juice arrive?"

Lance glanced at the watch on his wrist. It had a calendar on it, and it was a brand new watch with a very high price tag. "In five days, our people will give you a designated location. You can then bring your people to pick up the goods."

The gang leader who placed the order was taken aback. "Isn't it supposed to be a face-to-face transaction?"

Lance looked him in the eyes. "You want to make a deal in person?"

The gang leader nodded. "While I trust you and your gang, Mr. Lance, I hope our first transaction can be... a little more formal, since this is, after all, our first deal."

Lance considered it for a moment and did not refuse his invitation. "I will have someone inform you of the time and place later..."

As they were talking, a new captain knocked on the door.

Lance glanced back, then apologized, "Sorry, I have to go see what happened."

The gang leader seemed to have no desire to stay any longer. He packed his things and said, "I'm about to take my leave anyway, so I won't bother you any longer."

"See you later, Mr. Lance."

"See you later." He glanced at the butler. "Please see...sir out for me."

The young man outside came in after the guest left. "Boss, Mr. Ethan has been attacked."

Lance frowned. "How badly are your injuries?"

"He was slightly injured, but he is now in the police station. Someone called the police, and he and the attacker have been arrested."

Upon hearing this, Lance knew that his injury couldn't be too serious. He thought for a moment, picked up the phone, and dialed Robben's lawyer's number.

Robben's voice sounded muffled on the other end of the line, as if he were ill.

"If you're not feeling well right now, I'll get a different lawyer."

Upon hearing Lance's voice, Robben's voice on the other end of the line quickly became energetic!
"No, no need, I'm fine, Mr. Lance. It's been a while since I heard from you, and I really...miss you so much!"

His excited voice was slightly off-key.

The most comfortable days of his life were when Lance was still running his business in Licarle. He would give Lance a job almost every week, and Lance was very generous.

The amount can range from a few hundred yuan to several thousand or even tens of thousands of yuan. Sometimes, it may be necessary to contact other judicial departments, which will result in even more money being paid.

Those were the most comfortable years for lawyer Robben; he never worried about work or orders.

In addition, other gangs would often come to him for help with lawsuits or to consult him on legal issues.

Despite his less-than-stellar reputation, he lived a comfortable life.

But everything changed after the Lance family took over the state of Licarle.

The rules they set turned gangsters into a different kind of capitalist; they started making money like crazy instead of fighting each other and seizing territory. This also led to Robben's lawyer business being cut in half.

Especially in the last two years, he has started to take on some ordinary civil and criminal cases; otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to keep his law firm afloat.

Now, finally hearing Lance's voice again, he felt as if he had ascended to heaven!

“I’m willing to do anything for you, Mr. Lance!”

(End of this chapter)