CHAPTER 1034: CHAPTER 38: ANOTHER VICTORY

Although Bruce Debasser comes from a small wealthy family and wants for nothing, and although he is a volunteer police officer frequently stepping forward for justice, in some ways, he is still the martial artist most familiar with pickpocketing skills in the world.

Bruce occasionally catches some pickpockets. Not every pickpocket is detestable, nor does every pickpocket steal amounts large enough to warrant jail time—in Bruce’s country, the threshold for theft to be officially recognized is relatively high.

Bruce does not concern himself with pickpockets targeting large chain stores. He believes such theft does not harm any specific individual. He only intervenes in petty theft targeting street pedestrians. If the stolen amount is not large and the thief’s own family is in difficulty, Bruce will even take out some money to buy them a piece of bread. As a social worker, in other settings, he also tries to help those pickpockets find legitimate employment.

Not every pickpocket can be saved, but there are always those who can be pulled out of the mire.

Some former thieves have great respect for Bruce. And Bruce has learned a lot of pickpocketing insights from these people.

In the beginning, Bruce only wanted to better target street thieves.

Until one day, when he stole a weapon from a kid’s pocket, he began to treat this as a skill to train.

Most of the time, Bruce just practices imaginary swings similar to shadowboxing. Occasionally, he sets up a camera and lets friends help him practice (if someone asks, he says it’s for a prank show).

And the position where Lu Xuanyu carries his baton is also designated by him.

When he pulled a baton from Lu Xuanyu’s lower back, Lu Xuanyu was completely unaware. He had some sense initially, but close combat with pulling and tugging is quite normal. Lu Xuanyu had never experienced this kind of thing. Bruce’s baton swing was very concealed, shielded by his body, and then he thrust diagonally upward from behind. This hit directly on the chest of Lu Xuanyu.

Lu Xuanyu staggered backward several steps, only feeling the pain interrupting his thought process. He didn’t even realize the baton had been lifted from his own body, his mind still thinking, "Where did he draw the weapon from?"

Then a shadow flew towards his face.

Both Lu Xuanyu and Bruce wore protective goggles. If the goggles cracked, the wearer would lose. This was also one of the victory conditions.

Lu Xuanyu quickly lowered his head. That pebble-like thing hit his forehead, making him see stars.

Lu Xuanyu hurried to pull out his weapon from behind. His stick technique is very strong, even the Stick King of the Philippines was beaten by his two short sticks.

But Bruce was comparing with the "baton".

For the baton to ensure portability, it is hollow inside, lower in mass, and less powerful than usual weapons. Additionally, it needs to be "opened". You can open it by hand, open it while drawing it out using friction, or flick it to unfold. Skilled users either open it while drawing it out, or after pulling it out, flick it open.

But for Lu Xuanyu, this was an "extra motion".

He had just flicked open the baton when Bruce hit his hand with a swing. Because of the protective gear, Lu Xuanyu was not injured. Even if the baton hit him directly, it wouldn’t matter, it would just lose points. However, if the area below the wrist was hit, you must abandon the weapon, this is the rule. With no choice, Lu Xuanyu had to let go.

Then Bruce grabbed an arm. The baton quickly pressed against Lu Xuanyu’s neck, forcing him down.

The neck is a prohibited area for strikes, but jujitsu and grappling techniques can be used starting from the neck.

Bruce’s angle of force "entry", together with his submission technique, formed a mutually beneficial effect. Lu Xuanyu knelt on one knee for the first time, his arm being bent over naturally.

"Ahhh! This superhero! This street hero! Really has! Really has restrained the invincible Lu! This is the first time in the recent days, Lu Xuanyu has been restrained by someone!" Jonathan Lee almost shouted.

But his cheers were cut off the next moment.

Most human submission techniques become ineffective on Lu Xuanyu.

Lu Xuanyu directly rotated 360 degrees, breaking free from the constraint, while his foot struck out from a tricky angle, kicking the grappling Bruce.

Bruce failed to hold onto the baton, dropping his weapon after being kicked. And Lu Xuanyu took a few paces forward. Bruce had to retreat a few steps.

Lu Xuanyu wanted to stand up. But Bruce had already quickly pulled out a second baton, raising it over his shoulder, concealing the stick body behind his back, so that Lu Xuanyu couldn’t see his hand.

Lu Xuanyu stopped. Standing up like this would definitely get him smacked down with a stick. One of Lu Xuanyu’s few weaknesses was his head, he definitely didn’t plan on taking this hit.

And Bruce was already stepping forward with a front kick.

Lu Xuanyu had to retreat again.

Bruce continued to advance. Lu Xuanyu was now on the ground; rolling poison was not as fast as standing and swiftly moving. Bruce reused the tactic, a kick to Lu Xuanyu’s chest. Then followed by another kick.

This action repeated four or five times. Bruce was slightly injuring Lu Xuanyu bit by bit while accumulating his own points. The enemy had an absolute advantage in reaction speed, so he couldn’t rush. He absolutely couldn’t make mistakes.

But, he also couldn’t fight too slowly.

Lu Xuanyu’s endurance far exceeded his, fighting too slowly would exhaust his stamina, and he would have to surrender.

Perhaps Bruce Debasser only had this once in a lifetime opportunity to be on such a stage and spar with martial artists of this level. Bruce didn’t think he could win, but at least he wanted to make it a beautiful fight.

Or perhaps...

What if he could win?

But this time, Lu Xuanyu grabbed his lower leg. Bruce fiercely waved the baton in his hand. Then Lu Xuanyu’s legs explosively exerted force, flipping Bruce over. Bruce raised his legs, trying to restrain Lu Xuanyu’s upper body.

Bruce originally thought of doing an armbar, but on the first day, Gracie had lost too miserably in the very first bout. Bruce pressed down this thought, instead swinging the baton.

But at this time, Lu Xuanyu finally pulled out a baton, successfully opened it.

Then, Bruce knocked the weapon from his hand.

Lu Xuanyu swiftly pulled out the last baton from his body, simultaneously reaching out to press towards Bruce’s face, blocking Bruce’s vision. This time, he successfully drew the weapon, stabbing backward towards the back of Bruce’s thigh.

This was an unprotected area.

Bruce cried out in pain, releasing his grip, falling to the ground.

And this time, it was Lu Xuanyu who raised the stick.

Bruce sighed, hit the ground hard, and said, "I surrender."

That strike would definitely land on his face. Now Bruce’s posture was too late to draw the stick for defense.

He was merely flesh and blood, a baton hitting his arm would greatly affect his performance thereafter. Regardless of how, he couldn’t win this match.

He didn’t want to sustain severe injuries on the ring.