Your Fist Against Your Pride

By nine, the gym was packed for the open assessment. When Lu entered the ring, laughter spread through the seats. For three years he had stood in the opposite corner, hired to play the loser for rising stars. Nobody was accustomed to seeing the punching bag claim the red corner. Luo held the roster. “Three-minute spar. You're uninsured now, so injuries are your responsibility.” “And the recommendation is real?” “If you win.” Luo pointed across the ring. “Your opponent is Han Lie.” The room erupted. Han ranked ninth among the league's young stars; Lu's ribs were injured. This was not an assessment. Luo intended to silence him with a public demolition. Han stepped through the ropes. “Get down. I don't want to cripple you.”