The Man Who Is Always First

At three in the morning, Su Wanqing shut off Lu's fourth alarm. “You've had four hours of deep sleep.” She pressed a recovery chart against his forehead. “The Imprint requires effective training, not suicide. Neural reactions today. Rest the wrist.” They reached the gym at 3:35. Lu expected emptiness, but a single lamp burned at the far end. A man moved alone inside the black ring. There was no music and no coach. Barefoot, he drifted around a swinging pendulum. His movements looked slow, yet every weight missed him by exactly enough. He wore an unmarked gray tracksuit. His severe profile was the same one displayed on five championship posters. Gu Changye—the undefeated champion.