CHAPTER 1454: CHAPTER 1435: COME, COME HIT ME THEN.

You can’t have the Black Demon serve as instructors, then let them be sparring partners.

Sparring partners for athletes are called sparring partners. For soldiers, they must be called the opposing force.

If any unit wants to improve, and real combat isn’t an option, then they must conduct drills now and then. Drill exercises can’t just be target practice, nor can they always be performed behind closed doors. This is where the benefits of an opposing force become apparent.

Wolfgang commands Israel’s strongest Special Forces and sees there’s something to learn from the Satan Mercenary Corps. He even tries to keep Satan around to serve as the opposing force.

If you want a knife to be sharp, you must have a whetstone.

The Black Demon doesn’t want to teach—no problem, just bring them in as sparring partners. Combat is inherently a learning process, and it works well. What’s crucial is, to have the Black Demon as instructors, you need to ask them, but to have them as sparring partners, all you need to do is anger them.

Gao Yang fixed his gaze on the old man in front of him and said in a deep voice, "What do you think? If you truly are as confident as you seem, why not try a drill with us?"

The old man laughed heartily and shook his head, saying, "Young man, your methods don’t work on me. I don’t want to teach you anything, nor will I teach you anything for free. Let go of your fantasies."

Provocation tactics always work, because even if you know the other party is intentionally provoking you, you can’t help but get angry.

Unwilling to give up, Gao Yang said in a deep voice, "I know your capabilities; you’re very formidable. But I don’t want to risk the lives of my brothers just to prove my assumptions. So I can’t really have a fight with you, but a drill is a great way to prove Satan is stronger than the Black Demon without any fatal consequences."

After speaking, Gao Yang spread his hands and said in a deep voice, "Of course, you can continue to refuse. I understand. As instructors, your experience and skills can be fully utilized. But if you engage in a drill, your weaknesses will be exposed. After all, you’re older now, just like..."

Gao Yang paused, wore an expression of regret, shrugged, spread his hands, and sighed, "Just like our match—if I were twenty years younger—no, even ten years younger, I wouldn’t be your opponent. But now, you aren’t my opponent. Alas, that’s just how it is."

No one can escape aging, but some refuse to accept it, especially for those who were once the strongest in the world, storming the scene when young, and enduring loneliness in poverty in a corner as they age.

To Russia, the Soviet Union is like a bygone dynasty, and the Black Demon cannot face the reality of the Soviet Union’s disintegration. A few chose to continue serving Russia, but more chose to retire. Of course, they were forced to retire as Russia couldn’t accommodate them.

The disintegration of the Soviet Union did not improve the situation for the Black Demon, and they have aged, yet they refuse to accept it. They reminisce about past glories but can never recover them.

The Black Demon learned how to conduct psychological warfare, but coincidentally, Gao Yang also learned. So Gao Yang picks at the Black Demon’s most painful scars, forcing them to face the facts they’ve been avoiding.

Knowing Gao Yang’s provocations can’t make it easier; you need to either swallow your anger or come forth angrily and confront Gao Yang with the facts.

Unfortunately, Gao Yang wants the members of the Black Demon to confront him. It’s not that he’s shameless; it’s because the Black Demon must prove they aren’t old through a drill with Satan. If the Black Demon participates, they automatically become Satan’s sparring partners, whether Satan wins or loses.

The Black Demon might not be the world’s strongest sparring team, but they are certainly the most valuable.

How many forces worldwide can use the Black Demon as sparring partners on a large scale? Zero!

Even before the Soviet Union disintegrated, no force could bring in the Black Demon as sparring partners; they weren’t qualified. Being able to have a few Black Demon members guide and teach a unit means that unit shines brightly.

Gao Yang’s words felt like stabbing the hearts of a bunch of old men with a knife.

"Ah, I still really want to see how formidable the Black Demon is. I can’t say you don’t dare, because I know you’re proud and formidable guys. But since you don’t want to, let’s leave it. After all, you’re older now. I understand. Given your age, maintaining your current state is quite impressive, truly impressive. Ah, time..."

Gao Yang looked pensive, but his words consistently hit on the aspect of age, the hardest reality for the Black Demon to accept.

Albert waved his hand and frowned at Gao Yang, "Alright, Boss, spare the nonsense. I know what you mean; people know you’re using provocation tactics. What’s the point of these words? Moreover, they are elderly folks; even if we win, what does it matter? Does defeating the dying King David prove I’m more formidable than King David?"

Albert seemed to state facts and was persuading Gao Yang to give up. But his words made it even harder for the Black Demon to accept.

The Black Demon cares not about Gao Yang saying Satan is better because they are confident, extremely confident that Satan is no match for them. This doesn’t need proving. What they care about is age—whether they can still beat Satan while being old.

Neither Gao Yang nor Albert ever lets the age provocation go, and does so openly. It’s not acting in secret; it’s openly knowing the Black Demon will fall for it and is forced to come teach them a lesson.

The leader smiled playfully at Gao Yang, "Continue, continue, continue speaking. Let’s see if I’ll become angered by you."

For the Black Demon, firmly ignoring Gao Yang’s provocation is the best counteraction. That would make Gao Yang feel like a failure, very distressed, but alas, he’s chosen the point to ensure someone from the Black Demon’s side can’t stand it.

Gao Yang waved his hand with a look of regret and said, "Sorry, I apologize for saying this. I admit defeat. I won’t try to provoke you further. On the contrary, I now respect you deeply. Let’s stop here. My brother was right; at your age, defeating you isn’t worth pride. Losing to you would be even more disgraceful, though that possibility isn’t great. But uh, sorry, let’s leave it at that."

"I want to teach them a lesson. I want to crush these damn bugs!"

The leader hadn’t spoken. He seemed to enjoy watching Gao Yang’s performance and showed an attitude of immune to the provocation, angering Gao Yang. But someone couldn’t hold back—a hoarse old man lost it completely.

Knowing it was a provocation can’t stop one from obliging. Gao Yang felt secretly amused, if only his face looked calm. He looked at the old man who spoke and said, "How do you plan to teach me a lesson? Hmm, I suggest you choose a secure manner; maybe not something like combat."

While not spelled out, the intention was not to bully with fists and kicks due to age—Gao Yang articulated it perfectly.

The old man stood up, went in front of Gao Yang, lifted his mask, and revealed a round face before saying militantly, "I’m sixty-five years old, but that doesn’t mean you can be impudent in front of me. If I desire, I can easily screw off your head. You step out, and let’s see if a young guy like you is a match for an old man like me!"

Gao Yang scratched his head, looked troubled, and said, "Forget it. I really don’t want us to bear irreconcilable grievances. Can we choose another way?"

"Cut the crap!"

Gao Yang sighed, waved, and addressed Li Jinfang: "Play with this old gentleman. Be careful not to hurt him, and keep it light."

After finishing, Gao Yang addressed the two Black Demon elders and said, "He’s my apprentice, just my student. Let him spar with you first. If he loses, then I’ll join. As the leader of Satan Mercenary Corps, I must retain some dignity, right? I can’t just immediately respond to a challenge."

The old man angrily said, "Challenge? I just want to teach you to shut your damn mouth! Fine, one after another works, let’s see if an old man’s stamina holds up."

After, the furious old man rushed towards Li Jinfang.

The ship wasn’t big, and the space within the bridge was small, but Satan’s people quickly dispersed to form a small circle for the old man to make a move.

Li Jinfang slung his gun on his back as the old man swiftly kicked out.

With a huff and a snap, Li Jinfang had the old man firmly pinned on the ground. Then he released his hold, stood up, extended a hand to help the old man lying there, apologizing, "Sorry."

The old man’s face turned liver-colored, and he stared at Li Jinfang’s hand but didn’t move.

The old man surely felt bad inside, and Gao Yang felt embarrassed too. Li Jinfang was more kind-hearted and refrained from making any further provocative statements.

The Black Demon leader looked grimly at Gao Yang, saying, "He’s your student? If he’s your student, I’d screw my head off. You’re not even qualified to be his student! You liar!"

One can’t fool those with sharp eyes; Gao Yang looked quite embarrassed, opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.

The Black Demon leader snorted coldly again, saying, "You want to compete with us, right? Well, as you wish!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast votes and support. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, read at m.qidian.com.)