My Manor

Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is a traditional martial art from Thailand renowned for its lethal techniques. It's a sport defined by its raw strength and agility.

If we were to compare major fighting techniques from around the world, Taekwondo excels in kicking, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in joint locks, wrestling in throws, and boxing in upper limb punching and footwork. But Muay Thai stands out for its proficiency in elbow strikes, kicks, and close combat. The elbows in Muay Thai are considered among the heaviest in the world, with a single strike powerful enough to break a person's skull. Their leg techniques have been honed for centuries, originating from training by kicking coconut trees. In those days, being able to kick down a coconut tree was considered a formidable skill. While Muay Thai fighters may not be very tall—some even short—their bodies are composed almost entirely of muscle and bone, making them incredibly resilient with powerful attack capabilities. According to Bell, Muay Thai is regarded as one of the most lethal fighting styles globally.

However, Muay Thai has its drawbacks. It lacks joint manipulation techniques, putting it at a disadvantage in certain fighting competitions. The UFC, for instance, has rules limiting knee strikes, prohibiting continuous elbow strikes, and forbidding high kicks to the back of the head. As a result, Muay Thai doesn't rank as highly in the global fighting arena.

This is where some martial arts enthusiasts might argue that Chinese kung fu surpasses Muay Thai in lethality. However, Chinese kung fu has its own unique characteristics. Many traditional techniques have been simplified or semi-performed for public practice, and lethal styles were not passed down widely. The philosophy of only transmitting these skills to select individuals, especially men over women, has made Chinese martial arts something of a guarded secret, preventing its full potential from being realized or widely promoted.

"Ah!" A loud shout from the ring caught Jiang Hai's attention. He saw the big white fighter strike first, shouting as he grabbed his opponent with his left hand—a wrestling maneuver designed to throw and incapacitate the Muay Thai master before he could react.

The Muay Thai fighter, however, knew he couldn't be caught so easily. He swiftly dodged, executing a whip kick that struck the large man's left rib with a sharp snap.

The man took the hit but didn't back down. Instead, he grimaced through the pain and grabbed the Muay Thai fighter's ankle, tossing him against the iron cage with such force that it rattled. The audience gasped in awe at the brutal exchange. This was exactly the kind of fight they had come to see.

"If you're interested, we can place a bet later, but let's grab a drink first," Moses Adams said with a smile, noticing Jiang Hai's intense focus on the match. Men, it seemed, couldn't resist a good fight, but today they weren't here to spectate.

"I can't believe there's such a place, and you never brought me here before!" Jiang Hai remarked, somewhat reluctantly pulling his gaze away from the Muay Thai fighter. The venue, after all, was quite intriguing.

"Come on, boss, it's not like I could have brought you here with so many eyes on you," Moses responded with a laugh. "Next time, maybe if it's just the two of us."

Jiang Hai ignored the teasing but knew Moses was right. He was always surrounded by people—close friends like Aphra and the others—who had become part of his daily life.

"Yeah, we'll find another chance." Jiang Hai chuckled awkwardly, knowing full well that he'd be back here at some point. It wasn't something that needed rushing.

As they passed the large bar, a man with a bulging belly approached them. He handed Moses a glass of whiskey and greeted him warmly. The man, clearly a regular, didn't expect to be left hanging when it came to drinks.

"I'm driving tonight," Moses said, pushing the glass away, "but if you're up for it, feel free." He turned to Jiang Hai. "Are you in?"

"Just to unwind," Jiang Hai replied, not hesitating to toss a hundred dollars into the cash box. He grabbed the whiskey, no ice, and drank it straight.

In Miami, most whiskey is produced in South America, and it has a distinctive sweetness to it. Jiang Hai preferred this local flavor over the heavier, more mellow whiskeys from Boston.

"You're quite generous, huh?" the man behind the bar remarked with a laugh.

Moses chuckled and then turned serious. "John, I need a favor. Is the thing I gave you last time helpful?"

John raised an eyebrow, noting the roll of bills Moses placed on the bar. He quickly deduced it was a thousand dollars. A lawyer like Moses didn't mind spending a bit to get what he needed.

Moses wasn't here to drink, though. He pushed the money towards John. "I'm looking for some information on a guy named Greyhound Terry."

"Greyhound Terry?" John smiled, stretching out two fingers. "He's a nobody—just an ex-thief who somehow got involved with a big shot named Justin Parker. If you're asking for info, it's only worth two hundred bucks."

"There's more," Moses said, not pulling back the money but instead increasing the roll. He needed more details.

John took the money and leaned in. "Terry used to steal cars. Then, after doing some time, he met Justin Parker, a big name around here. Terry's been moving up the ranks ever since. Now, he's running small operations like selling drugs and fighting."

Moses listened intently as John continued. "But the real power in this area is Justin Parker. He's mixed-race, tough as nails, and ruthless. He rose from the orphanage to taking out his own gang leader to now controlling several blocks in Miami. He's worth tens of millions and commands a crew of loyal followers. Lately, I've heard he's got ties to some Chinese second-generation guy, one who's been funding his operations."

Jiang Hai's eyes widened. He'd had no conflicts with anyone here, but now things were starting to make sense. The man behind this was none other than Qin Feng, a troublemaker he had crossed paths with before. The guy certainly had some nerve.

As Moses noticed the change in Jiang Hai's demeanor, he grinned. He knew Jiang Hai had figured it out.

"This guy is dangerous," Moses said quietly. "You need to think carefully about how you handle this. He's got a lot of muscle."

Jiang Hai nodded but his expression grew serious. "I remember there's a way to settle things on the Gray Road by paying them off. Do you know where I can find him?"