564: Chapter Five Hundred and Fifty-Nine: Don’t Be Afraid, I Have a Big Heart.
564: Chapter Five Hundred and Fifty-Nine: Don’t Be Afraid, I Have a Big Heart.
Jack followed his father to greet a few people, then walked over to Gao Yang, gave a wry smile, and said, “I really did not expect, my old man would invite so many people; it seems he really hates Gunfire’s people, and he has a lot of confidence in you.”
Eileen shrugged her shoulders and said, “More people are coming.
See that person with a camera?
That’s from Gun World magazine; I saw the logo on him.
Hey, look, the IPSC guys are here too, but I don’t know what position that person holds.”
Jack glanced over and said, “That’s the president of the California Chapter.”
Gao Yang frowned and said, “What’s going on?
There are video cameras and photo cameras; isn’t this a bit too much?
I wonder if I should cover my face later on to avoid being recognized in other places after leaving an image.”
Bruce laughed and said, “There’s no need for that; after all, no one knows you.”
At that moment, Jack smiled and said, “Many people are asking my father who will represent us in the fight.
He was planning to introduce you to them, so he sent me to ask if you would be willing.”
Gao Yang shook his head repeatedly and said, “Forget it; being too famous is not a good thing for me.
If I have to go on later, I’ll still cover my face to avoid being recognized elsewhere.
I have to be cautious.”
Jack laughed and said, “No need, just put on a cap; the shooting glasses I prepared for you can cover half of your face, the reflective kind, you absolutely can’t see inside from the outside.”
Gao Yang was used to wearing bulletproof glasses, or you could say shooting glasses, whether in combat or when practicing shooting.
And back when he played WAR GAME in his early years, he couldn’t do without bulletproof glasses; although current bulletproof glasses can’t withstand direct gunshot, they can protect against some explosive shrapnel or even shotgun blasts, and are extremely useful.
Gao Yang had his own bulletproof glasses, but the color was too light; at this time, Jack took out the dark-colored bulletproof glasses he had prepared for Gao Yang from his bag.
After trying them on, Gao Yang nodded with satisfaction and said, “Not bad, they fit perfectly.
You really thought of everything; I never considered this point.”
Jack smiled and said, “You didn’t think there would be so many people here, did you?
Actually, although I was mentally prepared, the turnout today still took me by surprise.”
While they were talking, Jack suddenly pointed to a group of people and laughed, “Look, Gunfire’s folks have arrived.”
More than twenty people from Gunfire Studio had come, and now there were more than a hundred people at the shooting range.
Even though it was not a public competition with ordinary spectators, the number of professionals alone was quite a crowd for a small-scale competition.
After seeing Gunfire’s people, Jack smiled and said, “Put on the sunglasses and cap; we should go over now.
Before the competition, we have to greet our opponents anyhow.”
Surrounded by a few people, Gao Yang walked up to Arilan, and at this moment, a middle-aged man from Gunfire who looked to be in his forties laughed from a distance, “My apologies, everyone, for making you wait.”
Jack whispered, “That’s him, the boss of Gunfire, Dave Buddy.”
The middle-aged man did not appear very arrogant; he was tall and thin, dressed in a proper suit, with a confident smile on his face that did not seem too unlikable.
Jack and his group were very confident, having invited many observers, and Gunfire Studio’s people were also confident in their victory, bringing along a sizable group.
After a bunch of people arrived, quite a bit of time was spent on greetings and handshakes alone.
However, after Dave Buddy had finished greeting the prominent figures before him, and he began speaking to Arilan, Gao Yang immediately felt that this person was asking for a beating.
“Hello, Mr.
Mosen, I did not expect you to come personally.
Is this what you call ‘throwing in the junior to summon the senior’?
Haha, old pal, you really should come today to see how you’ll fail,” he said.
After Dave’s arrogant speech, Eileen clenched her fists and said, “That man, he really is asking for a beating.”
Arilan Mosen did not back down either, replying coolly, “I am here, of course, to take the victory home.
So, before we begin, let’s reiterate the bet in front of all the witnesses.”
Dave Buddy lifted his chin and gestured toward Arilan Mosen with his thumbs, proclaiming loudly, “Ladies and gentlemen, please quiet down, please listen to me.”
As the crowd that had become somewhat disorderly from the greetings settled down, Dave Buddy raised his voice and said, “Everyone here is a renowned figure, and I personally am very grateful that you could take time out of your busy schedules to watch the match between Gunfire Studio and Arilan Mosen Studio.
Also, to be a witness.
Now let me restate our wager: according to the agreement between Jack Morrison and me, whichever side loses in this three-gun competition, in any competition or gun show held in America, whenever the other side shows up, they must vanish, indefinitely, until one side’s studio no longer exists, and is completely gone.”
Upon hearing the wager announced by Dave, the crowd immediately erupted into a buzz.
In the midst of an uproar, Arilan raised his hand, signaling for quiet before speaking indifferently to Dave, “Mr.
Buddy’s words I fully acknowledge, but I still have some questions.
What does it mean for a studio to cease to exist?
If we change the name, does that mean we are no longer subject to the terms of the bet?
Or, can we no longer appear under the name of the studio, but in a personal capacity, or as a gunsmith?”
Dave responded without hesitation, “Of course not, let me put it this way, Mr.
Mosen.
This is a bet between the Buddy Family and the Mosen Family—changing the name or appearing under any identity won’t do.
As long as the victor stands, the party that loses in today’s competition automatically disappears.
Of course, it would be a better choice to not show up at all.
This is a battle of families, a battle of honor.
I think, Mr.
Mosen, you wouldn’t back down, would you?”
Whether as a studio, a gunsmith, or even a gun factory, anyone who earns a living by firearms will be pronounced dead commercially if barred from appearing at any gun shows or competitions in America.
The bet between Allian Mossen Studio and Gunfire has put their futures at stake.
The losing party, even if it doesn’t go completely bankrupt, will certainly have no future left to speak of.
Upon hearing the terms of the bet Dave announced, which were so astonishing that they decided the fate of two renowned studios, the crowd was abuzz again.
Individuals of significant standing who felt they had a say began to intercede on behalf of both parties.
As the head of America’s most influential association, the president of the National Rifle Association frowned and said, “Mr.
Buddy, Mr.
Mosen, it’s just a competition after all.
Aren’t your stakes a bit too high?
I don’t think this is necessary.”
The president of the IDPA Association also chimed in, “That’s right, I think it’s too rash to wager the future of your studios, and even your families, on a single competition.”
In the midst of persuasive voices, Dave laughed and said, “What everyone says makes sense.
So if Mr.
Mosen doesn’t dare to accept the bet, I won’t object.
But personally speaking, it would be better for me to keep my promise; at least that’s the behavior expected from a real man.”
Arilan waved his hand and declared loudly, “Good, that’s it.
Everyone has heard our bet, and all who are present are witnesses.
You are all fair-minded people, and regarding today’s competition, there won’t be any problems with its fairness.
I announce that I accept this bet.”
Dave laughed heartily and extended his hand to shake Mosen’s vigorously before saying out loud, “Excellent!
Even if Mr.
Mosen eventually fails, you lose like a true man.”
After shaking hands and finalizing their agreement, nobody tried to persuade them further.
They had done their part, and since both sides insisted on competing, it was time to watch the grand spectacle unfold.
Dave once again raised his hand and said, “Before the competition starts, let me introduce the shooter representing Gunfire.
I’m sure everyone is well-acquainted with him.
Please, come out, Mr.
Dave Brown!”
At the mention of Dave Brown, the crowd became noisy once more, and when a middle-aged man wearing large sunglasses emerged from the crowd at Gunfire, took off his glasses, and waved to the crowd, another round of gasps ensued.
Gao Yang noticed that Arilan and Jack’s faces had noticeably changed, and Bruce, with a pale face, muttered under his breath, “F**k, how could it be him?”
Whoever the newcomer was, Gao Yang didn’t recognize him, so he felt nothing.
However, judging by the shock on everyone’s faces, he couldn’t help but ask, “Is this guy that good?
What’s his background?”
Bruce glanced at Gao Yang, hesitated, and after a moment of reluctance, whispered, “Actually, it’s nothing.
He’s a strong competitor, but I know you can beat him.”
Gao Yang shrugged and said, “Test Tube, you should know I have a big heart.
To understand my opponent, you should tell me everything.
This secrecy will make me nervous, you know.”
Before Bruce could reply, Arilan approached Gao Yang, pointed to him, and said, “This is Mr.
Gaoxiang; he will represent us in the fight.”
Arilan was using Gao Yang’s pseudonym, which was the name on all his fake IDs.
Gao Yang raised his hand, leaving his sunglasses on, turned around to face the crowd, and greeted everyone with a smile.
Another wave of gasps rose from the crowd.
Gunfire’s gasps were due to the fame of their shooter, and the gasps for Gao Yang were because he was entirely unknown.
Gaoxiang?
Who was that?
An unknown figure popping up out of nowhere?
Allian Mossen Studio had unexpectedly chosen such a nobody to compete, and clearly, he was Eastern-looking.
Was he up to the task?
It wasn’t necessary to guess what the audience was thinking, as their whispers reached Gao Yang’s ears clearly.
After showing his face and acknowledging the crowd with a wave, Gao Yang turned back to Bruce and asked, “Now can you tell me about my opponent’s background?”
With a look of helplessness and a wry smile, Bruce said, “A former Marines sniper who, after retiring, engaged in various shooting competitions and achieved extraordinary results.
As for three-gun competitions, he’s the four-time champion of the nationwide shooting championship—2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.
Yes, he’s won the championship for the last four years.
As for the smaller competition titles, well, there’s no need to mention those.” (To be continued.
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