It's more or less the same answer as before. And while it doesn't sting his pride like the way it had in front of an audience, he still isn't sure he likes it.

"We used to fight or spar all the time," he frowns, not wanting to admit his weakness, even if it were true, "and yeah, maybe you did outpace me after a while..."

He still felt like he'd kept up in other ways, without his core. Just. None of the ways Lan Zhan had much respect for. But if it was that, or become totally useless, he'd at least take the route had that let him do something.

"...but I'm not made of glass. I know how to take a hit. Besides, they can even heal you up right away at the spa now!"