"Good!"
"Brilliant!"
"Mister Lin is formidable!"
Cheers echoed from all around.
Jia Yanyong lay curled on the ground as cold sweat streamed down his face. At that point, it was hard for him to maintain his pride. He had lost, and the one he lost to was a storytelling scholar.
"Apologies, I didn't control my strength just now," said Lin Zheyu with a hint of apology as he helped Jia Yanyong up from the ground. "Your strength is formidable. If not for your eye injury weakening you, perhaps I would have been the one to lose," he continued loudly to save Jia Yanyong some reputation. Since they would be comrades from now on, it was better to maintain goodwill.
"This time, I lost. Let's fight again when my eyes recover!" declared Jia Yanyong solemnly.
A loss was a loss. Since they had agreed to settle their grudge, he would not harbor resentment. At worst, he would challenge him again in the future to reclaim his reputation.
"Alright," replied Lin Zheyu with a nod.
"You are so impressive! I did not expect you to be not only brilliant in literary talent but also so skilled in martial techniques. I truly admire you," said Xu Jingwu with a smile.
"Leader, you flatter me. It's only some basic martial arts that are merely for self-defense. Alone in the world, with no family backing, it's easy to be bullied. I had no choice but to learn a bit of martial arts to protect myself." Lin Zheyu turned to look at Xu Jingwu and said in a humble tone, "I wonder if my martial skills are enough to be of value in your eyes."
"Of course. You would count as a skilled fighter even within the Feihong Gang. However, I noticed that you seem to still have some strength to spare. Would you be interested in exchanging a few more moves with someone else?" asked Xu Jingwu.
"Then I ask for your guidance, gentlemen," Lin Zheyu said, turning around and cupping his fists humbly toward the members of the Feihong Gang. He also wanted to know just where his current strength stood, whether within the Feihong Gang or in all of Songyi City.
"Xie Jiang, go and exchange a few moves with Mister Lin," said Xu Jingwu.
"Yes, Leader," replied an ordinary-looking man as he stepped forward. His build was about the same as Lin Zheyu's; he wasn't nearly as big as Jia Yanyong.
"I am Xie Jiang. Lin Zheyu, please go easy on me."
He certainly looked quite polite, unlike the rough and blunt Jia Yanyong.
Lin Zheyu returned the gesture with a fist salute.
This fellow is strong! thought Xie Jiang.
That was the impression Lin Zheyu gave Xie Jiang. Xie Jiang's strength was on par with Jia Yanyong's, and their duels usually ended with mixed victories and losses. Since Lin Zheyu had defeated Jia Yanyong so easily, Xie Jiang knew he would likely not be his match either.
"Haah!"
With a loud shout, Xie Jiang struck first. He displayed a unique footwork, light and flowing, as he charged toward Lin Zheyu.
Lin Zheyu fixed his gaze on Xie Jiang, his eyes brimming with fighting spirit. He had little experience facing other martial artists head-on. When he was sparring with Master Liang, he had only ever been on the receiving end, which had been frustrating.
Xie Jiang was fast and extremely skilled in movement techniques. Lin Zheyu dodged Xie Jiang's palm strike and countered with a punch, but his opponent slipped away with agility.
"Interesting," muttered Lin Zheyu with a grin. He had also studied movement techniques, though they were still in Dormancy. This was the perfect chance to hone them.
"Huh?"
Seeing Lin Zheyu start to display special footwork, Xie Jiang couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. However, he quickly relaxed as Lin Zheyu's movements were far too crude; he was only slightly better than Jia Yanyong, the brute. The two darted swiftly around the courtyard, exchanging over a dozen blows, trading evenly back and forth.
So strong! He was holding back just now. Jia Yanyong narrowed his eyes at the fight and was secretly stunned. He thought to himself, Was he using me to train his movement techniques?
After another dozen exchanges, Xie Jiang's eyes hardened.
"Hmph!" He gave a cold snort and said to Lin Zheyu, "Mister Lin, are you still holding back? Do you intend to drag this out?"
"My apologies. I was only inspired after seeing your impressive footwork," replied Lin Zheyu, who then began to get serious.
Bang!
Xie Jiang's movements were skillful, and using his speed advantage, he circled Lin Zheyu and struck with rapid palm attacks. Lin Zheyu swung his fists to block and easily deflected each of Xie Jiang's strikes. Seizing the moment, he stepped forward quickly and closed in.
Not good! thought Xie Jiang, but it was already too late.
Lin Zheyu's left hand swiftly seized his wrist while his right fist shot forward. With an Ox Horn Thrust, his fist struck at a sharp angle into Xie Jiang's chest, sending him staggering back several steps.
"Thank you for letting me win," said Lin Zheyu.
"Mister Lin's strength is truly formidable. I am impressed," said Xie Jiang as he rose, rubbing his aching chest.
A stir of astonishment rippled through the Feihong Gang members surrounding them. If Jia Yanyong's defeat could be blamed on his impaired vision weakening him, then Xie Jiang's loss now proved that Lin Zheyu's victory was achieved through sheer, undeniable strength.
"Ning Hui, are you interested in going up for a bout as well?" asked Xu Jingwu with a smile.
From the previous two matches, he had completely gauged Lin Zheyu's strength. Lin Zheyu was in the early stage of the Bone Forging Realm. With solid combat awareness and a systematic set of techniques, it was clear that he was guided by an experienced teacher.
Later, I'll have Jia Yanyong check who he learned his martial techniques from. If he truly started from nothing and brought the Barbaric Ox Fist to this level within two months, then his natural talent is worth nurturing, pondered Xu Jingwu.
For a family to grow strong, relying solely on its own bloodline was not enough. Many of the Xu Family's powerful fighters had been brought in through marriage or recruitment. He figured that since Lin Zheyu was alone, he would be a fine candidate as he had both talent and comprehension, as well as good character and appearance.
"No, no. Since both of them lost, I'd surely lose too," replied Ning Hui, waving his hand.
"Haha. Mister Lin's strength is outstanding. Our Feihong Gang has gained another fierce warrior. It's already late. Mister Lin, tomorrow morning you can report to Feihong Tower at No. 28 Tongquan Street. I'll have someone assign you a position," said Xu Jingwu with a hearty laugh.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he departed.
Jia Yanyong walked over and said, "Mister Lin, your strength is impressive. I, Jia Yanyong, admit defeat. The matter from before is wiped clean. From now on, you're one of our Feihong Gang brothers."
"No need to keep calling me Mister Lin. Just call me Lin Zheyu," said Lin Zheyu with a smile, who then glanced at Jia Yanyong with slight guilt. "I'm sorry for throwing chili powder into your eyes earlier. Who told you to come at me looking so fierce and threatening? I had no choice but to fight back."
Jia Yanyong squinted at Lin Zheyu and said, "With your strength, I couldn't have beaten you anyway. Did you really need to use such a sneaky trick?"
"Uh... Haha, if I can save myself the effort, why waste the hard work? Tonight, drinks are on me. Consider it an apology to Brother Jia as well," said Lin Zheyu heartily. He would still need the help of these brothers when he promoted his storytelling rights in the future.
"Fine, but tonight I won't be satisfied unless you treat me to a feast," grumbled Jia Yanyong, his swollen eyes narrowing.
He shot a smug glance at Xie Jiang. "Didn't you also lose to Brother Lin? Nothing to say now, huh? And you—" his eyes narrowed at Ning Hui, "you didn't even dare step into the ring. Coward." These two were the very ones who had mocked him earlier.
The group went to a tavern, drank freely, and their tensions dissolved. Lin Zheyu and Jia Yanyong, having fought and become friends through blows, now competed in drinking instead. They laughed away their grudges, letting wine decide the victor.