Chapter 18: The Competition

Chen Qing frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "Is there something special about the Li family guards?"

Cheng Ming explained patiently from the side, "That's where you're mistaken. In our Gaolin County, there are five great aristocratic families: Huang, Han, Li, Zhu, and Luo. These five families have extremely high requirements for recruiting guards; at the very least, one must possess Mingjin cultivation."

"Oh?"

Chen Qing was somewhat surprised. He knew well that in the homes of ordinary wealthy households, a Mingjin martial artist was sufficient to serve as a head guard. He hadn't expected that in the five great families, one could only be an ordinary guard.

On second thought, it made perfect sense.

The five great families of Gaolin County almost monopolized the county's major livelihoods, such as rice, flour, grain, oil, cloth, and tea. It was no exaggeration to say they controlled the entire economic lifeline of Gaolin County.

In the eyes of the local commoners, these five families were true "local emperors."

Cheng Ming continued, "Zhu Ming's Duanhai Fist skills are indeed quite impressive, but he is still quite far from achieving Great Success."

Achieving Great Success in a fist technique was not easy; it required not only extremely high comprehension but also time.

In the entire Zhou Academy, only Zhou Liang had cultivated Tongbei Fist to the level of Great Success.

Chen Qing calculated privately that if he wanted to cultivate his own Tongbei Fist to Great Success, even if he maintained an intensity of ten practices a day, it would take at least half a year.

Cheng Ming turned to Chen Qing, his eyes encouraging, "A-Qing, do you want to go up and test your skills?"

Chen Qing rubbed his hands together, a glimmer of eagerness flashing in his eyes.

This kind of practical sparring could not only accumulate experience but also deepen his understanding of Tongbei Fist.

Moreover, the combat experience of these patrol guards was far beyond what the disciples of Zhou Academy could compare to.

"I am Chen Qing, practicing Tongbei Fist!"

Chen Qing walked onto the stage and cupped his fists toward the Duanhai Fist expert.

The burly man also smiled and returned the gesture. "Zhu Ming, Duanhai Fist!"

"Tongbei Fist? Could he be Zhou Liang's disciple!?"

"Zhou Liang is no simple man. This kid looks very young; I wonder how much of the true legacy he has received."

The surrounding patrol guards all looked over.

Chen Qing rooted his feet, lowered his waist, and sank his hips—a standard Tongbei Fist starting stance.

His left arm moved like a spiritual snake emerging from a cave, suddenly thrusting forward. His five fingers spread slightly, and his fingertips carried a sharp, whistling sound like the tip of a whip, aiming straight for Zhu Ming's face.

This move, 'Spiritual Snake Probing the Path,' seemed light and effortless, but it actually contained the essence of Tongbei Fist's 'long-range striking' and 'cold, springy, and rapid' movements. Furthermore, it carried the powerful force of Mingjin. This move was both a probe and a hidden killing blow; if it struck true, it could instantly paralyze the nerves.

"Good lad!"

Zhu Ming was startled. Seeing Chen Qing's young and honest appearance, he hadn't expected such a fierce strike.

He did not dodge or avoid. With a sharp glint in his eyes, his right fist spiraled out from his waist. The tearing wind generated by the punch forced Chen Qing's thrusting arm to hesitate slightly.

*Crack!*

Zhu Ming's fist accurately smashed toward the wrist joint of Chen Qing's extended left arm, intending to use absolute, violent force to forcibly "break" Chen Qing's long snake-like arm.

Chen Qing felt that the opponent's fist force was incomparably fierce; meeting it head-on would surely result in injury.

In the next instant, his left arm seemed to lose its bones and suddenly dropped down, swirling around like a nimble ape dodging a falling log.

Simultaneously, he used the momentum to rotate his body sideways, and his right arm whipped out from an incredible angle like a lash. With a crisp *snap*, his whip-hand struck Zhu Ming's right ribs.

This sequence of 'Ape Circling the Branch' followed by 'Reverse Arm Whip' demonstrated the essence of Tongbei Fist—transforming softness into hardness and being both tricky and ruthless—to the fullest extent.

Many patrol guards watching this felt cold sweat running down their spines.

Seeing Chen Qing neutralize the attack and counter, Zhu Ming's right fist hit empty air, but his left fist was already poised. He stomped his left foot hard, twisted his waist and hips, and drove his left fist with his full body strength like a massive mountain-splitting axe, smashing from bottom to top toward the vital points of Chen Qing's shoulder and neck.

This was the 'Mountain Breaker Style' of the Duanhai Fist—majestic, unstoppable, and striving to decide the battle with a single blow.

However, at the brief moment when his power exploded to its limit and his momentum became unbalanced, his center of gravity inevitably tilted slightly forward. Under the violent force of the punch, the opening in his chest and abdomen was exposed.

Chen Qing's keen perception captured this fleeting opening. Facing the ferocious 'Mountain Breaker Style,' he did not meet it with brute force; instead, he pushed the "length" of Tongbei Fist to its extreme.

He drifted back half a step, narrowly avoiding the violent wind of the punch. At the same time, using the momentum of his retreat, his right arm—as flexible as a whip—snapped out a second time like a coiled spring before the previous force had even dissipated.

It was not a fist, nor a palm, but fingers pressed together like a sword!

His fingertips concentrated a penetrating inch-force, fast as lightning and incredibly precise, piercing through the microscopic gap in Zhu Ming's violent punch to strike straight for his solar plexus.

When Chen Qing's fingertips were only an inch away from Zhu Ming's *Shanzhong* acupoint, he held back the force without releasing it, stopping abruptly.

The wind generated by his fingertips already caused a bone-chilling coldness to hit Zhu Ming's chest.

Meanwhile, Zhu Ming's mighty 'Mountain Breaker Style' froze mid-air, still half a foot away from Chen Qing's shoulder.

"Brother Chen is young, yet his skills are so remarkable."

Zhu Ming shook his head and sighed, "I admire you, I truly admire you!"

Chen Qing said modestly, "Brother Zhu had already fought a match earlier, and your strength was somewhat depleted. That is why I was lucky enough to gain the advantage."

Zhu Ming smiled but said nothing.

He had indeed consumed some stamina, but Chen Qing's fist technique was fluid and versatile, with movements flowing like water. It was certainly not comparable to the rigid routines of ordinary apprentice disciples.

Afterward, Chen Qing sparred with several other patrol guards, greatly enriching his combat experience and skills.

After a few words of pleasantries, Chen Qing began his patrol as per the routine.

The two sides of the pier were bustling with noise; the cries of vendors rose and fell, and pedestrians jostled one another.

"A-Qing!"

As Chen Qing was patrolling with his saber slung over his shoulder, he suddenly heard someone calling him from behind.

Looking back, he saw Xiao Chun standing not far away, waving to him.

"Brother Xiao Chun, what a coincidence," Chen Qing said with a smile as he walked toward him.

Xiao Chun rubbed his hands together and said with a sheepish laugh, "It's no coincidence. I came here specifically to find you."

Chen Qing showed a hint of confusion. "Find me?"

Xiao Chun looked around and lowered his voice. "It's not convenient to talk here. Let's step aside for a moment."

With that, he pulled Chen Qing into a quiet corner.

"A-Qing, I... I've run into some trouble. It's a good thing, a huge good thing!"

Xiao Chun's voice dropped even lower, and he said excitedly, "You know Lady A-Cui from the floating houses on the river, right? The one with eyes like autumn water and a voice like an oriole!"

*What could he possibly know!?*

Chen Qing had a vague idea but didn't respond.

Xiao Chun didn't even wait for a reply, speaking urgently to himself, "She has feelings for me! Truly! A-Qing, you have no idea. Every time I go to listen to music, her eyes only look at me, and she smiles at me! Those crude boat passengers, how could they ever cherish her? Only I... only I understand her worth!"

He swallowed hard, as if savoring a memory, his tone becoming both sweet and painful. "Curse that madam of the floating house, she's the type who only cares about money! A-Cui was forced into selling her smiles there. She told me secretly last night that her heart is heavy, and she only hopes I can take her away! It only takes thirty taels of silver, thirty taels! That's all it takes to redeem her and pull her out of this sea of misery!"

Xiao Chun suddenly grabbed Chen Qing's arm. "A-Qing, we grew up together! Help me, just this once! Ten taels of silver is enough! A-Cui said that as long as she is redeemed, she will go with me and live a good life with me. When that time comes, I'll sell everything I own, work like an ox or a horse, and definitely pay you back! I swear!"

*Ten taels isn't even much!?*

Looking at Xiao Chun's state, Chen Qing sighed inwardly. This wasn't redeeming someone; he was clearly infatuated by that courtesan.

He shook his head, trying to keep his tone calm. "Brother Xiao Chun, you know I'm studying martial arts now. I don't have any extra money on me."

*What's the use of studying martial arts! Can it compare to A-Cui smiling at me?*

Xiao Chun grumbled inwardly, but on the surface, he continued to plead desperately. "What about five taels then? A-Qing, even five taels will do! Redeem half of her first, so she suffers less. If that's too much, even three taels will work! I'll go gather more, I can definitely make it! A-Cui can't wait too long, I'm afraid..."

*Redeem half a body!?*

It sounded like a joke.

Chen Qing still shook his head. "I really don't have it. I only have a few copper coins."

Xiao Chun immediately seized the opportunity, as if grasping the last straw of life. "Then lend me one tael! Just enough to buy some rouge and powder for A-Cui, so she knows I'm thinking of her! We've been friends since childhood; would you really have the heart to watch me... watch A-Cui suffer in such misery?"

His voice even took on a sob.

Chen Qing: "..."

In the end, Xiao Chun managed to wheedle three hundred copper coins out of Chen Qing, swearing an oath: "Don't worry, A-Qing! Once I redeem A-Cui, the two of us will pay you back together! With interest, I'll pay you one tael! No, two taels!"

"By the way."

Before leaving, Xiao Chun gave many warnings. "Don't tell anyone about this, especially don't let my father know. If he finds out, he'll surely fall ill from worry... He doesn't understand, he doesn't understand that A-Cui and I are truly in love!"

Having said that, he hurried away with the copper coins, as if he weren't carrying coins, but the key to happiness.

Chen Qing watched Xiao Chun's retreating figure and shook his head with a sigh.

The lights from the floating houses on the river reflected in the water, swaying unsteadily.

He continued his patrol, but his heart felt heavy.

About half an hour later, Chen Qing prepared to return to the River Bureau to clock in.

Suddenly, a commotion and the sound of a woman's scolding erupted from the direction of the floating houses ahead. A disheveled figure was seen being kicked and punched by several fierce-looking thugs and thrown out, landing in the muddy bank.

"Pah! A toad dreaming of eating swan meat! Lady A-Cui said to get lost, just seeing you makes her sick!"

"With your poverty-stricken look, you have the nerve to show off three hundred copper coins? You can't even afford a box of rouge for Lady A-Cui!"

"If you dare to pester her again, we'll break your legs! Get lost!"

A bruised and swollen Xiao Chun struggled to get up from the ground. Half his face was covered in mud, his eyes were blackened, blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and his clothes were torn.

He was clumsily wiping his face with his sleeve. When he looked up, he met Chen Qing's complex and knowing gaze. He froze on the spot, the color draining from his face.

"Brother Xiao Chun, what happened to you..."

Looking at his bruised eyes and bleeding mouth, Chen Qing swallowed the words he was about to say.

Xiao Chun forced a smile, but it looked worse than crying. "A-Qing, don't... don't misunderstand. It's that madam forcing A-Cui. A-Cui definitely has feelings for me... Tomorrow, in my spare time, I will work hard copying books to earn money..."

Hearing this, Chen Qing looked at Xiao Chun in astonishment, and the next words made him feel utterly embarrassed.

"...A-Cui said, only a man willing to spend money on her is truly sincere."

Xiao Chun said with a face full of longing, "Once I gather enough money, I'll take her back to Yazi Bay, plant a few acres of water caltrop ponds, and raise two egg-laying ducks."

Chen Qing: "..."

He didn't say much. After all, could anyone convince a "simp" who was completely infatuated?

Most likely, all Xiao Chun was thinking about at this moment was that "Lady A-Cui" who even thought three hundred copper coins was too little.

(End of Chapter)