Chapter 26: The Clash (Part II)

"Well done!"

"Brilliant!"

"Mr. Lin is incredible!"

Cheers erupted from all around.

Jia Yanyong lay on the ground with his body hunched, cold sweat streaming down his face, feeling a profound sense of loss of face.

He had actually lost.

Lost to a mere scholar of storytelling.

"My apologies, I didn't quite control my strength just now," Lin Zheyu said, helping Jia Yanyong up from the ground with a hint of apology.

"Your strength is immense. If it weren't for your eye injury affecting your performance, perhaps I would have been the one losing," Lin Zheyu said loudly, attempting to save some of Jia Yanyong's dignity.

Since they were to be colleagues from now on, seeing each other frequently, it was better to maintain a good relationship.

"I lost this time," Jia Yanyong said solemnly. "Once my eye has healed, we shall fight again!"

A loss was a loss. Since it had been said that their grievances were settled, he would not hold a grudge. At worst, he would just find him for a few more matches later to reclaim his honor.

"Very well," Lin Zheyu nodded.

"Mr. Lin is incredible!"

"I didn't expect Mr. Lin to possess not only brilliant literary talent but also such formidable martial arts. I, Xu, am truly impressed," Xu Jingwu said with a smile.

"The Sect Leader overpraises me. It is merely some crude martial arts used for self-defense," Lin Zheyu replied modestly. He looked at Xu Jingwu. "I wonder if my skills are worthy of Sect Leader Xu's eyes?"

"Of course. Mr. Lin's martial arts would be considered top-tier even within the Feihong Gang. However, I noticed you seemed to have some strength left over just now. Would you be interested in exchanging a few more moves with others?" Xu Jingwu suggested.

"Then I shall ask for your guidance," Lin Zheyu said, cupping his hands modestly toward the members of the Feihong Gang.

He also wanted to know where his current strength stood within the Feihong Gang, and even within Songyi City.

"Xie Jiang, go up and exchange a few moves with Mr. Lin," Xu Jingwu commanded.

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Xie Jiang stepped forward. He was an ordinary-looking man, with a build similar to Lin Zheyu's, lacking Jia Yanyong's bulk.

"I am Xie Jiang. Please, teach me," Xie Jiang said, cupping his hands. He appeared to be somewhat educated, unlike the crude Jia Yanyong.

"Lin Zheyu. Please, show me mercy," Lin Zheyu replied with a salute.

*This guy is strong!* That was the impression Lin Zheyu had of Xie Jiang.

Xie Jiang's strength was on par with Jia Yanyong's; in a duel between the two, they would have traded wins and losses. Since Lin Zheyu could easily defeat Jia Yanyong, he certainly wouldn't be a match for Xie Jiang either.

"Hah!"

Xie Jiang let out a shout and took the initiative. He employed a unique footwork that appeared elegant and fluid as he charged toward Lin Zheyu.

Lin Zheyu watched Xie Jiang, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. He had not had much experience in direct combat with other martial artists. During his fight with Master Liang, he had done nothing but take hits, which had been incredibly frustrating.

Xie Jiang was very fast and exceptionally skilled in movement techniques. Lin Zheyu dodged Xie Jiang's palms and threw punches, but his opponent used his agility to evade quickly.

"Interesting," Lin Zheyu grinned. He had also studied movement techniques, though he had not yet mastered them; this was the perfect opportunity to use Xie Jiang to hone his skills.

"Eh?" Xie Jiang couldn't help but let out a surprised exclamation when he saw Lin Zheyu also employing a specialized movement technique. However, he quickly reassured himself. Lin Zheyu's footwork was poor, only slightly better than that brute Jia Yanyong.

The two moved rapidly around the arena, exchanging over a dozen blows in a back-and-forth struggle.

"So strong!"

"He was holding back just now."

Jia Yanyong squinted at the two combatants, secretly shocked.

*Is he using me to practice his movement techniques?* After another dozen exchanges, Xie Jiang's gaze sharpened.

"Hmph!" He snorted coldly and looked at Lin Zheyu. "Does Mr. Lin still not intend to use his full strength? Do you plan to keep wasting time?"

"My apologies. I saw how impressive Mr. Xie's footwork was and got carried away," Lin Zheyu said, beginning to take things seriously.

*Bang—*

Xie Jiang's movement was excellent. Relying on his speed advantage, he circled Lin Zheyu, continuously launching palm strikes. Lin Zheyu blocked with his fists, his hands easily parrying Xie Jiang's attacks. He seized an opening, stepped forward with his right foot, and closed the distance rapidly.

"Oh no!" Xie Jiang thought, but it was too late.

Lin Zheyu's left hand grabbed his wrist with speed and precision, while his right fist lunged forward. Executing a "Wild Bull Horn" strike, his right fist hit Xie Jiang's chest at a tricky angle, sending him stumbling back several steps.

"You have my thanks," Xie Jiang said, rubbing his aching chest as he stood up. "Mr. Lin is powerful. I am impressed."

A stir went through the Feihong Gang members nearby. If Jia Yanyong's defeat was attributed to his impaired vision, then Xie Jiang's loss was a pure victory of Lin Zheyu's raw strength.

"Ning Hui, are you interested in going up for a fight as well?" Xu Jingwu asked with a smile.

From the two battles just now, he had completely gauged Lin Zheyu's strength. He was at the early stage of Bone Tempering, possessed good combat awareness, and his techniques were systematic, suggesting he had been guided by an experienced master.

*I'll have Jia Yanyong look into who taught him his martial arts later,* Xu Jingwu thought, a plan forming in his mind. *If he truly learned this from scratch and reached this level of the Wild Bull Fist within two months, then this boy's talent is worth recruiting and cultivating.*

For a clan to grow, relying solely on its own members was not enough. Many of the powerful martial artists in the Xu family had been absorbed through marriage and matrilocal residence. Lin Zheyu was currently alone, possessed good talent and comprehension, and had an outstanding character and appearance; he was an excellent candidate.

"No, no. Both of them lost. I definitely wouldn't win," Ning Hui said, waving his hands.

"Haha! Mr. Lin is truly capable. Our Feihong Gang has gained another fierce general. It is getting late; Mr. Lin can report to the Feihong Building at No. 28 Tongquan Street tomorrow morning. I will have someone arrange a position for you," Xu Jingwu said with a hearty laugh. After a few more pleasantries, he departed.

"Mr. Lin is truly powerful. I, Jia Yanyong, am convinced. Whatever happened before is settled. From now on, you are a member of our Feihong Gang, and we are all brothers," Jia Yanyong said, walking over.

"Don't keep calling me 'Mr. Lin.' Just call me Lin Zheyu," Lin Zheyu said with a smile, looking at Jia Yanyong with a hint of apology. "I'm sorry about throwing the chili powder in your eyes earlier. You were looking so menacing and threatening me; I had no choice but to fight back."

Jia Yanyong squinted at Lin Zheyu, somewhat speechless. "You're so strong that I really couldn't beat you in a fight. Was it really necessary to use such a despicable method?"

"Uh... Haha, why go through all that trouble when I can save some energy? Tonight is on me. I'll treat you all to drinks and apologize to Brother Jia," Lin Zheyu said generously. In the future, when he promoted his novel copyrights, he would need the help of these brothers.

"Let's go! If I don't fleece you heavily tonight, I won't be able to let go of my resentment!" Jia Yanyong said through gritted teeth, his eyes still swollen. He looked at Xie Jiang with a smug expression. "You lost to Brother Lin too, kid. Nothing to say now, right? And you," he turned to Ning Hui, looking at him with contempt through squinted eyes, "you didn't even dare to go up and fight. A real coward."

It was these two who had specifically come over to mock him earlier.

The group arrived at a restaurant and drank heavily, the barriers between them dissolving. Lin Zheyu and Jia Yanyong, having become friends through combat, competed in drinking, letting the wine settle their old grievances.

...

(End of Chapter)