Observing Wanfa from the martial arts school servants

Chapter 31 Strange Things

These past two days, Lin Mu went to the Palace Office to copy documents as usual, but all he found were household registrations, taxes, and local customs; there was no information related to martial arts.

At night, he practiced boxing in his room at the Heyuan Inn, and he especially liked to imitate the way internal force was applied.

He repeatedly deduced the circulation paths of the Long Wind Fist and Whip Kick—the straight path of the Long Wind Fist, the arc of the willow swaying in the wind, and the spiral of the Whip Kick—three completely different circulation methods, and his body-strengthening technique slowly improved in this silent deduction.

The next morning, he pulled up the booklet.

[Long Wind Fist: Beginner 12/100]

[Body Tempering Technique: Beginner 8/100]

【Whirlwind Kick - Wild Dance (Incomplete): Beginner 3/100】

On the evening of the 3rd, Lin Mu asked the innkeeper to deliver a message to the martial arts school.

When it was completely dark, there was a knock on the door.

He opened the door, and Bai Yungui stood outside, his wine gourd swaying at his waist, carrying the coolness of the night breeze.

"Senior Brother."

"One night, I was ambushed at the city gate by a master of internal energy."

"I had no choice but to hide in the Heyuan Inn and wait for you to come and pick me up."

Lin Mu raised his left arm, revealing his injured arm.

Bai Yungui's eyes sharpened.

"Zhou Yu was also ambushed."

"Someone is targeting Changfeng Martial Arts School."

"Moreover, this person dared to make a move at the inner city gate."

"Either they have a powerful figure protecting them, or they are strong enough."

Be careful lately.

"Stay at the martial arts school."

Lin Mu nodded and left the inn with Bai Yungui.

On the way back, white clouds drifted by, and the wind and waves were calm.

In the following days, Lin Mu hid in the martial arts school to practice his boxing. He had reached the beginner level of Changfeng Fist (15/100) and Body Tempering Technique (12/100).

Time passed by unnoticed, and the day of the challenge arrived.

The martial arts training ground in Xihe Town is located in the west of the town.

A wide, flat loess field was surrounded by simple wooden sheds, which were now filled with people.

In the center stands a high platform covered with thick wooden planks, with two flags planted beside it—one reading "Long Wind" and the other "Fierce Tiger".

A middle-aged official in charge of the Palace Guard arrived. He was dressed in a black official robe, with a bronze badge hanging from his waist. He sat on the side of the platform with a stern face, with two soldiers with swords standing behind him.

The people from the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School arrived first.

Qian Wanjun sat under the shed, with several disciples standing behind him, each with fierce eyes and an aggressive demeanor.

The people from Changfeng Martial Arts School then entered.

The academy master walked at the front with a calm expression, followed by his eldest brother, senior brother Zhou, junior brother Liu, and a group of disciples.

Yan Hua walked in the queue with his back straight, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School across the street, a hint of disdain on his lips.

"The Dark Force Group, Yan Hua of Changfeng Martial Arts School, versus Shi Biao of Menghu Martial Arts School," the head of the Palace Guard stood up and announced loudly.

The two went up on stage and bowed.

Then Yan Hua made the first move.

He pushed off the ground with his left foot, unleashing a burst of speed, and shot towards Shi Biao like an arrow.

His right fist flew out from his waist, like a gust of wind, aiming straight for Shi Biao's chest.

The muscles and bones resonated together, and a crisp "snap" echoed through the training ground.

Shi Biao dared not take the blow head-on, and dodged to the side, the fist grazing past his clothes.

Yan Hua gave him no chance to catch his breath. With each strike, the wind blew against the willow branches, and the shadows of his fists piled up, forcing Shi Biao to retreat repeatedly.

The audience below the stage began to cheer.

The disciples of Changfeng Martial Arts School smiled.

Chen Yuan patted Zhou Yu on the shoulder: "It's safe now, it's safe now."

Zhou Yu also breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, Shi Biao was forced to the edge of the stage, lost his footing, and stumbled.

Yan Hua seized the opportunity and punched him in the face.

If that punch lands, Shi Biao will bleed even if he doesn't fall down.

But just as the fist was only three inches from Shi Biao's nose, Yan Hua's gaze suddenly became unfocused for a moment.

In that instant, he was caught by Shi Biao.

He suddenly turned to the side, dodging the punch, and his right palm flipped out from his waist, pressing down on Yan Hua's chest.

The Fierce Tiger Fist is unparalleled in its ferocity, with palm strikes as powerful as an iron hammer smashing a door.

The hidden force penetrated Yan Hua's body, rampaging through his body.

Yan Hua's body stiffened abruptly.

He took two steps back and spat out a mouthful of blood. The blood splattered on the wooden board, a glaringly red color.

There was a moment of silence under the shed.

Then cheers erupted from the Tiger Martial Arts School.

Qian Wanjun sat under the shed, his mouth slowly widening into a grin, revealing a set of yellow teeth.

Shi Biao did not stop.

He strode forward and punched Yan Hua repeatedly in the chest, shoulders, and ribs.

The fierce power of the Tiger Fist comes in waves, like an iron hammer repeatedly striking a piece of raw iron.

Yan Hua's body swayed violently under the fist, like a withered tree in a storm, no longer as composed as before.

He wanted to fight back, but his internal energy was disrupted, and his fist went limp halfway up.

The disciples of Changfeng Martial Arts School under the shed stood up nervously.

Chen Yuan opened his mouth, unable to speak.

Zhou Yu's face was somewhat pale as he considered the consequences of Yan Hua's defeat.

Cui Mingyue and Ye Lang exchanged a glance, revealing expressions of "I knew it."

Barring unforeseen circumstances, an accident is bound to happen.

Lin Mu stood in the corner of the tent, his gaze never leaving Shi Biao on the stage.

He remembered every punch, every step, and every exhale of that short, stocky man.

Especially the last few Tiger Fists—fierce, domineering, every punch landed with flesh, the hidden force penetrating the body, leaving Yan Hua with no power to fight back.

He closed his eyes, and the little booklet in his mind felt slightly warm.

[After observation, you can replicate the technique: Fierce Tiger Fist (Beginner).]

[Will it be reissued?]

Silently repeat in your mind: "Yes."

A strange flow of energy surged into his body, completely different from the lightness of the Long Wind Fist and the spiral of the Whip Kick.

The power of the Fierce Tiger Fist is fierce and overwhelming.

Like a wild bull rampaging through the meridians.

Just as he closed his eyes to comprehend the Fierce Tiger Fist, Yan Hua was punched again, retreated to the edge of the stage, and knelt down on one knee.

He braced himself against the ground, raised his head, and blood dripped from the corner of his mouth onto the wooden board.

He looked at Shi Biao, his eyes filled with resentment, but his body was no longer under his control.

"I admit defeat." He gritted his teeth and spat out the two words.

The person in charge stood up and announced expressionlessly, "Shi Biao wins at the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School."

When Yan Hua was helped off the stage, the area under the shed at Changfeng Martial Arts School was deathly silent.

"This...how is this possible?" Chen Yuan stammered, his mouth agape, before finally managing to squeeze out a sentence.

"Yan Hua was clearly in control just now, but suddenly he acted like he'd lost his soul!"

Junior Brother Liu said with dissatisfaction, "You always look down on people with your chin."

"Instead of practicing his boxing properly, he's always bothering Wanruo."

"Now we can't even beat the hidden strength of the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School."

The curator, sitting to the side, turned his head and lowered his voice: "Did you see clearly?"

Bai Yungui's gaze was still fixed on the bloodstain on the stage: "Yan Hua said that a mirror suddenly appeared on the opposite roof, causing him to be temporarily blinded and lose the initiative."

"There's something fishy about this."

"Um."

"Mingjin needs to win the next three games."

……

Where there are those who are worried, there are naturally those who are happy.

The area around the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School was very lively.

As Shi Biao stepped off the stage, several of his fellow apprentices greeted him, patting him on the shoulder, handing him a water bottle, and laughing heartily.

The tall, thin man named Zhao Lie gestured with his chin toward Changfeng Martial Arts School, mimicking Yan Hua's usual mannerisms:

"Superior talent is meant to be defeated."

Several disciples nearby burst into laughter.