Exchange Blows (II)

"Good!"

"Brilliant!"

"Mister Lin is amazing!"

Cheers rang out from all around.

Jia Yanyong lay curled up on the ground, cold sweat streaming down his face. He could barely hold his head up in shame.

He had actually lost.

Lost to a scholarly storyteller.

"My apologies, I failed to control my strength just now."

Lin Zheyu helped Jia Yanyong up from the ground and spoke with a hint of apology.

"You're very strong. If your injured eye hadn't affected your strength, perhaps I would have been the one to lose."

Lin Zheyu spoke loudly, leaving Jia Yanyong a little face.

Since they would be colleagues from now on, seeing each other day in and day out, it was better to maintain a good relationship.

"I lost this time."

"Once my eye heals, we'll fight another round!"

Jia Yanyong said solemnly.

A loss was a loss. Since he had said they would write off their grudges in one stroke, he would not hold a grudge any longer.

At worst, he could challenge Lin Zheyu to a few more fights later and win back his face.

"Alright." Lin Zheyu nodded.

"Mister Lin is amazing!"

"I never expected Mister Lin to possess not only outstanding literary talent, but such formidable martial skill as well. Xu admires you." Xu Jingwu said with a smile.

"Gang Leader Xu flatters me. They're merely crude, shallow martial arts, enough for self-defense."

"Alone in the world, without kin or a family background, one is easily bullied. Left with no choice, I learned a little martial arts to protect myself."

Lin Zheyu spoke modestly, then looked toward Xu Jingwu. "I wonder whether my martial arts are worthy of Gang Leader Xu's notice?"

"Of course."

"With Mister Lin's martial skill, even within the Flying Rainbow Gang, you would count as an expert."

"However, it seemed to me that Mister Lin still had some strength in reserve just now. Would you be interested in exchanging a few moves with someone else?" Xu Jingwu suggested.

"Then I ask everyone for their guidance."

Lin Zheyu cupped his fists modestly toward the Flying Rainbow Gang members.

He also wanted to know what level his current strength stood at within the Flying Rainbow Gang, and even within Songyi City.

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

"Yes, Gang Leader."

Xie Jiang answered and stepped forward.

He was an ordinary-looking man, roughly the same build as Lin Zheyu, without Jia Yanyong's burly physique.

"I am Xie Jiang. Please instruct me."

Xie Jiang cupped his fists toward Lin Zheyu. He appeared to have read some books and was unlike the coarse Jia Yanyong.

"Lin Zheyu. Please go easy on me."

Lin Zheyu returned the salute.

This fellow is very strong!

That was the feeling Lin Zheyu gave Xie Jiang.

Xie Jiang's strength was about equal to Jia Yanyong's. If the two fought, each would have their wins and losses.

Yet Lin Zheyu had easily defeated Jia Yanyong, so Xie Jiang certainly would not be his match either.

"Ha!"

Xie Jiang shouted and made the first move.

He employed a distinctive footwork, moving with an airy grace as he charged toward Lin Zheyu.

Lin Zheyu watched Xie Jiang, battle intent blazing in his eyes.

Lin Zheyu had not experienced many direct battles against other martial artists.

When he fought Master Liang, all he could do was take a beating. It had been utterly stifling.

Xie Jiang was very fast and exceptionally skilled in movement techniques.

Lin Zheyu dodged Xie Jiang's palm and threw a punch, but the other man swiftly evaded it with his agility.

"Interesting."

Lin Zheyu grinned.

He had learned movement techniques as well, though he had yet to even enter the gate. Xie Jiang was just the right person to help him temper himself.

"Huh!"

When Xie Jiang saw Lin Zheyu use an unusual movement technique as well, he could not help exclaiming in surprise.

But he soon relaxed.

Lin Zheyu's movement technique was far too poor, only slightly better than that reckless brute Jia Yanyong.

The two rapidly circled through the open space, exchanging more than a dozen blows with bang after bang, neither giving an inch.

"So strong!"

"He held back just now."

Jia Yanyong narrowed his eyes at the two exchanging blows, secretly shocked.

Is he using me to temper his movement technique?

After they exchanged another dozen or so moves, Xie Jiang's gaze hardened.

"Hmph!"

He snorted coldly and looked at Lin Zheyu. "Mister Lin, do you still not intend to use your full strength? Are you planning to drag this out?"

"My apologies. Seeing that Mister Xie's movement technique was so impressive, I was seized by the urge."

Lin Zheyu spoke as he began to grow serious.

Bang—

Relying on his speed advantage, Xie Jiang circled around Lin Zheyu and continuously struck out with his palms.

Lin Zheyu threw punches to block, easily stopping Xie Jiang's attacks with both hands.

Spotting an opening, he stepped forward with his right foot and swiftly closed in.

Not good!

Xie Jiang inwardly cried out, but he was already too late.

Lin Zheyu's left hand seized his wrist, swift and precise, while his right fist blasted out.

He unleashed a Wild Bull Horn Thrust. His right fist struck Xie Jiang's chest from a tricky angle, sending him stumbling back several steps.

"Thank you for yielding."

"Mister Lin is powerful indeed. I am impressed." Xie Jiang rose while rubbing his aching chest.

An uproar broke out among the Flying Rainbow Gang members.

If Jia Yanyong's defeat could be blamed on his injured eye affecting his strength,

then Xie Jiang had lost as well. This was entirely Lin Zheyu's victory through sheer strength.

"Ning Hui, are you interested in going up for a fight as well?"

Xu Jingwu asked with a smile.

From those two battles, he had thoroughly gauged Lin Zheyu's strength.

Early Bone Forging level, decent combat awareness, and a structured, systematic style of moves. He had clearly received guidance from an experienced master.

Have Jia Yanyong investigate later and see whom he learned his martial arts from.

If he truly went from nothing to training the Wild Bull Fist to this level within two months, then this kid's talent is worth recruiting and nurturing.

Xu Jingwu pondered, his mind stirring.

For a family to grow strong, relying on its own clansmen alone was not enough.

Many of the Xu Family's powerful martial artists had been outside experts they had taken in through marriage alliances and marrying into the family.

Lin Zheyu was alone now, with fine talent and comprehension, outstanding character and appearance. He was a good candidate.

"No, no. Both of them lost, so I definitely wouldn't be able to beat him either." Ning Hui waved his hands.

"Haha."

"Mister Lin is truly skilled. Our Flying Rainbow Gang has gained another fierce general."

"It's already getting late. Tomorrow morning, Mister Lin may report to the Flying Rainbow Building at No. 28 Tongquan Street. I'll have someone arrange a position for you."

Xu Jingwu said with a hearty laugh.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he left.

"Mister Lin is truly skilled. I, Jia Yanyong, am convinced."

"Let us write off what happened before in one stroke. From now on, you are a member of our Flying Rainbow Gang. We are all brothers."

Jia Yanyong walked over and said.

"Don't keep calling me Mister Lin. Just call me Lin Zheyu."

Lin Zheyu said with a smile, then looked at Jia Yanyong with some apology. "I'm sorry about throwing Chili Powder into your eyes before."

"Who told you to threaten me with such a fiendish, evil look? With no other choice, I could only strike back."

Jia Yanyong squinted at Lin Zheyu, somewhat speechless. "You're so strong that I couldn't beat you in a real fight anyway. Was there any need to use such despicable means?"

"Uh..."

"Haha, why waste all that effort when you can save some strength?"

"Tonight, it's on me. I'll treat you all to drinks, and apologize to Brother Jia while I'm at it."

Lin Zheyu said boldly.

When the time came to promote the copyright of his novel stories, he would still need these brothers to lend a hand.

"Let's go, let's go. If I don't fleece you hard tonight, the hatred in my heart will never be quelled." Jia Yanyong said through gritted teeth, his eyes still swollen.

He looked at Xie Jiang, a smug look on his face. "Didn't you lose to Brother Lin too? Got nothing to say now, do you?"

"And you, you didn't even dare go up and exchange blows. What a coward." Jia Yanyong looked disdainfully at Ning Hui through his narrowed eyes.

Those two fellows had specifically come over earlier to mock him.

The group went to a wine house and drank heartily, the barriers between them gone.

Lin Zheyu and Jia Yanyong had become acquainted through a fight. They competed in drinking, laughed away their grudges, and settled who was better in the wine.