"Ha!"
Jia Yanyong bellowed.
His face was all coarse flesh, giving him a vicious, fiendish look.
He stamped down hard and charged at Lin Zheyu, swinging his sandbag-sized fist toward Lin Zheyu's face.
As he ran, Jia Yanyong already pictured himself knocking Lin Zheyu flat with one punch, then watching him drop to his knees and beg for mercy.
Lin Zheyu seemed genuinely frightened.
He stood motionless.
Jia Yanyong was fast. In an instant, he was right in front of Lin Zheyu.
His fist whistled through the air as he swung it toward Lin Zheyu's head, picturing Lin Zheyu being flattened by a single blow.
"Hm?"
When he felt no impact against a cheek, Jia Yanyong realized his punch had missed.
Lin Zheyu twisted at the waist and dodged to the left.
He whipped his right hand out, scattering the red powder he had prepared for so long into Jia Yanyong's eyes.
Once the powder was airborne, Lin Zheyu quickly backed away, but the chili powder still made him cough several times.
He had prepared this chili powder over half a month ago, but hadn't had a chance to use it.
He had thought that even if he used it someday, it wouldn't be on Jia Yanyong. He never expected Jia Yanyong to walk right into it today.
"Ah!"
"Cough, cough... ah..."
Jia Yanyong's vision turned red as the spicy powder smeared across his face. A sharp, stinging pain immediately seared his eyes.
His cries and coughing echoed down the street.
"Ah! I'm going to kill you! Kill you!"
Jia Yanyong roared furiously.
His eyes were squeezed shut, tears streaming down and blurring his vision.
A searing sensation and excruciating pain surged from his eyes. Jia Yanyong felt as if he were going blind, his heart filled with both fury and terror.
He didn't dare imagine what his life would be like if he lost his sight.
Eyes closed, he swung his fists wildly at the empty air.
Lin Zheyu charged forward and struck Jia Yanyong in the chest with Bull Charge, knocking him back several steps.
There was no denying it: chili powder was really useful.
Jia Yanyong was strong. If they had fought head-on, Lin Zheyu might not have been his match.
With his first strike landing, Lin Zheyu rushed in again.
He unleashed a series of Bull Fist blows. Blinded, Jia Yanyong flailed with Turtle Fist, unable to land a single hit. Lin Zheyu easily knocked him to the ground.
"I'm sparing your life for your brother's sake. You won't be so lucky next time."
"Go rinse your eyes. You might still be able to save them."
Lin Zheyu said this as he watched Jia Yanyong's tears stream down.
More and more people had gathered around, so he didn't keep attacking.
If this hadn't been the Inner City, where so many passersby were around, Lin Zheyu would have finished the man off long ago.
He walked around Jia Yanyong and headed home as if nothing had happened.
Moonlight poured like a waterfall across the courtyard.
After changing into a snug martial outfit, Lin Zheyu went to Liang Song's courtyard.
The two of them took their places in the middle of the yard.
Lin Zheyu assumed an offensive stance, while Liang Song stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his face. He looked just like the legendary master.
"Use everything you've got and attack me."
"Forgive me, Master."
Lin Zheyu said.
The muscles in his calves exploded with power, sending him shooting toward Liang Song like an arrow.
Bull Fist emphasized brute force. When used, its momentum was filled with an unstoppable drive.
At that moment, the power of his legs flowed through his waist, gathering the strength of his entire body and pouring it into both fists.
First form of Bull Fist: Bull Charge!
Both fists shot forward together, one direct and one deceptive.
The direct punch came straight at the opponent's face with overwhelming force, compelling him to focus on defense.
The other struck toward the waist and abdomen, attacking by surprise when his guard was down.
The two punches could instantly switch between direct and deceptive. If the opponent focused on the punch aimed at his abdomen, the one coming straight at him would immediately become a killing blow.
It would smash his head open!
Thud!
Liang Song reached out and caught Lin Zheyu's wrists, one hand above the other.
He turned slightly sideways, then yanked hard with both arms, using Lin Zheyu's momentum to pull him off balance in an instant.
Lin Zheyu staggered forward several steps. He sensed something was wrong, but it was already too late.
Thump—
A violent pain burst through his abdomen, and Lin Zheyu went flying.
Beneath the moonlight, Liang Song patted his lame leg and settled back into place.
"Master, did you have to hit so hard?"
Lin Zheyu got to his feet and rubbed his abdomen, where a burning pain flared.
That really hurt.
His master was already old, yet still so formidable.
"If I hit you hard, you'll remember the lesson."
"Actual combat is about turning weakness into strength and using strength to strike weakness."
"Your attack just now was powerful, while the force I used was less than half of yours. In relative terms, I was at a disadvantage."
"But with a few tricks, I could borrow your force and add my own, making you lose control and your balance."
"Your powerful force instantly became your weakness. When I took the opportunity to attack, I was using strength to strike weakness."
"When you run into a situation like that, you should..."
Liang Song patiently explained some techniques for real combat and ways to respond.
After finishing his explanation, Liang Song demonstrated each movement for Lin Zheyu in slow motion.
"Again. Attack like you did just now, then counter using the method I taught you."
After the demonstration, Liang Song gestured for Lin Zheyu to attack again.
Lin Zheyu thought back over what he had just learned and gained a deeper understanding of Liang Song's instruction.
His eyes grew resolute, and he shot toward Liang Song.
Thump, thump, thump—
This time, Lin Zheyu and Liang Song exchanged several blows.
Thump—
As expected, Lin Zheyu was kicked flying again.
"Master, that's cheating! You didn't say that move had a weakness like that." Lin Zheyu rubbed his stomach as he got up.
Liang Song had easily broken the countering move he had just taught Lin Zheyu with another method.
"You have to keep your wits about you."
"Moves are dead, people are alive."
"No one sticks rigidly to martial arts techniques in a fight. You have to respond flexibly to different situations."
Liang Song chided him, pointing out Lin Zheyu's shortcomings once more.
"Again!"
Thump—
"Again!"
Thump—
All night long, Lin Zheyu was either being kicked or on his way to being kicked.
Liang Song seemed to have a habit of kicking people. He kicked Lin Zheyu in the stomach, the buttocks, and the chest.
"I'm done, I'm done."
Lin Zheyu grimaced as a searing pain spread across his face.
Liang Song had just kicked him in the face!
That was just plain unsportsmanlike. You could hit anywhere but the face!
"Hiss—"
"Master, you've gone too far. Kicking me is one thing, but you even kicked me in the face."
Lin Zheyu sucked in a sharp breath and complained indignantly.
He hated people hitting him in the face more than anything, but he couldn't beat the man standing in front of him...
"Hmm. What's wrong with hitting you in the face? I'm your master. Can't I?"
Liang Song said mildly, feeling a little sheepish.
He really hadn't held back just now.
Lin Zheyu learned remarkably quickly and was exceptionally good at applying what he learned to new situations. One moment of carelessness, and Liang Song had nearly been hit in the abdomen.
In his haste, Liang Song had kicked out with his right foot, catching Lin Zheyu in the face and sending him flying.
"Take this medicine. Rub some on tonight, and you won't hurt when you wake up tomorrow morning."
Liang Song took out a tiny bottle and tossed it to Lin Zheyu.
Lin Zheyu pulled out the stopper and sniffed. The strong scent of medicinal herbs filled his nostrils.
"Thank you, Master."
"Remember to come early tomorrow. I'll teach you something else."
"Sure. I'll definitely come early."
Lin Zheyu replied, anticipation rising in his heart.
Before you continue