Clash (Part 2)

"Good!"

"Brilliant!"

"Mr. Lin is amazing!"

Cheers erupted from all around.

Jia Yanyong lay hunched on the ground, cold sweat streaming down his face, his pride deeply wounded.

He had actually lost.

He had lost to a storyteller.

"My apologies, I didn't control my strength well just now."

Lin Zheyu helped Jia Yanyong up from the ground, speaking with a hint of regret.

"Your strength is formidable. If it weren't for your eye injury affecting your performance, perhaps I would have been the one to lose."

Lin Zheyu said this loudly, giving Jia Yanyong some face.

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

"I lost this time."

"Once my eye heals, we shall fight again!"

Jia Yanyong said solemnly.

A loss was a loss. Since he had agreed that their grievances were wiped clean, he would not hold a grudge.

At worst, he would just find him for a few more matches later to regain his pride.

"Very well." Lin Zheyu nodded.

"Mr. Lin is impressive!"

"I didn't expect Mr. Lin to not only be a man of great literary talent but also possess such powerful martial arts. I admire you, Mr. Lin." Xu Jingwu said with a smile.

"You flatter me, Gang Leader. It is merely some crude martial arts used for self-defense."

"Being alone out here without the backing of a clan, it is easy to be bullied. I had no choice but to learn some martial arts to protect myself."

Lin Zheyu said modestly, then looked at Xu Jingwu: "I wonder if my martial arts are worthy of your approval, Gang Leader Xu."

"Of course."

"Mr. Lin's martial arts would be considered those of a skilled fighter, even within the Flying Rainbow Gang."

"However, I noticed that Mr. Lin seemed to have some strength in reserve just now. Would you be interested in exchanging a few more moves with others?" Xu Jingwu proposed.

"Then I ask for your guidance, everyone."

Lin Zheyu humbly cupped his hands toward the members of the Flying Rainbow Gang.

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 Mr. Lin." Xu Jingwu said.

"Yes, Gang Leader."

Xie Jiang responded and stepped forward.

He was a man with an ordinary appearance, similar in build to Lin Zheyu, not as robust as Jia Yanyong.

"I am Xie Jiang. Please, enlighten me."

Xie Jiang cupped his hands toward Lin Zheyu. He seemed to have read some books, unlike the rough Jia Yanyong.

"I am Lin Zheyu. Please go easy on me."

Lin Zheyu returned the gesture.

This guy is strong!

That was the impression Xie Jiang gave Lin Zheyu.

Xie Jiang's strength was on par with Jia Yanyong's; in a duel between the two, they would each have their own victories and defeats.

Since Lin Zheyu could easily defeat Jia Yanyong, he was certain that he would not be an opponent for him either.

"Hah!"

Xie Jiang let out a shout and struck first.

He utilized a unique footwork that looked quite elegant as he charged toward Lin Zheyu.

Lin Zheyu watched Xie Jiang, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Lin Zheyu had not experienced many direct combat encounters with other martial artists.

When sparring with Master Liang, he could only take a beating, which was incredibly frustrating.

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

Lin Zheyu dodged Xie Jiang's palm and threw a punch, but his opponent used his agility to quickly evade.

"Interesting."

Lin Zheyu grinned.

He had also studied movement techniques, but he hadn't mastered them yet, so this was the perfect opportunity to use Xie Jiang to hone his skills.

"Oh!"

Seeing Lin Zheyu also employ a special movement technique, Xie Jiang couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

However, he quickly set his mind at ease.

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

The two moved rapidly around the arena, clashing a dozen times with loud thuds, trading blows back and forth.

"So strong!"

"He was holding back just now."

Jia Yanyong narrowed his eyes as he watched the two fight, secretly shocked in his heart.

Is he using me to hone his movement technique?

After another dozen exchanges, Xie Jiang's eyes narrowed.

"Hmph!"

He let out a cold snort and looked at Lin Zheyu, saying, "Mr. Lin, do you still not intend to use your full strength? Do you want to keep dragging this out?"

"My apologies, I was just so impressed by Mr. Xie's movement technique that I got carried away."

Lin Zheyu said, beginning to get serious.

Bang—

Xie Jiang's movement technique was excellent; relying on his speed advantage, he circled around Lin Zheyu, launching constant palm strikes.

Lin Zheyu threw punches to parry, his hands easily blocking Xie Jiang's attacks.

He spotted an opening, stepped forward with his right foot, and closed the distance in a flash.

"Oh no!"

Xie Jiang realized something was wrong, but it was already too late.

Lin Zheyu grabbed his wrist with his left hand, fast and accurate, and threw a punch with his right.

He unleashed a Bull Horn Thrust, his right fist striking Xie Jiang's chest at a tricky angle, forcing him to stumble back several steps.

"I concede."

"Mr. Lin's strength is formidable; I am impressed." Xie Jiang rubbed his aching chest as he stood up.

A wave of commotion broke out among the surrounding members of the Flying Rainbow Gang.

If Jia Yanyong's defeat could be attributed to his impaired vision affecting his performance, then Xie Jiang's loss proved that Lin Zheyu had won entirely through raw skill.

"Ning Hui, are you interested in going up for a round?"

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 Forging, possessed good combat awareness, and his techniques were systematic, indicating he had been guided by an experienced master.

I'll have Jia Yanyong look into who taught him martial arts later.

If he truly went from nothing to this level of Bull Fist in two months, then this kid's talent is worth recruiting and cultivating.

Xu Jingwu pondered, his interest piqued.

For a family to grow, relying solely on its own kin was not enough.

Many of the powerful martial artists in their Xu Family had been absorbed through marriage or by joining as sons-in-law.

This Lin Zheyu was currently on his own, possessed good talent and comprehension, and had an outstanding character and appearance; he was a solid candidate.

"No, no, they both lost, I definitely wouldn't be able to beat him either." Ning Hui waved his hands.

"Haha."

"Mr. Lin's strength is remarkable; the Flying Rainbow Gang has gained another fierce warrior."

"It's getting late now. Tomorrow morning, Mr. Lin, you can report to the Flying Rainbow Pavilion at 28 Tongquan Street, and I will have someone arrange a position for you."

Xu Jingwu said with a hearty laugh.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he took his leave.

"Mr. Lin's strength is impressive, I, Jia Yanyong, am convinced."

"Let's wipe the slate clean regarding what happened before. From now on, you are a member of our Flying Rainbow Gang, and we are all brothers."

Jia Yanyong walked over and said.

"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 chili powder in your eyes earlier."

"Who told you to threaten me with such a fierce and menacing look? I had no choice but to strike back."

Jia Yanyong narrowed his eyes at Lin Zheyu, speechless: "You're so strong that I wouldn't be able to beat you in a real fight anyway. Was there any need to use such despicable tactics?"

"Uh..."

"Haha, why go through all that trouble when I can save some effort?"

"I'll host tonight. I'm treating you all to drinks, and it'll also serve as an apology to Brother Jia."

Lin Zheyu said generously.

In the future, when promoting the copyright of his novel stories, he would still need the help of these brothers.

"Let's go, let's go. If I don't fleece you tonight, I won't be able to vent the hatred in my heart," Jia Yanyong said through gritted teeth, his eyes swollen.

He looked at Xie Jiang with a smug expression: "Didn't you lose to Brother Lin as well? You have nothing to say now, do you?"

"And you, you didn't even dare to go up and spar. What a coward," Jia Yanyong said, looking at Ning Hui with disdain in his squinting eyes.

These two were the ones who had specifically come over to mock him earlier.

The group arrived at a tavern, drank to their hearts' content, and the barriers between them vanished.

Lin Zheyu and Jia Yanyong became friends through their fight, comparing their drinking capacity, laughing off their past grievances, and settling their scores over drinks.