"Good!"
"Brilliant!"
"Mr. Lin is amazing!"
Cheers rang out from all around them.
Jia Yanyong lay on the ground, hunched over, cold sweat streaming down his face. His pride had taken a bit of a blow.
He had actually lost.
And to a scholar who made his living telling stories.
"Sorry, I didn't control my strength just now."
Lin Zheyu helped Jia Yanyong to his feet, speaking with a hint of apology.
"Your skills are impressive. If your injured eye hadn't affected your strength, perhaps I would've been the one to lose."
Lin Zheyu spoke loudly, trying to save Jia Yanyong some face.
Since they'd be colleagues from now on, and would see each other every day, it was better to keep things amicable.
"I lost this time."
"When my eye has healed, let's fight again!"
Jia Yanyong said solemnly.
A loss was a loss. Since they had agreed to wipe the slate clean, he wouldn't hold a grudge.
At worst, he could challenge Lin Zheyu to a few more fights later and win back some face.
"Sure." Lin Zheyu nodded.
"Mr. Lin is amazing!"
"I never expected Mr. Lin to be not only a gifted writer, but also a formidable martial artist. Xu is impressed," Xu Jingwu said with a smile.
"Gang Leader Xu, you flatter me. They're just a few rudimentary skills I learned for self-defense."
"Alone in the world, with no relatives or backing, it's easy to get bullied. I had no choice but to learn a few martial arts to protect myself."
Lin Zheyu replied modestly, then looked at Xu Jingwu. "May I ask whether my skills meet Gang Leader Xu's standards?"
"Of course."
"Even within the Flying Rainbow Gang, Mr. Lin's skills would make him a fine fighter."
"Still, it seemed to me that you were holding back just now. Would you be interested in exchanging a few moves with someone else?" Xu Jingwu suggested.
"Then I'll be in everyone's hands. Please go easy on me."
Lin Zheyu cupped his hands toward the members of the Flying Rainbow Gang.
He also wanted to find out where his strength stood—not just within the Flying Rainbow Gang, but across Songyi City.
"Xie Jiang, go a few rounds with Mr. Lin," Xu Jingwu said.
"Yes, Gang Leader."
Xie Jiang answered and stepped forward.
He was an ordinary-looking man, about the same build as Lin Zheyu and nowhere near as burly as Jia Yanyong.
"I'm Xie Jiang. Please give me your guidance."
Xie Jiang cupped his hands toward Lin Zheyu. He seemed to have read a few books, unlike the boorish Jia Yanyong.
"Lin Zheyu. Please go easy on me."
Lin Zheyu returned the salute.
"This man is strong!"
That was the impression Xie Jiang had of Lin Zheyu.
Xie Jiang's strength was on par with Jia Yanyong's; the two of them had traded wins and losses when they fought.
Since Lin Zheyu had beaten Jia Yanyong with ease, Xie Jiang knew he wouldn't stand a chance either.
"Ha!"
Xie Jiang let out a shout and struck first.
He used a distinctive footwork technique, moving with an almost ethereal grace as he charged at Lin Zheyu.
Lin Zheyu watched Xie Jiang, his eyes bright with fighting spirit.
He had little experience facing other martial artists head-on.
When he fought Master Liang, all he could do was take a beating, and it had been deeply frustrating.
Xie Jiang was incredibly fast and especially skilled in footwork.
Lin Zheyu dodged Xie Jiang's palm and threw a punch, but his opponent swiftly slipped away with his nimble movements.
"Interesting."
Lin Zheyu grinned.
He had also studied footwork, but hadn't yet mastered it. This was the perfect chance to sharpen his skills against Xie Jiang.
"Oh!"
Seeing Lin Zheyu use a special footwork technique of his own, Xie Jiang couldn't help exclaiming in surprise.
But he quickly relaxed.
Lin Zheyu's footwork was terrible—only a little better than that brute Jia Yanyong's.
The two darted around the practice ground, exchanging blows again and again. They traded more than ten moves, neither gaining a clear advantage.
"How strong!"
"He was holding back earlier, too."
Jia Yanyong narrowed his eyes as he watched the two fight, secretly astonished.
"Is he using me to sharpen his footwork?"
After another dozen exchanges, Xie Jiang's eyes narrowed.
"Hmph!"
He snorted and looked at Lin Zheyu. "Mr. Lin, are you still not planning to use your full strength? Do you intend to keep dragging this out?"
"Sorry. I saw how skilled you were with your footwork and got carried away for a moment."
Lin Zheyu replied, now taking the fight seriously.
Bang—
Xie Jiang's footwork was superb. Relying on his speed, he circled Lin Zheyu and launched palm strikes one after another.
Lin Zheyu blocked with his fists, easily stopping every attack with his hands.
He waited for his chance, then stepped forward with his right foot and swiftly closed the distance.
"Not good!"
Xie Jiang realized the danger, but it was already too late.
Lin Zheyu's left hand snapped out, catching his wrist with speed and precision. His right fist followed with a thunderous blow.
He unleashed Bull Horn Thrust. His right fist drove in at a tricky angle, slamming into Xie Jiang's chest and sending him stumbling back several steps.
"You let me win."
"Mr. Lin is powerful. I'm impressed," Xie Jiang said, rising and rubbing his aching chest.
An uproar rippled through the members of the Flying Rainbow Gang.
If Jia Yanyong's defeat could be blamed on impaired vision weakening him, then Xie Jiang's loss made it clear: Lin Zheyu had won through sheer strength.
"Ning Hui, would you be interested in a bout as well?" Xu Jingwu asked with a smile.
After those two fights, he had fully gauged Lin Zheyu's strength.
Early Bone Forging, with good combat instincts and a coherent system of techniques—he had clearly received guidance from an experienced master.
"I should have Jia Yanyong find out who taught him martial arts."
"If he really went from knowing nothing to reaching this level in Bull Fist in two months, then this kid's talent is worth cultivating and bringing into the fold."
Xu Jingwu pondered, already considering the possibility.
For a family to grow strong, relying on its own bloodline alone wasn't enough.
Many of the powerful martial artists in the Xu Family had been brought in from outside through marriage, joining the family as live-in sons-in-law.
Lin Zheyu was alone, with good talent and comprehension, and was both decent and handsome. He was a promising candidate.
"No, no. Those two both lost, so I definitely wouldn't stand a chance," Ning Hui said, waving his hands.
"Haha."
"Mr. Lin is a fine fighter. The Flying Rainbow Gang has gained another strong hand."
"It's getting late. Mr. Lin, come to the Flying Rainbow Pavilion at 28 Tongquan Street tomorrow morning to report for duty. I'll have someone arrange a position for you."
Xu Jingwu laughed heartily.
After a few more pleasantries, he left.
"Mr. Lin, you're formidable. I, Jia Yanyong, admit defeat."
"What happened before is settled. From now on, you're one of us in the Flying Rainbow Gang. We're all brothers."
Jia Yanyong walked over and spoke.
"Don't keep calling me Mr. Lin. Just call me Lin Zheyu."
Lin Zheyu smiled, then looked at Jia Yanyong with a touch of apology. "I'm sorry I threw chili powder in your eyes earlier."
"Who told you to look so fierce and threaten me? I had no choice but to hit back."
Jia Yanyong narrowed his eyes at Lin Zheyu, looking exasperated. "You're so strong that I couldn't beat you in a real fight anyway. Was there really any need to use such a despicable trick?"
"Uh..."
"Haha, if I could save myself some effort, why go through all that trouble?"
"Drinks are on me tonight. I'll treat you all—and make it up to Brother Jia, too."
Lin Zheyu said generously.
He would need these brothers' help later when he started promoting the copyrights to his stories.
"Come on, come on. I won't be satisfied until I take a good chunk out of you tonight," Jia Yanyong said through gritted teeth, his eyes swollen.
He looked at Xie Jiang, his expression smug. "You lost to Brother Lin, too. Nothing left to say now, huh?"
"And you—you didn't even dare step up and fight. What a coward." Jia Yanyong looked at Ning Hui with a narrowed-eyed sneer.
Those two had been the ones to come over and mock him earlier.
The group headed to a tavern and drank together. The tension between them dissolved.
Lin Zheyu and Jia Yanyong had become friends through their fight. They tested their drinking skills, laughed off their grudge, and let the liquor decide who came out on top.
Before you continue