Killing Skill

"Sharp, this, this is truly... truly sharp!"

Fish Head Xu stood in the crowd, craning his neck to watch the retreating back of Xiahou Wu, unable to collect his thoughts for a long while.

He had seen plenty of fights in the film industry, and many people were martial arts practitioners who had even worked with fight choreographers to design various action sequences, but never had he seen one so swift and violent.

Watching such a high-level clash at close range, he hadn't even been able to track many of the movements.

It wasn't just Fish Head Xu; many in the surrounding crowd were still in a state of daze and bewilderment.

This fight had been far faster, wilder, and more brutal than anything in movies or television; most people had only just seen the two start to move before the outcome was already decided.

"Coming here was definitely the right choice!"

Yang Chu stood beside Fish Head Xu, seemingly oblivious to his exclamation, whispering to himself after the fight had concluded.

"Martial arts and boxing techniques are not merely about static strength or the explosive power of the human body. It is about the mechanics of force, the timing of the strike, footwork, evasion, the dissipation of force, the coordination of hands, eyes, and body..."

His eyelids drooped as if he were replaying the exchange between Xiahou Wu and Mai Rong'en.

The movements that others had failed to see, he had perceived with absolute clarity; the entire process of their clash seemed etched into his mind.

In just a short time, Yang Chu had analyzed a wealth of information.

Xiahou Wu's height and weight were far inferior to Mai Rong'en's, yet his control over his body and his mobilization of power allowed him to block Mai Rong'en's heavy, forceful attacks, while his agile frame, the sudden activation of small muscles, fascia, and tendons, and his mastery of rhythm left Mai Rong'en with almost no room to resist.

Physique and strength were the foundation, but the human body possessed many weaknesses, and where there were weaknesses, they could be exploited.

This was a killing art.

Kung fu is a killing art.

Just like the blow Xiahou Wu landed on the back of Mai Rong'en's head—he had clearly held back, otherwise, Mai Rong'en would not have merely been injured.

Furthermore, Yang Chu noticed that throughout the entire exchange, Xiahou Wu had used only his fists.

"Because the opponent is a boxing champion, he chose to fight with fists?"

Yang Chu's brain raced, a multitude of answers and questions surfacing in his mind.

He didn't understand why he was analyzing so much; perhaps in the past, he simply hadn't had the interest to dwell on such things.

"Chu-zai, how are you feeling now? You aren't still thinking about learning to box or challenging gyms, are you?"

Seeing Yang Chu habitually lost in thought, Fish Head Xu leaned in and asked in a low voice once more.

Following the commotion caused by Xiahou Wu, the opening ceremony of the Shark Martial Arts Gym naturally lost its appeal and was hastily brought to a close.

The onlookers, busy with their own livelihoods, dispersed one by one once the excitement had faded.

Yet, many could be heard muttering, "The Hong Kong and Macau boxing champion is nothing special," while the various martial arts masters and gym owners present had all committed the name Xiahou Wu to memory.

"Brother Xu, I need to find him."

Yang Chu suddenly seemed to snap back to reality and spoke.

"Find who?"

Fish Head Xu was stunned for a moment before his expression changed to one of alarm. "Chu-zai, you can't be serious? You... you want to find that Xia guy to spar?"

"Brother Xu, let's go."

Yang Chu offered no further explanation; he felt like a child who had discovered a beloved toy, driven by an intense, yearning impulse to explore.

This feeling was akin to when he pored over books in the library—exploring himself and understanding the infinite mysteries of the human body.

Only, compared to reading through text, the desire for exploration sparked by these martial arts was far more intense.

For Yang Chu, since his revival, these were the only two things that had truly brought him such a sense of craving.

Leaving United Road, Yang Chu and Fish Head Xu jogged along until they caught up with Xiahou Wu, who was walking west along Prince Edward Road.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Xiahou Wu turned with sharp alertness. Upon seeing Yang Chu and Fish Head Xu, a flicker of surprise crossed his face, followed by the same restrained smile he had shown earlier. "What a coincidence to meet you two again."

"Yes, yes, we really didn't expect to run into you after coming to the Shark Martial Arts Gym today. Wow, you were truly sharp! You took down the Hong Kong and Macau boxing champion in just a few moves."

Fish Head Xu spoke first, his cross-eyed gaze fixed on Xiahou Wu, filled with awe.

As an actor and stuntman who made kung fu films, he harbored a deeper passion for true martial arts masters than the average person.

"You flatter me."

Xiahou Wu smiled and cupped his hands in a salute. Hearing Fish Head Xu's words, he understood that the latter must have been in the crowd when he sparred with Mai Rong'en.

"May I ask why you two are...?"

Xiahou Wu turned his gaze toward Yang Chu, noticing the way Yang Chu was staring at him, and asked with a hint of curiosity.

His voice remained gentle, and his face still wore a smile, completely devoid of the arrogance he had displayed during the fight with Shark En; he seemed like a different person entirely.

"I came to find you."

Yang Chu stared intently at Xiahou Wu, as if trying to see right through him, speaking without reservation.

When they were in the car that night, he had only sensed that Xiahou Wu was a practitioner, but after witnessing the battle with Shark En today, he was certain the man was a true master of martial arts.

He couldn't measure exactly how high his level was, but he could estimate that if he were the one facing the sturdy, fist-proficient Shark En, he would never have been as relaxed and effortless as this man.

"Find me? Is there something you need?"

The smile on Xiahou Wu's face faded slightly, his gaze meeting Yang Chu's without a hint of evasion.

"Sigh, it's like this, it's like this—"

Before Yang Chu could speak, Fish Head Xu stepped in front of him.

"Brother Xu!"

Yang Chu called out to Fish Head Xu, watching as he deliberately placed himself between him and Xiahou Wu.

Fish Head Xu ignored him, looking at Xiahou Wu and saying, "You said your name was Xiahou Wu just now, right? Then that makes you Brother Xiahou. That's a great surname, just like the heroes in the movies. I'm Liu Xu, everyone calls me Fish Head Xu, and this is Yang Chu, Chu-zai.

We don't have anything else going on, and since it's almost noon, Chu-zai and I were just heading out to grab a bite. Since you're on your own, why not join us? It's livelier with more people."

Standing behind Fish Head Xu, Yang Chu watched him gesture wildly as he rattled on. He fell silent, a faint smile appearing on his face as he took a small step back.

Xiahou Wu, standing opposite them, seemed to sense the change in Yang Chu. His gaze shifted to Fish Head Xu, who looked somewhat comical but spoke with a sincere tone. After a brief moment of contemplation, he laughed, "In that case, Brother Xu, I won't stand on ceremony."