Linghu Ke Attacked

Xiao Wang finished speaking and charged at Cheng Hu again.

"Junior Brother, those 500 Federation Credits might really be mine today. We can add a meat dish for everyone."

After saying that, Cheng Hu watched Xiao Wang's incoming fist, flashed aside, and met him head-on.

Their fists collided continuously in midair, producing a series of thuds. Cheng Hu held an obvious advantage in strength, but in speed, Xiao Wang was already nearly his equal.

In terms of agility, however, Xiao Wang clearly had the upper hand.

Although his hand techniques were inferior, combined with his physical advantages, Xiao Wang no longer appeared to be at any obvious disadvantage.

"Pay attention to how you use the Breathing Method. Carefully feel its changes when you punch and move." Wei Zhongxing sipped his tea as he instructed Xiao Wang.

"Understood."

As Xiao Wang threw his punches, he maintained the form of the Tiger Guard Fist while circulating the Primordial Yang Breathing Method. At first, he felt that his fists, kicks, and Breathing Method were completely separate and impossible to combine. Logically, the Breathing Method should have increased the power and speed of his strikes, but at the beginning, it not only gave him no benefit—it actually had the opposite effect.

The disorder in his breathing threw his punches into disarray as well.

But gradually, through the exchange, Xiao Wang began to comprehend and grow accustomed to the Breathing Method's changes. At first, he could only grasp the tiniest variations, but little by little, he mastered more and more of them. His punches grew heavier and smoother.

At first, Cheng Hu had felt that he held a clear advantage. He had thought that the 500 Federation Credits would definitely pay for an extra meal today. But gradually, he felt Xiao Wang's fists growing heavier, their force becoming increasingly dense and unbroken.

Huh? What's going on? Why is he getting stronger and stronger? That makes no sense.

Cheng Hu was puzzled. Normally, as a fight dragged on, a person's stamina would be depleted. Whether it was the power or speed of their punches, both should only grow weaker. Yet Xiao Wang, standing opposite him, was getting stronger and stronger.

Wei Zhongxing watched Xiao Wang the entire time. At first, he merely looked satisfied, but gradually, a trace of shock flashed through his eyes.

At this rate, in less than three days, Cheng Hu won't be a match for this kid.

Wei Zhongxing continued his verbal guidance. "Watch the form. Don't let the Breathing Method lead you astray. Let form take priority, with the Breathing Method as support."

Xiao Wang was startled when he heard that. At that moment, in order to master the Breathing Method, he had been paying too much attention to it, causing the form of his fists and kicks to gradually stray. He had not expected Wei Zhongxing to spot his problem with a casual glance.

After Wei Zhongxing's reminder, Xiao Wang gradually returned to the right track.

Cheng Hu had originally thought he was about to gain the upper hand and secure his victory, yet he slowly realized that Xiao Wang had grown stronger again.

After several dozen more exchanges, Xiao Wang's combination of fists, kicks, and the Breathing Method became increasingly proficient. However, when it came to endurance, he still could not outlast Cheng Hu, who had trained in martial arts for many years.

Xiao Wang threw a side punch at Cheng Hu's kidney.

Cheng Hu twisted aside and immediately followed with a back kick, his foot slamming heavily into Xiao Wang's chest. Xiao Wang crossed his arms before his chest to block, but Cheng Hu's strength was immense, sending him staggering back more than ten steps.

"Enough, that's about right. Remember not to bite off more than you can chew. You need to combine sparring with comprehension to improve faster."

The two had intended to continue, but Wei Zhongxing stopped them in time.

Cheng Hu clasped his hands toward Xiao Wang. "Forgive any offense, Junior Brother."

"You're too polite, Senior Brother. I should be thanking you for sparring with me. You've worked hard." As Xiao Wang spoke, he immediately took out 500 Federation Credits and handed them to Cheng Hu. "The wager."

"Junior Brother, this..."

"A wager is a wager. A promise once made cannot be taken back. There's no need to stand on ceremony, Senior Brother. But next time, I'm afraid you'll be the one paying."

Cheng Hu smiled and accepted the Federation Credits. "I'll wait for Junior Brother to win money from me."

As Cheng Hu spoke, he now understood what his master, Wei Zhongxing, had said before—that Xiao Wang would definitely surpass him.

He had long since accepted his lack of talent. Even Linghu Ke surpassed him by a fair margin in talent, so there was even less to compare when facing Xiao Wang.

Wei Zhongxing looked at Cheng Hu. "Now that you have money, go buy some pork. Let's improve the food today."

"Master, this is my private savings."

"Private savings my ass. What are you saving it for, to marry a wife? Get your ass out there and buy pork."

"Okay."

Cheng Hu sounded reluctant, but after tidying up, he still went out to buy pork.

After Cheng Hu left, Xiao Wang came before Wei Zhongxing and refilled his teacup. "Master, what else do I need to improve?"

Xiao Wang had known before that Wei Zhongxing had a keen eye, or he would not have become a teacher at Mount Yuan Martial Arts Academy. But after Wei Zhongxing had spotted his problem with a casual glance just now, he felt even more keenly how formidable his master was.

"To be fair, you've improved quickly. This has only been five days, right?"

"Four and a half."

Wei Zhongxing glared at Xiao Wang. "Look at you showing off. To reach this level in four and a half days, there probably aren't many people in Mount Yuan Outer City who can manage it. But..."

As he spoke, Wei Zhongxing changed the subject. "Martial arts are like anything else. Remember not to bite off more than you can chew. While being diligent, you must leave yourself enough time to comprehend, reflect, and review. Only then can you improve faster. Otherwise, you'll end up like your eldest senior brother, with a limited ceiling."

"I understand, Master." Xiao Wang spoke as he refilled another cup of tea.

Xiao Wang continued asking Wei Zhongxing about the details and doubts he had experienced during the sparring match. Wei Zhongxing held nothing back, answering each question and clearing up his doubts one by one.

After receiving Wei Zhongxing's guidance, Xiao Wang felt enlightened several times.

Cheng Hu soon returned with the pork.

"There was a gunfight on Kiln Ridge Street just now. I heard even people from the Patrol Bureau were injured. Security in the Outer City is getting worse by the day." Cheng Hu complained as he carried the pork inside.

By then, it was already late, and night had begun to settle in.

Cheng Hu went to the kitchen to start cooking, while Xiao Wang got up to lend a hand.

Just as the meal was nearly ready, Linghu Ke returned.

But when Xiao Wang saw Linghu Ke, his face filled with shock. One of Linghu Ke's hands was bleeding continuously. Looking closely, there was a clear knife wound on his arm. His sleeve had been cut open, and some of the muscle was even exposed.

"Second Senior Brother, what happened?" Xiao Wang asked urgently.

Yet neither Wei Zhongxing nor Cheng Hu showed the slightest panic. Cheng Hu merely retrieved a simple first-aid kit from behind the main room with practiced ease and began bandaging Linghu Ke.

Wei Zhongxing carried a stool over and sat beside Linghu Ke. "You were attacked?"

"Five little punks. They knew a bit of fist-and-kick fighting. I took care of all of them."

"Damn it, security really is getting worse and worse." Wei Zhongxing sighed.

Xiao Wang was completely confused and hurriedly asked, "Master, Senior Brothers, what exactly happened?"