70 The Transformation of Fish-Dragon (Part 2)
On the arena, Wu Shuangren, the Fish-Dragon Saber pointing diagonally at the ground, blood droplets slowly sliding down the forging patterns on the blade.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He fought two matches in a row, both while being outnumbered by Match for One Person. Even though he won quickly, he was still quite exhausted.
"Come."
Wu Shuangren waved to Zhao Kui.
Zhao Kui did not attack immediately. Like Ma Jun in the previous match, he first moved slowly around Wu Shuangren with steady footwork and his eyes were fixed on Wu Shuangren's shoulders and wrists.
As Zhao Kui circled around to Wu Shuangren's right, he suddenly moved.
Without warning or preparation, the right fist slammed straight out, simple and brutal, yet incredibly fast!
The wind howled as the iron gauntlet tore through the air, aiming straight for Wu Shuangren.
Wu Shuangren flipped her wrist, and the Fish-Dragon Saber slashed upwards, the blade aimed at Zhao Kui's wrist.
Zhao Kui neither dodged nor evaded, but simultaneously unleashed his left fist, striking with both fists at once, blocking Wu Shuangren's blade path with one above and one below.
Clang!
The blade struck the iron gauntlet, sparks flying.
Immediately afterwards, Zhao Kui unleashed a barrage of punches, one after another, each one powerful and heavy, specifically targeting Wu Shuangren's right arm and the blade of his knife.
His fighting style is extremely tough, yet very skillful. He appears to be very aggressive, but in reality, every move he makes leaves room for maneuver, and he can switch from offense to defense at any time.
Sun Lie and Ma Jun both suffered sudden defeats when they seemed to have victory in their grasp. Zhao Kui will not make the same mistake again.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of metal clashing was incessant as Zhao Kui's iron gauntlets continuously struck the Fish-Dragon Saber, sometimes with his fists directly hitting the blade, and sometimes with his sides striking the blade.
In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged more than ten blows.
Wu Shuangren maintained a defensive stance throughout, using his Fish-Dragon Saber to create a net of blades in front of him, blocking all of Zhao Kui's punches.
The seventeenth move.
Zhao Kui's right fist slammed towards the middle of the blade again, and Wu Shuangren blocked it with his horizontal blade. Just as the fist and blade made contact, Zhao Kui suddenly flipped his wrist, spread his five fingers, and the five fingers of the iron gauntlet hooked at the back of the Fish-Dragon Saber like iron hooks!
This sudden change of tactics came without warning and happened as fast as lightning!
Zhao Kui immediately reached out with his left hand, attempting to disarm Bai Jia with his bare hands!
He gave a low shout, gripping the back of the blade tightly with his right hand, while his left hand, which had been a fist, slammed into Wu Shuangren's right wrist, the one holding the knife. This move, ' Twin Dragons Lock the Saber,' was his unique skill, honed over twenty years. The inside of his iron fist had specially designed grooves and barbs, making it extremely difficult to break free once it gripped the blade. Combined with his left palm sealing the wrist, ninety-nine percent of his opponents would drop their weapons with this move!
At the critical moment, Wu Shuangren made an unexpected move—instead of retreating, he took half a step forward, the blade sliding forward an inch under the constraint of the opponent's gauntlets, sparking a string of sparks.
At the same time, Wu Shuangren intercepted the opponent's grabbing hand with his left hand, and pressed down sharply with his right wrist, causing the Fish-Dragon Saber to slide down along the force of Zhao Kui's grip.
This advance and retreat cleverly countered the force in Zhao Kui's right hand!
Sizzle—
The sickening metallic scraping sound rang out again as the Fish-Dragon Saber broke free of Zhao Kui's iron gauntlets, its blade slicing upwards!
Zhao Kui's expression changed, and he hurriedly retreated, but it was too late.
Brush!
The blade grazed his right forearm; the iron gauntlets only protected his hands, leaving his forearm covered by a single layer of cotton sleeve. The sharp tip of the Fish-Dragon Saber easily tore through the fabric, leaving a three-inch-long wound on his arm, from which blood immediately gushed out.
Zhao Kui grunted and staggered back several steps, glancing down at his wound.
Fortunately, he retreated quickly enough that his wounds weren't too deep and didn't significantly affect his combat effectiveness.
On the side of the stands, the members of the West River Gang all looked solemn.
Zhao Kui's face was grim. He took a deep breath, suppressing the pain in his arm. He stared intently at the Fish-Dragon Saber in Wu Shuangren's hand and assumed a fighting stance once more.
The two continued their fight.
After exchanging five blows, Zhao Kui suddenly changed his move, transforming his right fist into a claw and striking the back of the knife once more.
Disarm the attacker bare-handed!
But Wu Shuangren was prepared this time. The moment Zhao Kui changed his move, he flicked his wrist, and the Fish-Dragon Saber drew an arc, the blade slashing upwards from below, aiming straight for the fingertips of Zhao Kui's outstretched fingers.
Zhao Kui quickly changed his move, transforming his claws into fists to meet the blade head-on.
Clang!
The fist and knife collided, and Zhao Kui was forced to take half a step back.
In the ninth move, Zhao Kui seized the moment when Wu Shuangren was sheathing his sword, and his left palm shot out like a ghost. This time, instead of gripping the back of the blade, he directly grabbed Wu Shuangren's right hand that was holding the sword.
As Zhao Kui struck with his palm, Wu Shuangren stepped back with his left foot, turned his body to the side, and his Fish-Dragon Saber swept in a semi-circle as he turned, aiming for Zhao Kui's left rib.
If Zhao Kui doesn't stop, even if he manages to grab Wu Shuangren's wrist, he himself will be disemboweled!
Three attempts, all three failed.
Zhao Kui had to admit that Wu Shuangren had seen through his proud skill!
He took a deep breath, his chest bulging like a bellows. His breathing became more rapid, producing strange hissing and hawing sounds with each inhale and exhale.
As his breathing changed, his bare forearms and palms visibly swelled up!
The veins bulged out like earthworms, the muscles were taut, and the skin changed from bluish-black to dark red, with the subcutaneous blood vessels even visible throbbing.
White steam was even continuously rising from the Iron Fist Gauntlet!
Zhao Kui was able to become the third West River Gang with his martial arts skill, the "Stele-Splitting Hand," not only because of his ability to disarm someone with his bare hands, but also because of this sudden burst of special moves.
The [Match for One Person] skill also enhanced Wu Shuangren's Internal Skill!
Zhao Kui made a move.
There were no fancy moves, just a simple palm strike. But the speed and power of this strike were far greater than before, and the force of the palm wind made Wu Shuangren's robes flutter backward!
Wu Shuangren did not take the blow head-on. Instead, he unleashed the Cloud Tide Returning Wave Steps, his body drifting backward like a falling leaf. At the same time, he slashed horizontally with his Fish-Dragon Saber, aiming at Zhao Kui's outstretched wrist.
After exchanging a few blows, Zhao Kui seized an opportunity and once again reached out and grabbed the blade.
Clang!
The palm struck the blade, producing a metallic clang. Zhao Kui clenched his fists, gripping the middle of the Fish-Dragon Saber tightly. This time, his swollen hand exerted immense strength, preventing the Fish-Dragon Saber from slipping away!
"Locked!"
Someone from the West River Gang exclaimed in surprise.
Zhao Kui's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he simultaneously struck out with his left palm, aiming straight for Wu Shuangren's wrist.
Wu Shuangren made another move that Zhao Kui didn't expect—
He let go, voluntarily relinquishing the Fish-Dragon Saber!
The timing was almost perfect; it was exactly the instant Zhao Kui exerted his strength to lock onto the blade.
As he released his grip, Wu Shuangren lunged forward, his body crashing into Zhao Kui like a phantom.
Wu Shuangren raised his left palm, slightly concave, gathering his strength, and slammed it heavily into Zhao Kui's chest!
This change of move is very similar to the one that defeated Luo You in Moxian Tower, except that Wu Shuangren uses it now with faster transition and more solid palm force!
Zhao Kui, with his rich practical experience, immediately realized he had fallen into a trap. In a flash, he made the wisest choice—
With a powerful push off the ground, he leaped backward.
Bang!
The muffled sound was like the beating of a drum.
Zhao Kui flew backward like a kite with a broken string, spitting out a mouthful of blood in mid-air. However, he had used all his strength in this leap, which dissipated much of the force, and he fell to the edge of the arena.
Seeing Wu Shuangren quickly catching up, Zhao Kui didn't even have time to get up. He rolled twice and tumbled off the stage!
Thump!
Zhao Kui crashed heavily onto the muddy ground below the ring, rolled around once before stopping, covered in dust and looking utterly disheveled.
He coughed up blood again after landing, but he managed to stand up by supporting himself with his hands. Although he was swaying, he survived.
After a brief silence, laughter erupted from the crowd.
Hahahaha--
Although the West River Gang fierce and powerful, Wu Shuangren had won three consecutive matches today, so the onlookers were no longer so afraid. When they heard someone laughing, many of them couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Amidst the laughter, Zhao Kui's face flushed red and then turned pale; he had never been so humiliated in his life!
He gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and walked back to the stands.
In the stands, Li Ming's face was ashen.
Zhao Kui's roll not only cost him the martial arts competition, but also made the West River Gang lose all face!
But when he looked at Zhao Kui, who had returned to the stage, he didn't say anything to blame him. Instead, he comforted him, saying, "Quickly sit down and regulate your breathing."
Seeing that he said that, Chen Xiao, who was about to curse him, gritted his teeth and held back.
Zhao Kui was somewhat moved, nodded repeatedly, sat down, closed his eyes, and began to circulate his qi and blood to regulate his breathing.
Xie Jingshan stood up and announced loudly:
"The Fist Academy wins the third match!"
"Good!!!"
The militiamen's cheers were deafening, and the sound of their spears striking the ground was as rhythmic as the beating of drums.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere on the West River Gang's side had become extremely heavy!
After three consecutive defeats, and with the third leader losing in such a humiliating manner, a shadow fell over everyone's hearts.
On the arena, Wu Shuangren looked at Chen Xiao and waved to him.
Chen Xiao's face flushed red, and he stood up abruptly.
"Brother, this is my..."
"Big brother."
A calm voice interrupted Chen Xiao's request to fight.
The speaker was Han Tieshan, the fourth West River Gang. He was in his early forties, with a dark face, a short beard, a lean build, but a large frame, and he held an iron spear in his hand.
I'll take this one.
Han Tieshan said.
Although he was only ranked fourth in the gang, this ranking was based on seniority, not entirely on martial arts skills.
In fact, among the entire West River Gang, Han Tieshan's martial arts skills were second only to Li Ming, making him the second best!
Seeing that Han Tieshan had stepped forward, Chen Xiao remained silent.
He knew he should go first, so he decided to let the fourth brother go first.
Li Ming looked at Han Tieshan and said in a deep voice, "Be careful!"
"Clear!"
Han Tieshan, carrying his iron spear, leaped onto the arena.
"The West River Gang, Han Tieshan!"
"Please."
Wu Shuangren assumed a starting stance.
Without wasting words, Han Tieshan shook his arms, and his iron spear unleashed a spear flower the size of a bowl, its cold light flashing as it thrust straight at Wu Shuangren's face.
The spear tip pierced the air with a sharp whistling sound!
Wu Shuangren dodged to the side, his Fish-Dragon Saber slashing diagonally towards the spear shaft. But Han Tieshan flicked his wrist, the spear bending under the immense force, changing the thrust into a sweep, aiming for Wu Shuangren and abdomen.
Wu Shuangren withdrew his sword to parry.
Clang!