Chapter 21: Dishonorable

"Ha!" Jia Yanyong let out a fierce shout.

His face was thick with coarse flesh, giving him a savage and intimidating appearance. He stomped hard against the ground, charging at Lin Zheyu with sandbag-sized fists, swinging straight at his face. As he ran, Jia Yanyong already pictured Lin Zheyu being knocked to the ground with a single punch, begging for mercy on his knees.

Seeing these movements, Lin Zheyu truly did seem terrified—or at least, to Jia Yanyong. He stood frozen in place and did not move an inch. Jia Yanyong's speed was terrifyingly fast, and in an instant, he was right in front of Lin Zheyu.

His fist whooshed through the air, aimed at Lin Zheyu's head.

"Hm?"

But instead of the impact he expected, Jia Yanyong's fist struck nothing but air. Lin Zheyu twisted his waist and dodged to the left. With a sharp flick of his right hand, the red powder he had long prepared scattered toward Jia Yanyong's eyes.

As the powder flew out, Lin Zheyu quickly retreated, yet even he couldn't help coughing a few times from the sting of the chili powder. He had spent half a month preparing this chili powder, but never had the chance to use it. He thought that even if he ever used it, it wouldn't be on Jia Yanyong. Yet today, Jia Yanyong had walked right into it himself.

Argh! Cough, cough... ahh...

Jia Yanyong felt his vision turn red as the searing powder smeared across his face, his eyes immediately burning with intense pain. His miserable screams, mixed with harsh coughing, echoed down the street.

"Ahh! I'll kill you, I'll kill you!" shouted Jia Yanyong furiously.

His eyes were tightly shut, and tears were streaming down and blurring his vision. A fiery sting, accompanied by searing pain, spread from his eyes. Jia Yanyong felt as though he were going blind, and his heart surged with both rage and fear. He didn't dare imagine what life would be like if he truly lost his sight.

With his eyes shut tight, he swung his fists wildly at empty air. Lin Zheyu lunged forward with a Barbaric Ox Charge, slamming into Jia Yanyong's chest and forcing him back several steps. Jia Yanyong was indeed powerful, but the chili powder was even more effective. Of course, if it came to a straight fight, Lin Zheyu might not be his match.

Having landed his strike, Lin Zheyu pressed forward again. He unleashed a set of Barbaric Ox Fist techniques. Blinded, Jia Yanyong could only swing clumsy, aimless punches into the air, unable to land a hit on Lin Zheyu, and was easily knocked to the ground.

"I'll spare your life for your brother's sake. Next time, however, you won't be so lucky. Hurry and rinse your eyes. You might still be able to save them," said Lin Zheyu as he looked at Jia Yanyong, whose tears were still flowing uncontrollably.

More and more onlookers gathered around, so he refrained from striking again. If this hadn't been the inner city, with so many passersby around, Lin Zheyu would have already finished him off. He walked past Jia Yanyong as if nothing had happened and made his way home.

***

Moonlight poured down like a waterfall, spilling across the courtyard. Having changed into training clothes, Lin Zheyu made his way to Liang Song's courtyard. The two of them stood facing each other in the center of the courtyard. Lin Zheyu took up an attacking stance, while Liang Song stood with his hands behind his back. Liang Song had a faint smile on his face, resembling a legendary master.

"Use everything you've got and attack me," said Liang Song.

"Forgive my offense, Master," replied Lin Zheyu.

His calf muscles tensed explosively, propelling him forward like an arrow toward Liang Song. The Barbaric Ox Fist emphasized raw force. When the fist technique was unleashed, its momentum carried an unstoppable aura.

In that instant, the strength of his thighs, bound together by the power of his waist, gathered the force of his entire body into both fists.

Barbaric Ox Fist, First Form: Barbaric Ox Charge!

With this attack, both fists shot forward, with one being orthodox and the other unorthodox. The frontal fist carried an unrivaled momentum, aimed straight at the face to force the opponent to focus entirely on defense, while the other shot toward the waist and abdomen, striking when least expected.

The orthodox and unorthodox could switch in an instant. If the opponent focused on defending the strike to the abdomen, the frontal fist would immediately turn into a killing blow. It would blow the opponent's head wide open!

Bang!

Liang Song stretched out both hands, one up and one down, seizing Lin Zheyu's wrists. He shifted his body slightly to the side, then suddenly exerted force through his arms, borrowing Lin Zheyu's own momentum to yank him forward and instantly break his balance. Lin Zheyu staggered forward a few steps, his footing was unstable. He realized something was wrong, but it was already too late.

Bang!

A sharp pain burst from his abdomen, and Lin Zheyu's body was sent flying. Under the moonlight, Liang Song patted his lame leg and stood firmly once more.

"Master, did you really have to hit that hard?" asked Lin Zheyu. He stood up and rubbed his abdomen, where a burning pain spread. Even at his age, his master's strength was still formidable.

"The harder the blow, the deeper the lesson. In real combat, the goal is to turn weakness into strength and use strength to strike at weakness. Your attack just now was powerful, while the force I used was less than half of yours, making me the weaker side."

"But by using certain techniques, I was able to borrow your power, add to it, and make you lose control and balance. That overwhelming strength of yours instantly became your weakness. When you encounter such a situation, you must..."

Liang Song explained with patience, teaching Lin Zheyu practical combat techniques and ways to respond. Afterward, Liang Song demonstrated the moves himself in slow motion for Lin Zheyu.

"Again. Attack as you did just now, then counter in the way I've taught you," said Liang Song.

Having finished the demonstration, Liang Song gestured for Lin Zheyu to continue the attack. Lin Zheyu recalled what he had just learned, and his understanding of Liang Song's teachings deepened further. His eyes grew resolute, and his body shot forward toward Liang Song.

Bang, bang, bang.

This time, Lin Zheyu and Liang Song exchanged several rounds of blows.

Bang!

Unsurprisingly, Lin Zheyu was once again kicked flying.

"Master, you're cheating! You didn't say this move had such a flaw just now," said Lin Zheyu, standing up while rubbing his stomach.

The counter technique Liang Song had just taught him had been effortlessly broken moments later with a different move.

"Your mind must stay flexible. Techniques are rigid, but people are alive. In battle, no one will rigidly use martial techniques as they are. You must adapt flexibly to the situation at hand." Liang Song lectured, once again pointing out Lin Zheyu's shortcomings.

"Again!"

***

Bang.

"Again!"

...

***

All night long, Lin Zheyu was either being kicked or on his way to being kicked. Liang Song seemed to have a habit of kicking people. If he wasn't kicking Lin Zheyu's stomach, it was his backside or his chest.

"No more, no more," begged Lin Zheyu. He bared his teeth as his face was burning with pain.

Liang Song had just kicked him in the face! That was too dishonorable; everyone knew you shouldn't hit the face!

Hiss.

"Master, you've gone too far. It's bad enough to kick me, but you even kicked my face," said Lin Zheyu as he sucked in a cold breath, protesting indignantly. He had always hated being hit in the face, but this man before him was someone he simply couldn't defeat...

"Hmph, so what if I hit your face? I'm your master, so am I not allowed to?" asked Liang Song lightly, though inwardly a little embarrassed.

He really hadn't held back just now. Lin Zheyu's learning ability was sharp, and his ability to draw inferences was fast. Due to a single careless moment, he had nearly landed a hit on Liang Song's abdomen. In that instant of urgency, Liang Song's right foot shot out instinctively, striking Lin Zheyu's face and sending him flying.

"Here, take this medicine. Apply it tonight, and by morning the pain will be gone," said Liang Song, pulling out a small bottle and tossing it to Lin Zheyu.

Lin Zheyu popped open the cork and sniffed. A rich herbal scent instantly filled his nose.

"Thank you, Master," he said.

"Be sure to come earlier tomorrow. I'll teach you something else," replied Liang Song.

"Alright, I'll definitely come early," said Lin Zheyu as a trace of anticipation rose in his heart.