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Chapter 35: A Powerful Physical Martial Art
Chapter 35: A Powerful Physical Martial Art
Zhang Dahua held his breath, his face tense.
Was this guy looking for trouble?
Should he quietly go and notify the other classrooms? He had a feeling that Master Shen was about to be slapped to death by this brute.
Chen Ji also sensed something amiss. Was this guy here to save face for the skinny monk after all, despite his pleasant words?
"Well?"
Zhang Tu'hu twisted his neck, his thick fingers, calloused from years of labor, pinching off a piece of grass root and tossing it away.
Shen Yi's gaze remained calm as he studied his opponent. There was a simple straightforwardness in his eyes, devoid of any provocation, yet they burned with a fierce battle intent.
Shen Yi slowly shifted his stance, exhaling a breath of turbid air. "Come."
As his words fell, Zhang Tu'hu abruptly lunged forward with his leg. The three- to four-hundred-catty stone lock shot out like a pellet from a slingshot, emitting an ear-piercing whistle as it hurtled toward Shen Yi's erect figure!
The force and speed of the attack were so overwhelming that it left no room for reaction from onlookers.
Shen Yi glanced sideways at the courtyard wall behind him. His right palm curled into a tight fist, and as he turned, he thrust out a punch. At the peak of his fist's arc, the stone lock instantly disintegrated into powder.
"I can see that you really cherish your money."
The cloud of dust momentarily obscured their vision, but in the next moment, that exaggeratedly bulky figure had already appeared behind the young man.
Two thick arms, like iron chains, lashed down from above. If this strike landed, his shoulder blades would surely shatter more thoroughly than the stone lock.
Shen Yi remained calm, slightly lowering his body. He dodged the whipping strike and, at the same time, brought his elbow up with the full force of his body, slamming it into Zhang Tu'hu's bearded chin.
A dull thud reverberated through the air.
Finally, a hint of surprise registered on Zhang Tu'hu's face.
He staggered back a couple of steps, the impact causing the entire courtyard to tremble. He rubbed his jaw and then bared his teeth in a wide grin. "That was a fast reaction."
An elbow strike capable of shattering the hard bones of a demon was only enough to make this man retreat two steps.
The others couldn't fathom what was happening, but Chen Ji's pupils constricted.
Just yesterday, Master Shen had kicked a tiger demon to the ground, forcing it to spit out blood. What kind of monster was this fat man?
"..."
However, the slight change in Shen Yi's expression wasn't due to this revelation.
He had infused his previous elbow strike with vital energy, and while he hadn't expected to take his opponent down with that move, he was now perplexed as to how this martial artist from Qingzhou had managed to block it without mobilizing any internal energy.
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, his body erupted into action, enhanced by the support of the Ling Snake's Eight Steps. He became a ghostly figure, his movements elusive.
Although Zhang Tu'hu was exceptionally fast, he couldn't avoid the drawback of his bulky frame. Even when he lowered his head, he couldn't see his toes, resulting in a slightly narrower field of vision.
Yet, there was no hint of panic in his eyes. He allowed Shen Yi's punches to land, his greasy skin proving as resilient as if it were layered with a hundred folds of cowhide.
Seizing the right moment, Zhang Tu'hu's meaty palm reached for his waist, and the pitch-black butcher knife in his hand slashed downward with a speed that defied the naked eye.
Despite the immense force behind it, the butcher knife once again cleaved only air.
Instead, Shen Yi seized the opportunity, taking advantage of the moment when Zhang Tu'hu couldn't retract his strike, and lifted his leg to kick at his opponent's waist. The massive figure toppled to the ground with a thunderous crash.
The Niu brothers were so startled that they scurried to the side like frightened rabbits.
"No fun! No fun!"
"These shallow punches of yours are useless no matter how well you execute them. To be honest, they're not even enough to warm you up."
Zhang Tu'hu picked himself up from the ground, his face covered in dust and dirt. His gaze fell to Shen Yi's waist, and he licked his lips. "Quick, draw your sword. I saw it yesterday, so don't try to hide it."
Hearing this, Shen Yi rubbed his wrists and then extended his fingers toward the sword hilt.
He had only intended to spar, but given the solidity of his opponent's physique, using only the Paiyun Long Fist would indeed be rather pointless.
The long sword cleaved down, and the crisp clash of metal rang out as his greasy skin was marked with a white scar.
"Has this turtle spirit refined itself?" Chen Ji exclaimed, his eyes wide and his breath quickening.
However, the smile on Zhang Tu'hu's face gradually faded as he stared at his arm. "Good swordsmanship..."
Before he could finish, the long sword, imbued with violent killing intent, slashed at him relentlessly.
Zhang Tu'hu crossed his arms again, blocking three consecutive strikes. But as the fourth blow descended, he suddenly performed a donkey roll, dodging clumsily.
In full view of the onlookers, he waved his hands frantically. "Stop! Let me catch my breath!"
Shen Yi slowly came to a halt.
Chen Ji was still perplexed as to why the fight had ended so abruptly. His gaze fell on the arm that Zhang Tu'hu had raised, and he felt a chill run down his spine. He realized that the previous strikes had all landed on the same spot, which only served to demonstrate Shen Yi's masterful control over his sword.
What truly astonished him was that the area that had been marked with a white scar was now enveloped by tendrils of red mist. Within a few breaths, the flesh had peeled away, revealing the bone beneath.
Beads of sweat the size of beans formed on Zhang Tu'hu's forehead as he endured the pain. He channeled his qi to dispel the red mist, and it was only after a long while that he lifted his head, sighed in relief, and marveled aloud:
"These methods... they don't seem like those of a good person."
"I like it!"
Shen Yi frowned, puzzled as to why his opponent hadn't used his qi to defend himself earlier.
Zhang Tu'hu, on the other hand, was thrilled. He jumped to his feet, patting his belly as he exclaimed, "What do you think?"
Shen Yi nodded. "Indeed, an incredibly powerful physical martial art."
"Do you want to learn it?" Zhang Tu'hu asked, his eyes drifting towards Shen Yi's sword.
"Master Shen, you mustn't!" Chen Ji was usually mindful of propriety, but he couldn't help but interject at this suggestion.
The relationship between the imperial court and the martial arts sects was far more intricate than the average person imagined.
Obtaining something from them was not something one could easily walk away from.
"Tsk, what's the rush?"
Zhang Tu'hu wasn't upset by the interruption. Instead, he smiled generously and said, "I came here with a purpose, and although it's not a particularly honorable one, I won't go as far as harming you, Shen."
He strolled over to Shen Yi's side and whispered, "Did you develop this swordsmanship from your own understanding of the Demon Subduing Sword Manual?"
Shen Yi looked at him, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Hehe, I've seen too much, and it felt familiar at first glance." Zhang Tu'hu raised his eyebrows. "The martial arts of the Demon Suppression Division—you'd be wise not to touch them. But this self-created technique of yours... well, there aren't as many rules, and I've had some insights of my own. How about we trade?"
Shen Yi's heart was stirred.
If he had Zhang Tu'hu's physique, he wouldn't have panicked during last night's encounter with the serpentine demoness.
After a moment's hesitation, Shen Yi turned and replied honestly, "I don't mind, but this swordsmanship might not be something you can learn."
Zhang Tu'hu was taken aback for a moment before he burst into a throaty laugh. "Of course, I know that such sinister methods are beyond the reach of someone in the imperial court like you. They must have been derived from the beastly essence of some demon."
"Only those desperate or insane would resort to such foolishness."
"Don't worry about whether I can practice it or not. Just make the trade."
Seeing that the conversation had turned to martial arts, Chen Ji quietly ushered the remaining officers out of the courtyard, then left himself, gently closing the gate behind him.
(End of Chapter)
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