Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
Benjamin came to the dojo at the age of 17. He showed relatively higher talent in two years, so he was recruited as an inner disciple by Li Kun Yang.
For internal martial arts that considered both inside and outside styles, like Xingyiquan, they usually maintained an extensive culture. If one didn’t master the culture of China, it would be very difficult to learn internal martial arts.
During the ten years of learning in the Xingyi dojo, Benjamin stood above the personal disciples.
Looking at Wei Xiao Bei entering the ring with ease, Benjamin was worried, as he could only enter the ring single-handed. He could not be that relaxed.
However, he was quite straightforward. Seeing no one answering after Wei Xiao Bei, he was anxious, since he didn’t want to be seen as weaker than Wei Xiao Bei.
Of course, most importantly, he couldn’t let Reannie’s impression of Wei Xiao Bei increase even more.
Thus, even though he was not confident, Benjamin still bravely said, “I’ll do it!”
Hearing someone respond, plenty of students gathered around. For the students that paid fees to learn, their sense of belonging was far lower compared to the personal disciples. However, they did have a collective sense of honor.
Since someone was willing to duel with Wei Xiao Bei on the stage, they were naturally excited. There were even people who shouted, “Benjamin, we support you!” It made it seem like an international competition.
Luckily, Li Kun Ming’s aura was strong enough that with a look across the area, all the cheering was suppressed.
However, it made more people put their hope in Benjamin.
Even some of the personal disciples were looking at Benjamin fervently.
Of course, their thoughts were more realistic than the other students: to let Benjamin fight first and assess the true strength of the so-called Martial Uncle Wei.
Even if Benjamin was defeated, they would at least be able to see something and build a foundation upon which to duel against Wei Xiao Bei later.
That’s right. The internal disciples did not think they should accept any advice from this so-called Martial Uncle Wei at all. Wei Xiao Bei wasn’t any older than themselves, so there would be a limit to how much stronger he was.
From another perspective, Benjamin was actually thinking similarly. Also, he thought that it was his home ground. With the support of so many people, he naturally had some advantages and more chances to defeat Wei Xiao Bei.
To avoid lowering his aura, Benjamin did not single-handedly flip into the ring, but instead, he walked slowly from the stairs behind a pole.
Not only could he cover the distance between himself and Wei Xiao Bei on entering the ring, but he also gave the aura of a scholar.
After entering the ring, Benjamin wasn’t rude. He cupped his fist with his other hand, bowed toward Wei Xiao Bei, and said, “Martial Uncle Wei, disciple Benjamin would like to request for some pointers.”
This was to avoid Wei Xiao Bei from striking first, and also to regulate his breath and allow his body to quickly adapt for battle.
Because of this, Wei Xiao Bei was impressed by Benjamin.
“Come.”
As he was a guest at the Xingyi dojo, Wei Xiao Bei changed to a white training uniform. He put his left hand at the back of his waist and his right hand gestured Benjamin to make a move.
These actions showed his ease and confidence; the martial arts scholar look gave Reannie, who was observing the duel from behind Li Kun Ming. a gleam of excitement in her eyes.
However, the scene caused the audience to chatter suddenly. They thought even though Wei Xiao Bei was stronger than Benjamin, giving up his left hand was underestimating his enemy too much.
As in any martial arts, the use of both hands is necessary to fully utilize the skills.
Even for a martial art that focuses on legs, like the Shaolin 12-Tantui, one couldn’t ignore the hands.
There’s a saying to describe Tantui, “Hands as two doors, attack with legs only; Tantui’s four hands frighten humans and ghosts!”
With that being said, both hands were extremely important even for the various martial arts that focus on legs.
To give up a hand in a duel was basically the privilege of seniors educating juniors in the field of martial arts.
If it was for someone of the same seniority, it brought a sense of humiliation.
However, since Li Kun Yang recognized Wei Xiao Bei as a peer, it was normal for him to give up a hand to duel with Benjamin, even if Wei Xiao wasn’t a Xingyiquan martial artist.
Yet, in the eyes of the students and personal disciples, Wei Xiao Bei was overconfident, since they knew that Benjamin wasn’t weak.
Looking at Wei Xiao Bei’s confidence, Benjamin wasn’t annoyed but felt happy. As soon as the order was given by the senior acting as the judge, Benjamin put forward his left foot while his right foot followed, then withdrew his right fist to his right ribs, with his fist facing upward and turned to the right. Finally, the fist quickly tightened and struck toward Wei Xiao Bei.
“Half-step Crushing Fist!”
Looking at Benjamin’s swift attack, the audience was wowed.
Naturally, there were some meddlesome students who asked questions. Compared to the inner disciples, these students also wanted to learn many things by the things initially taught to them were various stances, footwork, and sparring. They have never seen techniques with practical applications like the half-step crushing fist before.
If there was a question, someone would naturally answer.
The half-step crushing fist was considered the simplest punch within the practice of Xingyiquan. It prioritized explosive power!
The punch reached as the body moved, with the support of internal qi, both legs consecutively moved half-step, both fists punched sequentially. It had a high surprise factor, enough to catch the opponent off guard. Those that were weaker might be knocked out in instant.
This skill was extremely famous, being comparable to the Iron Mountain Lean of Bajiquan and Fuzi San Gong Shou of Three Emperor Cannon Fist, as one of the internal martial arts punches with the most explosive power.
Benjamin planned to use it all along. He thought Wei Xiao Bei was a descendant of Bajiquan and might not have much knowledge on Xingyiquan, so he wanted to quickly defeat Wei Xiao Bei with this advantage.
Well, these plans were the same as trying to defeat an old master with random punches.
Yet, Wei Xiao Bei wasn’t just an average Joe. Based on Benjamin’s punch, he could infer that Benjamin’s kung fu had already reached the level of negative jing based on the speed and power of the punch.
For a foreigner to reach this level, although it couldn’t compare to the gifted ones in the schools and families, it was still impressive.
In fact, it wasn’t easy to reach the negative jing level. If one didn’t have the wits, even if they practiced hard to gain great strength, they would only be at middle-level of positive jing, or at the most, the upper-level of positive jing.
Wei Xiao Bei put a smile on his face, moved his right leg lightly and stepped back, dodging Benjamin’s punch without difficulty.
The wind from the punch was almost unnoticeable as it blew toward Wei Xiao Bei’s face.
Bang!
Benjamin was anxious. The first punch missed his opponent, and Benjamin was in slight pain now. He clenched his jaw, circulated his qi, moved his legs, withdrew his right fist while punching with his left fist, and created an explosive sound.
However, the punch still hit nothing but air, and Benjamin’s chest ached once more with the pain worse than before.
It hurt the body most when the punch didn’t land, especially when the opponent didn’t even bother to block.
With only four consecutive punches, Benjamin felt pain in his chest and a weird taste in his throat.
Benjamin was familiar with this situation. It was an internal wound, and he was going to vomit blood.
Of course, if Benjamin could only control his strength somewhat it wouldn’t be like this.
Helplessly, he was too eager to defeat Wei Xiao Bei in a few moves, completely losing his calm. When he punched with his full strength, his body was filled power, and he even regulated his entire qi channel without holding back.
As such, when the punch did not hit Wei Xiao Bei, he could only forcefully pull back his fist and endure the vibrations that he had created.
After four consecutive punches, Benjamin understood that he wasn’t doing his best. Being so eager, he was worse than the weakest personal disciple.
However, when he was about to withdraw and keep a distance to regulate his breathing and try again, Wei Xiao Bei struck. Wei Xiao Bei quickly moved toward him and placed his right hand on Benjamin’s shoulder.
Benjamin was scared, and when he tried to struggle, his shoulder was tense for a moment, then he realized his body was paralyzed. Soon his body was being lifted and thrown away, with his eyes looking up at the lights on the ceiling.
The audience was surprised; Benjamin was thrown out of the ring. After flying for more than ten meters, Benjamin thought that was the end for him. He couldn’t control his body being thrown like that. He would fall head down and eventually die or become disabled. No one ever thought that Wei Xiao Bei would be so cruel!
Am I dead?
Not dead?
Benjamin was dazed as he felt someone holding his shoulder, and shaking him while saying something.
Damn it, I will put up a desperate fight!
Benjamin moved into a punching posture, but his arm was held by someone. It was Eighth junior apprentice, Zhang Tian Cheng. Benjamin was puzzled. “Eighth junior apprentice, why are you in the ring? Don’t interrupt; let me defeat this guy!”
“Seventh junior apprentice brother? Have you been possessed?”
Afterward, the guy in front of Benjamin that Benjamin thought was Wei Xiao Bei spoke with a familiar voice.
Benjamin took a look, and it was actually his third senior apprentice brother, Wu Ben Sheng.
Benjamin’s memory abruptly came back to him.
He was dueling with Wei Xiao Bei, but he missed a few punches as a result. When he was about to take a step back, Wei Xiao Bei took the opportunity and threw him out of the ring.
Didn’t I fall with my head down and should be fatally-wounded? Why am I still standing?
Looking at his surroundings, Benjamin confirmed the place that he fell, but he was still standing perfectly without any memory of falling and getting up.
Could it be?
Benjamin was dumbstruck and asked his third senior apprentice brother, Wu Ben Sheng, hesitantly, “Third senior apprentice brother, what happened after I was thrown out?”
“Nothing happened. I couldn’t believe that you’re so good. You are able to adjust your body to stand straight after being thrown out of the ring.” Third senior apprentice complimented Benjamin instead.
