The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 39 Zhang’s Martial Arts School

Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Zhang’s Martial Arts School

"Do you understand the rules?"

The man with the dead-fish eyes spoke neither yin nor yang, and not only did Li Yan and Sha Lifei react, but even Wang Daoxuan’s eyes turned slightly cold.

"Rules... Of course, I understand them!"

Sha Lifei chuckled, stood up, and patted his shiny bald head, "Forget about the rules of the martial arts duel for a moment, but when speaking to someone, you must introduce yourself. That’s a rule of the pugilistic world..."

"It’s a rule of being human!"

"You don’t even understand the basic rules of being a human, and you’re babbling away here!"

Sha Lifei, despite his average martial arts skills, navigated the pugilistic world relying on his glib tongue. He never lost an argument with others, let alone let someone trample him without a rebuttal.

However, the man with the dead-fish eyes was not angry after hearing this; instead, he shifted his focus to Sha Lifei and said with a hint of humor, "The rule of being human is indeed something I understand a bit, and emphasis should always be on moderation."

"Smile by three points, yield by three points, drink by three points, and yet you think nothing of lifting a table to engage in a fight to the death. Do you truly believe your fists are that strong?"

"Strong or not, we’ll only know by testing!"

"I just fear it’ll go soft even before the test!"

The two exchanged retorts, matching each other equally.

Moreover, the atmosphere inexplicably tensed.

Sha Lifei’s eyes widened,

The man with the dead-fish eyes looked solemn.

They assessed each other, much like generals encountering a worthy opponent on the battlefield.

Li Yan rubbed his temples and said, "What exactly do you want?"

He had an inexplicable feeling that if these two continued to argue, the entire morning would amount to nothing.

Having his argument interrupted, the man with the dead-fish eyes looked somewhat disappointed, but he began to introduce himself nonetheless, casually bowing, "Zhang Martial Hall, Zhang Shitong, also a roaming envoy of the Xianyang Divine Fist Association."

Li Yan squinted slightly, "Were you sent by Zhou Pan?"

He certainly understood the rules of the life-and-death duel.

First was to deliver the challenge; if he issued it verbally, then he had to deliver the challenge letter himself.

Second was to invite witnesses; regardless of whether they were from the government or pugilistic elders, someone needed to be present, to witness the event, sign the contract of life and death, so that even if someone was killed, no legal charges would follow.

The third was the rules of the duel.

When he delivered the challenge letter, the recipient had to accept; if they didn’t, they’d be admitting cowardice.

But if they accepted, then they got to decide the rules; whether it was the arena, plum-blossom stakes, or fists versus weapons, wasn’t up to him to decide.

If he dared not accept, he would have to admit defeat and leave Xianyang.

This was called reciprocation, a give and take.

As for a roaming envoy, it was a position within the Divine Fist Association.

The regional Divine Fist Associations mostly consisted of local martial halls, considered a quasi-legitimate organization within the pugilistic world. Some were hired by officials to be protectors, while others established escort agencies, closely tied with the court.

Sometimes, they even helped the court handle disputes within the pugilistic world and suppress bandit problems, thus had associations with local militias, often sending people to train others in sword, spear, and staff.

And roaming envoys were responsible for traveling across regions and gathering information.

Originally, the plan was to deliver the challenge letter today, so why had the other party arrived first?

"Hehe."

The man with the dead-fish eyes chuckled coldly, "The Divine Fist Association is not solely controlled by the Zhou family; my father is the vice-chairman, so the Zhou family cannot command us."

Li Yan was puzzled, "Then what does it have to do with you?"

"It originally had nothing to do with us." Zhang Shitong, the man with the dead-fish eyes, looked solemn. "The two disciples of the Zhou family are running amok in Xianyang City, bringing shame to the entire Divine Fist Association. We cannot ignore this, but we are also helpless."

"If you were to directly kill them, we’d secretly respect you as a gallant."

"But using Li Hu’s son’s name to issue a challenge, now this matter concerns our martial hall."

"My father... would like to invite you to come and have a bout!"

...

Zhang Martial Hall was located in the northeastern part near Medicine King Temple.

This was the old district of Xianyang, well-preserved compared to previous lives, and even had a section of old Qin’s broken walls that had been reinforced, separating two street alleys.

The martial hall covered a significant area and was built with old Qin bricks, which, together with the faded plaque, added a sense of antiquity and weightiness.

More intriguing, however, was a pair of stone lions at the entrance.

Li Yan had not even approached when he noticed an unusual expression in his eyes.

Stone lions originate from the Han Dynasty.

Back then, the kings of the Western Regions and Dawan Kingdom paid tribute with lions, which later were also introduced alongside Buddhist Tao, imbued with divinity, thus spreading the tradition of guardian stone lions.

This particular pair of stone lions had a rustic style, many parts worn smooth, yet their powerful and domineering aura was palpable, reflecting the Han style, undoubtedly not mere ordinary objects.

Sure enough, upon activating his smell superpower, Li Yan immediately sensed a distinctive aroma infused with a sense of majesty in the incense, evidently Gang Qi solidified, forming a small "formation."

It counted as a household-suppressing treasure, much superior to his household’s plaque.

With this artifact guarding, likely, nothing nefarious could dare enter.

Zhang Shitong, with keen eyes, noticed Li Yan’s odd expression and sneered, "This is a treasure passed down from our martial hall’s ancestors, even my father addresses it as master."

"I heard you even joined the Mystical Sect?"

"Just a reminder, though the Mystical Sect is a leader in the pugilistic world, it has its own rules. Moreover, Zhou Pan’s family possesses an even stronger suppressing object, so don’t try any tricks."

"Otherwise, others will be coming for you..."

"I know, of course!"

Li Yan replied calmly.

The Great Xuan Dynasty was powerful, and both the Mystical Sect and the pugilistic world had to abide by its laws; openly killing someone meant being pursued whether you were a bladesman or a magician.

Of course, things were different behind the scenes.

Before even approaching the martial hall, chants could be heard from within, clearly indicating there were students practicing boxing.

As Zhang Shitong arrived at the entrance, he respectfully saluted the two stone lions, saying "Good day, gentlemen," before leading Li Yan inside.

Li Yan’s heart sank upon hearing this.

This was likely a tactic advised by an insider.

Over time, these stone lions perhaps turned spiritual and became the guardian deity of Zhang Martial Hall, utilizing methods similar to those used by prominent mountain sects.

Upon entering, there were two sizable training grounds.

One was paved with yellow earth, weapon racks holding swords, spears, and staffs.

The other stood with plum-blossom stakes, stone locks, stone balls, and the like.

It was already autumn, and the weather had turned chill after several autumnal rains, but the disciples at the training grounds were all wearing short sleeves, their muscles well-defined, the force of their punches swift and powerful, with steam rising from their heads.

Xinyi Liuhe Quan?

Li Yan instantly recognized their boxing style.

This boxing took "the heart’s movement as intention, where intention directs the fists" as its principle, evolving from spear techniques to boxing, hence called Xinyi Liuhe Quan.

In Guanzhong, although Red Fist was mainstream, Xinyi Liuhe Quan was widely taught, and it wasn’t uncommon for specialized martial halls to teach it.

The main hall of the martial hall was also spacious, with the portrait of Zhang Hall’s ancestor enshrined on the back wall, below which were two armchairs. On either side of the hall were rows of chairs, and several majestic landscape paintings adorned the walls.

In one of the armchairs sat an elder, not very tall, dressed in a blue cloth tunic, with eyebrows connected in a line, slightly white hair, and yet another pair of dead-fish eyes.

"Greetings to Senior Zhang." Li Yan saluted with clasped fists.

Though rebellious, Li Yan was not devoid of etiquette.

This elder named Zhang Yuanshang was both a vice-chairman of the Xianyang Divine Fist Association and operated a martial hall, having affiliations with several escort agencies, thus he was considered a respected figure in the local martial community.

Old Man Zhang was smoking from a water pipe. Upon Li Yan’s entrance, he merely slightly raised his eyebrows, and a few disciples in the hall immediately exited, closing the door behind them.

With the sound of the door shutting, the lighting in the main hall dimmed.

The entire hall was left with just Zhang’s father and son and Li Yan.

Using those dead-fish eyes, Zhang Yuanshang looked toward Li Yan, a chilling gleam flickering, his voice raspy, "Li Hu might have been unable to keep his pants up, but he was still a hearty, formidable man. How did he end up with such a pretty boy for a son?"

This old man might have been short, but his aura was incredibly imposing.

The cold gaze was like a knife tip against the forehead.

Li Yan’s expression remained unchanged; he glanced sideways at Zhang Shitong standing beside him and shook his head, "Impressive, Senior, truly a family resemblance."

The Zhang family held grudges against Zhou Pan, inviting him undoubtedly not intending to start a fight.

This old man merely wanted to apply a deterrent, testing his courage.

But the foul mouth was just like his son’s.

"A coward, yet still has some spine."

Old Man Zhang was unperturbed, leaning back and sighing before saying, "If you had come to me first, things might not have turned out this way."

"Don’t engage in the life-and-death duel; leave Xianyang, at least you can save your life!"

Li Yan chuckled, "How does my duel concern you, Senior?"

Old Man Zhang spoke, "Your life or death may not be my concern, but being Li Hu’s son and engaging in a life-and-death duel in Xianyang does concern me!"

He then looked out the window, his tone calm, "This pugilistic world is as simple as it is complex."

"Simplified, it means whoever’s fist is larger stands firm!"

"Complexly, it’s bound by rules and social niceties everywhere."

"Ten years ago, some old fellows and I favored your father, aware of Zhou Pan’s character, we didn’t want him becoming chairman of the Xianyang Divine Fist Association, so we maneuvered extensively, expending much effort."

"Just as things were falling into place, your father died in Chang’an, and it had to be in a brothel. Zhou Pan easily ascended, and we were laughed at."

"The other old guys admitted defeat, but I was not convinced. But if you, claiming to be Li Hu’s son, get killed in Xianyang, that old monkey would have a reason to boast, and I wouldn’t dare to show my face."

"Do you understand this logic?"

"I understand!"

Li Yan nodded calmly, "It’s merely to avoid the scales tilting, for once measured, some words would become difficult to say."

"Good that you understand."

Zhang Yuanshang nodded slightly, lighting his water pipe again, "No matter what you intend, once you declare you’re entering a life-and-death duel, it has no connection with Meng Haichen’s filthy business. Win or lose, he won’t survive."

"Zhou Pan has reached Force Transformation, and he values his reputation tremendously. He wouldn’t act personally, probably wouldn’t even show his face..."

"His renowned disciples are the Eight Vajra, all possessing Hidden Energy. The gang leaders, Iron Blade and White Ape, are among them. Any one of them could easily kill you..."

"But Zhou Pan wouldn’t have them act because you’re too young, and they are out-of-line disciples with long-standing fame, so a win wouldn’t count as a win."

"If I’m not mistaken, it will be Zhou Bai who acts. He’s the most outstanding disciple of the Zhou family in this generation, only seventeen or eighteen, but entered Hidden Energy last year and has been a martial fanatic, sparring with people everywhere, having rich experience."

"When there are no tigers in the mountain, monkeys become kings. Only if Zhou Bai kills you, can the old monkey breathe easy."

"So... do you still have the courage to enter the stage?"

Li Yan raised his eyebrows, replying flatly, "I think the old monkey will have to keep holding his breath!"

"Good, at least your mouth is tough!"

Zhang Yuanshang clapped his hands and nodded,

"Shitong, test his mettle."

"If it’s only the mouth that’s tough, break his leg and throw him out of Xianyang!"