Urban Super Soldier King
Chapter 124 - 124 124 Different Martial Arts Philosophies

124: Chapter 124 Different Martial Arts Philosophies 124: Chapter 124 Different Martial Arts Philosophies Hong Jinshuai was evidently unfamiliar with the name Ba Song, only when Xiang Yu told him about his deeds did he recall and say, “When he came to challenge me, I had no intention of fighting him.

Angered and embarrassed, he started bullying others, so I stepped in to teach him a lesson.”

Xiang Yu knew very well about the past events, but he didn’t reveal his own identity.

This time, he had come to seek apprenticeship, hoping to learn something within a week.

Upon hearing Xiang Yu’s intentions, Hong Jinshuai readily agreed.

However, he voiced his concern, “Chinese martial arts are profound and not something you can learn overnight.

I’m afraid you’ll have a hard time achieving much in just one week.”

Hong Jinshuai himself had started learning martial arts from a young age.

In pursuit of the essence of martial arts, he had given up his family and everything else to eventually live in seclusion here.

Seeing that Xiang Yu was indeed strong and robust, he still thought it would be difficult for him to make significant progress within a week.

Moreover, he had sparred with Ba Song.

Although he had won and it seemed easy to onlookers, in reality, he had used all his strength.

“I wouldn’t dare, Master Hong,” said Xiang Yu with a modest air in front of Hong Jinshuai.

“I have practised a little in the past, so I suppose I have some foundation.” What he considered a little practice was actually rigorous training.

“Xiaoxuan, Hongbo, the two of you clean up a room for them.

From tomorrow, you’ll train together,” said Zhang Hongbo.

“Is there any benefit to cleaning the room?” Zhang Hongbo asked, looking expectantly at Xiang Yu.

“There are benefits.

What would you like?” Xiang Yu laughed.

He quite liked the two of them; Zhang Hongbo was lively and active, while Xiaoxuan was cool and reserved – they were clearly a pair of treasures.

“Stop fooling around and go,” Hong Jinshuai glared, and the two of them quickly left.

In the evening, Xiang Yu jogged around the village, appreciating the beautiful scenery and the fresh air—a truly perfect place for seclusion.

On his way back, he happened to see Zhang Hongbo and Xiaoxuan practicing against each other.

At this moment, Zhang Hongbo had lost his playful smile from the day, his face as icy as Xiaoxuan’s.

Both standing against each other, an atmosphere of killing intent filled the air around them.

Had it not been known that they were good friends, one might have mistaken them for mortal enemies engaged in a life-and-death struggle.

Seeing them, Xiang Yu heaved a silent sigh.

What could have made two teenagers so serious?

They certainly had stories of their own.

But since they didn’t speak of it, Xiang Yu would not pry.

Xiang Yu did not linger there but returned to his room.

Upon waking the next day, sunlight bathed Xiang Yu’s face, feeling warm and pleasant.

He enjoyed living carefree in the countryside, but reality was harsh – he still had a mission to fulfill.

When Xiang Yu got up and went outside, he just came across Hong Jinshuai and the other two squatting in horse stance in the courtyard.

“Brother Yu, you’re up,” said Tie Zhuzi, bringing over a basin of water.

Xiang Yu nodded, washed up casually, and then stood there watching the three of them.

He stood for a full hour, until they exhaled deeply and straightened.

“Martial arts is a long-term process, not something that can be accomplished overnight,” Hong Jinshuai turned and said to Xiang Yu, actually feeling some dissatisfaction with Xiang Yu’s desire to learn everything within a week.

He had spent decades to achieve what he had, so it was impossible for someone to learn it all in just a week.

“Shall we have a friendly sparring match first?” Hong Jinshuai stood in the center, inviting Xiang Yu.

Zhang Hongbo and the other person quickly stepped aside, standing next to Tie Zhuzi.

Zhang Hongbo looked up at Tie Zhuzi, then pinched his muscles and said, “How did you train to become so solid?”

“It’s natural,” Tie Zhuzi said, somewhat unbothered by the mischievous youngster.

“Alright,” Xiang Yu said as he stepped into the center.

“Please!”

The two men bowed to each other with clasped fists.

Hong Jinshuai generously stood still, waiting for Xiang Yu to make the first move.

Xiang Yu didn’t say much and threw a punch directly.

Although Hong Jinshuai seemed magnanimous, Xiang Yu knew that typically, experts would prefer the opponent to strike first, because initiating an attack could expose one’s weaknesses, making it easy for the opponent to seize the opportunity and win with one move.

Xiang Yu didn’t use his full strength in his punch because many of the skills he had learned were lethal and meant for killing, which was not appropriate for the situation.

Hong Jinshuai easily dodged Xiang Yu’s fist.

Seeing an opening beneath Xiang Yu’s ribs, he then threw a kick.

In fact, it was a deliberate vulnerability exposed by Xiang Yu; in a real battle, he could simply grab the opponent’s ankle and counter with a block, effectively subduing the opponent.

But such a move did not align with the spirit of Chinese martial arts, so he swiftly dodged instead.

Hong Jinshuai pressed the attack, unleashing a flurry of kicks.

It must be said that Hong Jinshuai was indeed a master of martial arts, both in the fluidity of his movements and the strength of his strikes.

Xiang Yu rapidly retreated, searching for a weak point in Hong Jinshuai’s defense.

Although Hong Jinshuai’s actions appeared to have many openings, they were deceptive, likely intentional, with a trap behind each one.

Xiang Yu was forced back to the edge of the area when Hong Jinshuai launched another kick toward him.

Instinctively, Xiang Yu closed the distance, shielding himself with his arm across Hong Jinshuai’s thigh, his other hand ready to strike.

If his punch landed on Hong Jinshuai’s face, it would undoubtedly result in knocked-out teeth.

But Xiang Yu was very clear-headed; he had come to seek instruction, not to knock down his would-be master.

In terms of martial arts, Xiang Yu was certainly no match for Hong Jinshuai, but when it came to killing techniques, Hong Jinshuai was still too inexperienced.

If Xiang Yu were to truly fight for his life against him, it would take fewer than ten moves to finish him off.

The reason Hong Jinshuai had won against Ba Song last time was likely because Ba Song did not understand Chinese martial arts.

Ba Song was probably not accustomed to Hong Jinshuai’s aggressive series of attacks, which is what allowed Hong Jinshuai to win easily.

What Xiang Yu came to learn was precisely this kind of aggressive attack sequence, along with various martial arts techniques.

If he mastered these and combined them with his killing techniques and his few years of life-or-death experience, Ba Song would be easy to capture.

Xiang Yu’s mind raced, and when he realized this, he quickly pulled back his punch and instead went for an elbow strike at Hong Jinshuai, which would inevitably slow down, giving Hong Jinshuai time to prepare.

Consequently, Hong Jinshuai’s left foot lashed out, hitting Xiang Yu squarely in the shoulder, causing him to stagger nearly to the point of falling.

Tie Zhuzi, from a distance, was unaware of Xiang Yu’s intentions and worried that Xiang Yu was genuinely outclassed.

Whereas Zhang Hongbo stood beside him with a smile, nudging Tie Zhuzi and saying, “How about my master?

Impressive, isn’t he?”

Xiang Yu straightened up and quickly clasped his fist, “Master Hong, I’ve lost.”

Hong Jinshuai nodded with a smile, acknowledging Xiang Yu’s defeat.

In his view, even though Xiang Yu’s foundational skills in martial arts were poor, his innate qualities were indeed those of a martial arts genius…