Chapter 37

Song Shanpeng supervised the servants, who moved the tables and chairs from the center of the hall, revealing an open space. Large candles were added around, making the area as bright as daylight.

In the book "The Book of Sword and Heroic Chivalry," both Chen Jialuo and Zhou Zhongying are top-notch martial artists. Their battle would surely be a fierce struggle, which Li Wuchang was very much looking forward to.

Not only Li Wuchang, but among the ten practitioners, those who had read the book or watched the TV series all had bright eyes. Xiu Yongqing was so excited that he almost danced with joy.

Seeing the expressions of the crowd, the people from the Red Flower Society and Iron Gall Bladder Manor thought they were gloating and glared at them. The crowd was startled and quickly composed themselves.

Zhou Zhongying and Chen Jialuo, however, were unaffected, focusing all their attention on each other. Zhou Zhongying walked to the center of the hall, clasped his fists, and said, "Please come forward."

Chen Jialuo did not loosen his robe, his long gown fluttering as he walked slowly forward and said, "If I lose, I will invite all the martial artists in the northwest to apologize to you, and the Red Flower Society will not dare to step into Gansu with weapons from now on."

Zhou Zhongying replied, "Mr. Chen, you are too kind."

Chen Jialuo raised his eyebrows and said, "What if you yield to me in one move?"

Zhou Zhongying proudly raised his head, laughed, and stroked his beard, saying, "Then wouldn't the lives of dozens of my family members be in the hands of the Red Flower Society?"

Chen Jialuo said, "Although the Red Flower Society is a small organization, we are clear about our debts and grudges. How could we harm the innocent? If I win by a stroke of luck, we will take your son who betrayed Brother Wen's whereabouts. If Brother Wen can escape safely, I guarantee that your son will not be harmed, and we will send him back to your manor. But if Brother Wen is harmed... your son will have to pay with his life."

Zhou Zhongying waved his right hand and said, "No need for more words, attack!"

Chen Jialuo stood at the lower end, slightly bowed, and said, "Please show me your move."

As soon as they started, both the Red Flower Society and Iron Gall Bladder Manor were shocked. Zhou Zhongying was a well-known expert in Shaolin Fist, but no one expected Chen Jialuo to also be from the Shaolin School.

Their boxing styles were identical, making it seem like they were practicing together rather than fighting. However, with their significant age difference, their skill levels were vastly different, and the outcome was predictable.

After a dozen or so exchanges, Chen Jialuo was already at a disadvantage. Zhou Zhongying suddenly roared, turned to the left, and delivered a "Spinning Chop" as fast as a meteor. Chen Jialuo barely avoided it by leaning back, the enemy's palm missing his cheek by an inch. The Red Flower Society members were all greatly alarmed.

Chen Jialuo leaped back several steps, then rushed forward again, changing his boxing style to the Shaolin "Five Elements Linked Fist," using the techniques of "Beng," "Zuan," "Pi," "Pao," and "Heng." Zhou Zhongying countered with Shaolin Fist.

After a few moves, Chen Jialuo suddenly switched to the "Bagua Roaming Palm," moving around the hall with his palm leading his body, creating the illusion of dozens of figures in the candlelight. Zhou Zhongying remained calm, defending steadily, and although Chen Jialuo's movements were fast, he gained no advantage.

After more than twenty exchanges, Chen Jialuo suddenly used the "Backward Monkey" technique, changing his boxing style again. In a moment, he used the Wudang Long Fist, the Thirty-Six Road Great Seizing Hand, the Bone Separating Hand, and the Yue Family Scattered Hand.

Chen Jialuo's boxing style was eclectic, but his knowledge was not superficial, and his power was not weak. Zhou Zhongying, however, remained unchanged, integrating six Shaolin Fist styles, using them with ease and precision, and launching fierce attacks.

In the intense battle, Zhou Zhongying gained the upper hand, tearing off the front of Chen Jialuo's long robe.

When the fight resumed, Chen Jialuo changed his boxing style again, combining the Eagle Claw technique with the Cha Fist in his left hand and the Cotton Palm in his right. His attacks were the Bagua Palm, and his retreats were the Tai Chi Palm, a mix of various styles that left the onlookers dazzled.

"Flower Mistaken Fist."

Seeing Chen Jialuo use this technique, Li Wuchang's eyes lit up, and he murmured softly.

The "Flower Mistaken Fist" was a unique boxing style created by the Tianchi Odd Man Yuan Shixiao, integrating various schools and taking a different path.

The "Flower Mistaken Fist" encompassed everything, with its essence lying in the word "mistaken," focusing on the principles of "seeming but not being, surprising the opponent."

The "Flower Mistaken Fist" was not unbeatable; as long as one could maintain composure and not be affected by the chaotic moves, overpowering the opponent would lead to victory.

Unfortunately, Zhou Zhongying was taken aback by this unique technique and found it hard to adapt, forcing him to defend frantically and retreat continuously.

Seeing her father retreating, Zhou Qi shouted in panic, "What kind of fist are you using? It's a mess! How can you fight like this? You... you're all wrong!"

Before she finished speaking, two people rushed in from outside the hall, shouting, "Stop!" It was Lu Feiqing and Zhao Banshan.

Zhou Zhongying, already under heavy attack, had his boxing style become disordered. Distracted by the shouts, he suddenly felt his left leg go numb, and his "Yangguan" point on the outer side of his left knee was struck. He stumbled, almost falling to the ground.

Zhou Qi quickly rushed forward to support him, calling out, "Father!" She held a single saber to protect her father from any further attacks.

Chen Jialuo did not pursue, but instead stepped back three steps and said, "What do you say, Old Hero Zhou?"

Zhou Zhongying, angry, said, "Fine, I admit defeat. My son is yours, follow me!" He supported Zhou Qi and limped out of the hall.

"Hold it!"

At this moment, Li Wuchang stood up and shouted.

The crowd, who were about to leave, stopped in their tracks. Chen Jialuo and Zhou Zhongying turned around. Zhou Zhongying said, "Young Master Leng, what do you have to say?"

Feeling humiliated and angry, Zhou Zhongying, known as Iron Gall Bladder, was a renowned figure in the martial world. He never imagined he would end up in such a situation, losing face to a young man in his twenties. His tone was naturally not very good.

"Old Hero Zhou, I have a few words to say to Chen Jialuo."

Nodding slightly at Zhou Zhongying, Li Wuchang looked at Chen Jialuo and said solemnly, "General Chen, the Red Flower Society has a great reputation in the martial world, but today, I have truly seen your actions. Your reputation does not match your deeds."

Chen Jialuo frowned and said, "What do you mean, Young Master Leng?"

Li Wuchang said, "Wen Tailai and his wife sought refuge at Iron Gall Bladder Manor, and Old Hero Zhou fulfilled his duty as a fellow martial artist. Even if he had other matters to attend to, he still provided them protection. However, due to a mistake by Zhou Yingjie, Wen Tailai was captured by the imperial hawks. But, can all the blame be placed on Iron Gall Bladder Manor? Don't you and the Red Flower Society also bear some responsibility? Now, placing all the blame on Old Hero Zhou is not the way of a gentleman."

Before Chen Jialuo could respond, Zhang Jin was already angry and said, "What nonsense are you spouting? Brother Wen was clearly betrayed by his own son. How can you absolve him of his mistake?"