Chapter 14

Luo Tai nodded and said, "The one who poisoned Master Huo was Tian Gen, whom everyone calls Uncle Gen. However, he died yesterday."

Chen Zhen gently touched the words on the tombstone and asked, "How did he die?"

Luo Tai replied, "On the surface, he hanged himself, but there's more to it. I came to you because I wanted to talk about it."

"Brother Luo, have you found the person behind it?" Chen Zhen asked.

"Yes, it was a disciple of the Jingwu Hall named Ah Xiang. He colluded with the Japanese and had Tian Gen poison Master Huo's crocodile meat before the competition. The poison was slow-acting, so there were no immediate effects, but after a while, it would cause organ failure," Luo Tai explained slowly.

Chen Zhen turned around, clenched his fists, and asked, "What about Ah Xiang?"

"He has fled, I think he ran to the Hongkou Dojo. Also, I need to tell you that the people at the Jingwu Hall are still unaware of this. They only know that Tian Gen committed suicide out of guilt," Luo Tai said.

Chen Zhen fell silent. He lowered his head and thought for a moment before speaking, "Why didn't you tell Ting En and the others?"

Luo Tai paced a few steps in front of the tomb and said, "First, I haven't been at the Jingwu Hall for long. Second, with Tian Gen dead, there's no other evidence. How could they believe me just on my word?"

"Why did you come to tell me, then?" Chen Zhen pressed.

Luo Tai looked at Chen Zhen and thought, because you are the main character. Of course, he wouldn't say that. "I came to tell you because I believe you are Master Huo's most trusted disciple. And as you said, you examined the body and fought with Kaito Ryuichi, so you suspected the cause of Master Huo's death. I think there's a good chance you'll believe me."

Hearing this, Chen Zhen sighed and slowly sat down on the stone steps in front of the tomb. After a long pause, he said, "But I'm no longer part of the Jingwu Hall... If I get involved, it might embarrass Ting En."

Luo Tai squatted beside Chen Zhen and pointed to Huo Yuanjia's tomb, saying, "Whether you are part of the Jingwu Hall or not doesn't matter to me. What matters is whether you are his disciple."

"Of course, I am," Chen Zhen replied firmly.

"Good. A teacher for a day, a father for life. Now that Master Huo is dead, shouldn't you seek revenge?" Luo Tai continued.

"Of course!" Chen Zhen affirmed.

"Good," Luo Tai said. "Actually, Ah Xiang was just a pawn. The real culprit is the Japanese at the Hongkou Dojo. They want to break the myth of Chinese martial arts and crush the Chinese people's spirit. That's why they used such despicable means. This is the situation. In front of the Japanese, we shouldn't have any factional differences, and we shouldn't be plotting against each other. This is the real reason I came to find you."

Chen Zhen fell silent again. He looked at Luo Tai for a long time and then asked, "Brother Luo... who are you really?"

"Chinese," Luo Tai said ambiguously.

"What do you plan to do?" Chen Zhen continued.

"I think... you should go back to the martial arts hall and tell Old Huo everything. I hope you can reconcile. Old Huo has changed a lot," Luo Tai said.

"What about you?" Chen Zhen asked.

Luo Tai stood up, took a breath, and avoided Chen Zhen's question. He thought for a moment and then asked, "Have you received the challenge letter from the Black Dragon Society's instructor, Funakoshi Bunkichi?"

Chen Zhen was startled and stood up, instinctively touching his chest. Indeed, he had received a personal letter from Funakoshi Bunkichi that morning, stating that Funakoshi would come to challenge him the next morning. However, only he and Funakoshi knew about this, even Kōshi, Chen Zhen had not planned to tell.

Why did this person know? Could he have some kind of precognition?

"You don't need to be surprised," Luo Tai said, seeing Chen Zhen's shock. "Actually, when I was investigating Ah Xiang, I learned from the Hongkou Dojo that the 'killing machine' Fujita Tsuyoshi asked Funakoshi to challenge you. As for when, I was just guessing. But from your reaction, I can tell you've received the challenge letter."

Luo Tai thought this explanation was airtight.

Chen Zhen nodded slowly and said, "Brother Luo, you guessed right. I will be fighting Funakoshi Bunkichi here tomorrow morning. It's a duel."

Luo Tai shook his head and said, "It's not really a duel. From what I know, Mr. Funakoshi has a high level of martial arts cultivation. His purpose in practicing martial arts is to improve his own limits, which is different from Fujita Tsuyoshi... Fujita Tsuyoshi is for killing."

"Regardless, we will both give it our all in this match," Chen Zhen said.

Luo Tai frowned and continued, "Actually, I think the most important thing now is for you to return to the martial arts hall. I believe you know Funakoshi's address. Give it to me, and I'll go talk to him."

Hearing this, Chen Zhen shook his head directly. He said, "No, Mr. Funakoshi originally wanted to challenge my master. Now that my master is gone, it falls to me. He issued the challenge, and I can't refuse or avoid it. Besides, I have no problem going back to the Jingwu Hall, but..." He looked at Kōshi, who was busy cooking. "What about Kōshi? The Jingwu Hall can't accommodate her."

Luo Tai thought for a moment and then said, "How about this: tell me Mr. Funakoshi's address, and I'll go talk to him first."

Chen Zhen, puzzled, said, "Brother Luo, I don't understand. You just said my master's death has nothing to do with Mr. Funakoshi. Why do you insist on talking to him? He won't cancel the match, and I don't want to cancel it either."

Luo Tai closed his eyes and thought, "Do you think I want to? But that's the mission. If you defeat him, it will be credited to me, and I don't want to do it."

"I am also a martial artist, so I want to challenge Funakoshi Bunkichi. Now that I am part of the Jingwu Hall, I have a reason to accept his challenge," Luo Tai said after much thought.

Chen Zhen was somewhat amused. He didn't expect that after all this talk, Brother Luo wanted to fight Funakoshi in his place and have him deal with the Jingwu Hall.

"But, Funakoshi is challenging me," Chen Zhen said.

"No, he was challenging Master Huo, and you are the substitute. Since it's a representative, it doesn't matter who goes. We are all from the Jingwu Hall. He wants to see Chinese martial arts, not a specific person," Luo Tai explained.

Hearing this, Chen Zhen had to look at Luo Tai again. Frankly, Luo Tai's words were very confident, as if he could represent Chinese martial arts and defeat Funakoshi Bunkichi. Funakoshi Bunkichi was one of the top martial artists in Japan, so how could just anyone win? This made Chen Zhen very interested in Luo Tai's skills.

"From your tone, you're determined to challenge Funakoshi Bunkichi tonight?" Chen Zhen said.

Luo Tai saw through Chen Zhen's thoughts and straightened up, saying, "Yes, please tell me his address, Master Chen."

Chen Zhen shook his head and said, "Brother Luo, it's best not to get involved."

Luo Tai naturally wouldn't agree. He said, "Are you afraid I'll be killed by Funakoshi?"

Chen Zhen didn't speak, but his eyes told Luo Tai that was exactly what he meant.

"If I insist on going, you know I can investigate the entire cause of Master Huo's death. Can't I find one Funakoshi Bunkichi?" Luo Tai said, though he knew it wouldn't be easy.

Luo Tai thought that in the movie, Funakoshi Bunkichi and Fujita Tsuyoshi were not on the same side. Funakoshi might not live at the Hongkou Dojo. Given Funakoshi's independent nature, he might have found a secluded place to live and focus on preparing for the match.

As for how Chen Zhen knew, Luo Tai was just guessing. But from Chen Zhen's expression, he was sure Chen Zhen knew.

"Brother Luo, if you insist on finding Funakoshi Bunkichi, why don't you try me first? If you can't beat me, I advise you not to go," Chen Zhen finally said.

Luo Tai nodded and said, "Then I'll try."

With that, the two understood each other and slowly backed away from Huo Yuanjia's tomb. They came to the open space in front of the tomb, where Chun-Li watched silently.

"Sorry," Chen Zhen said.

"Please go easy on me," Luo Tai replied.

The two slowly walked to the center, raised their hands, and lightly touched. Chen Zhen immediately threw a straight punch at Luo Tai's left rib. The punch was direct and simple, with no frills, and carried a powerful force.

"Bang!" Luo Tai blocked the punch. Then, with his other hand, he formed a fist and struck Chen Zhen's head. Chen Zhen dodged the punch, but Luo Tai leaped and aimed a knee at Chen Zhen's chest.

Chen Zhen deflected Luo Tai's knee with a quick hand movement. Then, using the force, he spun and swept Luo Tai's legs with a swift kick. Luo Tai was hit!

But as he fell, he arched his body and hooked Chen Zhen's shoulder with his foot. Chen Zhen stepped back two steps, and Luo Tai stood up.

"Good skills," Chen Zhen sighed. He felt that Luo Tai's boxing style was very much in line with his idea of modern combat, emphasizing speed and practicality over aesthetics.

"You too!" Luo Tai replied.