Chapter 16

After hearing this, Luo Tai thought to himself, "You finally admit defeat." Just then, his watch vibrated slightly, and Luo Tai's heart finally settled. He was sure this was the system's notification after completing the second task.

He didn't check it immediately but instead said to Funakoshi, "Yes, you lost."

"What kind of boxing did you use? Was it Huo Yuanjia's Mysterious Tracing Fist? It didn't seem like it." Funakoshi slowly got up and asked.

Luo Tai glanced at him and continued, "Does it matter what kind of boxing it is? Winning is the best kind of boxing."

Funakoshi lowered his head regretfully and said, "You are indeed from the Jingwu Hall. Sir, your martial arts are superb. Why have I never heard of you?"

"I am indeed from the Jingwu Hall, but I am just a disciple who hasn't been initiated. China's martial arts world is full of hidden tigers and dragons. There are many unknown people like me. I heard you want to fight with Chen Zhen, so I came to advise you to give it up. Just remember that you were defeated by an unknown disciple from the Jingwu Hall, and that will be enough." Luo Tai slowly said. After speaking, he didn't look at Funakoshi, turned around, and left with Chun Li.

After Luo Tai left, Funakoshi slowly bent over and finally sat on the ground. Thinking about Luo Tai's words, he suddenly felt deeply that Chinese martial arts were profound and mysterious. Even if he won against one person, he could not make the entire martial arts world bow down. People like Luo Tai would continue to emerge.

Luo Tai walked out to a small street and immediately raised his wrist to check the system's notification. The watch displayed: "Congratulations on completing the task of defeating Funakoshi. Additional reward: one 'Healing Card.' This card is valid for one month. After use, as long as you still have vital signs, any injuries or illnesses will heal within one day."

Wow, Luo Tai was delighted after seeing this. This was indeed a good thing. Although it had to be used within a month, considering the next step was to eliminate Fujita, if he were seriously injured, this item could save his life. Moreover, the system did not require him to use it within 24 hours, indicating that it was meant for him to keep for emergencies.

Luo Tai thought that only the last task remained, which was the most difficult one. However, since he had come this far, there was no way he could turn back. He wondered if, after completing this task quickly, the system would let him go home immediately or if he had to stay for half a year.

So far, Luo Tai had only been in the movie world for about ten days, and he hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.

With these questions in mind, Luo Tai and Chun Li returned to the martial arts hall. It was already late, so they didn't disturb Huo Ting'en but returned to their room to rest.

The next morning, Luo Tai heard a commotion at the hall's entrance. He dressed and went to the door with Chun Li. They saw a group of Japanese samurai, with the leader holding a challenge letter, handing it to Huo Ting'en.

"This is the challenge letter from Fujita of the Hongkou Dojo to the Jingwu Hall. Three days from now, he will be waiting for your hall master at the Hongkou Dojo. Humph! Since the Jingwu Hall is known as the top martial arts hall in Shanghai, I don't think you will dare to refuse the challenge." His words were filled with contempt and provocation. After speaking, he didn't wait for Huo Ting'en's response and left with the samurai.

Huo Ting'en held the challenge letter, his brows gradually furrowing. As the hall master, he could not avoid this fight. This was not just about the Jingwu Hall but also about the honor of the entire Chinese martial arts world. However, he was somewhat worried: did he have the confidence to defeat Fujita?

At this moment, Luo Tai appeared beside him and said, "Huo Hall Master, I will accompany you in three days."

Huo Ting'en looked at Luo Tai with gratitude and said, "Thank you, Brother Luo. Oh... right, Brother Luo, where did you go after we returned last night? Xiao Hong and I searched for you for a long time."

"I went to find Chen Zhen." Luo Tai didn't hide it.

"Oh?" Huo Ting'en was taken aback and asked, "How is he now?"

Luo Tai didn't answer directly but said, "Don't worry, he will return to the hall."

Three days later, Huo Ting'en, with the full support of the hall, set off for the Hongkou Dojo with Luo Tai and Chun Li. Just before they left, Chen Zhen returned to the hall alone. Everyone was delighted. He and Huo Ting'en didn't say much, as if everything was understood without words. The two brothers shook hands and smiled at each other.

Luo Tai then pulled Chen Zhen aside and asked, "Did Funakoshi come to find you?"

Chen Zhen shook his head and said, "He sent someone to deliver a letter to me, saying only three words."

"Three words? What?"

"He lost!" Chen Zhen replied.

"Kōshi?"

"Back to Japan." Chen Zhen sighed and continued, "We agreed that when there is no war between China and Japan, it will be the time for us to meet."

After hearing this, Luo Tai's brows slightly furrowed. He knew that true peace was still over twenty years away, but he didn't say this. After all, he needed to give Chen Zhen some hope. Even if it took twenty years, they could still wait for it.

Just as they were talking, Huo Ting'en walked over and said to the two, "Let's go."

"Okay!" Chen Zhen and Luo Tai said in unison. After speaking, the four of them headed for the Hongkou Dojo in the Japanese concession.

Uncle Nong and Xiao Hong watched the four leave, and he took a deep puff of his pipe and said to everyone, "No problem. With the four of them together, everything will be fine."

The four walked for about an hour and arrived at the Hongkou Dojo. The dojo was unusually quiet today. A samurai, seeing that the four were not carrying any weapons, led them into the hall.

The hall was spacious, entirely made of wood, with a dark yellow wooden floor that was extremely shiny. White walls hung with the Japanese military flag and a sign: "Long Martial Fortune." Below it was a samurai sword.

In the center of the hall, a man was kneeling. He was dressed in a neat Japanese military uniform, tall and muscular, with a resolute face. His eyes, though not large, exuded a sense of dominance. Next to him was a plaque that read "Sick Man of East Asia"!

He was the killing machine, Fujita!

After the four entered, Fujita slowly raised his head and said to Huo Ting'en, "Huo Hall Master, you finally came. Before our match, I want to give you a 'gift.'"

As he spoke, the sliding door on the side opened, and Ah Xiang trembled as he walked to Fujita's side and then knelt down obediently. Fujita slowly said, "This person conspired with Katsura Ryūichi to poison Huo Yuanjia with crocodile meat. In your Chinese language, he is a traitor. Before our match, I think it's best to hand him over to you."

"Ahh Xiang, you bastard." Huo Ting'en glared at Ah Xiang and shouted.

"Bang!" Before Ah Xiang could speak, Fujita suddenly pulled out a pistol from his waist and shot Ah Xiang in the temple. Ah Xiang didn't even make a sound as he fell to the ground, blood gushing from his head.

"Rustle!" Hearing the gunshot, a group of Japanese soldiers with long guns rushed in from both sides.

"Don't be nervous!" Fujita said to the four, "Today we are here to fight, not to slaughter." As he spoke, an officer walked up from behind, and Fujita handed the pistol to him, saying, "Take this person out and wait outside the door. No one is to enter without my order."

"Hai!" The officer saluted and accepted the order.

The soldiers carried Ah Xiang's body out and then closed the sliding door. Fujita slowly bent down, picked up the plaque, and placed it in front of the four, saying, "If you lose today, you must take this plaque back and dissolve the Jingwu Hall."

Huo Ting'en saw Fujita's arrogant demeanor and the four large characters on the plaque. He clenched his fists, roared, and charged at Fujita.

"Clap, clap, clap!!" After a few exchanges, Fujita opened his body, allowing Huo Ting'en to freely punch him. His body was like a rock, and despite Huo Ting'en's full strength, he couldn't cause any damage.

Huo Ting'en was shocked, but at that moment, Fujita struck, a punch hitting Huo Ting'en's chest. "Bang!!" Huo Ting'en was thrown against the wall, spitting blood, and could no longer stand.

"Hmph!!" Fujita sneered and pointed to the plaque, saying, "This plaque is most fitting for you Chinese. Accept it!" As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the plaque flew like a knife, skimming the ground toward Huo Ting'en. If it hit him, he would surely die!

"Crash!!"

The plaque was kicked in mid-air. This was Luo Tai's move. Chen Zhen had wanted to step in, but Luo Tai was faster.

Luo Tai knew that the moment to complete his final task had finally arrived....