Quickly conquer the martial arts world, and let your fists dominate the heavens!

Chapter 142 The Reasons for the Contradictory Encounter!

The Gong family mansion still looks the same as before: quiet, clean, and desolate.

Chen Zhan and Ye Ningzhen knew that Gong Ruomei did not actually want to cut herself off from the martial arts world of Fengtian. Although she was prepared to leave Fengtian and head south, there was no need for her to offend everyone in the martial arts world.

The reason they closed their doors to visitors was because they had encountered a major problem.

More than a month ago, Gong Ruomei sent back the letter announcing the annulment of the engagement and double the amount of the betrothal gifts to the Zhang family in Wuxing.

However, the Zhang family was not some insignificant family that could be easily manipulated; they were the local tyrants of Wuxing, holding a very high position in both the martial arts world and the business world, so naturally they were unwilling to give up easily.

The marriage was arranged by the heads of the Gong and Zhang families, and it had been two years since then.

In the past two years, Gong Ruomei has traveled back and forth between the north and south many times. She has always enjoyed the status of a young mistress in the Zhang family. The Zhang family treats her with great courtesy and kindness.

The wedding was officially arranged six months ago, and the Zhang family had been preparing for it in Wuxing for months, inviting celebrities from the military, political, and martial arts circles. Invitations had already been sent out.

Gong Baotian later died, but the Zhang family didn't care.

The Zhang family are not snobbish people. Besides, even though Gong Baotian is gone, the Gong family's business in Northeast China is still there. But they didn't expect that Gong Ruomei would not show her face and would send a letter directly.

Then they wanted to break off the engagement!
The head of the family, Zhang Shusen, was furious. Previously, Gong Ruomei had been very polite and her manners were impeccable. Zhang Shusen was very satisfied with his eldest son's wife.

This completely overturned all preconceived notions.

They're treating the Zhang family like fools.

So he immediately sent people to Fengtian, disregarding his son Zhang Jingde's objections, to demand an explanation from the Gong family.

Some time ago, they arrived at the Gong family in a menacing manner, and after a few words, the situation quickly became tense.

Zhang Jingde was a good person. Gong Ruomei spent some time with him in the south and could tell that he was a gentle, kind, respectful, and frugal person, unlike people like Chen Zhan and Ma San.

He didn't know martial arts, but he had a heart to save the country. He was wise through reading and dedicated himself to teaching and educating people.

She admired him greatly.

After Gong Ruomei killed Ma San, she also understood everything. She did not become a follower of Taoism, nor did she have to remain unmarried or not pass on her teachings for the rest of her life. But what's done is done.

The letter has already been sent; why send another one saying that she's not breaking off the engagement and will marry him herself?

That would be child's play, treating the most powerful family in Wuxing like monkeys. The Zhang family would probably have killed the envoys.
So, I had no choice but to bite the bullet and back out.

Logically speaking, she was in the wrong, and it's only right that people come to her door demanding an explanation. She should be able to endure any insults or humiliation.

But the Zhang family's men were fierce. They not only demanded that she admit her mistake and accept punishment, but also wanted to take her back to Wuxing to explain things in front of the guests.

Let the guests know that it was Gong Ruomei who wronged the Zhang family, not the Zhang family's fault.

Otherwise, once the banquet invitations are sent out, they can't be retrieved, and the banquet will be awkward and embarrassing.

This request, while somewhat excessive, is understandable.

However, Gong Ruomei could not comply. There were still matters to be resolved in Fengtian, and the Gong family's subsequent affairs, including the arrangements for their trip south, required her to be in charge.

I regret that I cannot comply.

The other party was prepared when they arrived, bringing many experts with them. After a few words, they injured Uncle Jiang and gave Gong Ruomei a seven-day deadline.

Seven days later, if they still refused to go to Wuxing with the Zhang family, they would have no choice but to break down the door and capture Gong Ruomei.

Therefore, Gong Ruomei had no choice but to ask Chen Zhan for help, sending him a large box of gold and silver, worth at least the deeds to two large courtyards.

Asking Chen Zhan for help would also fulfill my previous agreement with Ye Ningzhen and settle the score.

Chen Zhan and Ye Ningzhen both knew the whole story. After entering the reception room, they began to drink tea and wait for Gong Ruomei to arrive.

Cheng Yong sat uneasily to the side. He could sense the solemn atmosphere in the Gong family mansion, but neither of them would say why when asked.

Explaining Gong Ruomei's matter is too complicated, and besides, it has nothing to do with Cheng Yong.

"Just be patient."

Soon Gong Ruomei arrived, holding the booklet in her hand. She walked to Chen Zhan's side and said, "This is the internal training method of Baguazhang. I have already sent most of the Gong family disciples away, and the rest will be dismissed in a few days."

Chen Zhan was not surprised; Gong Ruomei had asked him to help, and gold and silver alone were not enough.

"You've decided? Where to?"

"Go to Jinling, the safest place in the world."

Chen Zhan paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's true."

At present, the Nationalist government's location in Nanjing is indeed a relatively orderly place, and Gong Ruomei's choice was correct.

If it were Ye Ningzhen, Chen Zhan would do everything in his power to stop her.

However, his relationship with Gong Ruomei was not yet at that level; their friendship was more about exchanging benefits, and if she asked for a reason, he wouldn't be able to answer.

When will the Zhang family arrive?

"Tomorrow at the latest, maybe today, who knows."

Gong Ruomei's tone was bleak. They were originally in-laws, but now they have become enemies. It is hard to say whether this has come to this or if it is the will of heaven or human doing.

As she spoke, she walked to the door and looked out the window at the clean bluestone floor of the mansion. The snow that had just been swept had fallen again in a fine layer.

Very fine snow.

Winters in Northeast China are snowy year-round, but it's rare to see light, scattered snowflakes; most of the snow is large, heavy, and harsh.
Gong Ruomei opened the door, and the wind and snow rushed in. Cheng Yong gasped, "Cough cough cough!"

"Shall we settle this today?" She turned to look at Ye Ningzhen.

Looking at the sorrowful Gong Ruomei, Ye Ningzhen was overjoyed. Whether it was Chen Zhan's progress in martial arts, the return of the Baguazhang internal training method, or even the overall situation of the martial arts sect, everything was going very well.

At this moment, her mood is in complete contrast to that of Gong Ruomei.

Pride comes before a fall, and desperation leads to victory. Ye Ningzhen understood this principle, so she immediately regained her composure.

"it is good!"

Ye Ningzhen got up and went to the courtyard with Gong Ruomei. Chen Zhan also came out.

Gong Ruomei had given instructions, so no one came out to check.

The two stood quietly at the spot where Chen Zhan had first blocked the door.

Cheng Yong whispered to Chen Zhan, "Why did you have to resort to violence at the slightest disagreement?"

Chen Zhan glanced at him, signaling him not to speak, just to watch.

Ye Ningzhen took a step to the left with her left foot, landing firmly on the ball of her foot after her heel touched the ground. Her knees remained slightly bent, and she slowly raised her hands from her sides, gradually turning her palms outward. Her right wrist sank slightly, while her left wrist rose slightly.

Form a posture with the right palm protecting the ribs and the left palm extending forward.

Assume a single palm change, opening stance.
The most core and commonly used starting stance of Cheng-style Bagua combines the characteristics of "defense with offense" and is also the starting form of the subsequent "Eight Mother Palms".

Gong Ruomei on the opposite side starts with a double palm exchange stance. After stepping out, she raises both hands simultaneously, palms facing each other, with the left palm slightly forward and the right palm slightly backward, sinking her strength in sync, which is suitable for subsequent double palm chain moves.

The Yin School of Bagua emphasizes the coordination of both palms.

They can strike with both palms simultaneously, or attack and defend simultaneously, maintaining a balance between left and right sides.

Although the two schools originated from the same master, over the course of a century, they have naturally developed their own unique moves and fighting styles, resulting in some differences.

Cheng Tinghua was a man who hated evil and could not tolerate any wrongdoing. He was the kind of person who would take revenge on the very night he had a grudge. Therefore, the Baguazhang he passed down was more offensive!
Prioritize killing the enemy; use offense as a substitute for defense.

On the contrary, Yin Fu advocated for a defensive approach, balancing offense and defense, and even placing greater emphasis on the defensive posture.

Fine snow fell on their shoulders. Ye Ningzhen first hooked her left foot, then slid her right foot in a half-circle along the ground. Her right hand was in front of her ribs, and her left palm was probing towards Gong Ruomei's chest, moving in the "Kan Palace" direction.

Bagua Step, turn your palm and walk towards Kan!

Ye Ningzhen is also an offensive person who doesn't defend, just like Cheng Tinghua back then.

Seeing the double palms coming, Gong Ruomei neither dodged nor avoided. She spun her right heel and twisted her waist, her body following Ye Ningzhen's arc by moving half a circle in the opposite direction. Her right hand pressed down with the palm facing forward, her fingertips brushing against the edge of Ye Ningzhen's outstretched palm. Her wrist slightly sank! She wanted to deflect the force!
Ye Ningzhen noticed that her palm strike had been deflected, so she immediately stepped forward with her left foot. As she withdrew her left hand, she changed her "clapping" motion to a "slicing" motion with her right hand and slashed at Gong Ruomei's forearm.

Gong Ruomei raised her left arm horizontally, her forearm touching Ye Ningzhen's palm blade. At the same time, she stepped her left foot behind Ye Ningzhen and flicked her right hand into a "lifting palm" shape, aiming at Ye Ningzhen's waist.

Ye Ningzhen spun around to avoid it, her feet leaving shallow marks on the snow. As she turned, her right hand slapped towards Gong Ruomei's hip. Just as her palm touched the fabric, Gong Ruomei took the opportunity to slide back half a step and gently pushed Ye Ningzhen's hand with her left hand.

The two men stepped back simultaneously, shifted their positions, and returned to a standoff, only now they had switched places.

The snow that had fallen on his shoulders was swept away by the wind stirred up by his movements. After exchanging more than ten blows, they fought evenly, back and forth.

It seemed that neither side was injured for the time being, but in fact, there was a deadly intent between them. With their skills, if either of them were to strike with a single palm, the other would immediately be at a disadvantage.

It's only a matter of time before they are defeated.

Throughout history, in battles and arenas, many people with little combat experience or who have never practiced martial arts have misconceptions.

They believe that when martial arts masters fight in the ring, it's a back-and-forth exchange, one punch from you, one kick from me. Even if you get hit a few times, you can still seize the opportunity to turn the tide and win.

But that's just nonsense.

Unless the difference between the two is so great that one person can hit the other without getting hurt.

For example, if Chen Zhan were to face Cheng Yong, who had just entered the Ming Jin realm, and he stood still without striking vital points, Cheng Yong would not be able to withstand the backlash of his internal energy.

If the difference is not significant, there is no way to turn defeat into victory.

If either Ye Ningzhen or Gong Ruomei lands a blow on the other first, the other's defeat is practically assured.

The human body's functions are exquisite enough, but also too fragile. A master at the peak of internal strength can deliver hundreds of kilograms of force with a single punch or palm strike.

How could the body of a master of the same level withstand it?
Humans are animals that attack high and defend low, unlike tigers and bears, they are more like eagles!
The force with which an eagle tears can be a hundred pounds, but the eagle itself does not weigh a hundred pounds, and it cannot withstand the same force.

In contrast to tigers and bears, Chen Zhan's punch, with a force of over a thousand pounds, failed to shatter the tiger's bones!

"Junior Sister Ye, you're too hasty and eager to achieve results, which may lead to less than half the effort," Gong Ruomei said calmly.

Ye Ningzhen raised an eyebrow. She did not object to what Gong Ruomei said, but sometimes, one cannot be in a hurry. If stopping war with force fails, then stopping war with killing is necessary!

"Only those who win have the right to preach."

After Ye Ningzhen finished speaking, Gong Ruomei took the initiative to step forward, using the Bagua Step to move to the "Li Gong" position. Her steps quickened, and her left and right palms alternated to form "piercing palms," with the tips of her palms always pointing towards the gap between Ye Ningzhen's chest and throat.

Ye Ningzhen also increased her walking speed, her steps conforming to the hidden trigram positions of the Bagua Sixty-Four Steps. Her left hand formed a "penetrating palm" in front of her, while her right hand lay below, poised to strike like a venomous snake.

Every time Gong Ruomei's palm strike came close, she could accurately deflect it.

With their palms clashing, the two moved faster and faster, each exchange of blows and each palm strike dispelling the snow that was about to fall on them.

The two walked around a circle with a diameter of two meters for three rounds. Suddenly, Gong Ruomei changed her move, stomping her left foot into the center and chopping down with her right hand in a "chopping palm" motion towards Ye Ningzhen's head. Ye Ningzhen lowered her body and spun around, supporting Gong Ruomei's wrist from below with her right hand while pressing her left hand against her knee at the same time.

Gong Ruomei slightly bent her knees to relieve the force, and used her left hand to clasp Ye Ningzhen's hand. The two wrists intertwined, and each twisted their hands with force. Snowflakes fell from their clasped hands, and their knuckles turned white from the force.

"Bang~Bang~Bang~"

Their hands entangled and struggled, while their feet were also busy, one foot supporting them while the other continued the struggle.

After three consecutive attacks, they were still evenly matched.

Cheng Yong was so engrossed in watching Chen Zhan that he had unknowingly turned white-haired and covered in fine, snow-white down. "Master, it seems like they can't determine a winner."

Chen Zhan smiled and said, "Soon."

Cheng Yong couldn't help but glance at Chen Zhan, only to discover a scene even more amazing than the gossip duel in the arena.

Chen Zhan stood quietly in the snow, without a single snow stain on his body.
(End of this chapter)