Chinese martial arts: From being shot and killed by the armed police during a mountain search to bec

The black Ford was blocked as soon as it drove out of the alley where the Chen family lived.

A huge crowd had gathered, packed in layers, completely blocking the street. Shouts, cheers, and applause mingled together, creating a lively atmosphere like a bustling market.

Chen Hongwu put down the report in his hand and frowned: "What's going on up ahead?"

The driver leaned out to look, then turned back and said, "Young Master, it's a martial arts competition. Several martial arts schools from Sanhai County are here; they hold a match every year around this time, making it a rare grand event for our county."

"A grand event?"

"Firstly, it motivates the disciples, and secondly, it establishes a ranking system," the driver chuckled. "Building a reputation makes it easier to recruit students. Families with children who want to learn martial arts will decide which school to attend based on this event."

Chen Hongwu nodded.

He recalled the five martial arts instructors who had visited his home three months prior—Cai Rong, Lin Deshun, He Yongfu, Su Zhihao, and Liang Jinkun. Each had a set of boxing techniques and a unique explanation of them. He learned the basics from them, which also served as a cover for him.

"Besides these five, are there any others?" Chen Hongwu asked.

The driver thought for a moment: "There are two other families, one is the Tan family's Choy Li Fut, and the other is the Zhou family's Hung Kuen. These two families haven't come before; it seems they don't have much contact with the master's side."

Chen Hongwu became interested.

"Let's find a place to park, I'll go down and take a look."

The driver responded and pulled the car over to the side of the road. Chen Hongwu got out of the car and walked towards the crowd.

He moved through the crowd with light steps, sidestepping, sliding, and dodging, like a fish swimming in water. Despite the tight crowd, he walked with ease and without even touching the hem of someone's clothes.

The footwork of Baguazhang is not just used in the ring.

Once you reach the front row, the view opens up dramatically.

In the middle stood a three-foot-high, two-zhang-square platform covered with thick wooden planks. Two disciples were engaged in a fierce fight on the platform, their punches and kicks flying powerfully.

The one on the left is using Choy Li Fut, his punches are fierce and his footwork is agile. He strikes with a "hanging hammer" followed by a "slapping hammer," making his movements powerful and swift. The one on the right is using Wing Chun, his stance is firm and steady, his hands alternate, and his "sun-shaped punches" are continuous and relentless, like raindrops.

After a few glances, Chen Hongwu had already made his judgment.

Several people were seated on the judging panel. Cai Rong, with his sharp eyes, spotted Chen Hongwu standing in the front row at a glance. He paused for a moment, then quickly beckoned and whispered a few words to a disciple beside him.

The disciple nodded, quickly ran to the edge of the arena, and cupped his hands in greeting to Chen Hongwu: "Young Master Chen, Master Cai invites you to the judging panel."

Just as Chen Hongwu was about to speak, someone suddenly chimed in from the side.

"Hey, isn't this the eldest young master of the Chen family? Haven't seen you for three months, what have you learned?" The speaker was a young man in his early twenties, wearing a black short jacket and a wide leather belt around his waist. His chin was slightly raised, and his eyes glanced down when he looked at people.

Chen Hongwu didn't recognize him and ignored him.

Several other young men of similar age, all dressed as martial arts school disciples, stood beside the young man. One of them whispered, "Senior Brother Zhou, let's forget it. He's the eldest son of the richest family; he's not one of us."

"So what if he's the richest man?" The one called Senior Brother Zhou sneered. "Martial arts rely on fists and feet, not money. After three months of training, he probably can't even hold a proper horse stance."

Chen Hongwu ignored him and followed his disciple to the judging panel.

The judging panel consisted of long benches, and those seated there were the owners or senior disciples of various martial arts schools. Cai Rong, Lin Deshun, He Yongfu, Su Zhihao, and Liang Jinkun were all present, along with two unfamiliar faces.

Cai Rong stood up and cupped his hands in greeting to Chen Hongwu: "Young Master Chen, you look even better than before."

Chen Hongwu returned the greeting: "Master Cai, you're too kind."

Lin Deshun and the others greeted each of them politely, their attitude impeccable. The Chen family was the richest family in Sanhai County, and although these restaurant owners might not have truly respected this纨绔子弟 (spoiled young master), they still had to maintain appearances.

The two unfamiliar faces also stood up and introduced themselves. One was surnamed Tan, in his forties, with a dark face and prominent veins on the back of his hands; he was the head of the Tan family's Cai Li Fo. The other was surnamed Zhou, in his early thirties, fair-skinned and clean-cut, looking like a schoolteacher, but he was actually the head of the Zhou family's Hung Kuen.

"I've heard that Young Master Chen has been practicing martial arts at your residence for three months now. I wonder if you've decided which style of boxing to learn?" Master Tan asked, his tone neither warm nor cold.

Chen Hongwu smiled and said, "All five masters taught me well, but I'm not a very focused person. I've practiced for three months and haven't learned anything. Now I don't want to practice anymore, and I'll have let my masters down."

These words elicited varying reactions from the museum owners.

A hint of regret flashed in Lin Deshun's eyes. He had taught Chen Hongwu the basics and knew that the young man was quite talented and quick to learn. If he were willing to settle down and focus, he would surely achieve great things. It was a pity, though, that he was ultimately a spoiled brat with a short attention span.

He Yongfu shook his head slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips. Just as he suspected, he knew this young master was only practicing martial arts for novelty's sake. What kind of skill could he possibly achieve in three months?

Cai Rong remained expressionless, simply nodding: "Martial arts training cannot be forced. Young Master Chen has his own path; there's no need to push him."

Liang Jinkun stroked his gray beard and remained silent.

Chen Hongwu observed these expressions but remained expressionless.

He was using these people as a cover. Three months ago, when he first arrived in this world, he was physically weak and needed medicine, time, and an undisturbed environment to practice his skills. Inviting several martial arts masters to his residence, ostensibly to learn boxing, was actually a way to give Chen Huaijin an explanation and to provide an account to outsiders.

Now that he has mastered the internal strength to the back, he can be considered to have entered the inner sanctum and achieved some success.

There's no need to act anymore.

On the stage, the two disciples determined a winner. Cai Li Fo's disciple struck his opponent three inches from the face with a "whip hammer," and the opponent conceded defeat and left the stage.

The arena was now empty.

Suddenly someone spoke up from the side; the voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough.

"Since Young Master Chen has also practiced martial arts, why not go up and show off your skills? It would be a good opportunity to test your knowledge and make a name for yourself."

Chen Hongwu looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was Senior Brother Zhou from earlier.

He stood by the ring, arms crossed, a slight smile playing on his lips. The martial arts students around him cheered, some whistling, others clapping.

"That's right, Young Master Chen should go up and show off his skills!"

"Let's broaden our horizons!"