Chapter 26: A Laugh from the Start, a Man Walks Freely
The wind stopped at the treetops, and the autumn sunlight was tranquil.
Escort Su walked forward leisurely. His hands, held low, were hidden by his sleeves, so Zhou Yan could not see the iron finger rings on the index fingers of his opponent’s left and right hands.
On the other side of the square table, Duan Huai’an glanced at Zhang Wangyue.
The escort, with his upright facial features, smiled slightly.
The boss of Fu’an felt reassured. Duan Huai’an did not know what realm Zhou Yan’s cultivation had reached, but he trusted the escort.
Lei Luo’s gaze also turned to his own escort. The burly man nodded.
The bosses of the two escort agencies, at nearly the same time, seemed to have been given a shot of confidence. They then turned their attention to the martial field.
Zhou Yan cupped his hands, “Please guide me.”
Escort Su nodded, “It’s a pleasure.”
The gentle expression on Zhou Yan’s face instantly became focused. He stepped back with his left foot, sank his right foot forward, and his fists separated, left hand up, right hand down, as if propping up heaven and earth.
This move was precisely the “Double Circle Hands” from Yanqing Fist. No matter from which direction the opponent attacked, the technique was covered.
Most of the escorts from both sides recognized this move, and many knew Yanqing Fist. However, they felt that they could not achieve the same solemnity of movement as Zhou Yan. It was clear he had spent many years diligently practicing this set of fist techniques.
“Good!” Huyan Lei shouted heartily.
In the conflict at Songhe Tower, Escort Su had suffered losses to Zhou Yan’s Yanqing Fist and Taizu Long Fist. He snorted coldly, thinking, “I’ll attack with my legs. Let’s see how you circle. I’ll force you into a frenzy, then land a few punches. You’ll be poisoned by the finger rings and be at my mercy.”
“Watch closely.”
Escort Su let out a light whistle, and his figure traced a distinct trajectory in the autumn sunlight. The moment he closed the distance, his feet moved in a Yuanyang sequence, left up, right down, left down, right up, kicking six times in rapid succession.
After consuming Liang Zi Weng’s Treasure Snake Blood, Zhou Yan had tempered the two Qiao Meridians in his legs.
His inner qi sank, and he pushed outward with force.
With a “crack,” he rooted his stance, and dust flew up from the ground.
Force poured into his legs like a Thousand Jin Drop, his body as steady as an old pine, as firm as a bell.
Escort Su’s consecutive kicks rained down on Zhou Yan’s legs like a storm. There was a “thump, thump” sound, and Zhou Yan’s trouser legs rippled like water, but he remained motionless.
Escort Su’s shins felt as if they had kicked a stone slab, burning with pain. He was greatly alarmed. This was not the behavior of the arrogant escort from Songhe Tower.
Zhou Yan advanced with his right leg, his left leg retreating to a void. Accompanied by the low stance of Yue Family Scattered Hands, his raised hand moved like the wind, his right fist striking directly at Escort Su’s face, while his left hand hooked up, seizing the “Elderly Care” acupoint behind the opponent’s wrist.
Escort Su swung his fist to strike Zhou Yan’s incoming punch.
However, in an instant, Zhou Yan’s right hand, which was aimed at the opponent’s face, transformed from a fist into a hooking claw. His arm suddenly sank and then rose, like the “Wind Nods Head” in spear techniques.
This change, from Yanqing Fist to Yue Family Scattered Hands, then smoothly executed the three upper-body moves of the “Snake Form”—”Pulling Grass into the Hole” left and right styles—was truly unexpected and pleasing to the eye.
Zhang Wangyue’s eyes lit up, and he was shocked inwardly. How long had it been since Zhou Yan received the Yue Family Fist Manual, and he had already reached such a realm?
Huyan Lei blinked, feeling it was almost unreal. Brother Zhou had said ten moves, but this was only the first move, and he had already seized the initiative.
This was the perception of the escorts among the spectators who had decent cultivation. The exchange between the two in the arena lasted only an instant. The runners from the Four Seas Escort Agency, who saw Escort Su’s kicks land on Zhou Yan, began to cheer. With two “pa pa” sounds, Zhou Yan had already seized the opponent’s left wrist and right elbow.
His gaze then turned cold as he saw the iron finger rings on Escort Su’s index finger.
Escort Su’s expression changed drastically. He let out a fierce roar, exhausting his inner force and outer strength. His arm sank violently, his muscles bulging, as he countered the seize with a grappling technique.
The two figures in the sunlight suddenly intertwined. Zhou Yan’s footwork spun rapidly, the “Snake Form” of scattered hands transforming into the “Tiger Form.” “Black Tiger Cuts Tail” and “Fat Tiger Climbs Mountain” were launched in succession. Escort Su’s sleeves were suddenly torn to shreds, caught by the surging energy, and fluttered wildly.
At this moment, everyone saw the dark iron finger rings on Escort Su’s fingers.
“How shameless, using finger rings to injure people secretly,” Huyan Lei cursed angrily.
“I suspect the finger rings are also poisoned,” Wang Kui said.
With a “boom,” Escort Su, held by Zhou Yan, was lifted up, spun like a wheel for half a circle, and thrown to the ground.
Escort Su rolled on the ground, then rose to a half-kneel, his face like a pig’s liver. He quickly wiped his bare arm on his wide waistband.
“Watch out for hidden weapons,” Huyan Lei warned.
Three Bone Piercing Nails rapidly enlarged as they flew towards him. Escort Su raised his hands again, and two Flying Knives followed, carrying a chilling killing intent.
As Escort Su was pulling out his hidden weapons, Zhou Yan had already retreated rapidly. Reaching the edge of the arena, he hooked a long bench with his right foot and charged forward like a ferocious beast, wielding the bench.
With several “clang, clang” sounds, the Bone Piercing Nails and Flying Knives were all blocked by the bench. Zhou Yan, who had suddenly closed the distance, smashed the bench down on the opponent’s shoulder with a “boom.”
Wooden splinters flew apart. Zhou Yan extended his right hand, directly gripping two of Escort Su’s fingers, and pressed down forcefully. With a “crack,” he snapped his fingers.
Escort Su cried out in pain. Zhou Yan’s left fist slammed into his jaw, causing his teeth to clench and blood to spurt from the corner of his lips.
“Stop!”
“Good!”
Several people, including Escort Lu of the Four Seas Escort Agency who was watching, sprang up. Huyan Lei, Wang Kui, and Shi Baichuan simultaneously straightened their bodies. However, Zhou Yan in the arena had already retreated.
He cupped his fists towards the boss of the Four Seas Escort Agency, saying, “Escort Su used poisoned finger rings, and I won’t hold it against you. But you were clearly defeated just now, yet you still tried to take my life with hidden weapons. In a moment of anger, I apologize for my offense.”
His words immediately silenced everyone from the Four Seas Escort Agency.
Duan Huai’an was inwardly pleased, but he said, “Escort Zhou still needs to control his emotions more.”
The boss of the Four Seas Escort Agency cursed inwardly, but said aloud, “Escort Su was indeed at a disadvantage. Escort Zhou showed mercy, but still injured you out of unwillingness to admit defeat, which is truly not right. Retreat now.”
Merchant Lu greatly admired Zhou Yan and nodded slightly at him.
Escort Su, with resentment in his eyes, withdrew from the martial field, his left hand covering his severed fingers.
Merchant Lu asked Zhou Yan, “According to the rules, Escort Zhou can continue to fight or withdraw after winning one round. What is your choice?”
Zhou Yan looked at Zhang Wangyue.
The escort’s eyes held a smile.
“I am not talented, but I wish to accept the challenge.”
“Good, a newborn calf fears no tiger,” Merchant Lu praised, then looked at the list. He raised his gaze and said to the boss of the Four Seas Escort Agency, “How about Escort Lu taking the stage?”
“I couldn’t ask for more!” Before the boss of the Four Seas Escort Agency could speak, Escort Lu, who had exchanged blows with Huyan Lei in Songhe Tower, walked over to the weapon rack and picked up a spear.
“Escort Zhou, please choose your weapon.”
Escort Lu was already skilled in spear techniques. Seeing Zhou Yan’s exquisite fist techniques, why would he fight bare-handed?
Huyan Lei, Wang Kui, and Shi Baichuan immediately became tense.
Zhou Yan was not skilled with weapons. Although he had learned some moves from Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber and Huyan Spear, he was facing a renowned escort from the Four Seas Escort Agency who was proficient in spear techniques.
Zhou Yan knew this logic. He had used a saber to sneak attack the Imperial City Guard’s Swift Runner, but that was with the advantage of terrain and a surprise attack. To face a renowned escort from the Four Seas Escort Agency, who had immersed himself in spear techniques for over a decade, with a saber in broad daylight would be like tying his own hands.
Thinking this, he looked around and walked over to pick up two stone locks used for daily training of arm and shoulder strength.
The autumn wind rustled. The young man, holding the stone locks, approached without fear.
Escort Lu of the Four Seas Escort Agency’s face turned green.
“Good, good. I was blind. I didn’t know Escort Zhou also practiced stone lock techniques. I will take you on.”
Escort Lu flicked his wrist, and the iron spear twirled into a large spear flower. His attack, like a long snake spitting its tongue, descended upon Zhou Yan.
With a “boom!” Zhou Yan’s right stone lock smashed the Middle Flat thrust of the spear. An explosion like a thunderclap erupted in the air, and the spear emitted a strong trembling sound.
Escort Lu felt his tiger’s mouth go numb. His eyebrows instantly shot up.
You are…
A mere child trying to bully an old man! This infuriates me!
