darknovel Chapter 23 In a peaceful and prosperous era, where do the strong emerge?
Chapter 23 In a peaceful and prosperous era, where do the strong emerge?
"rule?"
Ma Cong felt like he had heard the biggest joke in the world.
"It's because of your so-called rules, because of you 'masters' who hoard your treasures and refuse to show them, that traditional Chinese martial arts has fallen to this state!"
His voice suddenly rose in pitch.
"You all live in seclusion, letting those clowns swagger around under the guise of traditional martial arts, only to get knocked out with a single punch and become the laughingstock of the entire internet!"
"Boxing, taekwondo, karate, Muay Thai... which one doesn't treat us as just for show?"
"You hide in the mountains, clinging to those so-called rules and your pitiful sectarianism. You're practically disgracing traditional Chinese martial arts!"
"True martial arts are killing techniques, not just calisthenics on stage!"
"Only by fighting our way out, stepping onto the world stage, and using our fists to show everyone what true Chinese martial arts are!"
More and more pedestrians gathered around. Hearing this conversation and recalling the scene of crashing through the wall and leaping down the stairs, they were all speechless with astonishment.
"Holy crap, are these real martial arts masters dueling?"
"I thought martial arts were all a hoax, could it be... there really is such a thing?"
A young man wearing glasses, with trembling hands, raised his phone and began recording.
Wu Yu's face turned ashen after Ma Cong's words.
"What does a mere child like you know!"
He retorted sharply.
"In times of peace and prosperity, the strong do not emerge; this is an ancient proverb passed down from our ancestors!"
"Do you understand the principle that martial arts masters can break the law? It is precisely because generations of martial arts masters have abided by this rule that we martial artists have been able to pass down our schools through the ages!"
"If everyone acted as you say, each relying on their martial arts skills to do whatever they pleased, wouldn't the world be in chaos?"
"We practice martial arts to improve our health and preserve the traditions of our school, not to fight and be fierce!"
"Bullshit!"
Ma Cong immediately cursed.
"A martial artist is one who acts swiftly and decisively, seeking revenge and suppressing injustice whenever he sees it—this is the true nature of a martial artist!"
"What kind of hero hides away like a coward?"
If you don't see eye to eye, even half a sentence is too much.
Reasoning with them won't work.
Let's settle this with our fists.
Ma Cong stopped wasting words.
He took a step back, took a deep breath, and clasped his hands in a fist salute to the two men.
"Jiangcheng, Ma Cong."
The next second, he slowly raised his clenched fists above his head.
"Do you dare to fight?"
This is one of the oldest rules in the world of Chinese martial arts.
Raise your fist overhead, and fight to the death.
A life-or-death battle fought with one's life on the line!
Moreover, he was alone, challenging two well-known Ming Jin masters on the other side!
Wu Yu and Zhang Youcai's expressions changed completely.
They had considered that Ma Cong might resist, but they hadn't expected him to be so fierce, directly initiating a life-or-death battle.
"Kid, are you crazy?"
Zhang Youcai couldn't help but speak up.
"You have a bright future ahead of you, why take such a tragic path! Even if you cripple your martial arts, with your current foundation in Ming Jin (internal energy), after a few years of recuperation, you'll still be an outstanding individual. What can't you do to achieve great things?"
Wu Yu also spoke up to persuade them: "Take back your fist. It's not too late. We're just going to cripple your skills, not take your life."
Ma Cong remained silent.
His fists remained raised high above his head, motionless.
For him, his martial arts skills were his life.
Disabling his martial arts is no different from killing him.
Seeing Ma Cong's resolute expression, Wu Yu knew that further words would be of no use.
As the head of the Qingzhou Bajiquan sect and a grandmaster, he had no reason to back down when faced with a life-or-death challenge from a junior.
What's more, it's two against one.
If he backs down, he won't be able to stay in the world of martial arts anymore.
Wu Yu also took a deep breath, exchanged a glance with Zhang Youcai, and saw the same resolute expression on the other's face.
The two men simultaneously clasped their hands in a fist salute and raised them above their heads.
"Qingzhou Qingcun, Wu Yu."
"Qingzhou Qingcun, Zhang Youcai."
"Respond to the challenge!"
Wu Yu's voice was icy.
"This battle is an internal matter of our country's martial arts community. The authorities will not interfere. Life and death are left to fate. Wu Liu, you will watch from the sidelines."
The words fell.
All three men simultaneously lowered their raised fists.
Then, without prior arrangement, they all assumed a standard Bajiquan stance.
Everyone watching instinctively held their breath.
next moment.
Ma Cong made a move.
He made the first move!
"boom!"
The concrete ground beneath his feet seemed to explode as if detonated by explosives, bursting open violently!
Using this terrifying burst of power, he shot through the air like an arrow released from a bow, creating a sharp whistling sound, and rushed straight towards Wu Yu and Zhang Youcai opposite him.
A person is suspended in mid-air, their body stretched out.
One kick, like a long whip, lashed out at Zhang Youcai on the left!
A punch, like a cannonball, slammed towards Wu Yu on the right!
He actually managed to attack two Bajiquan masters all by himself!
Wu Yu and Zhang Youcai's pupils shrank suddenly. Without time to think, they could only cross their arms in front of them to take the blow head-on.
"Bang!!!"
The fists and feet collided with the arms, producing a loud, teeth-grinding thud.
The ground beneath Wu Yu and Zhang Youcai's feet instantly collapsed, and their legs were submerged in the concrete all the way down to their calves!
An invisible shockwave emanated from the three of them and spread out with a roar!
The ground of the entire old street was covered with spiderweb-like cracks that spread outwards from them.
The air distorted for a moment at the point where the three clashed.
"cough!"
Zhang Youcai felt a sweet taste in his throat, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
Wu's condition was slightly better, but he still felt nauseous and his chest felt tight.
After his strike, Ma Cong used the momentum to flip backward and landed lightly.
He shook his numb fist and moved his ankle.
He was also badly hurt by that attack.
Fighting two established masters of Ming Jin alone was ultimately a bit of a stretch.
Wu and Zhang Youcai exchanged a glance, then pulled their legs out of the pit, kicking up a pile of pebbles.
The battle continued without pause.
The three figures became entangled once again.
Their fists and feet clashed, producing a dull, booming sound like a drumbeat.
The glass windows of the shops along the street rattled and shattered, and some old windows even broke open.
In the crowd of onlookers in the distance, several young people held up their phones, their hands shaking as if they had Parkinson's disease.
They felt their worldview was being brutally trampled on.
In the midst of the fierce battle, Wu Yu unleashed a powerful "sky-piercing cannon" directly targeting Ma Cong's middle lane.
Ma Cong slid to the side and barely dodged, then smoothly guided the opponent with his right hand.
Wu Yu's fist grazed Ma Cong's ribs and slammed solidly into a cement utility pole by the roadside.
"boom!"
A loud bang.
The concrete outer layer of that utility pole, which was as thick as an adult's embrace, shattered and the steel bars were bent and deformed where it was hit by the fist.
Gravel and dust flew everywhere.
Wu Yu withdrew his fist, his entire arm trembling involuntarily.
His mind was in turmoil.
Not right.
This kid's strength is off.
Both being at the pinnacle of Ming Jin, I have immersed myself in this path for decades, and my Qi and blood have long been refined to an unparalleled purity.
Ma Cong's strength was like a piece of refined steel, while he himself was at most a piece of high-quality iron ingot.
They're clearly from the same level, so why are their textures so drastically different?
Is he really practicing Bajiquan?
Just then, the piercing sound of police sirens grew louder as they approached.
Several police cars sped up and stopped at the street corner.