"Can such a person participate in the competition?"
"What happened to his arm?"
After a few seconds of silence, the audience soon began to discuss. Even the referees found it strange and asked each other what was going on with this contestant. However, the rules did not say that injured people could not participate in the competition, so they could only watch Zheng Yubai step onto the stage.
Zheng Yubai's opponent was a muscular man named Zhang Long. He was shirtless and wore only a pair of blue shorts. His upper body muscles were clearly visible, especially his eight-pack abs, which caused many screams from the female audience. It was obvious that he insisted on high-intensity exercise every day.
Compared to Zhang Long, Zheng Yubai looked very amateur, wearing a white vest on the upper body and black sports pants on the lower body, which looked like the clothes for morning exercise. In addition, his right arm was bandaged. Although he was tall and strong, he didn't look like a master.
Ding Rulong on the rostrum saw this scene and couldn't help but frowned, thinking that his daughter wouldn't be so short-sighted as to fall for such a silly boy. But when he turned his head to look at Ding Beibei, he found that she was staring at Zheng Yubai without blinking, and he was immediately furious. His good impression of Zheng Yubai was immediately replaced by the fear that his daughter would be taken away by someone else.
Zheng Yubai was completely unaware of the situation. He stood on the stage, looking around for Xu Jin and the others who were watching the game.
"Yubai, come on!" Xu Jin, Yu Luo, Su Su and Yang Feiyan leaned out of the window of the box and shouted together. Their cheers attracted the audience to look back and they were immediately surprised that the silly boy on the stage had four such beautiful female friends.
Zhang Long glanced at Zheng Yubai, his heart full of jealousy. Ever since he saw Susu just now, he felt that the girl was his dream lover. But he didn't expect Susu to be so close to Zheng Yubai. Not only that, this guy was also close to four other girls at the same time. This really made Zhang Long jealous. Now he was facing Zheng Yubai, and he had only one idea in his mind: beat him to a pulp.
"Are you clear about the rules?" the referee briefly explained the rules and asked the two.
The players were already familiar with these rules. When Zheng Yubai and Zhang Long nodded together, the referee stepped back, put his hand between the two of them, waved it vigorously, and said, "Begin."
Zheng Yubai was about to salute his opponent when he saw Zhang Long's shoulder move. He knew something was wrong and took a step back. Zhang Long's fist swept past his right shoulder with the wind.
"Too insidious!" The four girls in the box shouted together. They were worried about Zheng Yubai's injury, but when they saw Zhang Long attack Zheng Yubai's wound with his first punch, they immediately screamed.
Zhang Long missed the first blow, and immediately took steps to pursue, his fists like a rainstorm, attacking Zheng Yubai's injured right arm. Zheng Yubai seemed to be unable to fight back, and retreated repeatedly. In a few steps, he had retreated to the edge of the arena. Behind him was the rope of the ring, and there was no way to retreat.
"It looks like he's going to lose." This is what most of the audience thought.
Seeing Zheng Yubai retreat to the corner, Zhang Long knew the time had come and shouted, "Shadowless Kick." He had been attacking with both fists, but suddenly he raised his leg and kicked, sweeping towards the right side of Zheng Yubai's body.
A smile suddenly appeared on Zheng Yubai's face. He swung his left arm and charged towards Zhang Long's leg head-on.
The power of the legs is naturally much greater than that of the hands. Seeing Zheng Yubai's reckless fight, Zhang Long couldn't help but laugh at him as a fool. But when their fists and feet collided, he knew he was wrong. A huge impact force hit his legs, and the bones seemed to be broken. In addition, the punch also had a drilling force, which made his supporting foot unstable and he fell out.
The audience had not expected such a change, and they were all surprised to see the reversal of the situation. However, the four girls of Xu Jin cheered in unison, causing many lustful male audience members to not pay attention to the fight on the field, but to steal glances at them from time to time.
Zheng Yubai knocked Zhang Long away and did not chase him. He just waited quietly for him to get up.
Zhang Long got up in a panic, feeling only a dull pain where he was hit by Zheng Yubai. However, he did not think he was at a disadvantage and said viciously: "You have some strength, but you won't have any luck this time." Then he rushed up again and used a move called "Double Wind Piercing the Ears" to hit both sides of Zheng Yubai's temples.
"He really doesn't know how to live or die..." Yang Feiyun sighed on the podium with a smile on his face. He knew that Zheng Yubai would definitely win this game.
Sure enough, before Zhang Long's fists could get close to Zheng Yubai's head, Zheng Yubai had already bent his waist and punched out with his left fist, hitting his chest as fast as lightning. Zhang Long was thrown out by the force of Zheng Yubai's punch, and flew five meters away, hitting the rope on the other side. He was bounced by the rope and fell back into the field, but he could no longer get up.
"Hey, is this a cannon punch?" A referee in the referee's booth said curiously, "The starting posture is wrong."
"Nonsense, he can't move his right arm, so of course he can't do any stances," said another referee.
"This punch is quite powerful." Several referees were talking to each other. Behind them, a man wearing a red cape symbolizing a seeded player stared at Zheng Yubai, thinking.
"This round, Zheng Yubai wins." The outcome was very obvious, and the referee's announcement was just superfluous. As soon as he finished speaking, the four girls of Xu Jin cheered, and the audience, who had just been very distrustful of Zheng Yubai, also burst into warm applause.
Yang Feiyun finally breathed a sigh of relief and could sit up straight, slowly enjoying the game he created. Ding Rulong had been staring at his daughter absentmindedly. From her expression, he could tell what was happening on the court with Zheng Yubai. This cunning businessman had already smelled a hint of danger.
There was only one match on this day, and in the end, 56 players would be selected to form the top 64 with the eight seeded players, and then the elimination round would take place. After Zheng Yubai defeated his opponent, he had to wait for the results of the others, and could not leave for the time being.
When Zheng Yubai returned to the hall and was about to pack up and go to the box to watch the game with Xu Jin and the other three girls, a man in a red cloak walked in.
As soon as the man came in, he immediately caused a commotion among the contestants waiting for the competition in the hall.
"It's Sun Haitong."
Someone came forward with a pen and paper and asked the man for his autograph. The man signed casually and walked straight to Zheng Yubai.
Zheng Yubai recognized this man as one of the eight seeded players, but he didn't know why he came to find him.
"Your name is Zheng Yubai?" the man asked as he stood in front of Zheng Yubai. He was about 27 or 28 years old, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, dark skin, and a very well-proportioned body. His standing posture was like a javelin, with his feet slightly apart, which looked a bit like the round stance in Xingyiquan.
"I am." Zheng Yubai said hurriedly.
"My name is Sun Haitong." The man introduced himself, "I practice Xingyiquan."
"I have heard of you for a long time." Zheng Yubai hurriedly saluted Sun Haitong using the etiquette of Xingyiquan. As long as one practices Xingyiquan, everyone knows the name of Sun Haitong. His father, Sun Yunqing, is the head of this generation of Xingyiquan, and his martial arts skills are said to be unfathomable. In recent years, Sun Haitong has been quite eye-catching and has become a leader of the young generation of Xingyiquan. It is said that his achievements are no less than his father's.
Sun Haitong raised his chin slightly, but did not return the greeting. As the saying goes, there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts. Anyone who knows a little bit of Kung Fu is more proud and thinks he is invincible. Fortunately, Zheng Yubai didn't mind it too much, and just asked, "Excuse me, is there anything I can do for you?"
"Which branch of Xingyiquan are you from? Why have I never heard of you?" Sun Haitong asked.
Zheng Yubai thought that there were probably tens of millions of Xingyiquan enthusiasts around the world. If you wanted to know them all, then you didn't need to do anything else. Although you are the son of the current head of Xingyiquan, you don't need to act like it's your turn. Although he thought so, Zheng Yubai still didn't want to offend his fellow disciples, so he said, "My family is from the countryside in the north. I learned Xingyiquan from my father. It's a rustic way, not worthy of the law, and not officially listed in the generation."
"Oh? Are there people practicing Xingyiquan in the countryside?" Sun Haitong said.
Zheng Yubai couldn't help but feel a little annoyed when he heard this: "Xingyiquan is practiced in Shanxi, Hebei, and Henan, and many senior masters are also farmers. Don't you know that?"
Sun Haitong's expression changed: "I am just afraid that someone will use the name of Xingyiquan to cheat people."
Zheng Yubai relaxed his shoulders: "If you are worried that I am a liar, then you can rest assured. I am just practicing casually to strengthen my body."
Sun Haitong snorted coldly: "His mediocre kung fu is indeed only suitable for strengthening the body. I thought he was a disciple from some side branch, but it turns out he is a wild one, a waste of my time." After saying that, he left without saying goodbye to Zheng Yubai.
Zheng Yubai thought this man was really weird. He suddenly came over and said something nonsense, pretending to be very powerful. He didn't know if he was really as capable as the rumors said. After a few days when the injury on his right arm heals, he really hopes to compete with him to see if his arrogance is proportional to his kung fu.
This round of competition finally ended, and fifty-six contestants were decided. When they appeared on the stage with the eight seeded contestants, they aroused continuous applause from the audience.
"Come on, Yubai! Yubai is the best!" Yu Luo shouted loudly, but she found that the other three girls were looking at her strangely. She blushed immediately and said to Xu Jin coquettishly, "Sister, why don't you shout?"
Xu Jin smiled slightly: "Do you think everyone is as crazy as you?"
This statement caused Susu and Yang Feiyan to chuckle, and their wariness towards the two beauties whom they met for the first time was mostly gone.
The eight seeded players were directly given seed numbers, while the other players had to draw lots to determine their match order. Zheng Yubai drew a number four, and he would not face a seeded player in the first round. However, if he could win the first game, he might play against the number one seeded player in the second game and compete for a spot in the round of 16.
After the numbers were assigned and the match schedule was drawn up, this round of the martial arts competition was over. The official 64-strong competition would be held one week later. Zheng Yubai's match would be held in a week. By that time, the injury on his arm should have healed.
After the game, Zheng Yubai and Xu Jin and the other two girls met outside the gymnasium. Yang Feiyan made a scene and asked him to treat them. Zheng Yubai had no choice but to spend some money and let them have a feast of ice cream.
After coaxing Yang Feiyan away and about to send Susu home, she pulled Zheng Yubai aside and murmured, "Brother, are you...living with them?"
Zheng Yubai was stunned for a moment, then realized that she was referring to Xu Jin and Yu Luo, so he could only say, "We don't live together, we just rent a house together."
"You...what is your relationship with them?" Su Su asked worriedly.
"It's the same relationship as yours." Zheng Yubai said.
Su Su's face turned pale and she mumbled something. Zheng Yubai listened carefully and heard her say, "Then...then you have seen my body...you haven't seen theirs too, have you?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Zheng Yubai was shocked and thought to himself that it would be terrible if Xu Jin heard this.
Su Su raised her head and chuckled, "You are responsible anyway."
Zheng Yubai was in a state of panic, and was tormented by her. He finally sent her away, and then came back to go home with Xu Jin and Yu Luo, but he saw Yu Luo with her hands on her hips, and said coldly: "Zheng Yubai, what is your relationship with those girls?"
Zheng Yubai almost collapsed to the ground when he heard this. Each of these women was more difficult to deal with than a hundred martial arts masters!
Under the protection of Caoji, they returned to the safe apartment safely. The guests praised Zheng Yubai for defeating his opponent with one arm. Zheng Yubai was not very happy, because he heard from other contestants that Zhang Long was also a famous master. Although he was not very old, he had won the championship of a national martial arts competition.
In Zheng Yubai's opinion, Zhang Long has no idea what real martial arts is. But such a person is also a national champion. Isn't this a huge mockery of the current martial arts world? Thinking of this, Zheng Yubai felt a little depressed. He was in a circle full of doomsday atmosphere, and he didn't know what the future would be like. Although he had an amazing art, he was unable to reverse the historical trend of the gradual decline of martial arts. This is not the ancient times when knights used martial arts to break the law. No matter how powerful the masters are, they can't defeat a small bullet. The world has developed to this point. Is there really no place for martial arts
It was only then that Zheng Yubai realized Yang Feiyun's deliberate intention to promote this martial arts conference. Although there were no top foreign masters participating in this conference, there were many fighting masters. Judging from their fights with martial artists, the situation of martial arts is gradually deteriorating. It is probably because of this that Yang Feiyun put aside his pride and held this thankless conference to make more people pay attention to martial arts.
Zheng Yubai suddenly felt very respectful of Yang Feiyun, he at least had a pursuit. What about himself, he wanted to live a low-key and peaceful life, but he was deeply trapped in various troubles and couldn't get out. Speaking of it, it was really a confused life without any pursuit.
While thinking about these things, Zheng Yubai smelled a faint fragrance. He asked softly, "Why are you here?"
"I can't sleep, so I came to see what you are doing." The person who came was Xu Jin.
"Just thinking about some problems." Zheng Yubai scratched his head.
"What's the problem? Can you tell me?" Xu Jin sat next to Zheng Yubai, and the two of them looked at the dim moon outside the window together.
Zheng Yubai was just looking for someone to talk to, so he told her what was on his mind. Xu Jin listened and smiled, "Actually, I was just as confused as you a few days ago. Before, my life seemed to be all about revenge, but after what you said, I realized that my life had no other meaning except revenge. I remember that you were very insightful when you advised me that day, and it turns out that I was also so confused."
Zheng Yubai said awkwardly, "You can't see the true face of Mount Lu because you are in it. In this kind of matter, the person involved is always confused, while the bystander is clear. I can give you advice, but I may not be able to solve my own problems."
"In fact, you should say that there will always be a way out when the car reaches the mountain." Xu Jin said, "Many things happen naturally. For example, the decline of martial arts that you are worried about is an inevitable product of history. Today's society does not allow the existence of martial arts that can kill people with just one move. If the soil for martial arts is gone, it will naturally not be able to survive."
Zheng Yubai sighed: "It seems that you think so too."
"But you don't have to worry. Although martial arts have declined, there are still hermit masters like you." Xu Jin said with a smile, "How do you know that there are no more people like you in the mountains and rivers? In fact, the existence of martial arts is not to become famous in the world, nor to have many believers, but to make people healthy. Thinking too much will blur the original intention."
After listening to Xu Jin's words, Zheng Yubai's mind suddenly became clear. He couldn't help but hold Xu Jin's hand and said, "What you said makes sense. Why haven't I thought about it before?"
"You seem to have a good temper, but sometimes you really like to get stuck in a rut." When Zheng Yubai held Xu Jin's hand, her whole body softened like a ball of dough. She almost wanted to lean into Zheng Yubai's arms, but she was still hesitant despite her reserve.
Zheng Yubai scratched his head: "I guess my temper is not pleasing to others."
"Who said that..." Xu Jin wanted to say "I like you", but then he thought of Ding Beibei and the others, and couldn't help but say quietly: "I think you are very popular with girls."
“This…” Zheng Yubai was shocked, wondering why it has come up again. Women are really troublesome.
A week later, when Zheng Yubai faced the competition again, the bandage on his right arm had come off, leaving a shocking cross scar. Yang Feiyun came to visit Zheng Yubai before the game and was relieved to see that his right arm could move freely even though it could not exert force.
"This is for you." Before the game started, Ding Beibei ran to the lounge, gave Zheng Yubai a thermos, and then disappeared. Zheng Yubai opened it and saw that it was a bottle of hot soup. Fortunately, Xu Jin and Yu Luo went to the box first, otherwise there would be another round of questioning and nagging.
Drinking the hot soup, thinking of Ding Beibei's gentleness and courtesy, Zheng Yubai felt warm all over, but Xu Jin's image soon appeared in his mind, and even Su Su's white body popped up from time to time. Each girl was like an angel, making him waver and hesitate.
Just as I was daydreaming, someone behind me suddenly said, "Are you Zheng Yubai?"
Zheng Yubai looked back and saw a giant man almost two meters tall and with an extremely large physique standing behind him.
"Who are you?" Zheng Yubai asked puzzledly.
"I am your opponent," the giant said. "My name is Huang Bai."
"It's you." Zheng Yubai was stunned. Judging from Huang Bo's body shape, the most suitable fighting method for him should be Japanese sumo wrestling. Or maybe he shouldn't learn fighting at all and go to the NBA to play basketball. Although he is slightly inferior in height, he can definitely fight against the black giants in Europe and America with his sturdy body.
"Is your arm okay?" Huang Bai was tall to begin with, and Zheng Yubai was sitting down. His condescending attitude reminded Zheng Yubai of the idiom "Mount Tai pressing down on one's head".
"I can't exert any strength yet." Zheng Yubai answered honestly. Because everyone knew that he had an arm injury in the last game, it was useless to hide it, so he might as well admit it generously.
"Why should a disabled person take part in the competition? If you don't want to die, I advise you to give up. I, Huang Bai, am not as useless as Zhang Long." Huang Bai said, raising his head and shaking his fist as big as a bowl.
Zheng Yubai looked at him helplessly, thinking how could these people all behave in the same way, Sun Haitong was like this, and so was Huang Bai, could it be that as their skills dropped, their arrogance also increased? The martial arts masters of the past were all modest and kind old gentlemen, unlike these people nowadays. In another situation, Zheng Yubai would definitely believe if they were called hooligans.
Huang Bo left arrogantly, Zheng Yubai changed into his competition uniform, and the first round of the competition began.
Because the last match was a success, and with the popularity of television broadcasts and newspaper reports, this time not only did the number of spectators increase significantly, but there were also more media. The ring was surrounded by reporters with their cameras and it seemed that they were taking the martial arts conference seriously.
In the first round, the No. 1 seed Wang Bao faced Liao Fei, a folk enthusiast who also practiced Bajiquan.
Probably because they were from the same sect, the two of them saluted very respectfully on the stage and even hugged each other warmly. However, when the gong sounded, the two of them immediately took up their positions, with swords drawn and brows glaring at each other, obviously wanting to win.
Wang Bao was a famous Bajiquan master, and his opponent was just a folk enthusiast. The difference in strength between the two was not small. However, the audience sympathized with the weaker party, and when they saw that they were in a stalemate, they all booed Wang Bao loudly.
As the boos sounded, Wang Bao seemed unable to hold back and took action. He shouted, "Be careful." He took a wrong step forward and hit Liao Fei in the face with a palm strike.
Liao Fei dodged Wang Bao's attack with a shaky step, which was quite skillful. He then turned around and punched Wang Bao right on the shoulder, knocking him back a step.
After being hit by a punch, Wang Bao did not retreat but advanced. He stepped forward and punched Liao Fei like flying fists. Liao Fei made a hasty counterattack, but Wang Bao suddenly changed his tactics and thrust his shoulder forward, knocking Liao Fei out.
Liao Fei staggered backwards, and Wang Bao chased him closely, leaping forward and pushing him with a crane step.
There is a saying in Bajiquan: "Crane Step Pushes the Mountain Steady." This is one of the Eight Vajra Postures and is very powerful. Liao Fei was pushed in the chest by Wang Baozheng. He felt a strong force coming at him, and his throat felt sweet. A mouthful of blood spurted out, and he flew backwards, passed the ropes, and fell off the ring.
The winner was decided immediately, shocking the whole audience. Zheng Yubai thought that Wang Bao might not look impressive, but he had amazing skills, and he seemed to be a master who should not be underestimated.
Just as I was thinking about it, someone behind me said, "It's your turn."
Zheng Yubai then remembered that he was in the second round, and saw Huang Bo coming out of the opposite passage, waving his arms and interacting with the audience as he walked towards the ring. He couldn't help but smile bitterly, and also walked out of the passage and headed straight for the ring. (To be continued)