Martial Arts Across the Heavens: Becoming a Martial God Starting from the Big Boss in Tangshan

"Exactly!" Chen Wen clapped his hands and laughed, praising, "Master Huang has exceptional comprehension!"

The indifference and confusion on Yan Zhendong's face completely disappeared, replaced by a sense of sudden enlightenment and excitement, even with a hint of thrill.

He rejected foreign things because he thought they were strange skills and tricks, and even heretical practices.

But now.

Chen Wen told him that it was just another way of practicing and exerting power!

The foreigners simply found more efficient techniques and moves first!

As a martial artist, facing even more powerful martial arts.

What we should do is not stubbornly criticize others, but strive to improve ourselves, learn from their strengths and make up for our weaknesses, so that we can become stronger!

Aunt Thirteen watched from the side, somewhat bewildered.

She already knew the working principle and function of the steam engine.

But after Chen Wen used martial arts as an analogy, and then Huang Feihong summarized it, it felt like... the steam engine had become some kind of strange martial arts manual?

Is there something wrong with this understanding?

But then again... it seems to make sense?

She blinked, glancing at Huang Feihong and Yan Zhendong, who were excitedly discussing, and then at Chen Wen, who was smiling.

I felt that the Western science I had learned and the scene before me had created some kind of strange distortion.

She asked instinctively:

"Mr. Chen, I never imagined you knew so much about the principles of steam engines. And I certainly didn't expect you to be skilled in kung fu!"

Before Chen Wen could answer, Liang Kuan interrupted and said:

"Aunt Thirteen, Master Chen's kung fu is amazing!"

"That day, dozens of members of the Shahe gang gang surrounded and beat us up. Master Chen appeared out of nowhere and took down a whole bunch of them with just a few punches and kicks!"

"Those guys he hit, I heard they're still lying in the clinic, unable to get out of bed!"

"Yeah! Boss Chen was really impressive that day!"

"His skills were lightning fast!"

"Those bastards from the Shahe Gang are like paper under Boss Chen's command!"

Lin Shirong and several other militia members present at the time echoed his sentiments.

He vividly described how Chen Wen crushed the Shahe Gang like a tiger among sheep that day, his tone filled with admiration.

Huang Feihong nodded as well.

Huang Feihong nodded and said to Aunt Thirteen:

"Shaoyun, have you forgotten? That day, when the camera caught fire in the teahouse, Brother Chen stepped in and protected you half a step faster than I did."

After being reminded by him, Aunt Thirteen immediately recalled the scene from that time.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave a soft "hmm" without saying anything more, but her gaze toward Chen Wen held a hint of something indescribable in addition to curiosity.

"What? Master, Boss Chen is even faster than you?" Lin Shirong's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.

The other militia members also showed expressions of surprise.

Huang Feihong's kung fu is recognized as the best in Foshan.

This Mr. Chen, who looks much younger than his master, is actually faster than his master in terms of skill?

Liang Kuan excitedly added:

"Not only that! This Master Yan is also a master!"

"I just wonder, among Boss Chen, Master Yan, and Master Huang, who do you think is the most skilled?"

The moment these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the factory became somewhat awkward.

The members of the militia, including Lin Shirong, couldn't help but look Chen Wen, Yan Zhendong, and Huang Feihong up and down, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Those who practice martial arts have an instinctive interest in the distinction between superior and inferior martial arts.

Yan Zhendong's usually expressionless face showed a slight movement at this moment.

He had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to Wong Fei-hung, his voice booming:

"Master Huang! My name is Yan Zhendong. I have long admired Master Huang Feihong of Foshan for his superb martial arts skills."

"There's no time like the present, why don't we have a friendly spar today?"

Huang Feihong quickly waved his hand:

"Master Yan, you're too kind. We're all friends, why resort to violence? I think we should skip the sparring."

Yan Zhendong did not retract his clasped hands; he straightened his back and looked directly at Huang Feihong.

"Master Huang, I know you are a big shot and look down on my rudimentary skills. But I, Yan Zhendong, came to Foshan from the north, and life has been... really difficult."

He paused, seemingly gathering his emotions, before continuing:

"I want to open a martial arts school to teach and make a living. But all the martial arts schools in the area ostracize me because I'm from out of town."

"I visited them and, according to the rules of the martial arts world, challenged them to a duel, making it clear that if I lost, I would leave. If I were lucky enough to win, I would only ask for a place to stay and to open a school to teach students. They agreed."

"I went from one opponent to another, and while I wouldn't say I won every time, I never lost!"

"But what happened? I won, but they turned their backs on me! They still ganged up on me and ostracized me!"

"As a result, I ended up on the streets, making a living by performing, and often couldn't even afford a decent meal!"

Upon hearing these words, Wong Fei-hung frowned, his face showing sympathy and contemplation.

He had connections with the masters at local martial arts schools in Foshan. Although those people had their own personalities, they didn't seem... to be that bad.

Chen Wen then interjected:

"Master Huang, this matter has nothing to do with personal character, but rather with the very foundation of survival."

He looked at Yan Zhendong, then at Huang Feihong and the others, and explained:

"I opened 'Yiwen Medical Clinic,' offering free medical consultations and making my prescriptions public. It seems like I'm taking business away from other clinics."

"But I only see patients, I don't sell medicine. Patients still have to go to the pharmacy to get the medicine after receiving the prescription."

"Those pharmacies and clinics, although they have less income from consultations because of me, still have their medicine dispensing business. In fact, they may even sell more medicinal herbs because I have more patients."

"I make money, and they make money too, just a little less, or they need to change their approach."

"So, although they were dissatisfied, they were eventually able to sit down and talk, and were even willing to supply me with goods."

He then changed the subject, pointing at Yan Zhendong:

"But Master Yan's martial arts school is different. He only has so many students, and the tuition fees are the same."

"If you take on one more apprentice, other martial arts schools will have one less apprentice and one less tuition fee. This is like directly taking food from someone else's bowl; it's cutting off their source of income."

"Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents."

"You defeat one martial arts school, proving your skill level, but what will the other schools think? They'll think, 'You can beat this one today, so tomorrow you can come and steal my business!'"

"These martial arts schools have been established in Foshan for many years, and their connections are intertwined. Who doesn't have some kind of relationship with whom?"

"You're an outsider, all alone. No matter how skilled you are in martial arts, it's perfectly normal for them to gang up on you."

Chen Wen looked at Yan Zhendong:

"Master Yan, you've practiced martial arts for many years and traveled all over the country. You understand this principle in your heart. It's just... there really wasn't any other way to go at that time, right?"

As Yan Zhendong listened to Chen Wen's detailed analysis, clearly explaining the advantages and disadvantages, he felt a mix of emotions.

He sighed heavily and nodded, saying:

"The boss is right, I understand. But understanding is one thing... if there were any other way to make a living back home, who would willingly leave their hometown and come to this unfamiliar south to make a living?"

He raised his head and looked at Wong Fei-hung again, his suppressed fighting spirit rising once more:

"So at that time, I thought, if I wanted to establish myself in Foshan, there was only one way: defeat the universally acknowledged number one martial artist in Foshan, Wong Fei-hung!"

"Once I beat Master Huang, my name will be known throughout Foshan. Who will dare to look down on me, Yan Zhendong? Who will dare to stop me from opening my martial arts school?"

"Master Huang! I've long wanted to formally challenge you!"

"But the boss keeps saying... I'm no match for you."

When he said this, he glanced at Chen Wen, without any complaint, simply stating his opinion.

Upon hearing these words, Wong Fei-hung looked troubled.

He disliked fighting by nature and was even less willing to risk damaging relations by fighting with Chen Wen's people, so he quickly said:

"Brother Chen, you are too modest. Master Yan is clearly a master of external martial arts, with strong bones and a commanding presence. How could I, Huang, dare to underestimate him?"

"But since we are all gathered here today, it is really not appropriate to resort to violence..."

"Master Huang," Chen Wen interrupted him with a smile, "we're just exchanging pointers, stopping short of hurting each other's feelings."

"Master Yan has had this wish for a long time, and it's rare for him to bring it up today. Just consider it as fulfilling his wish and also opening our eyes to something new."

"They've already officially announced their identity and issued a challenge."

"According to the rules of the martial arts world, if you refuse such a formal challenge, it would be a real disrespect to Master Yan, and it would also make us look dishonest."

Having said all that, Wong Fei-hung knew that it would be impolite to refuse any further.

He looked at the unwavering, even pleading, fighting spirit in Yan Zhendong's eyes, and then at the expectant gazes of the people around him.

He finally smiled helplessly, let out a long breath, straightened his clothes, took a few steps forward, and came to a relatively open area in the center of the courtyard.

His expression turned solemn, and he clasped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Yan Zhendong, saying in a clear voice:

"In that case... Foshan, Wong Fei-hung, please enlighten me!"

Yan Zhendong's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he also took a few steps forward, clasping his hands in return:

"Shandong, Yan Zhendong, please advise!"