Urban Martial Saint

Du Tianyi and Du Yongwu fought for over an hour, demonstrating remarkably brilliant moves that dazzled and amazed the onlooking crowd. Even members of the Northern Xingyi School regarded Du Tianyi with newfound respect, for they all knew their Master’s strength well, and the fact that Du Tianyi could fight Du Yongwu for so long was a testament to his own prowess.

It must be noted that Du Yongwu had been practicing Northern Xingyi Fist for over fifty years, while Du Tianyi was just in his early twenties. Even if Du Tianyi had started practicing martial arts at birth, he would have, at most, twenty years of training, which was far less than Du Yongwu. Everyone understood that Du Tianyi’s future abilities were immeasurable, given his current strength.

The Southern Xingyi School was even more astonished, as they knew Du Tianyi was strong, but didn’t expect him to be this formidable. Moreover, many of the boxing techniques Du Tianyi used were unfamiliar to them, not part of the Southern Xingyi School’s repertoire, yet similar to Xingyi Quan. What exactly was happening?

At the scene, only Ye Qing knew the true situation. After all, he had studied with Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun for three days and had improved much more from that experience than Du Tianyi did. Therefore, his strength was now much greater than Du Tianyi’s. He was the only one who could clearly discern the reality of the current battle.

Although Du Tianyi had been entrenched in combat with Du Yongwu, Ye Qing could tell that Du Tianyi was still not as strong as Du Yongwu. There was truth to the saying that ginger gets hotter with age; Du Yongwu’s fifty-plus years immersed in Northern Xingyi Fist were not for naught. If Du Yongwu hadn’t held back, Du Tianyi would likely have lost much earlier.

Ye Qing also felt respect for Du Yongwu when he openly conceded defeat just before. Despite less honorable actions in the past, Du Yongwu had proven himself a true man, able to accept defeat, an admirable trait. And now, seeing him continue to show mercy to Du Tianyi, Ye Qing’s favorable impression of him increased.

Finally, after more than an hour, Du Yongwu witnessed many lost secret techniques of Northern Xingyi Fist in Du Tianyi’s performance, broadening his own perspective. He burst into laughter and, although having the upper hand, suddenly turned and leaped out of the ring, leaving everyone in shock.

”Uncle Du...” Du Tianyi was stunned, knowing his strength fell far short of Du Yongwu’s. During their exchange, he realized that his elder’s abilities were not much different from his Master, Tie Yongwen’s. He didn’t expect that with such strength, Du Yongwu would be the first to step out of the ring. Wasn’t that tantamount to admitting defeat?

”Young man, you have truly opened my eyes!” Du Yongwu exclaimed excitedly, ”The Northern Xingyi School suffered a great calamity in the past, and many secret techniques of Northern Xingyi Fist have been lost. To think that I would see them again today in a younger generation, my life is indeed worthwhile!”

As he spoke, Du Yongwu turned to Tie Weihua and said, ”Master Tie, today’s competition has resulted in our Northern Xingyi School’s loss. Uncle Du will adhere to the prior agreement; from now on, there will no longer be a separate Northern Xingyi School. Our Northern Xingyi School will merge entirely into your Southern Xingyi School. My disciples have been with me for quite some time, coming from poor households, each hardworking and resilient. If Master Tie doesn’t mind, I hope you can take them in. Just providing them with food is enough!”

These words from Du Yongwu resonated with a certain desolation. This powerful elder had lost everything at that moment, which truly stirred pity.

”Master!” The disciples of Northern Xingyi School immediately knelt down, crying out, ”We ask for nothing more than to stay by your side!”

”Stand up, all of you!” Du Yongwu glared, indignantly saying, ”I personally set the terms of the competition. Since you are from Northern Xingyi School, you should join the Southern Xingyi School and follow Master Tie’s command. What, do you want me to break my word?”

The disciples of Northern Xingyi School reluctantly looked at one another, knowing they had to stand even if they were unwilling. These people were raised by Du Yongwu from a young age, obeying him implicitly, never daring to contradict.

Looking at his disciples, Du Yongwu, too, was filled with reluctance. He sighed deeply, turned to Tie Weihua, and said, ”Master Tie, I leave these people to you. Uncle Du will not disturb you any further!”

”Uncle Du, wait a moment!” Tie Weihua quickly called out.

”What is it?” Du Yongwu frowned, his gaze turning cold as he stared at Tie Weihua and said sternly, ”I’ve said it, ten matches to determine the winner, the loser must submit to the victor. Are you trying to make me break my word? Tie Weihua, you don’t have to be soft-hearted. If the Southern Xingyi School had lost today, I would have definitely had your school join my Northern Xingyi School!”

”This…” Tie Weihua looked somewhat embarrassed. He wanted to persuade Du Yongwu, but one statement from Du Yongwu had left him speechless, unable to continue.

Just then, Ye Qing stepped forward and said, ”Master Tie, Elder Du, there’s a saying that the observer sees more of the game. As an observer, may I speak a few words?”

Ye Qing refrained from calling Du Yongwu by his name, for he had grown to respect the elder and thus offered him due deference.

”Please speak, Mr. Ye!” Du Yongwu directly responded. He admired Ye Qing’s strength and was polite in his speech.

”Mr. Ye, please speak!” Tie Weihua also urged, no longer feeling any of the jealousy he had before toward Ye Qing. Tie Weihua felt only gratitude for Ye Qing today for having protected the Southern Xingyi School.

”Just now, Senior Du said that the ten-match pact dictates, regardless of who loses, they must merge into the victorious side,” Ye Qing smiled and continued, ”Since the bet has been decided, naturally it can’t be changed. Northern Xingyi School’s integration into Southern Xingyi School is only proper!”

Upon hearing Ye Qing’s words, the members of Northern Xingyi School were visibly outraged, glaring at him with anger. If it weren’t for Tie Yongwen holding his tongue, these people might have already started shouting.

Tie Yongwen’s expression was tinged with regret, for he too found it hard to let go of his disciples. But since they had lost, they must accept it!

”However...” Ye Qing looked at Tie Yongwen, smiled, and asked, ”Senior Du is part of Northern Xingyi School, isn’t he?”

”Master is the Sect Leader of Northern Xingyi School, of course he is part of it!” Li Si called out loudly, and the others from Northern Xingyi School also voiced their agreement.

”That’s right!” Ye Qing gestured with his hand and said, ”Since Senior Du is part of Northern Xingyi School, then why should he leave when Northern Xingyi School merges into Southern Xingyi School?”

The reason Tie Yongwen intended to leave was something he had decided in his heart beforehand. If he lost, he would leave his disciples at Southern Xingyi School, because he couldn’t bear the blow to his reputation and planned to wander the world. But now, Ye Qing’s question caught him off guard.

The disciples of Northern Xingyi School all looked towards Tie Yongwen. To them, merging with Southern Xingyi School wasn’t a major issue. What mattered most was that they couldn’t bear the thought of Master Tie Yongwen leaving. As long as they could continue following Master Tie Yongwen, nothing else mattered!

Ye Qing smiled faintly and turned to look at Tie Weihua. Tie Weihua had just been stunned, but when Ye Qing made a gesture at him, he suddenly understood Ye Qing’s intention, hurriedly stepped forward, and knelt down, exclaiming, ”Greetings to Uncle Du!”

Seeing Tie Weihua do this, Du Tianyi also immediately came forward to pay his respects. Some of the quicker disciples within Southern Xingyi School also came forward to kneel. Following the first few, the rest naturally followed suit, and all members of Southern Xingyi School knelt before Tie Yongwen.

Witnessing the actions of the Southern Xingyi School members, the people from Northern Xingyi School were deeply moved, and any hostility they had toward the Southern Xingyi School immediately faded away.

Tie Yongwen was somewhat at a loss, looking at the Southern Xingyi School disciples kneeling before him, unsure of what to do.

Seeing Tie Yongwen in such a state, Ye Qing continued, ”Senior Du, do you know where brother Tian Yi learned his Northern Xingyi Fist?”

”Where did he learn it?” Tie Yongwen asked eagerly, as it was something he had always wanted to know.

Ye Qing replied, ”Brother Tian Yi’s Northern Xingyi Fist was actually taught personally by Elder Shen of the Xihang Shen Family Manor, Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun!”

Tie Yongwen was momentarily astonished. When he heard this for the first time, he thought Ye Qing was bragging. But hearing it a second time, he couldn’t help but start to believe it.

”Did Senior Shen really come back?” Tie Yongwen inquired.

”Indeed!” Du Tianyi lifted his head and said, ”The Northern Xingyi Fist I practice was indeed imparted to me by Elder Shen.”

”It’s no wonder, no wonder!” Tie Yongwen slowly nodded his head. If the boxing technique came from Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun, then there was nothing surprising about it. Rumor had it that before the great battle between the kings of Southern and Northern Fist, both of them spent time refining their boxing techniques together, practically encompassing the world’s boxing techniques. This Northern Xingyi Fist might even be something Shen Tianjun had learned from Li Changqing!

”When Elder Shen passed on this boxing technique, he also said a few words...” Ye Qing paused, then continued, ”South and North Xingyi Gate, in truth, are one and the same. There shouldn’t be a division between the two. Southern and Northern Fist themselves are not contradictory. As they are boxing techniques, naturally there should be skill involved. However, if one does not possess sufficient strength, what use is there in having skill alone?”

If Ye Qing had said such things before, Tie Yongwen would have immediately objected. But having just witnessed Du Tianyi’s display, who had integrated North-South Xingyi Quan, he realized the combined power truly surpassed that of either style alone. Now he deeply understood this point!

”Since South and North Xingyi Gate are intrinsically one, then...” Ye Qing glanced at Tie Weihua, then at Tie Yongwen, and suggested, ”Today, why not merge South and North Xingyi Gate together. Henceforth, Xingyi School will no longer have a distinction between South and North, there will only be one united Xingyi School!”