Chapter 182: Youthful Jianghu and Older Jianghu (Second)

On this previous French-styled manor Tang Zichen was residing in, solely ladies might be seen working underneath her.

All of them wore the identical camo swimsuit and had their hairs tied up. At the same time as they walked freely, a small pistol and dagger might be seen geared up at their aspect. The faces of every one in all these ladies had been fairly fairly, and their physique had been amongst the upper ranges of well being. However nonetheless, even with their sleek manners, their actions had been crammed with rapt consideration.

It was as if everybody right here had been specifically groomed feminine particular companies brokers that had been on the high of their respective teams in expertise.

The Tang Zichen of right now had already aged 5 years since her assembly with Wang Chao within the park. However even regardless of the passage of time, there had been no main variations. She was like a fairy inside a dream; highly effective but mysterious.

Her facial look hadn’t aged both. The hardships that adopted with the circulation of time had not been obvious in any single facet of her face, and never a scar might be seen both.

“The folks working within the Israeli Weapons Industries are fairly gifted. Too gifted maybe. Our newly established R&D department has a labratory of its personal, and but we’re nonetheless fairly a methods away from them.”

She stood as much as decide up the Desert Eagle from the desk. Fiddling round with it for a couple of moments, Tang Zichen then positioned it again down on the desk.

The Desert Eagle, or the Deagle as it’s identified colloquially, is without doubt one of the most excellent firearms that had ever come out from the Israeli Weapons Industries. Nicknamed because the pocket-sized cannon, the firepower, precision, and penetrative drive of it was not inferior to a mini-assault rifle. The Deagle had additionally its honest shares of defects. The recoil of the Deagle was fairly sturdy and was vulnerable to jamming. It was a frequent matter to fail to hit the goal and find yourself with the Deagle jamming within the chamber. If the individual utilizing the Deagle was not an skilled with firearms or educated solely for it, this was not the firearm to make use of.

However the Deagle that was in Tang Zichen’s arms had the vast majority of these defects straightened out more-or-less. It had been with a sigh that she admitted the R&D of the Israeli military was geared up with much more technological geniuses than she herself had.

“Go converse with the others. Inform all of them operations might be briefly delay. I offers you all a month to wind down. Stand by till then to your subsequent orders in China.”

After considering for some time, Tang Zichen had spoken with the opposite ladies and given them her instructions.

“Sister Chen, will we actually be going to China for our subsequent project? We’ve got by no means accepted an project for them prior to now earlier than.” A lady with almond-brown eyes and peach-colored cheeks spoke.

“No, not an project, however work. Go and put together yourselves.” Tang Zichen sauntered out of the room to make her manner by the flower backyard and into the lounge.

Standing within the lounge of the manor was a middle-aged man with a sword. Judging from his appearances, he was round forty-five to fifty years previous. As his again was dealing with towards the doorways to the lounge, he had solely rotated when he heard the sounds of incoming footsteps.

This middle-aged man had a pitch-black beard that adorned his neither lengthy neither quick chin. His eyebrows, like his sword, was sharp and pointed upwards and not using a stray divide to it. They’d matched the bridge of his nostril and the hawk-like eyes of his. These eyes had been extraordinarily vivid and sharp. Mixed with these facial options, his pores and skin itself was fairly vivid and clear. From a cursory look, anybody would really feel a type of awe once they have a look at him. As compared, he gave off the sensation of being a scholar normal that may command the military of antiquity.

What was a scholar normal? They had been akin to a strolling dictionary with nice literary prowess. On the battlefield, they had been in a position to plan and lead the military into victory even from 1000’s of miles away. Scholar generals had been those who may pacify the world and resolve the issues of the sovereign kings. Nicely versed in each the artwork of literature and warfare, they had been males that would rule a rustic with each peace and stability.

For instance, Zhang Liang of the Han Dynasty, Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms, and Wang Yangming of the Ming Dynasty. They had been all males that might be mentioned to be scholar generals.

The center-aged man with a sword in his hand might be categorized as thus with simply his presence alone. This presence was one thing that would solely be gained from residing by numerous of hardships and enduring all kinds of difficulties.

“It has been a very long time since we final met, Zichen.” The person rotated to have a look at Tang Zichen. His sword-like eyebrows lifted upwards, including onto that layer of attraction to him.

“Lin Tingfeng, for what purpose did you come see me for?” Tang Zichen waved her arms to point out that she was holding nothing earlier than strolling to a close-by seat to take a seat down.

“Simply final month, I obtained a letter from Shan Mingxiong from North America. He mentioned you had a brother.” There appeared to have been some type of pleasant relationship between the 2, as Lin Tingfeng hadn’t bothered to attempt to make dialog. As a substitute, he went straight to the purpose.

“He mentioned that your brother has already reached a substantial diploma along with his research in martial arts. Even his accolades with Baguazhang has been fairly stellar. I’ve additionally heard some whereas in the past in Hong Kong, he used the crocodile fist to kill the Yoga and Muay Thai skilled, Nguyễn Hồng Tú and earned himself the title ‘Crocodile Immortal’. Even the grasp Zhu Hongzhi from the American Hongmen Society appreciated the combat. He even calls Wang Chao a good friend regardless of the age distinction.”

“I’ve identified about that for a while now.” Tang Zichen acknowledged. “I presume you didn’t come right here right now to inform me that, did you.”

“After all.” Lin Tingfeng spoke. “I’ve an heir to my martial arts throughout the nation. His title is Jiang Hai. Final autumn, he and your brother fought, ensuing within the Tortoise and Snake sword that was handed right down to him from Li Jinglin taken from him. the foundations of our 9 Palace Swords: you reside with the sword, you die with the sword. And the heirloom from our ancestor can be held strictly to that rule extra so than some other case, don’t you assume?”

“Then, you’ve come right now to regain what you’ve misplaced? It’s true that my brother took the sword out of your disciple. However the reality is, it was due to the dearth of ability out of your disciple that he misplaced the sword.” Tang Zichen had a smile on her face, however it didn’t fairly attain her eyes.

“Ai! Zichen, we’re previous mates. It has certainly been some time since we withdrew from the Hongmen to have interaction in different companies, we’re nonetheless folks of the Hongmen.” Lin Tingfeng paused. “If it had been some other sword, I might have ignored this matter. However the Tortoise and Snake sword is the image of our 9 Palace Swords. To have that taken away is to have our very title tarnished.”

The truth that Wang Chao had taken the sword from Jiang Hai had been a really secretive matter. Nobody had identified about it, and Jiang Hai naturally knew higher than to inform anybody about it. However when Huo Ling’er had her apprenticeship ceremony in Hong Kong, Zhu Hongzhi had seen Wang Chao current the sword to her. After that, the matter had been disclosed to everybody.

The Tortoise and Snake sword was not some type of sword that would peel iron prefer it had been sand like within the novels or some type of treasured blade that would kill an enemy with the utmost sharpness. Equally, it was not some type of godly weapon. Nevertheless it held excessive significance as an emblem. For this sword was the sword crafted for the “God of the Sword”, Li Jinglin for his Wudang Sword artwork by an artisan from the Wudang. This sword was a large in its legacy and superb in its historical past. For the Wudang 9 Palace Swords, this was its very image. To place into perspective, this sword can be just like the nationwide flag of a rustic, or maybe the jade seal of a king of antiquity.

So the truth that everybody knew this sword was stolen had served to be a severe and grave blow to the college.

“Zichen. I got here right here to fulfill you in individual right now. I heard your brother discovered martial arts from you. Though you’re mentioned to be brother and sister, you’re truly grasp and disciple. Your martial arts is one thing that’s seen typically or taught, and even amongst us senior figures of the Hongmen, only some have seen it. I needed to combat you right now and expertise your ability once more. If I win, I want to impress a favor unto you and hope that your brother will return the sword gratefully.”

And so, Lin Tingfeng spoke the intention of his go to.

He was a senior determine of the Hongmen, a doyen. He was additionally the founding father of many martial arts faculties that taught the artwork of the sword and raised numerous of excellent disciples. Even in Japan the place Kendo was outstanding, or France the place Fencing was dominant, he had managed to carry his personal in each markets.

Lin Tingfeng of the 9 Palace Swords was an individual that was identified within the Chinese language world of martial arts and the European world of martial arts. To have their treasured sword taken away was one thing the 9 Palace Swords may afford to let slide. Thus, they would want somebody to problem and reclaim their glory.

They’d not made a public assertion. As a substitute, they’d convened the entire different doyens to debate about what steps wanted to be take with Tang Zichen and who would combat her.

Crucial factor was that this could be a personal match. The margin of leeway for a combat can be simpler to barter.

It wasn’t as if Lin Tingfeng had needed to search out Wang Chao himself. The individual in query was in China, however he had connections with the military. It will be tough to say if Lin Tingfeng can be shot if he tried to hunt out Wang Chao or not.

“Oh, so that you got here right here right now for that? You simply needed to check your self towards me?” Tang Zichen didn’t arise, however there had been a faint smile on her face. “However, a sword is ruthless by itself. In your arms, your would possibly turns into ten instances as ruthless. But, you continue to wish to strive my hand, why not simply use our arms for that then?”

“My ability in martial arts focuses solely within the sword itself. However we’re from the Jianghu of previous, since once we had been restricted by guidelines like these? I’m from a college of the sword, and so it’s pure that I take advantage of the sword. You could use a weapon as effectively?”

“Then if I take advantage of a gun?” Tang Zichen inquired.

“You could achieve this. To die by even a bullet out of your arms wouldn’t be dangerous. I might die with honor nonetheless.” Lin Tingfeng laughed.

“You got here to me for a private matter, and I do know of the difficulties you face due to that. After I measure towards one other skilled, I’ve by no means used a weapon. At this time might be no completely different. Your 9 Palace Sword college has thirty-six types of the tortoise fashion and seventy-two types of the snake fashion for a complete of 100 and eight. How about this; you employ all 100 and eight varieties to attempt to injure me. For those who hurt me, then I’ll think about this your win. How about it?” Tang Zichen slowly rose up from her seat.

There hadn’t been a fluctuation in Lin Tingfeng’s face as he listened to her. As if he was somebody that had by no means gotten offended earlier than, he spoke calmly, “You might be saying you’ll be going towards me naked handedly then.”

“After all.” Tang Zichen spoke. Within the subsequent second, the sunshine in her eyes escape her as her battle spirit fell down onto the lounge. The whole lounge had felt as if it had dropped a number of levels in temperature because of this.

Lin Tingfeng had unsheathed his sword on the opposite aspect.

He was a follower of the Jianghu of previous. As such, he was not an individual that may quit his good traits for some type of short-term satisfaction. On this regard, he was completely different than the Taekwondoin, Lee Cheol-han.

And due to that, he was killed by Huo Ling’er’s “Magpie Stepping on Department” and was referred to as a idiot.

Lin Tingfeng was an individual that held the sword utilizing the Yang fashion, which means his left hand would kind a sword-shaped determine along with his fingers. The sword was tilted at a forty-five diploma angle in entrance of him in order that the hilt was at his waist and the tip was at his head. And at a look, it was like his complete physique might be used to assault together with the sword at any given time.

“Zichen. I’ll make the primary transfer.”

The eyebrows on Lin Tingfeng’s face shifted upwards as he centered the tip of the sword at her. With that preliminary warning, his complete physique lurched ahead. Like an previous ape on the mountains leaping ahead, his sword was poised to strike at Tang Zichen’s throat.

This was an previous type of the sword arts. Each college that studied the artwork of the sword had a single kind that was thought-about the classical. For the Wudang 9 Palace Swords, this was the “Lord Ape strikes the Yue Maiden”. To strike was what this sword kind emphasised, just like the placing of a wood fish slightly than to stab.

Within the artwork of the sword, there have been two main methods to the artwork. The primary was to strike, and the second was to stab. From the surface, the 2 would possibly resemble each other, however the results of the each of them had been utterly completely different. Solely a real skilled would have the ability to differentiate between the artwork of the 2.

The primary type of Lin Tingfeng had been this very one. And it had been a really well-meaning strike as effectively. For, with this one kind, he was likening Tang Zichen to the Girl of Yue from the Warring States interval.

The strikes that symbolized the lord ape was vivid and crammed with nice element! If there have been any observers round, they’d have sworn that this sword person had solely simply been placing at her entrance earlier than the tip had been virtually touching the bottom.

It was nearly as if his sword had been alive. His complete physique had been like a hair that caught to the blade and adopted its actions.

In truth, it felt as if the one shifting was the sword slightly than the individual.

When it got here to the artwork of the sword, there was a mnemonic, “The Immortal can weave the sword like a dragon.” The which means behind this saying was that when an Immortal makes use of the sword, it was like urging on a dragon as if driving it. When one rides the dragon, they fly into the sky. And when they’re within the sky, the dragon is the sky, not the human.

Lin Tingfeng had clearly reached this degree of inspiration along with his sword and was totally deserving of being referred to as the immortal from that mnemonic.

However, Tang Zichen was not one which feared the sword. Her foot got here ahead, and with that, it appeared as if her physique had disappeared behind it. And when the sword of her opponent drew again, her physique had reappeared.

This was one of many extra exemplary types of footwork referred to as the “ Hidden Behind the Step”. With the step ahead, one would instantly crouch as if hidden solely behind the foot.

Tang Zichen’s martial arts might be described as being on the highest degree of martial arts, “Reaching the utmost Means and being able to foresight.” Her actions had been quick and will trick the senses of some other individual.

Since his strike had did not land, Lin Tingfeng shifted his wrist in order that the sword would arc with the twist. A motion like this was referred to as the “Overturn Reduce with the Step” and would make the most of the momentum to slice.

He was a swordwielder, and his opponent was naked handed. Thus, there was nothing for him to worry. It doesn’t matter what the case, the flesh of a human physique couldn’t deal with the chilly sharp fringe of a blade.

If it had been a practitioner, they’d have the ability to deal with a swordwielder that didn’t know find out how to use it. However towards an skilled swordwielder, the extent between the 2 can be vastly completely different. An skilled who discovered the artwork of the sword would wield it prefer it was an extension of their very own arm. In doing so, they may obtain a degree of flexibility with the sword. A grandmaster of the sword like Lin Tingfeng had already reached such a degree the place his sword was like a dragon in its actions. No gods nor Buddha can be protected from his sword.

Wang Chao was manner stronger than Jiang Hai when it comes to martial arts, however when Jiang Hai had his sword out, even Wang Chao wouldn’t combat him.

However, Tang Zichen was an exception to this logic. Even when Lin Tingfeng had unsheathed his sword, her arm had prolonged outwards along with her fingers like hooks in an try to seize the blade.

Quirking his eyebrows, Lin Tingfeng had thought that Tang Zichen had gone loopy for a second. Simply as her fingers had been about to hook onto the blade, his hand twisted the bhilt, inflicting the tip of the blade to rotate the blade prefer it had been a drill.

This was one of many varieties to the snake fashion of the sword, the “Venomous Drill of the Dragon”. When Lin Tingfeng held his sword parallel to the bottom pierced outwards with rotational drive, it may penetrate no less than three centimeter into metal.

With this transfer, it may carry sparks and steel shavings flying like if it had been an precise drill bit. How may the tender flesh of a human face up to it?

However. When Tang Zichen reached out to seize the sword, her hand had transitioned into that of a palm when it touched the blade. Swish, like a butterfly touching onto a flower, her hand had rolled together with the blade as if it had been the butterfly’s tongue. The blade itself appeared as if it had been touching mist, as irrespective of how a lot it was in touch along with her palm, it didn’t lower her.

Taking again his sword, Lin Tingfeng struck once more!

And but, simply as he introduced his sword again, a cracking sound might be heard!

“Crack!” The sword itself had break up in two and fell to the bottom.

Because it turned out, earlier than he may totally carry his blade again, Tang Zichen had struck the blade along with her palm and broke it in two!

Together with his sword damaged, Lin Tingfeng had been shocked. For half some time, he didn’t reply, however when he did, it had been with an ashen face. “The ‘Ox-tongue palm’ of Baguazhang. At its highest degree, one may break steel. Your ability, I’ve seen it firsthand right now. It’s as if Dong Haichuan was reincarnated. However as issues stand with the Tortoise and Snake sword, I’ll have my disciples ask for it again in an honorable manner any more.”

Throwing the hilt of the sword onto the bottom, Lin Tingfeng rotated and left with out trying again.

Tang Zichen had been impassive as she watched him go away.

There had been a duel between the palm and the blade simply now, however it was clear to see who the victor was. A battle between specialists was really such a world the place nothing was particular.

Tang Zichen’s ability with Baguazhang had already reached a degree the place enchancment was now not potential.

Baguazhang had one distinctive level to it that Taichi and Xingyiquan didn’t have. For Baguazhang particularly, they studied what they referred to as the “Mist Palm” and the “Ox-Tongue Palm”. Another self-discipline wouldn’t have as a lot emphasis on these two palms than these of Baguazhang.

Why the Ox-Tongue Palm? That was as a result of one time when a predecessor of Baguazhang had been observing an ox eat cogongrass, he had managed to understand a precept of martial arts of the very best diploma.

Every bit of cogongrass was like a sawblade on the edges of it, making it extraordinarily sharp. If one wasn’t cautious, then their arms would bleed if it brushed towards the aspect of 1. However not solely was the ox unafraid, they really loved consuming this sort of grass. Every time an ox got here throughout cogongrass, they’d carry their tongues round it after which carry a roll of it into its mouth. By no means had its tongue ever been lower while consuming it.

Creator Be aware: Whether or not it was on-line or in a e book, all sources had solely mentioned the palm would act just like the tongue of an ox. By no means did they ever go right into a concrete definition on why. Thus, I shall let the key slip right now. If there’s a reader that has grown oxen earlier than or had their arms lower by cogongrass, take an opportunity to replicate and ponder upon it.

To additional paint this comparability, the cogongrass was the blade and the palm was the ox-tongue. When one reached a degree of transformation with their martial arts, they may expel Hidden Jin from their arms and coil across the blade and break the cogongrass like an ox-tongue would with out hurt.

This was an artwork that had just one individual use it prior to now. Dong Haichuan. Even Cheng Tinghua had been unable to succeed in this degree of ability.

Wang Chao was sturdy, however even he wasn’t but at a degree like this both.