Quickly conquer the martial arts world, and let your fists dominate the heavens!

Chapter 138 Unify North and South! Become the Leader of the Martial Arts World!

"You two, come here and apologize to the sect leader!" Xiong Hanshan turned around, grabbed his two disciples, and threw them in front of Chen Zhan.

Chen Zhan caught it with his hand, without getting angry.

"Being outspoken isn't the problem; the problem is your lack of ability. If you two had your master's skills, you wouldn't have caused this trouble."

"Yes, yes, the Grand Master is right. We won't dare to do it again."

The two dared not argue back and obediently admitted their mistake.

"It's alright, it's alright, Old Xiong, your bear form is almost there, you're close to mastering it, right? How's your Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound training going?" Chen Zhan told the two of them to leave, and then asked Xiong Hanshan.

"The Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound Marrow Refining is progressing rather slowly. There are still three acupoints that haven't been opened. It will probably take another year or two."

“Come find me in the north of the city in a couple of days,” Chen Zhan said.

"Okay, Old Xiong will go there first thing in the morning."

The burly man who was just moments ago so arrogant and domineering is now incredibly docile.

Everyone was completely bewildered. What was going on?
Weren't we just on the verge of war? How did we become family so quickly and even have to pay each other a visit?

How did he become the Grand Master?

Famous martial arts masters in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region all know Xiong Fengzi. He fights recklessly and is exceptionally talented. With his broad shoulders and strong back, he has also practiced suitable martial arts techniques, which makes him even more powerful, surpassing other masters of the same level by half a grade.

Among those skilled in internal martial arts, he is among the top three.

Huo Diange was also completely bewildered. How could Chen Zhan's few words have made Xiong Fengzi so obedient?
Old Xiong, beaming with delight, stepped aside and asked Huo Diange, "What do you think?"

Huo Diange was completely bewildered: "What do you mean, how?"

"Our Xingyi School is on the verge of unification. With one old master and one young master, which of Bajiquan, Taijiquan, or Hongquan can stand against us?"

These words directly entangled Huo Diange as well, implying that even Bajiquan wouldn't work.

He was somewhat displeased, but didn't show it: "That's your sect's business, what does it have to do with me?"

Xiong Hanshan chuckled twice, thinking to himself, "It'll be related to you soon."

Chen Zhan had subdued the old bear, but he had no intention of ending the matter. Taking advantage of the large number of people, he planned to strike while the iron was hot.

With a swift movement of his hands, the crowd, though surprised and puzzled, fell into a strange silence.

"You are all masters of martial arts, and it just so happens that you have gathered here, most likely for the Sino-Japanese martial arts competition next month."

"But have you ever considered why we should obediently step onto the stage just because the Japanese want to have a martial arts competition? Is it simply because the Japanese are offering that little bit of money?"

Chen Zhan pointed out the core issue: if it were a martial arts competition within the martial arts sect, there would also be a struggle for face.

What's the point of fighting the Japanese? If you lose, you get beaten to death on the stage; if you win, you take some money and leave?

"Of course it's for reputation! If we don't dare to accept the challenge, the Japanese will definitely spread the word that there's no one left in the Chinese martial arts world!" Zhao Yuting said loudly.

There are many such martial arts competitions in Tianjin. They have participated in them, such as the Five Nations Tournament and the Nine Nations Tournament. Foreigners would set up challenges to the Chinese martial arts world from time to time. If they did not dare to fight, their momentum would be weakened.

Ordinary people don't understand the concept of temporarily avoiding conflict. After foreigners spread this idea, many people believed the foreigners' nonsense!
Some self-proclaimed PhDs go abroad for a few days, then come back and praise foreigners to the skies, forgetting how foreigners became so great in the first place.

They didn't rely entirely on aggression?

"That's right, for reputation, but it's not just about reputation. Reputation is important, but it's not the most important thing. The most important thing is integrity."

“A martial artist can be defeated, but he cannot be afraid. If he is afraid even once, he will never dare to draw his sword again. What was the reason that Wang Wu risked his life to protect Tan Sitong? It was not because Wang Wu thought that Tan Sitong alone could defeat the Qing government and drive the foreigners out of China.”

"It's about integrity. Wang Wu, Uncle Li, and Glasses Cheng, didn't these martial arts predecessors know that fists and palms can't beat foreign guns and cannons?" "Even if we can't beat them, we still have to fight. National integrity is like a lamp. In those turbulent times, Tan Sitong and other reformers died to prove their ideals, and predecessors like Wang Wu with his big knife burned their lives to make lamp oil, all so that the lamp of national integrity would not be extinguished."

"This is why foreigners, especially the Japanese, always hold these kinds of martial arts competitions, trying to extinguish our light. The martial arts masters and powerful boxers that the people once admired were all defeated by the Japanese. Naturally, they would think, if they can't even resist, why should we struggle in vain? They would quickly lose their will to resist Japan."

"So this is why we have no choice but to fight, and not only must we win, we must win beautifully and decisively, leaving the Japanese speechless!"

Chen Zhan's words were reasonable and well-founded, and his tone was calm, but everyone could hear the underlying meaning.

In fact, the martial arts world is the same as it was after the outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan. It's not that we can't retreat or lose, but that we can't let the opponent advance or win easily.

On several occasions, the Japanese would feel that their people were easily defeated and that the country was in danger of collapse once the momentum of their advance was unstoppable.

In many subsequent battles, a single wrong step could lead to utter ruin.

Although the martial arts world is no longer affected to that extent, Chen Zhan doesn't want to back down; he wants to give it a try.

“I understand. Senior Brother Chen wants to take charge of the Sino-Japanese martial arts competition. I, Cheng Yong, have no objection.”

Cheng Yong was naturally pleased to have just received guidance from Chen Zhan and to have witnessed Chen Zhan's great prowess. After all, they were of the same lineage and origin. Otherwise, even if Huo Diange were in charge, no matter how fair Bajiquan was, it would not be as good as his own brother.

“We have no objections either. It’s perfectly appropriate for the Grand Master of Xingyi to make the decision!” Xiong Hanshan immediately responded.

"We don't have any objections, but with Master Huo here, isn't it a bit too early for you to make decisions at your age?"

While some were in favor, others were opposed. A middle-aged man stepped out from the crowd. Chen Zhan glanced at him and saw that he had long fingers and thick wrists and was of middle age.

It was another acquaintance.

Duan Wu of Yingzhaomen in Xiong County.

When I first arrived in Tianjin, I saw him at the Jingwu School. His two young apprentices ate very quickly, which left a deep impression on me.

But he didn't recognize Chen Zhan; he had now changed his bones.

“I am from the Eagle Claw Sect of Xiong County. I dare not speak ill of others, but Mr. Huo is of a higher generation and is a Grandmaster of Transformation Force. He should be the one to make the decision. You are too young.”

Duan Wu speaks directly, but there's some truth to it.

Chen Zhan didn't blame him. From an outsider's perspective, that was indeed the case. Huo Diange had been famous for many years, and now a newcomer like him wanted to make the decisions.

What do you think you are?
"Actually, this matter is very simple. Our martial arts school has never been about seniority. Otherwise, Uncle Li wouldn't have been able to establish the Chinese Martial Arts Association, and Uncle Sun wouldn't have become the Grand Master of Xingyi, right?"

“That’s right. Are you going to challenge Master Huo of the Bajiquan Sect?” Duan Wu asked.

Chen Zhan shook his head.

Most people wanted to see a fierce battle between the old and the new, and Chen Zhan's skills were enough to go toe-to-toe with Huo Diange.

Unexpectedly, Chen Zhan disappointed everyone, shaking his head and refusing to make a move.

But then Chen Zhan said:

"I don't want to challenge Master Huo, I want to become the leader of this martial arts world."

“What my Uncle-Master Li Cunyi did back then, I can do too. But Uncle-Master Li only became the leader of the martial arts world in the north, while I am different!”

"What is Southern Fist or Northern Fist, or the transmission of Northern Fist to the South? It is all for the purpose of strengthening the country and the race, practicing martial arts to improve physical fitness, resisting foreign enemies, and restoring China."

"But just as there are northern and southern styles of boxing, does a country also have northern and southern styles?"

"I will unify the North and South and become the leader of the martial arts world!"

(End of this chapter)