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

Chapter 202 The Three Saints of the Thieves' Guild, the Tan Tui of the Sect

Chen Zhan was unwilling to welcome or see off guests, and the group of martial arts practitioners didn't mind, nor did they dare to blame him.

As soon as night falls.

The crowd dispersed early on.

But since everyone said they would come back tomorrow, no one, including Li Chunran, was uninterested in a martial arts contest, especially one against a grandmaster.

The next day, it fermented for a whole day.

The morning fog in Dongsi Hutong, Beijing, was three times thicker than usual.

Before dawn, the dew on the bluestone path had condensed even more. One piece of the makeshift arena had been broken by Li Chunran yesterday, and Zhao Yishan and Xiong Hanshan had each broken two pieces.

It has been repaired overnight.

People arrived early to reserve their spots, eager to watch the spectacle.

At dawn, a large crowd gathered on both sides, at least three times more than yesterday. Even the rooftops and walls were filled with people, clutching scabbards and sword tassels.

Those who can get onto the roof are all skilled individuals, each with their own unique motives.

Most people came to watch the spectacle, but some genuinely wanted to join the Chinese Alliance. For those from small sects or without a sect, having someone to rely on is definitely a good thing.

But we still need to investigate further; we can't just blindly follow what others say.

Yesterday, Chen Zhan beat Li Chunran until he bled from all seven orifices, which was naturally widely circulated. People present heard about it, but many had never seen Li Chunran fight; they had only heard of the "Twin Jewels of the Capital."

Not to mention Chen Zhan's intervention.

Therefore, seeing is believing.

The remaining few people came with the intention of using Chen Zhan's name to climb the social ladder.

In a country as vast as China and with so many martial arts practitioners, there will always be those who overestimate their abilities.

There is no way.

"What time is it? Are they not coming or not? I've been waiting for ages."

"Wasn't it supposed to be a martial arts competition? Why can't we see anyone? Are they too scared to come?"

When Chen Zhan came out, the people waiting outside were already getting impatient. There weren't many onlookers shouting, but no one stopped them. They were all just watching the show; it would be more interesting if they angered Chen Zhan.

Beneath the plaque of the China Alliance, the gate opens.

Chen Zhan led his men out from inside. Those who knew their stuff in the capital were all important figures in the capital's martial arts world.

However, this time Chen Zhan did not have anyone do it for him.

He had to make a few moves to deter the villains. As soon as he stepped onto the stage, a person darted out from the roof of the side building. With agile movements, he stepped onto the stage in a few steps.

"I heard that you are the leader of the martial arts alliance, recognized by the government. But the government's recognition is useless; the martial arts world does not recognize you."

This person was very thin and used a monkey-like movement technique when he went on stage. Chen Zhan recognized him at a glance but didn't say anything.

"That's right, otherwise why would Chen set up a challenge?"

"No need to talk about lineage or origin. Kung Fu is just a matter of a horizontal and a vertical line. The winner stands, the loser lies down. It's that simple."

"Well said!" A cheer erupted from below.

The thin man nodded in agreement. As soon as the fight began, he rushed forward. His movements were quite good, and he had grasped half of the monkey's agility.

He rushed up to Chen Zhan.

He attacked from above and below, his right fist aimed at her face, his left hand gripping a hidden weapon—his movements were incredibly swift.

Chen Zhan stood still, letting his opponent do as they pleased.

Right fist to face forward, left fist open, a butterfly dart!

With a "whoosh," it flew out, whistling sharply as it cut through the air.

This can no longer be considered a concealed weapon.

The hidden weapon was released before it hit the person's face, so it should be considered a weapon, and it was a sneak attack.

The rules of the arena don't say that weapons can't be used, but Chen Zhan is unarmed while his opponent is using weapons, which is clearly unfair.

Amidst the gasps of the crowd, Chen Zhan paid no attention. Without even raising his eyelids, he swept his left hand around, drawing a circle in the air as he swept over the five butterfly darts. The butterfly darts, with their sharpened sides, were treated like toys, and one of them was squeezed into an iron ball by Chen Zhan.

The punch that was aimed at his face was somehow swept away by Chen Zhan's horizontal fist.

"Bang~!"

The man flew out with a sound, and before he landed more than ten feet away, the iron ball made of butterfly darts in Chen Zhan's hand flew out and hit the skinny young man's buttocks. He rolled over to dissipate the force and landed without breaking the wooden board.

This time I could see everything clearly, unlike yesterday when I fought Li Chunran, whose speed was so fast that I couldn't see it clearly.

It really is just one horizontal line and one vertical line.
Left fist blocks horizontally, right fist grabs vertically.

Whether it's two moves or one move, it doesn't really matter.

There were no fancy moves at all; it was exactly as Chen Zhan had just said: a horizontal line and a vertical line, the winner stands, the loser lies down.

His martial arts skills were far superior, rendering any weapon useless.

Those unfamiliar with Chen Zhan's martial arts skills were terrified; they had genuinely thought Chen Zhan was about to be hit when they saw the butterfly dart approaching.

The young man fell to the ground, but quickly got up and was not seriously injured.

"From the Swallow Sect? At your age, you should be an outer disciple, right?"

“Go back and tell your boss to come to the capital to see me within three days. If he doesn’t come within three days, I will go to Cangzhou.”

Chen Zhan directly revealed his identity. When everyone heard that he was from the Swallow Sect, they felt contempt. A sect that made a living by stealing chickens and dogs dared to step onto the arena.

No wonder they attacked by surprise. The Swallow Sect is a branch of the Thieves Sect, established more than ten years ago. Among its many skilled thieves are "Swallow" Li San, "Grasshopper" Zhu Zhenshan, and "Black Swallow" Li Shengwu.

These three were once renowned chivalrous thieves, calling themselves the "Three Saints of the Thieves' Guild!"

Zhu Zhenshan, nicknamed "Grasshopper," was a bandit active in North China, known for his exceptional legwork and ability to run swiftly across roof tiles.

They steal from the powerful and wealthy, yet they also commit acts of chivalry.

Li Shengwu, nicknamed "Black Swallow," was also active in the Tianjin area of ​​Beiping. Because his modus operandi was similar to that of "Swallow Li San," he was skilled in light-footed kung fu, left marks after committing crimes, and often wore black night clothes, he was known as "Black Swallow."

With three people as the main members, they established the Swallow Sect, which can be considered as establishing an independent sect.

Although the Thieves' Guilds are called a sect, they are mostly organized by local area. There is one group of Thieves' Guilds in Fengtian, another in Tianjin, and even several groups in Beiping.

There is no actual sect or faction organization.

More than ten years ago, Yanzi Li San and his two accomplices established the Yanzi Gate in Cangzhou, which caused quite a stir. The three were famous and had a reputation for honor among thieves. Many thieves who couldn't make a living went to join them.

However, making a living by stealing is not the right way. Although the Swallow Sect has a reputation in the martial arts world, it does not dare to be as open and aboveboard as the thirteen martial arts schools.

They were only half-in the light and half-out, and were treated coldly by the real martial arts world.

A truly skilled boxer wouldn't be hiding in the shadows all day.

The gaunt young man was already shocked by Chen Zhan's actions, and his identity was exposed, which made him even more terrified.

He came to the capital on business, and when he heard about this commotion, he impulsively decided to join in, but he never expected to fail so quickly.

Not daring to say more, he turned around and left the stage.

"Did you hear what I said!" Chen Zhan shouted in a deep voice.

The young man shuddered, startled, and quickly turned around, saying:
"I heard you. I heard you. Alliance Leader, I will go back and tell the three gentlemen that you have shown mercy."

"Okay, let's go."

After the young man left, Chen Zhan was not in high spirits. He had glanced around and found that there were not many experts present.

Soon another person came up, a young man, about the same age as Chen Zhan, who was very polite.

"My name is He Zhuo, a practitioner of Tan Tui. I admire the Alliance Leader but dare not challenge him. I only wish for a few pointers from the Alliance Leader." The young man spoke respectfully, not daring to mention a challenge at all.

Chen Zhan could tell from the accent that it didn't sound like someone from North China.

Nodding casually, he said, "You're from Inner Mongolia? You're a follower of Tan Tui (a style of Chinese martial arts)?"

He Zhuo was taken aback, then exclaimed with delight, "You figured that out? Ah, this trip was worthwhile, truly worthwhile!"

Chen Zhan was helpless. His accent was really strange, with a unique minority accent. Not to mention Chen Zhan, anyone who heard it could probably guess it.

The Jiaomen Tan Tui style was passed down by Master Kunlun in his later years. Because most of its practitioners are Hui Muslims, it is also known as Jiaomen Tan Tui.

It was developed from Linqing Tan Tui (a type of stew) and has a deep connection with it.

"I don't know much about the Tan Tui style of martial arts. Go ahead and try, let's see how skilled you are." Chen Zhan didn't care what school he belonged to. When martial arts reach a certain level, they all have commonalities. Even if Master Kunlun were to be resurrected, he wouldn't be a match for him now.

"Okay, here I come!"

He Zhuo clasped his hands and immediately attacked. The sect's spring kick has ten forms, the starting stance is the teapot stance, the leg is level with the groin, and the fist is the head sweep like a carrying pole.

He rushed in front of Chen Zhan, but instead of using a sweeping kick, he switched to the third leg technique, a chopping and pulling plow!
Chen Zhan flicked his hand to deflect He Zhuo's kick, and He Zhuo changed his move again.

The sixth move was a series of rapid, coordinated attacks from both sides, a barrage of kicks that looked quite imposing.

However, it was all just for show; he didn't develop any internal strength, and he didn't even achieve much in external strength.

Chen Zhan didn't let him use the next move, and also kicked out. Among the ten styles of Tan Tui, the last style is the most difficult to master.

Title: Flower Arrangement Like an Arrow!

As the name suggests, it's a series of leg techniques, illustrated as archery.

Chen Zhan's leg movements were swift and unpredictable, directly enveloping He Zhuo and forcing him to retreat repeatedly. However, he was still struck in the chest by a kick, causing him to stumble backward and almost fall off the stage.

Three zhang tall isn't very high, but you can't lie down backwards.

Fortunately, Chen Zhan got there first and pulled him onto the stage to steady him.

"Huhuhu~"

"Thank you, thank you, Alliance Leader. Your martial arts are too high. The last move of the Ten-Road Tan Leg is even faster than my master's."

Chen Zhan nodded, without being modest.

"The teaching of the Springing Leg technique also emphasizes the equal importance of internal and external skills. It requires the upper body to droop the shoulders and elbows, the middle body to tighten the back and tuck the chest, and the lower body to close the knees and wrap the hips. The internal and external skills should be coordinated and the inner and outer aspects should be in harmony. It emphasizes the methods of yin and yang, and the skills of extension, contraction and exhalation."

"In terms of strength, we focus on regulating qi and channeling strength, combining hardness and softness, relaxation and tension, and pursuing various types of strength such as stretching and pressing force, squeezing and pressing force, and spiraling force."

"However, you haven't entered the realm of internal strength yet, so you don't need to worry about how to use your strength. Just focus on how you generate power and hone your body. Once you enter the realm of internal strength, you will be able to experience the benefits of a solid foundation."

Chen Zhan offered general guidance but didn't interfere with the specific martial arts techniques of the sect.

"Thank you, Alliance Leader. I will go back and explain the situation to my master. We will unite to fight against the foreign enemy. Our Muslim sect will not be outdone."

He Zhuo bowed deeply to Chen Zhan to express his gratitude, and then left immediately.

Chen Zhan didn't try to keep him. In fact, the sect was very powerful, with a total Hui population of about three million.

During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Jizhong Hui Muslim Detachment led by Ma Benzai and the Bohai Hui Muslim Detachment led by Liu Zhenhuan used guerrilla tactics such as tunnel warfare, landmine warfare, and sparrow warfare to carry out more than 800 battles of varying sizes, annihilating more than 30,000 enemy troops.

Great figures have praised them as "the Hui Muslim detachment that has won every battle".

This kind of force, if it can unite, should naturally be united.

But we can't rush things. He Zhuo can't make the decisions, and Chen Zhan isn't trying to build an army to fight the Japanese. He just needs to focus on the martial arts world. He has the ability to unite the people.

(End of this chapter)