Gou Zai Wudao Shi Lian Shen

The open space next to the campfire in the herb garden.

The flickering firelight shone on Lu Chen and Liu Heng, casting long shadows of the two men.

The crowd formed a circle, each holding a wine bowl, their eyes fixed on the two men.

Liu Heng flexed his wrists, his fingers slightly bent, and his knuckles made a soft cracking sound.

"Lu Chen, we didn't settle the score at the yam shop last time."

He grinned coldly: "Tonight, let's have a good fight."

Lu Chen clenched his fist, and the blood and qi in his chest circulated slowly.

After mastering the Panlong Zhuang Gong, he stood there, his feet naturally rooted to the ground, his back slightly lowered, as if his whole being was one with the mud beneath his feet.

Please advise.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Liu Heng lunged at Lu Chen's throat with a claw.

Someone by the campfire couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, "How ruthless!"

It was supposed to be a friendly exchange, but Liu Heng's move was aimed straight at the throat. His five fingers were like iron hooks; if someone were caught in the grip, they would surely lose their life.

Wang Zhong's eyes turned slightly cold as he put down the wine bowl in his hand, his body tensing slightly.

However, Lu Chen did not back down.

He sank his feet, turned his shoulders slightly, and his right arm shot out like a dragon, which was the Azure Dragon Claw from the Azure Dragon Tongbei Fist.

boom!

Fists and claws collided.

A dull thud echoed around the campfire, and the two men stumbled back a step.

Liu Heng's expression changed slightly, and his palms went numb.

How did this kid's strength increase so much all of a sudden?

When they fought at the yam shop last time, Lu Chen's punches were powerful, but not to this extent. Now, this claw strike felt like hitting a wild bull, making his fingers go numb.

Before he could think it through, Lu Chen had already taken half a step forward.

The shoulders are connected to the elbows, and the elbows are connected to the wrists.

The power of the Azure Dragon Tongbei Fist travels from the feet to the waist and back, and then is thrown out from the shoulders and arms. The fist is graceful and extremely fast, like an azure dragon emerging from the flames.

Liu Heng only felt a blur of fists before his eyes, and Lu Chen's fist was already aimed straight at his chest.

He snorted coldly, crossed his hands, and unleashed his Iron Wire Grappling Technique, wrapping one hand around Lu Chen's wrist and the other cutting his elbow, attempting to cut off Lu Chen's fist path.

But this time, as soon as he touched Lu Chen's arm, he sensed something was wrong.

Lu Chen's forearm muscles were incredibly firm, like a cow's tendon that had been repeatedly pounded—smooth, resilient, and heavy.

Liu Heng tried to clasp his fingers together, but failed to get them properly fastened.

With a slight twist of his wrist, Lu Chen's muscles rolled, like a dragon turning over underwater, and he slipped directly out of Liu Heng's palm.

"What?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Liu Heng's eyes.

boom!

Lu Chen threw a backhand punch that grazed Liu Heng's shoulder.

The punch didn't land properly, but the gust of wind it generated hit Liu Heng's face, making his ears ring and causing him to involuntarily take half a step back.

The onlookers immediately erupted in uproar.

"Was Liu Heng forced to step down?"

"Wow, this kid looks even better than he did a few days ago!"

Wang Zhong sat by the fire, his tense body relaxing slightly, but his gaze became even more serious.

"This newcomer is quite good; the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School has produced a promising talent."

On the field, Liu Heng's expression grew increasingly grim.

He launched a series of attacks, his five fingers like hooks, constantly grabbing at Lu Chen's wrists, elbows, and shoulder muscles, trying to seize his joints with every move.

But Lu Chen seemed to be familiar with his moves, and was able to dodge them in advance every time.

Several times he managed to get close enough to Lu Chen's arm, but Lu Chen's internal energy and blood would sink, and his muscles would tense up, making it impossible for him to pry it in.

Liu Heng grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed.

He suddenly realized that his iron wire grappling technique was no longer effective at holding Lu Chen.

In just a few days, Lu Chen's strength increased, his boxing skills became more refined, and his body became more robust.

It's even more impressive than before!

The speed of this progress is truly astonishing.

"This is impossible..."

Liu Heng's jaw clenched slightly, somewhat incredulous.

The newcomer who he had to fight with his fists last time now leaves him feeling helpless even when they go head-to-head.

Lu Chen's gaze was calm, and his Azure Dragon Tongbi Fist grew stronger with each strike.

Azure dragon extends its claws, green dragon coils its body, piercing through the clouds and entering the sea...

One move after another, the force of the punches stirred the campfire, and sparks flew everywhere.

Forced to retreat, Liu Heng's sinister gaze gradually gave way to shock and anger.

"You...how could you...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Chen had already taken a step closer.

The right fist rises suddenly from below, like a dragon raising its head.

A blue dragon emerges from the abyss!

Liu Heng's pupils contracted. He had no time to dodge and could only cross his arms to block.

boom!

A muffled thud.

Liu Heng felt a violent jolt in his arms, his chest heaving with blood and qi, and he was forced back three steps by the punch.

With a crack, he stepped on and crushed a piece of charred charcoal, nearly crashing into the crowd of onlookers behind him.

"Is Liu Heng going to lose?"

"My God, Liu Heng can't even beat this newbie!"

Exclamations of surprise rippled through the crowd.

"Damn it!"

Liu Heng's face flushed red, both ashamed and angry.

His arms were still numb, and his chest was churning with blood and qi, but the gazes around him were more painful than Lu Chen's punches.

Just now, he took out five taels of silver to teach Lu Chen a lesson in public.

If he still can't win over Lu Chen, he'll really make a fool of himself in public, losing not only face but also money.

They lost both their lives and their money.

Liu Heng raised both hands, assuming the stance of the Iron Wire Grappling Hand, and charged forward again.

He feinted at Lu Chen's face with his left hand, but his right hand, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, suddenly darted towards Lu Chen's armpit.

Lu Chen's eyes remained calm. He turned his feet, slightly shifted his body, and his shoulders and back slumped down.

Liu Heng's five fingers brushed against his sleeve, but missed again.

Before he could change his move, Lu Chen's Azure Dragon Claw slashed horizontally.

boom!

Liu Heng hastily raised his arm to block, but his arm went numb from the impact, and his body uncontrollably staggered back half a step.

"good!"

Among the onlookers, someone couldn't help but shout.

Liu Heng's expression turned even uglier.

As if stung by the cheer, he roared and unleashed a flurry of attacks with both hands, employing all the techniques of the Iron Wire Grappling Hand: entangling, locking, hooking, and seizing.

But the more he fought, the more confused he became, and he lost his composure.

Despite its seemingly fierce offensive, it was actually riddled with weaknesses.

Lu Chen remained calm and composed, and his Azure Dragon Tongbei Fist became increasingly smooth.

Every punch landed precisely on Liu Heng's weakness.

As a result, Liu Heng was forced to retreat step by step by Lu Chen.

"How could this happen..."

Cold sweat beaded on Liu Heng's forehead, and a hint of panic finally appeared in his eyes.

Last time they fought, Lu Chen wasn't this strong.

It's only been a few days!

This kid seems like a completely different person.

Lu Chen didn't give him a chance to catch his breath.

He stomped his foot, the muddy ground trembled slightly, and he leaned forward.

A dragon coils around its body!

Just as Liu Heng was about to grab him, Lu Chen's arm coiled around him like a dragon, passing between his palms. Then, with a flick of his elbow and shoulder, he directly knocked Liu Heng away from his stance.

Liu Heng's chest was wide open.

"not good!"

His heart pounded, but it was too late.

Lu Chen seized the opportunity and delivered a solid punch to Liu Heng's chest with his right fist.

Liu Heng felt as if he had been hit in the chest with an iron hammer. He groaned, his feet left the ground half an inch away, and then he fell heavily to the ground.

Dust flew everywhere, and the creature lay upside down.

Those around were shocked.

"Is this a newbie?" a martial artist stationed at the herb garden exclaimed.

Liu Heng lay on the ground, his chest heaving violently, his face turning both pale and red.

He struggled to his feet, half-riding out of bed, and roared with a ferocious expression, "I haven't lost yet!"

As he spoke, he even tried to pounce on him again.

But the next moment, a rough and powerful hand pressed down on his shoulder.

Wang Zhong had already stood beside him without him noticing.

With just a light press, Liu Heng was immobilized, as if pinned down by a stone lock.

That's enough.

Wang Zhong's voice wasn't loud, but it silenced everyone around him.

Liu Heng gritted his teeth and said, "Chief Wang, I still..."

That's enough!

Wang Zhong interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for doubt, his aura as a minor martial artist suppressing the entire scene.

Liu Heng's face stiffened. Despite his immense reluctance, he had no choice but to give up.

Lu Chen walked to the campfire, picked up the bag of money, weighed it in his hand, and then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Liu Heng, saying, "You flatter me!"

After saying that, Lu Chen gave Liu Heng a shy, harmless smile.

Liu Heng was so angry he almost vomited blood.

He spent money to beat up Lu Chen, but in the end, he spent the money and ended up getting beaten up instead.