Chinese martial arts: From being shot and killed by the armed police during a mountain search to bec

The two exchanged a few pleasantries at the door, then Chen Huaijin stepped aside and gestured for Chen Gongzhe to enter the main hall.

Chen Gongzhe's gaze fell on Chen Hongwu in the hall, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before he quickly composed himself. "This is Master Chen? Truly, heroes emerge from among the young."

After reading the news in the newspaper that Master Chen had defeated the enemy in the ring, Gong Zhe wanted to come and pay him a visit. Seeing him today, he was indeed as renowned as he was.

Chen Hongwu stood up, clasped his hands in return, and said, "Mr. Chen, you are too kind. Please have a seat."

The group took their seats in the main hall, with Chen Huaijin in the host's seat, Chen Gongzhe in the head seat as a guest, Chen Hongwu on the other side of the host's seat, and Chen Hongwen sitting beside him.

The two Green Gang disciples followed behind with their hands at their sides. After entering the house, they did not sit down but stood behind Chen Gongzhe with their backs ramrod straight.

Maids filed in carrying tea trays, with rows of white porcelain covered bowls laid out, filling the room with the aroma of tea.

Chen Gongzhe picked up the teacup, gently stirred the tea leaves floating on the surface with the lid, took a sip, and praised, "Good tea."

He then placed the teacup back on the table and changed the subject: "You two have probably guessed it, but Gongzhe's visit is not for sightseeing."

To be honest, Huang Jinrong, the boss of the Green Gang, asked someone to contact the Jingwu Gymnastics Association and asked Gong Zhe to act as a mediator to resolve the misunderstanding between the Green Gang and Master Chen.

Gong Zhe shouldn't have gotten involved in such martial arts feuds, but the Jingwu Gymnastics Association has always aimed to promote martial arts and strengthen the nation.

If misunderstandings among martial arts practitioners are not resolved, it will only make them a laughing stock in the eyes of outsiders. Therefore, I mustered up the courage to make this trip.

If there has been any abruptness, I hope you two will forgive me.

Chen Hongwu took a sip of tea but did not speak.

Chen Gongzhe's words were impeccable, maintaining his neutral stance without offending either the Green Gang or Chen Hongwu. Every word he uttered was for the sake of the country and its people, leaving no room for criticism.

Chen Gongzhe turned to the side and pointed to the two young men behind him: "This is Liu San, and this is Ma Wu. They are both disciples of the Shanghai Green Gang."

I came with Gong Zhe this time to bring some gifts for the Chen family as an apology on behalf of Boss Huang.

The two Green Gang disciples clasped their hands in a salute, turned around and quickly left the hall. They returned shortly afterward, each carrying a stack of gift boxes.

The gift boxes were opened one by one and placed on the coffee table: a pair of golden pigs, eight jars of Shaoxing rice wine, two bolts of Hangzhou silk, a pair of old ginseng in sandalwood boxes, and several boxes of top-quality deer antler and donkey-hide gelatin.

A plain white letter was placed at the front, bearing Du Yuesheng's own handwriting.

Liu San bowed and said, "Boss Huang and Mr. Du said that Wang Hu and Zhao Jinshan acted on their own initiative, and the Green Gang was negligent in their supervision, causing trouble for Master Chen. This gift is an apology, please accept it, Master Chen."

Chen Hongwen stared wide-eyed at the sight; the pair of gold pigs weighed at least a hundred taels each, enough to provide for the Chen family for half a year's income.

After Chen Huaijin and Chen Hongwu exchanged letters, Chen Hongwu folded the letter and placed it on the coffee table.

Du Yuesheng's letter was very polite. He first apologized for Wang Hu's death, saying that Wang Hu had accepted Mo Laohu's bounty and was doing the job on his own initiative, which did not represent the Green Gang's attitude.

They then said that Zhao Jinshan's matter was a misunderstanding, and that the Green Gang had no intention of being enemies with Master Chen. Finally, they changed the subject and proposed to make friends through martial arts, setting up a ring where, regardless of the outcome, all grudges would be settled.

Chen Huaijin held his teacup without speaking, his gaze fixed on Chen Hongwu.

Ultimately, this matter concerns Chen Hongwu; no one else can make the decision.

After seeing that he had finished reading the letter, Chen Gongzhe carefully chose his words and said, "Boss Du means that the Green Gang has prepared a small tournament in Shanghai and would like to invite Master Chen to take the time to fight."

Regardless of the outcome, this matter ends here.

Chen Hongwu placed the teacup on the table and said calmly, "I accept the challenge. See you in Shanghai on the eighth day of next month."

With the matter settled, Chen Gongzhe picked up his teacup, took another sip, and was about to say a few more polite words before getting up to take his leave.

Chen Hongwu suddenly spoke up.

"President Chen." His gaze fell on Chen Gongzhe. "I heard that you learned Mizongquan from Master Huo Yuanjia, and you have also practiced Tan Tui, Gongliquan, and various other styles of martial arts. You have mastered both northern and southern styles of kung fu."

It's fate that we've met today, why don't we lend a hand and spar a bit?

Chen Gongzhe paused slightly in his teacup; he hadn't expected Chen Hongwu to take the initiative to challenge him.

The purpose of this visit was to mediate the feud between the Green Gang and the Chen family. The business had been settled, and it was only right that he should get up and take his leave. However, Chen Hongwu's words directly transformed the meeting from "discussing business" into "discussing martial arts".

He put down his teacup, his gaze lingered on Chen Hongwu's face for a moment, and then he burst into laughter.

"No wonder Master Chen has achieved so much in martial arts at such a young age. It is true that where there is a will, there is a way."

After laughing, Chen Gongzhe stood up and said, "Gongzhe has been busy with the mundane affairs of the Jingwu Gymnastics Association over the years, and his martial arts skills have become rusty. He shouldn't have made a fool of himself in front of Master Chen."

But since Master Chen has spoken, it would seem pretentious for Gong Zhe to refuse again.

He unbuttoned the collar of his dark blue silk shirt, rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, revealing a pair of well-defined forearms.

The fascia texture is clearly visible, and pale yellow calluses are formed at the joints.

Huo Yuanjia's Mizongquan (迷辶拳) emphasizes "no fixed form in the fist, no fixed shape in the body," and his footwork is particularly flexible and varied.

The boxing manual says, "In the art of 'Mizongquan' (迷踪拳), footwork comes first; footwork changes with the body, and fists follow the footwork." When you practice it to a high level, footwork becomes more difficult to deal with than fist techniques.

Chen Hongwu had heard of this style of boxing, but had never seen it before.

Chen Huaijin put down his teacup and stood up: "The courtyard is spacious, let's lend a hand here."

Chen Hongwen's face showed an barely concealed excitement. Although he did not practice martial arts, he longed for it.

The group moved from the main hall to the courtyard.

The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, and several clumps of bamboo were planted in the four corners. A row of weapon racks stood at the foot of the courtyard wall, and the knives, spears and clubs on the racks were slightly hot from the sun.

A tabby cat was dozing on top of a weapons rack, its tail swishing in the air. It didn't move when it heard human voices, only slightly lifting its eyelids.

Liu San and Ma Wu exchanged a glance, a hint of excitement playing on their lips.

Delivering gifts to apologize on behalf of Huang Jinrong was a chore; but to witness Chen Hongwu and Chen Gongzhe sparring after delivering the prayer card was an unexpected bonus.

If you can clearly explain Chen Hongwu's boxing style, power, and fighting techniques when you go back to report to Mr. Du, you might even get some reward money.

"Big brother! Are you going to have a fight?" Chen Hongxiu suddenly appeared out of nowhere, her skirt still smeared with mud, her two braids flying in the air.

She ran up to Chen Hongwu, her eyes sparkling. She then glanced at Chen Gongzhe, before leaning closer to Chen Hongwen: "Who's this guy? Can he beat Big Brother?"

Chen Hongwen whispered, "President Chen of the Jingwu Association." Chen Hongxiu responded with an "oh," not caring at all. She found a step to sit down, rested her chin on her hands, and looked like she was enjoying the show.

She had been training with Chen Hongwu for some time and had absorbed a lot of boxing principles, but being young, everything was new and exciting to her.

Chen Hongwen pulled her aside so she wouldn't get in his way.

In the center of the courtyard, Chen Hongwu and Chen Gongzhe stood three steps apart.