298: Chapter 297: No More Insulting National Arts from Now on 298: Chapter 297: No More Insulting National Arts from Now on “Don’t speak too soon, I’m afraid you can’t win.” A resonant voice rang out, as Tangyu arrived late, striding to Fang Yishui’s side.
Seeing Tangyu arrive, Fang Yishui was so moved she was almost in tears, fearing she couldn’t hold out much longer.
“Sorry for being late,” Tangyu said with an apologetic face.
Fang Yishui immediately smiled, “It’s okay, let them wait a bit longer, it’s their own fault for insisting on challenging us.”
He Ye’s mouth twitched, his gaze settling on Tangyu as he lifted the corner of his mouth and taunted, “So, you’re Tangyu?”
“Indeed, and you must be He Ye?” Tangyu responded with a light smile.
“Humph, some people really put on airs, but it doesn’t matter—you’re here after all.
But since you’ve arrived, you won’t be using a woman as a shield anymore, will you?” He Ye’s mocking tone was undisguised as he stared at Tangyu, clearly showing he was not a man of pleasant words.
Tangyu smiled lightly and said, “I think you’re mistaken.
I never agreed to accept your challenge from the beginning.
The one you’re challenging is my disciple, and I believe she has already made that very clear.”
“Humph.” He Ye burst into a scornful laugh, full of disdain.
The crowd around also erupted in a mix of cold jeers and mocking voices.
The idea of such a prominent man refusing to fight himself, letting a frail woman take the challenge, made many look down on Tangyu.
Hearing these disparaging voices, Tangyu remained as unruffled as if he’d heard nothing at all.
Fang Yishui, feeling aggrieved, swept a glare around them, but it was clear her gaze had little intimidating effect.
No one changed their tune to say anything nice because of her glare; the insults kept coming, volleying like a tide.
After all, this was He Ye’s home turf, and most here were his supporters.
Even if some men supported Fang Yishui, they still criticized Tangyu, questioning why he’d let Fang Yishui take the stage.
“What, you’re scared?
Didn’t you think your National Arts was so powerful?
Are you chickening out?” He Ye’s gaze was provocative as he looked at Tangyu.
Tangyu laughed, “Because you’re not worthy.”
‘Because you’re not worthy’—the way Tangyu uttered these words was like driving a sharp sword into He Ye’s heart, turning his face green with rage.
As a passionate man full of fervor, He Ye couldn’t stand provocation or insult.
The statement was a slap in his face, wounding his pride.
“Who does this guy think he is, being so arrogant?”
“Go on, talk is cheap.
Looking for trouble, huh?
Daring to speak to President He like that?”
Cursing and shouts surged like a wave, as He Ye had a significant number of backers.
As the president of the Sanda Association, many of its members were naturally rooting for He Ye.
“You’d better take back what you just said.” He Ye scowled at Tangyu as if he was about to kill, his eyes chillingly intimidating.
“Words I’ve said and deeds I’ve done—I’ve never regretted them,” Tangyu repeated with the same composed air.
“You—” He Ye choked on his words.
If not for the many eyes watching, he would have been sorely tempted to strike Tangyu right then and there.
Frustrated, He Ye then said, “Fine, since you insist on having Fang Yishui fight on your behalf, so be it.
This will be a test between Eastern and Western martial arts.
You can let your disciple replace you, but I want to add a little wager.
Do you dare?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Tangyu calmly met He Ye’s gaze.
“Good, what do you want to bet?” He Ye asked.
Tangyu shook his head with a smile and said, “You should be asking yourself what you have that’s worth betting.
Don’t mention money—that would be an insult to National Arts, which is priceless.
And don’t talk about your dignity; that’s worthless in my eyes.
Think about it, what else do you have that’s worth betting?
I’m game.”
He Ye was infuriated.
How could anyone’s tongue be sharper than a shrew’s?
“If I lose, I’ll step down as the president of this association and publicly admit the superiority of National Arts and apologize to you,” He Ye declared.
Tangyu still shook his head and said, “It seems you have no sincerity.
National Arts doesn’t need your acknowledgment of its strength; you don’t carry that weight.
Apologize?
Heh, how much is that worth?”
“Don’t go too far,” barked He Ye, now truly enraged.
Tangyu, however, maintained a relaxed and contented expression, “The last thing a martial artist should do is to get angry easily, as it makes it quite easy for others to get a hold of your weakness.
From this perspective, you’re definitely not a qualified martial artist.
I’m merely stating a fact, yet it has made you so furiously ashamed.
Think about how lacking your temperament is; with such a temperament, you are only fit to learn some simpler combat techniques.
Profound National Arts are beyond your reach.”
What Tangyu said was indeed a double entendre, making He Ye’s face burn with embarrassment.
This wasn’t because Tangyu had a venomous tongue; rather, it was He Ye’s own fault for being too full of himself, daring to insult and look down upon the National Arts.
On this point, Tangyu and Fang Yishui shared the same sentiment: they could not tolerate such behavior.
Dealing with this kind of person deserved a sharp rebuke, and there was no holding back.
This wasn’t just personal dignity at stake, but the dignity of the National Arts of Huaxia Country, honed over thousands of years.
“I just want to tell you to never insult the National Arts again.
That is the wager you can afford to place,” said Tangyu.
He Ye’s face flickered between shades of light and dark, and pointing at Tangyu, he said, “Fine, let’s do it your way.
Can we start now?”
“Hmm.” Tangyu looked towards Fang Yishui and said, “Just do as I told you yesterday, be bold.
The most important thing for a martial artist is to have a fearless and brave heart; only then can you overcome everything.
Don’t worry, with me here, you won’t lose.”
“Hmm.” Fang Yishui nodded vigorously, indeed inspired greatly.
At this moment, her confidence surged, not for any other reason but because she believed in Tangyu.
Tangyu stepped aside, leaving the battlefield to He Ye and Fang Yishui.
However, Tangyu was clearly not well-received; wherever he went, the crowd dispersed from him automatically.
He Ye quickly adjusted his demeanor and entered into combat mode, his gaze intense and flickering with an edge that made it daunting to meet his eyes.
Both fighters quickly entered into a combat state, facing off against each other.
“Ladies first, please go ahead, Fang Yishui.
Rest assured, I will be merciful with my blows later.
However, blows and kicks are blind, so you’d better be careful,” He Ye reminded kindly.
Fang Yishui did not hold back, and directly employed the Military Fist that had evolved from Wing Chun.
Known as the Fist Technique for women, Wing Chun, through its perfect fusion with modern Combat Techniques, shed complexity for simplicity and transformed its traditionally gentle style into a very practical close-range combat skill.
Being promoted within the military, it became known as Military Fist.
Nowadays, Combat Techniques emphasize key points like the speed, precision, and fierceness of Muay Thai and Taekwondo.
Furthermore, there are no fixed moves; the variations are endless, allowing changes to be made on the fly to achieve the most effective attack – every move is decisive, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Of course, since Military Fist was founded on Wing Chun, within it still lay many shadows of Wing Chun, most importantly including the Profound Meaning of Wing Chun.
Although Fang Yishui was a girl, when she exercised the Military Fist, it was with thunderous force, carrying a certain grandeur.
“Military Fist, you’ve got some decent skill,” He Ye said with a nonchalant smile, his face devoid of any tension, advancing instead of retreating as he met Fang Yishui head-on; they soon clashed in combat.
Standing by, Tangyu watched the battlefield calmly.
As soon as He Ye made his move, Tangyu knew Fang Yishui was no match for him.
Whether it was strength, speed, or combat experience, Fang Yishui was inferior to He Ye.
Most importantly, He Ye’s Taekwondo was indeed well-cultivated, every move showing lethal intent.
Right off the bat, Fang Yishui was on the losing end, quickly put on the defensive and barely holding on.
However, she was a strong girl and, gritting her teeth, showed no fear or intention to retreat.
Military Fist was by no means inferior to Taekwondo, yet Fang Yishui, being a girl, couldn’t fully grasp the essence of Military Fist and couldn’t unleash its true power.
Moreover, Fang Yishui leaned more toward the gentler side of Wing Chun with her use of Military Fist, which naturally seemed softer.
Of course, another main reason was her lack of combat experience.
“Master, please help me soon,” Fang Yishui thought silently; she felt like she could no longer hold on – He Ye’s onslaught was too fierce.
“Ah, danger!” A sudden alarm flashed in her heart as she felt He Ye’s kick coming toward her leg without knowing when it started.
If this kick hit, she was sure she would lose on the spot and probably get hurt as well.
She wanted to dodge, but it was too late, the distance was too close and she realized it too late.
“I’m going to lose,” Fang Yishui thought with great unwillingness.
Tangyu’s mouth curled up, and he flicked a small pebble from his hand.
The pebble, glowing with a cold sheen and moving at a speed invisible to the naked eye, hit He Ye’s leg at a crucial point, the stone carrying a forceful energy, striking precisely.
“Hmm.” He Ye’s expression changed as he suddenly felt his leg go numb and lost control of it for a moment.
It stopped midair and couldn’t come down.
What was happening?
Seeing that He Ye’s leg was suspended midair without coming down, Fang Yishui was also startled.
Could it be he was deliberately holding back?
“Execute the three techniques.” It was at this moment that Fang Yishui heard Tangyu’s voice.
She then snapped back to reality but a thought flashed through her mind – had her master intervened?
Otherwise, how could something so strange occur?
However, Fang Yishui didn’t ponder any further and immediately executed the three techniques.
These three successive moves, with their boundless Profound Meaning, displayed astonishing power.
He Ye was unable to move, and by the time he realized it, it was too late.