Chapter 299

The thirtieth: For whose sake do you swing your fist?

As the inheritor of the “Mingtangyuan Ancient Martial Arts Style,” which has been passed down since ancient times in the Hopesblooming Market, it was originally supposed to be Mingtangyuan Gao, her brother, instead of Mingtangyuan Wuki.

However, her brother, Mingtangyuan Gao, suffered from an odd illness since childhood, leaving him weak and bedridden. Despite the elders saying that recovery should be prioritized, Wuki could see the resentment of her grandfather and brother concerning the possible loss of tradition.

Thus, at a very young age, she made up her mind to take on the entire future of the Mingtangyuan style as her own. As a result, she had to give up her identity and preferences as a girl, dressing as a boy since childhood and even receiving love letters from female classmates… Although she was ready, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss in her heart.

The result of her diligent martial arts training since childhood was her success in earning everyone’s recognition in the Mingtangyuan style. Although her inherently gentle nature prevented her from competing with others, if it came down to a fight, Wuki believed she would not lose to anyone!

“Let me assess the level of your path and practice.”

From the start, putting herself in a position above the other, such arrogance made even Wuki frown.

“Haa!”

Don’t look down on me!

Punches and kicks flew, the sound echoing from the clash of their bare fists was continuous in their ears. The少女’s every move was precise, impeccable, finding no fault in any of them, her brown hair swaying like a dance under the sunlight, creating a beautiful golden radiance.

Yashu’s punches and kicks were described as chaotic, although this term was not derogatory to him!

Even without relying on extraordinary abilities, his reaction speed was faster than hers!

Like a chameleon striking its prey with its tongue, he attacked precisely at the moment when Wuki’s force was waning and new strength was yet to gather. Yashu struck Wuki’s wrist and ankle with a subtle hit that numbed her, preventing her blows from landing. This underhanded tactic turned Wuki’s face red and made her limbs tingle, making it impossible for her to counter-attack effectively.

Then came the clawing shadows, mimicking a lion pouncing from the mountaintop to hunt. Wuki narrowly avoided Yashu’s hand, feeling a wave of relief and instinctively touching her throat, cold sweat poured down her forehead in fright.

It… It was so dangerous! Just a little bit more…

The difference between real combat and stage performance was much bigger than they imagined.

“This technique!” Wuki backed away, pushing away Yashu’s palm attack which resembled a shark’s bite. “Is it mimetic boxing?!”

“While it does borrow from that style, it has some differences. Its name is —”

A fighting technique derived from wild animals, relying on their raw power.

“Beast Fist!”

There are two main schools of Beast Fist, one is激兽拳 which relies on justice, and the other is临兽拳 which uses evil.

Although these styles seem opposite, in reality, they originated from the same set of martial arts. By the time one reaches the highest realm, there is no apparent difference as the paths converge.

“My school is naturally 临兽拳. It took me a lot of effort to join the 临兽殿 despite not being able to use 临气.”

Since he can’t use 临气, Yashu’s临兽拳 does not belong to a specific school. Instead, it combines different techniques he has seen into his own unique style!

“Why don’t you concede? Losing to me isn’t disgraceful.”

“I will be the one who loses, not the Mingtangyuan style!”

Despite being at a disadvantage, she did not give up, and Yashu became even more satisfied with her.

With each hit sending a dull sound through his fists, the two of them seemed less like battling martial artists and more like performing a difficult dance.

When their wrists touched, feeling the slight tremor in her fist, Yashu frowned, having grasped something crucial.

“Hmm… your fist feels a bit off, doesn’t it?”

“Not right?”

As Yashu consciously altered and guided the rhythm, Wuki’s fist gradually became entangled around Yashu’s. What started as intense combat eventually turned into Yashu guiding her. With Yashu slowing down, Wuki adopted a look asking him to teach her.

“No, it isn’t entirely incorrect. More accurately, it is exactly correct.” While still feeding techniques to Wuki, Yashu shook his head and explained. His fist was perfectly standard, too perfect for flaws, but as a result, she over-emphasized perfect techniques.

“Isn’t being perfect good?”

Wuki didn’t understand. Through her grandfather’s prolonged tough training, she had mastered these techniques. Shouldn’t martial arts strive for perfect mastery?

“The problem is, being overly perfect makes it seem forced. If everything is perfect, what is the point?”

Simply put, following strict techniques reduces correct moves to just mimicry, lacking vitality.

“He would say your movements lack zigiziki and wakiwaki sensation.”

“What do you mean even if you say that?”

While Wuki felt embarrassed by Yashu’s cryptic remarks, his next statement froze her.

“I only felt imitation in your fist, not yourself.”

“You’re not really hitting with your own fist; it feels like you’re imitating someone else’s.”

“Then whose fist is this?”

…

“Eh?”

Right.

Even though I prepared myself, I never thought about for whom I trained. Was it for the lineage of the Mingtangyuan style? For my brother? Or…

In that instant of doubt, a colossal flaw emerged. Yashu’s hand wrapped around her like a constrictor snake, pinning her limbs and twisting them in reverse, panic spread within her.

No… This is bad! If caught in submission tactics, losing is almost certain unless I break free by sheer strength.

“Lo—loosen your grip!”

Wuki’s limbs were grabbed from behind and twisted. His leg pressed over her knee, arms wrapped over her shoulders, and a neck hold immobilized her. Even in terms of physicality, her disciplined body couldn’t compare.

This is bad! She was completely trapped! And this position…

Only when all hope was lost did Wuki realize she was trapped, sprawled like a starfish in her opponent’s arms. This position—it was terrible!

“Huu~”

“Stop! Please!”

The hot breath against her ear further heightened the intensity. Her face flushed from her neck to her ears, especially with his chin resting on her shoulder whispering in her ear causing one side of her face to tingle.

“If you aren’t focused, this will happen. But I am grateful.”

I am grateful for discovering your potential gem-like qualities.