Urban Martial Saint

After Shen Tianjun had explained all the techniques and concepts of Wing Chun Fist to Ye Qing, he let Ye Qing practice beside the wooden dummy in the courtyard, while he went over to instruct Du Tianyi.

In fact, although Shen Tianjun spoke of teaching Ye Qing Wing Chun Fist, having Du Tianyi listen in was also a way of indirectly teaching him. However, since Du Tianyi was a disciple of Tie Yongwen, it was not appropriate for him to directly impart martial arts, so he used this method.

Shen Tianjun said, ”Du Tianyi, the Southern Xingyi School has dwindled in this generation. Although Old Tie himself is very powerful, his temper is too fierce, and he does not know how to teach his disciples, which is a pity as he cannot pass down the essence of Xingyi Quan!”

If anyone else had spoken about Tie Yongwen in such a way, Du Tianyi would certainly have been displeased. But when the Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun said it, Du Tianyi had to agree. After all, Shen Tianjun’s understanding of martial arts was far more profound than Tie Yongwen’s.

”Xingyi Quan is neither a Southern nor a Northern Fist, it actually integrates both. However, since two hundred years ago, Xingyi Quan has split into Southern and Northern factions, and the dispute between them has never ceased. The Northern Xingyi School accuses the Southern Xingyi School of focusing too much on technique, while the Southern faction accuses the Northern of relying too much on strength. The conflict continues incessantly. Ever since Old Tie’s time, there have been several major conflicts where he defeated the sect leaders of the Northern Xingyi School, hence they never ventured south to Jiangnan or troubled the Southern Xingyi School again. Yet, the disputes between the two factions have persisted,” Shen Tianjun sighed and said, ”In truth, Southern and Northern Fist are not contradictory. Since it is a boxing technique, naturally it involves skills. However, if there isn’t enough strength, what can mere skill achieve?”

Du Tianyi only vaguely knew about the division between the Southern and Northern Xingyi Schools, and he wasn’t aware of so much detail. Hearing all this from Shen Tianjun left him greatly moved. To him, both Southern and Northern boxing techniques had their unique traits, so why make such clear distinctions?

”Old Tie has already taught you all of Southern Xingyi Fist. In this aspect, Old Tie’s research goes deeper than mine, so I won’t show off my lesser skills!” Shen Tianjun said, ”Now, I will demonstrate the Northern Xingyi Fist technique for you. Pay close attention if you can integrate it with the Southern Xingyi Fist technique you have learned, that would be ideal!”

”Thank you, Senior Shen!” Du Tianyi quickly bowed.

Shen Tianjun said nothing and walked into the middle of the courtyard, slowly demonstrating the Northern Xingyi Fist technique. His movements were slow, but every move was extremely strong and dominant. This Northern Xingyi Fist, similar to the Bajiquan learned by Ye Qing, was also a very powerful boxing technique. Each move carried a strong force that commanded respect. However, compared to the skilled moves of the Southern Xingyi School, the Northern technique seemed somewhat monotonous. That was the distinction between the two.

Du Tianyi watched very closely and simultaneously compared it with the Southern Xingyi Fist he had learned, calculating in his mind how to integrate the two. In his view, both Southern and Northern techniques had their merits, and if they could indeed be integrated, the Xingyi School’s techniques could undoubtedly be further enhanced.

This time, Shen Tianjun was performing very slowly, specifically so that Du Tianyi could see clearly. It took more than an hour to complete. In reality, the difference between the Southern and Northern Fist methods wasn’t significant, and with Du Tianyi’s excellent memory and quick understanding, Shen Tianjun only needed to demonstrate once for him to commit everything to memory.

Shen Tianjun did not repeat the demonstration, just encouraged Du Tianyi to practice in the courtyard with Ye Qing. That was his typical approach to teaching martial arts. Indeed, Du Tianyi was very fortunate today to have received a personal demonstration. After all, when Shen Tianjun taught Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu, he never specifically showed them the actual techniques.

Du Tianyi and Ye Qing practiced together in the courtyard for over three hours before finally stopping for lunch. By then, Ye Qing had gradually discovered some patterns next to the wooden dummy. By validating Shen Tianjun’s words against the wooden dummy, he had indeed gained a lot.

As for Du Tianyi, his gains were even greater, having received specific techniques. Moreover, by integrating these with the skills of the Southern Xingyi Fist he had learned, he indeed found that the power of Xingyi Quan had increased. However, this also made the training more difficult, which made him understand why Xingyi Quan was divided into Southern and Northern styles. After all, practicing skills alone or strength alone could lead to quick results, but combining both was not so straightforward!

This lunch was essentially a farewell banquet for Ye Qing and Du Tianyi at the Shen Family Manor. Therefore, all key members of the Shen Family Manor participated, including Shen Tianjun and Old Madame Shen.

Having lived at the Shen Family Manor for quite some time, Ye Qing and Du Tianyi had grown familiar with many people there. This was especially true for Shen San, who had almost caused Ye Qing’s demise previously. Shen San was just quick-tempered and radical, but he was essentially a good person. After getting to know each other, everyone understood each other better, and past misunderstandings were resolved. Today, as Ye Qing and Du Tianyi were leaving, Shen San was the most reluctant to let them go. The more hot-tempered a person was, the more loyal they tended to be; Shen San was such a person, constantly toasting with Ye Qing and Du Tianyi, wishing they could stay a few more days.

Shen Qingyi sat beside Ye Qing. Though she said nothing, everyone could see her dejection. After all, she had spent these few days together with Ye Qing, the first person she had ever fallen for. Now that Ye Qing was leaving, how could she possibly be happy?

Ye Qing also felt very upset. The people of Shen Family Manor had been good to him, and he found it hard to leave them behind. As for Shen Qingyi, he was even more reluctant to part with her. However, he could not ignore the responsibilities waiting for him back in Shenchuan City, so he had no choice but to leave.

Compared to others, Shen Qianyue was the happiest sitting in the corner below. During Ye Qing’s days here, he had always viewed him as a thorn in his side and wished he could kill Ye Qing to find relief. Now that Ye Qing was finally leaving, he was the most delighted since he wouldn’t have to see Ye Qing with Shen Qingyi every day.

However, seeing Shen Qingyi’s unhappy expression, he was filled with anger. But, angry as he was, there was nothing he could do now. Ye Qing had been personally trained by Shen Tianjun for three days, and he was well aware that he was no match for Ye Qing now. Given the current situation, all members of the Shen family regarded Ye Qing as a great benefactor, so he couldn’t do anything to him; he could only keep this frustration bottled up inside.

After lunch, although Ye Qing and Du Tianyi were reluctant, they had to leave. The people of the Shen family escorted them outside the Shen Family Manor, taking their time to say goodbye. Shen Qingyi just stood at the entrance of the Shen Family Manor, silently watching Ye Qing. Although her expression was calm, it was all an act because she didn’t want Ye Qing to have any attachments because of her.

But even if she acted calm, how could Ye Qing not feel worried? As he approached her, his throat became choked up, and he didn’t know what to say.

”Ye, if you have time, come visit me!” Finally, it was Shen Qingyi who broke the silence, looking at Ye Qing with boundless hope.

Ye Qing nodded vigorously, and swiftly pulled off the bullet pendant he always wore around his neck, handing it to Shen Qingyi, ”This is for you!”

Shen Qingyi took the bullet pendant, her smile blooming like flowers. She then removed a pair of beautiful earrings from her ears and handed them to Ye Qing, ”Ye, this is for you.”

The earrings were clearly extraordinary, sparkling translucently, and complemented Shen Qingyi beautifully. When Ye Qing took the pendants, his heart felt warmed. He looked deeply at Shen Qingyi and said, ”Rest assured, I will definitely come back!”

Ye Qing and Shen Qingyi, with their actions resembling lovers exchanging tokens of affection, infuriated Shen Qianyue even more as he watched from a distance. A venomous glint flashed across his eyes, his gaze fixated on Ye Qing, and his hatred for Ye Qing deepened even further.

After bidding farewell to Shen Qingyi and the people of the Shen family, Ye Qing ultimately left the Shen Family Manor with Du Tianyi by car.

Sitting in the car, Ye Qing fell into silence. In the palm of his hand, he still clutched tightly to the pendants Shen Qingyi had given him, and the beautiful image of Shen Qingyi continued to flicker before his eyes. This was the first time in his life he had liked someone so much, and this person liked him back; that was the happiest thing!

”Actually, you should have stayed,” Du Tianyi looked at Ye Qing and said, ”Miss Shen is also at the age to be married. Do you want her to keep waiting for you?”

Ye Qing looked at Du Tianyi, then at the pendants in his hand, and sighed softly, ”This time returning to Shenchuan City, it’s hard to say if I can even stay alive, how can I dare to make any promises to her? Besides, I have so many brothers in Shenchuan City, how could I just abandon them?”

”You can’t abandon those brothers, but you’re willing to abandon her?” Du Tianyi asked.

”It’s not the same!” Ye Qing shook his head, ”If I don’t go back, my brothers might all be killed by Wang Tian’an. But she, staying in the Xihang Shen Family Manor, won’t be in any danger. What do you think I should choose?”

Du Tianyi sighed, choosing not to say anything further. He knew Ye Qing’s character well; for his brothers, he could stake his life. For these brothers, he could also forsake happiness within his grasp. That’s why, in such a short time in Shenchuan City, so many brothers loyally followed him.

Such a leader, such a figure, would have been a hero and leader for the ages had he lived in ancient times. Yet now, returning to the dangerous place that Shenchuan City was, even with loyalty, his life hung by a thread!