Chapter 444 - 444 Tie Yongwen's Fist Technique
Ye Qing thought for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Uncle Tie, do you mean that the people from the Xihang Shen Family have come for me?"
"It's hard to say," Tie Yongwen shook his head and replied, "I asked them just now, and they seem to have no special opinion of you. They only know about your feud with the Lin family. It's unclear whether they are here to seek revenge on you. After all, the Lin family and the Shen family are now related by marriage. Though their relationship isn't that great, their fortunes are tied together. They're relatives, and if you've caused the Lin family to lose face here in Shenchuan City, it wouldn't be surprising if the Shen family came to regain some dignity."
Ye Qing nodded slowly and said, "So you mean the Shen family wants to help the Lin family establish their power? But the grudge between me and the Lin family has already been resolved; I don't think the Lin family would let the Shen family do this!"
"That's hard to say," Tie Yongwen continued, "Among the descendants of the Shen family, there are quite a few who love to show their strength and compete fiercely. You've become famous in Shenchuan City for taking on the Lin family single-handedly; your prominence might draw jealousy. If someone challenges you, it wouldn't be out of the question. Once you reveal techniques of the Li Style Bajiquan, I'm afraid…"
Tie Yongwen did not continue, but Ye Qing understood his meaning. The Li Style Bajiquan represented being a successor to Third Master Li. If the Shen family found out about this, it would be more than just a matter of competing for strength!
"Uncle Tie, rest assured, I will not clash with the members of the Shen family!" said Ye Qing.
"That's good to hear!" Tie Yongwen finally put one of his concerns to rest. He knew Ye Qing was also a proud person, and if the Shen family pushed him too hard, he was afraid that Ye Qing would take them on. That's why he hinted at this to Ye Qing. And Ye Qing, understanding Tie Yongwen's intention, gave him this promise, which eased his mind.
"The Xihang Shen Family, for so many years, has been a holy land for martial artists from the seven southern provinces. Inside the Shen family, masters frequently emerge, dominating the seven provinces without match. This time, with Miss Shen coming to Shenchuan City, the Shen family has placed great importance, specifically sending Shen Qianyue, the most powerful of the younger generation, to accompany and protect her. And that's just the figureheads; who knows how many older figures have come in secret. There are several elders in the Xihang Shen Family, of the same generation as Heavenly Lord Shen; if just one of them came, it would truly be a grand lineup!" Tie Yongwen said with a slight laugh, "When Shen was around, the Shen family didn't have such an extravagant display. This grandeur of the Shen family has only grown since Shen left twenty years ago. It seems letting a woman be in charge is unreliable!"
Ye Qing looked at Tie Yongwen and could clearly see that he was somewhat dissatisfied with the Old Madam of the Shen Family. His words were laced with sarcasm.
"Enough about the Shen family," said Tie Yongwen, standing up with a smile, "When you left, I said that when you came back, I would like to spar with you a few rounds of Xingyi Quan. Today we are free; why don't you join me for a couple of moves?"
Ye Qing's heart skipped a beat, knowing that when Tie Yongwen spoke of sparring, he actually intended to teach him Xingyi Quan. According to Tie Yongwen, Ye Qing's physical condition was not well-suited for practicing Bajiquan, whereas Southern Fist would be more appropriate for him. Tie Yongwen's Southern Xingyi Fist was one style of Southern Fist. With Tie Yongwen as the grandmaster of Southern Xingyi Fist offering personal guidance, it was an opportunity of a lifetime. Even Wu Xinghuai, the master of his martial arts hall, was only taught by Tie Weihua, not personally instructed by Tie Yongwen, which showed the significance Tie Yongwen placed on Ye Qing.
"Thank you, Uncle Tie!" Ye Qing hastily expressed his gratitude.
Tie Yongwen laughed heartily and said, "No need to be polite with me. I also haven't seen Third Brother's Bajiquan for many years, so I want to see once again the style of the old days."
With that, Tie Yongwen walked straight to the courtyard outside and said to Ye Qing, "Come on, don't be shy, attack me with your strongest technique!"
Ye Qing bowed with his hands clasped and said, "Uncle Tie, forgive my boldness!"
After saying this, Ye Qing's body slightly sank, his legs bent in a half-squat, waist sunk and shoulder angled, eyes fixed on Tie Yongwen.
Tie Yongwen, however, didn't show much tension and simply turned to Gao Shusen with a smile, "Shusen, call all the disciples over. Let them see something spectacular today!"
"Yes!" Gao Shusen replied, and stepped out to call in everyone, including Wu Xinghuai.
While they were practicing outside, upon hearing that Tie Yongwen was going to spar with someone, they excitedly dropped what they were doing and ran over. Most had only heard of Tie Yongwen's reputation and knew of his formidable strength but had never seen him actually in action. Today, Tie Yongwen was actually going to make a move, which for them, was an event that might not occur even once in their lifetimes. The group wouldn't miss it for the world.
Bursting into the courtyard, they were all still buzzing with speculation, wondering who Tie Yongwen's opponent would be. Many guessed it might be a direct disciple like Gao Shusen or Tie Weihua, but upon entering the courtyard, they were stunned to see Ye Qing standing before Tie Yongwen.
Everyone froze in surprise, especially Wu Xinghuai, who scratched his head and asked Gao Shusen in a low voice, "Great Master Uncle, is Grandmaster… going to spar with this Ye Qing?"
"Yes, what's wrong with that?" Gao Shusen wondered aloud.
"Ah, no… nothing…" Wu Xinghuai muttered in frustration, "Bastard, he's so lucky to be personally taught by Grandmaster!"
The others were also murmuring among themselves until Gao Shusen turned and said, "Quiet down. Grandmaster's instruction to Ye today is also a lesson for you. Watch closely!"
The crowd finally ceased their discussions and all eyes turned towards the training ground at the center. Tie Yongwen extended a hand, pointing at Ye Qing from afar, and said, "We can begin now!"
Ye Qing nodded and suddenly stamped his right foot to the ground, kicking up a clod of dirt. Like a cannonball shot from its chamber, he charged straight at Tie Yongwen. The Elbow Collapse from Bajiquan was terrifyingly powerful. A direct hit was akin to being struck by a speeding car. If it hit just right, death could easily ensue!
Seeing Ye Qing's posture for the Stick to the Mountain technique, Tie Yongwen nodded in satisfaction. Just as Ye Qing was about to close in on him, Tie's right hand was already pressed against Ye's shoulder.
Ye Qing felt as if he had crashed into a pile of cotton with no resistance. He surged forward half a step but was suddenly halted as the hand on his shoulder exerted force, keeping him rooted to the spot. Ye Qing found himself unable to move even an inch forward.
All the onlookers were stunned. They might not have known the exact force of Ye Qing's attack, but seeing Ye's speed and the sound of his strike, everyone knew it was no minor attack.
However, under the eyes of the public, Tie Yongwen easily restrained Ye Qing with just one hand, astonishing everyone and deepening their awe for Tie's strength.
"Good!" Wu Xinghuai couldn't help but shout out loud. He had suffered at the hands of Ye Qing, and now seeing Ye unable to match Tie Yongwen, he felt immensely pleased as if he had avenged a personal grievance.
Gao Shusen shot him a glare, and Wu Xinghuai immediately bowed his head, not daring to speak further, though his face was flush with excitement.
After the unsuccessful charge, Ye Qing lifted his right elbow to prop against Tie Yongwen's hand. This move, Elbow Collapse from Bajiquan, aimed to raise an opponent's arm and then strike the chest with the elbow, a technique of dreadful power.
But Ye Qing could not even lift Tie's hand off his right shoulder. Tie Yongwen pressed down on Ye Qing's shoulder with one hand, looking utterly at ease and seemingly exerting no force at all.
Ye Qing tried several times without success to lift his shoulder, having no choice but to press it down and throw a punch at Tie Yongwen's abdomen.
Tie Yongwen pulled back his right hand and used his elbow to strike Ye Qing's wrist, deflecting Ye's punch instantly. Ye Qing launched multiple punches, but Tie effortlessly parried them all with a single hand, highlighting the stark disparity in strength between the two.
Ye Qing now finally understood that Tie Yongwen's prominent reputation in Shenchuan City over the years was well-earned. His strength was truly unfathomable; a single hand was all it took to deal with Ye Qing with ease!
After grappling with Tie Yongwen for six or seven minutes, with Ye Qing on the offensive and Tie simply defending without any counterattacks, Ye was unable to gain the slightest advantage. Instead, he had several flaws exposed by Tie, who merely tapped him lightly with fists and elbows. In other words, had it been a real fight, Ye Qing might have already lost several times over, and this realization greatly alarmed him.
Meanwhile, Tie Yongwen nodded as he fought, seemingly quite satisfied with Ye's performance. The fight quickened, and the surrounding crowd, except for high-level masters like Gao Shusen, couldn't discern the actual situation. Even Gao Shusen had to strain to follow the action, his respect for Ye Qing's capabilities growing.
Gao Shusen was aware of Tie Yongwen's strength; Ye Qing's ability to last that long was indeed commendable.
After nearly fifteen minutes of fighting, Tie Yongwen finally stretched out his hand to press on Ye Qing's shoulder and gently pushed, sending Ye Qing back two meters.
Ye Qing paused, then bowed and clasped his hands in salute, saying, "Uncle Tie's Xingyi Quan is truly exquisite, I admire it greatly!"
"You are mistaken," Tie Yongwen said with a slight smile. "What I just used was not Xingyi Quan."
"Ah?" Ye Qing was taken aback, and even Gao Shusen and the others were astonished. If it wasn't Xingyi Quan that Tie Yongwen used, then what was it?
Tie Yongwen looked at Ye Qing and said, "What I used just now was actually your own boxing technique."
"My own boxing technique?" Ye Qing's eyes widened; was Tie using Bajiquan? But no matter how Ye looked at it, it didn't seem right.
"Boxing technique is divided into Southern and Northern Fist, not by moves, but by philosophy," Tie Yongwen explained. "Southerners are often smaller in stature and cannot harness the fierce overpowering force of Northern Fist. However, Southern Fist emphasizes skill and using the opponent's strength against them, which is the essence of Southern Fist. If you comprehend this philosophy, then Southern and Northern Fist are merely different in name, and there are no distinctions between sects!"