Chapter 106

Romance of Dragons and Snakes Chapter 106

Wang Chao gave a deep exhale.

In a split moment, he had put himself in the shoes of another. After thinking about him in the place of Tang Zichen, he had made his decision.

Even in the Jianghu, one mustn’t forget to help each other in the most humble circumstances.

Even up to this day, Tang Zichen remained in Wang Chao’s mind. She was not some sort of unattainable dream–but she too was a member of the secular world.

Martial artists were not Immortals. Their hearts could transcend, but their bodies could not.

Wang Chao’s calm demeanor had been such that even Chen Aiyang had been unable to see the billows of emotions underneath his expression.

Turning off the monitor, Chen Aiyang said, “In this world, there will always be grandmasters. The grandmasters Yang Luchan, Dong Haichuan, Li Luoneng and Sun Lu-tang, they have already been lost to the sands of time. All that is left of them are legends meant for the later generations to admire. Even after a hundred years since then with so many experts appearing one after another, none of them have reached the degree the grandmasters of the past were capable of. Within this flourishing and decaying century, I believe that the grandmasters of now are only capable of the attaining the Transforming realm. In the future, amongst these men, perhaps you or I will be one of them, but who can tell? The world rises, the world falls, as does martial arts.”

“You are right, but even then, it is still a long ways from now. We shouldn’t speak of this for now.” Wang Chao slowly recollected himself. “I came here today because I heard that you were injured and that you were sent a challenge. So I wanted to be your replacement for the match. How heavy are your injuries?”

“It’s nothing too serious, the meridians within my chest has been injured. But with a month of recuperation, I should heal up. Your help this time, I truly apologize for the trouble.” Chen Aiyang had a melancholic expression on his face. Because of his loss, it could be seen that the power struggle had damaged his mood.

“Don’t say those words. We are practitioners of Chinese boxing, our promises are ones that must be kept. I believe that in the future, if something were to happen to me, you would come lend a hand as well.” Wang Chao spoke. “But, this challenger is another fellow disciple with Zhang Guangming; a Canadian martial artist by the name of Cheng Shanming. Do you know of any potential information?”

“Zhang Guangming was born in the 1980s. In the past, he studied Bajiquan under the tutelage of Manchurian Baji master Huo Qingyun. After seven or eight years, Huo Qingyun passed away, causing Zhang Guangming to leave for Vietnam where he established his name. In that match, it was actually by luck that I won. In terms of skill, he is not inferior to mine own.”

Chen Aiyang began to think back on his memories, “That competition was truthfully the most shocking match I have ever been in. But after that victory, I was given money and fame. Not only did Zhang Guangming learn Bajiquan, but he was also an expert of Baguazhang. I’ve only heard Zhu Hongzhi mention the younger disciple once; he is a direct descendant of the Cheng Sect’s Baguazhang. Cheng Mingshan’s patriarchal grandfather is the elder Cheng Tinghua.”

“Baguazhang. In the past, Li Shuwen taught Huo Diange, and in turn, Huo Diange taught Huo Qingyun. And in those eight years before Huo Qingyun passed away, he taught the nephew of Cheng Tinghua. The two sects helped each other, thus, the lineage of Huo Qingyun has Baguazhang mixed in with their Bajiquan.”

Wang Chao nodded his head, “The Wulin of the past would often times help each other. That is a story that everyone knows. Sun Lu-Tang had once helped Hao Weizhen and later received a secret to Taichi. But Cheng Shanming, how is his skill at martial arts?”

“His martial arts has not yet reached the Transforming Jin realm, but he has at the very least reached the pinnacle of Hidden Jin. But that was three or four years ago, and Zhu Hongzhi had only mentioned him once. Whether he has improved or degraded, I do not know. But this battle is not one where either of us has any guarantees.”

Chen Aiyang spoke, “The Chinese Revival Society had only left the letter two days ago. With there only seven days to respond, that means we only have five days left.”

“To be able to fight with such a high-leveled expert, that is something I have always dreamed of.” Wang Chao smiled.

Chen Aiyang gave a determined stare at Wang Chao for a moment before suddenly speaking, “Master Wang. You are open-minded, and have the air of a master. For the sake of an insignificant friend like me, you are willing to risk your own life. I cannot hold back anything from you. You must know that despite me being known for my Taichi in the martial arts world, my strongest killing move is in fact not from Taichi.”

“Eh?!” Wang Chao gave a startled look.

“My killing move is a combination of techniques, the “Flying Horse Treading on Sparrow”.

TL Note: A joke of the real life statue: Galloping Horse Treading On Flying Sparrow 马踏飞燕 (The statue) and 飞马踏燕 (The killing move)

“Flying Horse Treading Sparrow!” Wang Chao was stunned.

“This is an ancient technique from the past, a killing move on the battlefield that was passed down from the Han Dynasty. Afterwards, it became a secret that was later honed by countless of masters of martial arts. Soon, it became a one-strike kill move. In essence, it is a combination of the horse stance and the sparrow stance of Xingyiquan.” Chen Aiyang explained.

“In truth, many disciplines of martial arts originated from the movements of animals. Xingyi is like Bagua, Bagua is like Taichi, and Taichi is like Xingyi. Wingchun is like Bajiquan, and Bajiquan is like Hung Ga. Everything has their similarities.” Wang Chao explained.

“You speak correctly.” Chen Aiyang said. “I saw your Pounding Jin of the horse stance. Already it has reached a stage where countless permutations can evolve from it. As long as you perfect the sparrow stance, then your attainments in martial arts will be able to lead you to being able to master the form and spirit of the “Flying Horse Treading on Sparrow”. If used within a match, then your chances of winning will be that much larger!”