Chapter 116: The Bet

In the cramped confines of the Pig Cage City stronghold, inside A Gui’s shop, a group of martial experts exchanged uneasy glances. Except for Li Daniu, who was well acquainted with the unfolding drama and had deliberately gathered everyone together, the others found the situation somewhat unbelievable.

Despite having lived in seclusion for so long, hidden away with no one aware of their martial prowess—not even their neighbors sharing the same courtyard—they wondered how, in just half a night, all their secrets could have been laid bare.

Could it be that masters of internal energy possessed such piercing insight?

Even the landlady, a woman who seemed no more than a shrew, could discern the depth of their skills?

Had Li Daniu known their thoughts, he would have shaken his head in denial. How could he possibly gauge the landlady’s level? Even the landlord himself might not know such a thing.

“Young man, tell me honestly, what is your true purpose?” the landlady demanded, pulling the laborer Ku Liqiang from his seat and settling down with one leg crossed, her tone sharp.

“Purpose?” Li Daniu smiled lightly. “I merely wanted to test my disciple’s character, so I sought out some experts. I never expected so many formidable fighters to be here, especially two like you—masters with profound internal energy.”

Profound internal energy? A Gui and the others breathed a slight sigh of relief. If someone as corpulent as the landlady, with a belly like a woman eight months pregnant, practiced only external skills, then it would truly be a disgrace to be counted among them.

“Very well,” the landlady nodded. “Since your purpose has been fulfilled, isn’t it time for you to leave?”

“Leave?” Li Daniu chuckled twice. Without mastering the Lion’s Roar technique, how could he just walk away?

“Senior, I’ve already paid rent for half a year,” he said.

“Rent?” The landlady blew a smoke ring and said, “Consider it compensation for the damages you caused.”

“Hey, landlady, how much damage could we have possibly done to equal half a year’s rent?” Ku Liqiang couldn’t help but interject.

At that, the landlady stood up, approached Ku Liqiang, and pointed a finger at his nose. “How much it’s worth is for me to decide. Don’t think that just because you know a few tricks, you can speak to me like that. You still owe me rent.”

Ku Liqiang, long accustomed to living under her fierce rule, timidly replied, “I’ll pay you back in a few days.”

“A few days?” The landlady’s eyes widened as she glared at him. “Planning to wait until the foreign guards are lax so you can rob them?”

Seeing Ku Liqiang fall silent, she turned to A Gui and the tailor. “I always thought you lot were a little suspicious, but I never imagined you were hiding this deep. This time, all of you get out of here. I don’t want the foreigners catching you and bringing trouble upon me.”

“Hey… you can say that, but don’t curse us.”

“Oh? You still dare talk back?”

As the landlady bickered with A Gui and the others, the landlord sidled up to Li Daniu, curious about this fellow who also practiced Tai Chi.

“Young man, shall we spar a little?” he asked.

“Sure.” Li Daniu was eager to test the landlord’s skill and rose at once.

The others, seeing the two prepare to engage, ceased their quarrels and watched.

“Pairing hands” was a common form of martial contest in these times. Though Li Daniu had never tried it before, he mimicked the landlord’s movements, extending his palm to meet his opponent’s.

Almost immediately, Li Daniu felt a soft yet firm force pressing against his hand. Hastily, he summoned his internal energy, channeling it through his Tai Chi movements.

The highest realm of Tai Chi allows one to control even the smallest creatures, so with both men possessing deep internal energy, their palms seemed glued together, impossible to separate.

The landlord, wanting to test Li Daniu’s technique rather than simply compete in raw strength, began tracing circles in the air with his wrist.

Not to be outdone, Li Daniu followed suit.

Though Li Daniu’s internal energy was stronger, the circular motion—seemingly simple—was actually a Tai Chi technique employing the principle of “using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds.” The landlord, having practiced Tai Chi for decades, naturally had far deeper insight.

Before long, Li Daniu felt his body involuntarily moved by the landlord’s skill.

When technique falls short, force must prevail. The principle of “four ounces deflecting a thousand pounds” works only if you possess those four ounces.

Though less adept in technique, Li Daniu compensated with greater strength, causing the landlord himself to be moved.

Just as A Xing was about to remark on how these two had suddenly started a dance, dust at their feet stirred without wind.

Eventually, it formed a Tai Chi symbol.

“Well done, young man,” the landlord said, having gauged Li Daniu’s level. His technique was lacking, but his strength compensated. Further contest would not resolve a victor, so he cleverly disengaged.

“You’re still the better one, senior,” Li Daniu praised. If only he had the landlord’s Tai Chi skill, he’d dare to challenge the Fiery Cloud Demon without hesitation. What’s a mere Frog Style when combined with the Nine Yang Divine Skill and Tai Chi?

Alas, learning is one thing; mastery another. Like Linghu Chong, who could never surpass Feng Qingyang despite both knowing the same swordplay, or Feng Qingyang who could never outmatch the legendary Dugu Qiubai.

Though they all wielded the same sword technique.

Li Daniu’s system could not directly grant skill points; all his kung fu required diligent practice. He also lacked experience fighting masters.

“You’re young, yet somehow developed such terrifying internal energy,” the landlord smiled, fully embodying a seasoned elder’s demeanor. “But your technique is somewhat lacking. We should exchange skills more often.”

“Nothing would please me more,” Li Daniu replied eagerly, thrilled to have a mentor willing to teach.

“I suppose you’re planning a rebellion, huh?” The landlady, seeing the spar end, instantly reverted to her shrewish self. “You intend to keep them here?”

At her shout, the landlord immediately resumed his henpecked demeanor, meekly explaining, “No, no, whatever you say.”

Li Daniu smiled. The landlord’s henpecked nature was deeply ingrained.

“Senior, I know you’ve secluded yourselves to avoid worldly conflicts. But today you didn’t intervene; others wouldn’t know you are masters,” Li Daniu continued, spinning his tale. “Besides, those scoundrels from the Axe Gang—you must know them well—if we leave quietly, they might vent their anger on the residents here. When that happens, will you act or endure? They’re not people who reason.”

“You mean you want to stay here as our bodyguard?” the landlady laughed scornfully.

“Two seniors with such profound martial arts, how could you need me as a bodyguard?” Li Daniu flattered before adding, “I assure you, my stay will be brief. Once I teach the skills to A Xing, I will leave.”

“Heh, you’re quite the schemer,” the landlady glanced at A Xing. “I don’t know what skills you possess, but learning Tai Chi alone takes years. Add internal energy, and it takes even longer. You really think we believe your claim that your disciple is a one-in-a-million martial prodigy?”

Though a master may lead the way, cultivation depends on the individual. Martial arts cannot be taught merely by handing over manuals; early training demands a master’s close guidance.

Like schooling—knowledge is in textbooks, but teachers are still necessary. Different teachers yield different results.

A martial prodigy is like a self-taught genius who learns without attending school or heeding teachers.

Li Daniu said nothing, instead proposing, “How about a bet?”

“What bet?”

“If my disciple can learn Tai Chi within a month and exchange twenty moves with the landlord, you must let us stay and teach him a skill.”

“And if he fails?”

“In a month, I’ll leave immediately and give you all my money.” Li Daniu was supremely confident. In the films, A Xing took only a day or two to easily defeat the Fiery Cloud Demon. Even if the movies exaggerated, A Xing would surely manage twenty moves with the landlord.

The landlady approached A Xing, touching him a few times, causing the young man to dodge repeatedly. Upon confirming that A Xing’s physique was that of an ordinary person, showing no sign of martial skill, she turned to Li Daniu.

“Very well, I accept your bet.” (To be continued.)