Chapter 106 - Fu Ming's Worries

On the first page of three, the attack came as promised after her sharp cry. She used a move from the Eagle Claw style, a plunging strike at prey, her outstretched fingers like the talons of a mighty hawk, keen and forceful. Only now she clearly harbored some reservations, and so she still did not unleash her full strength.

"Thank you for the courtesy," I said with a soft laugh. With a gentle sweep of my left hand drawn back, I stepped forward with only my right hand, shaping it into a seamless Tai Chi flow. In an instant it met Fu Ming’s Eagle Claw. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, my right hand struck the delicate white wrist with uncanny precision, slipped around the hawk-like claw formed by her palm, and turned in a rolling circle to press both her hands together. With a sudden shock, Fu Ming was sent flying backward, crashing against the wall nearby.

"Well done!" Old Master Fu cried out at once, nodding with satisfaction. "Young man, to have trained Tai Chi to this level is truly remarkable. I find it hard to believe you learned it all on your own. Ming’er, are you still holding back? Xiao Qiang is a formidable expert."

"Yes, Grandfather." Fu Ming looked at me in surprise, then gritted her teeth and sprang toward me again from the wall. This time she used her full strength, yet no matter what techniques she employed, none of them could do me the slightest harm. My right hand seemed like a magnet drawing her in; in the blink of an eye she changed through more than a dozen moves, but still could not break through my defense by even a fraction. Heh, Tai Chi overcomes force with softness, and it was made to counter Eagle Claw—how could she possibly get through?

The more Fu Ming attacked, the more shocked she became, and the more she fought, the more anger rose in her heart. She had probably never imagined my martial skill would be so formidable, so deeply concealed. She had never lost a fight from childhood to now, yet today I was handling her effortlessly with just one hand. Naturally, that stirred her fighting spirit. Several lethal killing moves flashed out in the exchange, but I dispelled them with ease.

"That’s enough. Stop." Old Master Fu stroked his white beard, seeming rather excited. "Ming’er, today you have learned what it means that there is always a sky beyond the sky. You are no match for Xiao Qiang." He turned to me with a keen look. "I never expected a master to come to our home today. Very well, let me see just how capable you really are."

At the old master’s command, Fu Ming stopped at last, frustrated and helpless. There seemed to be a trace of unease in her eyes. As she passed by me, she muttered in a low voice, "No matter how good your skills are later, do not take my grandfather’s ten moves."

"Eh?" I looked after Fu Ming’s lovely figure in some confusion, completely at a loss as to what she meant. By then Old Master Fu had already stepped into the courtyard and stood facing me with a smile, cupping his hands. "Come then, let this thirty-eighth-generation inheritor of the Eagle Claw Sect witness your skill. Go all out!"

"Very well, Old Master Fu. Forgive my rudeness." I clasped my fists, and my entire body suddenly became like a leaping mantis, my middle fingers pointing straight at the old master ahead, my stillness containing movement and my movement returning to stillness.

"Mantis Fist? Not bad, but the mantis, though sharp, is a rather small creature." Old Master Fu nodded, then instantly spread both hands like a great roc and sneered, "To fight an eagle with a mantis? A petty method."

"Whether it is petty or not, one must test it to know," I replied. In almost the span of a breath, my figure surged toward Old Master Fu. My raised middle fingers kept sweeping through the air, restrained and poised, waiting for the chance to strike.

"Good!" Old Master Fu shouted, his hands turning into eagle claws as he lunged at me.

Compared with Fu Ming’s Eagle Claw, the old master’s skill was clearly a level above. Even before the techniques arrived, the force of his momentum alone put me under immense pressure. Yet I had practiced the Purple Yang inner art; no matter how formidable an external style might be, it could not harm me in the least. In truth, from the very beginning, Old Master Fu had already lost—not in his techniques or power, but in lacking a powerful internal force.

The difference between possessing internal energy and lacking it was as vast as heaven and earth. With my internal energy, I could easily withstand his Eagle Claw assaults in the flash of lightning, while Old Master Fu could not even see my movements clearly. On the contrary, my aura would disrupt the flow of his offense.

In just a few exchanges, Old Master Fu’s expression had grown darker and darker. My seemingly delicate Mantis Fist, in my hands, unleashed far more than its usual power. Whenever he tried to avoid one of my strikes, he had to break his own offensive rhythm, making it increasingly difficult to maintain continuity in his technique. Meanwhile, my Mantis Fist kept aiming at every acupoint and every vital spot on his body.

When masters clash, one can tell at a glance who is truly skilled. By now, Old Master Fu knew perfectly well that he was no match for me; he simply would not admit defeat so quickly because of pride. Of course I understood what was on his mind. Less than a few minutes later, after they had exchanged dozens of moves, I leapt out of the courtyard and laughed, "Stop. I admit defeat. Old Master Fu truly has outstanding skill; I confess I am no match for you." Since the old man would not concede, it was only right that I, as the junior, give him a way out. After all, this was the Fu family home, and forcing the head of the family to say he had lost would be too humiliating.

When Old Master Fu saw me surrender, his expression darkened further. He gave a cold laugh. "Young man, this old fellow is not so arrogant as to think himself invincible under heaven. Everyone has a time when they lose, and losing to you, I bear no resentment. I truly did not expect it—heroes do indeed come from the young. At such a tender age you have already stepped onto the path of martial attainment. This old man is ashamed in comparison." Then his expression suddenly changed, becoming somewhat ambiguous. "In the future, if my descendants encounter trouble, I hope you will lend them a hand. Ah, since you have already passed ten of my moves, perhaps this is destiny. I have watched Ming’er grow up from childhood. If you two can truly be together in the future, I would be very pleased."

"Eh? Old Master Fu, what do you mean by that?" After hearing his words, I immediately sensed something was off, and could only smile bitterly in helpless confusion. "Could there be some special meaning to passing your ten moves?"

"Heh, did Ming’er not tell you? No wonder you seemed not the least bit nervous." Old Master Fu looked at me with apparent significance and smiled. "That girl Ming’er, don’t be fooled by how wild she has been since childhood—when it comes to her feelings, she is quite shy."

"Grandfather, that’s not it, you’ve got it wrong..." Fu Ming’s pretty face flushed red with embarrassment. She hurried over and clung to Old Master Fu’s arm, acting spoiled as she protested, "It’s not like that, so stop talking."

"Heh, you think you can hide such matters from me?" Old Master Fu laughed and tapped the tip of her translucent little nose. "Your conversation with your mother—I heard all about it from your mother. You were talking about this boy, weren’t you? Do you think your little scheme can fool your grandfather? Heh, this young man is indeed not bad. Though his background is ordinary, his martial skill is excellent. My precious granddaughter certainly has good taste."

"Ah, how could Mother..." Hearing Old Master Fu’s words, her lovely face turned even redder. She kept shaking her head. "No, Grandfather, he already has a girlfriend. Back then, I really didn’t know..."

I stood there dumbfounded, watching Fu Ming and her grandfather trade lines back and forth. For a moment I was truly stunned. What? From the way they were speaking, could it be that Senior Fu Ming liked me? I could only laugh in embarrassment and stand awkwardly in place, not knowing whether to speak or remain silent.

"Ming’er, you’re confused! How can the girls of our Fu family be so lacking in confidence? I refuse to believe my granddaughter is any worse than anyone else. If you’re too embarrassed to say it, then I will." After a low, stern rebuke, Old Master Fu was about to turn and walk toward me, but Fu Ming stopped him again with her small hand. Her expression was somewhat aggrieved. "Grandfather, please, this is my own matter. Don’t interfere, all right?"

"Hmph. Even if I do not interfere, I already have. Do you still remember our bet? You said that if the man you liked could pass my ten moves, I would not be allowed to object. Very well, I do not object. I approve now—how about that?" Old Master Fu snorted and then looked at me with a smile. "Xiao Qiang, you must already understand what I mean, yes? That’s right—our Ming’er has taken a liking to you. So, how about entering the Fu family?"

"Old Master Fu..." I was just about to explain when I saw Fu Ming’s face turn beet red. She stamped her foot and rushed into the house, causing the younger generation of the Fu family to suppress their laughter. What irritated me even more was that Chu Qitong, standing by as though watching a play, was gazing at me with a meaningful look, clearly waiting to hear my answer. I coughed awkwardly and said with a bitter smile, "Old Master Fu, you also heard Fu Ming say it—I already have someone I like. Fu Ming is a beautiful girl, and I’m certainly honored by her regard. But she also said that at the time she did not know I had a girlfriend, and once she knew, she would never have thought that way again. So I hope, Old Master Fu, you won’t interfere in my private affairs with her, all right?"

"What? Are you saying I, the old man, am in the wrong? Hah, boy, I’ve lived my whole life and no one has ever dared lecture me. And yet a little high school student like you is actually preaching to this old general?" Old Master Fu grew somewhat angry and was about to argue with me when Chu Qitong suddenly stepped down from the terrace and came to stand between us.

"Grandpa Fu, please calm down. Actually, Xiao Qiang wasn’t deliberately trying to talk back to you. He was just taken by surprise. How could a beautiful girl like Senior Fu Ming possibly be rejected by a man? It’s just that matters of the heart have to be taken slowly; love takes time. Grandpa Fu, don’t worry—I’ll help you keep an eye on Xiao Qiang. If he makes any progress with Senior Fu Ming in the future, I’ll be sure to let you know. Hehe."

As she said this, she paid no heed to my questioning gaze, as if asking what she was scheming. Smiling, she pulled gently at Old Master Fu’s sleeve. "All right, the sparring is over, and dinner is already ready. Why don’t we all go in and eat together?"

After hearing Chu Qitong’s words, Old Master Fu’s old face finally eased. With a cold snort, he said, "Fine. Since Little Chu has said so, that will do. In any case, if I ever learn that you bully my precious granddaughter, then even if your martial arts are excellent, do not blame the Fu family for being rude!"

"I..." Was that a threat? Damn it, so what if you’re a general? So what if the Fu family is powerful? There was no need to be this arrogant. I was just about to retort in anger when Chu Qitong deliberately tugged at me and made a hush gesture. Only then did I let out a muffled grunt and swallow the words back down. Truly, one must bow one’s head under someone else’s roof. But soon, I would make everyone know that I, Xiao Qiang, was not someone to be trifled with.