Chapter 70: The Agreement

“Master Jiang, please calm your anger.” Xiao Changhe bowed slightly with his hands together and said, “My martial arts skill is about the same as Junior Brother Zuo’s. This is just a friendly spar to help us both improve. As for the wager, it’s just to add some pressure. You know, understanding shame can lead to courage. If Junior Brother Zuo makes great progress in martial arts later, it would be a wonderful story.”

“So… I should thank you?”

Jiang Tianzheng’s gaze flashed, and a fierce aura surged toward Xiao Changhe. Xiao Changhe was so frightened he took a step back, but then he thought of his father standing nearby and straightened his back, looking at Zuo Zhicheng.

“Never mind, Master. I will spar with Senior Brother Xiao. We can improve and progress together.” Zuo Zhicheng said with a smile, “They say the competition comes first, victory second. Besides, I might not necessarily lose.”

Although no one said it aloud, if Zuo Zhicheng lost, Xiao Changhe would naturally feel too ashamed to continue the marriage proposal.

Jiang Qing, standing to the side, looked anxiously at Zuo Zhicheng, wanting to pull him away, but he didn’t move at all. He just stood there, seemingly determined to fight Xiao Changhe one-on-one.

Xiao Changhe laughed heartily, “Exactly, exactly. For us two brothers, winning or losing doesn’t matter. The main point is to spar and seek progress in martial arts.” As he spoke, he stepped onto the training ground. “Come on, Junior Brother Zuo, I can’t wait.”

He sneered inwardly, ‘You brat, I’m going to break one of your legs in front of Jiang Qing.’

“Wait a moment.” Seeing this, Jiang Qing shouted, “Even if you’re going to fight, it can’t be today. A Zuo hasn’t fully recovered from his injuries. It would be unfair for him to fight today.” Zuo Zhicheng’s injuries had actually healed long ago; Jiang Qing was just trying to buy time.

Xiao Changhe snorted coldly, “Hmph, then when do you want to do it? Should I wait ten or eight years? Maybe even wait until he has children! Besides, we’re just sparring. I’ll be gentle and won’t bully Junior Brother Zuo.” Hearing this, everyone from Chaoyang Martial Hall laughed mockingly.

“Are you fighting or not?”

“Are you scared?”

“If you’re scared, just admit defeat!”

“Anyway, today is not possible,” Jiang Qing insisted stubbornly.

Seeing the two sides about to argue again, Jiang Tianzheng looked at Zuo Zhicheng’s determined eyes and sighed inwardly, ‘I always thought Xiao Zuo’s personality was somewhat soft, lacking the fortitude of a true martial artist. It turns out he’s gentle on the outside but strong inside. Good. I hope you can maintain this pride as a martial artist.’

‘And since you, my disciple, are standing up for Qing’er, I, as your master, must support you.’

Thinking this, Jiang Tianzheng said, “How about this: three months from now, at the end of the year, there will be a martial arts competition. Why don’t we schedule this spar for then, as an exhibition match? As for the wager, let’s forget about it.”

Jiang Tianzheng calculated in his heart, ‘Although Xiao Changhe trained in martial arts from childhood, he has neglected it as he grew older. With three months of targeted training, given A Zuo’s understanding of combat techniques, he might still have a chance to win. If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll have to step in and confront Xiao Jingyang myself.’

“Fine, three months it is. Since Master Jiang suggested it, I have no problem with that. If Master Jiang doesn’t like the wager, we can cancel it.” Xiao Changhe agreed readily. During the competition, there would be more spectators. The thought of teaching Zuo Zhicheng a lesson in front of everyone from eighteen martial arts halls made him even happier.

As for the kneeling wager, he knew the other side would never agree.

Jiang Qing wanted to delay further, but Jiang Tianzheng stopped her.

Xiao Jingyang gave Jiang Tianzheng a deep look, clasped his hands, and said, “In that case, Master Jiang, we will see you in three months.”

After speaking, he led the people from Chaoyang Martial Hall away. Before leaving, he glanced back at Zuo Zhicheng. “Young man, your name is Zuo Zhicheng, right?” He pointed at Zuo Zhicheng and said, “I will remember you.”

Zuo Zhicheng had ruined Xiao Jingyang’s marriage plan, so of course, Xiao Jingyang disliked him. Although Xiao Changhe’s arrogance played a big part in this, Xiao Jingyang, as his father, naturally blamed Zuo Zhicheng.

“I will remember you.” The sinister tone sent a shiver down everyone’s spines. Clearly, being remembered by the leader of Xinlu’s largest martial arts hall was not a good thing.

Xiao Changhe also gave Zuo Zhicheng a smug look before turning to leave.

Zuo Zhicheng simply smiled indifferently. The students gathered around him, cheering him on.

“Brother Cheng, you have to teach that pretty boy a lesson!”

“Make that guy from Chaoyang Martial Hall kneel at our hall’s entrance and apologize!”

Unlike the cheerful students, Jiang Qing looked worried. She pushed A Fei and Big Mouth Huang aside and said anxiously, “Why were you so impulsive today? Do you think a few months of martial arts training makes you invincible? Xiao Changhe started training when he was five. Even if he’s been slacking off these past few years, you’re no match for him. Do you even know that Zhou Xingyun from Yanwu Hall and Wang Qiang from Xinlu Boxing Club were both defeated by him!”

“Even now, he’s probably a bit better than me.”

Most people here didn’t know or understand the concept of Innate Primordial Breath, so Jiang Qing simply listed some of Xiao Changhe’s past achievements.

After Jiang Qing’s detailed explanation, everyone realized there was a huge gap between Xiao Changhe and Zuo Zhicheng.

They looked at each other nervously. A Fei whispered, “How about… pretend to be sick that day and not go?”

“How is that possible? Do you think they’re stupid?”

“This is trouble. So that pretty boy is really that strong?”

Everyone looked at Zuo Zhicheng with worried and somewhat guilty expressions. After all, they were the ones who had egged him on to accept the challenge. In their eyes, Zuo Zhicheng had just gone along with it.

“Alright, everyone, disperse.” Jiang Tianzheng walked over with a smile. “Winning and losing are common in battle, but how can you admit defeat without even trying? A Zuo, for the next three months, you don’t need to work. I will give you special training.”

Zuo Zhicheng looked ‘gratefully’ at Jiang Tianzheng. “Thank you, Master!” Although his expression seemed a bit exaggerated, he genuinely felt grateful. After all, not every martial arts hall master would stand up for their disciple under such pressure.

“Qing’er, you lead everyone in training. I will help A Zuo with his.”

With that, the two of them walked to a corner of the training ground under the worried, guilty, and pitying gazes of the others.

Looking at Zuo Zhicheng’s calm expression, which seemed unaffected by praise or blame, Jiang Tianzheng nodded inwardly. “A Zuo, the biggest difference between you and Xiao Changhe is the Innate Primordial Breath. Originally, I wanted you to build a solid foundation and strengthen your blood and energy before starting to practice Heaven’s Gate Boxing and attempting to awaken the Innate Primordial Breath. But now, it seems we have to take a risk.”

Awakening the Innate Primordial Breath involved a complete transformation of the flesh, requiring massive nutritional support. People in this era might not know the exact principles, but they understood that the more robust one’s blood and energy, the greater the help in awakening the Innate Primordial Breath.

Conversely, not only might one fail to awaken it, but it could also lead to physical depletion and severe damage to one’s essence and blood.

Over the next few days, Zuo Zhicheng practiced Heaven’s Gate Boxing under Jiang Tianzheng’s guidance. At the same time, Jiang Tianzheng explained the characteristics and weaknesses of the Eagle Claw Technique used by Chaoyang Martial Hall.

Zuo Zhicheng was naturally pleased with this arrangement. After all, Heaven’s Gate Boxing also trained the Innate Primordial Breath in his arms. He could use this opportunity to awaken the Innate Primordial Breath in front of Jiang Tianzheng and further unlock his potential.

So, for the next three months, Zuo Zhicheng underwent Jiang Tianzheng’s special training from morning till night. When his body was tired, he listened to Jiang Tianzheng’s explanations of various combat experiences. As for his usual chores, Xiao Lan and Jiang Qing took care of them for him.