Chapter 81: Threat

Including Xiao Changhe, Zhou Xingyun, and two trainees from Chaoyang Martial Hall, there were four people in total. They chased everyone else out of the courtyard and did not let anyone else come in.

“What are you looking at? Get out.”

“The toilet is broken. Don’t come in.”

Xiao Changhe stared at Zuo Zhicheng with both anger and mockery in his eyes. He spoke slowly in a cold voice, “Zuo Zhicheng, do you think you can win against me just because you’re a little clever?”

“This will only make your fate worse.” Xiao Changhe came mainly to bully Zuo Zhicheng a bit. Because of his father’s warning, he did not think about killing the other directly—that was a matter for several months later. But making Zuo Zhicheng yield, apologize, or even kneel were scenes he had already planned in his mind.

After having the two trainees guard the gate, Zhou Xingyun also walked behind Zuo Zhicheng. He smiled scornfully and said, “Brother Xiao, I think we should make him eat shit.”

“Eat shit? Good idea.” Xiao Changhe believed his true strength surpassed Zuo Zhicheng’s. With Zhou Xingyun and the other two trainees, he was certain he had Zuo Zhicheng pinned down. He smiled and said, “How about this: you go into the cesspool, scoop up a mouthful of shit to eat, and I’ll consider letting you off.”

“Childish threat.” Zuo Zhicheng sighed and rubbed his forehead. Looking at the two guys in front of him, he thought to himself, “There were too many passersby earlier. I can’t just kill them both.”

‘The tournament just ended. If they go crazy or become vegetables, it would also be troublesome.’

‘And then there’s the Shadow Corps.’

‘Forget it… I’ll just scare them off…’

Thinking this, Zuo Zhicheng smiled and said to Xiao Changhe, “Do you know why you lost?”

Mentioning this angered Xiao Changhe. “It’s all because of your petty cleverness. But this time, no one can save you. If you obediently lick the shit, you’ll suffer less.”

“Actually, there’s one thing you said right: we are different people.” Zuo Zhicheng said slowly, “Because I am a genius.”

Seeing Xiao Changhe and the others looking at him as if he were an idiot, Zuo Zhicheng didn’t mind and continued, “I have a special talent for martial arts. No matter what martial art it is, I learn it after seeing it once and master it after practicing once. This is something you can never compare to.”

Xiao Changhe laughed in extreme anger and pointed at Zuo Zhicheng, shouting, “Beat him up!”

The two disciples from Chaoyang Martial Hall charged forward. But Zuo Zhicheng formed his hands into claws, lightly hooked, and directly deflected their punches. He grabbed one disciple’s pulse point and exerted a slight force, making that disciple kneel on the ground.

Then, with a sweep of his right leg, he used a whirlwind kick to knock the other disciple down to his knees as well. With another claw, he directly gripped the other’s shoulder. Zuo Zhicheng exerted a bit of force, and the disciple cried out in pain, unable to stand up from his knees.

On the other side, Xiao Changhe wore an expression as if he had seen a ghost. “Main Points Grappling? Leg Strike Method?”

These were clearly the martial arts he had used on the arena today. How could Zuo Zhicheng use them so easily, and even seem more skilled and powerful than him?

“Impossible… You’re just imitating.” Xiao Changhe shook his head. “Xingyun, let’s attack together.”

Zuo Zhicheng pretended to sigh. “To hide my talent, I’ve been holding back my strength all along. Don’t you understand? You are no match for me.”

As he spoke, the three of them had already begun to fight. Fist winds, leg shadows, and claw marks flew ceaselessly. Zuo Zhicheng moved like a shadow around the two, using whatever martial art Xiao Changhe used to counter him.

It was the same with Zhou Xingyun. The same left fist, right fist, left elbow, and right knee collided with each other, bang after bang, as if they were fighting mirror images of themselves.

In Zuo Zhicheng’s eyes, their speed was too slow, and the flow of their energy was obvious. It was just like playing an imitation game.

The two on the other side grew more and more shocked as they fought. They stood on either side of Zuo Zhicheng, but no matter what moves they used simultaneously from both sides, Zuo Zhicheng could react later but strike first, using almost identical moves to clash with them head-on.

After another dozen or so exchanges, Zhou Xingyun used Black Dragon Coiling Strike, which he had used once before. But Zuo Zhicheng saw the flaw in advance and used Bow Stance Thrust Palm, which also belonged to Yanwu Hall’s “Gongzi Fist.” With one palm pressed against Zhou Xingyun’s lower abdomen, Zhou Xingyun was shoved away.

Xiao Changhe on the other side wasn’t faring much better. After Zhou Xingyun was pushed away, he had to face Zuo Zhicheng’s offense alone. The two clashed claw against claw, both using Chaoyang Martial Hall’s Forty-Nine Continuous Claw Grappling. They saw four arms entangled, constantly tearing and twisting. One slight misstep could mean broken bones or tendons.

The more they fought, the more cold sweat formed on Xiao Changhe’s forehead. The other’s proficiency in Eagle Claw Technique was as if he had trained hard for over a decade. This feeling of life and death brought enormous pressure. As the psychological pressure grew, he was about to break.

‘No matter what martial art it is, I learn it after seeing it once and master it after practicing once.’

Zuo Zhicheng’s earlier words seemed to echo in his ears again.

Finally, after he used Great Roc Spreading Wings, his movement slowed for a moment. Zuo Zhicheng immediately seized the opportunity, using Forward and Reverse Grapple to directly lock Xiao Changhe’s right arm and press him to the ground.

“How about it? Believe me now?” Zuo Zhicheng said helplessly. “I just have this kind of talent. So when it comes to martial arts, you will never surpass me.” After saying this, he directly pushed Xiao Changhe away. Xiao Changhe fell to the ground, face first, and his chin was cut, leaving his mouth full of blood.

“How is this possible?”

But he could no longer care about his injuries. Listening to Zuo Zhicheng’s words, Xiao Changhe wanted to disbelieve, but everything that had just happened made him have to believe. Not only did the other’s moves look similar, but after exchanging blows, he even felt that the other’s energy was almost identical to theirs. This was definitely not simple imitation after a few glances.

“How could there be such a talent… such a talent… such a talent…” Xiao Changhe said foolishly, “It’s just too shameless.”

Zhou Xingyun, watching Zuo Zhicheng, also showed an expression mixed with jealousy and hatred. In his heart, he roared, ‘Damn it! Why don’t I have this kind of talent!’

Unfortunately, their cultivation was too shallow. Although Zuo Zhicheng’s left eye could see the flow of energy, he couldn’t really learn it after seeing it once. He was merely imitating their moves based on his profound martial arts foundation, mixed with skills from his previous life like Hung Gar and Eagle Claw Arhat Fist.

If a true martial arts master were here, they might notice the subtle differences.

“Yeah, it’s just a shameless talent. So don’t come looking for me in the future. You’ll only bring trouble upon yourselves.” Zuo Zhicheng looked at their unwilling expressions and suddenly said, “What? Still want to fight? Then I’ll just learn a bit more.”

Hearing Zuo Zhicheng’s words, the two seemed startled and stepped back simultaneously. But just as they assumed preparatory stances—Kirin Horse and Eagle Landing Style—they suddenly remembered something. As if afraid the other would steal more martial arts, they quickly retracted their fists and claws. For a moment, they didn’t know what posture to take.

Zuo Zhicheng looked at the two dejected figures, smiled, and left without looking back.

Only Xiao Changhe, Zhou Xingyun, and the other four remained in the courtyard, watching Zuo Zhicheng’s disappearing back. Xiao Changhe felt his mind was still in chaos even now.

“Don’t tell anyone about what happened today. Act as if nothing happened.” After saying this, Xiao Changhe led the four out with their heads down, their faces full of gloom.

‘This shameless talent… I really want it.’