Martial Arts: Starting from a Seemingly Real System

Seeing that Hou Zijian was defeated by Qiao Rui in just two or three moves, Lu Batian thought to himself that this man was smart and had great martial arts skills. When he grew up, he would become a formidable enemy of mine. This time, he must get rid of him no matter what.

So he laughed, drew everyone's attention, and said: "Nephew Qiao has some truth in what he said. We were rash in this matter. But it's rare for masters in Longxing City to get together. Why don't you have a fight with Zijian, so that everyone can see your style of killing 'a red apricot' thousands of miles away!"

"This old thief just won't let go of Brother Qiao. He's so hateful!" Tian Jing gritted her teeth.

Looking at Qiao Rui's pale cheek, Tian Jing now believed that he must have gone to assassinate Lu Yanjun last night, and while he killed Tian Shiguang with a palm, he was also attacked back by him.

But now his senior brother has come to his house, pressing him step by step, and wants to seek revenge on him. What should he do?

Tian Jing was nervous and said anxiously, "Brother Qiao has just recovered from a serious illness. It would be too much of a bully to spar with him at this time!"

"Hou Zijian only needs to use 80% of his strength!" Mr. Duan beside Lu Batian interjected lightly.

"Yes, yes, I will use 80% of my strength, so it won't be considered as taking advantage of you!" Hou Zijian's eyes lit up and he said quickly.

Although he spoke in a magnanimous manner, he was secretly calculating in his heart, "Even if I use 80% of my strength, I will definitely be able to kill you and avenge my junior brother."

Tian Jing wanted to say something, but was pulled by Qiao Rui. She turned to look at Qiao Rui, her watery eyes flickering, with worry and doubt in her eyes.

Qiao Rui sensed something and knew that Tian Jing was concerned about him. He smiled at Tian Jing, stretched out his big hand and gently patted the back of her white and tender hand, signaling her to be patient.

After pacifying Tian Jing, Qiao Rui turned around and glanced at Mr. Duan. His expression changed slightly, "I can't tell how deep he is. Could he be an above-average master?"

He was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses and said to Hou Zijian: "Although we should stop fighting when the time is right, it is hard to stop when the fight is intense. Not to mention that I am not in good health right now, even under normal circumstances, I am no match for a top-notch master like you. This kind of fight is boring, so let's not fight!"

"Hmph, you keep making excuses. Are you feeling guilty?" Hou Zijian became furious when he saw that Qiao Rui was not listening.

"I've heard of forced buying and selling, but I've never heard of forced competition. You guys are really overbearing and brutal!" Qiao Rui smiled.

"You can be domineering if you want to, but I just want to test your abilities and see if your martial arts skills are as good as your mouth!" Hou Zijian's patience ran out, he lifted his clothes and walked into the arena, ready to take action.

"Wait," Qiao Rui shouted in a deep voice.

Seeing Hou Zijian stop and look at him, he smiled and said, "It's not impossible to have a duel, but even though I'm a man of the world, I also run a business. I always feel like I'm at a disadvantage if I fight with others for no reason!"

"What do you want to do?" Hou Zijian asked impatiently.

"How about we place some bets and have a fight?" Qiao Rui smiled, but his voice was a little cold.

"What are you betting on?" Hou Zijian asked.

However, Qiao Rui didn't look at Hou Zijian, but stared at Lu Batian.

Lu Batian chuckled and said nonchalantly, "Interesting, what does Nephew Qiao want to bet on?"

"Three inns!" Qiao Rui held up three fingers. "If I win by chance, I want the three best inns in the east, south and north of your city!"

Lu Batian raised his eyebrow and nodded, "You have a big appetite, but I don't know what you can bet on?"

"This inn of mine, and..." Qiao Rui paused and said with a smile: "My life!"

Everyone was shocked when these words came out. Tian Jing was even more flustered. She clenched her fists, veins showing, and said anxiously, "Qiao Rui..."

Qiao Rui looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness. He curled the corners of his mouth and revealed a warm smile, as warm as a spring breeze that reaches people's hearts.

"I'm afraid your life is not worth those inns!" Lu Batian's tone turned cold, and a cold aura suddenly rose up, like a lynx being teased.

"In your opinion, my life may not be worth that much, but in my opinion, your entire fortune, Boss Lu, is not worth even one tenth of my life!"

Qiao Rui looked proud and spoke in a cold voice. He pointed at Hou Zijian and said, "I don't need him to hold back. Everyone should do their best. Life and death are up to fate. I am a second-rate fighter against your first-rate fighter. Will you fight or not?"

"To fight or not to fight?"

These words were spoken powerfully, coupled with the resolute face and upright posture, which truly showed the courage to face challenges head-on and the spirit of a real man.

The guests in the hall cheered one after another. Before this, they had only heard that Young Hero Qiao Rui had killed 'A Red Apricot' and eliminated harm for the martial arts world, and that he was a leader among the younger generation. But now they could truly feel his peerless demeanor and could not help but admire him.

Although Tian Jing was worried, she couldn't help but feel her heart trembling. Qiao Rui's domineering words, confident demeanor, sharp eyes, and unique figure... just looking at him made her beautiful eyes ripple and shine.

Lu Batian looked at Qiao Rui with a complicated expression. Although he had a different standpoint and wanted to kill him, at this moment, he couldn't help but secretly praise him - "Amazing talent, extraordinary!"

Lu Batian nodded slowly and said in a deep voice: "Since you want to do this, I will do as you say. If you win, I will give you three of the best inns!"

"We need to get close to the city gate!"

"Okay, near the main entrances and exits of the East Gate, South Gate, and North Gate!"

"Give me my knife!" Qiao Rui laughed and walked out of the inn.

On Zhoujiang Road in the west of the city, in front of the Yunlai Inn, this section of the street was surrounded by people in three circles inside and outside. In the open space in the middle, two people stood opposite each other, one holding a knife and the other showing his palm.

The sword is a good one, a cloud-patterned moon-slashing sword forged from fine steel. The palm is a poisonous palm, which turns dark green when it is used, and looks eerie and terrifying.

After the two men clasped their fists and saluted, Qiao Rui raised his sword and attacked. He shook the long sword and chopped it diagonally at Hou Zijian's head. The blade of the Cloud Patterned Moon-Cut Sword was pale, and the edge was cold, and the murderous intent in it made people shudder.

Hou Zijian narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking what a fierce momentum. Without time to think, he slipped and dodged the blade, turned behind Qiao Rui, and slapped Qiao Rui on the back with his backhand.

The "Yin Sha Palm" is practiced with dead bodies. The palms are dark green and the corpse aura is faintly visible. It is extremely poisonous. When Qiao Rui heard the evil wind coming from behind, he raised his knife and held it behind his back without thinking, with the blade facing outwards to protect his back, intending to destroy his palm.

Hou Zijian sneered, he slightly bent the fingers of his right hand, changed his palm into a claw, and grabbed the blade without hurting his fingers at all.

Qiao Rui was secretly shocked, but did not panic. He turned around to face Hou Zijian, activated the internal force in his dantian, and shook his wrist. A great force was transmitted to the blade of the Moon-Chopping Sword, which shook Hou Zijian away.

As soon as the two men clashed, they exchanged several moves back and forth. The fight was fast and fierce, thrilling and dangerous. There was murderous intent everywhere between the flashes of swords and shadows of palms. The battle between masters was indeed extraordinary.