Hong Tiancheng was furious at his attitude and prepared to strike.
"Master, why do you need to do it yourself? He's just a brat. Let me teach him a lesson," one of Hong Tiancheng’s disciples stepped forward.
The man bowed to Li Muchen. "Southern-style Tai Chi, Guan Xuping."
As he spoke, he assumed the "White Crane Spreads Its Wings" stance, just like his master. Seeing that Li Muchen didn't move, Guan Xuping gave a contemptuous smile. "Make your move."
He stepped in with a "Brush Knee and Twist Step," followed by a "Hand Strums the Lute," his palm thrusting toward Li Muchen’s chest. Li Muchen felt like laughing. Tai Chi was meant to overcome movement with stillness and borrow strength to strike; the "Hand Strums the Lute" movement was supposed to catch an opponent’s arm during their strike, pull them forward with the momentum of the block, and then release them.
Li Muchen hadn't moved at all, yet Guan Xuping was already using the move—turning an internal martial art into nothing more than a superficial external display. Amused, Li Muchen waited for the hand to arrive, then gently blocked it, flipped his wrist to press down on the man's elbow, and guided him forward with a half-step back. Guan Xuping’s footwork was clearly lacking; under Li Muchen's leverage, his center of gravity wavered. Li Muchen gave him a light nudge, and Guan Xuping flew backward.
"Hand Strums the Lute!"
Li Muchen had returned the opponent's own move against him, and with far greater mastery. To him, such worldly martial arts were like child's play.
Hong Tiancheng was shocked. "So you are also a practitioner of Tai Chi? No wonder Huang Hai’s bones were shattered without any external wounds. Chen, Yang, Sun, Wu—which lineage do you come from?"
Li Muchen said coolly, "I don't belong to any Tai Chi school."
"You don't?" Hong Tiancheng was puzzled. "But you clearly just used Tai Chi."
"I just learned it on the spot. This kind of children's play isn't difficult."
Li Muchen didn't look down on Tai Chi; when the Wudang founder Zhang Sanfeng created it, the original intent wasn't martial combat, but rather a method for ordinary people to cultivate breathing and internal energy. Later generations incorporated it into martial arts, which was in line with the Heavenly Dao. It was just that these people practiced it so poorly that only the empty shell remained.
"You!" Hong Tiancheng roared. "Then let me show you my real strength."
He lunged with a "High Pat on Horse" aimed at Li Muchen’s face. He was significantly stronger than his disciple; his clothes fluttered without a breeze, and his arm joints popped with the force of his strike. Li Muchen thought to himself that since he was walking in this world, he couldn't constantly rely on immortal arts—why not learn this Southern-style Tai Chi?
He used the "Hand Strums the Lute" move he had just observed—pulling, pushing, and retreating—but this time, he didn't apply force. Seeing his power neutralized, Hong Tiancheng immediately shifted to "Apparent Close-up," using retreat as an advance. He trapped Li Muchen’s arm and followed with a "Step Forward, Deflect, Parry, and Punch."
His tiger's mouth faced upward, his left hand blocked outward, and his right fist struck straight ahead. Because he had blocked Li Muchen's arm, Li Muchen’s chest was left wide open. Hong Tiancheng’s punch was heavy, integrating the power of his entire body—strength rising from the feet and energy surging from the abdomen. While the punch looked slow, the air in front of his fist crackled.
His disciples cheered, "Well done!"
Hong Tiancheng was full of confidence; in his eyes, Li Muchen couldn't possibly dodge this. However, just as his fist was about to touch Li Muchen’s clothes, Li Muchen twisted his body in an incredible way and used the "Apparent Close-up" motion to seal Hong Tiancheng’s attack. Li Muchen then gently deflected the strike, stepped forward, and landed a straight punch toward Hong Tiancheng’s ribs.
"Step Forward, Deflect, Parry, and Punch!"
He used the exact same technique, just in a slightly different sequence. This was the beauty of Tai Chi.
Hong Tiancheng was stunned. He hadn't expected to be countered with his own move. He hurriedly retreated, but felt he couldn't escape the strike. Li Muchen’s fist landed on his left side, but it lacked force, merely sliding across his ribs. Hong Tiancheng breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that the boy was all show and no substance—he knew the moves but not how to exert the power.
No longer afraid, he regained his composure and switched to "Grasp the Sparrow's Tail." Li Muchen countered every move with more Tai Chi. The two began to spar within the private room. The disciples were mesmerized, fearing they would miss a single detail. They wondered why the man’s movements were identical to their master's, only more fluid and graceful.
As Hong Tiancheng grew faster, over a hundred moves passed. Seeing that Hong Tiancheng was repeating himself and had clearly exhausted his repertoire, Li Muchen smiled. "Master Hong, that should be enough, shouldn't it?"
Unable to win, Hong Tiancheng felt humiliated and bloodshot with rage. "Another three hundred rounds!"
But Li Muchen wouldn't give him the chance. With one "Hand Strums the Lute," he sent Hong Tiancheng flying. It was the first move he had learned that day; ending the fight with it provided a sense of symmetry. Hong Tiancheng flipped in the air, landed, and stumbled back several steps before finally steadying himself.
"Master Hong, how was my Tai Chi?" Li Muchen asked with a smile.
Hong Tiancheng’s face flushed red; his chest heaved, and he couldn't speak for a long time. He turned to Feng Tianming and cupped his hands. "Second Master Feng, I have shamed you."
With that, he walked toward the door. Passing Li Muchen, he muttered, "We shall meet again. Just wait." At the doorway, he paused for a few seconds, waiting for Feng Tianming to call him back, but when no one did, he sighed and stormed out, followed by his disciples.
"I can leave now, right?" Li Muchen said, preparing to head out.
Suddenly, several men in black suits, wearing sunglasses and white gloves, entered the room. At a gesture from Feng Tianming, two stepped forward. One approached Li Muchen and pulled out a gun, the dark muzzle pointed directly at Li Muchen’s head. The other aimed at Ma Shan.
"Tell me, is kung fu stronger, or are bullets?" Feng Tianming looked at Li Muchen with a cold smile.
"Uncle Ming..." Zhou Na wanted to plead for Li Muchen; with her connection to Ma Shan, she was confident she could win Li Muchen over. Where else could she find such a young master? But seeing Feng Tianming’s icy expression, she swallowed her words. She knew that unless Li Muchen yielded, he wouldn't walk out of that door.
"Wait!"
A woman's voice came from outside. Lin Manqing pulled Ding Xiang into the room. Someone immediately pointed a gun at them. Li Muchen frowned. He had left Ding Xiang with Lin Manqing precisely to keep her safe and away from such scenes.
Zhou Na narrowed her eyes, looking at the two young women, wondering which of them would be more attractive to men.
"Brother Ma Shan, Brother Muchen..." Ding Xiang turned pale with fright at the sight of the guns.
Lin Manqing was also afraid, but she knew she had to stay calm. She squeezed Ding Xiang’s hand and whispered, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
"Uncle Ming!" Lin Manqing called out.
"Who are you?" Feng Tianming looked at her, finding her face familiar.
"I am Lin Manqing. I met you at my grandfather’s birthday celebration a few years ago."
Feng Tianming was stunned, then surprised. "You are Lin Qiusheng’s daughter?"
"Yes."
"Why are you here?"
"I've come to ask you to release my friends."
"Oh?" Feng Tianming asked, "Which one is your friend?"
Lin Manqing pointed to Li Muchen and Ma Shan. "Both of them."
Zhou Na was shocked. Why had the young mistress of the Lin Family suddenly appeared? The relationship between the Lin Family and the Feng Family was delicate—partners in some respects, competitors in others. Did today’s incident involve the Lin Family? But the Lin Family stuck to legitimate business, while Second Master Feng dealt in the shadows. It was said that the Lin heiress never involved herself in business. For a sheltered girl to stand so calmly and firmly in such a place was truly impressive. Zhou Na couldn't help but admire her, and even envy her.
Feng Tianming didn't speak, his expression unreadable as he stared at Lin Manqing. Suddenly, he laughed. "If the young lady of the Lin Family asks for someone, how can I refuse? I must give face to Old Master Lin. In He City, who dares not show him respect?"
Lin Manqing let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Uncle Ming."
"However," Feng Tianming shifted, "I have given the Lin Family face. Can you, Miss Lin, give some face to me, Feng Tianming?"
Lin Manqing didn't have experience with such situations, but her intuition told her things wouldn't be so easy. "Please tell me, Uncle Ming. As long as it is within my power."
Feng Tianming paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. "The renovation of the old train station in the south of the city—I want to bid for this project, but I know your father is also bidding. I want to cooperate with your family and do this project together."
Lin Manqing said, "I never participate in family business. You should talk to my father."
Feng Tianming smiled. "Does that mean, Miss Lin, that you are not representing your family today?"
Lin Manqing shook her head. "No."
"Since you don't represent the Lin Family, there is no need for me to give you face," Uncle Ming’s voice turned cold. "Even if your father came, he would still have to call me Second Master. You come to my establishment to demand people without representing your family—tell me, how can I give you face?"
Lin Manqing hadn't expected him to be so aggressive, but she refused to give up. "Uncle Ming, if you release my friends today, I will remember this favor and will surely repay it in the future."
Feng Tianming was slightly taken aback by her composure and held her in higher regard. "How will you repay me?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Lin Manqing knew she needed to offer something concrete. She frowned and bit her lip.
Just then, a mobile phone rang, piercing the silence of the room. Li Muchen pulled out his old Nokia and glanced at the number. Even with a gun pointed at his head, he answered the call as if nothing were happening.
"Hello, Brother Li, it’s Qian Kun."
Li Muchen recognized his voice. "Go ahead, Brother."
"Brother, I have something to tell you." Qian Kun sounded pleased. "I checked, and the developer of Lingshan Lake is the Feng Family’s Huazhou Group. I’ve already spoken with the head of the Feng Family; the land at Xitan won't be touched. You don't need to move your grandfather's grave for now."
"Thank you." Li Muchen had been worried about this; disturbing the dead was the greatest disrespect. He was genuinely grateful to Qian Kun for this favor.
"Don't thank me. I just want to make it easier for my own fishing," Qian Kun laughed on the other end. Li Muchen smiled; he knew Qian Kun was downplaying the favor. But Li Muchen was a man who returned kindness, and he would remember this.
"Have you taken the medicine?"
"Yes, I had someone prepare it as soon as I returned."
"Good. Take it on time, and in half a month, I will come to perform the acupuncture."
"Good, thank you, Brother."
"Don't mention it."
Just as he was about to hang up, Li Muchen asked, "Are you well-acquainted with the Feng Family?"
"Reasonably so."
"Do you know Feng Tianming?"
"I do. Why?"
"I’m at the Blue Bridge Bar, and he says this is his place."
Li Muchen didn't explain further, but Qian Kun guessed the situation. "Is Feng Tianming nearby?"
"Yes."
"Give the phone to him."
Li Muchen glanced at Feng Tianming and handed him the phone. The man in black pressed the gun barrel against Li Muchen’s temple, ready to fire if he took another step. Feng Tianming signaled for him to stop and took the phone with a suspicious look.
"Hello..." His face changed, showing a hint of shock. "Brother Kun!..." His attitude became instantly respectful. "Yes... Yes... Understood..."
A moment later, he hung up and returned the phone to Li Muchen. He laughed heartily. "Brother, my apologies. It was just a misunderstanding."
He waved his hand, and his subordinates retracted their guns and stepped aside. Feng Tianming turned to Lin Manqing: "I am terribly sorry that Miss Lin had to come here in person. Everything is resolved now, and I apologize for the poor hospitality. Please don't blame me."
Lin Manqing didn't know why Feng Tianming had done such a 180-degree turn, but she knew it had to be because of that phone call. She looked at Li Muchen. Li Muchen walked over, smiled at her, and said, "Thank you for today."
Lin Manqing rolled her eyes at him, didn't say a word, and turned to lead Ding Xiang out. Li Muchen and Ma Shan followed.
Watching them leave, Zhou Na asked in confusion, "Uncle Ming, whose call was that? How could you..."
"Brother Kun," Feng Tianming said. "I didn't expect the kid to be one of Brother Kun’s people. I almost made a grave mistake today."
"Brother Kun?" Zhou Na searched her memory but couldn't recall such a figure in He City. "Which Brother Kun?"
"Brother Kun of Qiantang," Feng Tianming said.
Zhou Na was startled. "A member of the Qian Family?"
"Yes," Feng Tianming sighed. "In Nanjiang Province, who dares not show respect to the Qian Family!"
"Is Brother Kun’s status in the Qian Family high?" Zhou Na asked.
"Very high, very high!" Feng Tianming repeated, then added, "If you have the chance, try to get closer to that boy."
Zhou Na was stunned, but immediately understood his meaning. She felt a touch of disappointment, yet couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation.
***
Zhang Yiping and the others had been waiting outside the bar. Seeing Lin Manqing come out, they hurried over. "Manqing, you have such status to be able to save them from Uncle Ming! Truly impressive!" Zhang Yiping praised with a thumbs-up.
"Exactly, Manqing is the young mistress of the Lin Family. In He City, who wouldn't give her face?" Yao Lili chimed in.
"Ding Xiang, are you okay?" Zhou Xu asked with concern. "We really owe it to Miss Lin this time, otherwise you'd be in real trouble." He glanced at Li Muchen and Ma Shan. "Two grown men relying on a woman to save them—how shameful!"
"Have you said enough?" Lin Manqing’s expression turned cold. "Why didn't you go in when I asked you to? Ask yourselves if you’re cowards first."
Zhou Xu blushed and looked at Zhang Yiping. Zhang Yiping’s face darkened; he was the leader of the group, and Lin Manqing calling them cowards was essentially calling him one. But he couldn't refute it—he hadn't gone in. Even if he could do it over, he wouldn't dare. He knew exactly who Uncle Ming was, and offending the Feng Family would mean certain disaster.
"Let’s go back." Zhang Yiping glanced at Li Muchen, feeling he was a jinx. He wanted to get away, then find a way to sweet-talk Lin Manqing and make her forget today’s events.
However, Lin Manqing said, "You go ahead. I’m taking Ding Xiang home."
Zhang Yiping disagreed. "That won't do, Manqing. We brought you out today; I can't let you go alone. If something happens, I won't be able to answer to your father."
"My father doesn't know I'm out with you. You don't need to be responsible for me," Lin Manqing said coldly.
She didn't blame Zhang Yiping for refusing to help—she knew his family status couldn't compete with the Fengs. But she couldn't like a man who lacked such character. By contrast, she admired Li Muchen and Ma Shan more. They had no illustrious background, yet they were loyal and willing to risk everything for their sister. Sometimes, she even envied Ding Xiang for having two such brothers.
Lin Manqing didn't hesitate to hail a taxi and called Ding Xiang, Li Muchen, and Ma Shan to get in. Zhang Yiping watched them leave, furious.
Zhou Xu came over. "Brother Zhang, don't be angry. Miss Lin will be yours eventually. Today wasn't her fault; it was all that Li Muchen’s doing. He’s the one who caused all this and made Miss Lin look after Ding Xiang, otherwise she wouldn't have gone back to ask Uncle Ming for help."
Zhang Yiping angrily punched a lamppost. "That Li Muchen—I need to find a chance to teach him a lesson."
"Brother Zhang, leave such a small task to me," Zhou Xu said.
Zhang Yiping knew Zhou Xu just wanted a chance to get close to Ding Xiang, so he patted his shoulder. "Then I’ll leave it to you, thanks for the hard work."
...
After dropping Ding Xiang off, she was still worried about Lin Manqing returning alone, so she asked Ma Shan and Li Muchen to escort her.