Chapter 449: Wing Chun

Qiao Jiajin acted swiftly, grabbing Chou Ershi’s leather jacket just before he was about to crash into the handcart.

Before anyone could react, Chou Ershi was effortlessly yanked aside like a rag by Qiao Jiajin, who then steadied him.

“Annoying kid…” Qiao Jiajin chuckled, looking at the shaken Chou Ershi. “Your reflexes aren’t bad, but you’re too light on your feet…”

“N-no, Brother Qiao…” Chou Ershi shook his head. “It was slippery underfoot… I’ll be more careful next time.”

Qiao Jiajin nodded. “Keep your eyes locked on the hole, and lower your center of gravity.”

Rubbing his forearm, which felt like it had been punched hard, Chou Ershi replied, “Got it, Brother Qiao.”

The two took up positions beside the cart, moving forward at its pace.

Gradually, the group pushing the cart found their rhythm, picking up speed.

But upon reaching the endpoint, they faced another dilemma.

According to Earth Horse’s instructions, they had to push the cart back and forth—meaning they’d have to pull it back to the starting point after reaching the end. This turned “pushing” into “pulling,” forcing them to turn the cart around. However, reversing direction proved far trickier than expected.

The narrow track and the cart’s length forced them to maneuver carefully while avoiding the glass shards underfoot. Nearly everyone had to sidestep across the icy surface dotted with sharp hazards.

At one point, Ning Shiba nearly slipped while moving, but luckily, Luo Shiwu caught her in time.

A fall here wouldn’t just injure their feet—their entire bodies risked being sliced by the glass.

As the group turned the cart around, Qiao Jiajin and Chou Ershi kept a wary eye on the wooden box in the distance. The box remained motionless, only rotating to keep its hole aimed at them.

“Dang it…” Qiao Jiajin shielded the “Cat” team members behind him, frowning at the box. “What kind of twisted logic is this? It’s just wood, yet it keeps turning its head?”

After about ten seconds, the entire “Wooden Ox and Gliding Horse” had been turned around, now facing the starting point where Earth Horse stood watching them expressionlessly.

The group knew this first round was likely the easiest of the entire game. If they couldn’t survive this, the following rounds would be hopeless.

“Same strategy,” Qiao Jiajin said. “Annoying kid and I will block the ice balls. The rest of you focus on pushing.”

“Got it!” they replied in unison.

The cart had barely moved half a meter when “Pojun” suddenly activated.

A dull *click* echoed as another ice ball was loaded inside.

This time, the situation was worse for Qiao Jiajin. Due to “Pojun’s” position, the wooden box was closer to the endpoint than the starting point, putting them dangerously near it.

In an instant, Qiao Jiajin raised both hands, planting his feet in a firm stance and lowering his torso into a Wing Chun double-guard posture.

“Not sure if what I’ve learned will be enough…” He took a deep breath. “At this range, it has to be Wing Chun.”

“B-Brother Qiao…” Bai Jiu glanced nervously at the distance—no more than three to five meters.

Could an ordinary person really block a high-speed projectile from this close?

“I’ll handle it,” Qiao Jiajin said firmly. “No one gets distracted. Push with everything you’ve got.”

“Huh?” The group stared at him in disbelief.

“Pretend the ‘ball’ rule doesn’t exist,” he said. “I think I’ve figured out how to break this game…”

A faint smile crept onto his face as he finally understood the confident expression Qi Xia often wore during games.

When you’re certain you can handle whatever comes your way, confidence comes naturally.

*Whoosh!*

A sharp *thud* signaled the ice ball hurtling toward them. At this range, predicting its trajectory was impossible.

Qiao Jiajin stepped forward slightly, raising both hands—one in a high guard to protect his head, the other sweeping outward in a palm strike. Though he’d never tried batting a ball with his palm before, his strike still managed to alter its path.

By sheer luck, the redirected ball flew straight toward Earth Horse in the distance.

With a cold snort, she stood motionless as the ice ball shattered against her.

*Crack!*

Glittering shards exploded around her like a fleeting snowstorm.

“Assaulting the referee…?” Earth Horse brushed the ice fragments off her sleeve, her tone icy. “Do you realize what you’ve done?”

“Who?” Qiao Jiajin shook his stinging hand. “Who assaulted the referee?”

“You tell me.”

“Me?” He scratched his head. “If you ask me, it’s ‘Pojun.’ This thing’s got terrible aim—should we dismantle it?”

“What…?” Earth Horse faltered, baffled by his logic. “Are you spouting nonsense? The ball came from you!”

“Did it?” Qiao Jiajin feigned confusion. “The ball came from ‘Pojun.’ I had no choice—rules say ‘riders’ can’t be hit. I was just following them.”

Earth Horse clenched her teeth, realizing arguing was futile. “This time, I’ll assume it was accidental. If it happens again—”

“Then I’ll be very sorry again,” Qiao Jiajin cut in cheerfully. “And I’ll make sure to apologize properly.”

“You—!” She glared but said nothing more, refusing to engage further with the tattooed man.

The cart continued its slow advance, putting distance between them and “Pojun.” About five or six meters later, another ice ball shot out.

This time, Chou Ershi stepped up, blocking it with his arms.

Though painful, the ice balls at least didn’t cause serious injury.

Qiao Jiajin had expected Chou Ershi to stumble again, but he seemed to be adapting to the slippery ground. *The “Cat” team really is full of capable people.*

Bai Jiu sighed in relief. As long as they got through the first round without casualties, their chances of success would rise significantly.

Seated atop the “Wooden Ox and Gliding Horse,” she was about to rally the team when a familiar voice reached her ears.

“Xiao Jiu, where are you all?”

“Sixth Sister?”