Thinking for a while, Mu Lin began practicing the “Flower-Weaving Forest-Flying Fist” that Mei Fang and Meizi had been taught. This martial arts form primarily emphasized coordination of hands, eyes, body, techniques, and steps, requiring practitioners to avoid touching any flower petals or leaves. On the training ground, figures darted rapidly through the air as Mu Lin moved like a breeze through blossoms and beneath trees, graceful and composed, as if strolling leisurely through a courtyard. After his performance, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd.
“Someone’s coming, Master Tan. Let’s go greet them,” Mu Lin said to Tan Jiaming after finishing his demonstration. Together, they stood at the entrance of the martial arts school.
“Haha! You two actually dare to open a Hung Fist school here? Do you even deserve to?” a Chinese elder in his sixties arrogantly declared. Behind him, five or six burly men laughed loudly in unison.
Ever since Mu Lin began practicing the martial arts form, he had already tracked their movements through talismans and learned their intentions. Seeing that none of them carried firearms, he realized they had come for Hong Jiani and her group. Naturally, he decided to handle his own affairs. However, since this was Tan Jiaming’s territory, Mu Lin chose to come out with him.
Since it was on someone else’s turf, it was only appropriate to let the host speak first. Mu Lin had no intention of upstaging Tan Jiaming. “Friends, what brings you here? If you have a reasonable explanation, I will certainly comply,” Tan Jiaming said calmly and respectfully.
“Haha! I’ve heard that Master Tan is known for his martial virtue. Today, my brothers and I have come merely to learn from your great skills,” the old man replied. Seeing Tan’s politeness, he didn’t press too hard. By complimenting Tan’s martial virtue, he subtly implied that Tan’s martial arts skills were lacking, forcing Tan into a corner where he had to accept the challenge despite knowing his own limitations.
In the martial world, a quick glance usually reveals one’s skill level. However, none of them could gauge Mu Lin’s abilities. Seeing his youth, they assumed he was Tan’s disciple and paid him no mind. Mu Lin, however, had already figured out that these people had thoroughly investigated the school. He decided to remain silent for now, wanting to observe their intentions before extracting a confession.
Realizing that a martial challenge was unavoidable, Tan Jiaming examined the visitors. He noticed their nimble movements and the jade-like glow on their hands, indicating internal martial arts cultivation, while others practiced external styles. Knowing they had come to challenge the school, Tan gallantly gestured for them to enter. “Esteemed masters, please come in!”
The visitors entered without hesitation, though their eyes now showed some appreciation, and they refrained from further harsh words. When the students realized these people were here to challenge the school, they rushed forward excitedly. Tan Jiaming raised his hand to stop them. Facing the visitors, he knew he had to step forward himself.
“Esteemed friends, I, Tan, have always walked the path of righteousness in the martial world. Many know my name. I don’t recall ever meeting you, so I certainly couldn’t have offended you. Would you kindly tell me your purpose today? Allow me to understand clearly.”
“We were entrusted by someone else and must fulfill our duty. Master Tan, please don’t ask further. We regret to inform you that we must challenge you today,” another old man replied.
Seeing the visitors had made their intentions clear, Mu Lin knew he could no longer let Tan Jiaming take the lead, especially since Tan was no match for them.
“If I’m not mistaken, you’ve come for these young girls. In that case, Master Tan, please step back. This matter has nothing to do with you. Don’t get involved. Allow me to use your premises today.” Mu Lin extended his arm, using his strength to block Tan behind him. Tan tried to step forward but found himself powerless. Then Mu Lin pointed at Meizi. “Meizi, you can test these masters.”
“Who are you? Are you authorized to make decisions here?” a burly man among the visitors asked.
“You don’t need to know who I am. Since you’ve come looking for us, I’m authorized to make decisions,” Mu Lin replied calmly.
At this point, Meizi had already jumped into the training area, excitedly asking, “Which of you will go first?”
Seeing Meizi standing there in a white casual T-shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers, with bright eyes and a charming smile, the visitors saw her as an adorable younger sister from next door. For a moment, none of them felt comfortable stepping forward. Finally, a man with a sinister expression, clearly from Southeast Asia, stepped up. Lightly swinging his belt, he sneered, “Little girl, I’ll be the one to take your virginity first.”
Meizi’s face flushed with anger, tears welling up in her eyes.
“How despicable! How can you say such things?” Hong Jiani and the others pointed at the man, rushing toward Meizi. Most of the visitors also looked embarrassed.
Before the man even finished speaking, he had already assumed a fighting stance—clearly a Muay Thai stance. Without hesitation, Mu Lin leapt forward, channeling his strength into his leg, delivering a straight kick. The man raised his arms to block but felt an electric shock run through them. His body flew backward, landing heavily on the ground, his arms numb and useless, unable to support him. When someone finally helped him up, his arms hung limply, unable to lift.
“How could you be so ruthless? His arms are shattered! His life is ruined!” one of the elders among the visitors said sorrowfully after examining the man.
“Who told him not to speak like a human? If anyone else dares to follow, I’ll make sure they regret being born,” Mu Lin said coldly. “Enough! I originally wanted to play with you a bit, but you’re nothing but a bunch of weaklings dreaming of rising to power.” As he spoke, Mu Lin walked among the crowd, releasing his true energy to immobilize them. He didn’t want the martial arts school to witness his true energy display, which could bring him unnecessary trouble.
“Master Tan, I’m sorry they disturbed your premises today. I’ll settle this matter with you later. I also hope you can keep this confidential for now,” Mu Lin said, then walked to the corner and called the villa, instructing them to send a car to pick up the defeated men.
Tan Jiaming was stunned. This was the legendary young healer from martial arts circles—when had he become so formidable? Thinking back, no one had ever seen him display martial arts skills. Those he had healed were too ashamed to talk about their experiences, so Mu Lin’s martial prowess had never spread widely in the martial world.
Back at the villa, Mu Lin asked the girls to return to their rooms, but none of them wanted to leave. They all tried various excuses, refusing to go, arguing that today’s events concerned them and they had the right to know what had happened. Since they insisted, Mu Lin took them to the basement.
Gathering the captured men together, Mu Lin asked, “Who sent you? I don’t want to use harsh methods. It would be better if you told me willingly.”
“Who are you? How can you possess such high martial arts skills? We’ve never heard of you before!” one of the elders asked stubbornly.
“We admit defeat! According to martial arts etiquette, you cannot force us to speak. Otherwise, your reputation in the martial world will be ruined.”
“Haha! When have you ever seen a tiger reason with a sheep? Have you ever heard of me, Mu Lin, reasoning with anyone in the martial world?” Mu Lin looked at them like a tiger eyeing a sheep, his eyes gleaming with delight. It had been a long time since he’d tested his medicine.
“What? You’re the young healer?” both elders exclaimed in shock, almost jumping up. Then their heads drooped, their spirits crushed. “Fine, we’ll tell you whatever you want to know. We’ll answer anything we know. We should have known better than to take this job against you. It would have been better to die by our own hands than fall into yours.”
Among the group that had accompanied the elders, only a few faces changed dramatically, while the rest looked confused at their reaction. Could that man really be a tiger?
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