Chapter Sixty: A Dagger in Both Sides

  Wang Zanlong is not tall. Only about 1 meter 7 in height. In today's standards, he would be considered a second-rate "disabled" person by pretty girls.

  Although he had practiced his kung fu skills for many years, the muscles on his body were not particularly prominent or bulging, but rather a skeleton that appeared unusually large and sturdy, with broad shoulders and a thick back, big hands and feet.

  At first glance, he was also the kind of person who would get lost in a crowd and couldn't be found even if you looked for him. In terms of appearance and build, he seemed extremely ordinary, no different from those weathered forestry workers in the Northeastern forest farm. The only difference was that he had shaved his head completely bald, not a single hair left, gleaming brightly, which made him look somewhat strange to others.

  But it was people like him who caught the attention of these two individuals, an old man and a young boy. They both turned their heads at the same time, and saw a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.

  It is said that outsiders watch the excitement, while insiders watch the gate. Wang Chan walked step by step into the combat training room, but what they saw was completely different from what ordinary people would see.

  In their eyes, Wang Chan's body had no place that was not covered by clothes, and all the skin on the outside presented a color that was vastly different from normal people. His neck, face, head, hands, and skin were smooth and lustrous, without even a hint of scars, and there was an ancient bronze-like glow flowing through his skin texture.

  It's as if a person has spent a long time in the scorching summer sun by the sea, being baptized by the intense sea breeze and ultraviolet rays, and after undergoing rigorous physical training, presents healthy skin like chestnut color.

  However, these two people are themselves masters of martial arts, with sharp eyesight that surpasses ordinary people. Especially the old man, who has seen and experienced much, and has a strong memory, could see at a glance that the color on Wang Chan's skin was not caused by sunlight.

  It was because Wang Chan's own practiced boxing skills had already cultivated the skin and muscle texture all over his body, a special sign that appeared from inside out.

  Just like a master of external martial arts, who has practiced the method of strengthening muscles and bones, after reaching a certain level, can make the large tendons under the skin stretch to the limit, becoming extremely strong and thick, every time they exercise, they will definitely appear on the outside, one by one, the large tendons burst out and float on the surface of the skin, like small snakes or earthworms, with a dark greenish-black color, causing a great surge in strength, muscles condense, like steel or iron.

  To a connoisseur's eye, it is immediately apparent what kind of background this person's skills come from.

  From the moment Wang Chan stepped through the door, Gao felt an extremely strong and almost palpable sense of oppression on his body. In his perception, he could even see that every step Wang took was as if measured with a ruler on the ground, neither more nor less, exactly three feet per step.

  And his feet, heavy and light, lifted like a strong bow releasing an arrow, fell lightly like a feather, dust not startled, the whole person walked forward with a swaying motion, giving people the feeling that a seven or eight ton adult elephant was carefully treading water to cross the river.

  At this time, Wang Chan in Gao Lao's eyes was like a human-shaped elephant.

  In Buddhist scriptures, there is the saying "the fragrant elephant crosses the river, cutting off the flow and passing through without stagnation", which uses a large elephant in heat to describe someone who has attained profound enlightenment.

  In reality, the elephant, although its body is huge, can grow up to eight meters long and four meters high after adulthood, but because the elephant's foot pads and leg meat layers are extremely thick, layered on top of each other, when one foot steps on the ground, it expands greatly, like an inflated air cushion, so the elephant, despite its size, can walk steadily over some extremely dangerous swampy and muddy areas without sinking.

  Wang Chan has practiced the Thirteen Taibao Quan for many years, and recently he has also made great progress in his training, increasing his strength. Although he doesn't look particularly robust, his body is compact with dense muscles and bones, unlike ordinary people. He weighs over 100 kg. In addition, he has been trying to practice the internal alchemy of Taoist inner elixir method these days, integrating it into his fist skills, and has already seen initial results, with a hint of detachment from worldly affairs in his daily movements.

  So falling in the eyes of such a master as Gao Lao, it immediately set off a loud alarm in his heart, and he couldn't help but look at Wang Chan with a higher regard, his vigilance increased by three points.

  Although he had met Wang Chan in the Golden Sea Building and had some contact with him, on that day everyone was holding guns and bullets, and between the two of them it was only a matter of facing each other. Wang Chan broke through the wall and ran away quickly, without really having any hand-to-hand combat, so Gao Lao didn't know much about Wang Chan's true nature either.

  Only know Wang Zhen's boxing method is fierce and violent, with a temperament as wild as a ferocious beast.

  "This Wang Chan actually practiced the Golden Bell and Iron Cloth Shirt's hard qigong, his skin texture subtly showing a metallic luster, it turns out he has already taken this hard qigong to the extreme, having steel-like tendons and bones, it's simply unbelievable. Originally, there are still people who can focus on practicing these two types of qigong that involve taking hits. However, after practicing this type of qigong, his body should be compact like a steel plate, and his movements should be much less agile, but how was he able to move so quickly that day in the Golden Sea Building, even my Crane Step couldn't catch up to him?"

  Gao Lao saw Wang Chan staring at him intently. Wherever his gaze landed, he immediately felt a numbness, and he knew that this was because the other party had harbored murderous intentions towards him from the very beginning. At this moment, Gao Lao's eyebrows furrowed, and he quietly retreated backwards without leaving any traces, instantly letting the young man who had come with him take his place to counterattack Wang Chan.

  The Golden Bell Cover of Shaolin Temple's Qigong, when practiced to the highest level, is said that once it is displayed, immediately there will be a golden bell covering the entire body, and the skin all over the body will present a metallic luster in ancient copper color.

  This shows that the person who practices this skill has already become strong inside and out, with muscles, bones, skin, and hair all being trained to perfection. Moreover, holding one's breath, the entire body, both front and back, should bulge out a piece of muscle like steel plate, blood and energy condensing, skin color appearing somewhat yellowish, with a hint of metallic luster.

  A master of the Golden Bell Cover's boxing technique is generally a person with an exceptionally strong and resolute mind, who can endure loneliness and withstand great hardships. Once they achieve success and put their skills to use, all the muscles in their body will bulge out prominently. Although they may not be as muscular as professional bodybuilders from foreign countries, there is no doubt that both their strength and defensive capabilities will increase tenfold in an instant. When facing an opponent, they possess the ability to defeat ten with one blow.

  In the Wu Yuen, there is also a saying that "force can't beat boxing (only brute force can't overcome those who are proficient in boxing), and boxing can't beat work (those who are proficient in boxing can't overcome those who have practiced hard work)". This "work" generally refers to the hard work of Jin Zhongzhao Tiebushan. From this, we can also see the ferocity of this kung fu.

  A person who has cultivated the Golden Bell Cover skill, the bones in their chest and back are all connected together, like a single piece of heaven-born material. When they bare their arms, their skill can be seen at a glance. However, to cultivate the Golden Bell Cover to this level is truly not easy, the hardship involved is simply indescribable.

  It's almost like self-abuse.

  Although Gao Lao has not practiced this skill, his Baihe Quan also has some external hard qigong that can enhance the body's ability to withstand impact. Just like Tiesha Zhang, almost every school and sect in the world has its own unique practice method, and there is no fixed routine or practice method. After practicing, it can be combined with one's own fist method to greatly enhance the power of the fist method.

  So, as soon as he saw a metallic luster faintly appearing on Wang Chan's skin, Old Gao immediately confirmed in his heart that Wang Chan must have practiced the Golden Bell and Iron Cloth Shirt technique.

  Actually, Wang Chan's thirteen Taibao horizontal smelting should also be considered a kind of hard qigong, at least when starting to practice, it is the same as Jinzhongshan and Tiebushan, all of which require wrapping the body with soft cloth and repeatedly tempering and striking the outside. However, this kung fu also includes many obvious internal kung fu breathing, qi emission, and adjustment methods, so it is very different from Gao Lao's in a large degree.

  Especially after he has now achieved great success in his easy tendon and bone training, the horizontal smelting method not only practices from the outside to the inside but also reverses its way and goes from the inside to the outside. The strength of tendons and bones is much stronger than that of golden bell cover iron cloth shirt and other hard work, really like heaven and mud, can't be mentioned on the same day.

  "This young man, in his early twenties, has already mastered the Golden Bell Shield technique to an unbelievable level, clearly showing his unyielding temperament. Moreover, he is ruthless and merciless when taking lives, like cutting grass without considering the consequences, which makes him extremely dangerous. Let's have Tang Niu try him out first!"

  This old man was a seasoned veteran with meticulous thinking and sharp eyesight. He had only met Wang Chan online, but after exchanging a few glances, he immediately understood the situation and made up his mind. Without revealing any signs, he discreetly pushed away his companion, Tang Niu, also known as "Red Sleeve Lin", who was standing beside him.

  Tang Niu was also a young man in his thirties, about the same age as Wang Chan. He wore a neat and tidy Sun Yat-sen suit, had a clean and tidy crew cut, and his face was shaved very cleanly, without a single whisker. He wasn't particularly tall or big, but he looked sharp and imposing. His two eyes shone like stars, and the temples on either side of his forehead bulged out. Standing in front of Wang Chan, his body stood straight, like a large iron spear stuck into the ground.

  This man stared straight at Wang Chan, his eyes gleaming with a cold light, like the edge of a knife. As Wang Chan approached, a chill ran down his spine, as if a black panther had suddenly emerged from the underbrush.

  Dangerous and bloody.

  "This man has killed people, and not just a few!"

  Wang Chan's eyes narrowed, and he stopped in his tracks. In the gaze of the young man in front of him, a strange and cruel smile flickered across his face for an instant before disappearing. Having wandered deep in the mountains for years, Wang Chan had long grown accustomed to death, and as a result, he was almost like a wild beast, extremely sensitive to any malicious intentions towards himself. So, with just one glance, Wang Chan immediately sensed a strong aura of bloodlust emanating from Tang Niu's body.

  "You're also one of Lin Yuan Shan's people? With a slight movement, Wang Chan twisted his neck and flexed his fingers, looking at the two people in front of him. He said slowly, 'You two, who will go first? Since you've come to challenge us, then don't even think about leaving. Zhang Lao Dao is still waiting for me underground to settle our last debt.'"

  "I'm not his person, don't make random guesses. I saw the video footage you left behind at Jinhai Building that day, so I wanted to come and see what you're like, this master who can take down over a dozen lives with one breath. What's your origin? Now that I've seen you, indeed, you haven't disappointed me, worth my effort in taking action!"

  Tang Niu glanced sideways at Gao Lao beside him and suddenly smiled at Wang Chanlian in front of him, opening his mouth to speak.

  This Tang Cow's identity is "Red Sleeve Forest" Hong Changqing's underling, the "Red Club". To put it bluntly, he is a "hatchet man" specializing in bloody fights and struggles within the overseas Hongmen, and is indeed a top-notch hatchet man.

  Although young, he relied on his solid skills to be selected by the USA Tan Xiang Shan Hung Mun Tsz Kong Tong. He was sent back to China and helped Hong Changqing to guard the Red Sleeve Forest.

  He was absolutely not a common thug, so Fang Zai Gao Lao, although he did it secretly, also couldn't escape his eyes.

  Tang Niuzhong's voice doesn't sound like a cow, but his voice is very similar to that of a cow. His tone is deep and thick, and as soon as he opens his mouth, it sounds like an old cow bellowing loudly. The breath originates from the dantian, passes through the chest, throat, and mouth to produce sound, which helps to calm the five internal organs. This is a typical example of Neijiaquan's refinement of physical quality.

  "Are you practicing Bagua Palm?" He slightly furrowed his brow, and Wang Chan looked at Tang Niu twice before suddenly staring at Tang Niu's legs and asking, "Do you want to exchange blows with me first?"

  Baguazhang is a type of internal martial art that emphasizes palm changes and footwork, along with Xingyiquan and Taijiquan, it is known as one of the three major internal styles in China. When practicing Baguazhang, practitioners are required to keep their inner foot straight and outer foot hooked inward when walking in a circle. As a result, long-time practitioners will develop distinct footwork that differs from ordinary people. Although the difference may not be significant, it is still noticeable to skilled martial artists like Wang Zhen.

  "Good eyesight, indeed a master, I've been waiting for this sentence from you. After returning to the country, it's been a long time since I had a good fight with someone." Just as Wang Chan's voice fell, Tang Niu suddenly burst out laughing, and without saying another word, he took a step forward, his body rising and falling like a wild goose landing on flat sand, and in an instant, he pounced forward.

  Suddenly, Tang Niu's pent-up energy was released. With a swift change of body shape, he leapt forward like an ape, vaulting over the ground with a flying motion.

  The common saying goes that the hands of Xingyiquan, the feet of Baguazhang, and the waist of Taijiquan are all important. However, Baguazhang has always been a style that emphasizes body shape and footwork, with the phrase "body like a swimming dragon, eyes like a watching monkey, sitting like a crouching tiger, turning like an eagle soaring". Tang Niu had learned Liang-style Baguazhang from a young age under the tutelage of a master, and was also a stunning beauty. As soon as he made his move, it was clear that he was a master of internal fist techniques.

  Within a dozen steps, with a turn of his feet and a pounce of his body, he arrived in front of Wang Chan. His hand chopped forward like an axe splitting a mountain, producing a crisp cracking sound, as if whipping out a lash in mid-air. With a swift motion, the vertebrae on his back seemed to move like a giant dragon soaring through the air, each segment moving in sequence. His arm swung through the air, accumulating power, and his palm slapped towards Wang Chan's vital spot on his face.

  Tang Niu's palm, with his thumb stretched outwards, tiger mouth bulging, index finger curled back to the eyebrow tip, middle finger standing upright, middle and ring fingers separated, ring finger and little finger rotating inwardly. The shape resembles a dragon claw, also like a tiger claw, exactly the characteristic hand type "Dragon Tiger Palm" in Liang's Bagua Palm. Especially Tang Niu's five fingers were spread wide apart, with the five fingernails on the fingertips being more than half an inch long, having been nourished by his internal energy and blood for many years, soaked in medicinal wine, extremely tough and resilient. Now, as soon as they were stimulated by his inner true energy, they immediately rang out loudly, like five sharp knives forged from metal.

  If he really slapped him on the head with one palm, he was afraid that in an instant there would be five holes, and even his skull would be lifted up.

  Wang Chan has been flipping through the few boxing manuscripts lent to him by Lei Ting every day. He is already very familiar with the internal family fist method and knows that Tang Niu's palm is actually the most basic and important "single-handed palm" in the Bagua Palm. It looks like just one palm chop, but in fact it is a tricky hitting technique that uses both hands to grab, hit, and capture, and if you are not careful, he will take advantage of the situation and gain the upper hand.

  "Welcome!"

  Just as Tang Niu's hand was about to slap Wang Chan, Wang Chan's eyes, which had been narrowed into a thin line, suddenly opened wide, shining brightly and gleaming with a cold light, as if he had been waiting for a long time and finally saw an opportunity to pounce like a tiger that has spotted its prey. In this instant, his entire body was twisted in a silent and soundless motion.

  The next moment, one of his hands also transformed into a tiger's claw, with five fingers like hooks. The entire palm turned bright red in the blink of an eye, and the five thumbs became thick and large, like small turnips. With a swipe forward, the powerful gust of wind was like five sharp steel arrows shot from a strong bow, barely grazing Tang Niu's wrist.

  With this grasp, Wang Chan had already circulated his qi and blood, filling his palm. His inner family's true energy was surging, not only was the external force fierce and violent, but also contained a hint of the internal explosive yin energy he had just refined. As long as Tang Niu was caught by his claw on the wrist, broken bones and tendons were nothing. Next, the internal explosive yin energy would penetrate into the body, and in an instant, it could blast out a large hole of flesh and blood anywhere on his body.

  Even an immortal cannot survive.

  "Indeed, there are two sons." Tang Niu's eyes were filled with bloodshot lines, and his expression suddenly became bright and excited. Facing Wang Chan's grab, he unexpectedly used a withdrawing large ring link, and directly followed the momentum to change into "Lowering Palm". His feet spun around, inserting flowers into his armpits, and his waist turned sideways, flipping over in a dragon-like shape. Both of his palms were mistaken for knives, turning to Wang Chan's side, pointing at his soft ribs and waist, fiercely stabbing like a short knife.

  A knife in both sides!!