Chapter 4 Exploration

  A jar of old white wine was shared among the crowd, but it was just enough for everyone to wet their throat. After all, this is a military camp, and Mao Zijun didn't dare take the lead in getting drunk. Everyone just made a gesture and that was enough. As for the dishes on the table, there's no need to be polite. Although it looks like a full table of food, if you're too reserved and don't actively "grab" some, you might not get enough to eat.

  Long Chen finally understood what it meant by "the dinner table is like a battlefield". Everyone was silent, just moving their chopsticks. In this mountainous area, it's not easy to eat well compared to the outside world.

  After everyone had eaten and drunk enough, they started discussing the main topic. Mao Youjun spoke first, "Brother Long, I'll ask you, what's going on with those people?"

  "From Qiantang County, Hangzhou Prefecture." Long Chen was indeed from the upper city of Hangzhou, which is also known as Qiantang County in Hangzhou Prefecture during the Ming dynasty.

  Mao Yu Jun was taken aback for a moment, then asked: "Can you speak the dialect from that place?"

  Long Chen shook his head, indicating that he didn't know how. Long Chen was an orphan in his previous life and had been raised in an orphanage in Hangzhou until he was five years old when he was taken away by the army, so he never had the opportunity to come into contact with the outside world and naturally couldn't learn the local dialect.

  "I followed my master out at a very young age, and he taught me martial arts. Later, my master passed away, so I decided to venture out on my own."

  Maoyou Jun nodded, the reason why he asked Longchen if he could speak the local dialect was because his great-grandfather Maowenlong was also from Qiantang, and he just wanted to confirm whether it was really Maowenlong's hometown. Since the other party said they couldn't speak the local dialect, this matter is settled then.

  In fact, even if Long Chen can speak the local dialect, it is estimated that he would not be able to communicate with this generation. Many local dialects in later generations were influenced by a large number of Manchu people who came after the Qing conquest and changed a lot. Hangzhou Prefecture also had a Manchu city at that time.

  "Brother Long's kung fu is really something else, to be honest, it's not just a rumor outside. I was actually knocked down by Brother Long with one move." Liu Dezhong advised Mao Youjun, but in fact, the main reason for this meal was that Liu Dezhong wanted to recommend Long Chen to Mao Youjun. On the one hand, Liu Dezhong had realized that Long Chen was not a simple guy and would definitely rise to prominence in the future, so he could also do a good deed; on the other hand, recommending a talented person to Mao Youjun could show his own value, which was also a kind of "solidifying favor".

  "Brother Liu, you can't be serious with your praise, I think Long Brother is still young, how can he be as amazing as you say? You recommending talent to the general is one thing, but don't exaggerate like this." The speaker was Lu Han, one of Mao Youjun's two bodyguards. Liu Dezong had also served as Mao Youjun's bodyguard in the past, and the two were familiar with each other. Lu Han thought that his own martial arts skills might be stronger than Liu Dezong's, but not by much. Yet now Liu Dezong was belittling himself while praising Long Chen, which was essentially a roundabout way of belittling himself.

  Seeing himself being shielded, Mao Youjun didn't react, in fact he also had some doubts. Liu Dezong's skills were something he was familiar with, and it was believable that this kid could defeat Liu Dezong, but to take him down with one move, that was just too absurd. Mao Youjun didn't believe it either, so he took the opportunity to let Lu Han try his luck.

  Liu De-zong also understood the general's intention, so he naturally went along with it. "How about this? Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, let Long brothers and Lu brother try it out and see, what do you think, General?"

  Mao Youjun nodded, "Very good, let's see the dragon brothers' martial arts skills again. As agreed, we'll stop as soon as someone is hit, stop as soon as someone is hit."

  Lu Han nodded and walked out of the house door, starting to take off his clothes in preparation.

  Long Chen secretly sighed: I knew this meal wouldn't be easy to eat, but it's just a wave of the hand, who's afraid of whom? Although he also understood in his heart that Mao Youjun was testing him, this was also what Long Chen had hoped for. In his previous life, he was an elite special forces operative, and in the People's Liberation Army's combat sequence, he was considered top-notch. Naturally, he was also very proud and arrogant. Now that he had crossed over, he wouldn't be content with just being a low-ranking soldier.

  He walked straight out of the door and stood quietly. Long Chen wore only a thin jacket, due to his abnormal physique, he didn't feel cold even in the middle of winter. The jeans and black long-sleeved shirt he was wearing when he crossed over had been put away by himself. This outfit now was also borrowed from Hu Meng.

  Mao Youjun and others also walked out of the house door, watching the two men about to start their duel.

  Lu Han took off his vest and then took off his jacket, walking forward with a bare upper body for two steps to make a fist at Long Chen: "Brother Long, please."

  "You're welcome." Long Chen also made a fist and bowed in return.

  The two nodded simultaneously, marking the official start of their duel.

  Long Chen launched the first attack, his left foot executing a Returning Dragon Style kick that scraped up a layer of dust from the ground and sent it flying straight at Lu Han's face.

  Lu Han immediately closed his eyes, and with that, he felt a strong gust of wind blowing towards him. Even with his eyes closed, Lu Han knew it was Long Chen attacking him. He immediately adopted a double-fisted Arhat defensive stance. Long Chen smiled, inserted his hands into the gap between Lu Han's arms, transformed his palm attack into a claw attack, grasped Lu Han's weak points on both arms, and exerted force to lift him up.

  Actually, even if you start with your eyes closed, it's not a big deal. When martial arts reach a certain level, spiritual awareness can replace the use of the eyes, but being unable to use one's eyes will affect handwriting, and in a short period of time, one will be at a disadvantage.

  But Lu Han only felt that his arms had suddenly lost their strength, and the defense of the Arhat's arm was instantly broken. When he opened his eyes again, the opponent's blade had already stopped at his neck.

  One move, and another move defeated the enemy!

  Mao Youjun led the cheers, and Liu Dezhong and another guard behind him also cheered in unison. They wouldn't be bothered with trivialities like using dust or dirt when it's time for a real battle. Can you still make rules about what not to use during a fight?

  Lu Han also understood this principle and bowed with his fists, "Brother Long is indeed formidable, actually breaking my Arhat Arm in one go."

  "Before, my family's teacher had studied the world's martial arts attack and defense methods. It just so happened that I had researched Lu brother's style, and my family's teacher also taught me the method to break it. Long Certain is indeed lucky to have won." What Dragon Chen said was not false. The special warfare team's hand-to-hand combat technique was a fusion of the strengths of various schools, emphasizing quick engagement, breaking, and killing. They had researched countermeasures for each move and style, which had been studied by their predecessors in the Liberation Army. Lu Han wasn't just facing off against Dragon Chen alone, as hundreds of Liberation Army soldiers stood behind him.

  "It doesn't matter if it's the family teacher's teachings or not, as long as Dragon Brother can bring it out, it's Dragon Brother's skill. In short, I, Lu Han, am convinced!" Lu Han smiled and bowed with his fists clasped together.

  Mao Youjun slightly shrugged his shoulders, and another guard standing behind him took a few steps forward with a knife in hand, making a fist and bowing to Long Chen: "I am Zhou Kefeng, I have heard that Dragon Brother's boxing skills are excellent, so I came to ask for some swordsmanship lessons. Would you be willing to grant me the honor of teaching?"

  It's clear that Mao Youjun has already probed with his fists and feet, and now he wants to probe with swords. Long Chen naturally couldn't decline and immediately replied, "I dare not accept your instruction, let's just consider it a friendly exchange."

  Zhou Kefeng raised his own waist knife, "In the lower ranks, I'm good at using a long knife. I don't know what kind of weapon Dragon Brother is good at."

  Long Chen turned around and faced Mao Youjun, "I'm skilled in using short knives for close combat. I wonder if General can lend me the short knife at your waist for a use."

  Maoyou Jun'er didn't say a word, untied the short knife at his waist and threw it to Long Chen along with its scabbard. "Long Chen, take it and use it! I also want to open my eyes and see Brother Long's short knife fighting skills!"

  Long Chen accepted the knife and bowed his head in thanks to Mao Youjun, then turned to face Zhou Kefeng, "Alright, I'll use this short knife to exchange blows with Brother Zhou's long knife."

  "Then please do so." From the previous fist and foot comparison, Long Chen easily defeated Lu Han. Looking at Zhou Kefeng, he naturally wouldn't think that the opponent was deliberately using a short knife because he looked down on himself. All kinds of weapons, as long as they are used well, can be called kings.

  Zhou Kefeng charged forward with his knife, attempting to quickly close in on Long Chen. Logically speaking, as a short-knife wielder, Long Chen should have welcomed the opportunity for close combat, but instead he took two steps back, refusing to give Zhou Kefeng an opening.

  "This is indeed interesting. Those with long knives want to get close, while those with short knives do not want to get close." Mao Youjun watched from the side with great interest.

  "This is where the masters are extraordinary, and naturally cannot be measured by common sense. Zhou's knife skills have already been called a must-see, and naturally have their own unique way of using knives. By analogy, Long's short knife fighting technique should also have its own routine." Liu Dezhong replied, and at this moment he was also attracted to the confrontation on the scene.

  "That's the reason." Mao nodded slightly.

  Jian Chi couldn't get close to Long Chen, and Zhou Kefeng had lost his patience, starting to swing his sword to cut off Long Chen's teleportation space. Now let's see where you can escape to.

  At the moment of changing tactics, it is often when the opponent is anxious and confused. At this moment, Long Chen's eyes lit up, he did not retreat but instead advanced, quickly rushing towards Zhou Kefeng.

  Zhou Kefeng furrowed his brow, the blade chopped horizontally, intending to cut off Long Chen's waist. But immediately felt the hilt hesitate, it turned out that Long Chen had actually used a short knife to block the long knife, protecting himself.

  Without waiting for Zhou Kefeng to change his move, Long Chen held a short knife and slid it along the length of Zhou's long knife, instantly sending sparks flying.

  Zhou Kefeng realized something was wrong and quickly retreated, wanting to separate from Long Chen. However, at this moment, Long Chen seemed to be stuck to Zhou Kefeng, rushing towards his chest with an even faster speed.

  "The outcome is already decided." Mao Youjun sighed lightly.

  Liu De-zong and Lu Han also nodded, at this moment Long Chen seized the opportunity, his short knife went straight in, breaking Zhou Ke-feng's defense, they were now completely stuck together. At this time, the long knife was actually less agile than the short knife, so the short knife began to gain the upper hand. It can be said that at this point, Long Chen had basically won.