Chapter 38: Defeating Yang Banhou

  Yang Luzhen, who was known as Yang the Invincible after defeating all comers in the capital, took the initiative to apologize and did so with sincerity and humility. Li Zhen naturally wouldn't refuse and couldn't refuse either. Li Zhen returned the courtesy by cupping his hands together and said, "Senior, today's matter is just a small misunderstanding, no harm done."

  Yang Luzhen's face was all smiles as he shouted: "You scoundrel, don't you apologize to General Li?"

  Yang Banhou was extremely unwilling, but seeing his old father's stern eyes, he reluctantly bowed to Li Zhen and apologized. As for Dong Cheng, he stood beside him with a smile and urged: "Ban Hou, you have always admired General Li's martial arts, now that General Li is in front of you, it's a good opportunity to ask for advice."

  Yang Luchen's face turned bitter, but he couldn't stop Dong Cheng.

  Yang Banhou's eyes sparkled with a fierce light, and he clasped his fists as he said: "General Li, Yang has heard that the Russian strongman provoked the Beijing martial artists, and I also wanted to go and take part in the fighting platform. Unfortunately, my old father wouldn't let me. You defeated the Russians, and Banhou admires you; however, I want to ask for your guidance on a few matters."

  "Beat me first if you want to challenge the general."

  Huang Shi Hai's foot moved and he was already standing in front of Li Zhen.

  Yang Banhou shouted: "Who are you?"

  "Huang Shi Hai loudly said: 'Cang County Bajiquan Li Da Zhong's disciple, Huang Shi Hai!'"

  Yang Banhou's sword-like eyebrows shot up, revealing a look of astonishment. He hadn't expected a famous person to arrive. As the third-generation master of Bajiquan, Li Dazhong's boxing skills were exquisite and his spear techniques were formidable, Yang Banhou was naturally aware of this, and even Yang Luchan looked surprised.

  "Shi Hai, retreat at once!"

  At this time, Li Zhen suddenly shouted in a low voice.

  Huang Shi Hai's face was puzzled, but he still said loudly: "Sir, Yang Ban Hou wants to compete with you, first pass through the end of this general and then say. Win the end of the general, and then challenge you."

  Yang Banhou was displeased and felt belittled, very unhappy.

  Li Zhen's expression turned stern and he shouted: "Still not retreating?"

  Huang Shi Hai reluctantly retreated behind Li Zhen, but his mind was a mess. Dealing with Yang Ban Hou, he was the most suitable person to take charge, as long as he defeated Yang Ban Hou, things would be more or less settled.

  But little did they know, Li Zhen had other thoughts in mind.

  Yang Banhou was also a famous figure in history. During the invasion of Beijing by the Anglo-French coalition, Yang Banhou, dissatisfied with the killing and looting by the coalition forces, charged into their midst with a large knife, fighting his way in and out, displaying a heroic spirit reminiscent of Zhao Zilong at Changban Slope. However, it was precisely because of this that the Qing court did not dare to use Yang Banhou, and he subsequently left Beijing.

  Such a national hero, Li Zhen had a good impression and even thought of taking him in.

  Huang Shi Hai, even if he won against Yang Ban Hou, would have difficulty making Yang Ban Hou submit, so Li Zhen personally took action. Li Zhen said: "Brother Yang challenged me, I'll take it on. If Brother Yang has some free time later, it's not too late to fight with Shi Hai again."

  "Well said!"

  Dong Cheng interrupted and said, "This guy is just a playful person."

  As soon as Li Zhen took the initiative, he immediately became interested.

  Yang Banhou waved his hand and said: "Please!"

  Li Zhen waved his hand and said: "Please!"

  Two men arrived at the center of the martial arts arena, Li Zhen opened his stance, with his feet front and back apart, the toe of his front foot slightly inward, the toe of his back foot aimed at the heel of his front foot slightly off the ground, sideways facing Yang Banhou. His hands were clenched into fists, his arms naturally bent, his left fist slightly lower than his eyes, his right fist placed in front of his right ribs slightly higher than his lower jaw, his chest slightly contained, his abdomen slightly retracted, his upper body slightly leaning forward, his head slightly lowered, his teeth tightly clenched, his lips closed, his gaze tightly fixed on Yang Banhou.

  Such moves are standard actual combat actions of Sanshou.

  Li Zhen was a soldier in his past life and started practicing sanda at the age of nine. By eighteen, he had already become a ninth-degree master and was invincible in special forces.

  Yang Banhou's eyebrows slightly furrowed, somewhat puzzled.

  He followed Yang Luchan to learn martial arts, and he was absolutely familiar with all kinds of martial arts. No matter it's Bajiquan, Tanglangquan, Baguazhang or Mianzhang, Yang Banhou could recognize them at a glance. However, the posture of Li Zhen's move made Yang Banhou rack his brains, but he couldn't figure out who created such a move.

  Not just Yang Banhou, but also Yang Luchan opened his eyes wide and stared carefully.

  Yang Luzhen beckoned to Huang Shi Hai and said in a low voice, "You are under the command of General Li Dazhong. As an elder, I'll call you 'Shi Hai'. The boxing technique your general has learned seems to be some sort of unusual style."

  Huang Shi Hai said that adults are like a puzzle, the more you understand them, the more confusing they become.

  From the beginning, Li Zhen suddenly became proficient in using guns and his marksmanship was accurate, able to easily snipe enemies. Later on, Huang Shi Hai discovered that Li Zhen could even speak the language of foreigners, which shocked him greatly. Now, Li Zhen has suddenly struck a strange martial arts pose, leaving Huang Shi Hai astonished and feeling that he still hasn't fully understood Li Zhen's situation.

  Huang Shi Hai shook his head and said: "Senior, I've only been following Master for three months, I don't understand the situation."

  Yang Luzhen stopped asking and shifted her gaze to the two people standing in the empty space.

  At this time, Li Zhen and Yang Banhou were both standing still without making a move. Yang Banhou said cautiously: "General Li has come from afar as our guest, I'll let you make the first move, please!"

  Li Zhen's demeanor remained unchanged as he said, "Brother Yang, make your move. I won't take advantage of you."

  "Look out!"

  Yang Banhou's eyebrows rose, his flat palm suddenly clenched into a fist, and he launched a punch. The fist wind rose, bringing with it a whistling sound that pierced the air, its power majestic. Li Zhen suddenly sprang up, like a fierce tiger bursting out of its cage and pouncing on its prey, his left fist guarding in front of him, while his right fist shot out in a straight punch, striking Yang Banhou's cheek with precision and force.

  Hitting people and slapping faces is the most venomous.

  Yang Banhou's fist hit Li Zhen's left fist, but failed to break through Li Zhen's defense. Instead, he was forced to retreat a step after being hit by Li Zhen's straight punch, barely avoiding Li Zhen's fist. Li Zhen struck like a snake, sliding forward and closing in on Yang Banhou, unleashing another flurry of punches. Not only that, but Li Zhen also used his feet, whipping out kick after kick, forcing Yang Banhou to constantly retreat, unable to even unfold his fists.

  Yang Banhou's martial arts skills were being forced back repeatedly, his anger rising.

  "Roar!"

  Yang Banhou let out a low growl, his right hand clenched into a fist, and another move burst forth. His fist shot out like a mighty ocean wave, but Yang Banhou's heart was anxious, and in his haste to succeed, he fell into a disadvantageous position.

  Li Zhen's eyes lit up, seeing an opportunity.

  At this moment, Li Zhen calmly turned left, both hands blocking Yang Banhou's incoming punches, then instantly grabbed his wrist, and immediately Li Zhen stepped forward with his right foot, quickly turning his back to lean against Yang Banhou, putting Yang Banhou's right arm over his shoulder.

  "Roar!"

  Li Zhen let out a low roar, his two hands pulled forward, his hips pushed back, and he suddenly burst forth with the greatest strength.

  "Bang!"

  In an instant, Yang Banhou was slammed to the ground by Li Zhen.

  This move is clean and efficient.

  Yang Luchen's face showed a look of surprise after watching. As for Yang Banhou himself, he was already dizzy from the fall. He lay on the ground, his eyes wide open, and shook his head violently before slowly coming to. Yang Banhou stood up, clasped his fists and said: "General Li, your martial arts skills are exquisite, you win."

  At this moment, Yang Banhou finally lowered his proud head.

  Yang Luchan stared at Li Zhen, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his not-so-tall figure suddenly burst out with an unparalleled aura. If Huang Shi Hai's standing was like a pine tree, stable as a mountain, then Yang Luchan at this moment was like a vast river, giving people a feeling of calmness before a storm, extremely calm yet hiding great danger.

  Huang Shi Hai was the first to be vigilant, always on guard, fearing that Yang Lu Chan would suddenly attack and hurt someone.

  Li Zhen also came to his senses and noticed Yang Luchan's abnormality. He glanced at Yang Luchan, pondering in his heart, could it be that Yang Luchan was eager to fight him too?

  Postscript: one of three watches