Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The next day, Ye Lingchen resumed his daily routine and woke up early in the morning.
This hotel was built within a park, which provided some convenience for Ye Lingchen as he could do his morning jog along the fields.
Along his jog, Ye Lingchen realized that the park was huge. Apart from the hotel, there were also a few mansions. Between the woods, red bricks and blue tiles could be spotted. It was an excellent place to live.
Needless to say, those that lived here surely consisted of the rich and nobility.
Following his morning jog, Ye Lingchen found an empty plot by the river to practice Arhat Fist.
Three sets later, the quiet park had finally begun to see an increase in foot traffic. Many old folks were walking over, then assumed their position as a group and slowly started their Tai Chi exercise. Their movements were neatly coordinated.
He observed the scene for a while, then began to make a move.
However, as he passed by another empty plot, he paused in his tracks.
Under a nearby tree, a young woman in white sportswear was practicing martial arts.
On the side, an old man would cough once in a while. Occasionally, he would give some pointers to the young woman. The old man was accompanied by two bodyguards dressed in black behind him.
Was this not the same old man and young woman in the hospital?
Ye Lingchenâs brows twitched. He did not expect them to be from Beijing. No wonder their movements carried a hint of nobleness.
Back then, were it not for his actionsâ that old man would have already joined the ranks of the dead. Despite that, the old manâs face remained very pale. Every so often, he would cough strenuously.
Ye Lingchenâs attention was mainly on the young woman. His gaze showed a hint of interest in what she was doing.
That girlâs movements... was it... martial arts?
If he had not learned Arhat Fist, Ye Lingchen would not have entertained this thought.
âIn this generation, are there still practitioners of martial arts?â Ye Lingchen was surprised and approached them slowly.
The young woman was extremely focused on her martial arts. Each punch was accompanied by a sound. With her tall, slender figure and elegant features, it gave off an aura of valiant beauty.
âStrength from your waist! Firm up your stance! Do not hesitate when you punch!â
Accompanied by his bouts of coughing, the old man was sternly lecturing from the side.
âObserving Lin Ruoyu practicing martial arts, Eight Extremities Fist proficiency +1.â
âObserving Lin Ruoyu practicing martial arts, Eight Extremities Fist proficiency +1.â
âObserving Lin Ruoyu practicing martial arts, Eight Extremities Fist proficiency +1.â
...
As he got nearer, a string of proficiency messages appeared in his mind, surprising Ye Lingchen.
The martial arts they practiced was Eight Extremities Fist!
Due to him learning Arhat Fist, Ye Lingchen intentionally searched for various books on martial arts. Although none of them could be practiced, he still managed to learn many secrets of martial arts.
Eight Extremities Fist was focused on explosive power. It was very particular about actual combat. This martial art is one of those that uses a combination of practice and battle.
Due to the usefulness in actual combat, the Warriorâs Association Training Department and Armed Police incorporated elements of Eight Extremities Fist into their training for grappling, throwing and fighting techniques.
Many bodyguards of politicians were also practitioners of Eight Extremities Fist!
Not to mention Eight Extremities Fist had its own mantra ââLoyalty and justice. Body as a shield. Selfless sacrifice. Face the peril.â
To be able to practice Eight Extremities Fist, this old man and young womanâs background was worth looking into.
The young womanâs body was slowly dripping with sweat. Her slender waist twisting with vigor, clothes sticking to her bodyâ revealing lines can be seen forming around her chest.
Witnessing that for some time, his proficiency level capped at 20 percent.
As expected, this young womanâs Eight Extremities Fist was still far from perfect. She had the posture but lacked the essence.
According to the evaluation by the system, her proficiency was most likely only at 20 percent. That meant Ye Lingchen could not learn beyond that level either.
Luckily Ye Lingchen already had a good understanding of the styles of Eight Extremities Fist. Combining with Arhat Fist, he was confident in restoring the true Eight Extremities Fist. When it comes to his cultivation, he could just raise his proficiency by himself.
The old man never could have dreamt that someone would just observe them for a bit and then fully mastered the techniques of Eight Extremities Fist. Otherwise, he would not let the young woman practice it here.
The path of a martial artist could not lack the guidance of great teachers. Even if one learned all the moves, it was difficult to put to good use. Unfortunately, Ye Lingchen was an exception.
If anyone were to be blamed, it was just Ye Lingchen being too amazing.
To continue observing was pointless, so Ye Lingchen shook his head and took his leave.
The way he shook his head and sighed triggered Lin Ruoyu who was practicing her art by the side.
She was already an arrogant person to start with. She stopped her fist, staring at Ye Lingchenâs back. She moved and thrust forward with a punch.
Hearing the sound of rushing wind behind him, Ye Lingchen moved a little sideways, dodging the punch. He then leaned over from the side with his body, pushing against Lin Ruoyu.
Executing his Arhat Mountain Lean, he instantly pushed Lin Ruoyu aside.
âI knew it, you are a martial artist!â Lin Ruoyu backed off, her face cold as ice. She snorted coldly, âWhy did you shake your head? Are you looking down on me?â
Her mastery was truly sub-par.
Ye Lingchenâs comprehension was beyond her reach. By simply running Eight Extremities Fistâs technique through his mind once, he had already more or less understood it. Lin Ruoyuâs Eight Extremities Fist, to him, was filled with exploitable weak spots.
He only needed to practice a few more rounds, and in no time, his Eight Extremities Fistâs proficiency level will be at his Arhat Fistâs proficiency level. Arriving close to 100 percent!
âI was just passing by and looking around. I have no other intentions,â Ye Lingchen shook his head and replied casually.
âSince you are a martial arts practitioner, letâs spar!â
Lin Ruoyuâs competitive spirit was stirred when she saw that Ye Lingchen was about her age.
âI just practice casually. Iâm not able to compete with you.â Ye Lingchen did not want to cause any trouble and began to leave.
âHold it right there!â Lin Ruoyu shouted. âDrop your act. Your head-shaking earlier was definitely showing your discontent. If you donât fight me Iâll never let you go!â
The old man called out, then coughed a few times. He walked up to Ye Lingchen, âI am Lin Tianhua. May I have your name, little one?â
âI am Ye Lingchen.â
âNowadays the martial arts are deteriorating. It was a surprise to meet you here. Consider this fate. May I know where is your master at?â The old man asked smiling.
âMy practice of martial arts were merely coincidental. I donât belong to any faction,â Ye Lingchen answered.
To the old man, he understood it as Ye Lingchen trying to keep it private. âIâm sorry for the abrupt questioning.â
âGoodbye.â
Ye Lingchen did not want to stay. He bid his farewell and immediately took his leave.
However, a figure suddenly dashed over, accompanied by a groan. Fists held tight, body curved like a crescent moon, the figure rushed towards Ye Lingchen then lashed out.
Ye Lingchenâs face darkened. He snapped around, like a fierce tiger looking back.
Lin Ruoyu could only see a blur, then her hands were firmly gripped by Ye Lingchen.
She raised her head in surprise, just to see a pair of annoyed orbs. Her heart skipped a beat.
In the next instant, Ye Lingchen bent over. Her body flew up into the air and after some spinning, she was slammed forcefully on the ground.
Suplex!
When she looked around, all she could see was Ye Lingchenâs back.
âYou...â
Lin Ruoyu got up with difficulty, giving a death stare at Ye Lingchenâs back. Her body was sore all over.
âWonderful move!â
The old man looked at Ye Lingchenâs fading silhouette, his eyes filled with praise, âStrike like the wind, execution in one breath. This personâs mastery of martial arts has reached the level of grandmaster!ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âHeâs a brute that doesnât know how to show kindness to a woman!â Lin Ruoyu shouted in agony. âHeâs not a man!â
âHahaha, now you can finally understand that thereâs always someone greater,â The old man laughed, âItâs been a while since Iâve met an interesting young man.â
âHmph. Donât let me see him again!â Lin Ruoyu brushed the dirt off her body. As she thought back of Ye Lingchenâs eyes earlier, there was a hint of familiarity that appeared within her.
âI must have seen those eyes somewhere before!â
...
Back at the hotel, he took a quick shower and met up with Xiao Feifei.
The hotel stay came with a buffet breakfast. Asian and Western dishes were catered for. Ye Lingchen took a bowl of noodles, two pieces of bread, a cup of milk, a boiled egg, one sunny side up with two sausages, and a strip of bacon.
On the other side, Xiao Feifei and Miss Lin both only had a cup of soy milk, a piece of bread, and a boiled egg.
Put together with Ye Lingchen, it was a strong contrast in appetite.
âYouâre eating too much.â Xiao Feifei gawked at Ye Lingchen with surprise. Not only was he eating a huge portion, he was also very quick about it. That bowl of noodles was gulped down in just two mouthfuls.
âItâs you guys that are eating too little,â Ye Lingchen corrected. He then lifted his plate to grab more food. âThereâs just too little food here.â
âYouâre such a rice bucket1!â Miss Lin criticized as she stared at Ye Lingchenâs back.
Following that, Miss Lin hesitated for a bit, then said to Xiao Feifei, âFeifei, I just received the news. This time, Lu group is one of the sponsors for Legend of the Heroine.â
âLu group?â
Xiao Feifeiâs brows knitted together in a bunch.
âLu group is everywhere, it is unavoidable.â Miss Linâs expression was ugly, âThis way, you being the female lead for Legend of the Heroine will most likely make its way to Lu Haoâs ears.â
At the mention of Lu Hao, Xiao Feifeiâs eyes flashed with a hint of hatred.
âLu groupâs influence is too far-reaching. As long as itâs a good script, they would definitely be involved,â Miss Lin sighed helplessly.
Lu Hao, the only son of Lu groupâs big boss, was the only heir to Lu group. The famous Prince of Beijing.
His infatuation with Xiao Feifei was not a recent thing. Xiao Feifei had rejected his invitation thrice. She wanted to hide from him but in the end, it was futile.
âIf Lu Hao invites you again this time, Iâm afraid...â Miss Lin was worried.
Rejecting once or twice is fine, but once it exceeded three times, then that would be a grudge. Lu Hao might be angered from embarrassment.
âThatâs enough Miss Lin. Drop this topic. Iâm tired,â Xiao Feifei sighed, âIf there is no other way around this, worse comes to worst...â
âWhat are you talking about?â
Ye Lingchenâs plate was stacked like a mountain full of food.
Sitting down, he started gorging in the food as though he was having a battle with them.
âIt is that tasty?â
Xiao Feifei looked at Ye Lingchenâs behavior, unable to suppress her laughter. Her originally depressed mood improved slightly.
âYe Lingchen.â Xiao Feifei stared at Ye Lingchen while holding her head up by the chin, âYour dislike for acting, dislike for public scrutiny, might have been the right choice.â
Under public scrutiny, one can acquire uncountable praise, yet at the same time, one will be targeted by evil.
In this world, who could achieve true freedom?