Gorgeous Female Tenants

Xu Xiangbei was already engaged in a fierce battle with the Seven Vajra; these seven individuals had reached an advanced Kung Fu level, capable of defeating forty to fifty men individually. Together, the seven of them could hold off hundreds, and even when fighting with more advanced adversaries, they could gain the upper hand. However, they still fell short compared to martial arts masters. Xu Xiangbei intended to use this opportunity to hone his skills further.

His momentum was unstoppable, each punch landing with power and speed. The seven had mastered a combined combat technique, locking Xu Xiangbei in from different positions with precision, aligning themselves in the eight trigrams with one spot left open, but that weak spot continually shifted, making it difficult to predict. Three attacked while four observed, switching roles as needed in a wheel-battle formation. Xu Xiangbei fought against three at a time while remaining vigilant against the other four, feeling the pressure and acknowledging the Furious Tiger Gang’s infamous might in the Jiangcheng underworld.

Xu Xiangbei aimed to continually challenge himself with them, despite the pressure, to refine his martial arts to a state of returning to the essence. Without the need for thought, his body moved instinctively, striking accurately. When attacked, his reflexes positioned him defensively. This approach is called the heart-punch realm, achievable only by masters, relying on the body’s inertia and cellular memory.

The more Xu Xiangbei fought, the stronger he became; a mysterious energy surged within him. Seizing the moment, he targeted the enemy’s weak spot, causing one of them to be sent flying. This was the third of the Seven Vajra; his position corresponded to the "Kun" position in the Bagua, derived from Fu Xi’s teachings. As the adage goes: "Qian three continuous, Kun six broken; Zhen arch overturned, Gen bowl toppled; Li center void, Kan center full; Dui upper deficient, Xun lower broken." Each trigram represents a balance of various natural phenomena, essential to Huaxia’s wisdom and practices. Legend holds that Zhang Sanfeng’s Tai Chi evolved from these principles, illustrating their depth. Mastery of the Bagua could allow one to comprehend heavenly decrees and nurture one’s life, achieving profound heights.

Thankfully, the Seven Vajra numbered only seven; if there were eight, completing the Bagua, and executed well, Xu Xiangbei might have been defeated outright.

"A formidable foe, to think you could defeat the Seven Vajra of the Furious Tiger Gang. Alas, we lack completeness, having not developed an eighth Vajra. Otherwise, victory might not have been possible for you!" Chen Xueliang observed from the side, a cautious look in his eyes, while Zhang Debiao beside him was terrified, realizing Xu Xiangbei’s true power. The Eight Vajra in Jiangcheng were feared far and wide, renowned across the underworld. Even martial arts masters struggled to counter their formation, with only a few at the master level in all of Jiangcheng—Elder Chen of the Chen Family, Ouyang Zhan of the Ouyang Family, and Xu Xiangbei himself, alongside a few reclusive martial arts families, not exceeding five in total. Each considered a top figurehead, whose mere presence could shake Jiangcheng.

Xu Xiangbei said nothing, smiling challengingly at Chen Xueliang, recognizing him as a formidable warrior presenting substantial pressure. In Jiangcheng, such adversaries were rare, and he required them for his growth; martial arts demand continuous advancement, seeking formidable opponents and relentless pursuit.

"Enough talk, let’s fight, draw your line!" Xu Xiangbei shouted, initiating an attack with a move like ’Fierce Tiger Heart Stealing,’ raising his momentum to its peak, transforming into a blur. Chen Xueliang immediately sensed immense pressure, as if facing a real tiger. Unwilling to relent, he assumed a stable horse stance, a basic technique yet profound, capable of defense and offense. Martial arts training begins with horse stance to establish a stable foundation, crucial for maintaining balance and preventing easy takedowns.

Chen Xueliang practiced the Hidden Tiger Palm, the Huashan Sect’s prestigious martial art. Legend says 800 years ago, in the towering Huashan, a tiger weighing a thousand pounds, a divine beast, terrorized the forest, killing anyone who approached. Despite attempts by hunters and governmental forces, the beast eluded them, many perishing in their efforts. In response, the emperor called upon martial masters to eliminate the threat. Even the most skilled martial artists and grandmasters failed to slay the beast, meeting their demise instead.

At that time, Huashan Sect Leader Yu Huayan heard of the threats. After observing the tiger’s weaknesses over three years and four months, he developed the Hidden Tiger Palm. His technique instantly gained fame worldwide. He subdued the tiger within a hundred moves, taming it to serve as Huashan’s guardian spirit, inscribing his legend through the ages.

Zhang Debiao’s older brother, Zhang Defei, was the pioneering disciple of Huashan’s Sect Leader, known for surpassing even the leader’s martial prowess. Following his training, Zhang Defei entered the underworld, earning great renown, though he now runs a martial arts school teaching bodyguards, seldom partaking in underworld affairs. His legend persists, despite his absence, and Chen Xueliang, being Zhang Defei’s junior and disciple, trained in Huashan from age five. He followed Zhang Defei into the underworld, learning from him extensively, with whom he shares a mentor-student bond. Zhang Debiao, as his brother, often under Chen Xueliang’s influence, was taken care of, largely due to Zhang Defei. Were it not for him, Chen Xueliang might disregard Zhang Debiao’s problems, absent any real intervention.

Yet, the Zhang and Chen families, prominent martial arts families, have held reputations in the underworld for centuries, with a storied history. Among the Chen family’s disciples, Chen Xueliang stood out, becoming the Black Tiger Gang’s leader in his thirties, entering the grandmaster realm, showcasing substantial martial talent. Typically, reaching such a level, even with lifelong practice, would occur in one’s forties, with many not achieving it before their fifties or sixties. Entering the grandmaster realm at thirty is a rare feat historically, perhaps unmatched. Most elite military forces, enduring rigorous training, border the advanced Kung Fu levels, while Xu Xiangbei, in his twenties, already entered the grandmaster realm, a rarity across ages.

"Are you using the Ouyang Family’s Fierce Tiger Fist?" Chen Xueliang engaged Xu Xiangbei in battle, his momentum fierce and war-god-like, clearly displaying extensive experience.

"Indeed, what palm technique are you employing?" Xu Xiangbei, feeling slight pressure, realized his opponent matched him in level. Despite a slight edge in strength and speed, Chen Xueliang’s rich battle experience kept Xu Xiangbei from gaining any advantage, as if his palm technique naturally countered the Fierce Tiger Fist.

"You’re truly impressive, entering the grandmaster realm at your age. I’m using the Huashan Sect’s Hidden Tiger Palm, among the top ten palm techniques worldwide. Mastering it rivals the Beggar Sect’s ’Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms,’ countering your Fierce Tiger Fist. Apologize now, and we can move past this!" Despite his assurance, Chen Xueliang found himself increasingly astounded, acknowledging Xu Xiangbei’s superiority in speed and strength. Without his battle-hardened experience, he’d have already been overwhelmed.