Our ancestors had a tradition that isn't exactly commendable: they liked to hoard any unique martial skills as a closely guarded secret, fearing that spreading the knowledge would lead to teaching skills that would starve the master if the disciples knew them.

This practice is often criticized by modern people.

But in fact, in ancient times, it was not at all unreasonable. This was because there was no protection for intellectual property and patents.

Therefore, in the world of martial arts, this practice was promoted to the utmost.

Traditional masters who possessed genuine skills were often extremely cautious about choosing their successors.

For example, there were rules such as only passing on skills to men and not women, or to sons and not daughters-in-law...

Even among disciples, there was a distinction between those of the Outer Gate and those who were taken as indoor disciples.

Further divisions included categories and terms like closed-door disciples, retirement-care disciples, and head disciples.

As a result, the world of Ancient Martial Arts gradually declined.

Nowadays, the martial arts that are spread outside and look good are all routine martial arts. They are meant for performance and are essentially no different from dance or gymnastics.

At its core, martial arts are about striking skills. These are used for combat and fighting.

However, striking skills for combat often require training that varies from person to person.

A person's physique, physical abilities, even neural reaction speeds, bodily coordination, comprehension, and even their psychological qualities during actual combat—these and many other factors limit the achievements one can attain in learning a martial art.

But the traditional martial arts schools, often limited to their own small circles and clans, hoarded their skills, refused to teach outsiders, and thus when it came to passing on the legacy, the base of choice was very small.

If, unfortunately, a particular skill was inherited by an incompetent person in one generation...

That would spell disaster.

Of course, many other situations could occur, such as the untimely death of a head of the school before they could pass on their most treasured skills...

It has been proven that most skills in this world, if transmitted only through a small-circle inheritance model, are doomed to decline.

The river of history has eliminated many such traditional skills.

In the world of martial arts, many techniques have been lost.

Those that have been passed down to this day are the lucky ones.

The Song Family is one of them.

·

Old Jiang's wife is named Song Qiaoyun. Song Qiaoyun's father is Song A'jin.

Song A'jin was born into the Song Family.

An ancient martial family of the Southern School, they possessed fist methods and inner strength. The origin of these skills was impossible to trace, considered family-secret techniques.

His ancestors were probably illustrious for a time.

However, the so-called legends of the martial world are not actually like what is written in martial arts novels.

All that about the upright major sects, Demonic Sects, Beggar's Sect, Five Mountain Sword Sects... Nangong and Murong aristocratic families...

All fabricated by novelists!

Traditional martial arts inheritance is more like a series of small gangs or small family lineages. The saying 'literary poverty and martial wealth' indicates that any notable and named martial inheritance typically originates from a clan or school with some assets.

The Song Family wasn't large. However, by the time of the Qing Dynasty, they were considered a wealthy household, at least locally.

By the time it reached Song A'jin's great-grandfather, foreigners had already stormed the Capital City twice.

Song A'jin's great-grandfather served as a guard in the palace and, during the second time escaping west with the Empress Dowager, managed to accrue some merit.

The old lady was quite generous that time, handing out many yellow riding jackets as rewards. Song A'jin's great-grandfather luckily received one.

The yellow riding jacket was rare in the early Qing Dynasty. However, by the end of the dynasty, it had devalued significantly.

But anyhow, it still held some value. Later, the family's fortunes waned due to power struggles between the Empress Dowager and Emperor Guangxu, leading to purges within the palace. Song A'jin's great-grandfather was dismissed as a result.

Song A'jin's great-grandfather was said to have been highly skilled in martial arts, though to what extent is unknown.

But he died early. After losing his position, he could have lived as a wealthy man at home, but unfortunately, he fell ill.

His two sons didn't get along and ended up dividing the household.

This was mainly because of the family's martial arts. Neither was willing to concede to the other, and neither could beat the other.

At that time, aside from some remaining property, the Song Family had mostly lost any official background.

Song A'jin's grandfather was the victor at the time. He defeated his own brother, but his brother refused to truly submit.

The defeated family, in a fit of anger, returned to their southern hometown.

Unexpectedly, this misfortune turned into a blessing for them.

The branch that stayed in the Capital City, Song A'jin's grandfather's line, experienced the Emperor's abdication, the rise of the Beiyang Warlords, and then the succession of military warlords entering the Capital City.

With each upheaval, the Song Family that remained in the Capital City decayed a bit more.

By Song A'jin's father's generation, they could no longer manage to live in the Capital City. They too returned to their southern hometown.

However, unexpectedly, the branch in their hometown was unwilling to accept them.

They were children of the martial world, families skilled in martial arts. When words could not resolve differences, they had to let their fists determine who was superior.

Song A'jin's father was a martial arts prodigy. It was said his skill had far surpassed that of his grandfather, the one who had received a yellow riding jacket.

As a result, in a martial arts contest back in their hometown, he defeated the heir of that branch so severely that the heir vomited blood on the spot and never recovered. It was said his martial arts prowess was thus crippled.

The losing side was surprisingly gracious in defeat. They acknowledged their loss, handed over the Jade Tiger Head that symbolized the family inheritance, and moved away from the ancestral home. Their entire branch left in a huff, heading even further south.

This only intensified the discord between the two branches.

And so the fight continued without end.

Each generation's heir had to meet and have a fight, and whoever won would take the Jade Tiger Head and become the Family Head.

Later on, the Japanese army invaded and occupied their hometown.

Song A'jin's father led the clan and villagers in resistance, causing quite a stir. However, times had changed. Ultimately, he was killed by random gunfire from the Japanese army.

Young Song A'jin was then taken by his mother to flee to the province of Hui.

They settled down in the countryside where Senior Brother Wu Dao lived, taking root there.

The family naturally fell into ruin. They had gone from a clan of yellow-riding-jacket-wearing imperial guards with properties in the Capital City...

By Song A'jin's generation, he became someone who peddled popsicles on a bicycle through the streets.

During the war of resistance, the other branch had fled to Hong Kong and even opened a martial arts school. After the war, they established themselves in Hong Kong. They even expanded their martial arts school business all the way to the South Seas.

In the sixties and seventies, there was a craze for Chinese martial arts—thanks to Bruce Lee! That branch of the Song Family even managed to open a dojo in M Country for a time.

According to Song Qiaoyun, when she was young, the other branch came to visit.

At the time, Song Qiaoyun had just married Old Jiang. Song A'jin had not yet passed away and was still in his prime.

When the other branch visited, Song A'jin received them with all due courtesy. Having lived through the nation's collapse, he no longer considered the family grudge a significant issue.

One family had split into two branches during the war years, and now they were reuniting. Surely, this should be considered a joyous family reunion.

But that's not how the other family saw it.

Including Song A'jin's father's generation, their branch had lost for two consecutive generations. This was an indignity they were determined to reclaim.

So they proposed, following the family's old rules, that Song A'jin represent their branch, and the two sides would have a bout.

Originally, if this competition were just for practice, even deliberately losing to the other side wouldn't matter, Song A'jin thought.

But the other branch's demands were unacceptable to Song A'jin:

If he lost, Song A'jin would have to go to *their* ancestral hall. Representing his own father, he would have to kowtow, offer incense, and apologize to the memorial tablet of the clan uncle from *their* branch.

This was because after that clan uncle had been injured in the fight with Song A'jin's father, his martial arts were ruined. Not long after moving away, unable to bear the blow of losing his skills, he had died of illness.

This was out of the question!

The person Song A'jin respected most in his life was his own father!

His father had died leading his clansmen and fellow villagers against the Japanese soldiers, gunned down in the chaos.

In Song A'jin's heart, his father was a hero!

To make him admit defeat, apologize, or confess wrongdoing, especially on behalf of his father—Song A'jin absolutely refused.

His father had defeated them fairly and squarely in the arena, using no deceit or underhanded tactics. What was there to apologize for?

As a son of a hero who had sacrificed himself in the fight against the Japanese, Song A'jin absolutely would not bow down on his father's behalf.

With both sides deadlocked, they resorted to fighting it out, in keeping with the traditions of martial artists.

And so... Song A'jin won again.

Counting Song A'jin's generation, the second branch of the Song Family had now been defeated for three consecutive generations.

How could they swallow this resentment?

Actually, it's not surprising that they held grudges.

Ever since the Song Family division in the Capital City during Song A'jin's grandfather's time, their branch had been on the losing side. The members of this second branch were forced to leave the Capital City and return to their ancestral home to establish roots.

They'd barely settled in when Song A'jin's father brought people back.

The second branch was defeated once again and had to leave once more.

The pillar of their family was beaten until he spat blood and was injured, never to recover from that downfall.

With Song A'jin, they lost again.

Decades on, over three generations of grievances—how could anyone not harbor resentment?

The elderly Song who had come to visit was Song Zhicun.

He was from the second branch of this generation.

The one who lost to Song A'jin was Song Zhicun's own father.

When Song Zhicun's father came to challenge Song A'jin to a duel, Song Zhicun had accompanied him. He had met Old Jiang and Song Qiaoyun, the couple, back then.

After Song Zhicun's father lost to Song A'jin, they returned to Hong Kong. His father is still alive and well to this day.

However, the second branch now also had its troubles.

Song Zhicun's father had lost the martial contest to Song A'jin. However, his talent for business was clearly stronger than his martial arts skill.

Starting in the seventies and eighties, he gradually turned the Song Family's martial arts studios into a franchise, even expanding to M Country.

Now, the old man was aged and had been unwell for the past two years. It seemed he didn't have many days left.

The old man had three sons, with the eldest being Song Zhicun. There was also a second son named Song Gaoyuan.

The youngest one was reportedly very young, a late-life child of the old man.

As the old man's health deteriorated day by day, it was clear he needed to start making arrangements for after his departure.

Over the years, the significant assets of the Song Family's second branch had been divided between the two older sons for management. Song Zhicun and Song Gaoyuan each managed a portion, and the youngest son reportedly also controlled some assets.

When it came to the issue of selecting his successor, the old man had a stubborn fixation.

His branch had been losing for three generations. Before he died, he wanted to see his family win once.

So, he declared that in this generation, whoever could defeat the main branch, make them bow their heads in submission, and come to their ancestral hall to kowtow—whoever achieved this would be his successor.

That's why Song Zhicun came knocking.

The previous night was not the first time Song Zhicun had sought out Old Jiang.

He had been in Jinling for several days and had met Old Jiang and his wife. However, Old Jiang adamantly refused to engage in these old martial world tricks anymore.

What's the point of fighting? We're in a society governed by law now!

Practicing martial arts to strengthen the body is fine. But fighting and brawling? That's illegal, you know?

However, Brother Haonan told Chen Nuo a detail...

Old Jiang was probably worried he couldn't beat the opponent.

This was because back when Song Zhicun accompanied his father to challenge Song A'jin, both Song Zhicun and Old Jiang were of the younger generation.

Before the elders fought, the younger ones couldn't help their itching fists and secretly sparred with each other.

As it turned out, Song Zhicun was a few years older than Old Jiang and had practiced martial arts for a longer time. He had been trained by his own father from a young age and possessed considerable talent.

In those brief exchanges, Old Jiang had been completely outclassed.

Moreover, this morning, Old Jiang had called Brother Haonan over. This was because of Chen Nuo's phone call the previous night. Old Jiang felt it was better to prevent the youngsters from doing anything rash. So, he decided to confide the history of his martial lineage to Brother Haonan, whom he had already accepted as his disciple in his heart.

His eldest disciple, Wu Dao, didn't really count; that fellow's heart wasn't in martial arts.

Chen Nuo definitely didn't count; he was just there for the excitement.

Zhang Linsheng was the disciple Old Jiang truly acknowledged at present.

This was a good opportunity for Zhang Linsheng to formally learn about and understand the martial arts tradition he was practicing.

In the morning, Old Jiang recounted these old stories to Zhang Linsheng.

Song Qiaoyun and Old Jiang were also discussing how to respond.

Regarding the family heirloom, the Jade Tiger Head, giving it away didn't matter much; the old couple had long stopped caring about it.

But offering incense and kowtowing to admit wrongdoing? Absolutely not.

As the conversation continued, Old Jiang made a few statements.

"If it really comes to it, we'll just have to fight!" Old Jiang said.

"We can't let our father's dignity be thrown away.

"I've heard that Song Zhicun's martial arts are extremely good, and he has quite a reputation. During our chess games, I secretly tested his strength. His 'Millstone Strength' has already reached its peak.

"But... if it really comes down to a fight, I'm not necessarily afraid of him!"

Alright, upon hearing that last sentence, even Chen Nuo could pick up on the hint: Old Jiang probably couldn't actually beat the other guy.

·

"So, does Old Jiang really intend to fight?" Chen Nuo asked.

"Mm, it seems that's what Master intends," Zhang Linsheng replied.

Chen Nuo nodded. "Where will it happen, and when?"

"The time hasn't been set yet," Zhang Linsheng said. "But according to Master, we can't fight in Jinling. It has to be in Hong Kong."

"Why? Why go so far?"

"The Song Family is afraid that if we lose, we'll go back on our word. By setting the location in Hong Kong, if we lose, we can immediately go to their family's ancestral hall to offer incense.

"Moreover, I've heard Song Zhicun also wants his family members and brothers to observe the fight in person. That way, if he wins, he wins honorably, and his father will pass the family properties to him."

"Hahaha, they're pretty confident of their victory, aren't they?" Chen Nuo laughed.

Is Old Jiang really that weak? To be looked down upon like this?

But... it's probably true.

Old Jiang's skills were passed down from Song A'jin. However, he has been a language teacher his whole life, busy with teaching and work, long separated from the martial world. He also has a sick wife at home to care for.

He hardly ever gets into fights. The only chance he has to use his skills is on the rare occasion he accepts a commission to earn money for his wife's medical expenses.

He no longer has the energy to train diligently every day.

And that Song Zhicun? He's a professional martial arts instructor. For the better part of his life, his main activities have been training, sparring, and teaching disciples.

With one constantly improving while the other's skills fade, Old Jiang is probably no match for him.

Chen Nuo thought for a while, then smiled and said, "Well, we can't just stand by and watch Old Jiang lose. Lin Sheng, are you afraid of pain?"

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Linsheng was stunned, then immediately caught on. "You're making me fight again? What kind of show are we putting on this time?"

"I wouldn't hurt you," Chen Nuo shook his head.

Looking at Zhang Linsheng and Brother Lei beside him, Chen Nuo smiled and said, "It's good timing. Summer vacation isn't over yet. Let's all go to Hong Kong and have some fun for a few days."

Brother Lei didn't mind at all.

Zhang Linsheng didn't hesitate either.

Chen Nuo thought for a moment. "The three of us... I'll bring Ye Zi... Oh, right."

Speaking of which, Chen Nuo raised his voice. He turned his head towards the shop entrance, where Zhu Dazhi was changing a car tire, and shouted, "Dazhi!"

"Ah?" Zhu Dazhi looked up, his face all grimy.

"Want to go on a trip with me?" Chen Nuo asked.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Dazhi promptly stood up. He wiped his dirty hands on his clothes, then casually picked up a wrench, weighed it in his hand for a moment, and tucked it into his waistband.

"Sure," he said.

"Just tell me, who are we going to mess with?"

[It's May! Seeking monthly votes!

BANG BANG BANG!!!]