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Chapter 352 - 322: Prestige, the Masters of the Martial Arts World

Chapter 352: Chapter 322: Prestige, the Masters of the Martial Arts World

Above the vast sea, under the clear sky, the waters were calm and tranquil.

The enormous cruise ship glided across the sea surface, with people of all sorts moving about on the deck.

In the middle of the deck, a square ring had been erected, less than a meter from the ground, with attendants placing chairs around it.

"Today we have a lot of people, in a while folks from other branches of Hongmen might come, along with some reputed Chinese Boxers who may want to meet you."

Li San came to Wu Li’s side and whispered to him.

He too was dressed in a white Martial Arts Uniform today, but with two large red flowers on his chest, which looked somewhat strange. Yet, Wu Li knew that these were the emblems of a Double Flower Red Stick within Hongmen. On such an occasion, they symbolized status, and any slightly informed person in the Martial Arts World would not laugh upon seeing them; rather, they would feel awe.

This Martial Arts competition attracted people from the Island Country Martial Arts World and the overseas Chinese Martial Arts World.

Fujiwara Naoto was already a renowned Sword Master within Japan’s Martial Arts World, and coupled with the fame of his teacher Nakagiya Osamu, this battle—as a contest with a Chinese Boxer—drew many well-known masters from Japan’s Martial Arts World.

And given the reputation of Hongmen overseas, many high-ranking experts from the overseas Chinese Martial Arts World also showed their respect by coming to watch.

"Good," Wu Li nodded. He was eager to find out how many experts there were in the Martial Arts World and their levels of skill.

"Many people have come today for the sake of Hongmen’s face, but actually, some have come specifically for you," Li San told Wu Li.

Wu Li was somewhat surprised: "Oh?"

Li San smiled: "Your fame is high in the public’s eye, and it’s not any lower in the Martial Arts World. You’re number one in Southeast Asia, after all."

"Haha," Wu Li also laughed. He had indeed forgotten that he held such a title.

Despite being a highly popular star and a soon-to-be championship challenger in the UFC, these accolades meant less to many in the overseas Chinese Martial Arts World than his victory over Hu Shan.

The title of the number one expert in Southeast Asia was like being a Great Boxer, a standout among the tens of thousands of boxers overseas!

Wu Li’s representation of Li San in the competition with the Guandong Association was largely related to his past victory over Hu Shan. Otherwise, others might have thought Hongmen was lacking in fighters if they had called upon a star from the Martial Arts World to compete.

As they talked, several individuals approached them.

"Master Li."

Leading them was a man in a black overcoat, leaning on a cane, with slightly frosted temples, but a spirited and robust look of an elderly man who walked over while smiling and greeting them.

"Elder Zhou."

Upon seeing the man, Li San also walked over with a smile and performed a courteous handshake.

Wu Li could tell that this elder held a high position within Hongmen.

Indeed, Li San turned to Wu Li to introduce him: "This is Elder Zhou Yuanqing from the Hongmen Zhigong Hall, a Honorable Red Stick of Hongmen."

The revolutionary leader Mr. Sun himself joined Hongmen and was given the title "Hong Gun," which within Hongmen signified a position of a highly respected elder. Over the years, only a few individuals have earned the right to be called "Hong Gun."

Wu Li saluted with a fist: "Elder Zhou."

Zhou Yuanqing returned the gesture with a broad smile and a fist salute: "Master Wu, I’ve long heard of your great reputation, and I’ve always wanted to meet you. Today, I finally have the chance."

"You flatter me, Elder Zhou," said Wu Li.

He noticed among the three people behind Zhou Yuanqing, one middle-aged man also wore two large red flowers on his chest.

The man was sizing up Wu Li as well, his eyes profound, with thick and powerful muscles on his neck and arms.

[Hong Fist (Master Level), Choy Li Fut (Master Level)]

[Overall Score: S (12%)]

Wu Li used a System Detection on this man; another S-level expert. Not one of the Double Flower Red Sticks of Hongmen was a pushover.

Both Hong Fist and Choy Li Fut encompassed a variety of Fist techniques. Hong Fist was known for its powerful and robust style; Choy Li Fut was intricate and agile, with diverse methods. That this man had mastered these two completely different styles to a Master Level indicated his unique understanding of Kung Fu.

"This is also one of our Hongmen’s Double Flower Red Sticks, Master Zhao Xuan," Li San introduced as Wu Li observed Zhao Xuan.

Upon hearing his name, Zhao Xuan curved the corners of his mouth and greeted with a salute: "Master Wu, I’ve long heard of the title of Southeast Asia’s number one, and I hope to learn a thing or two from Master Wu when the opportunity arises."

""

As these words were uttered, the noise around Wu Li and others suddenly quieted down significantly.

Wu Li, as one of the main characters of the day, had attracted the attention of many. Most of them belonged to the Martial Arts World, blessed with excellent hearing. Since Zhao Xuan didn’t lower his voice at all, many around them heard his words. Everyone instinctively looked over to see how Wu Li would respond.

Wu Li’s gaze shifted subtly. He sensed a faint hostility in Zhao Xuan’s tone and, though he didn’t know why, he remained composed and bowed with hand folded in front, "It’s kind of you to say."

On hearing this, the other two standing beside Zhao Xuan cast surprised glances towards Wu Li.

For those who practice martial arts, reputation matters immensely; certain titles simply cannot be claimed carelessly. There’s an old saying that there’s no first place in literature and there’s no second in martial arts. If you claim to be the world’s number one, and then get beaten to death, people will say you got what you deserved for boasting; no one will sympathize or avenge you.

Similarly, there are countless people in the Martial Arts Circle of Southeast Asia, and among them many masters. The title of Southeast Asia’s number one carries considerable weight and is not easily claimed.

Although Wu Li had defeated Hu Shan before, it wasn’t an open public fight and there was no video, so the specifics were unseen. Therefore, Wu Li’s reputation as Southeast Asia’s number one, while circulated by some, wasn’t widely recognized in the mainstream Martial Arts Circle.

But today was different. With so many famous figures and masters from the Martial Arts World present, Zhao Xuan, as a Double Flower Red Stick of the Hongmen, personally declaring Wu Li as Southeast Asia’s number one master was no joking matter. Wu Li’s response was now crucial.

If Wu Li modestly declined, suggesting he was unworthy, it might damage his reputation, but at least it would avoid trouble. However, Wu Li accepted the title without hesitation: You say I’m the number one in Southeast Asia and want to challenge me? I say, let’s go!

This reaction surprised many onlookers and also offered them a new impression of Wu Li: If he could win two bouts today, his title as Southeast Asia’s number one could very well be solidified.

"Haha, indeed, a young hero," Zhou Yuanqing suddenly chimed in with laughter, "Master Wu, today’s a great day for you to make a name for yourself. Here’s to your success and a prosperous martial journey!"

Wu Li smiled, "Thank you, Senior Zhou."

"I’m sure there are many others in the Martial Arts Circle who would like to meet you. I won’t intrude any longer."

With those words, Zhou Yuanqing led Zhao Xuan and the others away.

"The Zhigong Hall has been trying to reunite the American Hongmen for years. Some years ago, they used a pretext to have Zhao Xuan and I spar in private, hoping to show off his might; instead, Zhao Xuan lost to me by one move," Li San explained to Wu Li.

"Zhao Xuan has been brooding over that ever since, looking for a chance to win back his lost honor. However, neither Zhou Yuan nor Sixth Uncle approved, so he holds some resentment, probably extending it to you as well."

Wu Li laughed, unconcerned.

It’s natural for martial artists to be competitive and want to reclaim any loss. Even without these events, the fact that Wu Li had defeated Hu Shan and bore the title of Southeast Asia’s number one would naturally invite challenges. It was simply human nature.

As Zhou Yuanqing left, someone else came over.

"Master Li, Master Wu."

The newcomer was short and stocky, with rough skin marked by numerous fine scratches, and his right palm was more than double the size of an average person, looking somewhat frightful.

Wu Li knew at a glance that this man must be an expert in the External Kung Fu technique of Iron Sand Palm, with the fine scratches on his skin likely caused by rubbing coarse sea salt.

Using System Detection, he saw:

[Iron Sand Palm (Master Level), Iron Cloth Shirt (Master Level)]

[Overall Score: S- (13%)]

"Master Liu," Li San greeted with a bow, then introduced him to Wu Li, "This is Master Liu Shaohai from the Taiwan Hongmen."

Wu Li nodded and reciprocated the greeting with a fist salute, "Master Liu."

"Master Wu, I’ve long admired your reputation. If you ever come to Taiwan, be sure to contact me so we can share a good drink," Liu Shaohai said boisterously.

Wu Li glanced at Liu Shaohai’s right hand. Purely External practice of Iron Sand Palm could lead to ’deformed’ palms like Liu Shaohai’s, with considerable power applied to any blow that could cause serious injury. However, Wu Li, having exchanged for Iron Sand Palm through the system, knew that true mastery involved coordinating internal energy to enhance the practice. At higher levels, it wasn’t about relying on abnormal palm size for power but, like Golden Bell Shield, expanding energy and blood.

After a brief chat with Liu Shaohai, Wu Li found him quite straightforward and thought that, should an opportunity arise, it would be worthwhile to visit Taiwan and potentially pass on the true legacy of Iron Sand Palm.

After Liu Shaohai, more people came forward.

This was Wu Li’s first public appearance in the Martial Arts World, and many were eager to meet him, allowing Wu Li to encounter many overseas Chinese experts.

It had to be said that there were considerably more masters in the overseas Martial Arts World compared to those at home. In just a short while, Wu Li met six Master Level Martial Artists from various Chinese organizations such as the Hongmen, Green Gang, and Fuqing Gang who had sent representatives to the event.

After a while, a burst of noise approached, and a group of people arrived on deck.

Wu Li looked up, only to see the leader dressed in a traditional Japanese samurai outfit, with a long katana at his waist, none other than Fujiwara Naoto, one of his opponents for the day.

Accompanied by Xiaoze Wutian and a few other Martial Artists, the group from the Island Country Martial Arts World had come on deck.

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