Chapter 144 Self-Created Tai Chi Fist
Zhu Bufan grabbed Zhao Baldhead, who was preparing to rush towards Slokyv.
"Brother, you're not his match. Let me handle this!" Zhu Bufan said calmly.
Zhao Baldhead was at first stunned, then he glanced at Zhu Bufan's composed face and a trace of confusion appeared on his own.
This Zhu Bufan was indeed a fellow villager and brother of his.
But as far as he could remember, Zhu Bufan didn't know kung fu, right?
What is he...
"Zhu Bufan, I know you jumped down here to save me for the sake of my sister, but I'm telling you, you should leave. It's not as simple as you think. Even if my sister found out, I believe she wouldn't blame you!" Zhao Baldhead's face showed helplessness; during these days, he had learned how powerful the Rose Club was.
"Don't worry, even if it weren't for your sister, I would still have jumped out to save you. After all, we are fellow villagers and brothers."
"No, Zhu Bufan, I, Zhao Baldhead, will not put you in danger. Take the chance while you can and getaway..."
"Damn it, hurry up, stop dawdling, will you fight or will he fight!" Slokyv was inherently hot-tempered, and seeing the two of them dithering for so long, he immediately pointed at them and spoke out.
Zhao Baldhead looked at Slokyv with a face full of resentment.
"What's the matter, kiddo, not satisfied? Come on, let's fight." Slokyv, seeing Zhao Baldhead's resentful gaze, immediately taunted him.
"Now, I will take Zhao Baldhead's place to challenge Slokyv, and next, I will take on five matches. Please arrange them," Zhu Bufan said loudly, not caring about Slokyv's provocation.
Shock...
Surprise...
No one expected that this handsome young man had jumped down for that Zhao Baldhead, and he was going to challenge six matches on his own.
In an instant, the area turned into an uproar as everyone began discussing fervently.
Yuwen Wuji heard Zhu Bufan say this and immediately showed a disdainful smirk.
The host, who had been startled by Zhu Bufan's actions, had not expected this man to have jumped into the Beast Fighting Arena to save Zhao Baldhead and to challenge six matches on his own.
It took him quite a while before he picked up the microphone and began to speak:
"Our club does indeed have such a rule. Since you've made your choice, sir, I wish you good luck."
"No, it's not like that..." Hearing Zhu Bufan actually say this, Zhao Baldhead immediately roared out loud.
Zhao Baldhead roared, trying to change something.
However, the host did not pay any attention to him; after speaking, the host immediately went down to arrange matters.
So, it was certain that the match would be between Zhu Bufan and Slokyv.
Seeing all this, Zhao Baldhead's face showed helplessness.
"Zhu Bufan, I..."
"Don't worry, everything will be alright. Since I've appeared here, I should make a move to save you."
"But..." At that moment, Zhao Baldhead didn't know what to say.
He felt he owed Zhu Bufan, and his sister, a lot.
"Alright, don't say anything else, believe in me, Brother Zhao!"
"Alright... alright, Zhu Bufan, be careful..." Finally, after a long while, Zhao Baldhead slowly spoke to Zhu Bufan.
Soon, the betting odds for Zhu Bufan and Slokyv were arranged, and the host spoke into the microphone again:
"Alright, the betting has been arranged. The odds for this man who suddenly entered our Beast Fighting Arena are 1:2, and Slokyv's odds are still 1:1. Everyone, please place your bets quickly."
The reason for setting Zhu Bufan's odds at 1:2 was because he looked much less robust than Slokyv, he was too thin. Generally, high odds are given to those perceived as weak, and low odds to those considered strong; this is also how the club makes money. Everybody knows that.
At this moment, in the Duel Arena, Zhu Bufan calmly looked at Slokyv not far away. The reason they had not yet engaged in combat was that they were waiting for a word from the host. Their fates were arranged by the Rose Club; as soon as the host spoke, they would begin their fight.
After quite a while, with the bets all placed, the host finally said, "Begin!"
Because Zhu Bufan had replaced Zheng Guangtou to fight, Zheng Guangtou was taken away from the Beast Fighting Arena.
As soon as the host's word 'Begin' fell, a burst of shouting erupted from the stands. Most of the shouts were:
"Slokyv, kill him!"
"Go hard, Slokyv."
"He must be killed!"
...
Only a minority bet on Zhu Bufan, hoping to gamble on him. They could only cheer for Zhu Bufan very softly.
The general momentum was against them, they dared not cheer too loudly, fearful of being mocked for their ignorance and foolishness.
Slokyv seemed to thoroughly enjoy this, spreading his arms to fully take in the shouting from the stands in support of him, a smile appearing on his face. He knew that after this fight, he would gain his freedom.
"Kid, though I quite admire you, I won't hold back," Slokyv said disdainfully after soaking in his moment, addressing Zhu Bufan.
Faced with Slokyv's scorn, Zhu Bufan just smiled faintly. He did not respond to Slokyv.
Zhu Bufan glanced at the formidable Slokyv and then slowly began to shake his body, at this moment trying to activate every cell in his body, to achieve a very relaxed state. Tai Chi Fist emphasizes naturalness and relaxation. Therefore, Zhu Bufan wanted to relax himself first.
Zhu Bufan chose to use Tai Chi Fist to compete with Slokyv because he realized that if he tried to match Slokyv's raw strength, it would be futile. Looking at Slokyv's previous two matches, it was clear that Slokyv's strength was much greater than his own.
Since Tai Chi emphasizes using the opponent's force against them, since Slokyv is much stronger, why should he engage in a contest of strength with him? It was better to use Slokyv's strength against him.
Zhu Bufan had studied Tai Chi Fist and had now adapted it; so this time, Zhu Bufan was prepared to use Tai Chi Fist to defeat Slokyv.
At this time, upon seeing Zhu Bufan's body shaking, Slokyv's lips curled into a disdainful smile, as if he saw something very frightening:
"Kid, are you afraid of me? Will you wet your pants out of fear later? Haha!"
Zhu Bufan ignored Slokyv's ridicule, focusing solely on shaking himself to fully relax his body.
In the stands!
Yuwen Wuji was also watching Zhu Bufan with a look of ridicule, "I thought he was very capable, but he's shaking in fear before the fight has even started."
Wu Kui, however, was astonished because he knew that Zhu Bufan was preparing to use Tai Chi Fist against Slokyv.
Those who had placed a hopeful bet on Zhu Bufan now regretted their decision, believing that Zhu Bufan was frightened; they beat their chests and backs in remorse, wondering why they had gambled on luck! In particular, a decent-looking young woman, who initially found Zhu Bufan quite handsome and had high hopes after seeing his calm declaration to fight for his brother, had bet five million. Now, she felt like slapping herself.
"Alright, kid, it's time for you to die!" Slokyv didn't want to drag it out any longer, he said mercilessly. He then took a big step forward with his enormous frame, charging at Zhu Bufan with the wind at his back.
Although Slokyv had already fought two matches, his stamina was completely unaffected and he charged at great speed.
Quickly he approached Zhu Bufan and stomped on a bluestone slab in front of him.
Then a 'crack' sound followed.
The bluestone shattered under Slokyv's stomp, splintering into countless fragments. This showed the immense power of Slokyv.
Then Slokyv threw a rapid punch towards Zhu Bufan's head, intent on pulverizing it with a single blow.
Seeing Slokyv's fist aiming for his head, Zhu Bufan quickly stepped back, deftly avoiding the punch.
"Wow, kid, you're not too shabby!"
Slokyv showed a trace of surprise on his face when he saw Zhu Bufan easily avoided his punch.
Zhu Bufan dodged quickly, but Slokyv's punches were also fast. In an instant, Slokyv took another swing, this time aiming for Zhu Bufan's chest.
His other hand was not idle either; it moved to block Zhu Bufan's retreat, forcing Zhu Bufan to either take this punch or resist it forcefully.
Slokyv's fist, glowing with power, reached Zhu Bufan's chest in a blink, the fierce strength seemingly enough to tear through his chest.
Zhu Bufan, seeing this punch coming, frowned slightly.