Li Yitong even had a feeling Chen Zheng wasn't using his true strength. Otherwise, she would have been defeated long ago!
He's incredible! With skills like these, I bet even the top soldiers in the military couldn't beat him! Li Yitong was utterly shocked.
After launching another fierce volley of attacks, she used a block to create some distance between herself and Chen Zheng.
Chen Zheng didn't advance, simply standing his ground and waiting.
Li Yitong caught her breath, looking at Chen Zheng with great interest.
"Chen Zheng, I never expected you to be so skilled!"
"Officer Li is quite good too, holding your own against me for this long is impressive!"
Li Yitong gave a wry laugh, feeling that he wasn't telling the whole truth.
"You've got me fired up! Chen Zheng, I'm going all out now. I can't guarantee I won't hurt you, so if you can't handle it, just say the word!"
"Whoa, so Officer Li has been holding back!" Chen Zheng's interest was piqued as well.
"Not exactly holding back. It's just a technique that I can't use against ordinary people," Li Yitong said, exhaling slowly.
"In that case, I'd really like to see it. Bring it on, Officer Li!"
Hearing this, Li Yitong regulated her breathing and settled into a stance.
Chen Zheng could feel a strange power surging from within her.
This… is traditional martial arts?! Chen Zheng was stunned. If he hadn't just mastered Chen Style Tai Chi, he would never have noticed the change in her.
"Be careful!" Li Yitong warned.
In the next instant, Chen Zheng found that she had already closed the distance. Her fist, whipping up a gust of wind, shot straight for him.
So this is traditional martial arts… no fancy posturing, just aiming for a kill with a single strike! he thought, raising a hand to deflect the punch.
BANG!
A muffled thud echoed out. This time, Chen Zheng couldn't completely disperse the force. For the first time, he was knocked back.
"Again!" Seeing Chen Zheng take her punch, Li Yitong's eyes blazed. She began closing in on him once more, her footwork moving in a strange, unpredictable pattern.
Chen Zheng took a deep breath, his expression becoming perfectly calm. In the next second, his body began to move elusively.
BANG!
The two clashed again. This time, however, Chen Zheng didn't just deflect the force; he redirected it, using her own momentum against her as he coiled around her like a phantom.
Li Yitong's power was incredibly rigid, with every move seemingly backed by her full strength. In contrast, Chen Zheng was like flowing water—seemingly soft, but overwhelmingly powerful.
The two became entangled in a flurry of motion.
The battle reached a fever pitch!
"Awesome! That's so damn awesome!"
"This is like watching a movie! This spar looks like two artists creating a masterpiece!"
The police officers were buzzing with excitement, whispering amongst themselves. Their eyes were glued to the pair, terrified of missing even a second of the thrilling spectacle.
This is what traditional martial arts are all about. It borrows combat experience from ancient styles, but I probably couldn't beat her unless we were fighting to the death! Chen Zheng reflected, a new respect dawning on him. Traditional martial arts are truly incredible!
Chen Style Tai Chi wasn't created for sparring; it's a true killing art. The same goes for the ancient martial arts used by warriors on the battlefield. Both were designed to take lives, so their practitioners would naturally be restrained in a friendly match.
Maybe I should try out the true power of Chen Style Tai Chi? She's going all out, so I should too!
After creating some distance once more, Chen Zheng let out a low roar. His entire demeanor instantly changed. The man who had been as smooth as water was now as sharp as a blade.
"Hmm?!" Li Yitong faltered. This was the first time she felt a sense of danger.
"Officer Li, you better be careful!"
Tai Chi! Parry, Block, and Punch! Chen Zheng roared internally. The defensive "Holding the Ball" stance vanished as he trod the Seven Stars Gang steps, closing in on Li Yitong like a wraith.
It's over! Li Yitong froze for a moment, hastily raising her hands to defend herself.
Chen Zheng retracted his fist, spinning it before striking out again. It was as if the very air spiraled along with his punch.
CRACK!!
With a sound of tearing air, Li Yitong was sent flying backward, her mind completely blank.
But Chen Zheng didn't stop. He instantly followed up.
Dual Powers Thrust!
It was a killing move, his elbow aimed straight for her chest.
"Chen Zheng! Are you trying to kill me?!" Li Yitong screamed, having just hit the ground with no time to parry.
The moment she spoke, Chen Zheng's attack froze. His elbow stopped less than a fist's distance from her chest.
HUFF... HUFF...
Li Yitong pushed herself up with her hands, panting heavily. Only then did the delayed terror wash over her.
"My God, what was that just now?!"
"No idea! That explosive power, was that also Tai Chi? Is Tai Chi really that strong?!"
"It can't be Tai Chi. If it were that amazing, wouldn't all the old men in the parks be martial arts masters?"
"That looked like Chen Style Tai Chi… a killing art!"
Chen Zheng looked down at Li Yitong and relaxed his stance. He now understood the power of Chen Style Tai Chi. It was too strong. A single moment of carelessness could get someone killed.
Sitting on the ground, Li Yitong finally recovered, glaring at Chen Zheng resentfully.
"Haha… sorry, sorry. I got a little carried away and couldn't hold back in time," Chen Zheng said, scratching his head awkwardly.
Li Yitong pursed her lips. She then stood, faced Chen Zheng, and cupped her fist in a formal bow. "Xing Yi Quan, Li Yitong!" she declared seriously.
Chen Zheng, momentarily stunned, quickly mimicked her gesture and replied, "Chen's Hunyuan Tai Chi, Chen Zheng!"
"Heh, I should have guessed. Your last name is Chen, after all," Li Yitong said, still a bit grudgingly.
Chen's Hunyuan Tai Chi… a genuine killing art. If that elbow strike had landed, I would have ended up with several broken bones at the very least!
"Well then, Officer Li, it's getting late and I've still got things to do, so I won't stick around!"
Chen Zheng had a nagging feeling that this woman wouldn't be able to resist challenging him again. He quickly grabbed Zhao Gao and the others and made a hasty exit.
Li Yitong watched his retreating figure, the fighting spirit in her eyes undiminished. She was furious that she had lost the match.
She whirled around to face the gawking officers. "What are you all doing just standing here?! Don't you have work to do?!" she bellowed.
At her words, the officers scattered immediately.
"Let's go, let's go!"
"She's terrifying! You can't provoke Captain Li when she's angry!"
Only when the courtyard was empty did Li Yitong finally let out a long breath.
"Chen's Hunyuan Tai Chi, huh?" she muttered softly. "Looks like the martial world is about to get chaotic again."
A smile touched her lips. "But that's what makes it interesting!"
With one last glance toward Chen Zheng at the gate, she turned and walked back into the police station.