262: Chapter 259 Breaking the Rules is a Major Taboo

The largest wood chip, roughly the size of a thumbnail, arrived first, and Yamamoto Gojuro had no time to dodge at all.

He could only use a Moon Kick, creating a sonic boom in mid-air as the side of his foot swept the wood chip away in a perilously close move.

Bang!

The sensation felt like being hit by a bullet; although he kicked it away, the pain in his foot told Yamamoto Gojuro that he absolutely must not be hit by these things.

Having kicked away the large one, several smaller wood chips followed immediately behind!

While kicking the large wood chip, Yamamoto Gojuro had tried his best to sweep away all the wood chips at once, but they were not flying at the same speed.

He thought that by sweeping away the big one, the smaller ones wouldn't matter, but he now realized something was wrong.

This wasn't some street brawl feint like throwing lime powder; this was a lethal hidden weapon move!

Having exerted his full strength on that one kick, he didn't have time to bring his leg back for another. He saw several small wood chips rapidly enlarging before his eyes, and then his vision went dark.

"Ah!"

Yamamoto Gojuro clutched his right eye with one hand and his left ear with the other, letting out a shrill, miserable wail.

Just one move; one move decided the victory.

Yamamoto Gojuro, a 7th Dan Karate black belt master who combined Kyokushin-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shotokan, Chito-ryu, and Shindo Jinen-ryu, was blinded in his right eye and had an ear injured before the actual exchange of blows even began.

As bright red blood continuously flowed through Yamamoto Gojuro's fingers, many people present cried out in alarm. Those Japanese Faction Karate black belt masters were even more panicked and at a loss.

Before the fight, everyone thought it would be a close-quarters struggle, perhaps decided in three or ten moves, resulting in a broken bone at most. No one expected to see such a cruel and bloody scene.

Not only did those Japanese Faction Karate masters not expect it, but even Chen Youcai, Zhang Zhao, and even Wan Qianhe hadn't anticipated this turn of events.

Li Changsheng's words before the fight weren't pleasant, but his tone was very calm, and his Face maintained a peaceful and elegant posture. Who would have thought he would remain so calm even after his foot hit the ground?

It wasn't until he stomped and shattered the floor, launching wood chips as a lethal move, that everyone felt the intense killing intent.

In such a duel, the shift in atmosphere was extremely abrupt.

It was like an assassin; before killing, he was just an ordinary passerby. Once he revealed his fangs, the venomous teeth were already about to bite into the body.

Especially some of the young people; they finally understood what the older generation meant when they said that in the past, entering the arena meant deciding both superiority and life or death.

In the past, when those Martial Masters entered the arena, they would leave behind a Life and Death Waiver.

Although no Life and Death Waiver was signed for this exchange, and it didn't result in death, blood was indeed shed.

Those present were all people in the circle and knew more or less about the old rules and the Life and Death Waiver.

But before, they only read stories. Now they finally understood the weight of those lines: "Life and death are ordained by fate; wealth and honor reside in heaven. This match decides both superiority and life or death, with no accountability for either." Only now did they realize how heavy those seemingly light words were.

Even putting aside ancient times, in that modern-day martial arts competition where fifteen people were killed or injured, everyone had signed a Life and Death Waiver.

Once such a thing happened, neither side could seek retribution afterward, not even descendants or blood relatives. At least, you couldn't cause trouble for the next few years.

If you wanted to take action, you had to find a way privately or initiate another match later. A son could avenge his father, but he would have to sign another Life and Death Waiver.

If you won, the revenge was successful. If you lost, everything was gone.

That's why Martial Masters didn't easily step onto the stage in the past. Firstly, they didn't perform, and secondly, they had to kill. The former was self-humiliation, and the latter meant there was an irreconcilable conflict that had to be settled by risking life and death—be it for profit, power, Face, or reputation.

At this moment, the Faces of the young people present were somewhat pale. Many of them knew the rules, but very few had actually seen blood.

Some of the older generation, though surprised, were only surprised by how decisive, swift, and cunning Li Changsheng's move was for someone so young.

As for injuring someone and drawing blood, many of them were quite used to it.

The older generation Martial Masters who could come here were either those who had killed or committed crimes; those lacking money were a minority, unlike the young people who needed to fight for wealth and status.

"Master Zhang, this Brother Li... just what kind of person is Master Li? He must have killed someone before, right?" Chen Youcai was somewhat shocked.

Speaking of killing, he certainly hadn't done it himself. In his youth, he had been an enforcer under a certain Big Boss in Hong Kong.

But at that time, the Gang culture in Hong Kong was no longer as intense. All the Gangs had begun to intentionally restrain their subordinates, so he had only followed the Big Boss and slashed a few people.

Looking at the bloody scene, Zhang Zhao only gave Chen Youcai a contemptuous glance and said in a heavy voice, "A martial arts match isn't like drinking tea in a teahouse. Once the fight begins, no Face will be spared.

And what kind of place is this?

I reckon Brother Li has even killed people back in the country, let alone here. If he really wanted to kill him, Shuzilang would have already become Sigaolang!

Hmph, the Japanese Faction doesn't follow the rules and has a sharp tongue. If they want to challenge Brother Li, they have to pay a bloody price.

This is also because Brother Li is young now. With his level of skill, if he were middle-aged, not just any random cat or dog could challenge him as they please.

If a master could be challenged so easily, then what kind of master would they be? If you want to challenge a master, then bet your life!"

In fact, Zhang Zhao was also someone who remembered the rules of the older generation, as he himself had a formal lineage.

"Uh... true. When I was working under the Big Boss, there were plenty of young people who wanted to rise through the ranks."

Chen Youcai nodded.

The rules for challenging were even stricter within those Hong Kong Gangs.

You want to rise? You want to be a Red Pole? Fine! Risk your life for it. If you seize enough territory for the Gang, you are a Red Pole.

What is a Red Pole?

There's a Hongmen proverb: 'This pole originates from Baonan Mountain, passed down by the Five Ancestors to guard the gates. It specifically strikes the lawless children of the Hong family, and with one hundred and eight strikes, it stabilizes the land.'

That is a Red Pole!

Every Red Pole is a truly fierce man within each branch; it's not like you can rise to the top just by challenging the boss.

In some Gangs, if you follow a boss, you have to follow that boss for life.

If you want to switch Gangs? Fine, then undergo Three Knives and Six Holes!

If you survive Three Knives and Six Holes, you can naturally join someone else's Gang.

Among martial artists, challenging is an even greater taboo!

That's why Zhang Zhao said that a challenge match isn't about sitting together, drinking tea, and talking about social niceties; it's a matter of life and death.

Li Changsheng looked at Yamamoto Gojuro, who was being supported by a group of Karate black belt masters, and said indifferently:

"Fists are inferior to palms, palms are inferior to fingers, and fingers are inferior to weapons. You lost!"

After saying this, Li Changsheng turned around and walked towards Wan Qianhe.

"Wait!"

"Thump!"