81: Chapter 80 Moving like a taut bow, striking like a thunderclap

Qiu Bufan: "Isn't this the Little Peppa of Yuehai Street, Nanshan District?"

Wei Xinshang: "Good heavens, it turns out the streamer knows this powerhouse!"

Shigu Ritian: "Can someone explain who this guy is? But that T-shirt of his looks very familiar..."

Aisitu'er: "I'll give you a few hints: dark and windy night, playing cards, Chinese Martial Arts, and staying true to his style."

As Li Changsheng entered Gao Qiang's livestream frame, the viewers immediately erupted.

Gao Qiang's fans were regular internet users, and combined with the fact that Li Changsheng had indeed been trending lately—with news pushes from Penguin and Douyin, and even many self-media outlets reposting that brilliant fight for promotion—he was well-known.

While he wasn't known by the entire internet, at least within certain circles, everyone knew this 'human weapon' wearing a Peppa Pig T-shirt.

Li Changsheng's appearance caused the popularity of Gao Qiang's livestream to skyrocket instantly.

Li Changsheng didn't pay much attention to this; his gaze was fixed on the layout of the surroundings.

Timber was laid out everywhere, and there wasn't a single reinforced concrete structure in sight.

"Qiang Zi, are you planning to build an ancient-style structure using the Mortise and Tenon technique?" Jiang Heng felt that Gao Qiang had quite a good idea; if this was done well, it would be a huge selling point.

If it was a pure Mortise and Tenon structure, it would definitely be a restoration of ancient architecture. He wasn't sure if that was the case, but if it was, Qiang Zi had developed some incredible skills over the years.

Gao Qiang nodded with a smile. He gestured toward the camera and said, "My title is 'Pure Mortise and Tenon Restoration of Ming Dynasty Architecture and a Lakeside Pavilion.'"

"You know, I went to learn carpentry right after finishing middle school. Later, I joined a construction team intending to do woodwork, but I never got the chance. Coming back this time, I also wanted to realize my old dream—to build a decent-looking ancient building!"

Hearing this, Li Changsheng nodded slightly. He knew Qiang Zi's craftsmanship; in the past, he had handled all the carpentry work in the village by himself.

His family was actually doing quite well now; his father was still selling and raising fish, and he had made a lot of money working away from home. In short, with a craft in hand, he would never go hungry.

"Is there anything I can help with? I don't know carpentry, but I can assist with the heavy lifting," Li Changsheng said with a smile.

"No need, I'm still processing the timber right now, no rush," Gao Qiang gave a simple, honest smile.

He mostly saw that Li Changsheng's skin was fair and delicate; if he let him do this work, he feared the man wouldn't be able to handle the hardship.

With that, Gao Qiang invited Li Changsheng to sit down, told him there was water nearby, and went back to his work.

Seeing this, Li Changsheng watched for a while before he began practicing Health-preserving Qigong, Baji Quan, and Xingyi Crushing Fist in the nearby open space.

After practicing for a bit, his eyes lit up as he looked at a large empty plot of land next to him.

"Qiang Zi, do you have a use for this plot of land later?"

Gao Qiang took a look and shook his head. "I haven't thought of how to use it yet. I might build a platform and plant some flowers and grass on both sides."

"I see!" Li Changsheng rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and said, "How about this, Qiang Zi? I'll provide the money, and you help me build a pavilion. I plan to put some training equipment here and come over to exercise daily; you can use it too."

Indeed, this place was nestled between mountains and water; it was practically a prime spot of Feng Shui. Right outside was the lake-like fish pond, and behind it was the lush mountain scenery, which was naturally pleasing to the eye.

"No need for money. If you want me to rush it out in the next couple of days, I have plenty of spare timber. Building a wooden pavilion won't take much effort."

This was true; he had plenty of wood nearby that had already been neatly cut and marked. He just needed to assemble the Mortise and Tenon joints according to the proportions.

Besides, his original plan included building a pavilion anyway.

After discussing a few more details, Li Changsheng insisted on stuffing a three-thousand-yuan red envelope into the other man's hand before hurriedly leaving.

For several days in a row, Li Changsheng followed his routine training: running, visiting Gao Qiang's place, and then livestreaming his martial arts and health cultivation.

On the other side, at the Jiang family home—

Elder Jiang's face was ruddy as he leisurely practiced a set of Taiji health-preserving moves. It was true he practiced Hong Quan, but that didn't stop him from practicing other arts for health.

However, before long, he heard a series of hurried footsteps. Without even looking, the elder frowned with displeasure and said, "Xiao Ting, you've just started your break; what's got you in such a rush? It can't be that you missed this old man, can it?"

"Whew! Whew! Grandpa, I did miss you, but I also have something I want to ask you!"

Jiang Tingting was seen leaning on her knees, gasping for air. At the same time, she quickly pulled a tablet from her backpack and opened a video.

It was none other than the video of the most intense part of the life-and-death struggle between Li Changsheng and Jiang Wenqiang.

"Grandpa! Look at this. What level of skill do these two have?"

"Oh, one of them is the streamer I told you about before. I just found this video online after starting my break, so I came to ask you to take a look."

As Jiang Tingting spoke, she handed the tablet over.

Hearing this, Elder Jiang also became interested. The main reason was that the feeling of the two fighting in the footage was very clear—they were out for blood.

Elder Jiang, who had been on the battlefield, understood at a glance that this exchange was one where victory or defeat also decided life or death; only one person could possibly leave alive.

Although the video was only a few minutes long, it made the elder's blood surge. His face became even ruddier than before, and his breathing grew heavy.

This kind of reaction usually came from emotional stimulation, visual impact, or a psychological stir.

Jiang Tingting watched from the side in surprise. Her grandfather had weathered countless storms over the years; what hadn't he seen?

Yet, after watching this video, he had such an intense reaction.

Just as Jiang Tingting was beginning to feel suspicious, the elder let out a long sigh, which finally turned into an exclamation.

"Both of them have great skill. Real martial arts!"

"Grandpa, what do you think of their strength? And how did that man die after the last few moves? I've seen Boxing matches where they throw many punches and it's only a KO."

Jiang Tingting asked in confusion.

"You, oh you, you still have prejudices against the things passed down by our ancestors, don't you?"

Elder Jiang gave the girl a sidelong glance, then pointed at the screen and said, "This boy is using a combination of Baji Quan and Xingyi skills."

"Look, his hands go out like steel files and return like hooks; his elbows never leave his ribs, and his hands never leave his heart. Fighting like this can greatly protect one's vital points."

"But the true killing moves were the final Baji techniques that played the decisive role."

"These moves were the Baji Iron Mountain Lean, the Facing the Door Three Disregards, and the Heart-Striking Elbow. The strikes are fierce and violent, crashing and striking with explosive power. Especially that last strike—the Heart-Striking Elbow moves like a drawn bow and strikes like a thunderclap."

At this point, the elder paused. He sat down on the Grandmaster Chair to his side, took a sip of tea, and then continued slowly:

"There is a saying: 'Better to take ten punches than one elbow.' Whether it's the Three Internal Martial Arts—Taiji, Xingyi, and Bagua—or the Three External Schools—Baji Quan, Tongbei School, and Pigua Zhang—all of them actually have elbow strikes to some extent."

"But the Heart-Striking Elbow of Baji is the most fierce and most lethal. If it lands, you're either crippled or dead!"