Chapter 0005: Apprenticeship

After the two individuals exchanged bows, they assumed their stances and officially commenced the competition

Huo Yuanjia was struck directly in the chest by Master Niu, and he staggered back several steps before dissipating the force. However, the audience did not care whether he was Huo Yuanjia or not; in such a situation, they could not help but cheer.

Alright, Chen Kan, from now on you will be my disciple. This is Nong Jinsun, my brother

To his surprise, Huo Yuanjia actually took the initiative to attack. In Chen Kan's memory, shouldn't masters always wait to strike from the back? Why was it different from his expectations?

At this moment, Huo Yuanjia smiled and said: "Not bad, you have the makings of a martial artist. Although you are a bit older, what is your name? Have you really thought this through? Practicing martial arts can be quite a challenging endeavor!"

Everyday life is too mundane; it is precisely competitions like this that are needed to stimulate the latent passion that resides in everyone's blood

I, Chen Kan, wish to take Master Huo as my teacher. I implore Master Huo to grant this request!" Chen Kan immediately ran to Huo Yuanjia, knelt on the ground, and looked at Huo Yuanjia with earnest eyes.

Yuan Jia, congratulations to you

Yuan Jia needs to be serious! Next to Chen Kan, there is a person wearing a melon-shaped hat, facing away from Chen Kan, yet appearing quite refined. Chen Kan heard him mutter something and looked at him with some confusion from behind.

Chen Kan is currently watching the two individuals on the arena below. According to Chen Kan's understanding, Huo Yuanjia is participating in this life-and-death arena for the first time today. It seems that the plot has not officially begun yet

Tianjin, located in the northern part of the North China Plain, is bordered by the Bohai Sea to the east and the Yanshan Mountains to the north. In modern times, due to its unique location, its geographical significance has increasingly grown.

The elder held the life-and-death document in front of the two individuals for confirmation, and both nodded, indicating that there were no issues

However, Chen Kan knows that these are not fans at all; regardless of who wins, they will shout like this. They are merely a group of onlookers.

I have met the master and the farmer uncle

The time has come

An old man walked to the center of the arena. It is said that he is the oldest resident in the area and also a martial artist. His hair and beard have turned completely white, yet he appears to be in good spirits. As soon as he began to speak, the previously noisy arena fell silent in an instant

He held a piece of paper in his hand, turned around the arena, showed the paper to the people present, and then said

At the moment when Chen Kan was feeling anxious, Huo Yuanjia placed a hand on Chen Kan's shoulder. Chen Kan seemed to feel a slight tremor in the bones of his shoulder and looked at Huo Yuanjia with a puzzled expression

However, today, the arena is empty, while the crowd below is vast and bustling, because today someone is going to challenge the arena, specifically the most intense "life-and-death match". As the name suggests, it is a contest where one side either concedes defeat or perishes.

Master Niu is just like this; Huo Yuanjia's punches are difficult to be effective, and Master Niu has dodged Huo Yuanjia's attacks multiple times by weaving left and right. His hands are like snakes, "following up" Huo Yuanjia's arms

From this point on, the situation of the battle changed completely. In less than a minute, Master Niu was defeated by Huo Yuanjia. Although it was a "life-and-death match," Huo Yuanjia did not strike with lethal force.

Master Huo, Master Huo! The audience watching the performance is like fervent fans, collectively shouting the name of Huo Yuanjia.

Huo Yuanjia took the initiative to strike again, but this time he did not use his fists; instead, he switched to grappling techniques, which could also be aptly described as using eagle claws

Tianjin has long been a stronghold of martial arts, serving as an important base for northern martial arts. It has consistently preserved the tradition of arena competitions.

Chen Kan looked at Huo Yuanjia with some concern, wondering if he would lose in the first round. Chen Kan had planned to approach Huo Yuanjia to become his disciple after he won. But what would happen if Huo Yuanjia lost?

Good

One cannot possibly take the other Master Niu as a mentor, as this is completely different from Chen Kan's plan. At this moment, Chen Kan feels somewhat confused. Is it possible that the way to activate his "prophet" attribute is incorrect?

Huo Yuanjia on the stage flicked the spot where he had been hit, then looked sternly at Master Niu

If there is usually no difference between here and other places, small vendors sometimes display their goods here, and children always enjoy jumping around in this area

This young man is somewhat older, at least twenty years old. Practicing martial arts is not impossible, but achieving results is not easy. However, he is quite fond of the young man's gaze

A person dressed in white, appearing to be quite young, around thirty years of age, is referred to as "Master Huo" in the conversations of those nearby, which suggests that this martial artist is indeed Huo Yuanjia

At the North Gate of Tianjin, near the vegetable market, there is a circular arena for martial arts competitions. This arena has a long history, reportedly existing even before the Qing Dynasty entered the pass.

Huo Yuanjia carefully scrutinized Chen Kan for a while

Chen Kan and Huo Yuanjia stared at each other for a while, feeling as if everything about him had been seen through; such a gaze was truly formidable. At the same time, Chen Kan was also anxious, wondering if he had arrived too early, as Huo Yuanjia probably was not taking disciples at this moment

The competition has begun! After the old man shouted this, he stepped aside, as such a competition does not require the presence of a referee.

Hmph! Master Niu flicked his sleeve and, with the support of several people, left the arena

"Master, my name is Chen Kan. I wish to take the great hero Huo as my master. I kindly ask for your approval!"

Master Niu, I concede!" Huo Yuanjia said, cupping his fists in respect to Master Niu

Another person, referred to as "Master Niu", appears to be in his forties or fifties. It is said that he practices Snake Style Kung Fu.

Good, good, good, Yuan Jia, you have won the competition and taken on such a good disciple. Today, come to my Gu Yue Lou, and we shall not return until we are drunk

Master Niu is indeed a master of the Snake Style Fist, his entire being resembles a snake. Chen Kan does not understand those martial arts techniques, but he knows a phrase, which is "strike the snake with the stick as it rises"

Huo Yuanjia smiled and politely cupped his fists in greeting to the elders and fellow villagers. Chen Kan originally wanted to rush forward to pay his respects as a disciple, but Huo Yuanjia unexpectedly walked in the direction where Chen Kan was standing

However, that person did not notice Chen Kan's gaze, but instead kept staring at Huo Yuanjia on the stage

Jin Sun, I have won

Huo Yuanjia was greeting the refined gentleman beside Chen Kan, who at that moment also realized that this was Huo Yuanjia's childhood friend, Nong Jinsun, who later provided Huo Yuanjia with much assistance

Hmm! Huoyuanjia did not expect anyone would come to seek him as a master, but after his first victory, he felt quite pleased. At this moment, he did not yet possess the demeanor depicted in the movies.

The life-and-death contract has been signed, victory and defeat depend on man, life and death are in the hands of heaven. Two martial artists, please come to the stage. After the elder gestured, two martial artists walked up from either side of the arena.

Master Niu's Snake Fist aimed to "follow up" with Huo Yuanjia's fist, but was swiftly captured by Huo Yuanjia's Eagle Claw.