The 33 Strategies of War (Part 1)

  Lin Heng descended from Zhongnan Mountain and headed west, soon entering the city of Xi'an. The ancient city was majestic, with a bustling interior, but Lin Heng's mind was not on these sights at all. As soon as he entered the city, he asked the locals about any famous martial artists in the surrounding area.

  For the people here, martial arts is not an unfamiliar term. Everyone knows a thing or two about it because anyone who practices martial arts is either a good person or a bad one. How can you not understand them?

  No sooner had Lin Heng asked a few people than he got the news.

  In the east of Xi'an City, there is a White family, known as the White Fist Gate. This place is actually a martial arts school in Xi'an City. This school is a hereditary school, just like many families in China, similar to the Luoyang Golden Knife School in Jin Yong's works.

  In the information Lin Heng obtained, he knew that the Bai family originated from the old ancestor of the Bai family, Bai Ran. It is said that when Bai Ran was a child, he saved someone and got him to teach him boxing techniques, but the name of the technique is unknown. Later, after the Bai family passed it down, this boxing technique was called Bai Jia Quan, and the Bai family was also known as the White Fist Gate.

  The current master of the White family is Bai Ran's grandson, Bai Hu. This man has a great reputation in Xi'an City, and his most impressive feat was single-handedly killing two tigers.

  Under White Tiger, there are Bai Su and Bai Cheng, a pair of brother and sister. At the same time, these two people are also outstanding descendants of the White family, and they are the most outstanding among the new generation of disciples.

  Lin Heng tidied up the information and walked towards the White family's mansion. This time, he was seeking a martial arts duel, but in order not to make the White family lose face, he couldn't just walk in openly. After all, if the White family won, it would be fine, but if they lost, they would absolutely lose face, and things might get out of hand, which wasn't what Lin Heng wanted. At the same time, his identity as a Quanzhen Sect disciple also made him unable to be so rude, otherwise the Seven Sons of Quanzhen would definitely not let him off.

  He then handed over the visiting card and said: I've heard that the Bai family has great prestige in Xi'an, so I've come to pay my respects. Lin Heng is new to the Jianghu world and doesn't understand its rules, if I have offended you in any way, please forgive me!

  Lin Heng's words were very polite, but the Bai family knew that he was here to challenge them. So, the Bai family did not dare to be careless, and Bai Hu led Bai Su and Bai Cheng out directly. However, when he saw Lin Heng, he couldn't help but have some doubts in his heart, because Lin Heng was too young.

  "In the lower forest, I hope White Palm Gate will not hesitate to give guidance!"

  Lin Heng bowed to Bai Hu with a fist. Bai Hu also returned the courtesy and led Lin Heng in. Along the way, Bai Su and Bai Cheng's gazes at Lin Heng were not very friendly, after all, this was someone who had been beaten up at their doorstep.

  "Where did Brother Lin inherit from?" After sitting down, White Tiger had someone serve tea to Lin Heng and asked about his lineage.

  Lin Heng did not conceal it either, saying: "I am a disciple of Quanzhen School's Danyang True Man!"

  "It turned out to be Ma Daochang's senior disciple, I was really rude just now!" Bai Hu was shocked and immediately stood up. At this time, he was very polite to Lin Heng, and behind him, Bai Su and Bai Cheng were also looking at Lin Heng with surprise on their faces, apparently not expecting that he was a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect.

  "As a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, Lin Xiao is able to come in person to ask for guidance, this truly adds glory to the White family's face. Come, come, I will personally instruct Lin Xiao!" Pulling Lin Heng along, Bai Hu said as he walked into the large courtyard up ahead. Lin Heng didn't stand on ceremony either, immediately putting down the long sword in his hand and clenching his fists, saying: "White Sect Leader, please!"

  "Good!" White Tiger said, and immediately cautiously looked at Lin Heng. Lin Heng knew that he was a senior, and it was impossible to launch a surprise attack, so he immediately threw a straight punch.

  Bai Hu tentatively took Lin Heng's punch, feeling the great force of his fist. He immediately became even more cautious and launched a sweeping kick with one foot, trying to force Lin Heng back. However, not only did Lin Heng not retreat, but he also stepped forward, directly blocking Bai Hu's attack route. Then, he threw another straight punch, striking Bai Hu's chest. Seeing this, Bai Hu quickly ducked down, propped himself up with both hands on the ground, and kicked upwards with both feet. Lin Heng pressed down with both fists, making two slapping sounds as they hit the soles of Bai Hu's kicking feet. Both men stumbled backward several steps.

  "What a quick reaction speed!" Lin Heng's eyes sparkled as he stared at the White Tiger, pondering his previous move. Although the White Tiger's kung fu wasn't particularly formidable, his experience was indeed very cunning.

  "Take it!" With a light cry, Lin Heng launched another attack. This time, the fist he grasped suddenly transformed into a palm, which slapped towards White Tiger's chest. In mid-air, this palm changed and transformed incessantly, but to White Tiger's eyes, it was as if one palm had turned into three, covering his upper, middle, and lower routes.

  "Three Flowers Gather at the Top Palm!" The White Tiger recognized this palm technique and didn't dare to be careless. He immediately clenched his fists with both hands, quickly throwing out two punches, then retreated his body, and struck out another two punches. His first two punches forced Lin Heng's palm back, while the latter two punches directly targeted Lin Heng's chest. As for Lin Heng's attacking hand, he acted as if he hadn't seen it at all.

  Lin Heng knew that White Tiger was forcing him to withdraw his move. However, he didn't want to let this guy have his way, so he suddenly changed the shape of his palm and slapped out with his left hand, hitting White Tiger's right arm and deflecting his fist, while also meeting his left fist with a loud slapping sound.

  After this exchange, Lin Heng's feet fluttered, and in an instant, he dissipated the force of Bai Hu's blow. Then, his body leaned forward, and his palms continuously slapped out, covering Bai Hu's entire body.

  In Lin Heng's fierce attack, the White Tiger also went all out with his fists, constantly blocking Lin Heng's attacks while retreating with his feet, hoping to withdraw from Lin Heng's attacking range.

  Lin Heng, who was attacking, suddenly stopped and his palm also mysteriously withdrew. The White Tiger saw this and didn't have time to think, immediately retreating two steps. Just as he had opened up some distance with Lin Heng, Lin Heng pounced forward with his fists clenched. At that moment, he was like a fierce tiger, pouncing down from above. The White Tiger knew it wasn't good and immediately rolled on the ground to dodge Lin Heng's attack. However, as soon as Lin Heng's feet touched the ground, he flew up again and pounced towards the White Tiger. The White Tiger lay on the ground, kicking his legs upwards to try and fend off Lin Heng, but Lin Heng didn't flinch or avoid, quickly striking with both fists and hitting the White Tiger's ankle.

  With a loud crash, the enormous force sent the White Tiger flying out, rubbing against the ground. Lin Heng also borrowed the force to swing in mid-air and landed steadily on the ground.

  "Bai Zhangmen's kung fu is extraordinary, let's stop here!" Lin Heng said with his hands clasped in a fist, facing the newly risen White Tiger.

  Bai Hu smiled wryly, he looked down at his slightly trembling legs and said: "Lin Xiao is too polite, in terms of martial arts, I am not a match for Lin Xiao."

  Bai Hu is not a narrow-minded person, losing is just losing, there's nothing wrong with admitting it. Moreover, the little skill he has at home is only enough to dominate in the city, taking it out would be of no use.

  Seeing this, Lin Heng's impression of White Tiger improved a bit, and he secretly praised him as a good man.

  "Lin brothers, you are a disciple of the Quanzhen School, with high martial arts skills. This time you come to my White family, I want you to stay for a few days and let me fulfill my duties as host." As he spoke, Bai Hu stepped forward and pulled Lin Heng along. Lin Heng couldn't refuse and walked into the main hall with him.

  The two men chatted, and Lin Heng appeared to be quite humble, almost answering every question. Even when asked about martial arts, he wouldn't dodge the topic. Of course, Bai Hu also knew what to ask and what not to ask; he was an old hand who wouldn't make some childish mistakes.

  The two of them chatted happily together, and White Tiger's two children listened in on the side with happy faces. Throughout their conversation, they kept staring at Lin Heng, sizing him up, with flashes of envy crossing their faces from time to time.

  Young people worship the strong, and the White Tiger's two children, Bai Su and Bai Cheng, are no exception. At first, they looked down on Lin Heng because he came to challenge them, which was a natural instinct. Later, when they found out that he was a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, they had some respect for him. Now that Lin Heng has defeated their father in just a few moves, they think he's even more impressive. And Lin Heng's humble demeanor makes them think even more highly of him. However, White Tiger kept talking to the two of them and wouldn't let them get a word in edgewise. It wasn't until White Tiger left to tell the servants to prepare dinner that they were able to exchange a few words with Lin Heng, but their father soon returned and took over again.

  In the evening, Lin Heng was invited by Bai Hu and did not leave, but stayed at the White House for a night. The next day, he pulled Lin Heng to discuss boxing techniques and asked Lin Heng to teach him his completed White Family Boxing.

  Lin Heng looked at the White Tiger and sincerely asked for advice, without being polite. He immediately pointed out the mistakes in it and told him: "The White Family Fist looks simple and ordinary, but it contains hidden killing moves, which is a good fist method." While he was speaking, he also practiced his own fist method, some of which were similar to the White Tiger's. The White Tiger watched and felt quite proud, but he also knew that his fist method still had many loopholes, so he continued to ask questions. Lin Heng combined his own learned fist methods to help make up for the shortcomings of the White Family Fist.

  Thus, Lin Heng stayed at the White family for five days, practicing and summarizing in his room at night, and discussing boxing with Bai Hu during the day. Although Bai Hu's martial arts skills were not high, his vision was really extraordinary, especially since he had seen many third-rate martial arts. These kung fu moves may be simple, but who doesn't start learning from these simple moves?

  So these things are very useful for Lin Heng, especially in his understanding of the ultimate principles of boxing.

  So when he left, he felt very satisfied and also satisfied with his decision. He knew that taking this road was the right choice.

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