Chapter 40: Zhao Zhen vs. Wugensheng

The forest fell into a sudden, deathly silence, as if even the chirping of the cicadas had been choked off by an invisible pressure.

Zhao Zhen’s fingers quietly gripped three Talismans of Sealed Meridians, his eyes locked intently on Wu Gensheng standing before him. Though he knew that Wu Gensheng’s Divine Spirit could neutralize any technique in the world, Zhao Zhen still wanted to test whether it could truly dismantle his talismans.

The next moment, Zhao Zhen flicked his sleeves, and the three talismans transformed into streaks of light, targeting Wu Gensheng’s vital meridians. Yet, three feet from their target, they came to a bizarre halt, suspended in mid-air. As a faint white light flickered in Wu Gensheng’s eyes, the cinnabar patterns on the paper talismans melted away like snow, dissolving into specks of crimson that drifted into the air.

"So, even talismans can be neutralized. The Divine Spirit—it truly lives up to its reputation as the ninth wonder, standing alongside the Eight Extraordinary Techniques..."

Zhao Zhen narrowed his eyes, feeling a brief, quiet pang of sentiment before slowly tucking away the remaining talismans in his sleeves, including the Golden Light Teleportation Talisman. He had no intention of using any techniques in this fight, not even the Golden Light flow. Firstly, against Wu Gensheng’s Divine Spirit, any flashy technique was merely a waste of internal energy; only the raw cultivation of one’s own life force was the true path. Secondly, from the very start, Zhao Zhen’s heart had been tangled with complex emotions; even now, he did not know whether he should win or lose.

Since his mind was in chaos and he could find no answer, he decided to stop thinking altogether. He would clear his mind and simply let himself "act out" for once.

The fallen leaves in the forest suddenly stilled; Zhao Zhen’s robes fluttered without a breeze. He discarded his talismans and hidden weapons, his knuckles popping with a crisp sound—the result of five years spent tempering his physique across mountains and valleys.

A flicker of surprise crossed Wu Gensheng’s eyes, followed by a faint smile. "Is Brother Zhao intent on a pure contest of life force?"

Before the words had faded, Zhao Zhen lunged forward like an arrow released from its bow. His fists were shrouded in a gale of energy that sent the pine needles of the surrounding ancient trees showering down. Wu Gensheng raised his palms to parry; the dull thud of fist meeting palm rang out like the morning bell of an ancient temple, and the flagstones beneath their feet cracked instantly.

"What immense strength!" Wu Gensheng thought, secretly astonished.

While Wu Gensheng was distracted, Zhao Zhen twisted his wrist, seized Wu Gensheng’s arm, and pulled with a sudden burst of force. Transitioning from a fist to an elbow strike, he stepped firmly forward.

*Thud! Thud! Thud!*

Though Wu Gensheng managed to block with his other hand, he was forced back repeatedly by the sheer impact of Zhao Zhen’s elbow strike.

"A heart-striking elbow? I didn't expect Brother Zhao to be well-versed in Baji Quan!"

Zhao Zhen said nothing. He stepped forward again, his right foot slamming into the stone and cracking the ground for three yards around like a spiderweb, his internal energy swirling the pine needles into a vortex. Wu Gensheng’s clothes whipped in the wind; instead of retreating, he advanced, his left palm moving like a cloud brushing a willow, pressing toward Zhao Zhen’s chest.

Zhao Zhen twisted his waist and hips to dodge the palm, his right elbow becoming a battering ram aimed directly at Wu Gensheng’s throat. Wu Gensheng’s neck arched back like a snake, his Adam’s apple narrowly grazing the tip of the elbow. Without waiting for a reaction, Zhao Zhen’s left knee swung like a battle-axe toward Wu Gensheng’s lower body.

Seeing this, Wu Gensheng rose into the air on his toes, but Zhao Zhen seemed to have anticipated the move, converting the knee strike into a stomp that cratered the ground by half a foot. Amidst the flying debris, Zhao Zhen swept his arms like steel whips, his internal energy propelling countless small stones toward the airborne Wu Gensheng.

With no room to dodge in mid-air, Wu Gensheng had no choice but to wrap his body in a thick layer of protective internal energy to withstand the barrage.

*Pat, pat, pat...*

A series of muffled impacts followed. A second later, Wu Gensheng emerged from the dust completely unscathed.

"Good grief, you really aren't holding anything back..."

As he landed, a look of headache crossed Wu Gensheng’s eyes. He had guessed Zhao Zhen would be strong, as the world of the supernatural was full of rumors that this man was a standout among the younger generation. But he hadn't expected Zhao Zhen to be so proficient in physical combat. If his protective energy hadn't been so thick, he would likely be lying on the ground by now.

More puzzlingly, his previous analysis of Zhao Zhen suggested a calm, rational temperament. Yet, in this fight, Zhao Zhen was acting like a "berserker." A normal fight usually followed the principle of "striking with seven parts, reserving three," ensuring one had the leeway to change tactics. But Zhao Zhen hadn't left even a single part for himself; he seemed completely indifferent to his own injuries. If this were a disciple of the San-Yi Sect practicing the 'Reverse Life Triple' technique, Wu Gensheng could understand, but Zhao Zhen...

Suddenly, a flash of realization crossed Wu Gensheng’s face.

"So that’s how it is..."

Having solved the mystery of Zhao Zhen’s behavior, Wu Gensheng chuckled.

"The calmer a person is on the surface, the more they choose to let go when their heart is in turmoil... Very well. Then today, I shall cast aside my own safety to keep you company!"

With that, Wu Gensheng became a dark blur, rushing back toward Zhao Zhen. This time, he held nothing back either. The two collided, trading dozens of blows in a few breaths—every strike landing with visceral impact. As a result, within moments, both of their faces were bruised and swollen, to say nothing of their bodies.

...

Several dozen minutes later.

*Ptui!*

Wu Gensheng spat out a mouthful of blood, his left eye socket completely blackened. He looked at Zhao Zhen, who lay on the ground with his chest heaving, and a smile slowly spread across his lips.

"Brother Zhao, I have no particular talent, but I am perhaps a bit more resistant to a beating than most. My apologies, it seems I have won this wager."

Zhao Zhen did not reply; he simply closed his eyes. As someone who had crossed over into this world, how could he not know about Wu Gensheng’s unique constitution?

Seeing that Zhao Zhen remained silent, Wu Gensheng sat down slowly beside him.

"Actually, you need not blame yourself. 'Knowledge and action are one.' When one knows but does not act, it is because this unity is obscured; remove the obstruction, and you reach 'the unity of knowledge and action.' But if that were as simple as it sounds, everyone in this world would be a sage. At your age, to find a reason to indulge yourself, to fulfill your master’s will—honestly, it is rare. Truly rare."

Zhao Zhen stood up, grabbed his jacket from the ground, and began to walk slowly out of the forest.

"In two or three years, a war concerning the survival of the nation will erupt. You can guide your followers to join the conflict, just as Yao Guangxiao, the Black-Clad Prime Minister, did in his time."

"A war concerning the nation's survival..."

Wu Gensheng muttered to himself. Watching Zhao Zhen walk further and further away, he finally reacted.

"Wait! We’ve already fought—at least send me back before you go!"

Zhao Zhen stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and gave Wu Gensheng a cold, chilling look.

"Wu Gensheng, you are heading back to personally send the only family I have left in this world to his grave. Do you really expect me to give you a ride?"

With that, Zhao Zhen turned and walked away without looking back, eventually disappearing into the depths of the forest.