Chapter Twenty-Six: The Prowess of the Kung Fu Master

Wang Ling strode forward, gripping his refined iron battle axe. Seeing the newcomer, Wang Long lowered the long staff in his hands, clasped his fists, and greeted, "I am Wang Long. A pleasure to meet you!"

Observing the burly man's gesture, Wang Ling couldn't help but marvel. It seemed that although this person was a character from the storyline—destined to become a summoned creature—he possessed his own consciousness. Wang Ling raised his hand in response, mimicking the gesture of greeting.

Wang Long continued to stand with his fists clasped, his voice bold and proud, "I've practiced the staff since childhood, wielding it for over twenty years—versed in its techniques, undefeated across the country! Since I began my journey, I've only been defeated four times. If you wish for my loyalty, you must prove yourself in battle. Should you best me, this two-hundred-pound body and all my skills will be yours!"

These words weighed heavily on Wang Ling's mind. In the kung fu game, this man only used the staff to sweep side to side, appearing rather simple-minded. Yet, within the game's background, he was a master of staff technique among the Green Forest bandits—the 'Tyrant Clan.' At that time, China was under the Qing Dynasty, the age of cold weapons and flourishing martial arts. The Tyrant Clan, a mere handful, could wreak havoc across the nation. Wang Long's skills were clearly formidable.

Having spoken his piece, Wang Long picked up his staff. It was as thick as an egg and crafted from prime white wax wood, coated in red lacquer, gleaming brightly. With a flick of his wrist, he spun the staff, creating a flourish, and declared, "I am about to strike—beware!"

Wang Ling immediately focused, alert. Once the burly man raised his staff, his aura shifted—it was as if a sword had been drawn from its sheath, his imposing presence fully revealed, muscles tensing across his broad torso.

Wang Long, holding the staff in one hand, stomped the ground, suddenly springing up. Gripping the staff with both hands, he brought down a powerful strike from above, the blow carrying a fierce gust!

Wang Ling hadn't expected Wang Long to attack so ferociously. He hurriedly grasped the axe with both hands, raising the blade to parry. A resounding "thud" echoed as the staff struck the axe head, reverberating loudly.

The impact sent vibrations through the entire axe, Wang Ling's hands shaking violently, almost losing his grip as the axe nearly flew from his grasp. His palms burned with pain, likely split from the force.

Wang Long was slightly surprised to see Wang Ling withstand the blow. He had used the most powerful "chopping technique" among the twenty-four staff methods—bringing the staff down with the full force of his body. Judging the opponent's small stature, he'd expected to overpower him in one strike, but failed.

Wang Ling's current stats were basic: strength, agility, intelligence at fifteen points, stamina at sixteen, and the Heart of Beatrice granted an extra point to all. Wang Long was a martial arts master from the Qing era—not a superhuman or berserker from an anime or game. His strength surpassed Wang Ling's, but not by much.

His true terror lay in his technique!

Wang Long had fought over a hundred battles, his staff skills honed to the peak, his mental resilience and combat instincts exceptional. After his first strike failed, he immediately lowered his body, retracting the staff, then thrust it toward Wang Ling's abdomen.

The movement was swift—Wang Ling barely reacted before the staff tip jabbed his stomach, pain twisting his insides. Then, a sharp "crack" sounded at his wrist. Wang Long, seizing the moment as Wang Ling bent in pain, swept the staff across the hand holding the axe.

Though the sweeping blow lacked the concentrated power of the thrust, it was still formidable, especially against the vulnerable wrist. A dark red bruise appeared instantly, and the axe fell to the ground with a dull thud.

Wang Long showed no mercy. Planting his legs in a horse stance, his thick waist tensed, clearly channeling power from his core. Gripping the staff midsection with his left hand and the tip with his right, he anchored with his left, pressed down with his right, and drove the staff upward, striking Wang Ling's chin and sending him flying three or four meters!

Wang Long's movements flowed continuously, as smooth as water. He stepped forward, the staff sweeping in an arc, circling from left to back, then reappearing from the right, launching a fierce lateral sweep!

This sweep, harnessing rotational force, was the simplest yet most powerful move in staff technique—the legendary "Sweep Away a Thousand Armies." The staff left visible afterimages in the air, a whistling force that cut through the silence!

Still airborne, Wang Ling was struck on the side of his chest by the staff, bones cracking audibly—who knew how many ribs were broken? Then another blow landed on his heart, blood spraying from his mouth. Wang Long pressed forward, staff shadows raining down on Wang Ling's head, neck, chest, and abdomen—four vital points. A flash of white light, and Wang Ling, along with his fallen iron battle axe, was transported away—beaten to the brink of death.

Had it not been for the "never die" rule within the scenario card, Wang Ling would have been a corpse. Wang Long's final four consecutive strikes, especially the one to the neck, could have snapped his fragile cervical spine completely.

Transported out, Wang Ling still spat blood, his body riddled with fractures and bruises. The mainframe, exhibiting remarkable humanity, immediately administered full-body healing, deducting eighty currency points without hesitation.

Within a second, Wang Ling was fully restored, not a trace of injury remaining. He stood, mouth agape in shock, until he spotted his iron battle axe nearby and snapped out of it, roaring in frustration, "Damn it!"

No wonder Wang Ling was so exasperated—he hadn't even had time to react before being overwhelmed by Wang Long's relentless attacks! Even with his increased stats and several new skills, he had been defeated so effortlessly.

Reflecting, he realized Wang Long was a true kung fu master. The Tyrant Clan's four kings, under Grand Commander Wu Tian, were renowned for their martial prowess, able to conquer the nation—not mere showmen, but true combat experts, practitioners of "national martial arts."

Real martial arts are not performance—they're for killing.

Wang Long's physique was naturally excellent from years of training, but compared to Wang Ling's stats, he wasn't vastly superior. The difference lay in mastery: Wang Long was a staff master; Wang Ling was merely a novice granted sudden power. Their ability to wield their own strength was worlds apart—the outcome was hardly surprising.

Wang Long's prowess could be compared to the staff master from Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu" movie—similar in skill, though lacking the ability to fly atop his staff.

"Never mind the restriction against guns—even if I used one, I'd probably stand no chance! Damn it!"

Wang Ling felt both pleased and frustrated. Pleased that Wang Long's strength followed the game’s background, not its mechanics. If he’d been as limited as in the game, performing only silly moves, such a summoned beast would be useless.

Yet frustrated, for Wang Long was so strong—how could he be subdued? To summon him, Wang Ling had to defeat him first. Without restrictions on iron muskets, perhaps testing a fire bomb might be feasible.

He pondered for half an hour on the sofa, finding no solution. Growing more annoyed, he took a shower, gradually relaxing under the warm water.

"Hmm, I was stunned by the beating earlier. If I prepare myself mentally and react quickly, perhaps with my current physique, I could match his staff speed for a move or two—it might not be impossible to win. After all, props aren't restricted in the challenge, and I have attack skills. The key is to surprise him!"

Exhaling deeply, as if venting all his frustration, Wang Ling's expression turned calm and resolute. "Since that staff-wielding fat man has self-awareness, this might be easier. I just don't know if he'll agree to my request."

Three days of the seven-day interval had passed. Wang Ling wasn't in a hurry. After a day's rest, he spent another thousand currency points to activate the kung fu card, entering the scene once more.

"You've returned? With your current strength, you aren't my match. You should train further before challenging me." Wang Long leaned on his staff, still shirtless in blue trousers as before.

"Wait, I'm not here to challenge you—I'm here to train!" Wang Ling quickly replied.

"Train?"

"Yes! With your control over the staff, could you attack me without actually hurting me? I want to practice dodging rapid attacks."

Wang Long nodded. "Of course. My staff is as nimble as my arm—I won't accidentally injure you!"

After a day of training under the storm of staff blows, Wang Ling was exhausted, voluntarily leaving the scenario card. Lying in bed, an idea took root: "The five people in the kung fu scene are all master-level martial artists. If I could learn from them, could I become a kung fu expert myself?"

He shook his head at the thought. After all, martial arts must be practiced from a young age, and the training is grueling—time and effort-consuming. Without years of dedication, one could hardly achieve true mastery. The Dreamspace offered easier paths to power; why suffer through martial arts training?

Still, working with kung fu masters for training proved effective. Today’s agility increased by one point, and his ability to dodge under fierce attacks improved noticeably.

The real purpose of spending a thousand currency points for the scenario card wasn't training, but to familiarize himself with Wang Long's staff movements—so he could dodge a blow or two and execute his plan.

After a day's rest, restoring his vigor, Wang Ling activated the scenario card again. As before, he entered the Kung Fu Tower empty-handed.

"Oh, here to practice your movement again?" Noticing Wang Ling, Wang Long, the burly man, greeted him proactively.

Wang Ling's lips curled into a faint smile. "Today, I'm here to challenge you!"