Chapter 49 - Su Dingfang: I'M Going To Run, You Can'T Stop Me!

"You…" Su Dingfang paused, carefully assessing his younger brother 'Su Li' whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

Su Li's physique was still tall and robust, though he didn't appear as strong as before. After getting lost, he had chosen an honest life as a peasant and had not dedicated himself to martial arts training. Additionally, honing martial arts required not only diligent practice but also an ample food supply. While the hardworking life of a peasant could provide some strength, it couldn't compare to someone like Su Dingfang, who had been nurtured and trained in martial arts since childhood.

Su Dingfang initially contemplated refusing, but upon seeing his younger brother's determination, he ultimately chose to accept. However, he decided not to go all out, mindful of not hurting Su Li. It wasn't that Su Dingfang was arrogant, but his martial arts prowess was top-notch in the entire Tang Dynasty.

"Shall we wager then?" Su Dingfang asked.

Wagering, a sport deeply rooted in Zhu Xia, resembled wrestling but had distinct differences. It involved unarmed combat and could be traced back to the Spring and Autumn. Even in modern times, some regions, such as Northeast China and Shaanxi, continued to uphold this tradition.

Su Li nodded and silently removed his outer garments, leaving only the inner layer. Having been separated from the life of a peasant, Su Li hadn't worn sportswear for a long time. Similarly, Su Dingfang typically wore regular clothing unless engaged in hunting or military service.

To shed their outer attire, Su Dingfang and Su Li each retained a white inner lining.

Gambling games were widespread throughout the country. As a peasant, Su Li would participate in the annual autumn festival games held in the village. The winners would receive two jugs of thin wine as a reward. After two rounds, he would usually be defeated.

Although not skilled in gambling, Su Li was familiar with the rules. Moreover, his attributes had long surpassed ordinary standards. If he were to participate in the autumn festival games again, he might be able to overpower his opponents.

Standing three steps apart, facing each other, both assumed a solid posture. Their legs were spread apart, steps firm, hands clasped in front of their chests, and fingers extended forward. The stance resembled wrestling, but their palms didn't make contact.

"You go first…" Su Dingfang stood firm and spoke to Su Li.

He made it clear that he wanted to let Su Li go.

There were three steps between the two gambling rounds, regardless of whether it was a long or short distance. The crucial point was to seize the opportunity and give the command to take action.

Whoever acted swiftly would be able to gain an advantage, with their efforts resulting in an effect greater than the sum of its parts.

Those who moved slowly and reacted sluggishly would be at a greater disadvantage when starting later.

Su Dingfang remained still, essentially giving up the opportunity to close the three-step gap with Su Li for nothing.

Su Dingfang did not believe that he would lose even if he gave Su Li three additional strides to close the distance.

Although Su Dingfang hadn't played many gambling games, he had honed his body and practiced martial arts tirelessly since childhood, proving his skill. On the other hand, Su Li had gotten lost along the way. Despite possessing great strength, being a mere peasant meant that he was useless, and he couldn't compare to Su Dingfang.

But because his younger brother wanted to play, Su Dingfang followed him.

After all… Su Dingfang had raised Su Li. Since he was a lively and active child, he used to pester him to play games when he was four or five years old.

Back then, just like now, Su Dingfang would have him stand three steps away and easily touch his younger brother's head as he rushed over.

"Brother, be careful. I'm coming!" Su Li smiled without warning Su Dingfang.

After pondering for a while, Su Li suddenly stood up and sprinted.

His speed was not particularly fast.

Although Su Dingfang had underestimated his opponent, Su Li wasn't going all out either, nor did he use the three-step distance to sprint.

After all, Su Dingfang was his elder brother, not an enemy.

If he really exerted his full strength with his abilities, Su Li was genuinely afraid of hurting Su Dingfang.

With a smile, Su Dingfang watched as Su Li rushed toward him. The speed was not particularly fast, and the movements were not particularly agile.

His pace was still steady, suggesting some tricks up his sleeve. Su Li wasn't particularly keen and didn't shoot quickly.

With Su Dingfang's level, it was easy for him to anticipate Su Li's hand movements. With a smile on his face, Su Dingfang planted his feet firmly and reached out to intercept.

The moment their palms made contact…

Snap ! It happened so quickly!

Su Dingfang's body flew uncontrollably.

It was so swift that even the smile on Su Dingfang's face couldn't be restrained in time.

Su Dingfang felt as if Su Li's hands hadn't struck him but rather by a charging bull.

His body soared through the air, struggling to regain stability but still retreating uncontrollably for more than ten steps.

"I told you to be careful!" Su Li's face beamed with a smile.

"Take it seriously, brother!" Su Li said.

Su Li had come here to test his skills!

Upon hearing those words, Su Dingfang dismissed his previous contempt.

Setting aside whether Su Li knew martial arts, his strength alone was enough for Su Dingfang to treat him with caution.

This kind of strength… to put it frankly, if Su Dingfang were struck hard by Su Li, even with his well-known robust physique, he might not withstand it.

Seeing that Su Dingfang had finally gotten serious, Su Li stood still once again.

Su Dingfang assumed his stance, and Su Li mirrored him.

He's too powerful… I have to avoid his attacks as much as possible… Su Dingfang thought.

Just from their brief contact, he could tell that Su Li's attack speed wasn't too fast, and he could potentially dodge it entirely. If Su Li didn't have any martial arts knowledge, Su Dingfang might still be able to evade his strikes.

As for winning?

Forget it… Su Li was much stronger than him. Even if Su Dingfang took a few blows at full strength, he suspected he wouldn't be able to endure it unless he managed to exhaust Su Li. Until Su Li became fatigued, winning was out of the question.

There was no other way… overwhelming strength trumped all!

With his own skills, he had exerted 120% of his strength, yet the opponent had only mustered 30% of his strength in a hasty counterattack, and he still couldn't resist.

"Coming!"

Su Li focused all his attention. Every move of the Overlord's Halberd Technique came to his mind instinctively. Even though it was a halberd technique, it incorporated body conditioning and bare-handed martial arts. Su Li approached with a halberd in one hand.

His attacks were not particularly fast, nor were the angles tricky. There was no way to dodge except to retreat. The Overlord's Halberd Technique was created by Xiang Yu, who emphasized leveraging his greatest strengths.

Abandoning unnecessary defenses, Xiang Yu's technique relied on overpowering opponents with strength. Wide openings and closings made dodging futile. Thankfully, both combatants were empty-handed, leaving Su Dingfang with limited options.

However, Su Li relentlessly pressed forward forcing Su Dingfang to engage in combat within a few exchanges. One clash meant subsequent collisions were unavoidable. After more than ten moves, Su Dingfang was completely overwhelmed. His arms trembled from a punch, and as Su Li closed in again, Su Dingfang hurriedly retreated.

"I give up… I give up…"There was no way to continue the fight. Su Li's strength was too immense, and he deeply understood martial arts. Moreover, Su Li's tactics were intimidating, relying solely on strength and exploiting opponents' weaknesses.

Fortunately, this was an empty-handed battle, allowing Su Dingfang some room to evade. Otherwise, with Su Li's incredible strength and physique combined with a large halberd…

Not to mention lasting more than 20 rounds against Su Li, even enduring five rounds would be incredibly challenging.

"Your strength is uncanny… I can't possibly match it. Fortunately, we fought without weapons. If we were to fight with a large halberd, I doubt I'd last five rounds against you," Su Dingfang admitted with a serious expression. His facial expressions were captivating.

"And I noticed that you have your own rules and techniques. You don't seem like someone who hasn't practiced martial arts… If you were inexperienced, I could still fight you. But you're simply too slow…"

"As long as I don't get entangled by you, you won't be able to stop me if I decide to flee…" Su Dingfang said.