Wang Ziteng realized he had been tricked as soon as he witnessed Zhang San change his technique.
At that moment, however, Zhang San's expression and gaze were that of someone fighting desperately for their life.
Especially Zhang San's eyes, locked tightly onto his own head, Wang Ziteng even suspected Zhang San wanted to split his head open—who would have thought he would suddenly aim for the lower body.
Luckily, his belt was of high quality and therefore only got slashed, otherwise, he feared the blade could have pierced his kidney.
Feeling the situation turning dire, Wang Ziteng used his sword in his right hand to force Zhang San back, while his left hand quickly grasped his trousers, ensuring he wouldn't "bare all" in front of his colleagues.
"Zhang San, you... you... you..."
Wang Ziteng struggled to find the right words, unsure of what exactly to curse.
Zhang San looked wronged.
"Swords have no eyes, you're not going to take advantage of this to blackmail me, demanding compensation for your belt, are you?"
Although Wang Ziteng was angry, as a scion meticulously groomed by a great clan, he certainly possessed some magnanimity.
"It's just a belt, naturally it doesn't matter."
Zhang San looked at the jade-studded belt with golden threads and chuckled.
"Well, since it's already broken, you might as well compensate me with this belt after you lose."
Wang Ziteng grew even angrier.
What do you mean 'compensate you'?
You break my belt, and now I should compensate you with something?
And what do you mean 'after I lose'?
How could I, Wang Ziteng, possibly lose!
With a bellow, Wang Ziteng charged with sword in hand, holding up his trousers.
Zhang San hastily dodged.
Initially, with the Xun Wind Breathing Technique, Zhang San was already fast; now, with Wang Ziteng holding up his trousers, it was even harder for him to catch up.
Zhang San quickly discovered Wang Ziteng's weakness.
Using his speed, Zhang San quickly approached from behind Wang Ziteng's left, aiming a kick at Wang Ziteng's rear.
Because Wang Ziteng's sword was in his right hand, his left rear side was already vulnerable to attacks.
Additionally, now that he was holding up his trousers with his left hand, his movements were hindered, making his left rear even less defended.
At this moment, the crowd of martial artists covered their mouths to keep from laughing out loud.
The sight of the two sparring appeared entirely like two kids fighting.
After kicking twenty-something times, Zhang San noticed that Wang Ziteng's left buttock might have swollen from the kicks; he was limping as he walked, and Zhang San felt a twinge of pity.
"Wang Ziteng, you are so determined not to concede defeat, I feel bad for exploiting you in this way. Let me tell you a technique, if I attack from your left side again, quickly switch your sword to your left hand and with your right hand holding your trousers, you can counterattack. As long as you're fast enough, you'll be able to block me!"
Wang Ziteng hadn't expected Zhang San to actually reveal to him the method to counteract his own strategy. For a moment, he found it unbelievable.
Zhang San said with a fiercely righteous face, "We are both martial artists of the Town Martial Office, and this battle is merely for the leadership position."
"I, Zhang San, do not dare to claim to be a gentleman, but as I aspire to be the leader, I must have the dignity of a leader. Moreover, I must have the resolve to tell you how to counter my Techniques and still ensure your defeat!"
"This is what a true man does!"
Wang Ziteng had always felt that Zhang San had something of a ruffian about him, everything he said and did seemed lowbrow in his eyes.
Especially after listening to how he conducted an interrogation at noon, he found him utterly despicable.
Yet, it could be that he, who prided himself on noble birth, had been misunderstanding others all along.
Wang Ziteng's expression turned serious.
"Alright! When I lost a bet to you, Zhang San, and had to call you 'Brother', I was unwilling at heart."
"Today, if I lose to you again, then you, Zhang San, will be my 'Brother San' for life!"
In the sunlight, two young martial artists, both still of a youthful nature, yet spoke with the soaring pride of youth.
When they clashed again, Zhang San's successive slashes were all blocked by Wang Ziteng's sword.
Suddenly, Zhang San used the Three Steps Xun Flash to reach Wang Ziteng's left rear side and, resorting to his old trick, launched a kick.
Wang Ziteng knew that if he was fast enough, he could fend off Zhang San's kick.
So, as he raised his left hand, his right hand tossed the sword over.
Wang Ziteng was confident that in less than half a breath, he could repel Zhang San with the sword in his left hand, even potentially injuring him in the process.
Of course, since he and Zhang San were noble in their friendship, he naturally wouldn't hurt him too gravely.
However, just as Zhang San was lifting his foot, he suddenly retracted it and at the same time employed the Blowing Wind Technique from the Xun Wind Breathing Technique.
Seizing the moment when Wang Ziteng's pants lacked a holding hand, Zhang San opened his mouth.
"Whoosh—"
Even though it was just a breeze that passed by, Wang Ziteng felt a chilly sensation on his lower body, but his face was burning hot.
With a clang.
Wang Ziteng dropped the long sword in his hand, frantically pulled up his trousers that had fallen to the ground, and ran out with a flushed face.
After sprinting past the crowd, it was behind a large tree that Wang Ziteng realized he had been tricked by Zhang San yet again.
"Zhang San, I, Wang Ziteng, won't share the sky with you!"
The multitude of martial artists around had been holding back, waiting until Wang Ziteng was far away before they burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Officer Bai couldn't help but lower his head and chuckle for quite a while.
Although Officer Bai usually was not one to smile or joke, no matter how funny something was, he couldn't help but give in today.
In the midst of the crowd, only Wei had a serious expression on his face, even falling into deep thought.
Blowing Wind Technique.
This was a common technique within the Xun Wind Breathing Technique, and could even be considered a minor technique.
Simply blowing out a breath of air.
He would use it at night when lying down to blow out the oil lamp.
But Zhang San's action today had opened up new possibilities in Wei's mind.
If faced with a powerful enemy, using Blow Wind Technique to blow off one of their garments or a trouser leg, the enemy would find it hard to chase him with their body unshielded.
The higher the martial artist's realm, the stronger the power, making them harder to confront; but surely you can't train to the point your clothes can't be blown by the wind, right?
The more Wei thought about it, the more he believed that the Blow Wind Technique had tremendous potential for development; he must study it thoroughly when he gets back.
Wang Ziteng found a ribbon, tied his pants securely, and returned.
Although he was dissatisfied with his loss, a loss was still a loss.
He walked over, picked up his long sword, and then gave Zhang San a fist salute.
"I've seen the team leader."
Seeing that Wang Ziteng had conceded, the others also called out to Zhang San as the team leader.
Even Officer Bai, who was still laughing, controlled his smile and shouted 'team leader.'
Zhang San returned the gesture to everyone.
"My abilities are mediocre, and I am inexperienced. I will still need all of your support for this operation. However..."
Zhang San said, glancing at Wang Ziteng.
"Although Wang Ziteng was defeated by me, I think he can also be involved in the role of team leader."
Wang Ziteng, who was inwardly cursing Zhang San a moment ago, was now somewhat stunned.
Although Zhang San was unscrupulous in battle, Wang Ziteng had not expected him to have such generosity.
Indeed, he had misunderstood Zhang San before.
Even though Zhang San's methods were unsophisticated, his character was actually quite good.
Wang Ziteng looked at Zhang San, and couldn't help but feel a mix of emotion and shame.
"One person is enough to be the leader. Zhang San, you be the leader. How can Wang Ziteng participate?" Bai Yucheng asked curiously.
"When traveling abroad, using real names can be inconvenient. So, if anyone asks, I will say my name is Wang Ziteng. That way, Wang Ziteng can also get a sense of participating as a leader."
Upon hearing this, Wang Ziteng's face turned green.
"Then if you are Wang Ziteng, what do I call myself?"
"You can call yourself Ye Fan! The name sounds even more long-lived than Wang Ziteng!"[Note 11]
At that moment, Wang Ziteng felt it was necessary to find someone to learn how to curse properly!
His need for swear words had been great lately!
Very great!
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[Note 11]Tribute Explanation
The character setup for Wang Ziteng in this book is inspired by Wang Teng from "Covering the Sky," a character I deeply admire, who indeed possesses the potential of a great emperor. Since this is a tribute to "Covering the Sky," it is not proper to take everything for use; the similarities are only in the origin and name. Here, when Zhang San names Wang Ziteng as Ye Fan, it's also a tribute to the excellent online novel "Covering the Sky."