SFS Chapter 117 Sword Pointing at Wing Chun Ding Hao
Chapter 117 Sword Pointing at Wing Chun Ding Hao
Ma Cong's seven-day agreement, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, once again stirred up ripples.
But this time, the public opinion is completely different from the previous two times.
If the crackdown on Tianye and Leilei was a predictable "anti-counterfeiting" frenzy, then everyone was happy to see it happen.
Therefore, challenging Ding Hao evoked mixed feelings in many people, especially those in the martial arts circle.
Who is Ding Hao?
He's not a liar like Lei Lei who talks nonsense, nor is he a clown like Tian Ye who tries to attract attention.
He has real skills.
He is a legitimate successor of Wing Chun, having received rigorous training since childhood. He has a solid foundation in the art and has even won awards in some small competitions.
He became a laughing stock because he once challenged a modern combat athlete, but was completely overwhelmed by the opponent's relentless attacks and suffered a humiliating defeat.
His defeat, in the eyes of many, is yet another irrefutable proof that "traditional martial arts cannot defeat modern combat sports."
He represents a large number of traditional martial arts practitioners who genuinely love Chinese martial arts and train diligently, but for various reasons are unable to prove themselves on the modern stage.
They are tragic and helpless.
Now, Ma Cong, this god-like powerhouse, pointed his sword at Ding Hao.
What does he want to do?
Does he intend to also defeat and trample on those who share a love for martial arts but lack the skill?
Immediately, many different opinions emerged online.
"Ma Shen, let it go. Ding Hao is different from Lei Lei and the others. He's a true martial artist, just not very skilled. There's no need to rub salt into his wounds."
"Yes, every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt its debtor. The swindlers have already been dealt with, so let's let these genuine traditional martial arts practitioners go."
"Are all the people upstairs just sanctimonious hypocrites? Master Ma said this is a 'battle to vindicate'! It's about telling everyone that it's not Wing Chun that's bad, it's the people practicing it who's bad! Master Ma is trying to set things right!"
"That's right! We have to fight! If we don't fight, Wing Chun will forever be burdened with the stigma of 'not being able to fight'! Ding Hao himself said he wants to get justice for Wing Chun! This is a battle of honor!"
Various discussions have erupted online.
Ding Hao, the person involved, closed his martial arts school and refused all media interviews after Ma Cong challenged him to a fight, locking himself away.
No one knows what he's thinking, and no one knows how he'll react.
Some speculate that he will, like Lei Lei, find an excuse to avoid the fight.
After all, even divine techniques like "releasing external qi" have emerged, making this a battle that mortals can no longer contend with.
Going there would be inviting humiliation.
However, three days later.
Ding Hao posted a video on his personal social media account.
The background of the video is his martial arts school.
In the video, Ding Hao has shaved his head, is shirtless, and shows off his well-defined muscles.
His eyes no longer held the confusion and resentment of the past; instead, they held a resolute determination, a willingness to burn one's bridges.
"Mr. Ma, I, Ding Hao, accept your challenge."
His voice was hoarse, but every word he spoke was powerful and resonant.
"I admit, I am no match for you. The gap between us is as vast as the difference between heaven and earth."
"However, I am a warrior. A warrior may fall, but he cannot surrender without a fight."
"I am a Wing Chun disciple. The principle of Wing Chun is 'Not yielding an inch of ground, holding the center line.' The honor of my school and my grandmaster will not allow me to retreat even half a step."
"Seven days from now, at the Chengnan Gymnasium, I will be there on time."
"This battle isn't about winning or losing; it's about showing everyone that I, Ding Hao, and the Wing Chun I've learned have never been afraid!"
At the end of the video, he faced the camera, solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply.
This video, like a tear gas bomb, instantly ignited the emotions of countless people.
"I admire you as a true man!"
"This is the spirit of a martial artist! To do what one knows to be impossible!"
"Ding Hao, keep going! Win or lose, you've already earned our respect!"
"Damn, I cried. This is the spirit of traditional Chinese martial arts we want to see!"
Ding Hao's poignant declaration earned him unprecedented support and respect.
Even those who had previously mocked him now held him in high esteem.
The upcoming showdown has also been imbued with a strong sense of tragic heroism.
……
In a budget hotel room.
Wang Benlei looked at the bald Ding Hao in the video, and unusually, he didn't make a fuss. Instead, he remained silent for a long time before sighing.
"He's a promising young man. It's a pity he was born at the wrong time. If it were a few decades ago, with his drive, he could have made a name for himself in the martial arts world."
Sun Changqing nodded, a hint of appreciation on his face: "He's a promising talent. He's resilient and knows how to be ashamed before striving to improve. It's just that he's taken the wrong path."
"Did we take the wrong road?" Ma Cong looked at Sun Changqing with some confusion.
"Hmm," Sun Changqing explained, "Wing Chun is the representative of Southern-style close-quarters combat. It emphasizes close-quarters fighting, using skill to overcome brute force. Its power generation methods and move structure are all designed to defeat the enemy within a small space."
"The modern combat sports arena is too large, and the rules restrict many of Wing Chun's deadly techniques, such as eye gouging and chokeholds. Ding Hao used the weaknesses of his boxing style to go head-to-head with the strengths of modern combat sports, so his loss was inevitable."
"He didn't lose to the fighting style; he lost to the rules and to his own lack of thorough understanding of boxing techniques."
Ma Cong nodded thoughtfully.
The system's inheritance to him included all kinds of martial arts from around the world. Naturally, he also knew Wing Chun.
Sun Changqing's words hit the nail on the head.
"So, kid, how are you planning to fight him?" Wang Benlei asked curiously. "You're not going to slap him away like you did with Lei Lei, are you? That would be too unfair."
Ma Cong smiled and said, "Of course not."
He looked at Sun Changqing and said, "Brother Sun, I'd like to ask you, Brother Wang, and a few other seniors for a favor these next few days."
"What kind of help? Tell me!"
"I would like to ask you, on behalf of the National Martial Arts Alliance, to invite the leaders or representatives of other 'reputable schools' in the country to come and watch the match." A glint of light flashed in Ma Cong's eyes.
"Invite them?" Sun Changqing was taken aback. "Why invite them? Those old fogies, they all think they're so important, they might not even come."
"They will come," Ma Cong said confidently. "They can pretend they didn't see the swindlers. But now, I'm going to take down Wing Chun, a member of the so-called 'reputable school.' This is a matter of their vital interests. They want to know what I, Ma Cong, really want to do. They also want to know just how strong I really am."
"So, they will definitely come."
"I want to fight this match in front of everyone."
"It's not just about vindicating Wing Chun, but also about using this battle to send a warning to others!"
"I want to make those old fogies who are hiding behind the mountain gates, clinging to the tablet of 'ancestral laws cannot be changed' and refusing to let go, see clearly."
"Times have changed."
"Those who obey me will prosper, those who oppose me... well, they'll be left behind by the times."
Ma-Cong's words sent a chill down the spines of both Sun Changqing and Wang Benlei.
They then realized that Ma Cong's real purpose was not to beat up Ding Hao at all.
His sword was aimed at the entire traditional martial arts world, which was stuck in its ways and lacked ambition!
Just as Ma Cong was plotting and preparing to use Ding Hao's battle to show his strength to the entire martial arts world.
Beijing, the headquarters of the Martial Arts Association.
Li Jianguo also saw an opportunity.
"President, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Zhao Lixin exclaimed excitedly. "Ma Cong's challenge to Ding Hao has already caused dissatisfaction among many sects. We can use this opportunity to unite with those prestigious sects and put pressure on Ma Cong to isolate him!"
"No." Li Jianguo shook his head, a calculating glint in his eyes.
"We won't put pressure on him, we'll support him!"
"Huh?" Zhao Lixin was stunned.
"Go, in the name of the Wushu Association, define this match," Li Jianguo said with a sneer. "Just say it's a 'peak showdown between traditional martial arts and modern fighting concepts,' a 'battle of exploration for the reform of Chinese martial arts.'"
"We not only need to support it, but also promote it vigorously! We must elevate this competition to the highest level! We must invite all the media and all prominent figures in the martial arts world to witness it!"
"We want to elevate Ma Cong to the status of a 'national martial arts reformer' and a 'pioneer who challenges tradition'."
"He wants to be a hero, right? Let's put him on a pedestal!"
The higher you stand, the harder you fall.
"Once he offends all the prestigious sects and becomes the public enemy of the entire traditional martial arts world, he won't be able to avoid seeking protection from our Martial Arts Association!"
Zhao Lixin was terrified, and his eyes were filled with awe as he looked at Li Jianguo.
This tactic is called "killing with praise"!
That's incredibly toxic!