Chapter 89: Chapter 87: This Young Master is Self-Taught!

Let me analyze the text first to build a contextual understanding:

## Step 1: Contextual Analysis

**Literary genre:** This appears to be a Chinese cultivation/martial arts web novel (wuxia or xianxia), featuring martial artists and combat.

**Language style:** Narrative prose with dialogue, featuring martial arts terminology and some action sequences. The tone is dramatic with elements of revenge and conflict.

**Tone:** Dramatic, with moments of action, pride, and reflection. There’s a clear underdog story element.

**Plot keywords:** martial arts, combat, revenge, reputation, underdog, public humiliation

**Characters:**

- Wu Liangchen (武良辰) - male protagonist, formerly a cart puller who has developed impressive martial arts skills

- Yu Changfeng (于长风) - male, master of the Long Wind Martial Arts Hall, injured by Wu Liangchen

- Yang Lian’Er (杨莲儿) - female, appears to be someone Wu Liangchen is protecting

- Yuan Er (袁二) - male, appears to be another cart puller/worker who knows Wu Liangchen as "Xiaowu"

- Lord Xiao (萧大人) - male, seems to be an authority figure coming to handle the situation

- Xiao Rong (萧荣) - male, appears to be a leader who arrives at the end with troops

## Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing

Now I’ll translate the text paragraph by paragraph, adhering to all guidelines specified:

The text describes a confrontation between Wu Liangchen, a former cart puller who has secretly mastered martial arts, and Yu Changfeng, a martial arts hall master. After defeating Yu Changfeng in a public confrontation, Wu Liangchen escapes the city, which creates a sensation among the common people who are pleased to see a commoner defeat one of the arrogant martial artists. The story ends with various powerful factions sending people to pursue Wu Liangchen.

Let me start the detailed translation:

"I’m self-taught, you bastard!" Wu Liangchen declared coldly from atop the cart.

Yu Changfeng was both shocked and enraged.

Shocked that this fellow had somehow learned the Four-Step Fist from somewhere, with power even greater than his own.

Enraged because if he couldn’t publicly defeat this upstart, he might as well close his martial arts hall and leave Dinghai City in disgrace.

In a flash of inspiration, Yu Changfeng leapt forward, surprisingly heading straight for the beast pulling the cart.

His objective was clear: first stop the cart, then deal with Wu Liangchen.

This would accomplish two things: disturb Liangchen’s focus, and prevent any escape. Since Wu Liangchen refused to leave the cart, it proved Yang Lian’Er and the others must be hiding inside, and stopping the vehicle would prevent their escape.

But just as he rushed to the front of the cart and prepared to act, a flash of steel swept through the air.

THWACK!

Blood sprayed as Yu Changfeng staggered backward.

A massive wound appeared from his left shoulder, extending diagonally to his right lower back.

The cut went deep enough to reveal bone, blood gushing forth, instantly soaking his clothes and the ground beneath his feet.

Wu Liangchen stood at the front of the cart, broadsword in hand, its blade dripping with fresh blood.

Upon seeing the weapon, Yu Changfeng’s pain-contorted face revealed a look of profound terror.

Because just moments earlier, had he not reacted quickly, twisting his body at the last possible instant to avoid the strike to his neck, his head would already be separated from his body.

Seeing Yu Changfeng’s expression, Wu Liangchen’s face showed a hint of amusement.

There was a time when he wouldn’t have dared to look directly at not just Yu Changfeng, but even his disciples.

Yet now, this once-mighty master of the Long Wind Martial Arts Hall couldn’t even withstand a single strike from his blade and nearly lost his life.

The stark contrast stirred deep emotions in Wu Liangchen.

But those feelings quickly transformed into overwhelming pride, and he gave Yu Changfeng a slight smile.

"Hall Master Yu, your head may remain on your neck for now. When next we meet, I will come to collect it."

With these words, the coal cart quickly moved away, but this time no one dared to give chase.

Especially not Yu Changfeng, who stared intently at the young man standing proudly at the front of the coal cart, sword in hand, his expression full of vigor. The rage in Yu Changfeng’s eyes gradually faded, replaced by infinite desolation and misery.

Because he knew that after this defeat, the reputation he had built over many years had been utterly destroyed.

For a Martial Artist who made his living running a martial arts hall, this was more terrifying than death itself.

By now, the other Martial Artists who had been pursuing them gathered around.

"Hall Master Yu, are you alright?"

"Hall Master Yu, how did you receive such a serious injury?"

"Master..."

Faced with these words—some genuine, others containing hidden mockery—Yu Changfeng remained silent and turned to leave.

By now, his wound had stopped bleeding thanks to his powerful physique, but a full recovery would be impossible in the short term.

Yu Changfeng didn’t return to the city but limped away on his own, leaving the group of Martial Artists looking at each other in confusion.

"Should we pursue them?" someone asked quietly.

"Pursue what? Didn’t you see Yu Changfeng nearly died? That young man is terrifyingly skilled. Better wait until Lord Xiao arrives," someone objected.

"That’s right. The reward may be tempting, but it’s not worth our lives," another agreed.

"So what do we do now? Just stand here waiting?"

"I say we should at least make a show of it, so Lord Xiao won’t reprimand us when he arrives."

So these Martial Artists began to give halfhearted chase, but their numbers dwindled as they went. Some, seeing no opportunity for gain, simply slipped away quietly.

Meanwhile, chaos erupted at the East City Gate of Dinghai City.

Many people had witnessed the chase, and although the distance made it difficult to see clearly, everyone had seen the coal cart escaping. When the returning Martial Artists brought news that Yu Changfeng had suffered a serious wound and nearly died, the East City Gate area erupted in excitement.

People discussed the event animatedly, their faces showing a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

"I heard this young man was just a cart puller half a year ago. Who would have thought he secretly mastered such impressive Martial Arts? Truly formidable," someone remarked with admiration.

"Indeed! These martial hall masters have always been overbearing, never treating us common folk as equals. Now one of those cart pullers they looked down upon has slapped them across the face. How satisfying!" another said gleefully.

Many people expressed interest in this young man who had appeared out of nowhere, and suddenly many self-proclaimed "neighbors" who knew inside information appeared.

"Let me tell you, Wu Liangchen was born with extraordinary talent. At five years old, he could lift weights of over a hundred pounds. It’s no surprise he’s achieved such success today."

"When Wu Liangchen was young, a shabby Daoist priest passed through Dinghai City and immediately recognized his exceptional potential. He taught him various martial arts before departing."

Such gossip multiplied rapidly, each story more fantastical than the last.

Just then, Yuan Er arrived.

That morning, his young son had fallen ill with a fever and was talking nonsense. Yuan Er had rushed to get medicine, brewed it, and waited until his child’s fever broke before setting out, making him much later than usual.

He was bewildered when he arrived at the gate.

The East City Gate, normally quiet by this time, was packed with people.

As he got closer, he found people huddled together whispering about something, while the Martial Artists who usually stood guard on the gate tower were nowhere to be seen. Only a few watchmen remained, keeping their distance.

"Brother, what’s happening?" Yuan Er asked someone nearby.

"You don’t know? Well, you’ve missed quite a spectacle. Here’s what happened..."

As the man vividly recounted the events, Yuan Er’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Could the Wu Liangchen this man described possibly be the Xiaowu he knew?

All his doubts vanished when he saw the portrait posted at the city gate.

It really was Xiaowu...

Yuan Er was utterly shocked.

Just then, the sound of hoofbeats came from the street behind him, followed by the crack of a whip and someone shouting, "Make way!"

The previously immovable crowd instantly parted, revealing Xiao Rong leading the way, followed by his elite guards.

They were all mounted on swift horses and wearing light armor, galloping out of the city in the blink of an eye.

Behind them, the Yan family, the Feng family, the Wei family, and various martial arts halls had all sent their people, forming a mounted squad that streamed out of the city in an impressive display of force.