Chapter 440 A Gentle Punch
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Slap slap slap... slap slap slap... slap slap slap...
This isn't the sound of an island nation action film; it's a battle!
In the arena, the Second Senior Brother charged at the gorilla time after time. In most cases, the gorilla managed to dodge the attacks using its agile body, moving and shifting with the full display of primate agility, and, catching Second Senior Brother off guard, would strike with a cudgel, making him wail in frustration.
But Second Senior Brother was not one to be trifled with either. With his thick skin and coarse flesh, he barely minded the thrashing from the big stick, and he would not wail and cry like a frail damsel after a few beatings. The fierce beatings only fueled his fighting spirit.
The gorilla may have been strong, but that was all relative. In front of Second Senior Brother, it had no physical advantage whatsoever. Once, caught off guard, it got rammed in the chest by Second Senior Brother and sent flying, almost falling off the platform.
Luckily, its armor was a legitimate metal shell with shock-absorbent sponge lining, which absorbed most of the impact from Second Senior Brother; otherwise, the blow could have made it cough up blood.
Even so, the gorilla's chest plate, the Heart Protector Mirror, caved in significantly and was completely deformed.
...
The battle lasted unexpectedly long, way beyond a regular match—more than double the time, surpassing ten minutes. In the final stage, the gorilla changed its strategy. It no longer used the Golden Cudgel to beat Second Senior Brother but instead leaped up and landed on his back.
Normally, this would be suicidal for the gorilla.
In the wild, a boar could simply charge headfirst into the ground or a large tree, willing to suffer mutual destruction just to crush whatever was on its back. It should be noted that boars are among the most collision-resistant animals. Even if a big bear and a boar ran into a wall at the same time, the bear would definitely be the unlucky one.
But the Second Senior Brother in the arena just froze, completely devoid of any attempt to fight back.
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Ever since meeting Suming, he had grown accustomed to being ridden. When the gorilla mounted his back, Second Senior Brother suddenly felt a very intimate and familiar sensation.
As all the spectators watched in stupefied silence, Second Senior Brother wiggled his little tail. His previously fierce demeanor disappeared entirely, and he even let out a series of comfortable grunts. Carrying the gorilla on his back, he casually strolled around the arena.
"Watch out, big pig!" a child's concerned voice rang out from the sidelines.
The gorilla had already raised its fist, ready to smash down on the back of Second Senior Brother's head!
Seeing this, the spectators' hearts leapt into their throats. Although everyone hoped for Sun Wukong to win, if Second Senior Brother had already given up and the gorilla still struck, especially with a sneak attack from behind, it would be inconsistent with the heroic image in their minds.@@novelbin@@
Although in the original story, Great Sage Sun's sneak attacks and underhanded tricks were plentiful and vastly different from the upright and righteous image portrayed in later TV adaptations.
Just as the gorilla's fist was about to land, Second Senior Brother remained oblivious, nodding his head and carrying his elder brother as if he were on patrol, walking around the arena.
The gorilla's fist finally came down!
But just as it was about to strike Second Senior Brother's head, the gorilla suddenly loosened its clenched fist, opened its human-like palm, bared its teeth in a smile, and gently rubbed the back of Second Senior Brother's head.
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"Hoo hoo..." the Second Brother called out happily.
The gorilla split its wide mouth in a grin, laughing at the surrounding spectators, although its laugh was quite terrifying with its mouth full of yellowed, sharp teeth...
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The zoo's first martial competition had officially ended its first match, with the gorilla victorious and advancing to the next round.
The defeated Second Brother didn't feel the least bit sad; instead, he made a new friend: the gorilla. After the match ended, they even took a stroll around the zoo with Suming's company.
It seems that the troop going wild in the back hills would soon be joined by a bunch of gorillas.
The small store occasionally stocked cosplay costumes, and this time the quantity was more than double the last, but they sold out in less than half the time of the previous occasion.
There was also a large sign posted at the entrance of the store: the zoo was introducing a 'Taoyuan Martial World' series of plush toys, custom-made for the competitors. Those who collected the complete set of toys could get the chance to take a commemorative photo with this year's Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch--that is, the final champion of the competition.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the zoo has now hosted two competitions."
In the live broadcast on the television, Li Jingjing faced the camera and slowly began, "In these two matches, we've seen thrilling fights, rediscovered our past sentiments, and were brought unexpected joy. But what's most surprising, or rather touching, were the final moments of both matches, where the contestants ended the battles in heartwarming ways. If even animals can live together with such love, then what reason do we humans have to harm each other..."
Li Jingjing might have a bit of an artistic temperament as, while speaking, she even moved herself.
Suming was also very satisfied with this outcome. Creating such a fun and heart-warming project was not only popular with visitors but also gave him, the organizer and planner, a genuinely comfortable feeling. Political and business machinations might be a necessary evil, but few people naturally prefer the dark; given the choice, a life bathed in sunlight is unquestionably happier.
On Zhihu, a famous blogger wrote a special article for this martial competition.
"Let clenched fists become caressing palms"
The moment the gorilla's fist turned into an open hand was captured by a photography enthusiast using a long lens and uploaded online.
Overnight, the photo spread all over the country, and foreign websites were abuzz with shares.
Years ago, there was a movie based on true historical events called 'The Watchmen.' At the beginning of the movie, a group of soldiers pointed guns at civilians, and a little girl stepped forward with a white flower in the barrel of a gun, then the soldiers fired...
This image was later known as 'Flower Against the Gun,' and it was deeply etched into people's minds, regarded as one of the most touching promotions for anti-war and peace. If not because it was a movie scene, that picture would have completely deserved the Pulitzer Prize for News Photography.
Now, this photo, titled 'Hand Over Fist,' had achieved a sensational effect in just a few days, quickly rivaling 'Flower Against the Gun.'
Many people proposed online that this photo should apply for the Pulitzer and be included in the National Geographic Magazine as a precious spiritual asset, to be passed down forever.
Love and peace are always worth praising and remembering, even if the world's truths aren't always so.
What do you think?
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