Chapter 12 imparts martial arts skills, practicing moves and internal energy.
In front of the manor compound, there is an open space.
Hundreds of guards gathered here. Pang Long stood at the front, counted the number of people, and after confirming that no one was missing, he said calmly:
"Today's morning training will start with three laps around the village. Everyone, be enthusiastic and loosen up your muscles."
"There are absolutely no shortcuts in martial arts training, and the worst thing you can do is to be overly ambitious."
"If you can master the moves and the power, you'll be considered to have made something of yourself."
As Pang Long finished speaking.
Morning training began that day.
Li Xian mingled with the crowd, ran out of the village entrance, circled the village, and started walking, gradually increasing his speed.
The laborers, who had started their work early, looked on with envy when they saw the guards.
Yihe Village is larger than I imagined, surrounded by mountains and rivers. Running around the village requires crossing several winding mountain roads.
suddenly……
[Skill: Running]
[Proficiency: 120/500 (Beginner)]
[Description: It's just a simple step and a swing of the arms. It strengthens the body and improves health—why not give it a try?]
[Proficiency +1]
[Proficiency +1]
With each step Li Xian took and each swing of his arm, the sound of harvesting could be heard.
Exhalation became more steady, and the speed gradually increased.
After three laps, the sky was completely bright.
Skill [Running], proficiency has reached [251].
"Fourth brother, you've got good stamina. You're not exhausted yet."
Zhao Han was panting heavily, slightly surprised. Circling the village three times, climbing mountains and wading through rivers, was no easy feat.
The team is running quite fast, and it's already impressive that a newcomer can keep up.
"It's alright." Li Xian wiped the sweat from her forehead. She couldn't say she wasn't tired, but she could still manage to keep going.
"Conserve your energy. Commander Pang will probably call you aside later to teach you a martial art."
Zhao Han reminded him, pointing in Pang Long's direction.
As expected, Pang Long's gaze swept across the guards, and when he saw Li Xian, he was clearly taken aback. He hadn't seen him for only half a day, but he had changed so much. He hadn't expected that the former lowly servant would grow up to be so good-looking.
If it weren't for the guards here, and the fact that he was the only unfamiliar face, I really wouldn't have recognized him.
"Li Xian, come here."
Pang Long waved.
Li Xian walked quickly over, "Commander Pang."
“I had an urgent matter to attend to yesterday and was unable to teach you martial arts.” Pang Long stood with his hands behind his back and said, “Before I teach you martial arts, I must solemnly inform you of something.”
"The martial arts we have learned were all created by Madam. To learn these martial arts, we must regard Madam as our heaven and never disobey her. If we do so, we shall be punished like this bamboo."
With a single palm strike, he struck a bamboo stalk mid-air.
With a "crack," the bamboo broke in half.
A surprised voice came from the guards:
"Commander Pang's 'Piercing Palm' technique has become increasingly powerful."
"Alas, I wonder when we will be able to achieve the same level of skill as Commander Pang."
"I'm afraid that's difficult. I'd be content if I could achieve even one or two tenths of his level."
...
Li Xian's eyes widened in surprise:
"To split bamboo in mid-air—that's an incredibly strong skill."
“But when I asked him yesterday, ‘Is there any way to get around this place?’ he replied, ‘It’s harder than climbing to heaven.’ This means that there is a way to get around the village, and that is Madam Zhuang.”
"Even Pang Long couldn't find that way. That's why there's the saying 'It's harder than ascending to heaven.' In other words... splitting bamboo in mid-air is already quite impressive."
"But in the eyes of a master, it's like not even having touched the door."
"The martial arts of this world are truly mysterious and difficult to fathom."
In an instant, a thought flashed through my mind.
"Have you remembered this?" Pang Long asked calmly.
"I remember."
Li Xian nodded. Without sufficient strength, he could only follow the rules.
"Very good. I see you have a foundation in boxing, so I will teach you a boxing technique first. Take it and study it carefully."
"Never become complacent, and never think that becoming a guard means you can be carefree."
"According to the rules of the manor, if you do not meet my expectations after fifteen days, I will kick you out of the guard post and send you back to being a servant."
Pang Long issued a stern warning.
Li Xian said, "I will certainly not disappoint Commander Pang's expectations."
Pang Long's expression softened, and he said, "Watch carefully." He then leaped into the air.
He leaped into the crowd, spread his arms and legs, let out a low shout, and threw a punch. It seemed simple and unadorned, but in fact, it concealed a deadly intent.
After delivering seventeen punches in a row, the force of the punches swept in all directions, striking left and right, and attacking in front and behind.
Pang Long composed himself and stood up, saying, "I know you yearn for that level."
"But from now on, there is no need to have any extravagant hopes. Just focus on mastering the moves and strength, and that will be enough for us to benefit from for a lifetime."
"Techniques are the means of combat, while strength is the foundation of a martial artist. These two are the cornerstones of any martial art."
"But when it comes to strength, you can't develop any fancy techniques without spending ten or eight years. I won't make that requirement for now."
"As long as you master the moves and incantations of this 'Four Directions Fist' within these fifteen days, memorize them thoroughly, and understand its essential principles."
Li Xian nodded. In any case, it was always good to be able to learn martial arts. Moreover, Pang Long had secretly given him some pointers.
He deliberately emphasized the phrase "any martial art".
The meaning is to remind Li Xian not to be overly ambitious and look down on these things. These seemingly ordinary things are actually crucial!
Pang Long tossed the handwritten copy of "Four Directions Fist" to Li Xian, turned to the crowd, and shouted:
Where is Luo Tongyun?
"Commander Pang, I'm here."
A man with an effeminate appearance stepped forward and responded with a cupped-hand salute.
Pang Long said, "You have some unique insights into the Four Directions Fist."
"The task of teaching him boxing falls to you."
Luo Tongyun smiled gently at Li Xian and replied, "Don't worry, Commander Pang, I will tell you everything I know."
"Hmm." Pang Long nodded slightly. "Alright, those of you who need to practice martial arts, go practice."
...
“Brother Li, this Four Directions Fist emphasizes the balance of squareness and roundness. It may seem rigid, but it is actually quite shrewd.”
"I'll demonstrate it once, and you'll memorize the routine."
Luo Tongyun said with a smile.
He performed the Four Directions Fist in front of Li Xian.
Li Xian imitated the cat's movements and punches, and then performed the same routine.
When you first learn a complete boxing routine, it always feels a bit awkward. But after practicing it a few more times, you gradually discover the knack.
"Not bad, Brother Li, you have great comprehension. With diligent practice, mastering the fist technique won't be difficult." Luo Tongyun nodded.
Before we knew it, it was noon.
Luo Tongyun said, "Brother Li, you can practice on your own. I have patrol duty this afternoon, so I'll teach you again tomorrow."
"Alright, thank you for your guidance, Brother Luo."
Li Xian expressed her gratitude.
Even after Luo Tongyun left, he continued to practice his boxing over and over again. Before, he had to practice secretly, but now that he could do it openly, he naturally cherished the opportunity.
The monotonous training had a unique appeal to him.
After each punch, he would refer to the boxing manual. Only when he felt he had memorized the moves did he break free from the manual and begin to punch freely.
"Bang!"
Having eaten his fill, he naturally had plenty of strength, and his punches generated a powerful gust of wind.
"The desperate fight that day was the right decision. Although the guards are also servants, the atmosphere for martial arts training is much better!"
Li Xian thought to himself.
Half an hour later.
[Your punches are steady; you are gradually mastering the methods of practicing the Four Directions Fist.]
[Four Directions Fist]
[Proficiency: 13/500 Beginner]
[Description: Steady and reliable, basic boxing techniques, outwardly square but inwardly rounded, seemingly honest and cunning. Easy to grasp, extremely difficult to master.]
Once the principle of "Heaven rewards diligence" is activated, progress can be expected from then on.
"As long as you are willing to put in the hard work, mastering the Four Directions Fist is not a problem."
"As a guard now, I will strive to master this boxing technique to the highest level!"
Li Xian's heart was filled with strength.
Guards also had labor and were servants; they didn't just eat, sleep, and practice martial arts all day.
The lower the rank of the guard, the more time they spend working and the more trivial matters they have to handle. The higher the rank of the guard, the easier their job is.
Generally speaking
I get up at 3:45 AM every day to start morning training, and then I have to do various things from 3:45 AM onwards.
Since Li Xian is still a newcomer, he only needs to focus on practicing martial arts for the next fifteen days. After the fifteen days, he will have to start his shifts, attendance checks, patrols, and all sorts of miscellaneous tasks.
But then the martial arts atmosphere is gone.
All the other guards went on patrol, but he was the only one still practicing his boxing.
With each punch, sweat splattered several feet, the power of the punch brewing within.
"A martial artist practices techniques and cultivates strength... If he does these two things well, he can be considered a master among ordinary people."
"I'll put aside thoughts of immortality and transcendence for now. I'll focus on perfecting my martial arts skills!"
With a clear goal in mind, everything is more hopeful.
...
Luo Tongyun is on patrol.
Suddenly, he was stopped by Luo Fang, the head servant. Luo Fang smiled and said, "Brother Luo Tongyun, it's been a long time. Would you like to come in and have a seat?"
(End of this chapter)
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