"Alright! Just remember that." Qin Qiong called out to Qin Mu as he stopped, drenched in sweat.
Seeing Qin Qiong practice his boxing, Qin Mu realized that the moves were just to facilitate footwork and body coordination. A simple set of advancing punches, combined with qi and blood, created an unstoppable momentum.
The martial arts tutorials circulating online, with their elbow strikes and mountain-leaning techniques, are completely useless. The most important element is the power generated by qi and blood, a force that can overcome any technique – this is precisely the path of a martial artist.
The "Progressive Continuous Punch" means that the punches are constantly moving forward, one step after another, pressing forward relentlessly, giving the opponent a fierce sense of pressure; the iron fists are swung, each punch either striking the chest like a black tiger digging out its heart or attacking the face like a tyrant offering a toast.
Qin Qiong's attacks weren't limited to his fists; his feet were also a form of attack. However, for non-martial artists, using their feet was unnecessary. Firstly, their strength was limited, and secondly, having both feet firmly planted on the ground provided greater stability. Using their feet to attack would only make them more vulnerable to being controlled by their opponents.
Qin Qiong knew his son's condition, so he not only taught him the complete boxing style but also modified it to better suit Qin Mu. The main focus was on the technique of generating power; it would be ridiculous to throw a punch that missed its mark and then twisted his back.
Spiritual energy isn't suitable for attaching to the fist because it's inherently explosive and better suited for external attack. Spiritual energy circulates within the body, driven by mental power and hand seals, forming spiritual techniques. Even when attached to a weapon, the attack is still external. This is unless array patterns are inscribed to contain the spiritual energy. Righteous Qi, however, is different. Even ordinary weapons can be imbued with a layer of it, temporarily granting them a spiritual energy attack effect. Therefore, Righteous Qi can also be applied to the fist without requiring much effort to control. One simply needs to become accustomed to its circulation.
This might be difficult for others, since Confucian cultivators rarely think about fighting with their fists clenched; close combat is basically done with swords. Qin Mu is different. He has been trying to open up his capillaries, allowing his righteous energy to circulate through them and cleanse his body. This also makes it easier for him to absorb righteous energy from the air. Now, he only needs to open up the capillaries in his hands first, so that his righteous energy can be directly attached to his fists to fight.
In this way, his fist technique is almost identical to that of a martial artist using bloodthirsty energy, the only difference being that he lacks the martial artist's power.
Whenever he learned something new, Qin Mu habitually thought it through. This was partly because he wasn't from this world and possessed a more open-minded spirit. He wouldn't simply apply what his teacher taught him. In another world, there was a saying: in every sect, only the first generation was truly powerful, and the second generation they taught was also quite good, but after the third generation, the skill level dropped significantly.
This is because the first generation often combines the strengths of various schools to create their own path. The second generation, on the other hand, teaches according to individual aptitude, and thus their students are not inferior. Subsequent successors often merely follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, and therefore rarely surpass them.
Whenever Qin Mu encounters something new, he habitually thinks about it more. After all, the ancients were limited by their thinking and would overlook some things, especially these fundamental things that are unrelated to the laws of heaven and earth and are not unchangeable.
As dawn broke, Qin Mu awoke again, and so did Qin Qiong and the soldiers. Many soldiers were already leading their warhorses to graze and water.
Although soldiers would bring some beans for their warhorses when they went out, it was only as a supplement; when there was free time, they would still take them out to graze. Fortunately, Qin Mu's rhinoceros also ate grass, otherwise feeding it would have been even more troublesome. In fact, the rhinoceros was easier to feed than the warhorse. It ate not only grass but also tree leaves.
Taking out the monster meat and having the soldiers continue to eat it made all the soldiers very happy. They had eaten it just once yesterday, which not only healed their injuries and restored their strength, but also left them all full of energy. They woke up refreshed and brimming with vitality.
They practiced swordsmanship, fist techniques, and then the Fuxiong Dividing Power Technique. After practicing all of these, they stopped and prepared to eat.
Looking at his diligent son, Qin Qiong was satisfied, but he couldn't help but think of the lazy and cunning son in his own family, and his brows furrowed.
"What's wrong, Father?" Qin Mu asked curiously, looking at Qin Qiong who was deep in thought.
"It's alright. I'm very happy to see you practicing so diligently. But too much of a good thing can be bad. You must make sure to rest. Use the medicinal herbs your sect has when you need them. If you don't have enough, you can buy more when you get back to Chang'an. Just don't get hurt," Qin Qiong shook his head and gave him his concerned instructions.
"Okay, I understand." Qin Mu nodded in agreement. Physical exercise requires sufficient nutrition, especially for martial arts training. Think about the blood-fiend energy and various spiritual energies circulating within the body; without sufficient replenishment and repair, it's easy to harm the body. Therefore, different schools of martial arts use different medicinal herbs for nourishment.
The elixirs left by Guiguzi were naturally more than enough for Qin Mu, and they were incredibly convenient—he could simply consume them directly from his entire body. Unlike others, he didn't need to take medicinal baths. Of course, Qin Mu did need to take medicinal baths, but not every day.
Guiguzi lived a thousand years ago; he was unaware of the vast changes that had occurred. Many of the exotic beasts and ferocious creatures of the past were now far fewer in number. The recipes he left behind required a considerable amount of ferocious beast blood. Fortunately, Qin Mu was lucky enough to obtain a large quantity—enough for his needs.
Qin Mu couldn't help but think that this monster resembled a type of dinosaur, even though he had no expertise in this area. But considering that rhinoceroses were still around and there were so many secret realms, the appearance of a dinosaur didn't seem strange.
There was only one thing Qin Qiong believed was a secret realm, yet he had a vague feeling that it wasn't; he had no reason, just a gut feeling. The Zheng had also appeared in strange ways; the Qin family had sent people to inquire, and no one in the Three Passes region had ever seen anything like it.
He had already realized that this world harbored a great secret. He had originally thought these things were far removed from him, but it seemed that in the future, besides the orcs, he would also have to worry about these monsters. These things that appeared suddenly were impossible to guard against.
After another meat feast, ten soldiers were left to oversee the journey while Qin Qiong led the others on their way. This time, their speed increased significantly, and the leisurely pace of the beginning was gone.
He didn't stop except for resting along the way, traveling through prefectures and counties, and he refused visits from many people without hesitation.
"You've had a long journey, Mu'er!" Qin Qiong said apologetically, looking at his son who also looked travel-worn.
"It's alright, Dad!" Qin Mu said with an understanding smile.
In the distance, a section of city wall could be vaguely seen. He knew from the morning that he was almost at Chang'an. The crowds along the way were far greater than anywhere else, indicating that this place was different from others.
Fortunately, they were traveling on the imperial road, a road only permitted for government officials. Their warhorses galloped along without any hindrance. Merchants and commoners on neighboring roads were naturally very curious about them, especially Qin Mu's one-horned rhinoceros, which, when it ran, gave the feeling of an earthquake.
For more than ten days, Qin Mu had grown quite fond of his mount. It was docile, powerful, and while its sprinting speed was slightly less than a warhorse, its stamina was no less, perhaps a result of long-term training. Crucially, it was more comfortable to ride than a warhorse. It was incredibly stable, and its broad back made it easy to lie down and sleep. Even without a saddle, his buttocks didn't suffer, unlike riding a horse where his thighs would get chafed raw.
Qin Mu fed a handful of roasted beans into the rhinoceros's large mouth, followed by a pot of water. The rhinoceros happily chewed a couple of times, then swallowed them, and nuzzled its large head against Qin Mu.
"You rascal, you're so big, yet you're still acting cute," Qin Mu said with a laugh. After spending so many days together, the rhinoceros had gotten used to Qin Mu as its master, and Qin Mu had gotten used to its mount.
He bought a lot of beans to feed his warhorses and put them in the Heavenly Mystery Tower. He even had a large bag of beans stir-fried with salt, which he would feed the rhinoceros a handful whenever he had free time.
He had never fed a rhinoceros before, but he had raised dogs and knew that it was best for the owner to feed the pet personally, as this would increase the bond and make the pet more obedient.
Animals need salt too, especially warhorses, which require regular supplementation and can't just eat grass all the time, otherwise they'll lose weight. While there's no other world where they get exaggerated massages, washing and horse handling are unavoidable.
The one-horned rhinoceros was the same; it needed to be cleaned every day because its favorite thing to do was to lie on the ground and roll around. No matter how many times it was taught, it wouldn't change. Qin Mu guessed this was related to the removal of its armor.
Rhinoceroses naturally enjoy rolling in the mud to increase their defenses and prevent insect bites. In the past, with armor and saddles, rolling in the mud would have been uncomfortable, but now that they are no longer restricted, they have naturally returned to their old ways.
Qin Mu was right after all. The one-horned rhinoceros used to have armor and a saddle, making rolling around uncomfortable, so it didn't know how to roll. Of course! It used to be guarded by someone, and if it rolled around, it would be whipped.
Qin Mu was very tolerant of his pets. Although he didn't like it rolling around, he didn't intend to stifle its hobby, so he didn't bother it, as long as it didn't go into the mud. As a result, in just over ten days, he and the rhinoceros developed a very good relationship.
Pushing aside the rhinoceros's massive head, he finally had time to survey the distant city of Chang'an. The city walls stretched as far as the eye could see, reaching a height of about five zhang (approximately 10 meters). One had to crane their neck to see the guards and the rows of banners atop the walls. The city tower had three stories, with guards standing motionless atop it, weapons in hand.
The moat flowed quietly, twenty or thirty meters wide, wider than most rivers. Its canal-like design meant that if you fell in, you wouldn't be able to get up without someone pulling you out. This city was far larger than Qin Mu had imagined, even more magnificent than the former Juyong Pass.
The fifty-meter-long city gate also shows that the city wall is very thick. There are three city gates. Qin Qiong led them directly through one of them. The people dozens of meters away were entering and exiting from the left and right in an orderly manner.
"Greetings, Duke Yi!" As soon as they entered the city, a general in iron armor, accompanied by two guards, stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said loudly.
"Vice General Liu, thank you for your hard work," Qin Qiong nodded.
"It's not a hardship, Duke Yi, you're back. Should I go to the palace to let you know?" Deputy General Liu asked with a fawning smile.
"No need, I'll be going to the palace soon," Qin Qiong waved his hand.
“Then I will not keep you any longer, Your Excellency. Please proceed!” Vice General Liu gestured.
"Yes!" Qin Qiong nodded, mounted his horse, and continued forward.
There's a rule in Chang'an: everyone entering the city, except those delivering battle reports, must dismount, and Qin Qiong was no exception. However, once inside, he could ride again, as long as he didn't gallop wildly. The street in front of him was two hundred meters wide, so even if he wanted to gallop, it wouldn't be a problem.
"Isn't it shocking?" Qin Qiong asked with a smile. Qin Mu had always acted quite maturely, so it was rare to see him so surprised, looking around anxiously. Qin Qiong then realized it was normal.
"It's truly breathtaking!" Qin Mu nodded. Looking around, apart from the lack of skyscrapers, wide streets, and pedestrians, it was in no way inferior to the other world.
Unlike Youzhou and the county towns along the way, at least the houses in front of us are all tiled, which looks much better than the thatched huts in other places.
"This is Vermilion Bird Avenue, the widest street outside the Imperial City. Of course, the other main roads are about the same width," Qin Qiong explained.
The father and son walked further and further away, while Deputy General Liu stood there in a daze behind them.
"Boss, is this really Duke Qin Qiong of Yi?" A guard behind Deputy General Liu leaned over and asked.
With a "smack!", Deputy General Liu slapped the guard on the head and then scolded, "How dare you address the Duke of Yi by his name?"
"Boss, I was wrong! I was wrong! I just couldn't believe it!" The guard shrank back and hurriedly apologized.
"Of course it's the Duke of Yi, do you think I would mistake him for someone else!" Deputy General Liu said, his eyes wide.
"So young? The Duke of Yi looks to be only in his thirties, right?" the guard asked in astonishment.
"I don't know either. I thought I was seeing things, but the voice and expression were definitely right. It's just that he looks much younger than the last time I saw him," Deputy General Liu said, shaking his head in confusion.
Half a year ago, he had met Qin Qiong at close range during an inspection and was deeply impressed by him. When he saw him from afar just now, he wanted to go up and greet him. After bowing, he was surprised to find that Qin Qiong in front of him was much younger than before.
If the voice wasn't wrong, the expression hadn't changed, and Qin Qiong hadn't just admitted it himself, he probably would have suspected that someone was impersonating him.
"Could this be because the Duke of Yi has achieved great success in his cultivation, thus reverting to a youthful state?" the guard speculated.
"Stop gossiping!" Deputy General Liu glared at his personal guard, then thoughtfully instructed, "Tell Deputy General Chen that I have to go off duty first, and I'll cover his shift another day." With that, Deputy General Liu ignored his guard and hurriedly left.
Chang'an City is indeed large. It took more than half an hour to ride a horse along Zhuque Avenue before we arrived at the outside of a large courtyard. Above the gate, the four large characters "Yiguo Gongfu" indicated that this was Qin Qiong's home.
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