Li Shuwen finished his exercise, opened his mouth, and exhaled a stream of white vapor. It stretched for two meters before gradually dissipating. He turned to Yang Xuan. "You try it."
Ding—Li Shuwen has taught you Horse Stance. Current level: Beginner.
Yang Xuan's eyes widened. This works too? This system is pretty good. Looks like being a genius won't be difficult after all. With that, he immediately assumed a Horse Stance. His form was proper enough, but it lacked the essence of Li Shuwen's stance.
Li Shuwen asked in surprise, "Have you practiced Horse Stance before?"
"No, Master. I've never studied martial arts." Yang Xuan scratched his head.
How is that possible? When I practiced Horse Stance, it took me about a month just to get started, and three months to reach minor mastery. This kid's Horse Stance is at least at the minor mastery level. Could his talent for martial arts be this high? Hmm, if he really has great talent, maybe I can pass on my greatest skills to him.
"Not bad, A-Xuan. Try to hold it as long as possible. It'll do your body a lot of good." With that, he turned and went back inside.
Yang Xuan nodded in agreement. The problem was, he himself was curious. Why don't I feel tired? They said that after standing in Horse Stance, both legs would ache and tremble. Yet he felt completely fine. In fact, he felt quite comfortable.
He checked, and... well, there it was: his Horse Stance had already reached Intermediate. As expected, with the system in hand, the world was his. Before he knew it, he had become completely absorbed in it.
Li Shuwen had originally planned to let Yang Xuan suffer a little first, so he could experience the hardships of martial arts training. Unexpectedly, when he took a look, he found that the boy was still standing in Horse Stance even though it was already lunchtime. His stance had also grown increasingly practiced. After thinking it over, Li Shuwen decided not to disturb him and see how long Yang Xuan could maintain Horse Stance on his first attempt.
Yang Xuan had never known that practicing martial arts could become addictive. His whole body felt warm and incredibly comfortable, and he grew more energetic by the minute without feeling tired at all.
"The doctor's conclusion after the examination was that Master's lung function had been damaged by some kind of slow-acting poison. That's why he couldn't withstand Akutagawa's heavy blows during the match. There must be a traitor within Jingwu School." Chen Zhen spoke with a heavy expression.
"Chen Zhen, what exactly did you come back for?" Nong Jinsun suddenly demanded.
"Uncle Nong, why are you asking me that?" Chen Zhen was somewhat surprised by the dissatisfaction in Nong Jinsun's tone.
"Ever since you came back, all your fellow disciples have treated you like an idol. Have you ever considered how Ting En feels? Since you returned, everything you've done has been on your own initiative. Have you ever asked Ting En? After all, he's the head of Jingwu School." Nong Jinsun's tone was stern.
Yang Xuan now possessed more than the strength of three men, and his hearing had also improved. Although they were some distance away, and the training ground was filled with the grunts and shouts of Jingwu School disciples practicing martial arts, Yang Xuan could still hear Chen Zhen and Nong Jinsun's conversation.
So the plot has already reached this point. Looks like it'll happen in the next few days. I need to make some preparations. According to the plot, that unlucky kid Akutagawa will be killed by Fujita Go tomorrow, and Chen Zhen will be framed for it. More importantly, before Chen Zhen returns, Jingwu School will have a major clash with Hongkou Dojo. Although I now have the strength of three men and telekinesis, once blades start flashing in a fight, two fists can't beat four hands. Who knows if I might accidentally kill an innocent person? Better to be careful.
After finishing his exercise, Yang Xuan looked at his perfected Horse Stance and his current strength of four men. So Horse Stance was this effective. One shouldn't underestimate the strength of one man. If an ordinary person perfected Horse Stance, they would certainly possess more than the strength of two men. Add decent martial arts to that, and they could indeed dominate among ordinary people.
He took a shower and went to bed. "I'll practice some more tomorrow." With that, he finished his exercise and returned to his room.
Yang Xuan didn't notice that, at the turn in the guesthouse courtyard, a shadow had been watching him practice martial arts the entire time. The shadow's eyes held both contemplation and surprise. This boy has never practiced martial arts, yet his Horse Stance went from beginner to perfection in a single day. What a freak. I'll keep watching.
The night passed without incident. Because of his martial arts training, he slept especially soundly.
"Aw-ooo—!" Yang Xuan stretched lazily. He suddenly realized that this kind of life was actually quite comfortable. The air was good, and he had a master who cared about him. Because he was Li Shuwen's disciple, the Jingwu School disciples also looked at him with envy whenever they saw him.
"Don't practice anymore!" Just as he was about to assume Horse Stance, a deep voice came from behind him. Li Shuwen slowly emerged from behind him.
"I really don't know where you sprang from, you little monster. I was already forty before I barely managed to perfect my Horse Stance. You accomplished it in a single day. And judging from your posture, you probably have quite a bit of strength too. Which of my martial arts do you want to learn?" Li Shuwen sighed emotionally.
"Master, I want to learn Baji Quan." Yang Xuan looked at Li Shuwen with longing.
His choice was actually related to Yang Xuan's personality and habits. Yang Xuan liked working out and had even practiced taekwondo. Even when playing games, he always chose warrior-type classes. He simply liked confronting things head-on.
"Baji comes from the heavens and earth, embodying the meaning of the nine provinces and the eight directions. Look, this is the Baji framework." Li Shuwen slowly introduced it.
Six Elbows. Baji Small Frame.
Ding~ Baji Quan learned. (Beginner)
"A-Xuan, do you understand?" Li Shuwen asked.
I seem to understand a little. Yang Xuan thought for a moment.
Li Shuwen was an excellent teacher. After all, he had taken many disciples. He was very good at offering different insights for different problems, thereby teaching according to each student's aptitude.
Perhaps because telekinesis had constantly strengthened his body, and because his Horse Stance had reached perfection, Yang Xuan's progress in Baji Quan advanced by leaps and bounds.
Because Yang Xuan had never practiced traditional National Arts before, he was extremely enthusiastic about the renowned Baji Quan. With guidance from a famous master, he also studied with great seriousness. One worked hard to learn while the other devoted himself to teaching. In a short time, the bond between master and disciple grew increasingly close.
Before they knew it, several hours had passed. Suddenly, a commotion came from the main gate, mixed with curses and bits of Japanese.
Hmm, looks like the Japanese have come looking for trouble. It was somewhat dangerous, but he had been staying at their place for several days without paying rent. If he didn't help out now, it would hardly be right.
Yang Xuan hurried to the main hall. By then, a fight had already broken out, and the area before Huo Yuanjia's memorial tablet was in complete chaos.
Yang Xuan was somewhat dumbfounded. How am I supposed to join in? His only experience fighting people was from school.
However, Yang Xuan didn't have time to feel awkward. One Japanese man spotted him in the corner and immediately charged over, howling.
Almost instinctively, Yang Xuan stepped forward. The Japanese man reacted quickly as well and tried to bring down his katana, but the weapon was too long, making it impossible to change moves in time. Yang Xuan didn't waste words. Almost instinctively, he drove a Six Elbows strike straight into the man's solar plexus. He seemed to hear a crack, and the Japanese man collapsed onto the floor, clutching his chest in agony.
In just those few seconds, Yang Xuan's confidence had been firmly established.
Ha-ha, they can't take a hit. Easy, easy. Although his confidence was soaring, Yang Xuan still covered his body with a layer of telekinetic force. It wasn't as defensive as a telekinetic shield, but something was better than nothing.
After knocking one down, his confidence surged. He charged forward and dealt with the Japanese men attacking the female disciples of Jingwu School. Ever since he gained telekinesis, his body had been strengthened. Now that he had also practiced Baji Quan, he was like a bulldozer. Whenever he saw a Japanese man, he either punched him in the head or stepped in with an elbow strike. The strength of four men combined with Baji Quan's method of exerting force made him utterly unstoppable.
"Not bad, not bad. I never expected this old man to receive a genius disciple at my age. More importantly, this disciple is filial and has a patriotic heart." It was obvious. The Japanese men Yang Xuan had beaten were either lying on the ground or suffering broken bones.
With Li Shuwen's eyesight, it was obvious that several of the Japanese men, even after recovering, would be left with serious aftereffects.