Fists, Legs, Steps

"On the martial path, besides a powerful body, one must also cultivate methods of combat and killing. As the saying goes, 'Practice martial arts without practicing internal skill, and all your life will come to nothing; practice internal skill without practicing martial arts, and do not dare strike when facing another.' The 'martial' in that saying refers to martial techniques—combat techniques."

Early the next morning, they were once again at the large Training Ground paved with bluestone. The other disciples practiced in pairs, while Gu Yang was called into a corner by Qin Hu for individual instruction.

Martial Academy disciples practiced stance training on odd-numbered days and cultivated martial techniques on even-numbered days.

Having learned the Blood Nourishing Stance yesterday, Gu Yang would begin learning martial techniques today.

For martial artists, stance training to forge a powerful physique was certainly important, but combat skills were equally not to be overlooked.

When the crucial moment came, every martial artist would need to go onto the battlefield.

If one could not fight, did not dare fight, was not proficient in martial techniques, and feared the sight of blood, then the chances of dying on the battlefield would be extremely high.

Therefore, all Martial Academy disciples across the Three Hundred Cities of Cangzhou had to learn martial techniques. Moreover, whether it was the Minor Competition held every ten days or the year-end Grand Competition, what was tested was not one's cultivation realm, but actual combat.

"The martial techniques taught at the Martial Academy are divided into three types: fist techniques, leg techniques, and footwork. You need to study all three, though you are not required to master them all. You may choose one technique to delve deeply into, but you must at least gain an initial grasp of the other two."

Qin Hu gave Gu Yang a long look and said quietly, "Remember this: when cultivating martial techniques, the upper limit is certainly important, but having a sufficiently high lower limit can give you more possibilities when danger comes."

Gu Yang silently listened to Qin Hu's explanation, committing every piece of advice to heart.

In truth, he understood what Qin Hu meant.

Fists and legs for offense and defense, footwork for pursuit and escape.

Only by advancing the three abreast, together with a weapon technique, could he ensure that he had no weaknesses.

Gu Yang even planned to learn a method of extreme explosive power in the future, to serve as his final trump card when risking his life.

"The fist technique taught by the Martial Academy is called the Canglang Fist Technique. Next, I'll teach you its movements. Watch carefully."

As he spoke, Qin Hu spread his legs, bent his knees into a half squat, and raised his fists before his chest, assuming a starting stance similar to the fighting stance from Gu Yang's previous life.

"The Canglang Fist Technique has twelve foundational movements in total, which can develop into one hundred and eight variations."

He explained as he demonstrated.

It was the same method as yesterday. After Qin Hu completed a demonstration, he had Gu Yang perform it once.

After repeating this several times, once Gu Yang had memorized the twelve foundational movements and their general variations, Qin Hu finally had him stop and began teaching him the second martial technique, the Subduing Wave Leg Technique.

The Subduing Wave Leg Technique was not the sort of axe-kick technique with overwhelming killing power. Most of its movements involved low leg lifts, side kicks, and small-range defensive kicks.

Unlike fist techniques, leg techniques had few variations. What mattered more was memorizing the eighteen foundational movements, then choosing the appropriate one for different situations.

This time, Qin Hu did not teach Gu Yang as he had before. Instead, he switched to another teaching method and had Gu Yang spar with him in actual combat.

Gu Yang attacked with the Canglang Fist Technique, while Qin Hu met him with the Subduing Wave Leg Technique.

Having only just begun learning martial techniques, Gu Yang had merely memorized the most basic fist movements. Thus, he could only execute them one move at a time according to the technique's set forms.

As a Martial Academy master, Qin Hu possessed extensive combat experience. He could disrupt Gu Yang's fist technique at will even with his eyes closed, yet he did not do so. Instead, he allowed Gu Yang to attack him using the sequence of fist-technique moves.

Only when Gu Yang pressed too aggressively would he suddenly kick him to the ground, then lecture him, "Only in this sort of situation can this leg technique produce this kind of effect. Do you remember?"

"I remember, Master Qin." A wry smile rose at the corner of his lips as Gu Yang pushed himself up. This teaching method really is unforgettable. I have to admit, it's a good method—but normally, this kind of training simply can't be done.

Only with the enormous gap between Qin Hu and Gu Yang could Qin Hu control his strength, kick Gu Yang down, and still avoid injuring him.

If Gu Yang had sought out someone else to spar with, hoping to train his grasp of the timing for using leg techniques, he would probably suffer internal injuries from only a few kicks from the other disciples, let alone remember that fleeting timing.

"Again." In one corner of the Training Ground, Qin Hu once more assumed his stance and waited for Gu Yang's attack.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Yang showed no fear at all as he charged forward again, swinging his fists.

Time and again, Qin Hu knocked him down, and time and again, he climbed back to his feet.

Gu Yang discovered that this kind of sparring not only allowed him to remember the timing for using leg-technique movements faster and more deeply, but also gave him a better understanding of several essentials of the fist-technique movements.

Only then did he understand why those disciples were all sparring with one another.

Sure enough, martial techniques could not be practiced endlessly by merely striking poses in the air. Actual combat was necessary. Only in real battles could one quickly discover problems and make improvements and adjustments.

Thus, the two sparred for nearly half a shichen, and Gu Yang finally remembered the proper timing for using all eighteen leg-technique movements.

Next came the final lesson in footwork.

Patting the dust from his martial uniform, Qin Hu said, "The footwork taught by the academy is called the Swimming Fish Footwork. It takes its meaning from fish swimming in water. As the name implies, you should be able to tell what this footwork emphasizes."

"Agility." Gu Yang nodded.

"That's right—agility. The key to cultivating this footwork is to be as alert and flexible as fish in water. Only then can this footwork be considered mastered."

Qin Hu was somewhat pleasantly surprised that Gu Yang had immediately said "agility." Such insight might seem ordinary, but many Martial Academy disciples could not realize this point right away.

Nodding in satisfaction, Qin Hu began explaining the cultivation essentials of the Swimming Fish Footwork.

The Swimming Fish Footwork emphasized one word: speed!

The movements had to be swift, without the slightest trace of dragging or hesitation.

Cangzhou had many marshes and waterways, and fish were common. After explaining the movements of the Swimming Fish Footwork, Qin Hu also suggested that Gu Yang observe fish in the water more often after returning home that evening.

He should watch how fish reacted the instant they encountered danger.

Then he should remember that reaction and carefully recall it while practicing the footwork, bringing that feeling into the process of training.

That way, he would achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Gu Yang nodded in agreement, then began practicing the footwork movements at Qin Hu's request.

After repeating them three to five times, Gu Yang had already initially memorized the movements of the Swimming Fish Movement Technique.

Seeing this, Qin Hu led him through the Canglang Fist Technique and Subduing Wave Leg Technique several more times to reinforce his memory.

Seeing that Gu Yang had already memorized the movement sequences of all three martial techniques, Qin Hu nodded in satisfaction and instructed him once more, "Practice here by yourself for now. Once you have become proficient in the movements of all three martial techniques, you can spar with the other disciples."

"Yes, Master Qin..."