Learning Martial Arts

From the main hall, they headed west, crossed the corridor, and reached the end, where they arrived at a side courtyard of the Hundred Flowers Sect. Rippling green water encircled a reddish-brown rockery of yellow stone. A stream poured down between the rocks, and the splashing droplets fell, spreading ripples in widening rings. A few more steps brought them into a vast, open space: a huge training ground paved with stone slabs, with all kinds of equipment and tools lined up along one side against the wall.

Jiang Shuo and Li Zicheng arrived at the training ground early that morning. Quite a few disciples were already there practicing.

Beneath the rising sun, the energetic disciples threw punches and kicks, their movements swift and powerful. The two of them looked around like Granny Liu visiting the Grand View Garden, their blood racing with excitement and their eagerness barely contained.

After entering the Hundred Flowers Sect, the two had been led here and there by Yu Yuhan. Only now did they get a glimpse of the depth of the Hundred Flowers Sect as a Martial Arts Sect.

"You two, come over here." Feng En, who had been waiting for them for some time, beckoned.

The two stepped forward. Feng En looked them over, his expression appreciative, then continued, "Unlike other Martial Arts Sects, the Hundred Flowers Sect has no special techniques of its own. Instead, it welcomes all schools and gathers techniques from other sects. Of course, these martial arts manuals weren't stolen. When renowned martial artists come seeking us out, the Hundred Flowers Sect welcomes them all. If they occasionally come into conflict with their original sect, we issue them a Hundred Flowers Order, granting them the same rights as our disciples. They bring some techniques with them, and some Martial World Person who have received our kindness give us martial arts manuals in gratitude. Over the years, as we've treated people well, the Hundred Flowers Sect has collected a wide variety of techniques, covering just about everything. Besides fist and foot techniques, we've studied swords, spears, sabers, halberds, axes, battle-axes, hooks, and tridents. As for some internal cultivation methods, they're sensitive, so the Hundred Flowers Sect has few of them. If you want to learn, I can teach you what my authority allows. All right, I've said enough. I just want to know what you'd like to learn. I'll arrange for someone skilled in it to teach you."

Learning martial arts took talent and hard work, but it also depended on what one enjoyed. Though Feng En was highly skilled, he couldn't be an expert in everything.

At this, Li Zicheng lowered his head and thought for a moment. Then he looked up and asked, "Master Feng, what are you best at?"

The day before, he had heard Jiang Shuo mention how Feng En had defeated Zhao Zhi in a single move, and he admired Feng En greatly. Better to learn from Feng En himself than from someone else.

"Hm?" Feng En paused, then smiled at Li Zicheng, thinking how sharp the boy was. "I'm best at swordsmanship."

"Then I most want to learn the sword," Li Zicheng replied at once.

"You, honestly!" Feng En chuckled helplessly, though he rather liked Li Zicheng's quick wits. Then he turned to Jiang Shuo and asked, "What about you, Jiang Shuo?"

Li Zicheng kept tugging at Jiang Shuo's sleeve, urging him to join in, but Jiang Shuo fell silent.

Ever since he had entered the world, he had faced one brush with death after another. He had seen plenty of human warmth and coldness, and the world's cruelty, and had often felt indignant. The sword was the king of all weapons. Though perilous, it was born to kill. Yet Jiang Shuo always felt that something was missing.

"Jiang Shuo, what's wrong?" Li Zicheng asked worriedly.

Jiang Shuo's unfocused eyes sharpened. He stepped forward, cupped his fists toward Feng En, and said, "Master, I've only just entered the world. I have little experience, so I don't know how to choose yet."

Li Zicheng was taken aback by the answer. As if a thought had just occurred to him, he asked, "I heard Yuhan mention that your martial arts are impressive. The residents of Yulin also said you know a rather strange technique. I assumed you'd studied martial arts before. Did something in your past make you hesitate?"

Some sects in the Martial World required their disciples to learn only their own techniques. Those caught studying other martial arts would be severely punished by their masters. Feng En thought Jiang Shuo might be worried about that.

"That's not it. What I learned was just a crude technique passed down in my family. I suppose I was practicing in isolation. It has some offensive power, but its moves and methods are strange, which must be why rumors about it have gotten so exaggerated." Jiang Shuo shook his head, thinking that martial arts in the outside world seemed different from his own. From now on, unless absolutely necessary, he must never use his technique again.

"In that case, I'll have someone teach you the basics first. You can tell me what you've decided once you've had time to think it over," Feng En said.

"Thank you for understanding, Master." Jiang Shuo clasped his hands in thanks.

Then Feng En called over a middle-aged man. "This is Sun Man, your martial uncle. He specializes in external boxing. Jiang Shuo, you can start by learning from him."

Feng En then turned to Sun Man and added, "Your nephew Jiang Shuo's hand hasn't healed yet, so be mindful of that."

"Understood, Senior Brother," Sun Man said.

Feng En gave Jiang Shuo a few more instructions, then took Li Zicheng to the other side. Li Zicheng was reluctant to part from Jiang Shuo, but he respected his choice.

Only after the two had left did Jiang Shuo get a good look at Sun Man. The man stood nine feet tall, with a broad back and a powerful build. His limbs were thick and muscular, and his clothes bulged as if the muscles beneath were about to burst through the fabric.

"So you're Jiang Shuo, the one who followed Yu Yuhan and raised hell in Yulin City?" Sun Man suddenly asked.