Curator's Teaching Demonstration [Seeking Follow-up Reads]

Situ Yiyun combined explanations with demonstrations.

From basic theory to practical combat breakdowns.

He spoke incessantly, pouring out all his knowledge.

His figure shifted and lunged, his fists and kicks whipping up gusts of wind.

He strove to display every essential point of New Martial Arts clearly before Lu Jing'an.

This flurry of activity lasted for a full two hours.

Lu Jing'an sat upright in the grand armchair.

Beside his hand was a cup of clear tea, which he sipped occasionally.

His gaze remained fixed on Situ Yiyun's figure in the center of the room.

He listened with focus and watched with care.

Whenever there was something unclear, Lu Jing'an would immediately call for a pause.

To Lu Jing'an, the system of New Martial Arts was an entirely new world.

It was vastly different from the Ancient Martial Arts he had practiced in the past.

Yet, precisely because of this, he found it fascinating.

After a detailed comparison, Lu Jing'an keenly captured the many merits of the New Martial Arts system, such as its simplicity, efficiency, and focus on practical combat.

Listening to Situ Yiyun's clear and accessible explanations, he grew increasingly aware of the profound meaning behind his master Chen Xuan's arrangements.

"Young Master Lu, what I have just explained are merely the main outlines and characteristics of New Martial Arts."

Situ Yiyun breathed slightly heavily, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Later, when we actually spar, I will combine these with specific movements to verify and explain them to you one by one."

Lu Jing'an's gaze swept over Situ Yiyun's practice uniform, which was already soaked through with sweat.

Although he could see that the man was doing this on purpose, this all-out effort—and the respectful attitude that even deliberately displayed fatigue—still made Lu Jing'an feel quite comfortable.

Lu Jing'an immediately ordered the servants standing to the side:

"Someone, bring Master Situ some ginseng tea and prepare a hot towel."

"Thank you for your consideration, Young Master Lu."

Situ Yiyun cupped his hands in thanks.

He took the ginseng tea and drank it in one gulp, then used the hot towel to wipe his face.

Taking advantage of this interval, he did not forget to look at his old rival, Chen Heqing, who was standing nearby.

His eyes held a hint of showing off.

Chen Heqing took all of this in, unable to help but grit his teeth in secret.

His hands, clasped behind his back, tightened into fists involuntarily.

A trace of imperceptible anger flashed across his face.

This subtle change in his emotions did not escape Lu Jing'an's eyes.

Lu Jing'an lifted his teacup.

Using the swirling steam to hide the knowing smile at the corner of his mouth.

He admired the brilliance of Chen Xuan's arrangement once again.

Inviting these two rivals here together, besides allowing him to compare the old and new martial paths more intuitively, likely had an even deeper purpose.

It was precisely to make them compete against each other in secret.

Only through competition.

Could they be forced to bring out their true skills.

And teach him with greater dedication.

After resting for a moment, Situ Yiyun felt refreshed.

He stood up and walked to the center of the arena, cupping his fists solemnly: "Young Master Lu, please enlighten me!"

Lu Jing'an had long been itching for a fight.

Hearing this, he sprang from his chair immediately.

His figure landed nimbly opposite Situ Yiyun.

His eyes shimmered with an eager, restless light.

Situ Yiyun did not rush to begin, but asked first:

"May I ask what your current cultivation realm is, Young Master Lu?

And which school of fist techniques do you primarily practice?"

This was a necessary assessment to ensure the intensity of the sparring could be controlled.

Lu Jing'an was concise: "First Blood Transformation, Tongbei Fist."

"First Blood Transformation?"

A flicker of undisguised surprise flashed through Situ Yiyun's eyes.

Although he did not know exactly how long Lu Jing'an had been practicing martial arts.

He assumed it could not have been very long.

After all, the past deeds of this eldest son of the Lu Family.

Were no secret in Yinshan County.

Spending his days listening to music in brothels.

And his nights either at pleasure houses or gambling dens.

To reach the realm of First Blood Transformation in such a short time.

This speed was truly astonishing.

However, he knew his place, suppressed his curiosity, and did not ask further.

He simply nodded and said:

"In that case, I shall suppress my strength to the level of First Blood Transformation to spar with you, Young Master Lu."

Lu Jing'an looked slightly surprised at these words:

"Can New Martial Arts cultivation clearly correspond to the cultivation levels of Ancient Martial Arts?"

Chen Heqing, who had been left on the sidelines, finally found an opportunity to interject.

He snorted with a mocking tone:

"How could he, Situ Yiyun, be a pure practitioner of New Martial Arts?

He is merely someone who switched sides halfway!

He was once a follower of Ancient Martial Arts.

Yet now he comes to teach these foreign things.

Is that not forgetting one's roots?"

Facing this sharp accusation, Situ Yiyun did not get angry.

Instead, he admitted it candidly: "Master Chen speaks the truth.

I, Situ, did indeed cultivate through the path of Ancient Martial Arts."

He shifted his tone, looking at Lu Jing'an with a sincere expression: "It is precisely because I have experienced it myself.

That I know how difficult it is to enter the gate of Ancient Martial Arts.

Subsequent breakthroughs require a massive accumulation of resources.

The saying 'the poor study, the rich practice martial arts.'

Has blocked countless talented youths from humble backgrounds outside the gates of the martial path.

Conversely, those foreigners, relying on the simplified and easy-to-learn New Martial Arts.

Continuously recruit the best talents of our China.

My decision to switch to teaching New Martial Arts.

Is not a betrayal of my ancestors.

It is truly held with the heart of [learning the enemy's strengths to defeat them]."

"I wish to use this to contend with them and preserve the spark of our Huaxia martial arts."

Chen Heqing's expression darkened, and he prepared to retort.

Chen Xuan, who had been standing to the side all along, finally spoke calmly:

"I invited you two here to impart skills, not to debate scriptures."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable air of authority.

Situ Yiyun bowed hurriedly: "It is this junior who spoke out of turn; please forgive me, Elder Chen."

Chen Heqing had no choice but to offer a sheepish salute.

He swallowed the words that had been on the tip of his tongue.

Lu Jing'an had no great interest in this dispute over ideologies.

In his view, power itself had no distinction between new and old.

Whatever one could use for oneself was good kung fu.

Seeing the argument subside, he gave a slight nod toward Situ Yiyun.

The two then joined hands in the center of the arena.

This was both a matter of etiquette.

And a way for Situ Yiyun to perceive Lu Jing'an's true strength and foundation.

Lu Jing'an intended to test himself.

Thus, he held nothing back; he circulated his blood and unleashed his power to the fullest.

Their wrists touched.

A heavy, imposing force far exceeding that of an ordinary First Blood Transformation martial artist surged forth.

It caused Situ Yiyun to be secretly shocked once again.

The solidity of Lu Jing'an's foundation and the robustness of his physique.

Could never have been accumulated by medicinal herbs alone.

His innate talent must be truly exceptional.

He quickly adjusted his mindset and determined the intensity baseline for the sparring.

"Young Master Lu, please!"

The sparring officially began.

Lu Jing'an initiated the attack.

His opening move was a probing technique from the Tongbei Fist—Oriole Probes the Crop.

The movement was swift, aiming directly for Situ Yiyun's throat.

Situ Yiyun saw that although Lu Jing'an's form for this move was standard.

The angle was slightly off.

He slid his feet subtly, shifting his body to meet the strike head-on.

At the same time, he used a concise hook punch technique from New Martial Arts.

Deflecting and neutralizing the force by a hair's breadth.

Afterward, Situ Yiyun paused to explain:

"Young Master Lu's basic training is extremely solid!

But in actual combat, practicality comes first.

You must break free from the constraints of forms and adapt to the situation.

The sole purpose is to defeat the opponent."

Lu Jing'an felt a sense of realization.

Without stopping his hands, he immediately changed his move.

A fierce Slap Palm whipped out like a lash.

The back of his palm whistled toward Situ Yiyun's face.

This strike sought to be cold, snappy, crisp, and fast!

Yet, this ferocious blow was still off-target by a fraction.

Situ Yiyun had to make another small adjustment to meet it.

Simultaneously, he used his shoulder and elbow to skillfully block and neutralize the force.

He then immediately pointed out the key points regarding power generation and timing.

Just like that, one attacked with all his might.

The other deliberately fed him moves.

He countered every move while providing real-time explanations.

Over an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Situ Yiyun's forehead was already beaded with sweat.

His breathing had also become slightly heavy.

This hour of intense mental focus and physical coordination.

Was more exhausting than teaching his closed-door disciples.

Lu Jing'an, however, felt he had gained immensely.

Actual combat against an opponent.

Felt completely different from practicing punches alone.

Many techniques for generating force that were difficult to grasp on ordinary days.

As well as distance control and timing.

All became clear through these repeated collisions.

He signaled for a pause.

Once again, he had ginseng tea and hot towels brought over.

After Situ Yiyun had recovered slightly.

Lu Jing'an proposed another round of continuous sparring.

Without any interruptions halfway through.

Situ Yiyun naturally had no objections.

In this round, Lu Jing'an tried his best to integrate what he had just learned.

His fist momentum was continuous, and his offensive flow was smoother.

Situ Yiyun continued to guide and respond using small-range movements and blocks.

However, in the final few exchanges.

A thought stirred in Lu Jing'an's mind, and he quietly activated the ability [Clear as Fire].

In an instant, the world in his eyes seemed to slow down.

The subtle tremors of Situ Yiyun's muscle fibers.

The faint signs of his blood and qi circulation.

Even the momentary changes in his gaze.

All became clearly discernible.

Through these signs.

Lu Jing'an accurately predicted that in the next instant, Situ Yiyun.

Would use a side kick to disrupt his center of gravity.

The opportunity was fleeting!

Lu Jing'an did not hesitate.

The arm he had intended to use for blocking was suddenly retracted.

With his waist and stance unified, power rose from the ground.

A [Gathering Fist] without any frills struck out like a viper leaving its den.

It aimed straight for the opening in Situ Yiyun's chest and abdomen exposed by the kick!

This sudden change in tactics was abrupt.

It was both fast and fierce.

It completely exceeded the scope of merely feeding moves.

Though surprised, Situ Yiyun remained calm.

His martial instinct prompted him to quickly retract his arm to block.

But in his haste, he could not muster enough strength.

"Bang!"

With a dull thud.

Situ Yiyun was shaken by the powerful force contained in the punch.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

He retreated three steps.

Only then did he steady his stance.

The blood and qi in his chest surged.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his discomfort.

A flash of astonishment crossed his face, quickly replaced by admiration as he cupped his fists.

"Young Master Lu, what fine martial arts you possess!

Your insight, courage, and ability to shift tactics are all top-tier!

I have lost."

Lu Jing'an immediately checked his panel in secret.

He found no record of victory.

It seems this sort of forced retreat, characterized by a surprise attack, is not judged as a true victory.

Lu Jing'an understood this in his heart.

Yet, he remained humble on the surface, cupping his hands in return.

"Master Situ, you flatter me.

It is all thanks to your guidance and the way you fed me moves.

This junior merely had the luck to seize the initiative by half a move.

It was just a clever trick; how could I dare call it a win?"

Having said this, he turned to the butler and instructed:

"Bring five hundred silver dollars as a gratuity for Master Situ."

Five hundred silver dollars!

Upon hearing this, Situ Yiyun's fatigue vanished instantly.

A look of pleasant surprise flashed in his eyes.

His Zhengxin Martial Hall is already among the best in Yinshan County.

He has only a dozen or so disciples.

The monthly tuition income is no more than one hundred and fifty silver dollars.

For this single sparring session with Lu Jing'an, he received a generous gift of five hundred silver dollars—comparable to three months of the martial hall's income!

Right now, he wished he could fight Lu Jing'an for another three hundred rounds immediately.

Chen Heqing, who had been watching coldly from the side, felt his eyelids twitch.

His heart was filled with both envy and bitterness.

However, Lu Jing'an spoke up at this moment: "It is getting late."

"The two masters should go have dinner first."

"As for Master Chen, we shall learn tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Chen Heqing grew anxious.

"Young Master Lu, it doesn't matter if it's late..."

Lu Jing'an waved his hand, interrupting him with a tone that was gentle yet unquestionable:

"I appreciate your kindness, Master Chen.

However, Master Situ worked hard today.

I also need time to digest and comprehend what I have learned.

As for the essence of Ancient Martial Arts, I shall seek your instruction tomorrow, Master Chen."

Chen Heqing opened his mouth, but seeing that Lu Jing'an had made up his mind, he had no choice but to swallow his words and bow sullenly: "Very well, then... I, Chen, shall come to disturb you again tomorrow."

Lu Jing'an nodded with a smile, thinking to himself:

Keep them on the hook for the night.

Tomorrow, this Master Chen will surely be more willing to bring out his true, hidden skills.