Combat Techniques

"Trash."

Concise and to the point, direct and plainspoken, self-evident. Not at all.

Of course, it did not deal Xiao Wang much of a blow. He knew he was fairly decent at No. 7 High School, but ever since sparring with Cheng Hu yesterday, he had realized just how vast the gap was.

"Master, based on your experience teaching at Mount Yuan Martial Arts Academy, do I have what it takes to get in?"

Wei Zhongxing took a sip of tea. "Back when martial arts flourished, someone at your level would not merely fail to get in—you would only be able to withstand one move. Of course, firearms have developed quickly these days, and martial arts admission standards have dropped as well. Your level is just enough for admission, but it is far from sufficient if you want to develop further."

After a pause, Wei Zhongxing glanced at Xiao Wang and continued, "Of course, you are not entirely without merit. Your breathing method looks decent, but your fist techniques, as well as their integration with your breathing method, are simply unbearable to watch."

Listening to him, Xiao Wang guessed that his breathing method had probably improved significantly due to the bead's transformation training over this period.

"Master, can learning combat techniques improve me?"

"Obviously. Otherwise, why would they be called combat techniques? So-called combat techniques are fighting skills, or tactical skills—in short, techniques for fighting. They are the accumulated experience of martial arts predecessors. Whether it is Cloudflow Hand, Tiger Guard Fist, Vajra Leg, or the like, they are all combat techniques left behind through the constant refinement and summarization of those predecessors. Every combat technique is the culmination of a method for dealing with an enemy. Force generation, positioning, timing, and integration with breathing methods—all of it has been repeatedly tempered and refined."

Xiao Wang listened intently. This was a field he had never encountered before. After studying martial arts for so many years, it was as though an entirely new world of martial arts had unfolded before his eyes.

"Master, you mentioned combining combat techniques with breathing methods. Does that mean combat techniques must be used with breathing methods?"

"Of course not. Breathing methods—whether it is the basic breathing method you are learning, the Primordial Yang Breathing Method, or more advanced breathing methods you encounter later—serve an auxiliary role. A breathing method alone has no offensive power; it merely improves endurance. Combat techniques, on the other hand, can generally be divided into three stages: form, spirit, and intent.

"Form is the shape—the basic fist and leg moves. Do not underestimate it just because it is the first stage of combat techniques. The form of any combat technique is the result of countless attempts and refinements. Even among those who can practice a combat technique's form until it looks convincing, there are few.

"As for spirit, it is the complete mastery of form. It is based on form, yet not restricted by it. Put simply, form means striking wherever you point; spirit means pointing wherever you strike. Anyone who can train a combat technique to the level of spirit is already a martial artist with considerable insight."

At this point, Wei Zhongxing glanced sideways at Cheng Hu and Linghu Ke. "See? They are ready-made examples. Your eldest martial brother, that big oaf, can only reach form. Your second martial brother is a little better and can barely reach spirit."

"Master, what about you?"

"Me? Naturally, I have reached an advanced level of spirit."

Xiao Wang: ???

"Isn't that still spirit?"

"Bullshit. Is my spirit the same as yours?"

Recalling the punch his second martial brother had thrown at the sole of his foot earlier, Xiao Wang asked, "Master, was that punch from Second Martial Brother just now intent?"

"Correct." Wei Zhongxing gave Xiao Wang an appreciative look. "You do have some insight. What did you see in that punch? Tell me."

Xiao Wang carefully recalled that unforgettable punch and answered, "The punch looked casual, but its timing and position were exceptionally precise."

As Wei Zhongxing listened, the appreciation in his eyes grew stronger. "Not bad, not bad. Go on."

"That was not even the most important part. The most important part was his force generation. It was not great at first, and it looked soft and weak, but as the arc of the punch widened, the force grew stronger as well. The key was that all the force was being stored for the final strike, like saving good steel for the blade's edge—except it was an unending stream of good steel."

When Xiao Wang finished speaking, Linghu Ke also looked at him with some disbelief.

Cheng Hu, meanwhile, was rather bewildered. He looked at Xiao Wang. "Junior Brother, how did you see so many subtleties?"

But Wei Zhongxing was the most astonished of all. He set down his teapot, straightened up, and looked at Xiao Wang. "Good lad. It seems I underestimated your comprehension a little."

He then explained seriously, "That seemingly casual yet precise punch from before—that is 'spirit.' The most important thing in going from 'form' to 'spirit' is liberating yourself."

"Liberating yourself?" Xiao Wang asked, confused.

"It means not being constrained by fixed stances. For example, when you throw a punch, at the form stage, you must extend it thirty centimeters. But once you reach 'spirit,' you may extend it fifty centimeters, or one centimeter, or even not throw it at all. It sounds simple, but it is not easy. A complete combat technique is a combination of form and force, emphasizing smooth, flowing movement. If one movement falls short, it changes the entire form and ruins the force generation of the whole sequence. So at the spirit stage, the form changes, but the force remains—and becomes even stronger."

Xiao Wang nodded. "I understand."

"And that part you noticed, where he saved the good steel for the blade's edge—that is the function of a breathing method. It assists your force generation, making it smoother and improving your endurance."

Xiao Wang nodded, looking as though he had gained some understanding. After taking a moment to digest it, he continued, "Then what about the third stage, intent?"

"So-called intent is what emerges after you train a combat technique to 'spirit' and perfectly integrate it with a breathing method: something that fits you perfectly. Everyone has different conditions. Form requires a person to meet a certain standard, while spirit requires a person to adapt according to their opponent. Both are about improving oneself to fit the combat technique. But intent changes the combat technique itself based on your own conditions, making the technique adapt to you. It is equivalent to creating a combat technique—or at the very least, improving one.

"All right, once you start practicing, you will naturally understand. I promised to teach you combat techniques. Of the three I mentioned earlier—Cloudflow Hand, Tiger Guard Fist, and Vajra Leg—choose one."

Xiao Wang looked at Wei Zhongxing. "Can I choose all of them?"

He was already an adult. What was there to choose? Naturally, he wanted them all.

"You have quite the appetite. All of them? You would be doing well just to master one. Remember, three techniques practiced competently are not as good as one mastered fully."

"Master, what are the differences between these three?"

"Cloudflow Hand is a style focused on deflecting force. Tiger Guard Fist, as its name suggests, emphasizes bold ferocity. Vajra Leg is obviously a leg technique. Generally speaking, leg techniques are harder to practice than fist techniques. It is up to you."

Xiao Wang hesitated for a moment before saying, "I choose Tiger Guard Fist."

The moment Cheng Hu heard that, he immediately gave Xiao Wang a thumbs-up. "Junior Brother, you have good taste."

Clearly, Tiger Guard Fist was the combat technique Cheng Hu practiced.

Hearing this, Xiao Wang suddenly had the distinct feeling that he had made the wrong choice.