Teaching Martial Arts, Practicing Forms and Power

Outside the Estate Guard Compound, in an open clearing.

Hundreds of guards gathered there. Pang Long stood at the front, counted the numbers, and after confirming no one was missing, said indifferently:

"Today's morning training starts with running three laps around the estate. All of you put some energy into it and loosen up your muscles and bones."

"On the path of martial arts, there are no shortcuts whatsoever, and the greatest taboo is biting off more than you can chew."

"If the lot of you manage to master some knack in your forms and power, you can still be considered to have some prospects."

As Pang Long's voice faded.

The morning training for the day began.

Li Xian mixed in with the crowd, ran out of the estate gates, circled the perimeter of the estate, and set off with long strides, his speed going from slow to fast.

The handymen who had started their chores early on cast looks of envy upon seeing the figures of the guards.

One Accord Manor was larger than imagined, surrounded by towering mountains and rushing rivers. When running around the estate, one needed to cross several winding mountain paths.

Suddenly...

[Skill: Running]

[Proficiency: 120/500 Initiation]

[Description: Merely stepping with both legs and swinging both arms. It strengthens the body and builds physique; why not do it?]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

With every step Li Xian took and every swing of his arms, the sounds of gains arrived.

His breathing grew steadily calmer, and his speed faintly increased.

After three laps, the sky brightened completely.

The skill [Running] had already reached a proficiency of [251].

"Old Fourth, your stamina is not bad at all. You didn't end up collapsed from exhaustion."

Zhao Han breathed heavily, slightly surprised. Circling the estate three times while scrambling over mountains and wading through rivers was no simple feat.

Furthermore, the formation did not run slowly; for a newcomer to keep up with the team was already considered formidable.

"Not bad." Li Xian wiped the sweat from his forehead. He could not say he was not tired, but he could only say he could still endure.

"Save some of your stamina. Commander Pang will probably call you over alone later to teach you a martial art."

Zhao Han reminded him, pointing toward Pang Long's direction.

Sure enough, Pang Long's gaze swept across the guards. When he saw Li Xian, he paused noticeably. Having only been half a day, the changes were this dramatic; he had not expected that the original little handyman actually looked rather good.

Had it not been for the fact that among the guards here, only his face was unfamiliar, he truly would not have recognized him.

"Li Xian, come over here."

Pang Long beckoned.

Li Xian walked over quickly. "Commander Pang."

"I suddenly had pressing matters yesterday and did not teach you martial arts." Pang Long stood with his hands clasped behind his back and said, "Before teaching you martial arts, I need to solemnly inform you of one matter."

"The martial way we study was all created by Madam Zhuang. Learning this martial way, you must regard Madam Zhuang as the heavens and must never defy her. If there is any violation, it shall be like this bamboo."

He struck out with a single palm, hitting a bamboo stalk mid-air.

With only a crisp crack, the bamboo snapped right down the middle.

Exclamations rang out among the guards:

"Commander Pang's Air-Splitting Palm—his palm force is growing increasingly formidable."

"Sigh, who knows when the likes of us will ever attain Commander Pang's level."

"I'm afraid it'll be difficult. If I could have even one or two tenths of his skill, I'd be completely satisfied."

Li Xian's gaze jolted:

"Splitting bamboo from a distance, this level of strength is already extremely formidable."

"Yet when I asked him yesterday whether there was a path within ten miles, he answered that it was 'as hard as ascending to the blue sky', indicating that there is a path within the estate, and that is Madam Zhuang."

"And even Pang Long failed to obtain that path. That is why he had the sentiment that it is 'as hard as ascending to the blue sky'. In other words... splitting bamboo mid-air is already very impressive."

"Yet in the eyes of experts, it counts as not even having touched the threshold."

"The martial way of this world is truly profound to the extreme, hard to glimpse its true form."

In the blink of an eye, thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind.

"Have you committed this to memory?" Pang Long asked indifferently.

"Committed it to memory."

Li Xian nodded. Before possessing sufficient strength, one could only submit to the rules.

"Very good. I see you have a foundation in fist techniques, so I will teach you a set of fist forms first. Take it and study it meticulously."

"You must absolutely not grow lax, and do not think that becoming a guard means you can be carefree."

"According to the estate rules, after fifteen days, if you fail to meet my expectations, I will kick you out of the guards and send you back to being a handyman."

Pang Long issued a stern warning.

Li Xian said, "I will definitely not fail Commander Pang's expectations."

Pang Long's expression softened, and he said, "Watch closely." With a leap, he bounded into the midst of the crowd.

He jumped into the press of people, spread his hands and feet, let out a low shout, and threw a punch that looked plain and unadorned, yet actually concealed a murderous intent.

After executing a succession of seventeen punches, the wind of his fists swept in all directions, guarding the left while striking the right, attending to the front while watching the rear.

Pang Long withdrew his breath, stood straight, and said, "I know you yearn for that higher tier."

"But from now on, you need harbor no extravagant illusions. Concentrate on practicing the forms and power well, and that will be enough for the likes of us to benefit from infinitely for a lifetime."

"Forms are the means for combating enemies, and power is the foundation of a martial artist. These two are the cornerstones of any martial way."

"It's just that this thing called power—without a decade or eight years, you won't train anything out of it. On this point, I have no requirements for the time being."

"As long as within these fifteen days, you practice the forms and chants of this 'Four Directions Fist' until they are fluent and memorize them thoroughly, and understand the major and minor essentials."

Li Xian nodded. No matter what, being able to practice martial arts was always a good thing. Moreover, Pang Long had given him a hint in secret.

When he uttered the four words "any martial way," he intentionally deepened his tone.

His meaning was to remind Li Xian never to aim too high and thus look down upon these things. What seemed ordinary on the surface was actually the crucial key!

Pang Long tossed the handwritten manual of the "Four Directions Fist" to Li Xian, turned to look at the crowd, and shouted:

"Where is Luo Tongyun?"

"Commander Pang, I am here."

A delicate-looking man stepped out and answered with a cupped-fist salute.

Pang Long said, "You possess quite unique insights regarding the Four Directions Fist."

"The task of teaching him fist techniques falls upon your shoulders."

Luo Tongyun smiled gently at Li Xian and replied, "Rest assured, Commander Pang, I will certainly share all I know."

"Mm." Pang Long nodded slightly. "Alright, the rest of you, go practice your martial arts."

"Brother Li, this Four Directions Fist emphasizes squareness within roundness; it looks rigid on the surface, but conceals smoothness within."

"I will demonstrate it once, and you should memorize the routines well."

Luo Tongyun said with a smile.

Right before Li Xian's eyes, he performed the Four Directions Fist once.

Li Xian followed the cat's example to draw a tiger, imitating the footwork and fist routines, and practiced it through once himself.

Learning a complete set of fist techniques for the very first time, he always felt a bit awkward. But after practicing it a few more times, he gradually discovered the knack.

"Not bad, Brother Li. You have a great deal of comprehension. With diligent practice, mastering the fist techniques won't be difficult." Luo Tongyun nodded.

In the blink of an eye, it was midday.

Luo Tongyun said, "Brother Li, go ahead and practice on your own. I still have patrol duties this afternoon, so I'll teach you again tomorrow."

"Alright, many thanks for Brother Luo's instruction."

Li Xian said gratefully.

After Luo Tongyun left, he continued practicing his punches over and over again. In the past he had to practice in secret, but now that he could do it openly, he naturally cherished it well.

To him, the dry and dull training possessed a special kind of interest.

Every time he threw a punch, he cross-referenced it with the fist manual. Only when he felt he had memorized the routines did he cast the manual aside and open up his limbs to throw his punches freely.

Bang!

Having eaten his fill, his strength was naturally ample, and his punches whipped up gusts of wind.

That desperate struggle the other day was the correct decision. Even though being a guard still makes one a servant, the atmosphere for practicing martial arts is so much better!

Li Xian thought to himself.

Half an hour later.

[Your punches are steady, and you are gradually grasping the method of cultivating the Four Directions Fist.]

[Four Directions Fist]

[Proficiency: 13/500 Initiation]

[Description: Steady and well-balanced, basic fist technique. Square on the outside and round on the inside, appearing simple and honest yet actually crafty. Easy to master, exceedingly difficult to reach proficiency.]

Once "Heaven Rewards Diligence" was activated, progress could be perceived from then on.

As long as I am willing to put in bitter effort, practicing the Four Directions Fist to the utmost will be no problem.

Now that I am a guard, I must strive to practice this fist technique to the best of my ability!

Li Xian's heart was filled with strength.

Guards also had chores and were still servants, not spending every day eating, sleeping, and practicing martial arts.

The lower-ranking a guard was, the more time spent on chores and trivial matters to handle. The higher-ranking a guard was, the more relaxed they became.

Generally speaking.

They rose at three quarters past Mao (5:15 AM) every day to begin morning training, and from three quarters past Chen (8:15 AM) onward, they had to successively go and perform all sorts of tasks.

Because Li Xian was still a newcomer, he only needed to concentrate on practicing martial arts during these fifteen days. Once the fifteen days were up, he would have to start standing watch and taking attendance; when it was time to patrol, he would patrol, and all sorts of miscellaneous chores would come swarming in.

Then he would no longer have this kind of martial arts atmosphere.

The other guards had all gone out to patrol, leaving him alone still practicing his punches.

With every punch thrown, sweat flew a zhang into the air, and fist momentum brewed right there.

A martial artist practices forms and power... If these two points are done well, one can also count as a mortal expert.

For now, I won't think about those matters of longevity and transcendence. I'll concentrate on practicing the current martial way until it's perfected!

With his goal clearly defined, everything held even more hope.

Luo Tongyun was currently on patrol duty.

He was suddenly intercepted by Luo Fang, the handyman steward. Luo Fang smiled and said, "Brother Luo Tongyun, long time no see. How about coming into the room to sit for a bit?"