Chương 44: Prajna Palm

Today's Narumi-in Temple is quite different from yesterday's. It's not that the environment has changed, but because people are entering the copper-colored gate one after another.

It was nothing like the desolate and quiet place it had been yesterday.

These people were all dressed as ordinary students, some of them carrying backpacks and water bottles, and wearing large glasses.

Several girls were even wearing revealing shorts, showing off their beautiful figures.

Although these people look just like ordinary students going to class.

But Zhao Rui didn't dare to underestimate them at all. If he wasn't mistaken, they should all be senior brothers and sisters from the Dongqi University martial arts team.

"You don't look familiar?"

As he was walking towards the Zen temple, two boys beside him called out to him.

The person speaking had a side-parted hairstyle that reached his ears, with silky, flowing hair and a handsome face, giving him the appearance of an anime character.

The other man was quite burly with well-defined muscles, and he was wearing a vest with two prominent muscles, which made his pectoral muscles appear even thicker and more prominent.

"Hello, senior brothers. I am a freshman who joined the team yesterday."

Zhao Rui quickly stopped and looked at the two of them.

"A new member?"

The boy with the side-parted hair was taken aback, frowned at his companion, and seeing that the other also looked confused, said, "Oh, that's quite strange! Has Teacher Wang reported it?"

"Yes! I registered yesterday!"

Zhao Rui replied.

"Oh, let's talk about it at the Zen temple."

After the boy with the side-parted hair nodded and finished speaking, the two walked straight into the Zen temple.

Zhao Rui pursed his lips, took a few steps back, and followed.

A few minutes later, inside the main hall of the Zen temple.

Under the gazes of a group of people, whether intentional or unintentional, Zhao Rui stood obediently at the very edge of the line, waiting in the center of the main hall with more than twenty other people.

After a while, Teacher Wang came over, wearing slippers and making a clattering sound.

He glanced lazily at the team, and when he saw Zhao Rui, who was standing somewhat isolated at the edge, he paused for a moment, then seemed to remember that this was the student who reported for duty yesterday. He cleared his throat and said, "Um, our martial arts team has a new member. Let's welcome him. By the way, what's your name again?"

"Teacher Wang, my name is Zhao Rui!"

Zhao Rui quickly said loudly.

"Oh, right, Zhao Rui!"

Teacher Wang muttered something to himself, then looked at the teams and said, "Each team should focus on training according to the established goals. If there's nothing else, you can leave!"

After saying that, Teacher Wang waved to Zhao Rui, and after taking the timetable from him, he called out to a corner of the hall, "Wang Zhe, come here for a moment."

Upon hearing the voice, the "Mitsui Hisashi" he had encountered on the road earlier quickly walked over.

"Zhao Rui will temporarily return to your team. His situation is a bit special; he's not from the martial arts academy. You'll need to mentor him for now."

"Great coach!"

Wang Zhe quickly responded.

Coach Wang then looked at Zhao Rui and said, "The master leads you through the door, but the cultivation depends on yourself! Don't think that just because you've joined the martial arts team, you can learn some profound martial arts. You still have to hone and study on your own."

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Coach! I will keep it in mind!"

Zhao Rui quickly and obediently agreed.

"Alright, get back to work. In the meantime, you should practice the basic techniques of Dongqi University with Wang Zhe!"

After saying that, he slipped on his slippers and lazily walked to the desk at the corner of the main hall.

"Come on, junior brother. Let me show you around our martial arts team!"

After Wang Zhe finished speaking, he beckoned Zhao Rui to walk out of the main hall.

As they walked, he introduced the martial arts team.

The Dongqi Martial Arts Team, also known as the Dongqi Martial Arts Academy, was founded in 1935. It was temporarily established by the Buddhist master Wenhui at the invitation of the school's founders.

Later, it endured many hardships such as war and foreign invasion, and has continued to this day with blood and tears at every step, for nearly a hundred years.

Among them, the martial arts traditions include Buddhist martial arts passed down from Zen Master Wenhui, as well as many other schools of martial arts collected by successive instructors.

Later, the authorities relaxed restrictions on low- and mid-level martial arts, allowing universities to form corresponding research teams, which enabled the further development of martial arts in academies.

"Our college won the national second prize last year, but we came in thirteenth place, so the result can only be considered good."

"I heard you're not from a martial arts academy? You must be very strong in actual combat, right? But the later you go, the higher the requirements for internal energy become..."

Wang Zhe spoke with considerable patience, which was quite different from his "long, flowing hair" image.

"Senior, does our team need a sparring partner? I'm still a beginner, so I can be your sparring partner and help you hone your skills!"

Zhao Rui said considerately.

"A sparring partner? You?"

Wang Zhe was taken aback for a moment, then said with delight, "No problem. Good lad, you're really on the right track. Don't worry, I'm not an irresponsible person."

"Forehead……"

What do you mean by being irresponsible? What exactly are you saying?

Zhao Rui wasn't sure if he understood what he meant, but as long as he could be a sparring partner, that was fine.

As for the martial arts of the academy, with my talent, I'm unlikely to learn them without sparring partners.

While chatting, Wang Zhe led Zhao Rui into his team's circle.

There were seven people in total, five men and two women.

Besides the burly boy and Wang Zhe I saw in the morning, there were three other senior students who were unremarkable in appearance and would blend into the crowd of students.

The two senior sisters were quite good-looking. Although they weren't stunningly beautiful, they had a good temperament and great figures.

A body honed through martial arts training is truly graceful, with firm, supple flesh.

It's completely different from the loose, flabby physique of someone who doesn't practice martial arts.

No wonder ancient lecherous villains were so fond of female knights-errant!

After a brief introduction, Zhao Rui learned the names of the two senior sisters, Peng Xinnan and Li Shuwen.

As for my senior's name, well, just remember it, we'll talk about it when something happens.

"To be honest, no one from outside the academy has ever joined our martial arts team. It's not because they can't pass the requirements, but because even if they do, they won't stay long and won't pass the review."

"Every year, the team conducts an audit, and those who do not meet the requirements are eliminated. Originally, our team had twelve people, but five were eliminated, which is a pretty high rate."

After Wang Zhe finished speaking, he looked at everyone and continued, "Don't be arrogant and complacent just because you passed once. If you don't meet the standard next year, you will be eliminated just the same way."

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

The crowd roared in agreement!

Zhao Rui hadn't expected the martial arts team to have such a high elimination rate, especially considering these were the elite of the martial arts academy.

Tsk tsk, it seems I have a long way to go!

After chatting for a bit, Wang Zhe called Zhao Rui aside, and after they added each other on WeChat, Wang Zhe sent him a file.

"This is the Prajna Palm technique from our academy's martial arts team. Practice it first, and feel free to ask me if you have any questions!"

"Ah, senior brother, can I practice by myself?"

Zhao Rui was surprised. Although self-taught martial arts is not uncommon, having a "master" and still having to practice on one's own to a certain extent...

"We all practiced on our own. This palm technique is also called the Wisdom Awakening Wheel. It emphasizes using martial arts to cultivate Zen and seeing one's true nature in the palm. You'll understand once you practice it."

Wang Zhe smiled.

Zhao Rui was puzzled, but since his senior brother had said so, he could only do as he was told.

"Our martial arts team doesn't have many rules. The biggest rule is that there must be no fighting among ourselves. Anyone who violates this rule will be expelled from the martial arts team."

"Of course, internal competitions are not prohibited; if there are any conflicts, we'll settle them in the arena. It's simple and straightforward."

Zhao Rui nodded in agreement. This was indeed a good rule, as they were all martial artists and were used to using their power to intimidate others.

Talking too much about principles is actually a bad approach.

However, even so, with teachers around, we still need to reason with them when necessary.

I wrote less today, I'll write more tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)