Chương 41: What is Martial Arts?

"Brother Yi, what realm is the Gang Leader of the Black Tiger Gang currently in?" Hearing Song Que's question, Wu Yi chuckled. In their eyes, those people were the only "experts" they could see.

"Gang Leader Feng and the others are merely Second-Grade martial artists. They might be able to act like kings and hegemons here in Yellow Leaf Town, but outside, they wouldn't even be qualified to sit at the table." They're only Third-Tier martial artists?! Song Que was shocked. This was immediately followed by sheer excitement! This world is definitely a high-martial world, and the ceiling is incredibly high!

"Brother Yi, how are the grades determined?"

"When talking about grades, we first have to talk about 'Force'. Through thousands of years of accumulation by our ancestors, a standard metric has been established for martial artists. That is measuring Force. The lowest unit is Horsepower, calculated by the pulling strength of a single Azure-Maned Horse, which is approximately 300 catties."

"Ten Horses equal one Bear, ten Bears equal one Elephant, ten Elephants equal one Flood Dragon, and ten Flood Dragons equal one True Dragon! If you can lift a 300-catty weight, it proves you possess 1 Horsepower. Having 1 Bear of Force qualifies you as Second-Tier, and 1 Elephant of Force means you've stepped into the First-Tier." So that's how it is! That means my 6-Horsepower strength is roughly equivalent to a Second-Grade martial artist, on par with Feng Han and the others! Wait, that's not right!

"Brother Yi, if Feng Han and the others are Second-Grade martial artists, I've seen them fight. The destructive power they displayed didn't match that. In my eyes, without at least 1 Bear of Force, it would be impossible to cause that much damage!"

"Haha, you have a very keen eye, Song Que! But Feng Han is genuinely a Second-Grade martial artist, there's no faking that. As for why their destructive power is so massive, that is precisely because of martial arts!"

"I see!" Like parting the clouds to see the sun, his doubts were cleared. Song Que clapped his hands in excitement.

"Humans are small and weak compared to demonic beasts. The reason we can dominate this world is entirely due to martial arts, which allows us to exert power far exceeding our physical bodies! Otherwise, relying solely on brute strength, we could never defeat wild beasts!"

"Listening to your words for a single evening is better than reading books for ten years!" Song Que bowed deeply to Wu Yi and said sincerely:"Brother Wu, thank you for clearing my doubts."

"Haha, it was as easy as lifting a finger. A'Que, you've been confined to this remote place, so it's natural you didn't know this. The people here treat it like some grand secret, but out there in the world, this is common knowledge. Even young children know a thing or two." Song Que didn't comment on this. To Wu Yi, it might have been trivial, but to Song Que, who thirsted for knowledge about the outside world, this was a massive favor!

He, Song Que, wasn't some great hero or noble gentleman, but he always clearly distinguished between gratitude and grudges, striving to live with a clear conscience. Toward Wu Yi, Song Que truly acknowledged this favor.

"Brother Yi, if you ever need anything in the future, just say the word. If it's within my power, I absolutely won't furrow my brow."

"Haha, A'Que, your words are too heavy! It was just a casual remark." Wu Yi was blooming with joy inwardly. Isn't this exactly the result I wanted?

"Brother Yi, I have one more presumptuous request. I hope Brother Yi can grant it."

"A'Que, you want me to teach you martial arts, don't you?" Wu Yi said with a smile.

"Exactly! I hope Brother Yi can grant this request!" Song Que nodded eagerly, his face lighting up with joy. From the way information regarding martial arts was kept so strictly confidential in Yellow Leaf Town, one could see how much value people of this era placed on it. But this was currently the only known path to learning martial arts, and Song Que didn't want to miss it.

"My family's martial arts are passed down exclusively through the bloodline. I cannot teach them to you." Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Unexpectedly, Wu Yi replied decisively, nearly giving Song Que a stroke. Then why the hell were you smiling at me?! Acting all understanding and considerate! Song Que grumbled inwardly, but he couldn't blame the guy. Who told it to be a family heirloom?

Besides, he hadn't held out too much hope anyway; he was just trying his luck. He sighed:"Brother Yi, regardless, thank you for today. I'll find another way to learn martial arts." Seeing his disappointed expression, Wu Yi laughed heartily:"A'Que, don't be disappointed so quickly. The martial arts I practice are family heirlooms and cannot be passed to you. Besides, even if I taught you right now, you wouldn't be able to learn them."

"However, I can teach you a stance-training method and a saber technique, which should satisfy your immediate needs!"

"Really, Brother Yi?! That's Yitastic! I don't know how to repay this great favor!" Song Que was overjoyed.

"Haha, I thought you were secretly cursing me just now!"

"I wouldn't dare! I have nothing but endless gratitude! Brother Yi, please stop teasing me." Seeing him flustered, Wu Yi finally smiled in satisfaction.

"Anyone who learns martial arts must start with stance training. There are many types of stance training, but they all serve one purpose: helping the martial artist learn the technique of generating force. Today, I will teach you the 'Horse Stance'." Saying that, Wu Yi stood up, spread his legs, and slightly bent his knees as if sitting on an invisible chair. His body bobbed slightly in a very specific rhythm.

"A'Que, watch closely. The Horse Stance is derived from the posture of riding a horse, so it looks like you're sitting on horseback. You can buy a horse later and practice on it."

"When the Horse Stance is trained to mastery, your legs will take root in the ground. When still, your entire body is as steady as Mount Tai; when moving, you are like a galloping steed."

"A'Que, try pushing me with your strength." Song Que and Zhong Hong stared intently, memorizing every detail of his movements. Hearing his request, Song Que didn't hesitate and gave him a solid push. Thump! Thump! Thump! Wu Yi, who was in his stance, was instantly pushed back three steps by Song Que. He had to stomp his feet hard into the dirt to avoid falling over. Zhong Hong's eyes widened, nearly spitting out a mouthful of blood. He couldn't hold back a violent coughing fit. Big Brother, are you sh tting me?!

* Where is 'steady as Mount Tai'?! Where is the 'galloping steed'?! Can we have a little professionalism here, Brother Yi?! Wu Yi's face flushed bright red, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into. But deeper within his heart was sheer shock. He was a First-Grade martial artist possessing nearly 3 Horsepower! Yet, he had been pushed back three continuous steps by a complete novice! How immense was this kid's strength?! Rubbing his clothes awkwardly, he muttered:"A'Que, your strength is too immense.

I was careless just now." Zhong Hong didn't believe a word of it. He just rolled his eyes, practically having the word "bullsh*tter" written across his forehead. Seeing this made Wu Yi grind his teeth in frustration. Song Que, on the other hand, was genuinely surprised. He had used almost all his strength just now—nearly 5 Horsepower! Let alone a person, he could have flipped a carriage! Yet, the opponent, in that posture, had only been pushed back three steps.

This made him look forward to the Horse Stance even more! Wanting to erase the awkwardness, Wu Yi hurriedly continued:"That was just a demonstration. If you train the stance to mastery, the muscles in your body will resonate, thereby generating 'Jin'."

"A'Que, pay attention." Saying that, he threw a punch. It looked like an ordinary, unremarkable punch, but a sound like an exploding firecracker rang out in the air! It was incredibly familiar—exactly like what Feng Han and Liang Jing had done, and even Wu Tiande! Seeing the astonishment in their eyes, Wu Yi felt secretly smug. His self-esteem had finally been recovered. Blind your dog eyes! Brother Yi just slipped up earlier! Young Master Wu felt immensely satisfied inwardly.

"See that? That is 'Ming Jin'. If you want to learn martial arts, you must first learn the technique of generating Jin! Otherwise, everything is in vain! That's why I said even if I taught you martial arts, you wouldn't be able to learn it."

"To learn martial arts, you must first learn Jin. Once you cultivate Ming Jin, you use that Jin to temper the skin membrane around your body. Only then do you officially step into the First Grade and can truly be called a martial artist!" Song Que finally understood. He had been thinking too simply. He thought finding a martial arts manual meant he could refine Qi in five days, refine Spirit in a month, and then become invincible in the world! It seems I need to read fewer web novels; they really rot the brain!

Furthermore, even if someone threw a manual in front of him right now, he wouldn't be able to read it! He was still half-illiterate!

"Ming Jin is gathering all the strength in your entire body and concentrating it into a single point! Therefore, it creates destructive power far exceeding the martial artist's base strength. A'Que, do you understand now how Feng Han and the others did what they did?" Wu Yi's reminder brought Song Que a sudden realization. The heavy boulder called the Black Tiger Gang that had been pressing down on his chest was finally lifted! That's right! In terms of pure strength, it would be hard for Feng Han to surpass me!

As long as I learn how to generate Jin, what the hell do I have to fear from him?! When the time comes, why would I need to hide and dodge? Whoever dares to question me will be served a feast of fists! The gloom was swept clean. Song Que excitedly shouted at Wu Yi:"Brother Yi, teach me quickly!"

"Brother Yi, I want to learn too!" Zhong Hong was salivating on the sidelines. Seeing the hero worship in their eyes, Young Master Wu's ego swelled. He enthusiastically began instructing the two in the Horse Stance.

"A'Hong, you can learn it, but since your body hasn't reached 1 Horsepower yet, your blood and Qi are too weak to generate Jin. You need to nourish yourself more."

"Place your hands on my shoulders and carefully feel the vibrations in my body." Wu Yi assumed the stance and instructed. Song Que closed his eyes and followed suit, feeling the rhythmic rising and falling of Wu Yi's body. A flash of inspiration struck his mind. Song Que secretly sent a faint electrical current into Wu Yi's body. Seeing that the other party didn't notice, he joyfully closed his eyes and sensed it.

Within his Domain, a vivid, three-dimensional human anatomical model constructed of electrical particles was currently holding the stance. Song Que could clearly 'see' how every single muscle fiber and tendon in Wu Yi's body was shifting and transforming! Thrilled, he imprinted every minute change in Wu Yi's body deeply into his mind. Once he was absolutely certain he had memorized it all, Song Que let go and began attempting the Horse Stance himself.