Chapter 2, Stealing Techniques (Part 1)
Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, some traitorous generals pursued by the court sought refuge among the strong and martial populace of Cangzhou. These individuals concealed their identities and disguised themselves as monks, Taoists, or wandering knights, earning a living through the transmission of martial arts. Thus, the reputation of Cangzhou as a hometown of martial arts began to take shape.
The old man did not remove his clothes, standing against the wall with a loose and slouching posture, his feet positioned awkwardly.
In the region of Cangzhou, martial arts are prevalent, and there is a strong emphasis on the inheritance of sects. His actions can be classified as stealing techniques, and if discovered, the consequences could be severe, ranging from having tendons in the feet and hands severed to potentially losing one's life.
Although during that tumultuous decade, some martial artists were impacted for various reasons, and many martial arts manuals and historical artifacts were destroyed, the development of martial arts in Cangzhou was temporarily hindered
Qin Feng also clenched his fists tightly, his eyes radiating a glare of hatred. If he had possessed the abilities of Li Shuwen, the tragedy that occurred in his home five years ago would not have happened.
The master only lived to seventy-two, and I am already over eighty; I have long been content.
Unlike the typical family yard, the Liu family's backyard is exceptionally spacious and has been transformed into a martial arts training ground. Along the edge of the training area, there are two rows of weapon racks, filled with various weapons such as swords, spears, and halberds, representing the eighteen types of arms.
The old man suddenly smiled at his son, tilting the corners of his mouth towards the wall, and said: "What is inappropriate about it? The saying 'Literature brings peace to the world through Tai Chi, and martial arts stabilizes the universe through the Eight Extremes' is not just empty words. Let these young ones have a taste of it!"
The ancestral master is truly remarkable
Did Grandpa Liu perhaps discover me
In the center of the yard, there are seven or eight children around ten years old practicing their stances. An elderly man, over eighty years of age, sits at the side of the field, his eyes half-open, leisurely savoring the hot tea on the table in front of him
However, Qin Feng's face was still scratched by the flying gravel. He understood the taboo of stealing skills and did not dare to wipe it, hesitantly emerging from the bushes.
Yuan Shikai's bodyguard martial arts instructor, Ito Taro, contemptuously said to Li Shuwen: "A great East Asian sick man." and repeatedly pointed down with his little finger.
The Qin wind outside the wall has also perked up its ears; it has been secretly learning here for several years. However, every time it hears the story of the "Divine Marksman Li Shuwen," it still feels a surge of excitement.
As people age, they fear loneliness. Even though this elderly individual has mastered Baji Quan to an exceptional level and is one of the few martial arts masters and boxing experts in the country, he still exhibits a common trait of the elderly, which is a fondness for reminiscing about the past
Oh, you are quite quick at hiding, aren't you
In 1895, while Yuan Shikai was training troops at Xiaozhan in the outskirts of Tianjin, he employed various means and connections to recruit skilled martial artists, and he invested heavily in hiring Japanese karate experts and German military instructors to train his elite forces
Upon hearing the elder's words, the children let out a cheer, each one rushing to gather around the elder. Except during practice, the elder was always very amiable at other times
In an instant, the bodies of three Japanese martial arts masters were flung out of the exhibition hall. Li Shuwen brandished his spear and thrust it towards a fly on the hall's pillar, yet the fly fell without leaving a trace on the pillar.
When it was clarified that Li Shuwen was coming to serve as an instructor on behalf of his master, everyone burst into laughter
Recalling the events of those years, bloodshot veins appeared in Qin Feng's eyes, his nails digging into his flesh as he gripped the book. Had it not been for a thread of rationality sustaining him, he would have likely howled long ago
After the old man executed this powerful move, he immediately turned his body and looked towards a patch of grass outside the gap, shouting: "Kid, come out! If you can run ten meters away, from now on I will write the character 'Liu' backwards!"
The voice of Qin Feng came from the bushes; he had just been blinded by hatred. It was not until Liu's second son reached the wall that he realized, at the very moment Liu's second son executed the move known as "leaning against the mountain," a lazy donkey rolled away to avoid it
After Li Shuwen arrived at the barracks, holding Huang Shihai's letter of appointment, a natural person led him to the drill hall to meet Yuan Shikai. Upon seeing him, Yuan Shikai and the other instructors mistook him for a servant or a young boy of Huang Shihai, due to his unremarkable appearance, thin and emaciated frame, and the large gun he carried.
Having glanced at the time, the elder waved his hand and said, "You should take a break. If you want to learn true skills, you must be able to endure hardship; otherwise, it would be better for you to head home early."
Dad, why are you here instead of resting in the house?
Ito felt humiliated and, in a fit of rage, raised his Japanese long sword and struck down towards Li Shuwen's head with overwhelming force. However, unexpectedly, Li Shuwen deftly shook his spear, deflecting the sword away, and then, with a swift motion, executed the technique "Mudfish Turning Flowers," piercing Ito's throat. He then flicked his spear, sending the lifeless body flying out of the martial arts hall.
Suddenly, the old man shrank in stature, and his shoulders slammed against the wall behind him. With a loud "bang," the nearly two-meter-high wall was forcefully broken through by him.
However, as soon as any child in the arena becomes slack, the long, peeled willow branch in the old man's hand will immediately strike that child like a venomous snake
Cangzhou is located in North China and has been known since ancient times as a hub for both water and land transport. The Grand Canal runs through the entire region, and the people of Cangzhou have always been renowned for their simplicity, integrity, diligence, and bravery
The old man waved his hand to stop his son's words and said, "Although I have not reached my master's level, I know that my time is limited and I do not have many years left to live. It is good to leave behind a little more."
How long to stand? Stand for a lifetime
Master Liu, it is ... ... it is I ... ...
Just when Qin Feng thought the old man had discovered him, a child in the courtyard suddenly spoke up, saying: "Master Grandpa, how long do you have to stand to be considered skilled?"
Although I have long lost count of how many times I have heard this story, a group of young boys still listens with fervent excitement, their legs no longer weary, each one wide-eyed, wishing they could be the ones to take up arms against the Japanese.
Dad, these kids haven't solidified their fundamentals at all, is that appropriate
At this moment, Qin Feng was crouching with his body against the wall of a backyard belonging to a family with the surname Liu. This family could be considered a prominent household in Cangzhou, with more than ten tiled rooms alone.
Li Shuwen had a fiery temperament; how could he endure such an insult? With a swift motion of his gun, he aimed the tip directly at Ito, challenging him.
Second brother, it feels stifling in the room; it is still more pleasant to be with the children.
Yes, Father
"Hmm? Why is it you, kid?" Seeing Qin Feng's face smeared with blood, the old man was momentarily taken aback and couldn't help but turn to look at his father in the courtyard, his eyes revealing a questioning expression
Father, look at what you said, you will definitely live to be a hundred years old without any doubt. After hearing his father's words, the old man became somewhat anxious
In fact, Qin Feng has been secretly learning for several years; they had long discovered it, but at that time, it was suppressed by an elder's remark. At this moment, however, it is unclear why they wish to expose Qin Feng
This sudden turn of events left everyone dumbfounded
Alright, let me tell you a story about how my master once fought against the Japanese with a spear. At that time, your great-grandfather had not yet been born...
Grandfather, please tell us the story of our ancestral master
The Japanese martial arts instructors Akiyano, Inoue, and Noda witnessed their companion being stabbed to death by Li Shuwen. They rushed at Li Shuwen with their knives raised fiercely. Li Shuwen moved in and out like lightning, retreating like an arrow. With a shake of his spear, he resembled a dragon emerging from the water, thrusting left and jabbing right, instantly causing blood and flesh to fly.
Moments later, the hall erupted with thunderous applause, and Yuan Shikai repeatedly exclaimed: "Divine Gun! Divine Gun! Truly a Divine Gun!" From that point on, "Divine Gun Li Shuwen" became renowned throughout the world, known to all.
However, the martial arts culture in Cangzhou has never ceased. Since the 1980s, various martial arts schools have emerged like bamboo shoots after a rain, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that every household practices martial arts. Even old Hu, who sells pancakes, possesses a certain level of skill.
Qin Feng, who was peering in through a hole while hiding outside the wall, quickly retracted his head
Upon seeing his father's smile, the old man seemed to understand something. His expression suddenly became serious. He then stepped forward and, when he reached the base of the wall, spoke up: "Let me show you the purpose of this standing posture!"
More than ten years ago, the Liu family experienced a significant shock, and their house was once confiscated. It was not until the early 1980s that the government returned the house to the Liu family. Now, four generations of the family live here.
Upon entering the training room, it was either piling or leaning against the wall and studying diagrams. If one wishes to practice Baji Quan, first set up the stances for me properly
As Cangzhou is a crucial area in the capital region, it has been a focal point of contention for military strategists throughout history. In ancient times, it was referred to as "Yuan E Jun Zhou," and during the Ming Dynasty, it was known as "Xiao Liang Shan." The area surrounding the Bohai Sea, spanning over a hundred miles, consists mainly of marshes and desolate beaches, with sparse human habitation. It serves not only as a place for military offenders to be exiled but also as a refuge for rebellious generals.
The elder hesitated for a moment; Chinese martial arts differ from Western combat techniques in that they emphasize a gradual progression, allowing for no shortcuts whatsoever. Demonstrating skills in front of these youngsters might inadvertently have a negative influence on them
However, Qin Feng's gaze was exceptionally resolute, his feet positioned in the same boxing stance as the children in the yard. Although his calves were trembling continuously, he still gritted his teeth and persevered.
However, as the only surviving disciple of the "Divine Marksman" Li Shuwen, the elder undoubtedly holds the most authority in this regard, and the events he recounts are indeed true occurrences
Li Shuwen's master, Huang Shihai, received an appointment letter from Yuan Shikai. Due to his advanced age, he recommended his disciple, Li Shuwen, to take up the teaching position
When Qin Feng was unable to control himself, an elderly man, around fifty-four or fifty-five years old, walked into the backyard. He cast an annoyed glance at the children and said: "Go practice your skills, why are you bothering the master?"
The old man smiled and said, "Er, my vitality is no longer sufficient, and I can no longer demonstrate the Eight Extremes. You should practice with the little ones and show them the benefits of stance training."
Observing the half-grown boys who had been standing for more than half an hour, their faces drenched in sweat, the old man stood up and cast a glance, whether intentionally or not, towards the outer wall.
The old man shook his head upon seeing the confusion on the faces of the children and said, "Your ancestral master roamed the seas and was unmatched in the martial world, this skill is merely the foundation..."