Chapter 004: The Martial Arts of the Founder

Are there also renowned innate masters in the martial world? After a moment, Zhao Chen spoke again

Zhao Chen thought for a moment; he seemed to have heard the name "Lin Lingsu" before. This person was a renowned Taoist during the Song Dynasty, and he did not expect that he was also a martial arts master! It seems that Wang Laozhi was also a Taoist from the Song Dynasty and had some reputation as well! As for "Elder Wuqing," he had not heard of him, but Shaolin Temple is certainly well-known!

Oh! Zhao Chen nodded.

Not bad! Wang De nodded.

Of course not! Even innate masters experience a depletion of internal energy at times! However, the internal energy of innate masters is significantly more enduring than that of acquired practitioners! Generally, an ordinary innate master can defeat more than ten peak acquired martial artists!

This statement does hold some truth... So, are you saying that there are hardly any members of the Song royal family who can wield weapons now? Zhao Chen said

Wang De was taken aback, looking at Zhao Chen with some confusion. He never expected that Zhao Chen did not even know these "common sense" matters! However, upon further reflection, he had vaguely heard that the Crown Prince had lost his memory, so it seemed that the Crown Prince had forgotten these things.

As the sky darkened, Wang De had already departed, but Zhao Chen returned to the Eastern Palace with the middle-aged eunuch.

However, he was merely inquiring; he did not dare to hope to learn the true royal martial arts. The royal martial arts can only be practiced by members of the royal family. If an ordinary military general were to practice them, it would be considered a grave offense, deserving of the harshest punishment.

The eunuch Liu beside him was taken aback, thinking that His Highness the Crown Prince was speaking nonsense again

Wang De, while speaking, secretly glanced at the middle-aged eunuch beside him. The eunuch nodded and coldly remarked: "This is only natural! The version of Taizu Changquan passed down among the people consists of merely thirty-two forms, while the imperial version of Taizu Changquan, personally bequeathed by Emperor Taizu, contains a total of one hundred and eight forms, which includes many more intricate details than the popular version!"

The territory of the Great Song was established by our ancestors through their fists, not acquired through reading books or composing poetry! As a member of the royal family, how can one neglect the practice of martial arts? Especially in this chaotic era, the Jurchen barbarians are eyeing our Great Song with hostility. Learning martial arts can help reclaim our lands; without martial skills, I fear we may not even be able to protect ourselves in the future! I must earnestly study martial arts!

In later generations, the two most famous generals of the early Southern Song Dynasty were Yue Fei and Han Shizhong. It was unexpected that Han Shizhong was actually the foremost expert in the current Song army. As for Fang La, Zhao Chen had also heard of him; the Fang La uprising could be considered one of the notable peasant uprisings at the end of the Northern Song Dynasty. It was surprising that Fang La was captured alive by Han Shizhong! Zhao Chen had read "Water Margin," which stated that Fang La was captured by Lu Zhishen, but it seems that this was merely a fictional account.

Martial arts are divided into acquired and innate categories. Acquired martial artists have not yet fully connected their meridians, resulting in limited internal energy and consequently limited martial prowess. Only upon entering the innate stage can one be considered a true top expert. In today's world, there are probably only a little over a hundred individuals who have reached the innate realm. Under the setting sun, Wang Dedao.

"General Wang, have you already entered the innate realm?" Zhao Chen inquired

Your Highness, today I have taught you the fundamental techniques of internal cultivation. After you return to the Eastern Palace, you may carefully read the Huangtian Jue. Tomorrow, you are still welcome to come to Jujing Garden, which is quiet and has guards for your protection. You can practice here while I stand guard beside you. I can answer any questions you may have. How does that sound?

This is nature, where masters emerge in the world of martial arts! In this realm, there is a person known as the ageless immortal Lin Lingsu, who is said to have reached the pinnacle of innate mastery! During the reign of the Supreme Emperor, there were several attempts to recruit Lin Lingsu, who was conferred the titles of Master of True Understanding and Spirit and the Feathered Guest of the Golden Gate. He is indeed remarkable, a senior figure in the martial arts community! Besides Lin Lingsu, there is also the renowned Master Wang Laozhi of the Cave of Subtlety! Furthermore, there is Elder Wuqing from the Shaolin Temple, known as the Ancient Buddha of the Sky, who is also a highly skilled martial artist!" Wang Dadao.

Your Highness, as the heir apparent, you are destined to inherit the throne. This martial arts is but a minor path, and you must not become overly engrossed in it

Throughout the various dynasties, apart from the founding emperors, crown princes, and princes who practiced martial arts, most subsequent emperors, crown princes, and princes were predominantly scholarly and weak. This was especially true during the Song Dynasty, where literary pursuits were exalted while martial endeavors were suppressed, leading to a high status for scholars and a low status for warriors. This societal trend naturally influenced the royal offspring. Among the royal children of the Song Dynasty, there were many literati and artists, as well as collectors, but there were no warriors. The royal offspring regarded composing poetry and engaging in literary exchanges as refined pursuits, while practicing martial arts was seen as a coarse endeavor.

The study of martial arts is exceptionally arduous and tedious! Members of the royal family are all born with privilege, indulging in pleasure; who would be willing to put in the hard work to learn martial skills?

"Lord Liu, since Emperor Taizu originally passed down the Heavenly Secrets and the Great Zheng Swordsmanship, and I am the Crown Prince, why have I not learned these martial arts before? Moreover, it seems that Father has not learned these martial arts either?" Zhao Chen asked curiously while walking forward.

"General Wang, apart from you, who else in the army is a congenital master?" Zhao Chen asked

Zhao Chen was just about to let Wang De leave when he suddenly remembered a question and said: "General Wang, please wait a moment... Since Emperor Taizu was able to establish the Imperial Heavenly Formula and the Great Zheng Sword Technique, was he also a person of great martial prowess?"

The name Han Shizhong has become renowned in later generations!

Entering the innate realm... Is the internal energy inexhaustible, continuously flowing? Zhao Chen said, but this was knowledge he had previously acquired from martial arts novels

I am afraid not!" Liu Gonggong shook his head

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The sky has darkened! It is getting late, so I shall take my leave now!" said Wang De.

The founding Emperor of our dynasty, in the midst of chaos, secured the realm, naturally achieving unparalleled martial prowess! In his early years, the founding Emperor came from the rivers and lakes, and he formed a brotherhood with Yang Guangyi, Shi Shouxin, and eight other heroes, known as the Ten Brothers of the Righteous Society! Subsequently, the founding Emperor led the ten brothers to join the army, waging campaigns north and south, invincible in all directions. With just a staff, he defeated all challengers across the nine provinces, and countless fierce generals fell under his fists and staff! To this day, the folk say, 'With a staff as tall as oneself, one can conquer four hundred military states, all surnamed Zhao.' Throughout history, if we speak solely of martial arts, no one can compare to the founding Emperor of our Song dynasty! The world of martial arts is divided into nine ranks, with the first rank being the highest. The Emperor's creation of the Huangtian Technique and the Dazheng Swordplay are both first-rank martial arts, renowned throughout the world! In addition to the Huangtian Technique and Dazheng Swordplay, the founding Emperor also left behind the Taizu Long Fist, which has long been spread among the people, with many practicing it! It is said that the version of the Taizu Long Fist passed down in the imperial court is exceptionally exquisite and differs greatly from the version practiced by the common folk; whether this is true or not remains unknown.

This cannot be compared! Lin Lingsu is the foremost figure of the righteous path today, and her martial arts skills are likely to far surpass those of General Han Shizhong! Wang Laozhi and Elder Wuqing's martial arts skills are also likely to exceed those of General Han!

Indeed! Wang De nodded.

Good! Zhao Chen nodded.

Zhao Chen said, "I wonder how General Han Shizhong compares to Lin Lingsu, Wang Laozhi, Elder Wuqing, and the others?"

The imperial troops are lax, and there are not many skilled fighters among them. Apart from the general, it seems there are no innate masters. In contrast, the Western army boasts numerous experts, particularly one named Han Shizhong, who can be regarded as the foremost master in the Song army. In the past, during the rebellion of Fang La, Han Shizhong single-handedly charged into the midst of a hundred thousand chaotic troops and captured Fang La alive. At that time, Fang La was already a top figure in the martial world, rumored to have entered the innate realm for many years. He was also protected by more than ten other innate masters, including the renowned figures Deng Yuanjue and Shi Bao. General Han's ability to capture Fang La himself under the protection of so many innate masters truly demonstrates his extraordinary martial prowess.

"Your Majesty and His Highness hold such esteemed positions; how can you afford to neglect the pursuit of martial arts? The common people study martial arts merely for self-defense. However, Your Majesty and His Highness are surrounded by countless guards, among whom are numerous experts. Is it truly necessary for Your Majesty and His Highness to take action personally?" said the middle-aged eunuch, Eunuch Liu.

As the sun set in the west, Zhao Chen did not learn much martial arts on this day; he merely listened to Wang De discuss some fundamental theoretical knowledge of martial arts.