Chapter 10, Footwork
Ji Yichuan said coldly: "The sword is an extension of the body! To wield the sword well, one must first have control over one's own body. You must practice boxing first, and when your body, arms, fists, and feet are all incredibly agile and you can exert force freely, only then can you be considered prepared for 'sword practice' in terms of your physical condition"
Father. Ji Ning looked at his father, who was clad in white beast skin and resembled an iceberg, filled with admiration. Powerful beings like the Flood Dragon and other formidable demons had been slain by his father. In terms of both strength and skill, he had reached the pinnacle of his abilities, to the extent that even some innate beings wished to come under his father's tutelage to learn the sword.
Bang! The squat was not deep enough, and the back still brushed against the animal skin bag, resulting in a failure to land on the wooden post and falling down instead
The importance of footwork is paramount, even surpassing that of striking techniques! Due to the afflictions of illness in his past life, Ji Ning developed a keen interest in watching various sports competitions, thus understanding the significance of footwork in boxing, sanda, and other martial arts.
Ji Ning nodded
Leap forward
Ji Ning took it over and examined it carefully
Ji Ning was taken aback: "What, ten breaths? Such a short time... Even on flat ground, it would take me more than ten breaths to run down. Walking past a thousand and eight wooden stakes adds up to over a thousand meters, and it would take me quite a while to run that distance."
"Wait a few more years?" Ji Ning asked in confusion
It is not enough to be merely prepared physically
"The Wind Shadow Steps" is divided into three realms
"Ning'er, I will teach you the footwork." Wei Chi Xue, dressed in white fur, smiled as he looked at his son
"Yes," Ji Ning replied
The sword is a short weapon! It is light and agile, with a double edge, making it far more intricate and versatile in use than knives and similar tools. A slash, a thrust, a chop, a sweep, or a point can easily kill an enemy. Even someone practicing recklessly might injure themselves, making it a true blade of slaughter. Ji Yichuan looked at his son
In this world, gods and demons, along with *maps* and *books*, appear and disappear, yet the fundamental principles are likely quite similar
You must also prepare your heart for the practice of swordsmanship
He climbed onto a low wooden stump, followed by a forward leap, narrowly avoiding the sandbags as he landed on the stump. However, his momentum was too strong, causing him to sway for quite a while, and it was only after he waved his arms repeatedly that he finally managed to balance on one foot
That is called the Thousand Star Formation! Wei Chi Xue said, "With the assistance of the Thousand Star Formation, you should be able to master the Wind Shadow Step to a profound level within ten years. If there is no Thousand Star Formation... it may take several times longer."
In the Thousand Star Formation, it feels as if one is walking on level ground. Only then can one be considered to have reached the first realm, the 'Foundation' realm, Wei Chi Xue said with a smile
Walk!
What about the second realm, 'Entering the Subtle'?" Ji Ning couldn't help but ask.
Close combat is not a mindless exchange of sword and knife strikes, but rather a dynamic interplay where opponents continuously shift positions like phantoms. Similar to the martial arts of the past, such as Sanda and boxing, top practitioners in these disciplines place great emphasis on footwork. The intricacies of footwork can allow one to evade ten strikes from the enemy, and even if struck, the force of the blow is diminished.
Continue
Step forward
Wei Chi Xue then walked to the side of the Thousand Star Formation and pointed at a very short wooden stake, saying, "Go to this wooden stake."
Two, is subtlety
Although footwork is important, it remains merely an auxiliary means... Ultimately, it is the final strike that determines victory over the enemy
The book provides a detailed description of the fundamental six steps of the "Wind Shadow Steps," with the footwork being exceptionally intricate in terms of the operation of power
Ji Ning felt a surge of immense ambition; if his father could achieve it, then with the "Nüwa Diagram" and the wisdom from his past life, he too would certainly be able to accomplish it
The phrase "A multitude of arrows shot simultaneously" made Ji Ning think of the countless arrows shooting towards him, yet he found himself unable to evade them. This was simply too incredible; after all, the human body occupies a certain volume. Countless arrows should have filled all available space, making it theoretically impossible to dodge.
Half an hour after the archery practice ended, the sun had already risen
How strong is it? There must be some explanation, right?" Ji Ning pressed for more.
Withdraw!
Your father's footwork embodies the realm of unity between man and heaven, and even the swordsmanship, which is more difficult to cultivate than footwork, also reaches the same realm of unity between man and heaven. Thus, your father is undoubtedly the strongest among the Ji family of the Western Mansion, capable of instilling fear in countless tribes
"Swordsmanship? Wait a few more years!" Ji Yichuan said coldly
Step forward
Ning'er, starting from the shortest wooden stake, walk across one thousand and eight wooden stakes, and leap down from the tallest wooden stake! Do not touch any animal skin bags along the way!
"Remember, the steps must be as precise as nails, each step a nail, and once it lands on the stake, it is firmly driven in!" Wei Chi Xue said, "Each step must be neither too small nor too large. It must not be too light, nor too heavy. If you continue to sway about like you just did, the enemy would have already discovered your flaw and pierced you with a sword in the chaos of life and death. Continue, make progress!"
Standing on the wooden stump, I immediately felt it sway. The stump is not particularly thick, only able to accommodate one foot. Fortunately, having practiced the Red Bright Nine Heavens Diagram, my body's balance is exceptionally strong, allowing me to maintain my stance.
... ...
Therefore, with the aid of the Thousand Star Formation, you should be able to master the "Wind Shadow Steps" to a profound level within ten years. " Wei Chi Xue said, "From now until lunch, you should remain on the wooden stakes of the Thousand Star Formation."
You should first carefully examine the six basic steps. Wei Chi Xue flipped her hand, and a yellowish book appeared in her palm
One is fundamental
However, teaching oneself is something that occurs every day
The intricacies of footwork vary, and thus the execution is also different
No longer believe in the supernatural
Regression
Wei Chi Xue looked at Ji Ning and smiled: "That is a realm, one reaches it naturally and understands it."
Bang! The knees are not bent enough
Yes. Ji Ning easily took a step and arrived at the wooden stake
In fact, regardless of the type of footwork, the fundamental steps are always just a few, such as advancing and retreating. However, the differences in techniques among various schools are as vast as heaven and earth. Some practices seem to change as swiftly as lightning, while others drift like the wind, and some shift like phantoms.
Footwork is of utmost importance
"Now listen to my command. I will instruct you to perform one step of the basic six steps, and you shall execute that step," said Wei Chi Xue. "Advance!"
Bang! The strength is insufficiently light
Ji Ning turned his head, and in the distance stood numerous wooden stakes, at a glance there seemed to be over a thousand of them, varying in height and distance, resembling a dense forest. Above these stakes hung countless animal skin bags, densely packed, with perhaps over a thousand animal skin bags suspended.
"Stop groping around aimlessly," Wei Chi Xue said, pointing into the distance. "Look over there."
Afternoon
The innate beings generally reach the second realm of movement, known as 'Entering the Subtle'.
"Remember, when moving on the wooden stakes of the Thousand Stars Formation, it is forbidden to touch any of the animal skin bags. Once you touch one, you must start over," said Wei Chi Xue.
Once you, Ning'er, have mastered the first layer of the Red Bright Nine Heavens Diagram, if it is on flat ground, you should be able to rush down in about ten breaths said Wei Chi Xue with a smile
"The footwork I am teaching you is called 'Wind Shadow Steps,'" said Wei Chi Xue. "Do not be deceived by its ordinary name; it is a profound technique, considered the most advanced footwork among the five houses of the Ji family, and I am the only one who knows it! Once you master this footwork, you will understand how to maneuver swiftly within a small area, and you will also learn the method of lightness skill for escaping."
Father has a total of nine major disciples, among whom three are innate beings. However, Father only provides guidance to the nine major disciples and the Book Child once a month
Three, is the unity of heaven and humanity
Wei Chi Xue issued orders time and again
Leap forward
Ji Ning continued to drive the wooden stakes in silence.
Ji Ning gritted his teeth
"Starting today, I will teach you to practice swordsmanship," Ji Yichuan said coldly to his son. "The sword is not like a bow and arrow or footwork."
The Purple Mansion cultivator generally reaches the third realm of 'Unity of Heaven and Man'. Of course, some exceptionally gifted innate beings can also achieve this unity... for example, your father!
Ji Ning was filled with passionate anticipation, his eyes shining brightly: "Father, what swordsmanship should I learn?"
Progress
Father?'' Ji Ning was pleasantly surprised
Noted. Ji Ning nodded
This ... ... "Jining was taken aback
"Mother, how long must I cultivate?" Ji Ning was severely injured.
He understands
Wei Chi Xue pushed the animal skin bags beside her, causing them to immediately collide with other bags. Soon, thousands of animal skin bags were swaying and bumping into each other, moving in a naturally chaotic manner.
"Have you memorized the intricacies of the basic six steps?" Wei Chi Xue inquired
Although I previously experienced soreness in my waist and back from practicing archery, my body has recovered remarkably due to the training of "The Red Bright Nine Heavens Diagram". At this moment, I feel refreshed and full of fighting spirit
The second realm, "Subtlety," is to traverse all one thousand and eight wooden stakes, starting from the lowest one, within ten breaths, while all the animal skin bags are swaying and colliding with each other, and to leap down from the highest stake without touching any of the animal skin bags along the way. " Wei Chi Xue looked at Ji Ning and said, "If you accomplish this, then you will have attained the second realm, 'Subtlety.'"
After having eaten and rested for a while, I was taken by my father to the training ground. The afternoon spring sunlight was exceptionally bright, and it felt very pleasant as it shone upon me
... ...
Progress
Wei Chi Xue looked at Ji Ning and said, "In fact, regardless of the type of technique—be it footwork, swordsmanship, knife techniques, or spear techniques—they can all be categorized into these three realms. For instance, the second realm of swordsmanship, known as 'Entering the Subtle,' can also be referred to as 'Unity of Man and Sword'"
Only the small figure of Ji Ning could be seen carefully flickering on the wooden stakes of the Thousand Star Formation, occasionally falling down.
Wei Chi Xue smiled and said: "Do not be discouraged, among the many tribal warriors, only the top-tier can generally reach the first realm of 'Foundation' in two days' time."
"Well, to put it bluntly... it's like a thousand arrows being shot at once, yet none of them hit the target." Wei Chi Xue looked at her son
In close combat, the importance of footwork is arguably no less than that of swordsmanship. Wei Chi Xue stated solemnly, "In a confrontation between the two, the side with superior footwork can maneuver and evade... making it difficult for the enemy to harm you, while you can easily inflict damage on them"
Ji Ning focused on the method of exerting force, attempting a forward lunge, and with a whoosh, he landed on a wooden stake ahead. However, he accidentally bumped into a hanging animal skin pouch, which fell to the ground with a thud.
What about the third realm, 'Unity of Heaven and Man'?" Ji Ning could not help but ask
"Complete it within ten breaths, and it will be considered that you have achieved the first realm of your footwork, the 'Foundation.'" Wei Chi Xue said with a smile
Only Ji Ning could be seen flashing and moving repeatedly on the thousands of wooden stakes, frantically practicing the foundational six steps. Due to the obstruction of the suspended animal skin bag, Ji Ning's body had to adopt various postures to avoid the hindrance. However, regardless of the posture, the prerequisite must be a stable center of gravity and firm footing
Once archery is mastered, one will possess greater strength and see further, naturally enabling the shooting of more powerful arrows
How is this possible? All the animal skin bags are swaying, how can one avoid them? The opportunity may only last for a fleeting moment, and one must evade all the animal skin bags while keeping their foot on that specific point of the wooden stake. And it has to be done in such a short time... Ji Ning felt that this was simply too difficult, how could it be accomplished