Chapter 24: Five Animals Fist? Five Animals Play?

  Tong Yuan brought Zhao Fei to a spacious area behind the house. It was clear that this was a dedicated martial arts training ground. Why could Zhao Fei tell at a glance? The reason was simple: Xia Hou Lan and Zhao Yun had both trained here. Zhao Yun was indeed worthy of his reputation, having recovered in just three days, despite being more severely injured than Zhao Fei, but with a much faster recovery rate. He had already begun to resume training over the past few days.

  Looking at Zhao Fei walking with Tong Yuan, Zhao Yun and Xia Houlan showed different expressions. Zhao Yun was simply happy and relieved. Xia Houlan's expression was more complex, although he was also happy for Zhao Fei in his heart, but also revealed some envy. It seemed like there was something else too.

  Tong Yuan led Zhao Fei to one side of the empty land, "Alright, let's do it here." He turned around and signaled for Zhao Fei to stop. Upon hearing Tong Yuan speak, Zhao Fei immediately stopped in his tracks.

  "The boxing technique I'm going to teach you is not a killing or winning technique, nor does it have any lethal power. It's a special boxing technique for strengthening the body and improving health." Tong Yuan paused for a moment before continuing: "This boxing technique was created by me in my later years based on the foundation of previous generations, combined with my own physical condition to create an internal energy exercise method."

  "The whole set of exercises is a kind of qigong exercise that imitates the movements of five animals - tiger, bear, deer, ape and bird (crane) to keep fit and strengthen the body. You should know that the birth of martial arts was also through imitating animal movements. So I also call this set of exercises Wuqinquan."

  Wuqin Fist? Zhao Fei felt a bit dizzy. It seemed that he had only heard of Wuqin Play, what was this Wuqin Fist? Wuqin Play was clearly invented by Hua Tuo, what did it have to do with Tong Yuan?

  Zhao Fei's distraction did not escape Tong Yuan's eyes, "Little Fei, are you listening carefully!" Seeing Zhao Fei distracted, Tong Yuan couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. He couldn't help but use some of his power. But Tong Yuan was no ordinary person, he was a master of the generation, and his power was not to be underestimated. Zhao Fei only felt a deafening thunderclap ringing in his ears. It shook him so much that his ears were buzzing for a long time, and he couldn't hear any sound.

  "The young master calmed down, and the little one knew he was wrong. The little one shouldn't have been distracted." Seeing Tong Yuan get angry, Zhao Fei hastily bowed to apologize.

  Seeing Zhao Fei's apologetic attitude was still okay, Tong Yuan didn't continue to investigate further. "Listen well, if there is a next time, I will definitely not let you off lightly."

  "Don't worry, Master Tong, I won't let you down." Zhao Fei composed himself and focused his mind.

  "Alright, let's continue." Without further ado, Tong Yuan began to explain. "The entire set of fist techniques is divided into five categories: Bear Fist, Crane Fist, Tiger Fist, Deer Fist, and Ape Fist. Each category has five stances. I will teach them to you one by one later on."

  "Wuqinquan is a boxing method that emphasizes external movement and internal stillness, seeking stillness in motion. When practicing, one should pay attention to relaxing the whole body, guarding the dantian with intention, breathing evenly, and making both the external form and spirit resemble the five animals, achieving external movement and internal stillness, with both hardness and softness, combining hardness and softness, training both internally and externally, and being well-versed in both internal and external aspects."

  "Xiongquan, like a bear, should be thick and steady, showing the momentum of a bear's movement. When walking, it should have the demeanor of a bear. Although bears appear clumsy and walk with a soft thud, they are actually light and agile in their steadiness. Xiongquan is mainly used to exercise your spleen and stomach, and increase your physical strength." Tong Yuan's movements were very slow, but looked very powerful. In Zhao Fei's eyes, the Tong Yuan at the bottom of his eyes was no longer Tong Yuan. He really was like a big, silly bear.

  "The Bear Fist mainly includes the Bear Step, Shaking Movement, Bear Swing, Resistance and Support Movement, and Pushing and Squeezing Movement." Tong Yuan explained while demonstrating. Each movement was very slow, with the intention of allowing Zhao Fei to see clearly. And Zhao Fei on the side was also learning by imitation, although he couldn't quite capture the spirit like Tong Yuan, but somehow managed to get some semblance of it.

  "After finishing the Bear Fist, next is the Crane Fist. The Crane Fist imitates its proud and upright posture, leisurely and self-satisfied, showing off its bright wings, light flight, falling geese, and independent demeanor. The main purpose of the Crane Fist is to strengthen your cardiovascular breathing, regulate blood circulation, and unblock the meridians."

  The sun rose higher and higher, and the sweat on Zhao Fei's face grew more and more. It was hard to imagine that a few seemingly slow and simple movements could be so exhausting. They mobilized every part of his body, pulling all the muscles from head to toe. So even though he hadn't been doing it for long, Zhao Fei had already consumed more physical energy than he would in an entire day of exercise.

  Tong Yuan looked at Zhao Fei, who was already panting heavily, and shook his head in dismay. He then glanced at the time and realized it was getting late, so he said to Zhao Fei, "Alright, let's stop here for now. You can take a rest. I'll teach you the remaining fist techniques this afternoon." Upon hearing Tong Yuan's words, Zhao Fei felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He immediately sat down on the ground with a thud. Tong Yuan didn't look at Zhao Fei again and instead walked straight towards Xia Hou Lan and Zhao Yun. After sitting for a while, Zhao Fei got bored and stood up to follow them.

  Xiahou Lan and Zhao Yun were both practicing the same technique. With each move, they were equally serious. However, upon closer inspection, a difference could be seen. Zhao Yun's spear techniques were more lively and agile, while Xiahou Lan's were slightly stiff. The two had been practicing for some time, but they had always been practicing set routines.

  "Master, is practicing martial arts just about constantly practicing routine moves?" After watching for a long time, Zhao Fei felt extremely bored and raised his head to ask Tong Yuan.

  "Otherwise, what do you think is the way to practice?" Upon hearing this question, Tong Yuan couldn't help but look at Zhao Fei with curiosity, and in his heart, he had some expectations. He didn't know what surprises this little guy in front of him could still bring to himself.

  Zhao Fei thought for a moment and then said in a childish tone, "I read in a book that no matter what kind of weapon it is, it's all about the eyes and fists, in short, it's part of the body."

  Upon hearing Zhao Fei's words, Tong Yuan felt slightly disappointed. "The realm of unity between man and sword is easy to talk about but difficult to achieve. I've practiced my swordsmanship for a lifetime and still haven't grasped the concept of unity between man and sword; how can I possibly practice it?"

  "This isn't impossible either." Looking at the disappointed Tong Yuan, Zhao Fei suddenly couldn't help but blurt out a sentence. I'm going to regret this, thought Zhao Fei as he looked at Xia Houlan's astonished gaze and Tong Yuan's murderous glare, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. Just then, Tong Yuan grabbed hold of Zhao Fei. "Really? What method do you have?"

  "Master, slow down." Seeing Zhao Fei's slightly flushed face. Tong Yuan knew he was a bit out of place and hastily asked Zhao Fei, "How can one cultivate the unity of man and gun?" Although school was over for Zhao Fei, Tong Yuan was still very anxious.

  "I read in a book that if you hold the tail of the gun stock, level the long gun, and feel the power on the gun stock. Even if some mosquitoes land on the gun stock, you can clearly perceive it, and that's about it." Zhao Fei said slowly, still holding the gun to demonstrate. Tong Yuan and Zhao Yun listened thoughtfully.

  "Feel the power of the gun, feel the power of the gun." Tong Yuan muttered to himself in a low voice, and his expression became more and more delighted as he spoke. Suddenly, Tong Yuan burst out laughing loudly. "Haha, how come I didn't think of that? But Xiao Fei, where did you see this practice method in a book? How come I've never seen it before?"

  "This... this." Zhao Fei was a bit hesitant, I couldn't possibly tell you that I saw it on the internet, so Zhao Fei still found it difficult to answer this question.

  Seeing Zhao Fei hum and haw, Tong Yuan didn't press the issue. "If Little Fly doesn't want to say anything, then that's fine, after all everyone has their own secrets."

  Zhao Fei bowed deeply and said respectfully: "Thank you, Master."

  "Alright, it's getting late. Let's stop here and talk again after lunch." Tong Yuan waved his hand and turned to leave. Xia Houlan and Zhao Yun also packed up their things and accompanied Zhao Fei back to the house.