Chapter 7: Fist Techniques Training

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  "Third brother, you're so great! You're really awesome! Hurry back and tell Mother, she must be thrilled!" Qin Shuang'er dragged Qin Mu Bai along, giggling and laughing as they walked towards the distant place.

  "Little sister, I'll ask you a question." Taking advantage of Little Sister's happiness and the absence of others, Qin Mu Bai asked, "Was I really very annoying in the past?"

  "Haha, how did you suddenly think of this?" Qin Shuang'er smiled mischievously, her bright eyes sparkling as she teased, "You, were you trampled by a horse and forgot all the shameful things you've done? I heard from Mother that since you were young, you've been naughty and disobedient, refusing to study or practice martial arts, only knowing how to eat, drink, play, and cause trouble everywhere. You're not even afraid of Father, who is such an authoritative figure, and after being punished at home with tears still wet on your face, you ran out the door and went wild. You hung out with some hoodlums and rascals, fighting chickens, gambling, getting into fights, and causing trouble... Haha, and even sneaked a peek at someone's older sister taking a bath and got caught red-handed!"

  Qin Mubai's forehead twitched slightly, almost drawing out a few black lines. He dry coughed and said: "Shut up, don't say that! Those are all things from the past, I've changed my ways and started anew!... Hmm, what exactly was Father suffering from? Didn't see him taking any medicine either."

  Qin Shuang'er, although clever, was after all young and simple-minded. Seeing Qin Mu Bai change the subject, she followed him and said: "You're not unaware of Father's temper, always saying that life and death are destined, wealth and nobility are in heaven, a great man who establishes a country and kills countless people, why fear one death? Why use medicine? In the past, the emperor even sent an imperial doctor to examine him, saying that he had suffered too many injuries in his early years, his qi and blood were deficient, and his internal organs were not balanced. After being idle for some time, he also developed a severe case of rheumatism. These two years, his legs and feet have been inconvenient, but he just won't take any medicine, usually at most drinking some medicinal wine."

  "Medicinal wine?" Qin Mu Bai's heart lit up, this was something he wasn't unfamiliar with. His grandfather in the 21st century was an old Chinese doctor who often soaked medicinal wine to drink, and it was passed down to his father's generation as a common practice at home. At that time, he remembered that medicinal wines for treating rheumatism were usually made with white wine of 50-60 degrees. The liquor in the Great Tang Dynasty didn't have distilled liquor, so it was impossible to have such a degree.

  "Think of a way to distill the wine and brew some medicinal liquor for Father Qin to drink, maybe it'll be effective in treating his rheumatism..." Qin Mu Bai thought to himself.

  Back in the house, Qin Feng'er pulled Liu Shi and chattered on about today's archery competition, making Liu Shi laugh so hard that she couldn't close her mouth. She praised: "My son has been training in the army for three years and has really made progress, his archery skills are even better than those of his older brothers. It's not easy to get a word of praise from your father, it can be seen that he now has a new opinion of you and holds you in higher esteem, you need to work even harder."

  "Yes, Mother." Qin Mu Bai smiled in response.

  In the evening after dinner, Qin Mubai came to the backyard horse arena to exercise. It was a cold winter day, so he started practicing his long-unused internal martial arts - Wudang Taiji.

  The origins of internal martial arts are the spear and broadsword techniques on horseback, as well as the health-preserving methods of Taoism. Especially Tai Chi Chuan, which originated from the ancient cavalry's spear method and long-handled broadsword method, its basic usage is: open, close, emit, just like using a long spear or long-handled broadsword while standing on stilts.

  The horseback archery skills that still linger in this body are actually quite similar to the Tai Chi Fist he cultivated in his past life, and have now merged into a mutually beneficial whole in his mind.

  While practicing Tai Chi, Qin Mu Bai thought about the horseback archery technique. Suddenly feeling itchy, he led a horse out of the stable, picked up a long spear and mounted it.

  Evenly breathing in and out, with a calm and steady inner breath, Qin Mu rode his horse and started galloping in the backyard. The family of General Jiang had always been known for their fine horses. The fierce horse was galloping at an extremely fast speed, and as he faced the cold wind, the blood in his body couldn't help but boil up a bit.

  Riding a horse, he was no stranger to practicing in the equestrian arena in his past life. With the skills merged into this life, he became even more proficient; soon, he wielded the long spear in his hand as if it were second nature, unleashing a set of fierce and overbearing spear techniques.

  The cold wind was biting, and the gun flowers were blooming everywhere. Qin Mu Bai wielded this long spear with relish, and couldn't help but let out a few loud shouts, as if he was charging left and right in the enemy's formation like no one's business. Gradually, his roar became more and more angry and mournful, faintly emitting a thread of fierce killing intent!

  "Could it be that I've really inherited Qin Shubao's bloodthirsty nature? As a 21st-century person, I haven't even killed a chicken before, so how is it that as soon as I pick up a gun, I think of killing people and seeing blood?" Qin Mubai was also somewhat astonished in his own heart.

  At some point, a figure appeared at the corner of the corridor in the backyard. Qin Shubao leaned on his cane, gazing quietly at Qin Mubai in the school field with a calm and collected expression, his eyes narrowing slightly as a flash of surprise flickered across his face.

  "Three years away from home, it's like a complete transformation. Not only has his archery and horseback riding skills improved significantly, but his gunplay has also reached a state of perfection. Moreover, this set of gunplay seems to be somewhat different from what I taught him... Who did he learn from?"

  After muttering to himself for a few sentences, Qin Shubao walked to the edge of the school field. It was only then that Qin Mubai discovered his father had arrived and hastily dismounted his horse to bow with his hands clasped together: "Father."

  "Who taught you how to shoot like that?" Qin Shubao asked directly.

  Qin Mubai's heart slightly stirred, and he countered: "Didn't Father teach me that?"

  "Nonsense." Qin Shubao rebuked in a stern tone, coughing a few times, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed as he stared at Qin Mubai and said, "My martial skills, whether it's spear techniques, fist techniques or sword techniques, all follow the path of being strong and fierce, seeking to be swift and decisive. I just saw you using your spear, clearly with a hint of softness, is this the style of our Qin family?"

  Qin Mubai's heart was clear: his father's eyes were indeed sharp! He had just practiced Tai Chi fist and thought of Ma Gun, and in a moment of excitement, he used this set of gun techniques that combined internal family boxing with Qin family gun method. His father must have practiced all the strong and fierce external family kung fu, no wonder he saw the inconsistency in his gun technique at a glance.

  She thought again: Neijiaquan emphasizes the cultivation of Qi and its application, which can strengthen the body, benefit health and prolong life. Didn't little sister say that Father had unsmooth Qi and blood, uneven pulse, and relatively severe rheumatism? If he could practice this set of Taiji Quan, combined with the rheumatism medicine wine made from strong liquor, perhaps his condition would improve somewhat?

  At this point, Qin Mubai's eyes flashed with a hint of starlight, and he smiled slightly, cupping his hands in respect: "Father, I dare not deceive you. In fact...this set of gun techniques is indeed the Qin family's gun technique, but I have incorporated some internal energy and softness to overcome hardness from my fist intent."

  "Is that the intention of your boxing, to use internal power and overcome stiffness with softness?" Qin Shubao's eyebrows slightly raised, and he smiled unintentionally, seemingly a bit disdainful, "Can't you even create your own boxing method?"

  "Good question, just what I wanted to hear." Qin Mu Bai thought to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips. Qin Shu Bao noticed the subtle change in his expression and couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly, thinking: "This kid, why is there a hint of eeriness in his smile? What is he hiding from me?"... A father knows his son best, but this time when he came back, it was as if he had become a different person. His demeanor and bearing were not at all like those of a youth under twenty years old. What exactly had happened to him?

  "Speak!" Qin Shubao let out a low shout.

  "Yes." Qin Mubai cupped his hands and bowed, answering calmly, "Father's insight is naturally sharp and unique. Now that things have come to this point, I don't dare hide it from you either. Actually, during these years of following the army, I met a superior being who taught me an extremely subtle internal fist method - called: Taiji!"

  "Neijia Taiji Fist?" Qin Shubao's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes - an unheard-of fist name!

  "It is Tai Chi."

  "Hit me with it."

  "Yes."

  With a concentrated mind and spirit, Qin Mu Bai performed his Wudang Tai Chi Fist that he had practiced for over ten years in his past life.

  Tai Chi, with the characteristics of nobility, softness and elegance, relies on the coordination of heart and breath, smooth operation, intention and energy, dynamic and static freedom, using softness to overcome stiffness, flexibility and gentleness, unpredictability, as the key to practicing boxing. Furthermore, it is beneficial for physical and mental health, prolonging life, and is a practical study for human life.

  Such a fist method is naturally different from Qin Shubao's fierce martial arts used to rush into the enemy array.

  However, Qin Shubao was after all a martial artist who had been immersed in the study of combat for decades. After just a few moves, he had already seen the subtleties of this fist technique and couldn't help but feel surprised: such a fist technique indeed seemed to be derived from the soft-handled spear-like weapons, taking the path of using softness to overcome hardness. If combined with horseback spear techniques, it would indeed be able to mutually enhance and add infinite subtleties. However, this fist technique clearly did not have the purpose of killing people on the battlefield, but rather seemed like a fist technique for cultivating one's life and health.

  "Who taught you this set of fist techniques?"

  "Speaking of my father, my master is a wandering Taoist priest with white hair and youthful face whose age cannot be discerned. He comes and goes without a fixed abode, his martial arts skills are exceptionally powerful, and he calls himself Zhang Sanfeng." Qin Mubai put away his fist, his face not red or breathing heavily, calmly said, "When my master taught me boxing, he once said that I must not reveal his identity to anyone, except for one person."

  "Who?"

  "It's you, Father."

  "Why?" Qin Shu Bao's eyes gleamed with a sharp light, his gaze falling on Qin Mu Bai's face like the edge of a knife.

  Facing Qin Shubao's rapid-fire questioning, Qin Mubai still smiled calmly and raised his head to stare directly into his eyes, bowing with a respectful tone: "Master said that only a father like you, a peak martial artist, is worthy of discussing and teaching the ways of martial arts."

  The Tang Dynasty revered Taoism, and the imperial family of the Li clan considered themselves descendants of Laozi (Li Er) and ordered all officials below the rank of king to study the "Tao Te Ching". At one point, Taoism surpassed other religious sects. Taoists were also favored during the reign of Emperor Gaozu of Tang. Qin Mubai thought that his father should not have been opposed to Taoists either.

  "Haha! It seems that your Master with the cow nose, has some similarities with my temperament. Wonderful! " Qin Uncle Treasure's proud and arrogant laughter echoed, as he tapped his cane on the ground a few times, saying: "Beyond the sky there is another sky, beyond man there is another man, thousands of families' martial arts have countless techniques, indeed one mountain is higher than another. As for me, I've been through numerous battlefields for decades, encountering countless powerful enemies, and I take pleasure in having a worthy opponent. Unfortunately! I'm not even fifty years old, yet I've fallen ill with this disease, my footsteps are still unsteady, let alone engaging in a battle of wits with your Master."

  Qin Mubai's face revealed a smile, and he thought to himself: With Father's arrogant and overbearing personality, as well as his peak warrior stance that has dominated the world for decades, it is impossible for him to gladly accept me, his unworthy son, teaching him any fist techniques. Now it seems that I have successfully piqued his interest, right up his alley of being competitive and eager to win.

  "Dad, Master once said that exchanging pointers and learning from each other doesn't necessarily mean competing to win or lose." Qin Mu Bai used his glib tongue, honed from interacting with people of different types in his past life, saying, "Master is a Taoist who avoids conflict and doesn't like fierce battles. He wouldn't possibly engage in a decisive battle with Father. Master said that he taught me this set of fist techniques not because I have exceptional talent, but because he hoped that after I learn it, one day I can bring the essence of these techniques to study with Father, achieving the goal of mutual improvement through martial arts. Strengthening the body, cultivating character, and improving - isn't this also the essence of the martial way?"

  "Hmm, it seems that your master is indeed a transcendent being who has attained the Dao. As for me, a martial artist who only knows how to fight and kill, I am still far from his realm." Qin Shubao was pleased by his son's subtle flattery, stroking his beard and chuckling twice, nodding and saying, "Then why didn't your master come to see me in person and engage in a friendly competition with me?"

  "This... I don't know when it will happen. Master once said that if fate allows, we will meet again with Father. But I don't know when. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next year, or perhaps many years later. Actually, I also want to see him, but it's extremely difficult. Usually, he comes to find me at an irregular time." Qin Mu Bai replied with a difficult expression on his face. In his heart, he secretly laughed: This plot development is too lazy for me to design, so Father can use your own imagination to think about it! As the father is a peak martial artist, being obsessed with martial arts is very likely, and researching martial arts is naturally one of his great hobbies. I don't know if my setup will be successful in piquing his curiosity, making him come to me to ask for the fist manual?

  "The martial arts of each family and school have always been treasured and not easily passed on to outsiders. But your master is different, with a mindset that transcends the ordinary. It's likely that he's a legendary master who has hidden himself from the world and doesn't like to be tainted by worldly dust. Meeting him is also a rare opportunity.

  Qin Uncle Treasure furrowed his brow in thought, paused for a moment, and said, "Since your master is so open and willing to teach you martial arts and let me discuss and learn with him, bring the fist manual here and let me take a look."

  Qin Mubai was slightly pleased in his heart, and he cupped his hands together in a salute: "Father, please be patient. When I studied with my master, it was all oral instruction from him, and I didn't receive any boxing manuals. Father, please wait for a moment, and I will go back and personally write out the boxing manual to present to you."

  "Hmm...alright." Qin Shu Bao's Danfeng Longyan flashed with a hint of doubt and surprise, looking at Qin Mu Bai with an incredulous gaze, his mind racing back and forth, feeling that the son in front of him seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

  "Oh, I remember something else." Qin Mu Bai continued to talk smoothly, saying, "Master said that this internal family fist method also originated from the route of horseback riding and weaponry, and has some similarities with Father's external family kung fu. He said that our Qin family's spear technique is exquisite and unique, if it can be combined with this Tai Chi fist, it should be like adding wings to a tiger. Master only knows fists but not spears, so he can't do it; I'm stupid and just tried to show Father, but it was clearly incompatible. Master said that only Father's extraordinary talent and heavenly giftedness can make it possible. His original intention in teaching me this fist method was also to hope that Father could combine our Qin family spear technique with Tai Chi fist, creating a new and brilliant school of spear techniques to be passed down through the ages. Only then can we achieve the purpose of mutual learning and improvement."

  "Oh? This is getting interesting." Qian Chuanyi chuckled and nodded, "Martial arts, different paths but the same goal, yet innovation is difficult. What would happen if external family skills and internal family fists were combined? I'm a bit curious and looking forward to it. Your master is indeed a martial arts genius who dares to innovate, how can I fall behind?... Liang'er, quickly bring me the fist manual!"

  "Yes, Father! I'll go write it down right away!" Qin Mubai bowed his head in response, thinking to himself with delight - a new school of gun techniques, that would make him a master of his generation. For a martial artist, what could be more enticing than this?

  After much persuasion, they finally succeeded.

  In his past life, Qin Mu Bai had come into contact with so many people of all shapes and sizes that he had a keen sense of observation. He could tell what kind of person someone was just by looking at their face. To get along with others, one must speak to their heart and tailor one's approach to their personality. Someone as proud as Qin Mu Bai wouldn't necessarily practice even if the emperor himself bestowed upon him a set of fist techniques. But if you piqued his interest and sparked his enthusiasm, that would be a completely different story.

  Taking a deep breath, Qin Mubai felt greatly relieved in his heart.

  In this life and the previous one, two fathers look exactly alike, isn't it a predetermined father-son relationship? As a son, it is only right to show filial piety.

  "Even birds know to repay kindness, a man, no matter how depraved he is outside, should treat his family with sincerity." Qin Mu Bai had always thought so.

  Returning to the room, Qin Mubai immediately fetched pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and began to silently write out the boxing manual of Wudang Taiji Quan. Under the influence of his father and grandfather who were deeply fond of classical culture since childhood, Qin Mubai also fell in love with calligraphy, and was quite skilled at writing beautiful Southern School running script and slender gold small regular script.

  Huang Denglai's brush danced like a dragon as he began to write furiously at his desk.

  Just a few pages were written, Qin Shuang'er burst into the room with a smile, shouting from afar: "Third brother, you're really impressive! Just now, Father praised you again, saying that you've really grown up! Not only has your martial arts improved greatly, but you've also become more virtuous, intelligent and steady... Hmm, what are you writing?"

  "A boxing manual." Qin Mubai didn't hide it either, letting his sister take a look at the draft he had written.

  "Wow! Third brother, when did you learn to write such beautiful characters? The font is so pretty, even better than Father's handwriting!" Qin Shuang'er widened her eyes in extreme surprise and stared at Qin Mubai, muttering, "Are you really my third brother?"

  "As promised." Qin Mu Bai chuckled.

  "When did you learn such calligraphy? I've never seen this font before! Haha, you were notorious for being lazy and ignorant in your studies, and your teachers almost got driven to death by you." Qin Shuang'er teased with a smile.

  Qin Shuang'er tapped her forehead twice with a knuckle: "Stop messing around, brother is going to stay up late tonight to write the boxing manual, go to the kitchen and get me some food."

  "Hehe, I'll personally go cook some desserts to comfort Third Brother!" Qin Shuang'er happily ran out.

  Qin Mubai's expression stiffened slightly as a chill ran down his spine: How could I have forgotten that this little guy has a set of culinary skills that can shock the world?... What a disaster!

  .??，！