C19 His Abilities

"We just stopped by the Dance Club for a brief look; we had no idea it would nearly lead to the dissolution of the Martial Inheriting Society. We're truly sorry," Feng Manlou admitted, his face tinged with embarrassment.

Bai Junji and his companions were dumbfounded.

Bai Junji and his companions were at a loss for words.

"Seriously, have you no shame?"

"After more than thirty calls, you finally answer, and you call that a brief look?"

"It seems like the girls from the Dance Club have completely captivated you!"

"Heh, I get it, I really do. The jazz performances at the Dance Club are quite impressive."

Bai Junji caught Feng Manlou and the others giving him a sleazy thumbs-up, prompting an awkward cough from him.

"Ahem, since there were no mishaps in the end, there's no need for Junior Brother Feng to apologize."

He gave Jiang Gongyin a look, who nodded in agreement, standing guard at the door with Yang Kuo.

Bai Junji stealthily pulled out a red envelope from his pocket and slipped it into Feng Manlou's pocket.

"In our circle, we hold the word 'trust' in high regard. Here's the agreed-upon hundred yuan. Please, accept it without hesitation.

"But let's keep this between us. If the director ever learns that we used money to recruit members, the Martial Inheriting Society would be shut down immediately."

His message was clear, and Feng Manlou accepted without further ceremony, assuring him with a smile.

"President, who were those people outside earlier? Are they our adversaries?

They seemed quite displeased when they heard we were joining the Martial Inheriting Society," Zhou Sihai inquired.

"It's merely a tangled web of resource competition."

Bai Junji elaborated, "Our academy forms over a dozen new clubs each year, but there's only one activity center. The number of rooms is fixed at 48.

This means that clubs like ours, which are on the brink of disbanding, are seen as nuisances by those without dedicated activity rooms.

And the Combat Dance Club...

Since Kuan Ping lured away their president, Soong Fei, they've harbored an intense grudge against our Martial Inheriting Society, constantly scheming to have us disbanded and out of the way."

Feng Manlou and his five companions: "!!!"

Feng Manlou and his five companions: "..."

They had originally thought that Kuan Ping, with his handsome looks, must be a protagonist, only to find out he was more of a Casanova!

"Hey, President, that's not fair to accuse me like that. When I was with Xian, I had no idea Soong Fei was secretly in love with her!" Kuan Ping quickly clarified.

Oh no, he couldn't let his shining image as an admirable senior be tarnished right after meeting her!

"Stop explaining. To explain is to cover up, and to cover up is to admit the fact."

Yang Kuo's jab ensured that Kuan Ping's image-building plan was thoroughly ruined.

After completing the application form, Bai Junji announced, "Now that we have so many new members, we must demonstrate our skills.

Gongyin, you start by showing them the Long Fist, then Kuan Ping, Yang Kuo, and I will each practice a set of our own Fist Technique."

"Okay."

Jiang Gongyin nodded, stepped into the center of the activity room, and cupped his fists, saying, "My specialty is the Ancestral Long Fist, but that's a combat technique and not very aesthetically pleasing, so it doesn't quite fit the mood right now.

Instead, I'll perform a set of modern Long Fist for you all. Please excuse any shortcomings."

He concentrated, his demeanor turning serious, and began to perform a set of modern Long Fist with fluid grace.

To put it simply, his stance was expansive and elegant, his movements lively and swift. His strikes were far-reaching, his jumps high, his leaps long, blending hardness with softness, and alternating between speed and stillness, all with a clear rhythm.

After finishing, Jiang Gongyin stood still and exhaled deeply, then smiled and bowed with his fists, "Please forgive my humble performance."

"Fantastic, absolutely dashing and cool!"

Ren Suiqiu led the applause, with everyone else joining in with claps and cheers.

"You're too kind. This Fist Technique looks impressive, but it's not very practical,"

Jiang Gongyin said with a smile. "If you all take an interest in the Ancestral Long Fist later on, I'll be happy to teach you a set."

"The fist technique is immensely powerful, and it can be executed even in tight spaces. With enough practice, you won't have to fear a couple of thugs if you encounter them while out and about."

Feng Manlou marveled to himself at the skill on display. Such beautiful technique! It's no wonder that even stunt doubles need to be award-winning. That move, wow, it's beyond just 'cool' – it's incredibly cool!

He quickly looked up the Ancestral Long Fist that Jiang Gongyin had mentioned.

580 points...

Well then, I guess I'll just have to learn from Senior Brother Jiang at a steady pace.

Jiang Gongyin stepped aside to rest, and Kuan Ping and Yang Kuo took center stage.

Kuan Ping announced, "Yang Kuo and I have both been practicing Taiji since childhood, but we come from different schools.

I've been trained in Wudang Taiji Fist, while he's practiced Yang-style Taiji Fist. We'll demonstrate both for you to see the differences more clearly."

Feng Manlou and the others responded with enthusiastic applause.

Indeed, Jiang Gongyin's Long Fist alone had already shifted Du Xinbo, Ren Haoqiu, Lee Fann, and Lee Nan's perceptions of Martial Inheriting.

Who says Martial Inheriting can't be combative? With Jiang Gongyin's swift dodging and wind-like punches, taking them down seemed like child's play.

Kuan Ping and Yang Kuo assumed their stances, each showcasing their unique Taiji Fist styles – sometimes flowing gently, sometimes exploding with force – all with an ineffable grace.

Yet, their movements were much quicker than the Taiji Fist most people knew.

"Why are they performing Taiji Fist so quickly?" Du Xinbo wondered aloud.

The others nodded in agreement.

Isn't Taiji Fist supposed to be practiced slowly? Their pace seemed too fast, and though it was filled with mystery, it lacked the leisurely air of elderly folks leisurely practicing in the park.

Jiang Gongyin quietly clarified, "What they're demonstrating is practical combat Taiji, not the fitness Taiji you see in parks, which is why it looks so different.

Many people watch the elderly practice Taiji Fist slowly in parks and conclude that it's not suitable for combat, but that's a shallow understanding."

True combat Tai Chi is actually incredibly fast, especially when sparring with an opponent.

The so-called Fist Technique is akin to the art of warfare.

In military strategy, it is said, 'Speed is the essence of war,' and this holds true for all martial arts.

Yang Luchan, the founder of Yang-style Tai Chi, once defeated all the masters in the capital, earning the nickname 'Invincible Yang.'

Had he fought at a leisurely pace, he would have been long defeated by those who made their living through their fists. Who then would have bestowed upon him such a title of invincibility?"

Ren Haoqiu, Du Xinbo, and the others nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, one must experience things firsthand to truly understand them. Their previous views on Martial Inheriting were too one-sided.

"Is the so-called 'striking later to arrive first' really true?" Ren Haoqiu asked, his excitement palpable, like a child who had just received a new gaming console.

Kuan Ping and Yang Kuo had just finished their bout. Kuan Ping explained, "It is true, but not in the way films depict it.

'Striking later to arrive first' means that a master, through abundant combat experience and by reading the opponent's posture, can anticipate their next move and swiftly counterattack while the opponent's punch is still in motion or when their technique is fully committed.

As for the so-called 'using four ounces to move a thousand pounds'..."

"That's nonsense," Yang Kuo interjected. "Forget about moving a thousand pounds; to even resist a force of that magnitude, you'd need an equal strength.

The saying 'using four ounces to move a thousand pounds' actually means matching your opponent's force pound for pound, and then using just a bit more to redirect their energy.

Martial Inheriting isn't about defying the laws of physics like some kind of immortal cultivation. If you think you can withstand a thousand pounds of force with just four ounces after learning Martial Inheriting, you're in for a rude awakening—nothing good will come of it except possibly getting your eyeballs popped out."

"Senior Brother Jiang, has Senior Brother Yang Kuo always been this cool and straightforward?" Feng Manlou inquired quietly.

"Yes, he's been nicknamed 'Poker Face,'" murmured Jiang Gongyin, "but he has one fatal flaw, which is..."

"Cough, cough, Gongyin, you're rambling," Yang Kuo interrupted, coughing forcefully, his face flushing slightly.

Jiang Gongyin chuckled and gave Feng Manlou a reassuring pat on the shoulder, "You'll find out in due time. No need to hurry."

Bai Junji, resembling a towering figure, sauntered to the center of the activity room and flexed his wrists. "Now, let me demonstrate my family's traditional Southern Fist Technique."

"Gongyin, Kuan Ping, Yang Lan, hang the brick, cover the shield, position the balance board, and turn on the lights."

"Got it!"

Hang the brick, cover the shield, position the balance board, turn on the lights—what were these instructions all about?

Puzzlement was written all over the faces of Feng Manlou and his companions.