Bang!
Ling Xiao threw his idea of a good punch at Mu Feng who blocked it by lifting his leg in the direction of the punch and collided with it, yet Ling Xuan then launched another blow from his right to meet Mu Feng’s face . But to his surprise he was thrown back to the ground by Mu Feng’s right leg, the same leg that had just moments before guarded against his punch.
“Don't always wait for your opponent to make a move before countering him/her. What you think is a well thought out move sequence could be dismantled by a well placed jab.” Instructed Mu Feng.
It was true that the kick that sent him hurling was way faster than what a high apprentice was capable of. But Ling Xuan didn't complain. He wouldn't always be fighting people at the same level as him.
Ling Xuan picked himself up from the ground, his pride stinging a bit. He nodded, acknowledging Mu Feng's wisdom. "I understand," he replied, determination flickering in his eyes.
Mu Feng regarded him with a knowing smile. "To anticipate your opponent's moves, you must remain fluid, adaptable. Let your instincts guide you, but never let your guard down.”
He continued, “Now that I have seen your skills in hand to hand combat, let's proceed with melding the insights of Crimson Barrage Pole into your fists. I’m a staunch believer of forging one's own path by themselves. So I want you to derive the technique yourself under my guidance. Understood?“
“Yes, warrior Mu”, replied Ling Xuan.
“Then come at me again. But this time use the Crimson Barrage Pole.”
Ling Xuan resumed his stance, his focus sharpened. He started to imagine his fists as the endpoints of a pole. The Crimson Barrage Pole technique was a martial arts technique that prioritises relentless offence over defence, emphasising rapid and aggressive strikes to overwhelm opponents. Ling Xuan realised he had to send forth his fists as if they were massive fiery boulders while at the same time maintaining his balance and fluidity.
Suddenly Ling Xuan began his onslaught on Mu Feng. The aged warrior only blocked here and there, guiding the attacks so that Ling Xuan could use his full potential. Mu Feng was also slowly pointing out mistakes by striking at the weak points of Ling Xuan’s barrage.
As the back and forth dance between them went on Ling Xuan slowly realised his shortcomings. Firstly, unlike when performing with a pole, the hands had very short reach. This left several gaps in Ling Xuan’s movements. To compensate for this Ling Xuan first attempted sacrificing his stability and making long lunging motions to extend his reach.
But Mu Feng easily beat him up due to the lack of stability. Yet Ling Xuan persisted with this approach. Although he was getting hit a lot he realised he is able to compensate for his stability by transferring momentum from one fist to another and also by taking huge backward movements in between.
As he slowly moved like this the rate at which he got hit slowly reduced. He was extremely satisfied with his rate of learning. But soon the problem caught up to him.
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Exhaustion had arrived . Using a pole technique with fists by making adjustments to it has created a technique with a lot of movements. Which was causing him to get exhausted a lot faster. Finally he couldn’t keep up and he collapsed on the ground panting.
“Although it is marvellous how you are modifying the technique like this, what I intended was for you to slightly modify the Crimson Barrage Pole. The technique already has everything needed for close combat fights. But everyone has their own paths. I hope to see you perfect this path which you have devised yourself. It might be a bit difficult. But no pain no gain.” said Mu Feng
Inwardly Mu Feng was very impressed. Not many youngsters have received such a high evaluation from him.
“Now that you can grasp the method of turning one’s body into a weapon, we will go to the other half of the technique” Mu Feng threw Ling Xuan a cloth to wipe his sweat.
Ling Xuan quickly wiped off his sweat and got to his feet. It had been 10 days since he started training under Mu Feng's tutelage. Currently he was a High apprentice and he could feel that in a few days he would be able to refine his right hand and become a Peak apprentice.
“You already know the other part of the technique right?” asked Mu Feng.
“Yes, it is the ability to transfer damage from one part to an entire area of a body.” Answered Ling Xuan
“Correct, it is said that if one can achieve this feat with a weapon then they have achieved a profound understanding of the technique” Replied Mu Feng.
Mu Feng looked at Ling Xuan and said
“You know, in the 10 days of me training you never have you asked how I know all this”
Ling Xuan was startled and after looking back he indeed understood that this was indeed the case.
“Perhaps It was due to me being so focused I completely forgot this point” Ling Xuan understood.
“So how do you know?” Asked Ling Xuan as if the previous moments never occurred.
Mu Feng’s lips twitched as he stared at the youth in front of him before sighing.
“The Ling Clan is one of the largest employers of mercenaries, and sometimes as reward for your services they can impart a part of their Martial Arts.”
“Yet why do they hire so many mercenaries?” Asked Ling Xuan
As Mu Feng was about to tell him, realisation struck him
“Wait a second aren’t you the child of one of their elders, why am I explaining all of this to you! You should know about these!”
“I am 14 years old you know so there are a lot of things that were never taught to me and also my father prohibited me from knowledge of the Sects and Clans until I was 10. So what am I supposed to do but ask you!” Retorted Ling Xuan.
“I suppose you are right, so the Ling Clan always has a shortage of members and therefore losses in the number games, so using their technique as bait they lure several mercenaries to them, some of these mercenaries join them and some only work for them for rewards.”
“I see, yet why does the cla-” As Ling Xuan was about to ask, Mu Feng raised his hand as a sign for him to stop.
“Don’t ask such questions now, I am not your History teacher but your temporary Martial Arts coach.” Said Mu Feng
Mu Feng now raised his hand and punched a tree beside him.
The tree burst apart and fell to the ground with a huge thud.
“Now this is when you attack without control” Mu Feng pointed to the tree
“I want you to be able to destroy another tree from the inside” Mu Feng gave Ling Xuan his assignment.
“You want me to achieve a profound understanding of the technique!” Ling Xuan felt as if he would never see light again.
“Of Course not, you idiot! If that were to be possible then thousands can reach the Absolute Realm!” Mu Feng berated Ling Xuan.
“When someone that has achieved Profound mastery of The Crimson Barrage Pole attacks, he controls his weapon in such a way that when it delivers an attack the force of the attack spreads inside the body and is not confined to a single area; this is done through using Qi as a container of said force . Now what i want you to do is use Qi as not a container but a pill which dissolves inside an object. Do you understand?” Mu Feng explained.
Ling Xuan nodded his head in understanding.
“Good now let us not waste anymore time and start again.”
“Yes Master!” Ling Xuan kowtowed and thus began Ling Xuan’s first training montage.