NOVEL SIMPLE CHAPTER 63
Chapter 63: The Power of the Zhao Family Spear
The Zhao Family Spear’s true value, Zhao Honglei explained, was rooted in its unique stance training and killing techniques. Without these, it would be no different than any basic spear technique. This was a stark truth of modern martial arts, where mastery of a few specialized techniques, built upon a solid foundation of stance training, defined a legitimate lineage.
“Stance training is the bedrock of martial arts,” Zhao Yongchun emphasized. “It’s divided into static and dynamic stances. The static stance, often called the standing meditation, is primarily for cultivating discipline and focus rather than combat.”
“The dynamic stance, however, is the true inheritance of martial arts,” he continued. “It’s not about cultivating mystical inner energy, but about mastering the application of force. Each martial art has its unique way of generating power, and mastering the correct technique is essential.”
He went on to explain how dynamic stances were a series of movements designed to teach practitioners this precise application of force.
“Stance training is the foundation upon which everything else is built,” Zhao Yongchun summarized. “It not only strengthens the body but also teaches the proper way to generate and apply force. Only when this is mastered can one move on to killing techniques, and ultimately, achieve mastery of the martial art.”
Lu Ming listened attentively, but his initial excitement had dimmed somewhat. He had envisioned martial arts as something more fantastical, involving gravity-defying leaps and superhuman feats. The reality was more grounded and practical.
However, he quickly regained his enthusiasm. After all, in the apocalypse, any additional skill could be a lifesaver. Even if martial arts weren’t as glamorous as he had imagined, the practical benefits were undeniable.
Perhaps sensing Lu Ming’s slight disappointment, Zhao Yongchun paused before proceeding. “Before we begin the lesson,” he offered, “would Mr. Lu like to witness the effectiveness of the Zhao Family Spear?”
Zhao Honglei, ever eager to showcase their family’s legacy, stepped forward, carrying a thick wooden stake reinforced with iron. It was a sturdy target, designed to demonstrate the power of their techniques.
Zhao Yongchun took the spear from his father and swung it a few times, then turned to Wang Xiong, who had been observing the exchange.
“Mr. Wang, you’re a Level 2 Awakened, correct?” Zhao Yongchun inquired.
Wang Xiong nodded, confirming his status.
“Would you be willing to assist me in a demonstration?” Zhao Yongchun asked.
Wang Xiong readily agreed, eager to see the Zhao Family Spear in action.
Zhao Yongchun handed the spear to Wang Xiong. “Please use your full strength to thrust at the wooden stake before you,” he instructed.
Wang Xiong obliged, his powerful thrust sending the stake flying through the air with a loud bang. “Not my best weapon,” Wang Xiong admitted with a sheepish grin.
His attack had been pure brute force, powerful but lacking the finesse of a trained spear wielder.
Zhao Honglei retrieved the stake, its iron plating damaged and wood splintered. He took the spear from Wang Xiong, assuming a practiced stance. With a swift, controlled motion, he thrust the spear through the stake, the tip emerging cleanly from the other side.
The difference in damage was stark. Lu Ming’s eyes widened with interest as he examined the stake. “Was that the Cold Light?” he asked, eager to witness the legendary technique.
Zhao Yongchun shook his head. “No, Mr. Lu. That was merely basic spear technique.”
Wang Xiong’s thrust had been pure strength, while Zhao Honglei’s demonstrated the controlled application of technique.
“Now,” Zhao Yongchun announced, “I will demonstrate the pinnacle of our Zhao Family Spear, the Cold Light.”
Zhao Honglei assumed a low stance, his spear held steady. In a flash, a shimmering arc of light preceded the spear as it shot forward with blinding speed, piercing the stake and shattering it into countless splinters.
Lowering his spear, Zhao Honglei turned to Lu Ming. “Mr. Lu, did you notice anything?”
Lu Ming nodded. “Not only was it more powerful, but the speed of the thrust was also significantly faster.”
The shattered remains of the stake spoke volumes about the technique’s destructive potential. Lu Ming’s enhanced vision had captured the subtle differences between the two thrusts. The Cold Light strike was nearly twice as fast as Zhao Honglei’s initial demonstration.
This wasn’t a matter of Zhao Honglei holding back; both he and Wang Xiong were Level 2 Awakened, and their thrusting speeds were comparable. This meant that the Zhao Family Spear’s ultimate technique, the Cold Light, was indeed a formidable weapon.
“Please teach me, Mr. Zhao!” Lu Ming exclaimed, his earlier disappointment forgotten.
Zhao Yongchun nodded solemnly. “I will teach you everything I know, holding nothing back.”
The path of traditional martial arts was a long and arduous one. As the saying went, “a lifetime with a staff or a saber.”
“The spear is indeed not easy to master,” Zhao Yongchun agreed.
“But with Mr. Lu’s exceptional physical condition,” Zhao Yongchun added, “mastering these martial arts should be relatively easy.”
He was right. The physical body was the foundation of all martial arts. Lu Ming’s strength wasn’t just brute force; his coordination and agility, honed by training with Wang Xiong, were exceptional. In a sense, free combat and traditional martial arts shared similar principles.
“Let’s start with the basic spear technique training routine,” Zhao Yongchun instructed, demonstrating the movements.
Lu Ming mirrored his actions, wielding the spear with initial clumsiness. Yet, within half an hour, he had grasped the fundamentals, his progress reflected in the system interface:
Basic Spear Technique Lv1 (5/100): You have preliminarily grasped the essentials of spear techniques. Strength, Stamina, and Agility +0.1!
Zhao Honglei, watching from the sidelines, was astounded by Lu Ming’s rapid progress. Spear techniques were notoriously difficult to learn, even more so with a four-meter-long weapon. Yet, Lu Ming had surpassed what a normal person could achieve in a week within a mere half-hour.
Another half hour passed, and Lu Ming reached Level 2 in Basic Spear Technique, his attributes increasing further.
“Let’s take a break,” Zhao Yongchun suggested, observing Lu Ming with a complex expression. “You’re learning at an astonishing pace, Mr. Lu. We can move on to stance training directly.”
Initially, Zhao Yongchun had planned to teach stance training the following day, but Lu Ming’s rapid progress demanded a change of plans. He would teach him everything, holding nothing back.
The Zhao family’s stance training was called the “Resistance Stance.” It was a dynamic set of movements designed to teach the proper way to wield a long spear, almost like a choreographed dance. As Zhao Yongchun had explained, stance training wasn’t about combat itself, but about cultivating the body and understanding the application of force.
The movements of the Resistance Stance were awkward and unfamiliar to Lu Ming. His initial attempts were clumsy and uncoordinated. But with patient guidance from both Zhao Yongchun and Zhao Honglei, he gradually refined his form. By dinnertime, he had completed the entire set of stances, albeit at a slow pace.
The system interface updated:
Resistance Stance Lv1 (1/100): You have preliminarily grasped the training method of the Resistance Stance! Free attribute points +1!
(Note: Free Attribute Points can be assigned to any attribute of your choice.)
Lu Ming’s eyes lit up. He now had the power to further customize his abilities, to tailor his strengths to the challenges ahead.
End of Chapter 63