touchnovel Chapter 30 What is New Martial Arts?
Chapter 30 What is New Martial Arts?
Several days later,
In the corridor of the teaching building of Xikou County Public Middle School, Fang Shuwen looked out at the playground. He had already gotten used to the rhythm of the elite class.
I go to school at 7:30 in the morning to study.
Then, there are four academic classes in the morning and two martial arts classes in the afternoon.
The course schedule is much tighter than that of regular classes, with even the lunch break being reduced to one hour.
The academic subjects were not difficult for him. With his foundation from his previous life and the review he had done these past few days, he was more than capable of handling the middle school level courses.
Even the courses related to steam technology did not stump Fang Shuwen.
What really caught his attention was the martial arts class in the afternoon.
The martial arts instruction in the elite class is very different from before.
In the past, physical education classes in regular classes were just running and practicing some aerobics. The teachers would turn a blind eye and only care about passing the test.
But the elite class is different.
The instructor in charge of the martial arts class was surnamed Chen, whose full name was Chen Zhengqing. He was a specially appointed instructor sent down from the Xikou County Martial Arts Academy.
This man was in his forties, with a burly build, and was said to be a martial artist in the late Ming Jin stage.
He practiced Iron Shirt, a skill so powerful that even small-caliber bullets were said to be difficult to penetrate.
On the first day of class, Chen Zhengqing stood on the playground.
His gaze swept over the class of about forty students, and his first words stunned everyone.
"Starting today, you will practice here for two hours every afternoon. Anyone who can't endure this hardship can leave now and go back to the regular class."
Naturally, no one left.
The elite class is clearly different; their chances of going to university are much greater than those in the regular class.
However, after two days of training, at least a third of the participants were too weak to walk down the stairs.
Fang Shuwen didn't feel particularly tired.
He had already mastered Jian Ti Quan to a proficient level and had also incorporated Teng She Quan into his skills.
His robust physique, evidenced by the two cracking bones, allowed him to easily handle the lessons.
What truly interested him were some details that Chen Zhengqing revealed during casual conversations after class.
"Do you know why we suddenly started this elite class this year?"
Wednesday afternoon, after martial arts class.
Chen Zhengqing sat on a stone bench by the playground, unscrewed his military water bottle and took a big gulp, his gaze sweeping over the students' faces.
No one answered.
Chen Zhengqing wiped his mouth and continued talking to himself.
"Because the government is about to change. The new Great Yan Kingdom is going to promote a new martial arts system, and the status of martial artists will be even higher than during the Great Yin period."
Upon hearing this, several students who were wiping their sweat simultaneously stopped what they were doing.
During the reign of Emperor Da Yin, the status of military men was so high that it is hard for people today to imagine.
Exemption from taxes and corvée labor, tax reduction by half, exemption from bowing to officials, and permission to carry a sword while traveling...
That was an era when martial artists truly stood at the top of society.
Now that the new Great Yan Kingdom has been established, Western guns and cannons are rampant.
More than ten years of training cannot withstand a single shot or cannon shot.
Not to mention, there are also so-called steam-powered bionic suits, which can instantly grant ordinary people the strength of powerful martial artists.
The status of martial artists has declined significantly.
Now Chen Zhengqing says that after the implementation of the new martial arts system, the status of martial artists will be even higher than during the Great Yin period.
How is that possible?
Which student present wasn't curious!
Xinwu?
What is New Martial Arts?
Are martial arts divided into old and new styles?
"Instructor Chen, what do you mean by that?" Zhang Mingcheng pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and was the first to react.
Chen Zhengqing glanced at him, but did not answer directly. Instead, he took out a newspaper that had been folded several times from his pocket, unfolded it, and handed it over.
See for yourself.
Zhang Mingcheng took the newspaper and his eyes fell on the headline on the front page.
Those bold, black headlines were particularly eye-catching.
The Central Martial Arts Academy hereby issues a directive: Effective immediately, a new martial arts system will be implemented, and all public schools in the provinces will add martial arts as a compulsory course.
"Edict of President Yuan of the New Great Yan Kingdom: Strengthen the nation through military force, and convey moral principles through literature; advance both military and literary pursuits to rebuild the divine land."
Zhang Mingcheng read it aloud, his voice growing softer and softer until it was almost just a whisper.
Fang Shuwen sat by the window, his gaze sweeping over the newspaper, his brows furrowing slightly.
Xinwu.
This wasn't the first time he'd heard this word.
The last time was at Grandpa Zheng's place. When the old man mentioned Xinwu, his tone carried an indescribable sense of emotion.
"During the Great Yin Dynasty, although martial artists held a high status, they were ultimately just 'warriors.' After the implementation of the new martial arts system, martial artists will no longer be just warriors, but..."
Old Master Zheng paused here, shook his head, and did not continue.
Chen Zhengqing's words now are exactly the same as Old Master Zheng's tone back then.
"Instructor Chen, what exactly is Xinwu?" Han Tieshan rarely asked such a question.
Chen Zhengqing put away the newspaper, his gaze becoming deep and unfathomable:
"I'm not entirely clear on the specifics of the new martial art. But I do know one thing: once mastered, the human body becomes comparable to a suit of armor."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over every student present.
"I'm telling you all this so you have a clear understanding. This elite class is no joke; you've come at a great time. But whether you can seize it is up to you."
After saying that, he screwed the kettle lid on, got up, and left.
The playground was quiet for a moment, then erupted into chaos.
"The status of martial artists is even higher than during the Great Yin Dynasty? Doesn't that mean..."
"If my dad knew I got into the elite class, wouldn't he be ecstatic?"
"Don't be too happy yet. Didn't you hear what Instructor Chen said? From now on, those who know martial arts and those who don't are two different kinds of people. With our current level of skill, what kind of martial artists are we?"
murmurs rose and fell, and everyone's face wore an expression that was a mixture of excitement and unease.
Fang Shuwen didn't say anything, quietly packed her things, slung her cloth backpack over her shoulder, and walked out of the classroom.
Xinwu.
He didn't know what this thing was.
But there was one thing he was very clear about.
Regardless of whether it's a new or old martial art, to become stronger you need resources, and to have resources you need money.
And right now, he's short of money.
The weekend arrived in the blink of an eye.
Fang Shuwen slept in late, a rare occurrence, and when he got up, the sun was already high in the sky.
As usual, Lao Fang wasn't in the house. There was a bowl of hot porridge and two steamed buns on the table, along with a dish of pickles.
He leisurely finished his breakfast, slung his cloth satchel over his shoulder, and went out the door.
Today he plans to set up a chess stall on East Street.
The money found on Liu Mang last time, plus the silver dollars stolen from Guo Ziming and his two rascals.
Although there is still some left, it's not a good idea to just sit around and do nothing.
Moreover, he still needs to save money to buy the Mysterious Jade.
After fusing with the Tengshe Fist, only two skill points remained.
To improve further, whether it's enhancing your skills or increasing your four core attributes, you'll need more skill points.
Skill points can only be obtained from Jade or similar items.
He walked along the familiar route to East Street, set up the chessboard at the old spot at the crossroads, sat down on the low stool, and put the sign up.
"In a game of chess, the winner gets one dollar, and the loser pays fifty cents."
The words on the sign were written by himself, in neat and tidy regular script with a brush.
After waiting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, instead of a guest, I met an acquaintance.
"Hey, young friend, setting up a stall here again?"
His voice was old but full of energy, with a smugness that made people grit their teeth.
Fang Shuwen looked up and couldn't help but twitch his lips slightly.
He wore a blue robe, carried a cane, and had a white goatee.
It was Zheng Yuanpei.
The old man seemed to be in a good mood today, wearing a brand-new silk robe and with his hair neatly combed.
The walking stick was replaced with a new one, with a piece of emerald green jade inlaid on the top, which sparkled in the sunlight.
"Sir, did you... come here specifically to see me?"
Fang Shuwen raised an eyebrow.
"Looking for you?"
Zheng Yuanpei raised his head and snorted.
"I'm just passing by, you know? Who would specifically come looking for a brat like you!"