NOVEL NEXT CHAPTER 62
Chapter 62: The Path of the Spear
Martial arts, in Lu Ming's eyes, were equivalent to skills, and skills translated directly to attribute points. Zhao Honglei’s background had piqued his interest, but with the aftermath of the zombie wave demanding everyone’s attention, Lu Ming had refrained from pursuing it.
Now that Zhao Honglei had taken the initiative, Lu Ming saw an opportunity to bolster his attributes. He made his request, and to his delight, Zhao Honglei and Zhao Yongchun readily agreed.
“If Mr. Lu is interested in our martial arts,” Zhao Honglei declared, “my son and I will gladly teach you everything we know.”
The Zhao family’s martial arts weren’t shrouded in secrecy. While the Zhao Family Spear technique was renowned in Nanxiang before the apocalypse, times had changed. In this new world, firearms reigned supreme. No matter how impressive a spear technique was, it couldn’t compete with the raw power of a bullet. The concept of a traditional martial arts world had become obsolete.
Lu Ming’s request was a welcome one for the Zhao family. It was a chance to forge a connection with the powerful Awakened, a potential lifeline in the harsh reality of the apocalypse.
Lu Ming, however, was impatient. “Let’s start now,” he urged, his eyes alight with eagerness.
The Zhao father and son, taken aback by his enthusiasm, readily agreed. “Whenever you’re ready,” Zhao Honglei replied. “We have plenty of time.”
The Red Thunder Martial Arts School specialized in spear techniques, specifically the Zhao Family Spear. Despite its unassuming name, it was a practical and effective combat style. However, its focus on practicality meant it had limited appeal in the pre-apocalypse world, resulting in a modest number of students and a struggling business. But now, in this new world, their skills held a different kind of value.
The training commenced immediately.
Lu Ming stood in the open space before his house, facing Zhao Yongchun. It was the son, not the father, who would be teaching him. According to Zhao Honglei, Zhao Yongchun had mastered the family’s techniques more thoroughly and was a better instructor. Whether this was the true reason or not, Lu Ming didn’t dwell on it.
Zhao Yongchun, his expression serious, addressed Lu Ming. “I believe Mr. Lu seeks more than just a superficial understanding of our martial arts.”
“Correct,” Lu Ming confirmed.
“In that case, we’ll skip the preliminary physical training and get straight to the point,” Zhao Yongchun continued. “Martial arts are about striking techniques, and the essence of striking can be summed up in two words: faster and stronger.”
He emphasized that this applied not only to striking but also to one’s overall physical abilities. “Traditional martial arts share similarities with the mixed martial arts that Wang Xiong practices. In real combat, the stronger fighter has a significant advantage. When one’s strength surpasses the opponent’s by a certain degree, techniques and skills become irrelevant.”
He cited the example of boxing and other combat sports, where the heavyweight divisions existed because the weaker fighters stood little chance against the physically superior ones.
Since Lu Ming already possessed immense strength, physical conditioning wasn’t necessary. Zhao Honglei handed him two long spears.
“The Zhao family specializes in spear techniques,” Zhao Honglei explained. “The ideal spear is four meters long and made of iron, but for practicality, our ancestors modified the technique to be used with a two-meter spear. However, the longer spear is generally more effective in combat, as it leverages the principle that power increases with size.”
Lu Ming gave the spear an experimental swing, the resulting sonic boom causing Zhao Yongchun to flinch.
“This spear is quite rigid,” Lu Ming remarked. “Not as elegant as they appear in TV dramas.”
Zhao Yongchun scoffed. “Those are for show, not for real combat. That brings me to the first key point of spearmanship: the essence of the technique.”
He paused for dramatic effect. “There is only one true attack in spearmanship—the thrust.”
Zhao Yongchun, spear in hand, stood opposite Lu Ming. “I believe,” he began, “that what Mr. Lu desires isn’t a mere physical exercise routine.”
“Indeed,” Lu Ming confirmed.
“Then let us dispense with the preliminaries and get straight to the essence of martial arts,” Zhao Yongchun declared, his eyes flashing with a warrior’s spirit. “Martial arts are about striking techniques, and the key to striking is simple: be faster and stronger.”
He emphasized that this principle extended beyond mere strikes to encompass all aspects of physical ability. “Traditional martial arts share a common ground with the mixed martial arts that Wang Xiong practices. In practical combat, strength reigns supreme. If your strength surpasses your opponent’s to a sufficient degree, technique becomes secondary.”
He explained the existence of weight classes in combat sports like boxing. “The weaker fighters rarely stand a chance against the stronger ones. It’s a matter of physics.”
Since Lu Ming already possessed extraordinary strength, physical conditioning was unnecessary. Zhao Honglei handed him two long spears, each a formidable weapon made of iron.
“The Zhao family practices spear techniques,” Zhao Honglei explained. “Ideally, the spear should be four meters long, but for practicality, our ancestors adapted the technique for a two-meter spear. However, the longer spear remains superior in combat due to its increased reach and power.”
Lu Ming gave the spear an experimental swing, the resulting sonic boom causing Zhao Yongchun to visibly flinch.
“This spear is quite rigid,” Lu Ming remarked, “not as graceful as those seen in TV dramas.”
Zhao Yongchun scoffed. “Those are for show, not for actual combat. This brings us to the first lesson: the essence of spearmanship.”
He paused for dramatic effect. “There is only one true attack in spearmanship – the thrust.”
Lu Ming raised an eyebrow. “But I thought we were learning martial arts?”
Zhao Yongchun laughed. “This is martial arts!” he exclaimed. “Many things seem mysterious until you encounter them firsthand. Traditional martial arts are essentially striking techniques, and most are not as effective as modern combat methods.”
He continued, “As for the ‘martial world,’ ‘inner strength,’ and the like… take those with a grain of salt. Perhaps inner strength existed in ancient times, but no one in the Zhao family has achieved it in recent history.”
Zhao Yongchun then addressed a common misconception. “There’s a misconception that martial arts are all about routines and forms. But in reality, true martial arts have no fixed routines. Every opponent and situation is different, so a rigid approach is useless.”
He outlined the core elements of spear fighting: footwork, parrying, and thrusting. “Parry for defense, thrust for offense. Master these, and the spear techniques will flow naturally.”
This explanation differed from Lu Ming’s expectations, but the logic was sound. Without fixed patterns, there could be no rote movements.
“So, you’re only teaching me the basics?” Lu Ming asked, wondering if he could learn just as well from instructional videos.
Zhao Yongchun smiled. “And finally, Mr. Lu Ming, I will teach you the foundation of the Zhao Family Spear and our most renowned technique: the Frosty Glow.”
End of Chapter 62