novelz
Chapter 77 - 77 Sharing Experiences
Chapter 77 - 77 Sharing Experiences
Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Sharing Experiences
Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Sharing Experiences
Li Ang could feel that the person was beginning to become somewhat dissatisfied with him, but he could also understand their misunderstanding of him.
He performed a set of basic movements of Tongbei Quan and then stood with his hands clasped behind his back, quietly waiting for his evaluation.
But at this moment, Zhao Zhengxi seemed as if the pause button had been pressed on him, and after a full minute had passed, he finally began to speak slowly:
“What is your relationship with Hua Tianming?”
“I guess you could call him a half-teacher, he has given me a few pointers.”
Zhao Zhengxi laughed at himself a little and then said:
“When he was forty, his level of mastery in Tongbei Quan was not as good as yours. You look like you’re no more than twenty years old, right? The younger generation is indeed formidable!”
Although Zhao Zhengxi didn’t practice Tongbei Quan, he was quite a good friend of Hua Tianming, and the two had exchanged knowledge quite a bit. Although they could not be described as masters, he could generally tell how well one’s boxing technique was practiced.
“I owe you an apology. I just thought you were a bit out of line, but it seems now it was my short-sightedness.”
As he spoke, Zhao Zhengxi clasped his hands at Li Ang as a gesture of apology.
“The martial arts I just mentioned are basically available on the internet or in bookstores, and the differences between different versions aren’t too significant.
“However, Yijin Jing is relatively the most complicated, it can be said to be a compilation of most health cultivation methods, incorporating the physical movements of Baduanjin and Wuqinxi, as well as the breathing techniques of Liuzi Jue.
“I have a copy of the chapter-format here, which I will give to you later. I have been studying from this copy myself, though progress has always been slow.
“This book records the oldest proven methods of practice, while other versions mostly incorporate the authors’ own interpretations, making them relatively easier for beginners to start with. The choice is up to you.”
Li Ang also responded with a clasped hand salute, “Then I’m very grateful to Master Zhao.”
Although a myriad of martial arts versions can be found online, much of the information is disorganized and useless. Some obscure or rare versions are not easy to find.
“By the way, Master Zhao, if I may be so bold to ask, which Sideways Training Martial Arts do you practice? I have some questions in this area that I would like to seek your advice on.”
Zhao Zhengxi revealed a confident smile, and even the volume of his reply was louder than before.
“What era are we in now? The martial arts someone practices isn’t a secret at all. What I am practicing is precisely the Shaolin Temple’s ‘Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training’. It’s somewhat embarrassing! This martial arts text contains so many aspects that I’ve spent decades on it and have barely achieved some success.”
Hearing this, Li Ang’s eyes lit up.
“That’s a great coincidence, Master Zhao. I happen to be practicing that too, so it seems I’ve found the right person to talk to.”
Zhao Zhengxi was clearly surprised and said with some emotion:
“Young man, you really have courage. To diligently practice Tongbei Quan for so many years and even dare to supplement with Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training, and now you still want to add Yijin Jing, I really don’t know what to say.”
“But since you have the courage, I, Old Zhao, cannot fall short. Ask whatever you wish, and I will definitely answer all your questions. Don’t worry, I won’t charge you any tuition fees.”
Other things he might not be sure of, but when it came to Sideways Training, he was definitely an expert, not to mention practicing the same martial art.
As the two of them were talking, a tall Asian man in his twenties suddenly appeared behind them, holding a plate of sliced watermelon.
“Master, who is this?”
“Oh, this is a fellow enthusiast introduced by Master Hua, who came to discuss some cultivation issues with your master.”
Having finished, Zhao Zhengxi turned to Li Ang and said:
“This is my disciple, Jiang Dahai, from Hong Kong Island.”
“Perfect timing, we were just discussing Sideways Training Martial Arts, and he has some doubts. You can help him with a demonstration, and meanwhile, listen to my answers.”
After nodding to acknowledge him, Li Ang then said:
“My question is actually quite simple, probably something most people practicing Sideways Training Martial Arts will encounter. That is, when you train to a certain stage and your body’s ability to withstand blows improves, the original training methods become ineffective, or their effectiveness greatly diminishes. What should you do in this situation?”
“Wait, hold on, let me straighten this out.”
Zhao Zhengxi looked utterly perplexed.
“Are you saying that you’ve reached a point where the methods taught in the books no longer work for you? No, how many years have you been practicing?”
“Uh… Indeed, I have been training for quite some time.”
Zhao Zhengxi’s barrage of questions almost shook Li Ang’s confidence, and he felt uncomfortable admitting that he had only been training for nearly a month. Not wanting to lie, he chose a vague response.
Zhao Zhengxi scratched his head and replied:
“As for your question, it’s not that it’s wrong to ask. Indeed, there is such a situation. However, I only encountered this problem recently myself. Could it be you’ve bought a fake book, or maybe you’re practicing in the wrong manner?”
Li Ang frowned, “That might indeed be a possibility.”
Although he had already achieved mastery in Martial Arts, it didn’t mean the book he had bought was flawless; it’s possible some of the training methods had been deliberately simplified by the author.
As long as he got past the beginner stage, he could gradually increase his proficiency, and he really wouldn’t be affected much by a few sections of content, whether they were good or bad.
“How about this, show me how you usually practice, and I’ll see if it’s the same version as what I practice.”
“No problem, my main issue with slow improvement is with some of the exercises that rely on body weight, like Iron Head Skill, for instance.”
While talking, Li Ang found a flat, large stone and promptly supported himself with both hands in a handstand, using his head.
“I’ve been focusing on Iron Head Skill lately too, we could compare…”
Master Zhao’s disciple, Li Dajiang, had barely started speaking when he saw Li Ang supporting his entire body on his head, on the stone.
Isn’t iron head skill practiced on the ground, buddy?
It was only because of his recent effective training that Zhao Zhengxi allowed him to switch to wooden boards.
But a stone? What the heck?
The surface of the stone might appear flat like soil, but the difference is significant. Soil has a certain level of malleability, as the pressure from the head compresses it, leading to changes in the contact area with the head, which effectively reduces the pressure.
However, stone does not deform, and during a headstand, the contact area is barely larger than the size of a palm, which makes the pressure quite terrifying. Many people can’t handle kneeling on their knees for a while, let alone using their head.
“We could compare… the differences in training methods.”
Jiang Dahai corrected himself just in time. Originally, he had meant to see who could endure longer, but now it was apparent there was no basis for comparison.
Unbeknownst to him, once Li Ang supported his body with his head, he didn’t just stay still. Instead, he used his hands to generate lateral force, causing his body to rotate.