Chapter 48: The muscles must loosen, the pores must attack (2/2)

Wang Chao had felt this was a tad strange.

Seeing the strange look in Wang Chao’s face, Zhu Jia could only laugh. “Grandfather Li maintains the tradition from the revolution. He doesn’t like a luxurious life, so if we were to call a taxi he would hate that.”

“Oh!” Wang Chao replied with some shock before thinking about the elder with even more respect.

On the subway, Wang Chao had inquired to Zhu Jia about her grandfather without pause, From what she told him, the elder had been a prime minister once before becoming a guard. But now he resided within the Beijing military district for the rest of his years.

Soon enough, the two had reached the destination. Getting off the subway, they began to walk on the road. Not too long later, they had came across the majestic military courtyard with armed soldiers standing guard menacingly.

“This is a part of the military district, inside this place has many retired elderly people.” Zhu Jia explained before giving a phone call.

A moment later, Wang Chao’s eyes began to shine as an elderly person walked out from between the gates.

This elderly person’s steps had been calm but decisive. It was slow, but it was also very fast at the same time. When he saw Zhu Jia and Wang Chao, he waved his hand before walking straight over.

Wang Chao and Zhu Jia both welcomed him by moving closer as well. By the time there was only 10 steps between them, Wang Chao could already see the man’s appearance.

The elder had grizzly hair that was combed nicely. While his skin wrinkles were bulging, he didn’t have the puffiness normally seen in an elder’s face. He wore a regular looking gray robe and had clothe soles on his feet.

This appearance had given him a straightforward and tranquil appearance.

“Grandfather Li!” Zhu Jia cried out enthusiastically.

Wang Chao had called out as well. For a person like him, he had to be courteous and respectful.

“Jia Jia, is this the youngster you’ve told me about?” The elder gave a glance towards Wang Chao.

Starting with a shock, Wang Chao quickened his pace, “Senior, I have been rude.” With that, he extended both hands forever and raised them.

When the elder saw Wang Chao move, his eyes lit up in satisfaction, “Good! What a pure stance!” With that, he brought both of his hands up against Wang Chao’s.

The two men brought their hands together, causing Wang Chao to suddenly feel the elder’s pores straighten up almost as if he was pressed against a thousand iron needles. Each one pointed sharply at his own skin. It was at this moment he had realized the elder’s Chinese boxing had already reached the Hidden Jin stage. Whether or not it was the Transforming Jin stage, he didn’t know, but he did know that it was a far distance away from his own.

“Senior is far too outstanding, I have lost.” Wang Chao spoke honestly.

What Wang Chao had just done was the proper etiquette from the former Wulin circles. In the past, people of the Wulin wouldn’t need to fight each other in order to test their strength; all they needed to do was to press hands against each other.

If they truly wanted to compete, then it would be a battle to the death.

In the past, scholars of martial arts would just need to press hands in order to tell who was weaker or if they shouldn’t act rashly. But this way had caused the foreign martial artist world to say that Chinese Wushu was nothing more than a fake facade.

Only the person who drinks the water would know whether or not it is cold or hot. If one wanted to establish who was superior, then they would use their fists.

Chinese boxing was not meant to see who was stronger than the other or separate life from death. Death was a major thing, and so everyone was cautious regarding it.

“How many years have you practiced?” The elder nodded his head in satisfaction.

“I begun learning the Horse Stance last December. Right now it has been two years and a half month.”

“Two years!” The elder cried out in shock, “Who is your master?”

“My master’s martial arts had reached a level where the water does not reach past the knee. However, after teaching me for a year, even I don’t know where she has gone to. Thus, I have practiced by myself.”

“Not reaching past the knee?! That is the pinnacle of the Transforming Jin stage!” The elder was stupefied. “I had no idea there would actually be such a person like that! Have I aged? I’ve surely aged!” The elder knew of the rules of the Wulin and inquired no more.

“Youngster, your martial arts is quite decent. In just two years, you have reached the Clear Jin stage. Even though your master is extremely talented, it is upon the disciples potential in order for their strength to be brought out.”

Shaking his head, Wang Chao replied, “I am still lacking a lot. Even with the pressing of our hands, I am not yet able to react subconsciously and breakthrough naturally.”

“Break out naturally.” The elder thought for a moment before looking at Wang Chao, “Do you wish to know the cause?”

“Of course!” Wang Chao spoke.

“The classics of martial arts say: The muscles must loosen, the skin and hair must attack. Step by step, the two should string together with an empty spirit.” The elder spoke. “Your pores must be able to become like iron as it attacks while keeping the heat in control. But this is only the “Pores Must Attack” stage. Against an enemy, your muscles must loosen at the same time. When learning the fist, you must maintain a Yin and Yang balance like a copper ball with mercury within it. Hard exterior soft interior, open and close. Burning Yang and Sealed Yin must be cultivated, and in that moment of killing will you breakthrough naturally. Your subconscious movements will then be faster than anyone else by one step.”

“So the mercury and copper balls had that meaning!” Wang Chao realized.