In this world, there are always people who can find answers to complex and profound questions, but the simpler and more basic questions are more difficult to answer, because it is these simplest questions that are the real fundamental questions, such as why an apple falls to the ground, why the earth and soap bubbles are round, these questions are very simple, and those who can answer such questions are truly great people, because it is these simple questions that contain insights into the essence of the world...
Why does the spear's shaft have to be flexible or hard? This question also examines Yan Liqiang's understanding of the essential attributes of the spear as a weapon.
Even though Yan Liqiang had lived two lives and his mind was filled with a lot of scientific principles and what he considered to be extraordinary knowledge and experience, he still didn't know how to answer Li Hongtu's question after racking his brains for a long time.
Finally, Yan Liqiang could only say to Li Hongtu with some shame, "Master... I have never thought about the question you mentioned. When I practiced basic spear techniques before, I sometimes used an inelastic iron spear to practice arm strength, and I even got used to it. Now it seems that I am not getting the point..."
“To put it simply, basic spear skills are based on the three movements of blocking, grabbing and stabbing. On this basis, it has further evolved into changes such as chopping, collapsing, poking, wrapping and twisting. In fact, it’s not just spear skills. The basic training of other long weapons, such as spears, halberds, and halberds, is also roughly the same. So, there was actually no problem with your previous training with an iron spear. But if you want to really make great achievements in spear skills, you won’t succeed without understanding the principles of the spear you’re using!” Li Hongtu shook his head.
"Then Master, why do you think the gun barrel must be flexible and hard?"
Li Hongtu blinked at Yan Liqiang and said, "Tell me why your hands can be soft or hard, can be stretched or retracted, and why your ten fingers can be long or short, thick or thin?"
"This..." Yan Liqiang scratched his head.
Li Hongtu opened his hands and continued, "Human hands are the most delicate and important things in a person. If these two hands grow on a warrior, he can fight enemies, defend his country, and use all kinds of weapons. If these two hands grow on a chef, he can make all kinds of delicious dishes. If these two hands grow on a skilled craftsman, it will be even more amazing. Luxury mansions, gorgeous clothes, and exquisite utensils are all born from them. If a person has these two hands, he can change the world and dominate the world. Why? The hardness, extension, length, and thickness of the hands are all changes of yin and yang. With these changes, you can seize the opportunity of all things!"
As he spoke, Li Hongtu was already in high spirits, his eyes shining brightly.
These profound and enlightening words shocked Yan Liqiang's heart. He felt a flash of wisdom that instantly illuminated his heart, so clear and bright.
"Master, do you mean that the hardness and softness of the gun barrel, like the hardness and softness of the hand, can have changes of yin and yang?"
Li Hongtu looked at Yan Liqiang with burning eyes, "The softness and hardness of this spear is Yin and Yang. When fighting with the enemy, with the change of Yin and Yang, you can seize a ray of life and hold the power of life and death. With a spear in hand, you can travel the world and do what a real man should do. That's why the spear is called the king of hand-to-hand weapons. Everyone in this world knows that the spear is the king of all weapons, but there are only a few people who can really explain the reason. Most of them are just repeating what others say. Except for the spear, other weapons are either the general of all weapons, or the minister of all weapons, or the tyrant of all weapons, or the courage of all weapons, or the thief of all weapons. The king is only this spear!"
"Master, how do I master the yin and yang changes of this spear?"
“Just nine words: imprinted in the heart, communicated to the spirit, and put into practice with the hands!” Li Hongtu said seriously.
Yan Liqiang felt that the nine words Li Hongtu said were extremely profound. He could understand each of the nine words, but when they were put together, to be honest, he had no idea what they meant. It was too profound and beyond his understanding.
"Master, I don't know how I should do it."
"This is exactly the true skill of spearmanship that I am going to teach you. This is the real peerless spearmanship. As long as you master this, you will be able to understand all the countless spearmanship and moves in the world at a glance, just like a master painter looking at a child's graffiti. If you learn this method, you will be better than all other methods!"
Yan Liqiang was so excited by what Li Hongtu said that he couldn't wait to learn it. "Master, no matter what, I must learn this skill!"
"Hahaha..." Li Hongtu laughed, "Of course, you are my apprentice, I will force you to learn even if you don't want to, watch out..."
As he spoke, Li Hongtu had already taken the dragon-spine steel spear in his hand, then he half-squatted, holding the spear shaft with both hands, and began to shake. The dragon-spine steel spear began to vibrate as he shook, and along with it, Li Hongtu's arms and body also moved slightly in coordination with the vibration of the spear.
Li Hongtu just talked about the change of Yin and Yang as being so magical, but when he practiced it, it was so simple that even Yan Liqiang was shocked. Just with this one movement, not to mention Yan Liqiang, any teenager in his teens in the countryside would be able to do it after just one look.
Could such a simple method be used to develop peerless spearmanship? Yan Liqiang was deeply skeptical...
"Do you understand?" Li Hongtu asked Yan Liqiang.
"Master, I understand some of your movements, but I still don't know what mystery is there?"
"Were you doubting in your mind just now how you could develop the peerless spearmanship I told you about with just this one move?" Li Hongtu seemed to have already known what Yan Liqiang was thinking.
"Well... a little bit!" Yan Liqiang said a little embarrassedly.
"This is the true teaching in one sentence. False teaching is worth ten thousand books. The real peerless kung fu, those ordinary people think it is very complicated and difficult to practice, but in fact, it may not be as difficult as they think!"
"Master, is there any secret to practicing this?" Yan Liqiang asked cleverly.
“Hahaha, you’re a teachable kid. Of course I have the trick. Come closer and listen…” Li Hongtu winked at Yan Liqiang.
He looked like a peerless master just now, but in the blink of an eye, he turned into a cautious and sneaky old man. Yan Liqiang did not hesitate and put his ear close to him.
Even though there was no one around, Li Hongtu still looked around, then put his head close to Yan Liqiang's ear, stretched out a hand to cover his mouth and Yan Liqiang's ears, and a thin voice drilled into Yan Liqiang's ears, "Remember, there are only two tricks. The first is to keep your hands empty and your body relaxed. The second and most important trick is four words: concentrate on your ears!"
After saying this, Li Hongtu separated from Yan Liqiang, and his voice suddenly returned to normal, "Did you remember what I just said?"
Yan Liqiang nodded strangely, "I'll remember it!"
"Hahaha, just remember it. The first trick, if you shake the gun for a long time, you will gradually get the experience, and the most important thing is the second trick, you can only bury it in your heart, unless you accept a disciple in the future, otherwise you must not say it out. Those four words, others can't exchange them for a million taels of gold. The action I just did, ordinary people can learn it after just one look, it's not surprising, but the second trick I told you is the essence of practicing peerless gun skills. If you don't have the second trick, you can shake the gun for a lifetime, except for the strength of practicing farming, and you can't shake a bird. If you don't know the second trick, others will watch you and follow you to shake the gun for a lifetime, but they will never learn this real skill. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Master, don't worry. Unless I accept a disciple in the future, I will never pass this method to anyone else!" Yan Liqiang said seriously.
"Alas, there are too many people with bad intentions in this world. If they knew that it was so easy to master peerless spear skills, I don't know how much sin would be committed and how much karma I would have to bear. Moreover, this secret is the essence of my Chinese martial arts. If it is learned by other foreign races, it will be even worse. So we have to be careful. That secret cannot be written down and can only be passed on by word of mouth!" After saying this, Li Hongtu suddenly yawned and pointed to the pool under the waterfall. "From now on, you can come to the stone under the waterfall to practice every morning. Practice until noon every day and then..."
"Then Master, when will this be considered mastered..."
"Haha, I don't need to tell you whether you can practice it or not, you will know it yourself when the time comes. Well, I'm going to bed. I have taught you everything I should teach you, just practice slowly. By the way, Li Qiang, if you have time, please help me fix the thatched hut. There is a leak in one place..." After saying this, Li Hongtu yawned and walked towards the thatched hut, leaving Yan Liqiang alone there.
Yan Liqiang looked at the spear in his hand, and then at Li Hongtu who was walking away slowly. He felt that everything was so unreal...
(End of this chapter)