Chapter 108: To Make Killing The Enemy The Objective
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Two days later.
The New Student Training Hall.
Zhao Xuemei gave Fang Ping a curious look, he could not help but ask, “Hey, are you really going to challenge a senior student?”
“I was challenged.”
Fang Ping laughed as he continued his exercise. “You know as well, huh?”
“Of course, a rumor has been spreading around. People are saying you’re arrogant, that challenging new students wasn’t enough and now you’re challenging senior students!”
Fang Ping laughed bitterly. “They’re trying to make people hate me. I just broke through to Rank-1, where am I supposed to get the confidence to challenge a senior student?”
Zhao Xuemei found it weird and asked, “Then, why does everyone say so?”
“Some of the senior students are trying to give me trouble. Most of the new students did the same last time, it’s normal for them to jump on the bandwagon and add to the fiasco.”
Zhao Xuemei was not stupid, and he frowned upon hearing what he had to say, “So, it wasn’t you who went and challenged the others. Instead, it was the others who came and challenged you?”
“Yeah.”
“But you just broke through. Although you might be a little stronger than us, those senior students are no less than peak Rank-1s. Are you sure you can defeat them?”
“We’ll see…”
…
While the two of them were chatting, Lu Fengrou who was wearing a tracksuit walked in.
As she entered, she took a look at Fang Ping. She opened her mouth and said, “I’m aware of the situation. It’s a challenge you accepted by yourself, no one will try to stop you.
I thought you were someone who appreciated their own life. However, it seems like you’re no different from other people now.”
Fang Ping said in a low voice, “Since we’re both Rank-1s, I wanted to give it a try. It’s better than always being picked on.”
“Maybe.”
Lu Fengrou did not say much and dropped the topic. “I was looking for you guys today because you’re now true martial artists.
“Zhao Xuemei has honed 31 pieces of his lower limb bones.
“Fang Ping, you’ve been doing fine for the past 2 days. You should be done honing the first bone.
“As true martial artists, the biggest difference between you and aspiring martial artists is when you enter the battlefield. True martial artists can be part of the main force and the opportunity to lead the charge is also yours.”
“Battlefield?” Zhao Xuemei asked with a tone of suspicion.
However, Lu Fengrou did not give him an explanation. Instead, she continued talking, “So, at this time, martial artists need to learn how to kill and survive.
“As for the method of survival, there’s nothing else other than running away while defending yourself. However, based on your Rank-1 strength, it’ll probably be hard to escape while you defend yourself when you’re really in trouble.
“That’s why I’m going to teach you guys how to kill an enemy.”
“Basic Fist Technique and Basic Leg Maneuver, these two things are the most basic when it comes to fighting. Most importantly, they’re easy to learn and master.
“Basic combat techniques are simple too. However, if you focus too much on balance, it will limit your explosive strength.
“Today, I will teach you guys a set of powerful leg maneuvers that deal a lot of damage.”
Right after she had finished her sentence, Lu Fengrou let out a battle cry and kicked the solid wood pole that was next to her!
Bam!
A slight cracking sound was heard, but not much movement was seen.
Fang Ping and Zhao Xuemei quickly turned to look at the wooden pole. At that moment, Lu Fengrou pulled back her leg.
There was a hole left on the top of the wooden pole.
With one kick, she neither broke the wooden pole nor crushed it into pieces; she kicked a hole through it.
Fang Ping imagined what had happened for a moment. If that kick had hit a person, would it not have also left a hole through them?
However, Lu Fengrou was not proud of the amount of damage she had done. She said lowly, “What I just showed you is called ‘Puncture Kick’, and it’s one of a kind compared to all the other leg techniques. Its name may be tacky, but its damaging power is much higher than the basic leg technique!
“Condense your power at a single point!
“As martial artists, the first thing we hone is different parts of our bones. Therefore, those parts become harder!
“Condense your Vitality at a single point and let it explode from there. Together with your hardened bones, the power produced will be no less than a firearm’s!
“From its name, ‘Puncture Kick’, you guys should know its implied meaning. The key is to stab. With one leg, you can stab your opponent to death. That’s the purpose of this move!
“If you want to hurt your opponents, make their temple, throat, heart or crotch the main targets of your attack…”
Zhao Xuemei was taken aback and whispered, “Instructor, if the attack hits the spot, they’ll die, won’t they?”
Lu Fengrou shot a glance at her and snorted coldly. “Of course!”
“Combat techniques are killing techniques! Killing has always been its intended use from creation!”
“Listen now. I’ll teach you both the techniques of ‘force gathering’, ‘force condensation’, and ‘force expulsion’. I will also teach you their basic moves and moves linked to them.
“Once you’ve learned them, you can cultivate them daily.
“For Fang Ping, you can complement the move with a pair of leather shoes, the kind that has pointed tips…”
Hearing this, Fang Ping could not help but be stunned. He knew that Lu Fengrou was talking about the upcoming challenge.
Allowing him to wear a pair of pointed, hard leather shoes? It was hard to achieve the same formidable power Lu Fengrou had displayed when she demonstrated ‘Puncture Kick’. It was not easy to stab a person with one foot.
Lu Fengrou saw his blank expression and snorted. “Childish!
“Don’t take any challenge as child’s play. Once you’re in the arena, it’s a duel, a duel to the death!
“It doesn’t matter if the opponent is your classmate, your friend, or even your benefactor.
“One day, you and Wang Jinyang might even enter the arena together. Remember this, what you need to think about is how to defeat him and maybe kill him!
“You can choose to hold back as long as you won’t be affected!
“However, you must never think about withholding your strength before you enter the arena. If you do, you’ll be the one who ends up dead!
“It’s the same this time even though both of you are students, and it’s meant for you to learn from one another.”
Lu Fengrou paused for a while before she continued, “Just because it’s a friendly match, does that mean that there’s no possibility someone might die?
“In MCMAU, there are students who die every year because of friendly matches. There were times when we couldn’t stay their hand, and there were times where accidents happened.
“Sometimes, those accidents seem to be real. But whether or not they truly are, only the person who delivered the blow clearly knows for themselves.
“That’s how martial arts is. Accidents happen all the time. If the person says it was an accident, it was an accident!
“Since you’ve accepted a challenge, you need to prepare for it. It doesn’t matter if you intend to kill him or not. However, I’m sure that some people do not regard the match as a simple friendly match.
“Also, don’t expect me to help. I’m an instructor, and the students’ friendly matches are of their own volition.
“Instructors belong to the school and not to anyone personally!
“Can I kill a student if an accident happens? They are also my own students. Although I am slightly for you, that doesn’t mean I can pay for your life with someone else’s.
“Even if I did, then what? You’d already be dead. Would you care if the other person paid their life to you?”
Fang Ping nodded thoughtfully and then said softly, “Instructor, what if I’m unable to hold back my strength?”
Lu Fengrou coldly said, “If they’re dead, they’re dead. Not to mention, they were the ones who challenged you!”
Fang Ping did not say anymore, and Zhao Xuemei bit her lip before saying softly, “Instructor, they’re students…”
“Students?”
Lu Fengrou was somewhat dissatisfied, and she berated her. “Remember, MCMAU students are not students! From the first day you entered MCMAU, you stepped onto the line of life and death.
“This is the first and last time I’m reminding you all!
“Fang Ping, you can treat the challenge this time as a trial mission! If you come out unscathed, then everything’s fine. After that, the school and I will offer you a few simple missions. You can choose to accept or decline those missions.
“As for Zhao Xuemei, we’ll have to see!”
Lu Fengrou put an end to the off-topic conversation and then began to teach the two students the moves and techniques.
When Fang Ping learned leg techniques previously, it was through videos. Hence, he could only jot down what he did not understand and ask Wang Jinyang when they spoke with each other.
This was the first time he was being guided by a person on the scene itself.
Although Lu Fengrou seemed to be somewhat impersonal, she was more patient than Fang Ping had imagined; she repeated her explanations over and over again.
Whenever Fang Ping and Zhao Xuemei had questions to ask, Lu Fengrou answered them seriously.
As a Rank-6 martial artist, even though Lu Fengrou was not an expert in leg work, she was still stronger than most mid-rank martial artists in terms of understanding the aspects of each technique.
…
An hour later.
Lu Fengrou looked at Fang Ping weirdly and said, “Your perception isn’t bad!”
Compared to Fang Ping, Zhao Xuemei was a lot slower. However, in actual fact, Zhao Xuemei was not stupid. If she really were stupid, she would not have been able to cultivate all the way to her current level.
It was just that Fang Ping’s ability in terms of perceiving things was much greater. At times, even when Lu Fengrou had only explained once, Fang Ping was able to immediately grasp what was being taught. However, for Zhao Xuemei, Lu Fengrou had to explain it to her 3 to 5 more times before she could comprehend the move.
Perception and Mentality were closely related. Having strong spiritual power made it easier for Fang Ping to accept and digest what was being taught.
His slightly above 200Hz Mentality could even capture subtle movements including muscle peristalsis.
After having taught for more than an hour, Lu Fengrou felt a little tired. She turned to Fang Ping. “Demonstrate the move for me. I’ll correct you if there’s anything wrong.”
“Alright!”
Fang Ping was also eager to try it out. ‘Puncture Kick’ was actually quite similar to the leg techniques he had learned. The key was to be concise and to condense all the Vitality in the body at the feet before letting it explode.
Recalling what he had been taught by Lu Fengrou, Fang Ping released a huff. He stood on his left leg as he stretched his right leg outward. Then, as it traced an arc in the air, he kicked the wooden pole!
“Idiot!”
Lu Fengrou could not help but scold him. She was a Rank-6 martial artist. Hence, it was not hard for her to kick a wooden pole!
However, Fang Ping was only a Rank-1 martial artist. He was not done honing his right leg, and it was an authentic, solid wood pole. Not to mention, it was made from walnut wood which was one of the harder types of solid wood.
She had only let Fang Ping practice, not kick the pole.
BAM!
The sound of the kick was subtly different from Lu Fengrou’s kick. Fang Ping had jabbed out his foot, and the sound that erupted was loud!
The stationary pole shook a little. On the other hand, Fang Ping’s face was white, and he hurriedly squatted down. He breathed in a mouthful of cold air as he tried to sooth his leg.
Lu Fengrou did not bother with him and turned to face Zhao Xuemei who was stunned. Zhao Xuemei stood motionless next to her. “Martial artists not only need strength but also intelligence.
“Having a lot of strength but lacking in intelligence still makes you all brawn and no brains!
“You’d know just by looking at Fang Ping. If he wasn’t a thrice-honed and didn’t have high bone strength, it would have been very possible for the full-force kick to have broken his toe bone!
“That is the price of stupidity!”
Fang Ping, who had been regarded as a bad example, felt like crying. However, there were no tears on his face. Soothing his leg, he took a breath and then said, “Instructor, I just didn’t think that the wooden pole would be so hard…”
“No need to explain. The enemy won’t give you time to explain yourself!
“If you were facing an enemy just now, they would’ve killed you over and over again while you were in pain!”
Lu Fengrou continued, “You can first hone the bones in your feet since it has the most bones in regard to your lower limbs. They include the phalanx, humerus, and tibia.
“There are 26 pieces of bones in one foot itself. 5 pieces on each side of the humerus, 7 pieces in the tarsus, and 14 pieces in the phalanx.
“You’re used to using your right leg, so you can first hone those 26 pieces of bones.
“Once you’ve honed them, they’ll become like steel. Your meridians will also be strengthened. Not to mention, your skin will become tougher.
“At that time, it won’t be too hard for you to stab the pole with your foot.
“Also, once your pole-standing cultivation reaches a stable point, you must learn to use combinations. Your martial arts isn’t considered weak even though you’ve only achieved the firm stance stage of pole-standing.
“Don’t be stupid and just stand there. Put pole-standing to use. When you’re moving during a fight, you can use it as footwork.
“As part of the essentials in the basic martial arts course, pole-standing can be used in many ways. You haven’t developed enough ways to make use of it as of now.
“To get to a point in pole-standing to be named, “Tumbler”, it isn’t that easy. To not get beaten, it’s not asking you to take on the attack head first, it’s asking you to avoid, hide, dodge, and lessen…
“Even if you were hit by someone, lessen 90% of the force and the damage will be limited…”
Lu Fengrou continued to point out some of the mistakes Fang Ping had made when he was trying to execute the move. With that, the morning gradually passed.
Both Fang Ping and Zhao Xuemei were so engrossed with her guidance that they did not regain their senses until Li Fengrou had called it a day. She had stated that they would continue training the next day.
“Some of the benefits of being my student are obvious. You can practice hard without being worried about your Vitality consumption.
“You can look for me for Normal Vitality Pills when you run out, but you have to have made progress.
“If there’s no progress, it would be hard to advance further with only ordinary Vitality pills.
“I’ll conduct an assessment every day. If there are improvements, you don’t have to worry about the matter of Vitality supplements!”
After saying this, Lu Fengrou left. She shared no intention of having lunch with them.
Zhao Xuemei waited for her to leave. She felt a little lost and said, “Am I too stupid…”
Fang Ping could already perform it flexibly. Although it was a little stupid of him to have kicked the solid wood pole, there was still some damage power. At the very least, there was a not so shallow hole at the end of the solid wood pole.
As for her, she had only learned how to gather force. Her skill in condensing force was still a far way from being ready to be used in actual combat.
“You’re not stupid. There’s no need for you to compare yourself to others. Some people are just smart by nature…” Fang Ping consoled her.
Zhao Xuemei gave him a look and said, “Just you wait, I’ll definitely master it soon!”
“Hey…”
Watching her as she ran away, Fang Ping shook his head and sighed. “I was sincerely trying to comfort you. What an ungrateful woman!”
As he said that, Fang Ping touched the wooden pole and muttered, “The damage dealt is indeed much more than the basic leg technique. If I gather a little bit more force, the likelihood of death when I stab with the intention to harm will be much greater.
“The temple, throat, heart, and crotch are all parts that are difficult for Rank-1 martial artists to hone.
“If I change into a pair of pointed shoes, one foot down and they’ll be dead. At the very least, they’ll end up crippled…”
The question is, do I need to be that hard-hearted?
Fang Ping thought for a moment and then quickly made up his mind. He just had to prepare himself first. It was better than not being prepared.
Who knew if those people had other thoughts about him, it was hard to say. If they wanted to kill him, it was not entirely impossible.
…
At the same time.
MCMAU Martial Arts Society.
Qin Fengqing leaned against a chair as he yawned. “Boring, what a bunch of losers. They’re not thinking of seeking revenge from Wan Jinyang but from a new student. What a bore!”
Zhang Yu frowned and did not respond to his words. “I’ve had to train in isolation recently. The matter of the martial arts society will be handed over to Zhou Yan.
“The martial arts society is responsible for the students’ education. Zhou Yan, you have to put in more effort this time. Don’t let Fang Ping die in the arena.
“We’ll be in trouble if he dies.
“As for Qin Fengqing, just don’t cause trouble…”
After he had finished speaking, Zhang Yu became silent. On the other hand, Qin Fengqing lazily droned, “If Fang Ping kills other people, it’ll also cause trouble. This is so boring!”
“Him?”
Zhang Yu was silent for a moment. He shook his head and spoke further. Fang Ping had just broken through Rank-1. Some of Fang Ping’s challengers were students who had been defeated by Wang Jinyang before.
Those people had been peak Rank-1 martial artists since half a year ago. While they had not broken through to Rank-2, their strength had increased compared to before.
Wang Jinyang had not killed them and neither would Fang Ping.