章節 39: He's Not Going to Succeed
編輯: Nyoi-Bo Studio
With the sword drawn out of its hilt, Chi Qiaosong gripped the hilt tightly with a serious expression.
Unlike when he learned the Yu Sword Skill, Kong Hongcai had the young boy practice with a real sword right away. "The Yu Sword Skill is meant for children. The White Rainbow Sword, on the other hand, is meant for killing. Would it make sense to practice such a skill using a wooden sword?"
The instructor then performed the movement for Chi Qiaosong first before infusing his hidden strength into the iron sword. The sword started to vibrate as he said, "You've only mastered the visible strength. You can cause an outburst of power with that strength, but you don't know how to hide it. That'll make it harder for you to learn this."
"I have the time."
"You're right. You're still young after all." The instructor looked at the boy's young face and smiled.
Kong Hongcai had taught Chi Qiaosong for a long time. However, despite the young kid being the first to attain the Wrestler Plane among his peer, the adult never once treated him as a talent due to how awkward he was with his training.
However, the kid was still 15 years old after all and would be considered a genius.
"Self-confidence is the most important thing in martial arts training. You've done well on this. Don't ever lose that."
"I won't."
"We'll learn the first form of the White Rainbow Sword, which is the Sun-piercing White Rainbow. This is actually a reflection of an actual event in the past. It's about how an assassin went all out with his one strike to repay kindness. The first form focuses on sending something out without expecting it to come back."
The movement of the first form was simple, but the usage of the user's strength was very meticulous.
Although Kong Hongcai wasn't the strongest, his teachings were very clear. "Since you only know how to use visible strength, the first form is perfect for you. The first few forms focus on the same concept, and you'll only start to move toward having defenses up during attacks and eventually to the point where defense is the best attack. It'll be extremely hard for you if you can't use your internal strength by then."
That was what Chi Qiaosong was looking for.
Since he could just master an entire skill by fertilizing the bay tree, martial arts with a clear separation between visible and hidden strengths were the most suitable to help him advance to the next plane. "Mr. Kong, I'm quite a slow learner. Is it okay if I take my time learning the first form?"
"That's not a problem. Being slow is okay as long as you work hard."
"Working hard is my motto!"
A few days later, Chi Qiaosong was summoned to Hao Bozhao's office.
"Are you learning the White Rainbow Sword from Kong Hongcai?" the chief instructor asked with a deep frown.
Chi Qiaosong did not expect Hao Bozhao to realize it that quickly. Although the academy did not prevent the students from learning other martial arts, it did encourage them to stay true to the skills they had chosen.
"I have not given up on the Fierce Tiger Heavy Fist, sir. I'm just trying to use the White Rainbow Sword as a reference."
"This is absurd!" Hao Bozhao scolded. "Do you even know how to reference another skill? Are you trying to run before you can even walk? Martial arts aren't as simple as you think. What makes you think you can succeed if you can't be consistent? How are you sure that the Fierce Tiger Heavy Fist does not suit you? Most would take three to five years to realize that! Don't think that you're special just because you got into the Wrestler Plane just a few months after you started learning and think that the Warrior Plane is the same. So what? Are you thinking of becoming a Knight Plane martial artist in three years? Do you know that you are nothing compared to the children of prestigious families?"
Chi Qiaosong felt a little awkward getting scolded by the instructor. However, he did not get infuriated by it, nor did he change his mind. In the end, he understood that Hao Bozhao was doing his job as an instructor.
However, the young boy was still a little angry from getting yelled at.
He took a deep breath to calm himself down and said, "Sir, I promise you I'll continue to do my best to learn the Fierce Tiger Heavy Fist, but I'm not going to stop learning the White Rainbow Sword either."
"Are you dumb or what? What do I have to do to make you understand?" Hao Bozhao roared.
"I understand what you mean, and I can tell you want me to succeed. But, I know the path that I should take." Chi Qiaosong pointed at his brain. "I don't have any talent, but I'm good at understanding a skill. That's why learning different martial arts is the only path that I can take."
It was rare for Hao Bozhao to run into a student or a disciple who would argue back. That stunned the instructor a little, and it took him a while to react.
"I thought you were a kid who would listen to advice. It looks like you are just another arrogant one... Technically, the New Right Society has approved your application. You'll be monitored for a few days. Learning different skills at once is a martial art's taboo. The assessment team might deem you unworthy of joining the organization."
"The assessment team?"
Chi Qiaosong had close to zero understanding of how the New Right Society worked and never paid any attention to the organization. It was his first time hearing that he would be monitored and assessed.
Yet he wasn't worried about it. "Sir, just give me a few days. Then, I'll ensure you are satisfied with the result in October."
"My satisfaction isn't the point here. I don't care what I get from teaching you. My job here is to ensure the assessment team is satisfied." Hao Bozhao sighed and waved his hand. "Whatever, you've paid your tuition fees after all, and you aren't even my disciple. You can do whatever you want. At least think about what I've said today."
Since their opinions were conflicted, there was nothing more to say between them. The young boy was confident that everything would change once October arrived. "Then, I'll take my leave first, sir."
After the student had left, the instructor took a deep and long sigh before leaving too.
As the chief instructor of the academy, he would still need a few merits to hold that title. However, as Chi Qiaosong was able to advance to the Wrestler Plane at the age of 15, he was sure that the young boy was a talented individual.
That was why, deep in the instructor's heart, he wanted Chi Qiaosong to succeed.
That was why seeing Chi Qiaosong juggling between two martial arts annoyed the instructor. If the young boy were his disciple, he would've punished him.
Hao Bozhao returned home with pent-up anger.
When his wife returned home and saw his angry expression, she asked, "What's wrong? Did you fight with the society members again?"
"No! We would still keep up a peaceful appearance even if we secretly hate each other."
"Then, what's with that expression?"
"Because there's no good student in the academy! It's embarrassing!"
"I thought you fancied Chi Qiaosong? You even invited him here. I even thought you were going to take him in as your disciple. He's a good lad, though. The only problem is that he doesn't like to work."
"He's not going to succeed."
The argument with Hao Bozhao did not affect Chi Qiaosong. He still went to learn the White Rainbow Sword from Kong Hongcai every day and spent the rest of his time at the First Ridge.
He would hunt, study, train, and teach every day.
And October arrived just like that.
Chi Qiaosong took the bag of fertilizer out of his storage and used it on the bay tree. He watched as the fruit that represented the Fierce Tiger Heavy Fist matured.
He plucked the fruit and ate it.
A warm wave of energy surged throughout his body while knowledge of martial arts entered his brain. It was as if he was watching a replay while his body moved along it.
-- 收到的禮物