newbobooks Chapter 184: Confessing the Truth
Chapter 184: Confessing the Truth
Chapter 184: Confessing the Truth
"Since you all passed the martial arts academy's exam, you must have all practiced. I want to ask you a question: what is the purpose of practicing martial arts?" Chen Feng asked the 29 students.
The 29 students looked at each other, but no one answered. Chen Feng pointed at the little girl and said, "You answer, what is the purpose of practicing martial arts?"
The little girl was wondering why Chen Feng had become a teacher, but then Chen Feng called on her to answer a question. What was this all about? Was he setting a trap for her? The little girl was very indignant.
“Hey classmate, don’t be shy, just speak up, it’s okay,” Chen Feng continued.
When she was called on again, more than 20 classmates looked at the girl. With everyone's eyes on her, the girl suddenly had a bad feeling. If she didn't answer Chen Feng's question, something bad would happen.
"Teacher, my purpose in practicing is to become stronger," the little girl replied.
“Hmm,” Chen Feng nodded, “To become stronger, what about you? Do you practice to become stronger?” Chen Feng asked loudly.
"Yes," more than 20 students answered at the same time.
"Okay, what's the most important thing in kung fu?" Chen Feng asked again.
One boy raised his hand, but Chen Feng waved his hand and said, "No need to raise your hand, just answer."
The boy said, "It's strength; one force can overcome ten techniques."
"No, it's speed. What's the use of having great strength if you can't hit anyone?" someone disagreed.
"No, it should be technique. Grappling techniques that utilize the principle of leverage can enable the weak to defeat the strong."
Chen Feng nodded. "You're all right. I also have an answer, but it's a combination of yours. There's no superiority or inferiority in techniques; it's the skill level that matters. No matter what you practice, skill level is fundamental. It includes strength, speed, technique, endurance, and so on. So, if you really want to become stronger, you must practice diligently and not try to take shortcuts. There are no shortcuts on the path of learning. Do you all understand?"
"Understood." All 29 students answered at the same time, and they all agreed with Chen Feng's view.
After explaining some basic knowledge to the students, Chen Feng dismissed the get out of class, and the students went home. A little girl, blushing, secretly approached Chen Feng and asked, "Brother Chen Feng, why did you stay behind? Why did you become a teacher at the academy? Can you tell me?"
Chen Feng looked at the little girl with her rosy cheeks and asked, "What do you think is the reason?" Chen Feng did not answer but asked the little girl a question instead. In Chen Feng's opinion, there must be a reason why the little girl's face was so red. She must be thinking about something.
"I..." the girl said shyly, "Never mind, I'm leaving."
Chen Feng smiled helplessly. Why did this sound like they were dating? Actually, Chen Feng had a reason for staying; it wasn't simply to help the girl. Chen Feng felt that the martial arts academy was hiding some secret, and he decided to stay to clear up his doubts.
After dismissing his students, Chen Feng decided to take a stroll around the martial arts academy while everyone was away, hoping to uncover some secrets hidden within its walls. He wandered aimlessly through the courtyards, idly exploring the academy.
Suddenly, a figure flashed through his sight. Chen Feng warily looked ahead. A masked man blocked his path. Before Chen Feng could speak, the man attacked, striking with incredible speed. Chen Feng had no way to dodge and had to meet the attack with his own palm. The two palms collided, and Chen Feng knew his opponent was no ordinary person; their skill might even surpass his own.
Seeing that his first palm strike failed, the masked man launched another, aiming straight for Chen Feng's face. Chen Feng dodged to the side of the masked man. Upon seeing this, the masked man hurriedly changed his attack direction, striking behind him with a palm strike that collided with Chen Feng's palm strike aimed at the masked man's back. Chen Feng frowned. This masked man seemed to know his move. Could it be that he was there when the little girl was competing?
The masked man leaped forward, aiming a kick straight for Chen Feng's head. Chen Feng, not daring to be careless, also leaped up and exchanged a kick with the masked man. The two activated their spiritual power, their hands and feet colliding as they slowly rose upwards, until they realized they could not win against each other, at which point they both stopped. The two descended from the sky, standing face to face.
The masked man removed his mask, and Chen Feng was shocked to see his face. This man was none other than the dean of the Martial Arts Academy.
"Dean, what's going on?" Chen Feng asked.
The dean said, "My purpose is very simple: I just want to know who you really are, and what tactics that girl used during the admissions process?"
Chen Feng had been wondering why the dean wanted him to be a teacher at the Martial Arts Academy. The dean's actions today cleared up his doubts. In other words, the dean had intentionally prevented the young girl from passing because he suspected her fighting style and feared someone might harm the academy. Knowing of Chen Feng's appearance, the dean changed his mind and, in order to keep him at the academy to investigate further, agreed to let the young girl stay.
"I understand, Dean. I'll tell you everything, but I hope you can keep it a secret for me," Chen Feng said sincerely.
The dean nodded. "As long as you tell the truth and pose no threat to us, I will keep your secret. I promise not to tell anyone, so don't worry."
Chen Feng nodded. "Alright, then I'll tell you. Actually, I am the only descendant of the Chen family, the only ancient martial arts empire in the world. I came down the mountain to find out the truth behind the massacre of the Chen family. As a result, I was accidentally brought into the Martial Arts Association by Mr. Lu Tianzhang. I came here to do some business, met the young lady, and went through life and death together. We can be considered friends who have been through thick and thin together."
She reached the age to learn martial arts and planned to apply to a martial arts academy, so I came to see her off. Unfortunately, someone attacked me on the way, and I subdued him. The person who attacked me was also an applicant for the martial arts academy, and coincidentally, he was the girl's opponent. Afraid of losing, she pestered me, insisting that I teach her a couple of moves. If I refused, she would make a huge fuss.
I had no choice but to teach her one move, which I named Xingyi Gale Palm, meaning that the key to the move is its free and unpredictable changes, but speed is its foundation. I told her that the contestants' internal energy was roughly the same, and since I couldn't improve her internal energy in a short time, I could only teach her some techniques. I also told her that palm techniques and footwork are not absolute; as long as it can defeat the enemy, the move can be changed at will. When she used it in the ring, she didn't completely follow the rules; she made her own modifications. That's roughly it.”
From the moment Chen Feng began speaking until he finished, the dean kept a close eye on Chen Feng's eyes, facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and even the relaxation of his muscles. In the world of business, reading between the lines is an essential skill, especially for a seasoned veteran like the dean.