NIP Chapter 27: If you don't break through the mountain gate, you will break through yourself.
Chapter 27: If you don't break through the mountain gate, you will break through yourself.
"A project to make traditional Chinese martial arts more practical in real combat?"
Ma Cong repeated the term, his mind filled with doubt.
What kind of project is this? It sounds very prestigious, but what exactly does it involve? Chief consultant, chief instructor—aren't those titles a bit too grand?
"Hehe, young friend, do you think this name sounds a bit pretentious?" General Zhou, a former soldier, noticed his doubt and explained with a smile.
"To be honest with you, this project is really just a makeshift operation. It was only recently established. Including us old guys and some support staff, there are only about a dozen people at most."
"The initial intention behind establishing this project is what we just mentioned." General Zhou's expression turned serious. "We've been watching traditional Chinese martial arts decline day by day, and we're extremely anxious. Modern military combat training is increasingly leaning towards simple, efficient, and easily promoted fighting techniques, such as a combination of Sanda, boxing, and wrestling. This is correct; for ordinary soldiers, it's the fastest way to build combat effectiveness."
"However!" General Zhou's tone shifted, his voice rising slightly, "We've discovered a very serious problem. Our special forces have a very low win rate when engaging in combat exchanges with top foreign special forces!"
"Especially in unarmed combat, we have almost always been defeated."
General Zhou slammed his fist heavily on the stone table.
"Why? Our soldiers are no less physically fit or mentally strong than them! Our training is just as scientific and rigorous! So why are they just a little bit lacking when it comes to actual combat?"
"Later, we studied a lot of exchange videos and discovered a problem," Qin Zhenshan continued, "The core concepts of those top foreign martial arts, such as Krav Maga from Israel and Systema from Russia, are completely different from our Sanda and combat sports."
"Our combat sports are sports. They are sports conducted within the rules, with the goal of scoring points or knocking out the opponent."
"Their fighting style is a battlefield survival technique. Its sole purpose is to incapacitate the enemy, or even kill them outright, in the fastest and most effective way!"
"Eye gouging, groin kicks, chokeholds, joint locks... all the moves forbidden in the ring are part of their regular training." Qin Shan paused, his gaze fixed intently on Ma Cong. "Isn't this the 'killing techniques' that our traditional martial arts have always emphasized?"
Ma Cong understood instantly.
From its very inception, Chinese martial arts were not intended for performance or competition.
It is the most direct and cruel survival skill that the ancients summarized in the life-and-death struggles with humans and beasts on the battlefield.
Bajiquan's motto is "hard strikes and hard attacks, invincible."
Xingyiquan's principle is "hard strikes and hard advances, striking as if walking."
The core of these boxing principles can be summed up in one word—kill!
It was only in peacetime that, in order to preserve and promote it, the bloodshed was gradually diluted, and the constraints of "martial virtue" were added, transforming it into the "traditional martial arts" we see today.
Those fake masters, on the other hand, haven't even learned the basics; they just use an empty shell to swindle and deceive, turning "murder techniques" into "dance skills."
"We've realized this problem," General Zhou said in a deep voice. "We can no longer cling to the old methods of sports and combat. We need to rediscover what our ancestors left us—the things that can truly be used on the battlefield, things that can defeat the enemy in one strike!"
"So, we formed this group. We old guys have brought out all our best stuff, wanting to reorganize and establish a truly modern, practical combat system of Chinese martial arts that belongs to us."
"However, we've hit a bottleneck," sighed the old Baguazhang master. "We're all getting old. Our energy and stamina can't keep up anymore. Besides, we've practiced for a lifetime, and many things have become instinctive, something that can only be understood intuitively, not explained in words. Asking us to teach a group of young men in their twenties isn't very effective."
"They can't understand what 'jin' (internal strength), 'qi' (vital energy), and 'shen' (spirit) are," Master Zhang of Wudang shook his head and said. "They are more used to using muscle power. Asking them to practice standing meditation and breathing exercises is a waste of time for them. It's feudal superstition."
"Until we saw you," Qin Zhenshan concluded.
"You're young, you're the same age as them, there's no generation gap."
"Your strength is formidable; your combat experience is the best textbook, enough to shut anyone up."
"Most importantly, you not only understand the 'techniques,' but also the 'principles.' You understand the foundation of Chinese martial arts and know how to apply it. The force you used when fighting Li Jing and that Vietnamese assassin was completely different. This shows that you have reached a level of mastery where you can control your movements freely and at will."
"Therefore, we would like to invite you to be the chief instructor." General Zhou's eyes were filled with earnestness. "We need you to help us truly establish this system. We need you to train a group of top-notch soldiers who truly understand how to use martial arts in combat!"
"This is not just about winning back or saving face when communicating with foreigners."
"Moreover, it's for the security of our country! In the future, we may face even more complex and dangerous situations!"
General Zhou stood up and gave Ma Cong a solemn military salute.
"Comrade Ma Cong! On behalf of the 'National Martial Arts Heritage and Development Research Group,' I formally invite you to join us! Please accept our invitation for the sake of national martial arts and the nation!"
Elder Qin, Elder Dong, and Master Zhang all stood up, their eyes fixed intently on him.
The air seemed to freeze at that moment.
Ma Cong felt his blood starting to boil.
He considered many possibilities.
He thought the other party wanted him to play in competitions, become a brand ambassador, or simply be a cult of personality of some wealthy person.
But he never expected that the other party would give him such a stage.
A stage that is much larger and heavier than the UFC octagon, or any world champion's gold belt.
This is not about personal honor or disgrace, nor is it about money or fame.
This is the inheritance of traditional Chinese martial arts, and it is a necessity for the country.
He remembered his master's dying words.
"Traditional martial arts must not be lost in our generation."
He recalled the main quest of "rectifying the reputation of Chinese martial arts" when he activated the system.
He always believed that proving one's worth meant defeating those who doubted him and winning game after game.
Now he understands that true legitimacy is not about defeating a few people, but about restoring Chinese martial arts to its rightful status and value!
Let it become one of the forces protecting this country!
Is there anything more meaningful than this?
The answer instantly came to him.
He stood up, without returning the greeting or saying any polite words.
He simply looked at the four elderly people in front of him and asked the most practical question.
"What do I need to do?"
Upon hearing this, the four elderly people simultaneously showed relieved smiles.
They knew that the young man had agreed.
"No rush." General Zhou smiled and waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down. "Before we officially begin, we have a small 'test,' or rather, a 'pledge of allegiance,' which you need to complete."