Chapter 257: Martial arts

Li Qi chatted with Brother Guo for half an hour, recording every detail, before the Peng Hai Cauldron reluctantly let Li Qi leave.

Before leaving, he kept repeating, "Brother Li, from now on, just consider me your older brother. In this Imperial Academy, I'll look out for you!"

"Come to my place for meals from now on! I won't charge you. If you get into trouble outside, just say I'm your brother."

"Good brother, remember to visit often! Eat more!"

Saying these words, he reluctantly sent Li Qi away.

Li Qi left the operating room and returned alone to the gourmet world outside.

Outside, Liu Canzhi, whose face was purple and stiff, and who had vomited a terrible mess but had more or less cleaned himself up, was waiting for Li Qi.

"Brother Li… Brother Li." He was very loyal; even though he could barely stand, he hadn't run away.

Seeing this, Li Qi felt a bit embarrassed and apologized repeatedly, "Sorry, sorry, I really didn't expect something like this to happen. Brother Liu suffered."

Liu Canzhi shook his head helplessly, knowing no one was to blame. He could only sigh, "Forget it, there's nothing that can be done about this kind of thing. By the way, Brother Li, do you really think that stuff was delicious?"

"Yes, I think it was alright." Li Qi nodded.

"...Are you a Human Race? Not like a Lord of Pestilence, right?" Liu Canzhi scrutinized Li Qi from head to toe, his expression quite subtle.

"Should be, I guess?" Li Qi didn't know how to explain, as he himself wasn't clear about what was going on.

"Alright then... Anyway, you're a special recruit, so it's normal to have some unique qualities. Let's go, Brother Li, let's go see other places." Liu Canzhi shook his head and didn't press the matter.

Li Qi, however, was somewhat surprised by his reaction: "Brother Liu, you're not going to ask for details?"

"Why ask for details? You and I are classmates, not blood brothers. Do you know my foundation? Everyone comes to Imperial Academy to study, not to check household registers. I only know that your Spiritual Tool helped me a lot. Is there anything else I need to know?" Liu Canzhi spread his hands, looking indifferent.

Upon arriving at Imperial Academy, everyone was already at the eighth rank. In the outside world, they were considered influential figures, so they wouldn't be brainless.

Why ask so many questions? What, are you enforcing the law? Even law enforcement needs a license. We're just classmates, no need.

"You're right, then let's do that. Let's go see other parts of Imperial Academy." Li Qi felt relieved and nodded.

"Alright, we've seen the cafeteria. Next, let's go see the classrooms. Let's start with the compulsory classes. Let me see, the first compulsory class... First Aid, let's go, let's go! Let's set off!"

Liu Canzhi regained his enthusiasm and stepped forward.

After two steps, he suddenly stumbled and immediately bent over.

"Ugh!!"

Well, the after-effects were still there.

Regardless of Liu Canzhi's physical condition, Li Qi proceeded to tour the entire Imperial Academy.

Imperial Academy had four compulsory subjects: First Aid, Defense, History, and General Knowledge.

These four subjects were mandatory for everyone, while other courses varied from person to person, chosen according to one's own Dao, but at least eight had to be selected, with no upper limit.

Each classroom was a separate miniature heaven and earth or grotto-heaven, equipped with various suitable facilities, or whose original flora, fauna, and environment were already ideal for teaching.

For students with unique backgrounds, there was specialized instruction.

The teaching within was also very scientific, formal, and rigorous.

There were absolutely no foolish practices like throwing students out to fight for their lives and let them grow on their own.

Humans can learn things they have never experienced through study. Learning to avoid traps doesn't require personally stepping on them to try, and knowing that jumping off a cliff will kill you doesn't require actually jumping to learn.

Those who can't learn without suffering losses are brainless mediocrities.

Imperial Academy did not accept such fools.

Practices like throwing students into primeval forests or other dangerous places to survive and fight their way out, or extreme training to force students to Breakthrough, were not seen at Imperial Academy.

Teachers would precisely measure your limits, then use rigorous and systematic methods to help you test them little by little, absolutely never forcing you to desperately Breakthrough with brute force.

Everything was so precise.

Even the Martial Dao was like this. During his tour, Li Qi also saw some Martial Artists practicing their swordsmanship.

They weren't practicing swordplay through some mystical means like comprehending the sword, or killing, or understanding nature, but rather by learning formulas...

A group of rough, muscular men were learning formulas...

A Dao of Reason teacher seemed to be working overtime, explaining to them what 'the most concise movement of a rectangular geometric body of fixed length in a complex space' was, as well as 'quick mental calculation methods for torque'.

Regarding this, Liu Canzhi's explanation was: "Isn't that how it is when you have teachers to help you learn? If you practice swordplay yourself, wouldn't all of this have to be accumulated through experience? Now, you directly calculate the result, and then just familiarize yourself with it through muscle memory. Why do you still have to practice swordplay to death? Isn't that foolish?"

Although Li Qi found it somewhat counter-intuitive, he thought about it carefully and had to admit that it made a lot of sense.

Under the guidance of the Dao of Reason, such things were entirely possible.

The control of the sword didn't require slowly accumulating experience in actual combat; the methods and results could be directly told to them in one go, and then they would commit them to muscle memory.

The effect of this was even more useful than those battle-hardened veteran swordsmen.

Because a veteran swordsman's experience might be wrong, but a calculated result can absolutely not be wrong.

Past experiences can deceive you, but mathematics will not deceive you.

It was quite practical.

In addition, including Physical Body training, calorie calculation, fighting methods, and even more mystical cultivation like 'Killing Intent' and 'Sword Intent', all had a complete and feasible set of methods.

However, Li Qi basically only toured the Martial Dao; he couldn't see other Daos.

Because Martial Dao had no holidays, they practiced at school even during holidays, pure workhorses.

Because if they didn't practice for even one day, they would immediately create a noticeable gap with other students.

How much you exerted yourself each day, and how you exerted yourself, would be truthfully reflected in your body parameters. The teacher could tell at a glance if you had been lazy yesterday.

A Martial Artist must be consistent for a hundred years, practicing daily without fail, until practicing martial arts becomes as natural as breathing.

The Martial Dao primarily emphasizes resources, and secondarily perseverance.

Resources were not a concern; the school provided plenty, whatever was needed for consumption.

Perseverance, however, was entirely up to oneself. Even during the holidays, when others were off having fun at home, these workhorses still had to stay here and train continuously.

Li Qi felt somewhat fortunate.

Thankfully, he had abolished his Martial Dao cultivation back then.

What a stroke of luck.

However, he also developed some interest.

An interest in the Martial Artists of Tang Nation.

So, after finishing the training tour, he looked at some Martial Artists sparring not far away, left Liu Canzhi's side, and proactively approached one who was sitting, saying, "Hello, classmate, I'm a new student. May I ask, are you free right now?"

"I am free, yes. What? A new student? Are you also a cultivator? Your body isn't up to par." The muscular strongman looked up and scanned Li Qi.

"No, I came early to see the school. I don't cultivate the Martial Dao..." Li Qi said with a smile.

"No, I see your Qi and blood are strong, your five internal organs are refined, and your breathing is long and steady. You've clearly trained before, and your foundation is quite good. What, couldn't you keep it up?" The strongman raised his head and said, staring at Li Qi.

Li Qi's expression was a bit awkward, and he nodded, "I practiced for a while before, but I wouldn't call it perseverance."

The Martial Artist nodded, indicating that he understood.

However, his gaze clearly carried a hint of disdain.

Perhaps to these Martial Artists, such half-hearted individuals were often somewhat amusing.

But Li Qi didn't care. He was only here to see what a true Martial Artist Genius looked like. So, he immediately continued, "May I ask, brother, does the Martial Dao's cultivation of martial arts, Body Refining, and combat techniques not contradict your 'Dao'?"

This was a point Li Qi had found a bit strange from the very beginning.

If the Martial Dao was about cultivating oneself, then learning mathematical formulas seemed a bit odd, didn't it? Did this truly align with their Dao?

Upon hearing this, the Martial Artist who was resting understood Li Qi's intention.

This person, should be a young scholar, right?

He put away his previous disdain. He had initially thought this person had changed paths because he couldn't persevere, but now it seemed he might have only tried the Martial Dao as an experience for research.

He looked down on those who gave up halfway, but he was quite welcoming to others who merely wanted to experience the Martial Dao.

Li Qi saw a smile appear on the other party's face.

Then, he said, "Scholar, if you have this doubt, then let me ask you, what is the Martial Dao?"

Li Qi pondered for a moment and said, "As for 'Wu' (martial), it comes from 'ge' (halberd) and 'zhi' (stop). To stop the halberd is 'Wu'. 'Ge' is a weapon, and the ancient meaning of 'zhi' was 'foot', referring to the steps and rhythm of using a weapon, meaning the art of combat. Later, it developed to mean attack, military affairs, and the meaning of might. "

"The name 'Martial Dao' as a Dao indicates its connection to these meanings. If I haven't misunderstood, it encompasses both the meaning of combat techniques and the meaning of might and grandeur. What the Martial Dao pursues is the ultimate skill and an unyielding spirit, I presume."

Li Qi stated his conjecture about the Martial Dao based on his own understanding.

The Martial Artist laughed after hearing this, then said, "Scholar, in your opinion, is the Martial Dao such a superficial thing?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qi immediately cupped his hands, "I'd like to hear more."

If there's something you don't understand, it's better to honestly ask others than to make assumptions.

"The ancient meaning of 'zhi' as 'foot' is correct, but it doesn't refer to the steps of using a weapon, but rather to advancing." The Martial Artist said, raising his head.

As soon as he said this, Li Qi immediately understood, and at the same time, was secretly startled.

Referring to advancing, that means...

"The 'ge' is a weapon, and 'zhi' is advancing. This means that the original meaning of 'Wu' is to advance with a weapon, which is 'conquest'! In the ancient barbaric era, the Human Race was weak and oppressed by various deities. Some Shaman mediated among the friendly deities, but there were also Martial Artists who went to conquer the evil gods. The Martial Dao was born from this!"

"The Dao of 'Wu' refers to conquest itself! All other so-called Martial Dao techniques, so-called cultivation method, spirit, and even Concept, are all for this goal! They are all tools for conquest!"

"Martial Artists train their Physical Body, cultivate their techniques, and temper their will, not for these things themselves, but to use these things to fight! To conquer! The Martial Artist ancestors in the ancient barbaric lands conquered deities, and we now conquer the myriad heavens! This is the true meaning of 'Wu'!"

"So, Scholar, your understanding is too shallow. Training is not the goal, it's merely a means."

Li Qi understood, "Thank you for the explanation. However, I still have one question. May I ask, classmate, what then is the difference between you and the Military School of Thought?"

The Martial Artist seemed to have anticipated this question and replied, "What's the difference? The difference is naturally huge. The Military School of Thought belongs to the Human Dao, while the Martial Dao does not."

This answer was somewhat unexpected for Li Qi.

But thinking about it carefully, it seemed to be true.

The Military School of Thought was a Human Dao army, a branch of the Human Dao.

The Martial Dao, however, was a Dao in itself. Clearly, it was a Dao with its own principles and philosophy, not a branch of another Dao.

"The Military School of Thought is of the Human Dao, so Scholar, you should clearly see the Military School of Thought's approach: gathering the power of the masses to form military might and Qi. It's clearly a Human Dao method."

"But the Martial Dao is not like that. The Human Dao gathers the power of the masses, but comrades cannot always be with you, and the collective is not always reliable. On the journey of conquest, only one's own techniques, one's own weapons, and even more extremely, only one's own fists and Physical Body are the most trustworthy." The Martial Artist raised his head and said, "Only oneself can be 'absolutely trusted'."

Li Qi frowned.

These words didn't sound like something a Martial Artist from Tang Nation would say.

Clearly, the other party's understanding of the Martial Dao was different from that of the Tang Nation people.

It was normal. If everyone had the same understanding, why would there be Dao disputes?

So, Li Qi tentatively asked, "In that case, Your Excellency is not from Tang Nation?"

The Martial Artist nodded, "The Martial Dao of Tang Nation has long been integrated with the Military School of Thought's military formations. Most Martial Artists join the army. Someone with my way of thinking naturally cannot be from Tang Nation."

Then, he said, "I am a Yao Race, from the Southeast, studying abroad in Tang Nation."

Li Qi was surprised; the other party was also an international student?

The Southeast of the Nine Lands Under Heaven was a cluster of islands nestled between the extreme southern mountains and the East Sea.

Located in the archipelagos, the weather was hot, coastal and rainy, with lush primeval forests. Within the jungles and lakes, Yao Race ran rampant. It was the main base of the Yao Race, and under the leadership of the Great Sage of the Demon Race, they occupied the southeastern part of the Nine Lands Under Heaven.

Li Qi understood and nodded, "I see, I understand."

"Scholar, do you have anything else? If not, I've rested enough and should continue training." The Martial Artist stood up and stretched his body.

At this point, Li Qi noticed the other party's Yao Race features.

Behind him was a tiger tail, but it had been hidden while he was sitting.

"Nothing else, just that I have one more impolite request. I've never fought against a Martial Artist before, but I've heard that the Martial Dao is the best at direct confrontation among all Daos, so... I'd like to try." Li Qi finally cupped his hands and said.

The Martial Artist raised an eyebrow and scanned Li Qi's entire body.

"Want to get beaten? You should have said so earlier. It'll be good exercise. How about we try on that open ground over there?" The Martial Artist pointed to an open space not far away.

Li Qi cupped his hands, "Please guide me."

With that, the two walked towards the open ground.

As for Liu Canzhi, he was still wandering nearby.