Chinese martial arts: From being shot and killed by the armed police during a mountain search to bec

Chen Hongwu strode after him.

He walked lightly, seemingly walking normally, and in just a few steps he had caught up with Xuanzhenzi by three steps.

"Please wait, Taoist priest!"

Xuanzhenzi didn't turn his head, his steps unwavering: "Master Chen, the battle is over, why are you still chasing this old Taoist? Do you intend to wipe us out?"

Chen Hongwu laughed loudly: "Daoist, you worry too much. I came up to you to invite you back to the temple for a drink and to discuss a business deal."

Xuanzhenzi chuckled and said, "This old Taoist is used to traveling around and has the least patience for doing business with people."

Chen Hongwu didn't respond, but went straight to the point: "The Central Martial Arts Academy just opened today and is in dire need of instructors. You, Daoist, possess the true essence of the Chunyang School and have already achieved the Transformation Realm. If you are willing to stay, everyone in the academy will treat you with the utmost respect."

Xuanzhenzi paused, turned around, and his yellowish, cloudy eyes swept over Chen Hongwu before he slowly shook his head: "You young man, you know how to take advantage of others."

Chen Hongwu pointed to the signboard in front of the martial arts school and said, "The Central Martial Arts Academy is not just my business. Wudang, Shaolin, Tai Chi, Bagua, Southern Fist and Northern Leg, all should have a place under this banner."

"If this museum is to truly stand up, it's far from enough for me, Chen Hongwu, to do it all by myself."

"Those who achieve great things throughout history never act alone. Mr. Li Cunyi established the Chinese Martial Arts Association, and with the support of masters like Li Ruidong and Zhang Zhankui, the Northern Martial Arts World was able to achieve its current status."

"I invited the Taoist priest today because I sincerely want to add another pillar to this temple."

After listening, Xuanzhenzi sighed and said, "It's not that I'm refusing, but do you know the rules of my Chunyang Sect?"

Chen Hongwu nodded: "I would like to hear the details."

"Our Wudang Chunyang lineage has always kept its teachings secret. Our patriarch said, 'It is not to be passed on to six ears, nor told to three people.' The so-called 'six ears' means that no more than three people should be present when the initiation ceremony is held; the so-called 'not to be told' means that even the secret formulas within the lineage should not be lightly passed on to fathers, sons, or brothers."

"Let alone outsiders, even fellow disciples are not allowed to share their skills without Master's permission. If I were to agree, I would be breaking the sect's rules. How could I face our patriarch in the afterlife?"

Chen Hongwu smiled and said, "Daoist, I know these rules. But I also know that there are no unbreakable rules in this world."

Xuanzhenzi raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Tell me then."

Chen Hongwu said: "Back then, Yang Luchan went to Chenjiagou three times, and Tai Chi was passed down. Later generations established Banhou and Jianhou, and then passed it on to Quanyou and Chengfu, thus dividing the lineage in the north and south."

If the principle of "not passing on the knowledge to six ears" were followed, Yang Family Tai Chi would not exist today.

He took a step forward and added, "The Jingwu Association is open to teaching, and everyone can learn kung fu from both the North and South."

Only a few years after Huo Yuanjia's passing, the Mizongquan (迷蹶拳) style of boxing has already spread throughout both sides of the Yangtze River. Even if only a few families break the rule, the popularity of the art increases.

Blindly adhering to a rigid rule, even with genuine skill, will only lead to stagnation in remote mountain temples—what difference is there between that and the fall of a nation?

Chen Hongwu changed the subject, becoming more indifferent: "Of course, today we are not asking you to open an altar and pass on your skills, nor are we asking you to reveal the Pure Yang Secret Technique."

"If you, Daoist, are willing to stay, I will not ask you about slaying the red dragon, nor will I ask you about examining the yellow sprout [Note: Daoist internal alchemy jargon, using these two metaphors to express that it does not involve the core level]. If you are willing, you can teach them to press their legs, loosen their waists, walk in circles, and listen to their energy."

The secrets of the Chunyang Sect are still buried within the Taoist priest's own mind. Therefore, it doesn't count as breaking the ancestral rules.

He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed slightly: "I, Chen, sincerely invite you. If you are truly unwilling, I dare not force you."

Xuanzhenzi stared at him for a long while, then suddenly laughed and said, "You young man, not only are your fists hard, but your mouth is too."

Chen Hongwu also laughed: "Then this deal—"

"Don't talk about business yet." Xuanzhenzi waved his hand. "This old man is starving. You said the martial arts school is having a feast, so let's go and have a meal. You can talk about it later after we've eaten and drunk our fill."

Chen Hongwu immediately stepped aside to lead the way, saying, "Please."

When the two returned to the building, the crowd inside was already waiting anxiously.

When Chen Hongwu brought the old Taoist priest back, the scene quieted down for a moment, then became lively again.

Chen Gongzhe stepped forward first, cupped his hands, and said, "Daoist Master, you don't care about victory or defeat, and you are willing to sit and drink with us. This shows the magnanimity of us martial artists. Please, please come in."

Xuanzhenzi didn't stand on ceremony; with a flick of his sleeve, he entered first.

Chen Hongwen had already ordered a new table of vegetarian and meat dishes to be served, and also brought over a jar of aged Shaoxing wine.

Xuanzhenzi's eyes lit up at the sight of the wine. Ignoring what others thought of him, he broke the clay seal, poured a large bowl, drank it down in one gulp, and then smacked his lips, saying, "Good wine! Much better than the strong liquor from the Yellow Crane Tower."

Chen Hongwu sat down with him and first offered him three bowls of tea instead of wine before saying, "Master, you are well-versed in internal martial arts. If you have time in the future, please visit our academy more often. I won't be your instructor, but just a senior you can ask for directions, how does that sound?"

Xuanzhenzi wiped his mouth, a half-smile on his face: "You're still persistent."

Chen Hongwu said, "Talented people are hard to come by."

Xuanzhenzi drank half a bowl of wine, then suddenly put the bowl down and said solemnly, "I have spent half my life wandering, and I only know one thing: Kung Fu is dead, but people are alive."

"You are fortunate to be able to open this shop and speak those words today."

As he spoke, he pulled a small item wrapped in oiled paper from his sleeve and pushed it in front of Chen Hongwu: "Take this. It's not a formal instruction, nor is it a token; just consider it payment for a meal."

Before he could open it, Xuanzhenzi had already picked up the bowl again and raised it towards him.

That night, the drinking went on until the third watch of the night before the guests gradually dispersed.

The next morning.

Extra editions of all Shanghai newspapers were published simultaneously.

The front page of the Shen Bao newspaper reads: "The Central Martial Arts Academy opened yesterday; Chen Hongwu defeated Japanese masters in the street, unifying the Southern school of martial arts in the Republic of China?"

The Times headline was even more astounding: "The word 'Central Government,' does it mean both Southern and Northern martial arts are under its banner? Chen Hongwu raises the great flag!"

The most somber commentary in the *Xinwen Bao* newspaper reads: "Since Huo Yuanjia, no one has been known to have so greatly opened the door to martial arts. Chen Hongwu, though young, dared to use the name of the 'Central Government' to pursue the ambition of unifying the world. If he succeeds, it will be a great achievement for all time; if he fails, he will be shattered to pieces."

Overnight, Chen Hongwu and the five characters "Central Martial Arts Academy" spread throughout the country.

Newspapers large and small in Beijing, Tianjin, Nanjing, Hankou, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong all rushed to reprint it.

In teahouses and taverns, some people applauded, some sneered and cursed, and some simply listened to the story.

"Is Chen Hongwu trying to seize the title of martial arts alliance leader?"

"Having just killed the Japanese, and now establishing the Central Martial Arts Academy, isn't he afraid that both Northern and Southern martial arts masters will come knocking on his door?"

"madman!"

"No, he's a ruthless and ambitious leader."