Diary entries:
[July 31st, Coach Odell left. Although I’ve mastered the basics of body sculpting techniques, my progress in martial arts has stalled. Thankfully, Uncle Mang’s massage techniques have proven immensely helpful for my training. In terms of massage alone, his expertise surpasses Coach Odell’s, as his specialization lies in this area. If I want to continue improving, I’ll need better resources and a coach on par with Odell. The Minglun Martial Arts Academy can indeed help me, but pursuing professional competitions as a career fighter is a pivotal life choice. I need to be cautious. For now, I’ll focus on improving my martial arts and broadening my knowledge over the next two months. This place is teeming with extraordinary individuals, each with unique skills. I’ll try to learn as much as possible, uncovering life-changing knowledge along the way.]
[After a month of training here, my outlook on life and values have undergone a profound transformation. Everyone harbors dreams of becoming a martial arts master, but I used to believe it was impossible. The gravity-defying feats in martial arts novels defy the laws of physics; concepts like internal energy and True Qi were merely fictional. However, after encountering genuine martial arts here, I’ve found many incredible aspects, though they remain within the realm of science. With proper psychological conditioning, mental focus, and scientific training, coupled with attention to detail, one can develop power beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. Take planking, for instance. Students who spend their days gaming struggle to last thirty seconds, while professional athletes and special forces can endure for hours.]
[July is over. The decision to come all this way to study at a martial arts academy was absolutely right. Had I stuck to regular studies and cram schools, I’d never have been exposed to such an exciting world. When it comes to physical fitness, there’s a vast gap between those who exercise daily and those who don’t. Similarly, athletes who follow core training principles are leagues apart from those who train haphazardly. I’m grateful to have met Coach Odell. With another month ahead, I look forward to encountering more new experiences.]
Today, Su Jie wrote extensively in his journal. It was his way of summarizing the month’s achievements, reflecting on whether he had used his time wisely, and setting goals for the next month. This was one of his habits.
August 1st.
Su Jie stuck to his routine. At 3 a.m., he began with joint exercises to warm up, followed by various physical training drills like running, jumping, and push-ups. Afterward, he grabbed a hoe and headed to the barren land outside the academy to dig, honing the strength and precision behind the technique.
Previously, this time would have been reserved for Odell’s sparring sessions. Now, with Odell gone, he trained independently, seeking out Uncle Mang in the evenings for free massages. From Uncle Mang, he learned the art of controlling power with precision and the sharp instincts required to spot vulnerabilities in combat. This reminded him of the technique for swatting flies on glass with a hammer. While wielding the hoe to till the soil, he meticulously practiced, perfecting his movements until they became lighter yet more stable.
Like Mi Fu, who repeatedly practiced calligraphy without wasting fine paper, Su Jie diligently refined his movements.
“Ha!”
With each rise and fall of the hoe, he alternated between straight lines and zigzags. Gradually, the heavy hoe felt as light as a feather in his hands, and every strike landed precisely where he intended. He could even control how deep it penetrated the soil with each dig.
‘My martial arts have improved,’ he thought with excitement.
“Not bad.”
A voice came from behind him.
Startled, he turned to see a figure—it was Coach Gu Yang.
“Coach, why are you here?” Su Jie quickly put away the hoe, his calm movements embodying an aura of steadiness and composure.
“You’ve captured the essence of this technique,” Gu Yang nodded approvingly.
“Is there anything I need to improve on?” Su Jie seized the opportunity to ask.
“Your posture, strength application, and even your energy and spirit have all reached a high level,” Gu Yang replied. “It’s evident that you’ve been guided by an expert. Your form is nearly flawless. Now, what you lack is practice—endless practice. Only by engraving the variations of this technique into your soul and bones can it become second nature. But that usually takes a decade or more.”
“I’ll make this technique a lifelong practice,” Su Jie said without hesitation. He wasn’t intimidated by the idea of practicing one move for ten or more years. The more he trained, the more he uncovered its nuances, finding something new every day.
“It seems you’ve truly grasped it—from the heart. You’re genuine, grounded, and unpretentious, qualities that mark a person of great depth and stability,” Gu Yang remarked with admiration. “I’ve had my eye on you for a while. But as a short-term student, we didn’t have much of a connection. However, after Nie Shuang spoke to me, I decided to observe you this morning—and you didn’t disappoint.”
“Coach, your understanding of this technique far surpasses mine. I hope to gain deeper insights from you,” Su Jie said earnestly. He knew that no matter where he was, good students always earned favor. Back at school, he was a star pupil, well-regarded by both teachers and the principal, which allowed him to thrive. The same held true here at the Minglun Martial Arts Academy’s training program.
Su Jie had long understood that being valued was simple: study hard and excel, and opportunities would follow.
Many students spend their days complaining, saying they are discriminated against by their peers or targeted by their teachers. The root cause is their unwillingness to study seriously.
Some students know they must study hard, but they feel dizzy as soon as they open a book. Yet, when playing games or indulging in entertainment, they feel energized. This reflects their inability to achieve the unity of knowledge and action.
Su Jie, however, was someone who could achieve this unity, allowing him to stand out and achieve some small successes.
“I’ve already told you just now, your movements, exertion of strength, and even the essence of the technique are already in place. What remains is relentless practice, and more practice. Of course, if you can elevate this move to a philosophical level, it will greatly benefit your training,” said Gu Yang. He seemed to have newfound patience in teaching Su Jie. Previously, he wouldn’t bother saying much—just demonstrate a move and let the student practice and ponder it themselves.
“What kind of philosophical level?” Su Jie asked eagerly.
“What is the ultimate purpose of martial arts?” Gu Yang countered.
“Survival,” Su Jie replied, having contemplated this question repeatedly.
“Exactly. It’s survival. In its early days, martial arts were invented for hunting and battling wild beasts. Then, as humans established dominance in the world, martial arts became tools of war and killing, still ultimately for survival. What I teach you—this martial art rooted in digging and farming—is also a form of survival.” Gu Yang’s tone carried a profound sense of compassion. “In ancient times, and even today, for 99% of people, farming, digging, and laboring in the fields were essential daily activities. Therefore, integrating martial arts into agricultural work is the most ordinary and practical survival skill that can be used every day. Do you know what the most powerful martial art in traditional systems is called?”
Su Jie shook his head.
“In traditional martial arts, there are hundreds of schools of boxing, too numerous to cover in detail. But there’s one martial art, considered ‘the fiercest and most ruthless’ in the martial world, called ‘Xinyi Ba.’ This martial art is also known as ‘Hoe Boxing.’ Generations of warrior monks, while farming and observing the hardships of farmers, incorporated Zen meditation, martial energy techniques, yoga principles, and health-focused elements into farming movements, ultimately creating this technique. It combines human instincts, animal hunting techniques, and the integration of various yoga and martial techniques, earning it the title of the ‘mother of all punches.’” Gu Yang continued, “If I’m not mistaken, many techniques in the martial art you practice, including its mental focus, were taught by foreigners. When you train, your mindset harbors resentment—resentment against the heavens and earth—and you fight with the determination to spill bl0od. That’s not wrong. Initially, such mental conditioning helps develop skills quickly. To some extent, this is a method of hardening. But hardening isn’t just physical; mental fortitude is even more crucial. Practicing with hatred, ruthlessness, and cruelty yields rapid results, but that isn’t true mastery.”
“Then what is true mastery? And how do you know a foreigner taught me?” Su Jie was stunned.
Although he knew Gu Yang was a formidable expert, he now realized he had underestimated him.
“True mastery isn’t narrow-minded or extreme; it requires a broad and ambitious heart.” Gu Yang stared at the hoe and the soil. “When practicing this move, you need to understand its true origin. Since ancient times, farmers have toiled diligently, sustaining themselves by plowing the land, sowing seeds, and reaping abundant harvests in autumn. This represents joy and hope, making all the hard work worthwhile. That is the essence of survival. Relying on war, combat, and killing for survival is not true mastery. You’re still young and may not fully grasp this principle. But I fear you might stray down the wrong path. When practicing this move, you must cultivate gratitude and hope. Be grateful to the earth that nurtures you and hope to reap rewards through your own labor. The same move can be used to kill and descend into evil, or to cultivate and walk a righteous path. Only someone with a vast heart, as steadfast as a mountain and as expansive as the ocean, can reach the highest peak.”
“Practice with gratitude and hope, feeling the diligence and hardships of farmers over the centuries, yet embracing life with passion, finding fulfillment and satisfaction in their efforts,” Su Jie thought, suddenly recalling the “Book of Changes” that Odell had given him before leaving. The book encouraged him to reflect on the principles of life.
“Your various exercises are very precise and standard, without a single mistake. I watched you perform aerobic exercises, resembling Tai Chi, but with Western scientific principles of muscle and bone integrated into it. That’s how I knew you were trained by top foreign coaches,” Gu Yang replied to Su Jie’s second question, a conclusion he had drawn from careful observation.
“Coach Gu Yang, are you also trying to persuade me to pursue professional combat?” Su Jie asked.
“I’ve said it before—martial arts are for survival, a means of living,” Gu Yang explained. “But real combat-oriented martial arts no longer suit modern survival. In today’s world, there are only two ways to live through martial arts: either enter professional combat competitions and become a combat star, or become an action movie actor and a martial arts superstar. Both paths are viable. Of course, if you have a better way to live without relying on martial arts, that’s fine too. Everyone chooses their own life path. Many people dismiss fancy techniques as useless, but in today’s society, it’s precisely these aesthetic martial arts that allow you to thrive better.”
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