booktalesy Chapter 34 This kid is too arrogant, isn't he?
Chapter 34 This kid is too arrogant, isn't he?
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
For the twenty members of the special operations team, these seven days felt like a complete baptism, bringing about a dramatic transformation in both their physical and mental well-being.
Their skin was tanned dark by the sun in the outskirts of Beijing.
Their eyes, however, were brighter and more reserved than before.
If, seven days ago, they were like sharp blades, already honed and ready to be unleashed.
So now, they are like ancient swords hidden in their sheaths, their brilliance concealed, yet even more dangerous and deadly.
Their training consisted of the same monotonous standing and walking exercises.
But they no longer had any complaints or impatience.
They were already immersed in this wonderful feeling of their bodies getting stronger and their strength increasing every day.
They've even become somewhat obsessed with standing meditation.
For them, standing meditation for two hours every day is no longer a torment, but a pleasure.
They can completely calm their minds while practicing Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation). They can feel a warm current gathering in their dantian (lower abdomen), and then flowing through their limbs and bones with their breath, repairing the hidden injuries left by years of high-intensity training.
Their bodies are becoming stronger, more coordinated, and healthier at a visible rate.
The "mud-wading step" training gave them a preliminary understanding of the application of "strength".
They learned how to smoothly shift their body's center of gravity.
They learned how to transfer the "root strength" from their feet to their hands through their waist and hips.
With each movement, they became more steady and less strenuous.
On the last day of training, Ma Cong gave them a small test.
He had his team members practice push hands in pairs.
The rules are simple: two people touch each other's arms, and they can only use "force" (or "strength"), not "pull" (or "force"), to see who can break the other's balance first.
At first, the team members were a little unaccustomed to it.
They are used to using muscles and brute force to fight, and when they start fighting, they unconsciously use clumsy force.
As a result, the two often end up locked in a stalemate, neither able to move the other, both exhausted and covered in sweat.
Ma Cong just watched from the side without saying a word.
Until Shi Lei and Tank's group.
The tank, true to its old ways, immediately charged forward with its bull-like power.
As Shi Lei came into contact with the power of the tank, two words that Ma Cong had been emphasizing for the past few days suddenly flashed through his mind.
"Relax" and "Listen".
His body subconsciously sank and relaxed.
Instead of directly confronting the tank, the arm was slightly turned and guided in the direction the tank was pushing.
Tai Chi, the coiling silk energy!
Although he was still very inexperienced in using it, not even scratching the surface.
But this simple action had a magical effect.
The tank's immense force was like a blow to a spinning wheel, instantly deflecting it to the side.
He himself, due to excessive force, stumbled, revealing a huge opening.
It's now!
A glint of light flashed in Shi Lei's eyes!
With a sudden stomp of his foot, a steady force rose from the sole of his foot, traveled through his spine, and instantly reached the arm that was in contact with the tank!
Xingyi, inch power!
"Bang!"
The tank, weighing over 200 pounds, was thrown backward as if it had been electrocuted, landing hard on its backside.
He stared blankly at Shi Lei, completely bewildered as to how he had lost.
Shi Lei stared blankly at his own hands.
He could feel that, in that instant, a power within his body had been mobilized.
That power was completely different from the brute force he used before.
It is more focused, more penetrating, and also more...easy.
"good!"
Ma Cong's voice rang out from the side. He walked up to Shi Lei, a look of approval on his face.
"Good. You already know what 'listening to the opponent' and 'neutralizing the opponent' are."
"Although it's still very rough, at least I've gotten the hang of it."
Shi Lei was so excited that his face turned red.
For him, receiving a "not bad" from Teacher Ma was more exciting than receiving any military medal.
"Teacher Ma, I..." He was so excited that he was almost incoherent.
"Keep practicing." Ma Cong patted him on the shoulder. "The path of Chinese martial arts has no end. You've only just taken the first step."
The team members around Shi Lei looked at him with envy and longing in their eyes.
They also wanted to unleash that kind of incredible "power" like their captain.
The training atmosphere became more enthusiastic than ever before.
……
As evening fell, the sun began to set.
General Zhou and Qin Zhenshan returned to the training base.
They've come to inspect the results.
"How's it going? Are you confident?" General Zhou asked, looking at Ma Cong, who was instructing the team members.
"I've taught them everything I needed to," Ma Cong said calmly. "How much they can grasp depends on their own destiny."
"Tomorrow is the exchange meeting." General Zhou's expression was somewhat solemn. "We just received their lineup. All three are elite instructors from SEAL Team Six. One is a fourth-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a two-time world champion. Another is a Muay Thai expert who has fought in over a hundred professional matches in Thailand, nicknamed 'The Meat Grinder.' And the last one is their head instructor, 'The Butcher.'"
"Each one is a battle-hardened killing machine."
"You said before that you wanted to take on all three of them by yourself..." Qin Zhenshan looked at Ma Cong with some concern. "Young friend, this is no child's play. I know you are highly skilled and daring, but your opponents are no ordinary people either. How about we stick to the original plan and you only fight one match?"
They were genuinely afraid.
They were worried that Ma Cong, this hard-won hope, might encounter some mishap in tomorrow's competition.
Then their "practical application of traditional Chinese martial arts" project may really be doomed to fail before it even begins.
"No need," Ma Cong shook his head.
His gaze was fixed on the distant sky.
"The reason I'm going to play three games isn't just to win."
"More importantly, it's so that they can see clearly."
"Look carefully, what is the real Chinese martial arts."
His tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable confidence.
General Zhou and Qin Zhenshan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness and a hint of... expectation in each other's eyes.
They knew that the young man's decision was irreversible.
Now, all they can do is believe in him.
"Report!"
Just then, Shi Lei ran over quickly.
"Reporting, Commander! Reporting, Professor Ma! The American delegation has arrived at the base!"
coming!
Everyone's hearts were in their throats.
Ma Cong's eyes narrowed slightly.
He could sense several powerful, aggressive auras approaching the training ground.
"Let's go and meet them."
Ma Cong straightened his clothes, strode towards the base's reception center.
Shi Lei and his teammates immediately followed behind him.
Their faces showed a hint of tension, but even more so, excitement and fighting spirit.
They also wanted to see just how strong these legendary American soldiers really were.
They were even more eager to see how their teacher, Mr. Ma, would use the traditional Chinese martial arts they had just learned to fight against these formidable opponents!
The afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows on them.
A showdown that will shock the entire military leadership is about to begin.