Chapter 6 Who if not me

"Kung Fu is a killing skill, which was already a fact during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period."

"Xiang Zhuang performs his sword dance with the intention of striking Duke of Pei. Everyone should have heard this story, which shows that by the end of the Qin Period, Martial Arts were no longer just about offensive and defensive actions, but had gradually developed routines that could be practiced independently. During the Han Dynasty, Sword Dance, Double Halberd Dance, and other forms of Martial Arts were very popular; hence, early on there existed a division between practical fighters and routine performers in Martial Arts."

"With the advent of modern firearms and the major policies after the founding of the country, practical Martial Arts gradually lost their place in society, fewer and fewer people practiced them, and many styles went extinct. Nowadays, the vast majority of what remains belongs to the routine performers."

"Routine performers were originally unable to fight effectively, and since few people practice practical fight-oriented Martial Arts, and many styles have been lost, coupled with the restrictions of modern combat sports rules, and considering that most people are merely amateurs with other jobs to do—their training volume is far less than that of professional athletes, and their physical condition is much worse. How are they supposed to fight? This has led to the current belief that Traditional Martial Arts cannot fight."

"Let me give you a simple example. Modern combat sports involve protecting the head with both hands and placing the elbows in front of the chest to prevent the opponent from striking the head and ribs. But the stances in Traditional Martial Arts often involve keeping the hands at the waist, such as Xingyi's Three Body Formation and Yong Chun's Asking Hand. Why? Because they aim to prevent the enemy from attacking one's groin!"

"Modern combat sports rules do not allow attacks to the groin, so modern fighters don't specifically guard against this, their stances naturally shift upwards, focusing on the upper body. If they encountered a real combat-focused Martial Artist in the street, they could easily be castrated; even an ordinary person, if they unexpectedly attack the fighter's lower body on the street, might manage to take them down. Of course, don't try this out. It's a quick way to end up in jail."

"This is the difference between ring fighting and real combat."

Wu Li explained the causes and effects he knew, with reason and evidence, which convinced many people in the live stream.

"Indeed, there are reasons why Chinese Martial Arts have been passed down for so many years."

"What's left of our ancestors' legacy?"

"The host makes sense."

"Hey, it's not that Traditional Martial Arts can't fight, it's just that the people who practice them nowadays are not up to par."

...

"Then, host, are you a routine performer or a combat practitioner?" someone suddenly asked in the comment section.

Wu Li was stunned for a moment, then confidently replied, "I'm a combat practitioner!"

Martial Arts are divided into training methods and fighting techniques. Training methods are for exercising muscles and bones, especially the small muscle groups, to enhance control over the body; whereas fighting techniques are entirely focused on inflicting maximum damage on the enemy in the simplest and most effective way. The same move can have completely different emphases in training methods compared to fighting techniques; this is best exemplified by Tai Chi.

Some so-called masters who practice Tai Chi treat its training methods as fighting methods, or they do not understand fighting techniques at all, and, of course, when they go into the ring, all they can do is face humiliation.

The difference between training methods and fighting techniques was made clear to Wu Li by his grandfather on the first day he learned Martial Arts, so Wu Li considers himself a combat practitioner.

"Combat practitioner!"

"Awesome, host, have you fought in any competitions?"

"Have you fought with a professional fighter, host?"

...

"Uh..." Wu Li felt a bit embarrassed, "I haven't fought in any competitions, nor have I faced a professional fighter."

His only real combat training since childhood was sparring with his grandfather. In the earlier years, it was manageable, but as he grew older and stronger, while his grandfather got on in years, their sparring became more about dissecting and practicing techniques and lost its practical combat effectiveness.

Influenced by novels and TV during his rebellious teenage years, Wu Li had sought out school bullies and small gangs on the streets, looking to perform righteous deeds. But after losing money a few times and being harshly reprimanded by his parents, he eventually gave up on this dangerous notion—mainly because it was too expensive, and there was always the risk of ending up in jail...

During Wu Li's middle and high school years, his parents were very strict, so he never had the chance to participate in competitions or arrange fights, and thus his actual combat experience was not extensive.

"Pfft, turns out he's all talk."

"Talks a lot, but can't actually fight."

"You all keep boasting about having real Kung Fu, but I really haven't seen it! Every single one who fights gets beaten to a pulp. If Traditional Martial Arts really were effective, even if just one person came out, even for just one fight, I'd believe it!"

"Right, why isn't there even one who can fight?"

Wu Li: "..."

He really wanted to argue that Li Xiaolong was a capable fighter, but after thinking it over, he ultimately chose to stay silent and not argue.

"The host says that the rules of modern combat sports have restricted combat-oriented Martial Arts, doesn't this exactly prove that Traditional Martial Arts are no longer suitable for modern combat sports? Since Boxing, Sandboxing, Free Fighting and other Martial Arts techniques can achieve better results under the modern system, why should people bother going back to Practicing Traditional Martial Arts, which is both difficult and unrewarding?"

"Exactly!"

"Well said!"

"+1"

"+2"

"+10086"

...

Wu Li was stunned and opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

These comments made him have an epiphanic realization. Indeed, many practical techniques of Traditional Martial Arts had been limited by the rules of modern combat sports, but if one only complained without trying to adapt, Traditional Martial Arts might never stand a chance in the ring.

The highest-earning athletes globally are Boxing Champions, and both internationally and domestically, Boxing and MMA events are being held with great enthusiasm. This shows that these combat forms and their rules have withstood the test of the market.

Speaking of Boxing, everyone has a specific image in mind, and many people can name one or two Boxing Champions. Speaking of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), many people also know about the UFC, showing that these two forms of modern combat sports have tremendous influence worldwide.

But what about Traditional Martial Arts? Which event has international renown? Are there any famous figures in the combat sports world who practice Traditional Martial Arts?

If, because Traditional Martial Arts are essentially about killing skills, they are promoted only within military and police forces, and only routine performances are passed down to the public, then in the eyes of the masses, Traditional Martial Arts will be nothing more than fancy moves, completely incapable of fighting.

The public only believes what they see with their own eyes. Those who practice Boxing and MMA, with their well-developed muscles and agile moves, knock out their opponents in the ring and look impressive, but what about Traditional Martial Arts? Could they potentially kill someone to prove their worth?

Therefore, Wu Li felt that the only way to get the public to recognize the prowess of Traditional Martial Arts was to participate in modern combat sports competitions and beat one opponent after another in the ring, following the rules of modern combat sports.

First adapt to the rules of others, achieve results, and gain a voice, then one can have the right to set their own rules.

Having understood this, Wu Li looked at the screen and said earnestly, "What you're saying is correct. If Traditional Martial Arts want to make a mark, they must first adapt to the current rules of combat sports and achieve some results."

"The problem is that no one can make a mark right now."

"Everyone is a Master until they step into the ring, where they all get crushed into dust."

"That's right, and those who lose say that they don't represent Traditional Martial Arts, that it's not that Traditional Martial Arts are no good, but the people Practicing Traditional Martial Arts are no good. So, who can represent Traditional Martial Arts?"

...

Looking at the comments, Wu Li raised his eyebrows, "Who can represent Traditional Martial Arts? If not me, then who?"

Off-camera, Chen Dong and Wang Xuecheng, who were standing nearby, looked at each other when they heard Wu Li's words.

Wang Xuecheng: "Old Chen, how much did you guys drink before I got back?"

Chen Dong: "I didn't drink. I don't know if Old Wu had anything outside."

Wang Xuecheng: "Ah, if only he had eaten even a single peanut, he wouldn't be this 'drunk'."

Wu Li: "Get lost!"

(This book has been contracted, the contract is being mailed, you can take the opportunity to invest and earn some reading points)