darknovel Chapter 60 Rescuing Compatriots
Chapter 60 Rescuing Compatriots
"Traditional Chinese martial arts?" General Zhou was stunned. "It's...it's that simple?"
"Otherwise what?" Ma Cong retorted. "Isn't Tai Chi a national martial art? I used the power of Tai Chi to send Master Qingfeng flying. As for what happened later..."
Ma Cong paused, then extended his index and middle fingers, forming a sword-like gesture.
The three men's gazes instantly fixed on those two slender, pale fingers, as if drawn by a magnet. Those were the very fingers that had just shattered Wudang Mountain's prized treasure.
"This is also a traditional Chinese martial art." Ma Cong's voice wasn't loud, but every word carried immense weight. "It's a phenomenon that occurs when force is used to its extreme. The 'resonance' that Senior Chen mentioned earlier can be considered one explanation. But this is only at the level of 'technique'; its core remains the 'intention' and 'spirit' of traditional Chinese martial arts."
Upon hearing Ma Cong's confirmation, Chen Beixuan trembled with excitement. He stepped forward, his voice trembling, "You...you really reached the realm of 'Transforming Qi into罡'?!"
Ma Cong shook his head: "The concept of '罡气' (gang qi) is too mystical. I prefer to call it 'high-frequency oscillation energy.' It can be achieved when the human body can control its own energy to a very subtle degree. This is not a divine means, but rather a direction for developing human potential."
Human potential!
This word made General Zhou's eyes light up!
Yes! That's it! That's the word he can put in his report!
Gods and spirits, those are all feudal superstitions! But "human potential development" is a legitimate scientific research area!
"I understand! I understand!" General Zhou rubbed his hands excitedly. "Comrade Ma Cong, you mean that the ability you possess can be achieved through scientific training?"
"Theoretically, yes," Ma Cong nodded, "but it requires extremely high levels of talent, comprehension, and mental state; it's one in ten thousand."
"Even one in a million is better than nothing!" General Zhou's voice trembled with excitement. "Comrade Ma Cong! On behalf of the nation, I formally extend an invitation to you! We hope to establish a special research group, with you as the chief person in charge and chief instructor! We need you to systematically organize this... this set of theories and training methods for 'human potential development'!"
"We need to train more super soldiers like you... no, even just one-tenth or one-hundredth stronger than you! Do you understand what that means for our country, for our military?!"
General Zhou's eyes were filled with boundless anticipation for the future.
He had already imagined how terrifying a special forces unit composed of warriors who had mastered this "vibration force" would be.
Breaking through walls and tearing through armor with bare hands will no longer be just a fantasy in movies!
However, Ma Cong slowly shook his head.
"no."
Those two simple words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing all of General Zhou's enthusiasm.
"Why...why?" General Zhou's smile froze.
Chen Beixuan and Qin Zhenshan were both puzzled. This was a great thing that would bring honor to their ancestors and benefit the country and its people, so why would he refuse?
"Because you've got the direction wrong." Ma Cong looked at them calmly. "You only see the 'killing' aspect of martial arts, and you only think about turning it into a weapon of war. So what you want to create are 'super soldiers,' 'weapons.'"
"What I want is to revive the entire Chinese martial arts, to pass on a kind of 'civilization'."
"What I want is not to train a group of machines that only know how to kill. What I want are inheritors who truly understand the 'Tao' and 'Shen' of Chinese martial arts. They can be soldiers, doctors, teachers, or ordinary people from all walks of life. They learn Chinese martial arts first to improve their health and elevate their life level, and only secondly for self-defense."
Ma Cong's words stunned General Zhou.
Meanwhile, Chen Beixuan's eyes shone with an unprecedented light.
"Excellent! Well said!" he couldn't help but cheer loudly. "This is the true essence of Chinese martial arts! To strengthen a nation, one must first strengthen its people! To strengthen its people, one must first strengthen their hearts! Ma Cong, you... your level has far surpassed that of us old men!"
Qin Zhenshan was also filled with shame and admiration. He had previously thought Ma Cong was too sharp-tongued, but now he realized that the other party's magnanimity and vision had far exceeded his imagination.
General Zhou fell silent. He was a pure soldier, always considering issues from the perspective of national security and military strength. But Ma Cong's words made him re-examine the matter from a higher perspective.
Yes, is a country's strength solely based on its military?
Are the people's physical health, the nation's spirit, and the inheritance of culture not important?
"I understand..." General Zhou let out a long breath. He looked at Ma Cong solemnly and said in an almost pleading tone, "Then... what are your thoughts? What does the country need to do for you to be willing to take action?"
He had completely abandoned his airs as a general. In the presence of someone who held the key to unlocking a new era for humanity, status and position seemed utterly insignificant.
This is exactly what Ma Cong was waiting for.
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the military camp under the night sky.
"My request is very simple."
"I want a place, a place big enough, with beautiful mountains and clear waters, far away from the hustle and bustle."
"I want absolute autonomy. From the base's construction plan to personnel selection and the curriculum, everything will be decided by me alone. You, including the military and the government, cannot interfere."
"I need top-tier resource support. Funding, equipment, talent—whatever I need, you must provide."
Ma-Cong turned around and calmly swept his gaze over the three of them.
"What I want to build is neither a military base nor a martial arts school."
"What I want to build is a brand new 'National Martial Arts Holy Land', a 'dojo' that can guide the evolution of Chinese martial arts and even all mankind."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable power.
"What I need is not a project, or a team."
"What I want is to usher in a new era."
General Zhou, Chen Beixuan, and Qin Zhenshan were all completely stunned by Ma Cong's words.
Ushering in a new era!
What a magnificent goal! What a grand ambition!
General Zhou's mind was racing. This request was far beyond his control. Absolute autonomy, top-tier resource support… this needed to be reported to the highest levels and personally approved by those senior officials.
But... is it worth it?
He glanced at Chen Beixuan, who was flushed with excitement, then at Qin Zhenshan, who looked shocked and longing. Finally, his gaze settled on Ma Cong's calm and unwavering eyes.
He recalled that earth-shattering finger strike.
He recalled the Purple Cloud Sword that had shattered into a shower of light.
A thought began to grow wildly in his mind.
Maybe... he really can.
"Alright!" General Zhou gritted his teeth and made the most audacious decision of his life. "I agree to your request in principle! I will immediately report to my superiors and vouch for this with my military career!"
"Comrade Ma Cong, no, Master Ma!" General Zhou solemnly saluted Ma Cong, "The future of China... perhaps truly depends on you!"