Chapter 299: Training with the Wooden Dummy

Su Wangchuan circulated the 《Qingcheng Heart Method》, running it through several full cycles until the pain and numbness in his wrists completely disappeared. Only then did he stop and rise to his feet, clasping his fists.

“My apologies for taking up your time, Instructor Chen.”

“It is nothing.”

Chen Gang grinned heartily.

“I did not expect that, like Captain Bai, you also come from an ancient martial arts family. The Bajiquan Martial Arts Gym is honored by your presence.”

In truth, Chen Gang was merely a second-generation gym owner who had inherited the business from his father. When it came to the younger members of ancient martial arts families, he felt both admiration and reverence.

Bai Jingtang was young yet astonishingly powerful.

Now another young martial artist—who looked like a university student—had appeared.

Naturally, Chen Gang assumed he must also come from an ancient martial arts lineage.

“Heh…”

Su Wangchuan had no idea how Bai Jingtang had introduced him. Since Chen Gang clearly did not know about spirit realm, it was better not to explain his origins in detail.

“Instructor Chen’s Snake Fist is truly impressive. I have already benefited greatly from our exchange… Would you be willing to offer me some further guidance?”

“That is no problem.”

Chen Gang nodded.

“But I suggest that you train with a Wing Chun wooden dummy. It will help you improve your focus, agility, and resistance in combat. Practicing that way will give you twice the result with half the effort.”

Under Chen Gang’s guidance, Su Wangchuan arrived before a Wing Chun wooden dummy.

Several short protruding arms extended from the wooden trunk, representing a person’s fists, legs, and knees.

The wooden dummy could be fixed in place or allowed to rotate.

Each time a strike was blocked, the dummy could spin rapidly and counterattack.

After demonstrating a short sequence, Chen Gang stepped aside.

“Give it a try.”

“Alright.”

Su Wangchuan stepped forward immediately.

Every time he struck, the wooden arms spun rapidly in response.

Almost instantly, he grasped the key principle and increased the speed of his attacks.

A venomous snake flicking its tongue.

Depending on the practitioner’s force, the wooden dummy’s counterattacks also accelerated, whistling through the air.

Su Wangchuan used both hands in quick succession, his snake-head strikes responding after the dummy’s movements.

Standing behind him, Chen Gang offered guidance.

“Do you know why I always target your joints?”

“Snake Fist has its own weaknesses, but it also has its strengths. Its strength lies in gathering momentum and exploding with sudden force, allowing you to quickly change attacks and strike the enemy’s weak points—using strength against weakness, softness overcoming hardness.”

…

Su Wangchuan listened carefully.

He imagined the wooden dummy before him as a real opponent. His Snake Fist began to rise and fall with a faint sense of vitality.

Before he realized it, more than an hour had passed.

Chen Gang glanced at the time, disbelief appearing in his eyes.

This young man trained with frightening intensity.

Su Wangchuan’s punches were fast, each one a genuine impact. Most people would have long since been unable to endure such strain.

Were disciples of ancient martial arts families all geniuses?

Just as Chen Gang was thinking this, Su Wangchuan’s strength suddenly surged.

One of the wooden arms snapped under his Snake Fist and flew out from the dummy.

CRACK!

CRACK!!

Su Wangchuan instantly felt an extraordinary sense of control.

He struck twice more in rapid succession, breaking two additional wooden arms.

Chen Gang stood there in complete astonishment.

These wooden arms were specially manufactured and extremely durable.

Even repeated punches, palm strikes, or elbow blows would struggle to damage them.

Yet Su Wangchuan had broken them with Snake Fist.

What kind of strength was that?

But…

Chen Gang quickly realized what had happened.

“Su Wangchuan—you have broken through.”

“I never expected that after only learning a few key points, you would already grasp this boxing technique completely. Impressive. As expected of a disciple of an ancient martial arts family.”

Chen Gang spoke sincerely, his expression now carrying genuine respect and admiration.

Su Wangchuan took a deep breath and withdrew his power. Smiling, he clasped his fists again.

“Thank you, Instructor Chen.”

“Your guidance was excellent. I will pay the tuition now—and the cost of the wooden dummy.”

“The dummy does not cost much.”

Chen Gang’s old face reddened slightly.

“Just pay the tuition.”

“If you have time in the future, come practice here again.”

“Certainly.”

Su Wangchuan paid the fee and left the Bajiquan Martial Arts Gym.

On the way back, he made a decision.

He would order a Wing Chun iron dummy for himself. It might prove useful later.

By the time he returned to the Warring States Building, he had already placed an order online.

One ordinary wooden dummy.

One steel-structured Wing Chun wooden dummy.

After returning to spirit realm, a system notification immediately sounded.

“Ding!”

“《Snake Fist》 has advanced to ‘Minor Mastery.’ Reward: +1 Strength.”

Su Wangchuan smiled.

As expected—it was due to the breakthrough in understanding.

But why did Snake Fist increase the Strength attribute?

Or perhaps it raised all three attributes evenly?

“Never mind.”

“First I should arrange for the wooden dummy to be crafted.”

Su Wangchuan left the courtyard and headed straight for the weapon workshop.

Two blacksmiths worked there, each leading their own apprentices. The two sides competed fiercely with one another, so weapon orders were always completed quickly and efficiently.

Su Wangchuan called the two smiths aside and sketched a blueprint for the wooden dummy.

Both nodded immediately.

Rotating mechanisms were somewhat troublesome, but if the structure were divided into separate components and then assembled together, it would not be difficult.

In fact, casting the dummy might even be easier than forging refined steel weapons. As long as the molds were prepared properly, it could be completed quickly.

The craftsmen and apprentices immediately began working.

Soon afterward, Su Wangchuan received another message.

The custom wooden dummy had already been delivered to the Warring States Game Studio and could be assembled at any time.

So fast.

Su Wangchuan immediately returned to his room, logged off, and arranged for assembly.

The custom dummy was extremely heavy. With the help of several security robots, it was transported into his room.

Along the way, many colleagues cast curious glances at him.

Su Wangchuan paid them no attention.

He assembled both wooden dummies in the center of the living room and fixed them firmly in place.

Unable to resist, he began practicing immediately.

The ordinary wooden dummy broke apart after only a few strikes and was effectively ruined.

The steel dummy was far sturdier—but also painful to strike.

He had to activate the 《Black Tortoise Art》 and 《Dragon Elephant Body Protection》 before it became manageable.

THUD!

THUD! THUD!!

Heavy impacts echoed throughout the room.

The steel dummy spun left and right, counterattacking continuously under Su Wangchuan’s relentless strikes.

The sounds of impact rang out without pause.

Before long, Su Wangchuan was completely absorbed in training, barely noticing when the security robots quietly left the room.

Inside Su Wan’s office, a screen displayed the final image captured by the security robots.

Su Wangchuan was standing in the center of his living room, training with the wooden dummy.

“That cultivation fanatic…”

“He is already using a custom dummy for training.”

“It seems…”

“It will not be long before he breaks through to the Third Rank.”

“Our Warring States Game Studio will soon gain another Third-Rank Martial Artist.”

“At last, some good news.”

Su Wan rested her chin lightly on her clasped hands upon the desk.

Within her weary eyes, a faint and relieved smile appeared.