Chapter 205: Growth (1)
Not long after I started learning martial arts, I once asked Grandfather Mandok Shingun a question.
「“Grandfather, why is it that martial artists rarely use armor or shields?
Our Tang Clan’s hidden weapons wouldn’t be very effective against armored opponents, would they?”
“Hmm... Since you weren’t originally a martial artist, that’s a reasonable thought. Then, shall I explain today? The reason why martial artists avoid armor and shields...”」
According to Grandfather Mandok Shingun, martial artists had one simple reason for not using armor or shields.
Qi (Energy).
Even at the level of One Cycle, a martial artist could infuse their weapon with Qi, allowing them to cut through steel or unleash sword energy a couple of times.
And at the Peak Stage, they could freely wield sword energy as they pleased.
That was why they had no need for armor or shields.
Regular materials, even steel, were easily sliced apart by sword energy.
Depending on their martial arts techniques, warriors could extend their Qi into forms like axes, spears, or even fists, making their attacks highly versatile.
For that reason, martial artists didn’t dwell on armor or shields, nor did they fear them.