Chapter 117: Spirit, Intent, Action. A Martial Arts Master, Deciphering Disguise (1)
Martial arts existed in this world, especially within ancient nations that possessed unique combat skills.
However, in this world, where martial arts were regulated by law, the most advanced martial skills were still no match for a handgun. Furthermore, with the challenging nature of martial arts training, its popularity had waned, leaving only a few dedicated practitioners.
This world did not have superhumans or mystical internal energies. Martial arts focused on enhancing physical fitness and technique, cultivating the spirit, will, and action, known as Spirit, Intent, and Action, or Essence, Qi, and Spirit. These three elements formed the core.
To explain it simply, you could identify a soldier by his walk, posture, and movements, a concept encapsulated in Spirit, Intent, and Action.
Powerful martial artists still existed in this world, but their power had limits and could not surpass the effectiveness of a handgun.
However, if a skilled martial artist got close, you might not even have a chance to fire your weapon. Real experts, even when up against world boxing champions, weren’t easily bested because they wield deadly weapons like daggers, long swords, and spiked knuckles.
A ring match was worlds apart from a life-or-death fight.
Captain Mita’s master was the top martial artist in Japan. This call to his master was mainly a plea for help. Though Captain Mita was the champion of Japan’s Swordsmanship Competition, competitions were, after all, performances with many theatrical elements. The gap between him and his master, and even between him and his senior brothers, was vast.
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