156: Chapter 157: The Su Family Are All Martial Arts Experts!

In the open space before the ancestral hall, the noise was deafening yet orderly.

Members of the Su Clan were continuously returning from various places; in just one morning, the gathered clan members already exceeded a thousand.

Among them were white-haired elders, children carrying schoolbags, and young people in suits who had just rushed over from office buildings.

What was astonishing was that regardless of age or gender, these clan members all possessed a unique air of steadiness in their posture—straight backs, stable strides, and clear eyes. Even in the noisy crowd, one could see a vitality and spirit far exceeding that of ordinary people.

Wang Yuanchao stood with his arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over the younger generation of the clan practicing in formation before the ancestral hall, his eyebrows twitching slightly.

Those young people were dressed in uniform training clothes and were practicing a set of ancient boxing techniques. Though the moves weren't flashy, the wind from their punches was fierce, and their movements were strictly disciplined, clearly showing they had a solid foundation.

Even more impressive was that even the young girls in the group threw powerful punches and had stable stances; they were definitely not just for show.

Su Bowen explained, "Many distinguished guests and friends are coming today, so we've also prepared some programs."

"We don't have much else to show, but this martial arts performance is still worth a look."

"These are the younger members of our clan; they've been rehearsing since last night."

"This Su Family... is not simple," Wang Yuanchao whispered to Zhou Mo beside him. "I've seen many local martial arts families, but those who can train their foundation this solidly are rare."

Zhou Mo smiled. "Captain Wang, is this your first time in the Su Family Village? The Su Family's martial arts tradition hasn't been broken for hundreds of years. Last time I accompanied Su Han back for a wedding, I saw the children in their clan starting to practice horse stances at age three. The Hard Qigong the elders practice during morning exercises can break bricks and split stones."

"Oh?" Wang Yuanchao became interested. "Hard Qigong? People still practice that nowadays?"

"Not only do they practice it, but it's also very systematic," Zhou Mo explained. "The Su Family has a dedicated Martial Hall where the clan elders take turns teaching. From horse stances and breathing exercises to boxing routines, everything follows ancient methods. They say it's not for fighting, but to pass down the 'Essence, Qi, and Spirit'."

Just then, a few half-grown children carrying schoolbags ran past. One of the boys stumbled and was about to hit a stone table, but as if sensing it, he suddenly twisted his body, avoiding it with an extremely agile side flip. When he landed, he even steadily supported the little girl next to him.

"Good moves!" Wang Yuanchao couldn't help but praise.

This scene happened to be caught by Su Bowen, who walked over with a smile. "Captain Wang, you're too kind; the kids are just messing around."

"It's certainly not just messing around." Wang Yuanchao looked at him with a serious tone. "That child's reaction speed and body coordination just now were better than many new recruits. The Su Family's martial arts tradition truly lives up to its reputation."

A look of pride appeared on Su Bowen's face as he stroked his beard and explained, "Our Su Family's ancestral motto says, 'With the pen, one can pacify the world; on horseback, one can stabilize the realm.' Although many descendants have gone into business or academia, this foundation of martial arts cannot be lost."

He pointed to the open space in front of the ancestral hall. "Clan rules dictate that as long as one lives in the village and has no major health issues, regardless of age or gender, they must practice for two hours every morning. Children start horse stances at four, learn basic boxing at ten, and practice weapon routines at fifteen. We don't seek to be the best in the world, but to strengthen the body and, more importantly, to cultivate a sense of righteousness and integrity."

Wang Yuanchao's gaze fell on several elders who were moving tables.

Those elders looked to be over seventy, yet they moved heavy solid wood Eight Immortals Tables without getting winded or turning red. Their steps were as steady as rocks, clearly showing their Internal Kung Fu was solid.

"No wonder..." Wang Yuanchao thought to himself. "Su Han has such good physical fitness and combat talent; it turns out it's a family legacy."

Su Bowen laughed heartily. "Third Uncle wasn't as well-behaved as you think! He was quite mischievous as a child and didn't like practicing martial arts. Fortunately, after joining the army, he had a sudden realization. He's also extremely talented; in a short time, he mastered a set of great martial arts."

Not far away, the members of the Womens Special Operations Team were watching in amazement.

Zhang Meng pointed at the group of children practicing boxing and clicked her tongue. "My goodness, that little girl is only seven or eight, right? When she kicked that wooden post, it actually shook! This power is even stronger than mine when I first enlisted!"

Lin Yu pushed up her glasses, her tone full of wonder. "Their breathing rhythm is very special—exhaling when punching and inhaling when retracting. It's clearly a systematically trained Breathing Technique. This kind of ancient Qi cultivation method is rarely seen nowadays."

Li Xue stared at an elder demonstrating Hard Qigong—the old man was bare-chested, letting the younger clan members strike his chest with wooden poles. The poles snapped upon impact, but the old man's expression didn't change.

"If this were on a battlefield, he'd be a mobile fortress!" Li Xue marveled. "Major Su's ability to take a hit is so strong; it turns out it's not innate, it's hereditary!"

Su Qingcheng stood to the side, her face full of pride: "The children in our village grow up listening to stories of 'ancestors serving in the army to resist Japanese invaders.' Practicing martial arts is not just for health, but to remember our duty to 'protect the home and defend the country'."

She pointed to the genealogy on the wall of the ancestral hall. "Look, every generation of the Su Family has had members in the army. There are over thirty registered martyrs alone. The elders often say that practicing martial arts without practicing the heart is just for show; protecting the home and defending the country is true skill."

The female soldiers were deeply moved, and when they looked at the clan members practicing boxing again, there was a bit more respect in their eyes.

Monkey approached and patted Zhang Meng's shoulder. "Don't be surprised. Last time I came back for a wedding with the Chief Instructor, I saw an old lady from Su Family Village practicing Tai Chi. The power in her push-hands almost knocked me, a Special Forces Soldier, over."

"Really?" Zhang Meng looked skeptical.