Chapter 24: Next Time, Definitely

The short staff's power‑generating mechanism can be summarized into three points: open‑close, hip‑swing, and wrist‑rotation.

Open‑close means the body contracts and folds to the utmost, then extends and expands.

For example, in a chop, when the right hand holds the staff and slashes down‑left, the body must curl strongly to the left, shrink downward, and pull the right shoulder inward; likewise, for a right sweep, the body must thrust strongly to the right, fully opening.

When applying open‑close power, be sure to let the body lead the hand, uniting body and hand, hand and staff, using the body's twist to fling the arm and staff together! Hip‑swing refers to the instant the staff is released, where the hips and the staff's direction align in a slight half‑circle swing.

When chopping inward, the hips must rotate inward; when sweeping outward, the hips must rotate outward. Because the hip movement is minimal, it appears only as an inward cutting dip or an outward flipping dip.

Additionally, the hip movement must occur half a beat earlier than the body and staff movements.

Mastering these two moves brings huge benefits; learning internal martial arts then becomes twice as effective with half the effort.

However, short staff power also has a third technique: wrist‑rotation.

It is a subtle pre‑rotation of the wrist holding the staff at the moment of attack; when striking inward, the wrist rotates counter‑clockwise, and vice versa clockwise.

The wrist‑rotation not only generates momentum for the staff's power, but also makes the strike smoother and more fluid.

Open‑close, hip‑swing, and wrist‑rotation—truly embodying these details can cause the staff's force to multiply within a short time! Those who think the short staff has little power, that they can merely block a few strikes and wait for the wielder to get close before the opponent suffers, may never reach the real truth.

Jiang Cheng gripped the short staff tightly, and as his body curled, he chopped down fiercely.

A louder, sky‑splitting sound rang out than before.

"The power of this strike is at least thirty percent stronger than before."

Jiang Cheng thought to himself.

His gaze turned to the panel.

【Short Stick: Mastery (1/2000)】

The full‑force strike just now added 1 point of Experience Value.

He tried hip‑swing and wrist‑rotation again.

Each also added a point of Experience Value.

But after completing the three motions, he felt a bit winded.

The previous hour of training had already drained much of his stamina, and adding these three full‑force moves left his energy nearly depleted.

"Let's stop training here for tonight."

Jiang Cheng sheathed the short staff.

Continuing while dragging his fatigued body would cause his movements to deteriorate, so he decided to sleep, restore his spirit, and resume practice tomorrow morning.

A night passed.

The next day, Jiang Cheng woke early, freshened up briefly, and began breakfast.

After finishing breakfast, he would practice the short staff for another hour or two, then set up his stall.

In truth, if his stomach weren't growling, he'd be eager to grab the short staff at dawn and practice those three power methods.

While eating, familiar footsteps sounded outside, belonging to Chen Sao, who carried last night's bowl.

"Good morning, Chen Sao, have you eaten?" Jiang Cheng greeted with a smile.

"Just finished; I saw the bowl you brought last night and came to give it to you."

Chen Sao smiled.

"Hehe, just leave it here."

Jiang Cheng said, then gulped another big mouthful of porridge.

"Xiao Cheng, thanks for the two roasted sweet potatoes you sent last night; they were indeed tasty."

Chen Sao set the bowl down and thanked him.

"Right?"

Jiang Cheng, feeling a bit proud, said, "When I return tonight, I'll roast a few more and bring you two."

"No, no."

"Xiao Cheng, I've taken your kindness to heart; keep it for yourself."

"It's fine, I don't need those two."

"No, no, even if you bring them, I won't accept them."

After saying that, Chen Sao hurried away. Jiang Cheng withdrew his gaze and smiled at Grandma.

He had guessed this outcome, so he was not surprised.

After finishing the meal and resting briefly, Jiang Cheng resumed practice.

After more than an hour, Jiang Cheng was drenched in sweat, his whole body aching, not just his arms.

The power methods weren't that easy to master; he failed many times, gaining no Experience Value and wasting effort.

Jiang Cheng thought more than once about continuing to improve short staff proficiency through the combination technique formed by the twelve moves.

After reaching Mastery level, a single combo could be executed in about three seconds, granting 2 points of Experience Value; at a proficient level, achieving this would add at least five or six points.

But then he reconsidered.

If one or two moves could defeat an opponent, wouldn't that be better? Moreover, once the power mechanism is refined, the twelve‑move combo's power will also increase.

Thus, he kept practicing.

Now on the panel, the short staff's Experience Value had risen to over 60 points; with tonight's practice, the daily proficiency gain would be around 120–130 points.

In other words, it would take at least a week to raise the short staff to the Great Achievement Realm.

"No rush. Nowadays the thugs in the Poor District already steer clear when they see me, and now that I've reached Short Stick Mastery, aside from the Wild Wolf Gang there are a few martial arts schools on the streets—I can basically walk through them. Let's take it slow."

Jiang Cheng tucked the short staff behind him and said, "Grandma, I'm going out to set up my stall."

"Hey, be careful on the road; if trouble arises, don't act impulsively."

The Old Man handed over the lunch he had prepared earlier and reminded him.

"Hmm, got it."

Jiang Cheng smiled and agreed, placed the lunchbox properly, pushed his tricycle, and walked toward the street.

When passing Chen Sao's house, he also called out a greeting.

Practicing Short Staff, he was full of spirit, and now going to the street to sell Roasted Sweet Potato, he was also full of anticipation.

Moreover, having just finished practicing Short Staff before selling Roasted Sweet Potato, it was a blend of work and rest, yielding double results.

Over ten minutes later, Jiang Cheng arrived at the stall, Proficiently lit the charcoal and placed the Roasted Sweet Potatoes.

Because it was still morning, not only his stall but also the other vendors' business was rather slow.

But after a little over an hour, the street became crowded with people.

"Quick, quick."

Not far away, someone hurried toward here, and soon arrived in front of Jiang Cheng.

"Boss, are the sweet potatoes done yet?"

"All right, all right."

Jiang Cheng, with a smiling face, asked, "How many would you like, sir?"

"Two, each of us gets one."

The man pointed a finger at himself, then at his companion behind him.

"Little brother, do you still remember us?"

The man behind asked with a smiling face.

"I remember, of course I remember."

Jiang Cheng, while Proficiently bagging, answered, "You two arrived the earliest yesterday, waited more than an hour; how could I not remember?"

"Then shouldn't you give us one? This is our second time coming."

"This one, next time for sure."

Jiang Cheng smiled.

"Hahaha."

The two exchanged a glance and both laughed.

Once they got the Roasted Sweet Potato in hand, even though it was still steaming hot, the two tore open the skin and bit into the flesh.

Their faces were full of bliss.

At that moment, a few more customers walked over.

(End of chapter)