Old man Kemoro immediately got comfortable in the camp I had made, it didn’t even feel like we had just met. This old man really was thick-skinned. After eating some food I started to ask him about the Martial Art he used to defeat me.

“It's my own creation. I haven't really given it a good name. I call it the Combined Fighting Method, but the move I used to take you down comes from the Giant’s Anger Martial School. It's a school that focuses mostly on grappling and takedowns. That particular move was one I took a fancy to.”

“I thought you said you were trying to show me the effectiveness of your Martial Arts, and now I’m finding out that it wasn't even your invention, what's the deal old man.”

“What I showed to you was the effectiveness of my Martial Art Philosophy. I used a total of 4 moves on you all deriving from 4 different Martial Arts, individually the things I can achieve are limited but when combined I achieved a flawless victory.”

“So what your telling me is that your teaching me stolen Martial Arts isn't that frowned upon by Martial Artists”

“Turkey shit! Most of those so-called Martial Artists don’t know anything about the reality of the Martial Expert World, let alone the Ranker world. Out here the only rule is survival, that way of thinking was only promoted as a way to keep those low-level noobs from stealing or more likely leaking their technique and martial secrets. At high levels “move stealing" happens all the time most just do it subconsciously, since once you're at that level trivial things like move ownership don’t matter, it’s only those who survive that get to preserve and tout their Artform and Skills. Let that be your second lesson from me.”

“If everyone does it how come your acting like you created something special, your still only taking credit for other people's work.”

“I guarantee you most of the Creators of the Martial Arts these moves come from, are rolling in their graves, seeing at how their descendants teach and employ the fruits of their labor, neither improving upon it nor perfecting it. To see the resulting work of years of blood, sweat, and tears being used effectively in battle would make no true expert unhappy.”

“Whatever makes you feel better, old man, but what is this Martial Art Philosophy you talk about.”

“So you were paying attention, a good listener will make the job much easier, indeed what my goal at this time of my life is, is to make my Martial Philosophy into Martial Law that no Martial Arts School, Academy, Dojo, Way or Path worth its salt can ignore. I’m convinced that my Philosophy is the natural progression of Martial Arts, that there is no true singular style, form, or technique that is perfect and all-encompassing, the best style is no style, to be flexible and adapt, to know your situation and your options, to react accordingly no matter the threat. That is my Martial Philosophy the thought process behind my Combined Fighting Method.”

I listened to what the old man said, and everything he said about his Martial Art Philosophy resonated with me deeply.

In a way that was how I had conducted my journey to become a Ranker so far. I rejected no knowledge, was open to all things, and willing to learn at all times, and did my best to be prepared for a variety of situations. Maybe meeting this old man was truly my fortune; his way of thinking was really compatible with my own.

‘Okay old man Kemoro will give your philosophy a shot but I’m giving you a warning don't expect much from me I’ve never really been exceptional.”

“Any person who can become a Ranker is worthy of recognition, have more confidence in yourself, and besides the selling point of the Combined Fighting Method is that anyone can learn it and at the very least become a competent Unranked Expert. You said what's different about other people borrowing from other Arts compared to me. Well for starters they haven't systemized such actions as I have. I don't borrow just to borrow. I make sure that it fits the vision of whatever objective I'm trying to achieve.”

I was baffled at how this old man could spin the act of stealing, into borrowing but I had to admit he had made multiple valid points throughout his explanation of his Art form and way of thinking.

The old man continued to explain to me even more reasons why his “borrowing” was different than the others.

“Furthermore in order to make it as accessible and efficient as possible, I haven't really incorporated any of the Martial Art styles high-level moves, what they call ultimate, signature, hidden, secret, or whatever other nonsense word they use to describe a move that's usually not efficient or viable for most situations and usually comes at a huge cost.”

Wow, so the old man had a soul.

“Now I'm not completely knocking these kinds of moves, they can even be said to be something that's necessary at higher levels but to pursue those kinds of moves from the start is not the way of a true Expert. After years of observation, I have discovered most of fighting's fundamental rules, traits, and laws and have based my Methods structure and its foundation upon them. All moves, skills, and techniques are nothing but a tool, a means to an end. Once I start training you these are what you will learn. For now, I am tired let us begin training tomorrow, I noticed you were in no rush and neither am I.”

After listening to what the old man said and getting the creepy feeling that he had been following me I decided to call it a day as well.

The battle with the old man had also made me exhausted, and that wasn't a good way to start any sort of endeavor.

****

“Before I start I will warn you that although my Martial Art is accessible and efficient it is in no way easy, the training and teaching I will impart to you will be harsh and tedious. Part of the Philosophy of my Martial Art is that repetition is the key to success. So if you don't have a strong will I suggest you give up before you waste your time.”

“I already agreed after you beat me up, do you really think I’m going to give up now, I’m going to see through this until the end.”

“ That's the kind of attitude and spirit you’re going to need in your pursuit of any Martial Art if you want to achieve anything. Another thing, although I haven't planned it out, I doubt this will take less than six months, if we’re doing this we're doing it right, and I’m not about to cut any corners is that okay with you.”

“As you said before I’m in no rush, as long as what I’m learning is valuable on my journey I’m willing to take as long as I need to.”

“Very well remember your words, Now for starters, the Art of Combat and more specifically fighting is a derivative of what is its father Art, the Art of War, and so shares many characteristics with it although not all. The most important characteristics that it shares is the emphasis on deception, information, and strategy. Most people don't think of these things when they're fighting but from the very beginning, the one who is superior to the other in all of these things is the one who is most likely to win. In fact, Martial Arts as its main function is to give you the tools to be able to perform these 3 things at their most optimum level. Those who cannot understand that have already failed as Martial Artists. Of course, it's not always possible to be prepared in all three of these things which is why Martial Arts usually focus on the third characteristic, Strategy, which is the one they can control the best.”

I had just started the lesson and things were already difficult and confusing, I still managed to follow what he was saying but for how long would that be the case. This man had analyzed the Art of Fighting to a level I never thought was possible.

“Don't worry if you can't understand everything I'm saying in due time everything will make sense, for now just listen to what I say. Until now I have observed that there are 10 fundamental traits that go into performing or creating a Martial Art, training, fight fundamentals, fighting do’s and don'ts, fighting type, fighting form, fighting stance, fighting skill, fighting style, fighting tactic, movement creation and finally fighting specification. Any fighting Art that falls short in any of these is incomplete. Once you understand the nuances within all of these the world of Martial Arts will open up to you and only the sky will be left to conquer.”

As soon as he got to the fundamentals I blanked out, there was no way I could tell difference between any of those terms, I guess I'll just trust what he says and learn them with time.

“For now we'll focus on the first four, in regards to training we will get to it in a moment. Right now I’ll explain to you the meaning of the other 3 in order. The fighting fundamentals you will be focusing on during the beginning phase of your martial training are posture, stance, general defense, attack technique, tactical skills, and tactical moves. Along with them the do’s and don’ts when performing such fundamentals, the primary of which is to never let the root of their execution be broken or disrupted. Ultimately all these can be applied to supplement and augment your ability to learn and practice the 5 primary fighting types, striking, clinching, grappling, ground fighting, and the often neglected ranged.”

I was still confused but after the initial surprise at the depth of old man Kemoros' understanding of fighting, I was starting to get a general idea of what I would be learning.

Old man Kemoro had managed to break down every aspect of what was needed to be an effective fighter. By knowing the principles behind combative actions you had more control and the ability to perform them better and improve upon them.

That principle applied to almost everything in life.