Nine Swords of Dugu (獨孤九劍)

More about Nine Swords of Dugu (獨孤九劍)

No techniques beats trained techniques:

Created by Dugu Qiubai, the 'Nine Swords of Dugu' (獨孤九劍) are nine independent sword stances created to provide descendants with a systematic training regime to help them counter all sorts of fighting styles.

This swordplay has 9 stances, each of which is designed to counter a particular form of martial arts. The mastery of all 9 forms allows the swordsman to counter a wide range of martial arts moves (including those involving the use of weapons).

The first core element of the swordplay is perfecting one's own skills, mastering prediction, timing and speed: The swordsman is trained to quickly predict and identify the weaknesses in the martial arts moves executed by an opponent, and seizing initiative to attack the weakness of opponent's techniques.

The second core element of the swordplay is its formless nature and adaptability: Unlike typical martial arts styles, the moves of the 'Nine Swords of Dugu' do not follow any fixed sequence or pattern. As such, it is impossible for an opponent to predict (and counter correspondingly) the moves of the swordplay.

The key to mastering the swordplay is to understand the 2 core elements instead of rigidly memorizing all the stances. Once the swordsman has grasped the essence of the swordplay, he can use it in endless forms and variations, hence the swordplay has no fixed sequence or pattern. During combat, the less the swordsman remembers, the less restricted he is by the original stances. He is thus able to customize and adapt the swordplay accordingly.

Feng Qingyang, the Elder who taught Linghu Chong, Dugu Nine Swords once told him that the end goal of this sword skill is to reach the level of having no techniques.

He explained to Linghu Chong that while amateurs also have no techniques, they do not know what they're doing and thus have plenty of openings, that is why people who are trained in techniques can beat amateurs easily. But people with techniques also means they have fixed patterns thus they have weaknesses. But when a trained practitioner advances to the point where their techniques have vanished, so will the weaknesses that comes with techniques. Thus, the misleading saying "No techniques beats trained techniques"

Linghu Chong then asked Feng Qingyang "What happens when two person who has reached no techniques level fights"

To which, Feng Qingyang replied it depends on who is better in the no techniques state.