“Taiji Quan… is that what you mean?”
An unexpected proposal.
I had merely thought he would teach me a few techniques, and then out of the blue, he wants me to learn Taiji Quan – does he want to make me a Taoist master?
“That’s right. Taiji Quan. Would you not like to give it a try?”
“Could you elaborate, please?”
“Ho ho. I simply concluded that the solution to your problem lies within Taiji Quan.”
“My problem… you say?”
“Do you not wish to ascend?”
True, as Grandmaster Taeheo stated, I do wish to ascend. But is it really possible through learning Taiji Quan?
And furthermore…
“Would it be appropriate for me to learn Taiji Quan? It is, after all, a martial art of the Wudang sect, is it not?”
Teaching the martial art of Wudang to an outsider could cause some issues. Though I have no specific affiliation here, is it still proper for me to learn Taiji Quan?
Grandmaster Taeheo, as if fully aware of my concerns, placed a wine bottle on a table that had appeared from somewhere and added:
“The Taiji Quan is something even old men learn as a form of exercise. What issue could there possibly be with you learning it?”
“But if you, Grandmaster Taeheo, were to teach it, wouldn’t that change things?”
“I shall only teach the forms, and I assure you, there are no narrow-minded Taoists who would squabble over such trivial matters.”
“…Should I perhaps perform the traditional nine bows of respect?”
“There’s no need to make a fuss over teaching a single skill.”
Is Taiji Quan considered a trivial skill?
Indeed, from the perspective of the incomprehensibly accomplished Grandmaster Taeheo, Taiji Quan might just be a minor skill.
“…Thank you.”
“We shall begin the training shortly. Until then, rest. I will go check on a child whose destiny is twisted.”
A child with a twisted destiny?
Without thinking, my gaze fell upon Hye-ryeong and Mok-kyeong. Both appeared tense as Grandmaster Taeheo approached them.
Hye-ryeong, who had narrowly escaped the fate of revenge, and Mok-kyeong, whose path was altered due to my involvement.
Which story is he referring to?
Ultimately, both have had their destinies twisted, so I would not know for certain until he chooses to reveal it himself.
…Of course, the probability leans more toward Mok-kyeong.
“Could the arrival of a child destined by fate imply a will of heaven…”
Grandmaster Taeheo gazed up at the sky as he said these words.
As if reading the flow of fate in his dreams – indeed, he seemed to be reading the will of heaven.
What level of mastery must one reach to decipher the will of heaven?
Fact is, if this individual were to take on Celestial Demon, he could probably defeat it instantly.
But it’s not something I can ask him to do.
“Do not obsess over revenge. If you let yourself go with the flow, you shall eventually meet your foes. For now, work on strengthening your body and mind. Only a tempered body can preserve your blade.”
“…Thank you, Master Taoist.”
Mok-kyeong responded with a bow of gratitude.
“And… young child.”
“Me?”
To Hye-ryeong too?
“An impossible bond has been tied, but now that it has formed, do not be in a rush.”
“…Thank you, Master Taoist!”
…Just how capable is this person?
No, ‘capable’ is an inadequate term to describe him.
I seriously considered whether he might be part of the legendary Turning Ice Ring but decided against it as the thought was less convincing.
“Well, with that, I suppose we’re done for now… child, follow me. I shall teach you Taiji Quan.”
“Understood.”
I turned around and followed him as he walked toward a small thatched house located behind the peak.
——————————–
“That tiger…”
“Ignore it.”
It’s impossible to ignore a large white tiger staring directly at me. Even though it seems indifferent to me as it licks its paw…
“This place will do.”
“It’s spacious enough.”
“You will mainly be standing still during practice, so this space is sufficient. Stand here.”
I took my place where he pointed and met his gaze. Grandmaster Taeheo scanned me briefly before speaking.
“Taiji Quan consists of 42 forms, but you shall only learn 24.”
“24 forms… you mean?”
He’s only going to teach me slightly more than half the forms.
“That should be sufficient. The purpose of teaching you Taiji Quan isn’t to make you a Taoist or introduce you to the martial arts of Wudang, but to fill in what you lack.”
“Fill in what I lack…”
What does that mean exactly?
“I shall demonstrate the sequence. Do observe carefully.”
The moment he finished speaking, he began a slow demonstration from the first form to the twenty-fourth.
I focused all my attention on his moves so as not to miss a single detail.
Given that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I couldn’t afford to be careless.
After completing the twenty-fourth form, which according to my perception took less than a full watch period, Grandmaster Taeheo turned to me and asked:
“What did you feel as you watched?”
“It was gentle.”
“Correct. The martial arts of the Wudang sect emphasize the gentle flow that follows the natural order, alongside the harmony of Taiji. Though Taiji Quan is often viewed as basic training, I claim that there is no Wudang martial art that captures the spirit of Wudang as well as Taiji Quan does. That is why you should learn it. Now, having shown you the demonstration, attempt to follow along.”
…He wants me to follow along after having seen it only once.
Is it possible?
I recalled the forms of Taiji Quan I had seen in my mind.
Twenty-four forms, deceptively simple yet intricate.
I tried to replicate the Taiji Quan forms according to my memory.
My movements were clumsy and riddled with holes.
But how could one master it on the first try?
After concluding the twenty-fourth form in an unsteady manner, I looked at Grandmaster Taeheo. He crossed his arms and scanned me before speaking.
“I shall demonstrate again. Learn it gradually. We have plenty of time.”
Grandmaster Taeheo then began showing me the forms once more. I carefully observed each of his movements and refined my own.
Fortunately, most of the forms were composed of simple motions, so it wasn’t extraordinarily difficult. No wonder it’s considered basic training.
After practicing the Taiji Quan forms for a few hours,
I continued swinging my limbs hard amid the deepening darkness of Tianzhu Peak.
“Enough for now. Let’s continue tomorrow.”
“As you wish.”
“There is a small room where you may rest.”
“Thank you for providing me with a room.”
“Not at all, it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed the worldly pleasures of wine – all thanks to you.”
He turned and disappeared into his house. Once he had gone inside, the white tiger also stood up and disappeared somewhere.
“…I might still believe this is all a dream.”
But it’s no dream.
Leading my weary body, I headed toward the small room.
—————————-
“Now you’re finally performing some usable movements.”
“Is that so?”
After days of practicing nothing but Taiji Quan, it seems I’ve become familiar enough for my motions to catch Grandmaster Taeheo’s eye. After completing the forms, I took a breath and waited for his next words.
Based on my previous experiences, I knew more commentary was coming.
“Well, what have you felt while practicing Taiji Quan?”
“…It feels like water – gentle.”
“Why do you feel that way?”
“Each form seamlessly flows into the next without any abrupt breaks. It’s a natural progression that continues from start to finish; how could one describe it otherwise than as gentle?”
“Have you not felt anything else?”
“…I grasped the principle of ‘subduing hardness with softness.’ Each motion appears as leisurely and graceful as a dance, yet within the Taiji Quan lies a firm resolve capable of deflecting even formidable strength.”
“Hm… fairly insightful.”
“Thank you for the compliment. Upon closer inspection, my own martial arts share common ground with Taiji Quan.”
“Common ground… what do you mean by that?”
“The swordplay and the Golden Lock technique I’ve learned pursue softness. They aim to subdue opponents through gentleness. However… the direction taken is different. My martial arts, much like those of a soldier, chose this method for effectively defeating enemies.”
Softness.
But whether it conceals a blade or a mere intention can shape its form.
The Kampfringen concealed a blade and became a martial art of lethal intent, while Taiji Quan embraced an intention and developed into a ‘living fist.’
Upon hearing my explanation, Grandmaster Taeheo nodded and stroked his beard before speaking.
“An undeniable aura of killing intent seeps through your body. Such a thick killing intent that might one day overcome you entirely. To martial artists in the Jianghu, killing intent is inseparable, but yours is stronger.”
…Even a notorious demon master would not be able to surpass my kill count.
Considering the number of people I’ve killed, the scent of blood ingrained in my body would certainly be more pungent than the smell of decaying corpses.
“So that’s why you taught me Taiji Quan.”
“That’s right.”
“However, I am unsure how to proceed. Would you kindly show me the way?”
Grandmaster Taeheo answered my question promptly.
“Let us practice a light push hands technique.”
An impromptu sparring match.
As Grandmaster Taeheo assumed a Taiji Quan ready stance, I mirrored it.
A duel between someone who’s mastered Taiji Quan for decades and a novice who’s barely begun.
Though my chances are close to nil, it’s not a proper fight anyway.
What truly matters is gaining something from this sparring session.
“Please guide me with one hand.”
“Very well, I shall relinquish the initiative. Attack.”
At his words, I pushed off the ground and closed the distance.
