Chapter 4

Am I being mocked for looking like a beggar while practicing the Dog Chasing Stick Technique? …Probably not.

I still don’t know much about Master, but based on what I’ve seen so far, they’re not the type to beat around the bush. So, if they’re saying I’m doing well, then I must be.

But where exactly? I don’t get it. If I can’t even understand it myself, how can I be doing well? My pride won’t allow that.

Seeing my confused expression, Master just laughed warmly, “Hehe~” and stood up. “Hehe~” They’re a one-trick pony.

Master spread their legs, left arm in front, right arm behind, then suddenly rolled to the side with wide eyes.

Rolling left and right, not caring about dignity, their long beard covered in dirt as they tumbled on the ground.

Then, they sprang up, swinging their arms with precision, blocking and deflecting something. But soon, Master started sweating profusely, as if being pushed back, dodging attacks with ridiculous movements.

Finally, I realized what Master was doing. A shadow duel. Master was sparring with an invisible opponent. Shadowboxing.

It’s not that I’m so amazing that I can see the invisible opponent. Master’s movements themselves revealed the opponent.

Just like a top-notch pantomime creates an invisible wall for the audience, a true master creates an invisible opponent.

The opponent was smaller than Master. But a sword? No, too short. The opponent’s weapon was longer. A staff? No, a spear! They relentlessly pressed Master with fierce spear techniques.

I don’t know much about spear techniques, but even I could tell the opponent was a master. They mixed six unconventional techniques, giving Master no chance to counter.

As Master deflected the spear’s tip with bare hands, the opponent drew circles with the spear, forcing Master to retreat, their hands moving further from their body.

That was the enemy’s trap. Focusing on the circling spear tip left Master’s torso completely exposed.

With the torso open, the opponent pulled the spear back and thrust it fiercely and swiftly toward Master’s heart.

The power and ferocity were like a dragon bursting from a swirling, murky lake.

…Can that even be dodged?

Master fell into the enemy’s trap, leaving their heart exposed. Checkmate. No escape.

But Master was different.

Master must have anticipated this move, suddenly falling backward to narrowly dodge the spear.

One second. No, even a fraction slower, and the spear would have pierced their jaw and head. But… they dodged it… impressive, but… really ugly.

Master fell like a frog, then rolled like a donkey to dodge the opponent’s relentless spear thrusts.

“Kuh… kuh… pfft!”

I knew I shouldn’t, but seeing a 2-meter giant rolling on the ground like a donkey, I couldn’t hold back my laughter. Laughter control failed.

“Hehe~ Kid, is it funny seeing your Master struggle?”

My laughter ended the shadow duel. Master brushed off the dirt and spoke in their usual kind and firm voice.

“What I just showed you is called ‘Lazy Donkey Roll.’ When there’s no way to dodge or block, you roll on the ground like a donkey to evade attacks.”

Sure, it looks ugly, but rolling on the ground is a scientifically proven evasion technique, as seen in the notoriously difficult Soul series. …But why show me this? To brag that they can do it too?

“I showed you this because there’s a common point between the Dog Chasing Stick Technique and the Lazy Donkey Roll. Try to figure it out.”

A common point between the Dog Chasing Stick Technique and the Lazy Donkey Roll? Where? One’s a staff technique, the other’s an evasion technique. …No.

Thinking about what Master has shown so far, they wouldn’t say something pointless. This is a hint for me. And Master believes I can figure it out, so they posed it as a challenge.

Then I can solve it. Because I’m the genius Sima Mantian, who can even deceive the heavens. I’m no fool.

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Vicious Dog Blocks the Path = When a vicious dog blocks the path, deal with it somehow.

Lazy Donkey Roll = Roll on the ground like a lazy donkey. An evasion technique when there’s no way to dodge or block.

Comparing the two, the common point became clear. It didn’t even need a genius to solve. I was just showing off.

“The common point between the Vicious Dog Blocks the Path and the Lazy Donkey Roll is improvisation.”

Master nodded in satisfaction.

“Correct. The Vicious Dog Blocks the Path means improvising to break through when a vicious dog blocks your path.”

Master borrowed my staff and created an invisible, vicious wild dog.

“Who do you think is the most dangerous enemy for a wandering beggar with no place to go? It’s the wild dogs.”

Wild dogs, untamed by humans, are like wolves. To them, a lone, poorly armed beggar is just easy prey.

“Bandits won’t rob a beggar with nothing. But wild dogs are different. To them, a beggar is just meat like any other animal.”

Though invisible, I could feel the massive, vicious wild dog in front of Master. And the dog was very hungry, ready to pounce at any moment.

Thwack!

Master struck first, hitting the dog’s nose with the staff like a spear. Then, they relentlessly beat the confused dog. It looked random, but each strike was calculated to keep the dog disoriented.

When the dog tried to escape, Master swept the staff low, tripping the dog, then rained down strikes like a waterfall.

I felt sorry for the dog, even though I dislike them.

The once terrifying wild dog no longer blocked Master’s path.

“The Vicious Dog Blocks the Path isn’t just about memorizing forms. It’s about improvising to break through when an enemy blocks your path.”

“So when you said I was doing well…”

“You kept searching for a way out on your own. And though still lacking, you managed to do it somewhat.”

Master taught me in their kind and firm voice.

“Mantian, when a huge, evil enemy blocks your path, what’s truly important isn’t powerful martial arts. It’s the attitude of never giving up and constantly seeking a way out. Never forget that.”

That evening, I couldn’t sleep, thinking about Master’s techniques and teachings. I rolled around on my bed, then finally went to the backyard to practice the Vicious Dog Blocks the Path.

In the cool dawn breeze, I mastered the technique. And then I caught a summer cold, something even dogs don’t get.

It was summer.

***

I secretly took an extra bowl of chicken porridge, made by my mother with good herbs and chicken, and went to find Master.

Entering the now-familiar abandoned house, I saw Master wielding a long branch, practicing sword techniques.

Master’s towering frame, over 2 meters, displayed a powerful, flawless sword style. Or was it a blade style? I’m not sure. But it was impressive.

I sat on a nearby rock, waiting for Master to finish. But after the blade style, another sword technique began.

This one felt heavy, imposing a sense of majesty with every move. It was completely different from the earlier style.

Then, another technique unfolded. This one was beautiful, unlike anything I’d seen before. It didn’t suit Master’s appearance, but it was mesmerizing.

Suddenly, I smelled sweet plum blossoms. How could there be plum blossoms during sword practice? It must be my imagination.

But it wasn’t. As Master’s beautiful technique peaked, a plum blossom garden appeared before my eyes, like a scene from a fairy tale.

No! No! No!

It was just my imagination. When I came to, I saw the dying trees and rocks of the abandoned house. Seeing hallucinations without drugs? Ridiculous.

“…I smell the savory aroma of chicken porridge.”

Master smiled kindly at me, but I could no longer see them as ordinary.

Even I, ignorant of the martial world, now know. Master isn’t just some recluse who knows a bit of martial arts. With a trembling voice, I had to ask.

“…Master, who exactly are you?”