Capítulo 8: Martial Arts Lesson
In his dream, Lou Cheng's martial skills were progressing by leaps and bounds. In merely a few years he earned favor widely across the professional martial arts world. A budding martial artist, he managed to defeat Qian Donglou and scored the title Martial Lord, rising to the top of Chinese martial arts alongside Chen Qitao, the Dragon King. Adored by numerous fans, backed by a variety of supportive groups, and chased by many gorgeous girls, Lou upheld his principles and followed his soul despite all temptations. He eventually walked down the aisle with Yan Zheke, soaked in blessings from their schoolmates Cai Zongming, Zhao Qiang, Qiu Zhigao and Zhang Jingye, and expectation from his worn and weary parents.
At that very moment, Lou Cheng noticed his skin was turning scorched black with veins flaming fiercely underneath. There was a layer of frost on his back where chillness was flooding out as if inside an iceberg near the South Pole, just like that dead black fish.
With great fear he turned around, feeling Yan Zheke's eyes on him, strange and horrified.
"Ahh!"
Lou Cheng suddenly opened his eyes and found himself curled up on his side in bed. A gentle beam of light shone through the window, barely illuminating the dark dorm room. Within his sight, the bed, the desk, the chair and the mosquito net all seemed familiar yet strange and he was carried away with a short spell of pleasure in the dream.
After a moment of blankness, he took a few deep breaths and finally figured out where he was and what he was doing.
"A nightmare..." Lou Cheng looked out the window as the day was dawning and fell into a trance. The dream seemed blurry already, yet the delusion, the desire, and the fear it bore remained clear.
He picked up his mobile and lit up the screen - not yet seven. He wanted to fall back asleep but found it impossible. He heaved and tossed about till 7 o'clock, then got out of bed. Out of the small bedroom, he stepped into the lavatory.
After a hectic time, he took a sit in the living room. Browsing content posted in the forum late last night by active experienced users, he flashed smiles and gradually calmed down. His expectations in martial progress from consuming the Jindan started to emerge, along with the ones for today's martial arts lesson and Yan Zheke's warm words, "See you tomorrow."
Holding a flurry of excitement, Lou Cheng returned to his small dorm room. He turned a blind eye to Zhao Qiang who was getting up with sleepy eyes to read English and dug out a new martial arts suit from his wardrobe.
This original Longhu Club suit was a gift Lou Cheng got upon his senior high graduation. The navy blue suit of traditional and modern design appeared elegant yet straightforward, similar to a leotard but loose enough to not repress forces from muscles. It would make the wearer look mettled as long as he was not too dispirited.
Lou Cheng walked back to the lavatory in the martial arts suit after fixing his cuffs and trouser legs. He gazed at himself in the mirror where a green dragon and a white tiger twined up into an emblem adorned with cloud and wind patterns on his left chest, manifesting the great power of the club.
Styling his hair with water, Lou Cheng grinned at himself, "Not bad!"
"What a narcissist," satirized Cai Zongming with a yawn as he walked in.
Lou Cheng clicked his tongue, "The one that uses men's skincare products every day is the real narcissist!"
"Come on! I gotta take care of my face," replied Cai Zongming as he stepped to the squatting toilet. Apparently, he woke up to urinate after the booze-up last night, unlike Lou Cheng and Zhao Qiang who get up early.
Zhao Qiang rolled his eyes at the two upon hearing their conversation while washing up. He watched Cai Zongming walk into the squatting toilet and commented as the door closed behind him, "You two would do great in cross-talk. Never too early for you!"
"Ha-hah," laughed Lou Cheng, "Little Ming will hurl down our roof if I don't teach him some lessons now and then!"
He stepped out and changed into a black pair of exercise shoes, waiting for Cai Zongming to go for breakfast.
While waiting, he logged in his QQ account, longing to chat with Yan Zheke but afraid of scaring her away with being too enthusiastic. He quickly checked messages from several freshmen groups and his class before browsing through moments updated by his friends. To his surprise, Yan Zheke just posted ten minutes ago:
"Sleepy but very happy! Today I will enjoy breakfast for all those who get up late. You're welcome!"
"How adorable!" Lou Cheng talked to himself and gently tapped his face. How could he forget to read Yan Zheke's old posts yesterday?
It would help to satisfy his desire formed by accumulated curiosity about her and a good way to understand her better!
As Lou Cheng was browsing through Yan Zheke's old moments, Cai Zongming was ready to go and approached with a yawn, "Cheng, look at your kinky smirk. You must be up to something bad. What are you reading?"
"Nothing." Lou Cheng signed out with a smile and put his mobile away.
Cai Zongming took a glance at Lou Cheng and wagged his head, "This is what we call amorous!"
The pair continued to mess with each other while walking out of the dorm room to the nearest canteen for some soy milk, tea eggs, and steamed buns before they made their way leisurely to the Martial Arts Club.
...
The teaching buildings and living quarters of Songcheng University were separated from each other. The three-story fine block set right by the lake was the office building for the university management. The room deep to the left on the third floor with the sign "Dean's" on the door was filled like in a sauna. A black-haired senior in his 50s was starting the day with a tea ceremony. Opposite to him sat an undisciplined man in his 70s or even 80s. Wearing an old white t-shirt, the old man had entirely white hair, yet not many wrinkles.
His eyes were half closed and his nose gently fluttered as if tasting the drifting fragrance of the tea,
"Ah... Ah-choo!"
A loud sneeze shook the whole office. The black-haired man's hand trembled and almost dropped his purple clay teapot over his suit.
"Can't you remain silent for five minutes?" asked the suited senior in an annoyed tone.
The old man with white hair rubbed his nose, "I would be quiet like your old dog if you were pouring a shot of strong liquor."
"Well, you can pick a bottle from my wine cellar if you manage to take the Martial Arts Club to the national tournament. Pick three if you make it to the top eight. Have a sleepover if you get the championship," the suited senior waved his hand as if giving a speech, "As Principal of the University and a martial arts enthusiast, I see this as my last chance to see the Songcheng University Martial Arts Club rise again!"
Grunt... The old man in a white t-shirt swallowed and let out a brief sputter of laughter, "Deal! Considering our brotherhood, I'll do my best without you asking. Wait for my good news!"
Watching the old man walk out of the office, Principal waited for another five minutes to make a phone call, "Hey, Yuejian. Your dad didn't draw himself back."
"Don't worry. I'll make sure to keep him busy. He won't be idle at home any longer."
"No need. I have known your father since childhood time!"
...
In the grove by the lake, the old man gazed at the waves with his ears moving gently. He took a sip from a metal wine flask and sighed with a faint smile.
...
Inside the Martial Arts Club gym, the first martial arts lesson had a very high attendance. Even Lou Cheng's roommate Qiu Zhigao showed up.
Lou Cheng looked about in search of Yan Zheke, ignoring Cai Zongming standing right next to him. Cai quietly complained about Lou's hiberdating. Finally, Lou Chang spotted Yan Zheke's beautiful figure stepping out of the girls' locker room. Having her black hair tied up, she wore a white martial arts suit with the same emblem of the twining dragon and tiger, another version of Longhu Club's suits.
When the four eyes met, a smile climbed on their faces for their matching suits.
As Lou Cheng was about to approach Yan for a quick chat, Chen Changhua, the sturdy Martial Arts Club Manager with bushy eyebrows, came out from the men's locker room, followed by the slender and fresh Lin Que. The two had their lips pursed. The atmosphere between them seemed depressing.
"Stand in line and get ready. The new coach will arrive any second." Standing in front the crowd, Chen Changhua shouted loudly.
With experience from the military training, all members quickly lined up. Lin Que casually paced to the front of Lou Cheng's column, despite Chen Changhua's angry gaze.
A shadowy figure appeared at the entrance of the gym, approaching and revealing itself as an old and clumsy man in a worn-out white t-shirt and white hair. His skin was in good condition with fewer wrinkles than expected.
"Master Shi," Chen Changhua stepped forward to greet him.
The old man nodded gently and signaled him to join the team. The new coach stood facing the crowd and spoke after some cough, "My family name is Shi, which means to offer. From today, kids, I'll be your martial coach. You may call me Coach Shi or Geezer Shi. I've always been easygoing and approachable with respect for the elderly and fondness for the youth."
Respect for the elderly and fondness for the youth... Respect for the elderly? "Quite hard to find someone older than you, isn't it?" Lou Cheng talked to himself in silence and exchanged a glance with Cai Zongming. Apparently, Little Ming shared the same view.
Geezer Shi continued with a grin,
"Regional matches for the National University Martial Arts Competitions will start in November. The Principal expects us to do better this year. Three martial arts lessons per week are way from enough. I intend to gather our members with potentials for a daily special training from eight to noon. Rest assured, the Principal has agreed to help move all your morning classes around if you are in for the morning training. Maybe evenings."
His words brought a shock to everyone. Members whispered to one another in disbelief.
"Training every morning with no day-off... He-heh... What about games, relationships, and leisurely activities," complained Cai Zongming quietly.
Schedules for first-year students were not so tight. However, dedicating all morning hours to martial practice would leave them little free time besides classes and sleep.
Listening to complaints from the crowd, Lou Cheng fell into an odd silence. He just gave a curt response to Cai Zongming.
Geezer Shi took out a sheet with the register of members and shouted in a loud voice, "Lin Que, are you in?"
Lin answered coldly, "Yes."
"Good. The next, Chen Changhua. What about you?" continued Geezer Shi.
Chen glanced at Lin Que and gnashed his teeth with anger, "Yes!"
"Wu Dong, what about you?"
"Yes!"
"Sun Jian?"
"Yes!"
"Lin Hua?"
"Yes!"
...
"Li Mao?"
"Yes!"
Geezer Shi called out names of Amateur Sixth Pin or higher from the sophomore year to the senior. Most of them chose to take part in the training while a few turned down the opportunity.
"Cai Zongming," he came to the freshmen.
Cai answered with no hesitation, "Coach, I'll have to say no. Studying is more important!"
Geezer Shi moved on to the next with little care, "Qiu Zhigao?"
"I... I can't", responded Qiu Zhigao.
"Guo Qing?"
"Yes!"
...
Geezer Shi took out his wine pot and had a sip, "Of course, the Martial Arts Club is open to all. Students of lower than Amateur Sixth Pin are also welcome to participate in the special training. As the saying goes, participation matters and improving physical fitness is the key. Requirements for these students will be lowered accordingly. So... Anybody? Raise your hand."
Members of the Martial Arts Club looked at each other and remained silent. A passion for martial arts was one thing, but spending so much time on martial practice and sacrificing all free time was another story. After all, the special training would still be hard and tiring, even though the requirements were lowered.
In the dead silence, a hand rose abruptly. Cai Zongming turned to look and was shocked by what he saw. It was Lou Cheng.
Lou Cheng shouted, "Coach Shi, I want to join the special training!"
His voice echoed among the team.
If running could help the Golden Elixir function slowly, would some professional, hardcore martial arts training help with its absorption by the body?
Capítulo 9: Unique Skill of the Thunder Sect
A tree taller than the rest of the forest would be the first destroyed by the wind. Within a few seconds, Lou Cheng reached a much deeper understanding of the saying. As soon as he cried out his interest in joining the special training, eyes turned to him like a shower of arrows from all directions, shocked, puzzled or simply curious, making him horrified and nervous. It reminded him of his attempt to give a public speech to the entire school on the stage in the past. Staring at a dark mass of countless peers and teaching staff, Lou Cheng came up with an uneasiness from his heart and could barely talk. He felt fortunate that he wasn't the protagonist.
Geezer Shi seemed pleased.
"Terrific. You must be a true enthusiast in martial arts. What's your name?"
"Lou Cheng," Lou Cheng took a deep breath.
Geezer Shi looked through the registry to search Lou Cheng's name and asked casually.
"In which year? Of which amateur pin? Seventh or eighth?"
Dead silence in the gym. Lin Que kept his eyes down, appearing unconcerned. Chen Changhua, taller than most of his peers, glanced at Lou Cheng from a distance, wondering who this strange fellow was. The rest of the Martial Arts Club members were waiting eagerly for the answer except for Lou Cheng's acquaintances Cai Zongming, Qiu Zhigao and Yan Zheke who seemed terribly in shock.
Lou Cheng replied calmly and frankly. "A freshman of no rank."
"Of no freaking rank and you want to join the training," words slipped out of Geezer Shi's mouth. It was the first time that he spoke inappropriately since he had entered the gym.
The crowd in the gym burst into laughter. The venue was instantly filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Lou Cheng couldn't help feeling embarrassed. His face was on fire.
"Good," Geezer Shi lowered his right hand as a signal for the gym to quiet down and continued. "A newborn calf is not afraid of tigers. Very much like me in my youth. I'll see you tomorrow here. Quit when you can take no more. Don't push yourself too hard. I can't assume responsibility for your life."
"Are you praising me? Or boasting yourself?" Lou Cheng thought to himself and then replied. "Yes, Coach Shi."
He subconsciously looked up to Yan Zheke, who happened to meet his eyes with joy and made a gesture of encouragement.
Geezer Shi ignored whispers from Martial Arts Club members and carried on. "So Lou Cheng was the first to apply for the special training. The first mover. Anyone else?"
"Coach, me." A sweet, familiar female voice came to Lou Cheng's ear. He turned around and realized it was Yan Zheke.
"She... She also wants to join?"
"Is she simply a big fan of martial arts or?"
"One illusion in life: she is doing this for me," Cai Zongming brutally broke Lou Cheng's fantasy.
"Couldn't you allow my happiness to last a few seconds longer?" Lou Cheng stared at Cai.
Cai Zongming grinned. "Not feeling too good about oneself is an essential prerequisite for chasing girls. However, Cheng, I'm impressed that you are willing to get up four hours earlier every morning to attend this special training just for a girl. I have to admit you have beaten me in perseverance and courage. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart! God won't let down a determined heart!"
Listening to Little Ming's nonsense, Lou Cheng didn't know what to say. He couldn't speak of the Jindan as there was a saying "He who loses his secret will lose himself." So he just admitted that it was for a girl.
"Anyway, have a try. You can always quit."
"Makes sense," Cai Zongming nodded and put one thumb up. "You are worthy to be taught!"
Yan Zheke's participation tempted many boys. They raised hands to apply for the training, and it took Geezer Shi a good while to have every name written down. Geezer Shi straightened his face. "Everybody, attention. Get ready for class."
"Your ranks vary from nothing to Professional Ninth Pin, but in front of me you are all the same, unprofessional martial arts enthusiasts, or in other words, babies on a feeding bottle. So we shall start our first martial arts lesson with the foundation. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."
Geezer Shi kept his hands together behind his back and paced back and forth in front of the team. His voice was not that loud but clear enough to be heard by everyone, "The entry-level of martial arts begins with stance training supplemented by footwork practice and current strength training such as bench press, deep squat, pull-up and back muscle stretch. Only when you have grasped these to a certain extent, you can move on to the practice of actual martial movements to grasp novel force launching techniques of each move..."
...
"... Your Principal put in a lot of effort to bring me here with sincere respect. I'm not a man with an unearned reputation. The stance training of our first lesson will be Yin-Yang Stance, the lost knowledge of the Taoist Thunder Sect!"
Bang! The crowd burst into a passionate discussion. Martial Arts Club members whispered in each other's ear with excitement or shock.
The lost knowledge of the Taoist Thunder Sect had long been well known all over the world. Its basic stance training was a hot topic within the martial arts circle but frequently skipped from knowledge by the amateurs. Those crude and straightforward stance training were nothing like it.
Just as excited, Lou Cheng turned to Cai Zongming. "Shangqing Sect's lost technique of the Thunder Sect?"
"Must be," said Cai Zongming, thrilled.
The Taoist martial arts had a comparably short history, not part of the genuine origin of martial arts. However, it inherited from pre-Qin eras, organized The Old Gods and Old Ghosts System, and laid a foundation for the next blossom of martial arts, making up a significant fraction of the martial arts circle. The core of its martial arts was known as the Five Sects Unique Skills with the Restriction Sect topping the Thunder, Fire, Fighting and Plague Sects.
Two major forces, Shangqing Sect and Longhu Club, were respectively the heirs of the unique skills of the Thunder Sect and the Fire Sect. Another mighty force, Shushan Study, carried forward the entire system of the Fighting Sect while skills of the Plague Sect had been scattered in wars and partly passed on by many forces.
The basic training of such unique skills would bring a thrill to those martial arts members who had long soaked in the news regarding the martial arts circle.
Considering Coach Shi was invited by the Principal in person, he must have some real skills other than ostentation.
Sadly, not Longhu Club's stance training of the Fire Sect... Lou Cheng seemed slightly disappointed.
Geezer Shi kept some space between his feet and suddenly became overwhelming like a towering mountain or a roaring sea. He lifted both of his hands, forming a closed ring in front of his chest, and began to ramble:
"Physical poses of still stance are usually simple. However, the key lies in the stillness. As a saying of the Thunder Sect stated, concealment of spirit and Qi can ward off trouble. It's pretty much telling us only the dead can keep the mind void. Think about one item and completely focus on it. Remain concentrated to bring peace..."
"You may think about anything, a man or a woman, a cat or a dog, a holy statue or a tableware as long as it arouses no desire. I usually think about a one-hundred bill, suppressing my mind with the founding father of the country without waking up my greed. This refers to treating money like dirt..."
Mocking Geezer Shi's pose while listening to his interesting description, Lou Cheng prepared himself for meditation, but threads of thought led him from one thing to another. Focusing on one item to achieve peace seemed impossible. When his mind fell on Yan Zheke, distractions flooded in and he couldn't help dreaming about future.
At this moment, his attention suddenly turned to the Jindan inside his Dantian.
Focusing on his lower stomach, Lou Cheng slowly gathered all his thoughts and restrained them all inside the Jindan. He imagined a fantastic ice ball of nebula pattern and small flames.
As his thoughts gathered, the scene in Lou Cheng's vision abruptly changed. He could see the inside of his Dantian, where the dreamy Jindan set.
The Jindan rotated slowly. Small ice crystals transformed into stars around those tiny flames, creating a vast universe, profound and grand.
"This... Can I look inside to see the Jindan already?" As an experienced martial arts fan, academic terms were no strange for Lou Cheng. Soon enough, he figured out in what status he was.
That was the advanced level of Solemn Silence!
Before, he could only sense the Jindan after a long and weary run. Now he could see it within his body by merely remaining in silence. He started to enjoy his gradual control over it and no longer felt terrified and helpless like yesterday. Conclusions were being drawn on his mind:
"Practicing martial arts indeed can help me gain control over the Jindan. Furthermore, it can also speed up my martial arts training just like it helped with my meditation! Participating in this special training is the right decision!"
Lou Cheng focused on his Dantian and achieved peace through concentration. Random thoughts appeared and vanished and then reappeared but could no longer affect his meditation.
His surroundings became void. Everything flew up to the sky. Geezer Shi's voice rang into his ear from a distance.
"Once you achieve peace, slowly move your weight to the left, to keep the left foot heavier and the right foot lighter, and then do the opposite. Feel the strength changing in every muscle during your weight shifting. This is Yin-Yang Stance. Your body appears still, yet movements and changes never stop inside."
"This stance training firstly helps you with meditation and secondly allows you to feel the subtle changes and cooperation within your body while pulling strength to exert better control of your muscles and make use of your whole body. At the ultimate level of the training, your strength, muscles, and mind will become one, like a human elixir. Once the elixir is formed, Qi will begin to grow and you are stepping into the Danqi stage, the real martial arts entry level. At this stage, even the worst of you can reach the rank of Professional Eighth Pin.
"Ha-hah, just saying. Don't think too much about it, as most of you will never reach this stage. Lin Que is probably the only one among you with such potential. The rest of you don't need to take it too seriously."
"Damn it! He's probably stating the fact but this old man indeed has a bitter tongue..." The thought flashed across Lou Cheng's mind but didn't disturb his concentration. Meanwhile, he began to move his weight to his left foot slowly.
As the weight moved slowly, he could feel changes in his leg muscles, feet and waist. With those subtle changes reflected in his mind, he could barely recognize his own body.
"While running with arms waving, my mind manipulates my body and physical moves take place smoothly but who could have noticed such continuous changes at every inch of the body? No wonder a wrong pose can significantly slow me down and consume more of my energy! The order of changes of strength pulling was wrong!"
Perceive as you see, believe not what you perceive!
It didn't take Lou Cheng long to immerse himself in that new feeling. He continued to slowly move his weight while feeling the changes in his body between falsehood and reality, movement and stillness, and lightness and heaviness as if a gate to a new world had just been opened. Especially when a warm stream of the Jindan reached every corner of his body, some kind of mystery was gently touched.
Upon teaching the Yin-Yang Stance, Geezer Shi started to patrol around reviewing his students. First timers of still stance training had almost no chance of actually remaining in one. He merely wanted these young fellows to adapt themselves.
Lin Que was doing pretty well. From a family with a long history in martial arts, he had already been familiar with Solemn Silence. Geezer Shi stepped past him and nodded with a slight smile.
"Chen Changhua is disturbed by too many thoughts to calm down... Wu Dong's health condition doesn't allow him to stay calm... Yan Zheke is doing alright. With a few more tries she might be able to achieve peace... What the heck is this? What is he thinking about? Is he dribbling?" As he walked past one member after another, Geezer Shi gave silent comments within his mind, "This must be Cai Zongming. Has some talent but more useless thoughts. He needs to organize his mind or it will take him quite some long time to master Yin-Yang Stance. Hmm?"
Geezer Shi paused by Lou Cheng, carrying surprise and confusion in his eyes.
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