Chapter 121: Tai Chi (Part 1)
"Um... right, who are you? Are you Bang's family?"
King and Wu Jian stared at each other in the backyard for a long time before King finally broke the silence.
Wu Jian said calmly, "I am Wu Taidou, alias Wu Jian."
"...Wu Jian?!"
King's eyes widened, his heart thumping wildly. *This guy is the A-class wanted criminal, Wu Jian, who consecutively killed two martial arts masters in one day? My head's a bit dizzy. Saitama, quickly come and support me.*
*Thump-thump... Thump-thump... Thump-thump...*
A muffled thumping sound, like drumbeats, subtly permeated the silent air. King's long-dormant Emperor Engine roared to life once more.
"What's that sound?"
Wu Jian's brow furrowed, and he stared at King in confusion. His sensitive hearing could quickly determine that the sound was coming from King's body.
King didn't answer directly, instead changing the subject to introduce himself: "I am King." *This is my ultimate move, directly stating my name. Now you should know who I am!*
"King?" Wu Jian glanced at King indifferently and sneered, "A nobody."
"..."
King looked at the contemptuous Wu Jian with a blank expression, feeling an urge to smash his washbasin with his own hands.
*I, King, a nobody?*
*Hahaha!*
King let out a desolate laugh, finally returning to reality. "Alright, a nobody is a nobody. At least the opponent won't kill a nobody; I'm safe."
Thinking of this, his agitated heart slowly calmed down, and the muffled thumping in the air gradually disappeared.
*He ignored Wu Jian. If you don't hit me, then I won't bother with you either.*
He once again slowly began to practice Tai Chi, even having the mood to explain its mysteries to Wu Jian. "This set of boxing techniques is called Tai Chi. It emphasizes using slowness to counter speed, softness to overcome hardness, using an opponent's force against them, 'four ounces deflecting a thousand pounds,' with skill lying in deflecting and borrowing force..."
"Hmph!"
However, before he could finish speaking, Wu Jian scoffed, then criticized him unceremoniously: "The martial arts world reveres 'Of all martial arts under heaven, none is indestructible, only speed is unbreakable' and 'One strength subdues ten skills, one clever move defeats a hundred techniques.' Your boxing method, however, goes against this, conceitedly trying to establish a new school. In reality, it's just grandstanding, neither fish nor fowl. This slow, leisurely way of practicing boxing is more like an old man exercising. If it were to spread, it would only harm yourself and others."
"..."
*That stung!*
King's lips twitched. *No arguing, no arguing. It's like a tortoise chanting sutras.* He took a deep breath and continued, "The highest realm of Tai Chi is the character 'Forget'. Forget emotions, forget self, forget all worldly shackles, forget all formal moves. When you have forgotten everything, that is the day Tai Chi reaches great mastery. At that time, your eyes will only see martial arts, only Tai Chi. Flying petals and plucked leaves can all injure people; every gesture is a brilliant move. This is the highest realm of Tai Chi – 'Formlessness defeats form'."
King had a profound realization about this. If someone had told him before that the highest realm of martial arts was 'Formlessness defeats form,' he would have surely spat in their face. But after he became King, he understood that this statement was very philosophical.
*Yeah, King's ability to "kill" people truly is 'Formlessness defeats form.' He just stands there, doesn't even need to make a move, and people drop dead.*
*The invisible wins; it's the most deadly!*
"'Formlessness defeats form?'" Wu Jian curled his lips. "If martial arts have no techniques, is it still martial arts? Martial arts without techniques are like a tiger without claws and fangs, only able to fight randomly like those brutes."
"..."
*That stung +1!*
King's face twitched. *You, if you don't mock me a few times, does your heart feel uncomfortable? And what's more, you're speaking so reasonably that I'm speechless. Alas, hooligans aren't scary; it's cultured hooligans that are. The ancients truly didn't deceive me.*
"Wu Jian, since you're here, come out openly and honorably. What kind of martial arts is it to hide and sneak around?"
At this moment, Bang's vigorous voice drifted over.
Wu Jian's brow twitched, and his expression flickered. "Bang, you've finally returned."
He glanced at King again, then, with the agility of a rabbit rising and an eagle swooping, he performed several leaps and flips back into the dojo. King followed behind him, entering the dojo to watch the excitement.
Inside the dojo, Bang knelt on one knee on the floor, his expression solemn. Lying beside him was a 'worm' — Charanko. Presumably, Wu Jian had knocked him out when he broke in.
As Wu Jian entered, Bang's slightly closed tiger eyes suddenly snapped open, and a dazzling glint shot directly at Wu Jian, sharp as a blade.
Wu Jian met Bang's gaze without backing down, then strode to within three meters of Bang, bowing slightly. "I am Wu Taidou; please grant me your guidance."
"Guidance? Hmph."
Bang slowly stood up, kicking Charanko with his foot. Charanko instantly flew into the corner like a dead dog. King, who had just entered the dojo and saw this scene, his eye twitching, secretly sighed for Charanko, that poor kid.
"Hah!"
The two wasted no more words, directly posturing for battle and clashing with a thunderous impact.
*Bang! Bang!*
Over the years, Wu Jian had secretly learned countless excellent boxing techniques. Each move changed unpredictably, making him impossible to fathom. One moment he was using Turtle School's Ki, the next he applied Crane School's Ki, leaving his opponent completely unable to defend.
However, Bang was also widely experienced and calm as a deep abyss. Facing Wu Jian's ever-changing techniques, his expression remained unchanged, steady as Mount Tai. One moment his offense flowed like an unending river, the next his fists struck with the force of a thousand tons, powerful and impactful. His attacks were like a fierce storm, leaving Wu Jian no room to breathe. His defense was like an immovable boulder, unyielding and utterly flawless, giving Wu Jian no way to land a blow.
In just a moment, Wu Jian found himself at a disadvantage, defending more than attacking, exhausted from coping, and almost falling into a situation of passively taking a beating.
King watched, slightly amazed. Wu Jian was indeed a rare martial arts prodigy in many years; at a young age, his martial arts achievements had already surpassed most martial arts grandmasters, and he had personally sent many martial arts masters to hell. However, old ginger is spicier, and Bang truly lived up to being an 'old ginger head'... *Ptooey, he's a grandmaster of his generation.* He easily suppressed Wu Jian. And judging by his demeanor, he was doing it effortlessly, implying he hadn't used his full strength, otherwise, he might have instantly killed Wu Jian.
This old man talks about enacting justice on behalf of heaven, but in the end, he still quite cherishes Wu Jian's martial arts talent.
"People who do wrong must pay the price and suffer punishment. Wu Jian, do you know your mistake?"
In the midst of the fierce battle, Bang moved as if strolling through a garden, leisurely and with great interest educating Wu Jian, showing that he still had reserves of strength he hadn't displayed.
King stood there, cracking a bag of melon seeds. His lips twitched. *Old man Bang is truly tireless in teaching others!*
"Wrong? Hahaha, where did I go wrong? You martial arts grandmasters and sect leaders, one by one you hoard and hide your martial arts, unwilling to pass them on to the people of the world. You self-cherish your knowledge and create your own systems in isolation. It's because of you selfish people that countless excellent boxing techniques from ancient times have been lost!" Wu Jian's eyes turned crimson as he roared, "Back then, to learn a single martial art, I pleaded and toiled for three years, and only then was I taught a mere superficial understanding! I hate you, hate your selfishness! Boxing techniques should belong to everyone under heaven! From that moment on, I swore to collect all the excellent boxing techniques under heaven, compile them into books, and release them to the world, so that everyone would have the opportunity to practice martial arts. Only when everyone practices martial arts can the martial arts world truly flourish, instead of being like today, where only a small handful of people practice. This outcome is all caused by you selfish grandmasters and sect leaders! You are the ones who should die!"
King was stunned. Wu Jian actually possessed such grand ambition.
Bang sighed faintly. "This is not a reason for you to kill people, Wu Jian. Stop this. Join my school, and from now on, turn over a new leaf. I will protect you completely."
*Shameless!*
King exclaimed inwardly. *This old man still hasn't forgotten to recruit disciples at this critical moment. How utterly shameless!*
Wu Jian stiffened his neck and loudly refused, "Impossible."
Seeing Wu Jian's incorrigible stubbornness, Bang's face instantly darkened, and he lightly shouted, "Obstinate and unrepentant! The martial arts people learn naturally belong to them privately. What right do you have to demand they selflessly offer it up? If you took a wife, and someone else desired her, would you also be willing to share her with others?" His stance changed, and his flowing, water-like offensive instantly transformed into towering, terrifying waves, surging towards Wu Jian, this small boat.
King watched the cursing Bang, his jaw dropping. *This statement... the words are crude, but the reasoning is sound.*
In that split second, Wu Jian had no time for thought, able only to rely on his instinctual defense and counterattack.
*Bang!*
(end of chapter)