Tai Chi (Part 2)

Boom!

The two suddenly paused and jumped back, glaring at each other.

The two people had different expressions.

Bang was bewildered. What did Martial Maniac just do? My attack felt like a stone sinking into wet sands; the resistance became stronger as it went deeper. It was also similar to punching a cotton wall, a disgusting soft feeling. This is a very strange martial art.

Martial Maniac, on the other hand, was perplexed. The move I just instinctively did...was it Part the Wild Horse's Mane? It's the move I just learned from that nameless person that called himself King. How did that slow and weak martial arts resist Bang? Did I miss something?

He frowned. What did that guy say again? Beating the fast with the slow, the hard with the soft, redirecting forces through leverage, moving a thousand pounds with only two or three. To borrow your opponent's force... Tai Chi was about forgetting one's feelings and one's self. Movement without a move...

His confusion disappeared, replaced with glimmering light. So that was how it was. It's not that there were no moves, but the moves were ever-flowing and ever-changing, moving in accordance with the opponent's attack and striking back in a single fluid motion.

He seemed to have grasped a beginning of a profound truth.

Unfortunately, time waits for no man. Bang would not foolishly wait for him to fully comprehend the truth of Tai Chi.

"Martial Maniac, if you choose to continue being stubborn, don't blame this old man for being merciless."

Bang observed the Martial Maniac, who had obtained an epiphany. This boy had immense martial arts talent that only grew as he fought, getting stronger with each second of battle. If he was a chivalrous and kind-hearted good person, he would've been a great boon to the martial arts world. Alas, he was a vicious wanted criminal who had killed tens of martial arts masters. His impeccable talent would only bring great damage to the world.

Bang can't leave him alive.

"Martial Maniac, you must pay the price for your actions," Bang shouted loudly and rushed forward with his hands stretched. He was as swift as a dragon, pressing forth with fierce and indomitable will.

Bang had obviously stopped holding back, intent on fulfilling his vow to take down the scum of the martial arts world—Martial Maniac.

Rumble!

Martial Maniac did not respond to Bang's words. He had entered a mysterious state of enlightenment with a clear and empty mind; all his moves were dictated by pure instinct. His movements became even more bizarre, like a unicorn dancing in the sky. He was no longer constrained by particular techniques or styles. Every move was fluid harmony, each one meaningful.

Bang's shock only deepened the longer he fought. He sensed something familiar in Martial Maniac's movement, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He had no choice but to fight even harder, unleashing the full breadth of his strength in vivid display. His imposing and powerful attacks surged endlessly against Martial Maniac as if a raging storm hitting the shore. Blurry afterimages flashed across the dojo, courtesy of his lightning speed.

The difference in strength overwhelmed Martial Maniac, even after entering the state of enlightenment. The upper hand he had momentarily gained quickly disappeared.

Whoosh! Rumble!

Bang didn't fail to exploit the smallest gap in Martial Maniac's movement and sent him flying with a single punch. He spat blood and fell to the ground, awakened from his enlightened state.

"As expected of a grandmaster. I still have a long way to go." Martial Maniac smiled bitterly, staring blankly at Bang's fist.

Bang held no joy for this victory. He frowned and asked, "You... What martial arts were you using?"

He definitely saw that strange technique somewhere.

Martial Maniac shifted his eyes at King, who was eating popcorn. He whispered, "Tai Chi."

"Tai Chi?!"

Bang and King exclaimed in unison.

Bang turned at King. If he remembered correctly, King had been practicing Tai Chi for the past few days.

King's jaw dropped. Martial Maniac had used Tai Chi to reach almost the same level as Bang. The Tai Chi that had been awkward and useless in King's hand had become Martial Maniac's ultimate weapon. This was really...goddammit.

Martial Maniac struggled to stand up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and staggered towards King. He then knelt to the ground, saying with a weak voice, "This Martial Virtuoso thanks my master for teaching the Supreme Martial Arts, even though I had offended you through my ignorant mockery. Please forgive me."

"Hehe," King smiled sadly. What is this sappy plot development?

"Are you saying that King had given you your Tai Chi?" Bang's eyes widened, and his heart raced. This old man had seen King fight many times, but he hadn't discovered anything about King's fighting style. He can't believe that Martial Maniac would glean it before him.

"I'm getting old...." Bang muttered in his heart.

"Master, you have patiently taught me even though I continued to offend you. This disciple is ashamed."

Martial Maniac recalled when King taught him Tai Chi. He had mocked and disdained the martial arts that he didn't understand. However, King did not get angry and continued to patiently explain the essence of Tai Chi. King was like a generous elder who taught a stubborn disciple and never gave up; despite the disciple's flaws.

Martial Maniac was truly ashamed. King was worthy of being called a grandmaster.

King, on the other hand, was utterly confused. Haha, it seems that Martial Maniac had considered me as his master just by teaching him mundane Chinese traditions.

Bang looked at King with excitement. King didn't only know martial arts; King was actually a master of one!

He immediately ordered Martial Maniac, "Martial Maniac, tell me the secrets of Tai Chi."

He had completely forgotten what he said about martial arts and sharing one's wife. He's selfish and shameless through and through!

Martial Maniac turned to King, asking him with his eyes. King's mouth twitched, and he replied, "Tai Chi belongs to the world." Hurry up and tell him the secrets, so I can learn them too!

Martial Maniac sighed in understanding, "This disciple had only caught a glimpse of the superficial knowledge of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is like water, formless and ever-moving. Tai Chi focuses on adapting according to the situation, and when the time comes..."

King had only talked about the general outline of Tai Chi, but Martial Maniac was able to glean detailed insight into the nature of Tai Chi. The general outline was vague and immaterial, while the insight Martial Maniac provided allowed anyone to quickly understand the principle of Tai Chi.

Bang was overjoyed while listening to Martial Maniac's words. The appearance of Tai Chi overturned the traditional martial arts philosophy. It was as if a door to a new world had been opened that would attract and entrance people into its sweet allure.

"Hu, Tai Chi... is wonderful."

When Bang came back to his senses, he looked at King with a complicated expression. He had originally planned to take King as a disciple and even questioned King's strength. But now that King had revealed his unparalleled mastery of martial arts skills that far surpassed him, what could he say?

"King's strength was fake." If he said that out loud, Martial Maniac would unleash Tai Chi on him. Could a fake make up such profound martial arts?

If he said that he wanted to take King as a disciple, he would be laughed off by the rest of the world. King had formed his own School, but Bang had only inherited wisdom from his teachers. What kind of knowledge would Bang be qualified to teach King about?

Sigh, this old man is sad! I have practiced martial arts for most of my life, yet I can't measure up to the two little brats in front of me. My life was a joke.