The next day, six in the morning, Zhang Beixing woke from his sleep. After quickly washing up, he went out to find Teacher Liu.
Following advice from online friends the previous night, Zhang Beixing, not disappointing, believed he had deciphered Teacher Liu's hint. Teacher Liu had thrown a book at him. "One," representing a single person. And a book, which represents knowledge. Thus, Teacher Liu's message was for Zhang Beixing to seek him out alone. If he could find him, Teacher Liu would agree to teach him!
At first listen, this explanation sounded odd. But upon reflection, you would realize that it was completely abnormal. Because that was totally made up by Zhang Beixing on the spot!
Zhang Beixing had not grasped Teacher Liu's hint. But he did grasp Sun Wukong. He understood why Sun Wukong could acquire the Seventy-Two Transformations and the Somersault Cloud. Because Sun Wukong had no shame! Anyone with eyes could see that Patriarch Bodhi had been provoked into striking him those three times. Yet, Sun Wukong staunchly ran his mouth, spouting utter nonsense about knocking on doors in the middle of the night to receive secret teachings. Seriously, it's the middle of the night! People are sleeping. Then you show up with a brazen face, waking them up and saying, "You are truly profound; even in simple conversation, you exude grand wisdom. You hitting me three times means you want me to come now, and you will teach me great spells." You've practically puffed them up to the skies—how could they not give in? Even if Patriarch Bodhi really didn't want to give, would you, Sun Wukong, leave empty-handed after knocking on doors and flattering him in the middle of the night? Yes, your Patriarch Bodhi is an immortal and might not need to sleep. Sun Wukong couldn't handle him. But not all your disciples can be immortals, never needing sleep, right? Give them an enticing carrot and then a stick. If you still won't give, then don't blame me for being impolite.
This is what Zhang Beixing figured out last night!
Of course, Zhang Beixing was human; he couldn't act like Sun Wukong, resorting to violence when he didn't get his way. At most, he would just keep nagging Teacher Liu until Teacher Liu agreed to teach him. However, for now, his grand plan to wear him down had hit a deadlock. Because he… couldn't find Teacher Liu!
Eh, where is Teacher Liu? Zhang Beixing muttered to himself. It's almost seven now, no one in the office, no one in the dining hall. He doesn't have classes today, but does that mean he doesn't need to come to work at school? Don't you know that the school depends on you like it's your own home?
Muttering to himself, he walked on and eventually passed the little grove where he had practiced martial arts the day before. The grove in the early morning was covered in dew—literally dew. Zhang Beixing looked around, found it boring, and was ready to leave. But, just as he took a step, he heard the rustling sounds of clothes being removed from somewhere behind him in the grove.
Getting frisky so early in the morning? Zhang Beixing's eyes lit up with interest. With a firm resolution to strictly put a stop to such behavior, he went over to ask if he could join in and explore the mystery.
However, after entering, he discovered that things weren't as he assumed. There was someone in the grove, but only one person. It was the very Teacher Liu he had been thinking about day and night. He was currently taking off his jacket, hanging it on a tree. His pink short-sleeved shirt paired with his corpulent, sagging body made him look exceptionally greasy. Reaching a clearing, Teacher Liu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He then assumed the starting stance of the Yue Family Fist.
"HA!"
He suddenly opened his eyes, letting out a fierce shout. His eyes, normally gentle, now turned ferociously wild as he launched a fierce attack on the empty air in front of him! The White Snake Spits Venom, Plucking Grass into the Cave, The Black Tiger Cuts Its Tail, The Hungry Tiger Pounces... One martial arts technique after another was executed. Teacher Liu exhibited an agility that was strikingly different from his physical appearance! His moves were fast, accurate, and fierce, each punch causing a whooshing sound as it cut through the air! If these moves were to strike a person, at the least, they would be half-dead, and at the worst, they would die on the spot.
Zhang Beixing was stunned. He looked at the Yue Family Continuous Punches that Teacher Liu had just executed. Then he thought about his own Yue-style Continuous Punches from yesterday. He realized the gap between them was not just large—they were simply incomparable! It was like comparing Kun Kun with Schwarzenegger in a cage fight; even a layman could tell who was stronger.
Truly fierce! Zhang Beixing exclaimed to himself, then hid behind a tree and began to watch secretly. Let's be clear; this is not stealing. This is observing! Though Teacher Liu had refused his formal request to become a disciple, the "Yue Family Continuous Punches" were still taught to Zhang Beixing by him, marking them as somewhat of a master-disciple relationship. Can this even be considered stealing between a disciple and a master? This is seeking instruction! It's imparting knowledge! Realizing this, Zhang Beixing felt even more justified in his actions. He was just short of pulling up a stool and munching on a bag of seeds.
「Meanwhile, in the woods.」
Teacher Liu was, of course, aware of Zhang Beixing's presence. After all, the boy hadn't tried to conceal himself when he entered the woods; he had entered as loudly as he pleased. His entrance was so brazen that if Teacher Liu hadn't noticed, he might as well quit martial arts and get his ears checked at the hospital! As for whether Zhang Beixing watching him could lead to the Yue Family Continuous Punches being stolen, Teacher Liu thought that if Zhang Beixing could manage it, he was welcome to try.
The Yue Family Continuous Punches today were not like they were during the Song Dynasty, simple nine-form sequences that could be learned at a glance. After centuries of evolution, the Yue-style Continuous Punches now comprised one hundred and eighty forms! Even if you were reading from a book, memorizing these one hundred and eighty forms would take at least ten days to half a month, let alone practicing them. In the past, it had taken him over a year to learn the Yue Family Continuous Punches under his own master's hands-on instruction. With just over a year left until graduation, could this young man really learn the Yue Family Continuous Punches just by watching?
How could that be possible! Teacher Liu threw a punch, shaking his head at the absurdity of the thought. Let alone whether Zhang Beixing could learn just by watching, even he himself couldn't practice the Yue Family Continuous Punches for a solid year; his own body wouldn't be able to handle it!
He had told the boy before. The Yue Family Continuous Punches martial art was harmful to the body. Practicing it extensively was detrimental, leading to a deficiency of vital energy and physical injury. With prolonged practice, various health problems would manifest throughout the body. Therefore, Teacher Liu only practiced the forms occasionally, when the mood struck him, to soothe his spirit. He didn't dare practice more, lest his body couldn't bear it. Given his current age and mental state, the occasions he felt such an urge in a year were few and far between. Under these conditions, forget Zhang Beixing; even Yue Fei, the founder of the Yue Family Continuous Punches, would find it challenging to master the modern version!
But... I introduced him to martial arts, yet taught him nothing. Is this really okay? While practicing the Yue Family Continuous Punches, Teacher Liu suddenly found himself questioning his own decision. The reason he hadn't allowed Zhang Beixing to delve into the Yue Family Continuous Punches was that he didn't want Zhang Beixing to end up with a myriad of health issues like himself from practicing, only realizing the regrets when it was too late. But, that being said, to make decisions for someone based on one's personal assumptions, cutting off their aspirations towards martial arts—wasn't that somewhat too cruel? Was I really doing the right thing?
In that moment, Teacher Liu suddenly felt conflicted.