Chapter 16: Teaching Kung Fu
Trantor: Transn Editor: Transn
Gu Shenwei was extremely restless about the lost white handkerchief, and was astounded to hear about its whereabouts from ve Yao.
He immediately realized two things.
One: ve Yao must have stolen the white handkerchief from Gu Shenwei when he fainted. Although ve Yao was a distance away, he could have still snatched it because of his high “status” in the ve carriage.
And two: ve Yao did not know martial arts. Otherwise, the first thing he would have done after entering Golden Roc Fort was to report Gu Shenwei, because Yin and Yang Strength was the unique skill from the Gu family of the Central ins. Even though he had stolen the white handkerchief and even read the shortcut manual of Yin and Yang Strength, he did not know how to practice it.
Gu Shenwei quickly stood up. Although ve Yao had been mentally prepared, he was startled, took a step back, and showed his new move.
“Hey, don’t move. I’ve also learned Kung Fu. I’m not weaker than you.”
Gu Shenwei knew him well after being around him for a while. He squatted down to mop the floor again and said, “If that’s so, then what can I teach you? Keep the handkerchief.”
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“Hey, hey. You can’t fool me. Who do you think I am? I’ve been living in deceit since I was a kid. You’re still too naive.”
Gu Shenwei washed the rag in the basin and wrung it, saying, “Believe it or not, Mama Xue’s Kung Fu is 100 times better than mine. Anything she can’t teach you, neither can I.”
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ve Yao frowned and carefully observed ve Huan, trying to read his mind.
“Mama Xue is indeed powerful, but she said she has no time to teach me her ultimate skill. If Yin and Yang Strength is really as powerful as is written on the cloth and can be acquired in a short amount of time, then I want to learn it.”
“You really believe such casually written things? You know, I haven’t been able to grasp it either.”
“Hey, hey, you can’t deceive me. You just haven’t had time to practice it yet, otherwise, you wouldn’t have been so nervous before. Let’s get this straight. You teach me Yin and Yang Strength and help me be a killer. Only then will I give the white handkerchief back to you. Do we have a deal?”
The word “give” made Gu Shenwei furious. He suppressed his anger after thinking a bit. “If you give me the white handkerchief now, I can teach you a few moves.”
ve Yao shook his head. “I don’t make bad bargains. You will get it back after I be a killer, or at least until I enter East Castle.”
While Gu Shenwei was thinking up a response, ve Ji came in and grouchily shooed ve Yao away. Since ve Yao followed Mama Xue to learn Kung Fu, ve Ji had a terrible impression of ve Yao. Even if ve Ji treated him coldly, ve Yao did not care because he had a stronger benefactor supporting him.
For the rest of the day, Gu Shenwei thought about how to reply to ve Yao. He focused on two things he had to do—take back the white handkerchief and prevent ve Yao from knowing the secret.
He could not trust ve Yao to keep the secret just like he could not count on all his enemies dying of illness.
ve Yao was a dirty dog that did not deserve any trust.
Gu Shenwei’s thoughts wandered wildly. Suddenly, he thought of something. His only choice might be to murder ve Yao.
“Murder ve Yao?”
He had many reasons for making such a decision. ve Yao was a disgusting, even hateful guy. He did not know what Yin and Yang Strength meant. Once he did, he would either divulge the secret or unintentionally do so. Then, Mama Xue and the experienced killers of Golden Roc Fort might know the origin of this Internal Strength set. If that happened, Gu Shenwei would without a doubt be killed.
Gu Shenwei did not want to die yet; he had to get his revenge. The Will of the Divine had supported him so far to get him where he was. Therefore, the Will of the Divine had to want ve Yao, who got in his way, to die.
While having supper, Gu Shenwei made up his mind. He would tell ve Yao that he epted his proposal. He had yet to n his murder, however.
He was not ve Ji nor Mama Xue, so he did not have the power to order anyone to be murdered. He was also not a Peerless Ace, who could kill people imperceptibly.
That night, while everyone was getting ready to sleep, ve Yao waved at Gu Shenwei. “Let’s get started tonight.”
“We can’t go out now because of curfew orders.”
“It’s okay. I’ve asked Mama Xue to notify the watchmen in advance. I can go out to practice Kung Fu at night as long as I stay in the yard. You can be myckey.”
The word ckey” provoked Gu Shenwei. However, after being in a dangerous situation, Gu Shenwei could substantially control his wrath. He gave ve Yao a cool nce and stepped outside. The other teenagers were all surprised that he was so obedient.
In the courtyard, ve Yao warmed up by stretching out his arms, kicking his legs, and letting out several shouts. ve Ji, living in the opposite room, opened the door and yelled.
“It’s midnight. Why are you shouting? If you want to practice Kung Fu, go to Ghost Cliff.”
Although ve Yao had received special permission, he still did not dare to disobey ve Ji. “Okay,” he replied with a smile and turned his head to look at the small western door. His face was turning green. Unless it was absolutely necessary, nobody would ever willingly go to Ghost Cliff during the day, let alone at night when it was totally dark.
Taking a deep breath, ve Yao led the way to the western door.
After stepping outside, he stood against the wall of Golden Roc Fort and kept himself as far away from the cliff as possible. ve Yao mentally calmed himself and spoke. “Let’s get started.”
“Give me the white handkerchief.”
“Why? Did we not make a deal…”
“I have to read what is on the white handkerchief in order to teach you Yin and Yang Strength.”
“Hey, that’s not right. We made a deal. You can not mislead me again. I’ve read the white handkerchief carefully. It said that when learning the shortcut manual, it required at least mastering of the first level of Yin and Yang Strength. I want you to teach me themon Yin and Yang Strength. Regarding the shortcut manual, I can practice it by myself. Who needs you to teach me that?”
Currently, Gu Shenwei waspletely certain that the shortcut manual was on the white handkerchief.
“I haven’t read the white handkerchief. How would I have known that? If you want to learn Yin and Yang Strength, I’ll teach you. Listen, if Yin and Yang were tobine, nothing could transcend it, no one could predict it, and no god nor ghost could respond…”
Although Gu Shenweicked in his studies and spent almost 10 years reaching only the first level of Yang Strength, he still had the family’s Internal Strength manual in mind and was reciting those sentences one by one.
ve Yao frowned in concentration while memorizing those words. After ve Huan finished reciting the manual of the first level of Yang Strength, ve Yao rolled his eyes and said, “Repeat them again. I don’t remember.”
Gu Shenwei recited it again. At times, ve Yao told him to stop and exin the meaning of some words or phrases. Gu Shenwei finally finished teaching the manual after reciting the several hundred characters four or five times. Then he began to teach the footwork and posture of training. Yin and Yang Strength focused on strength practice. Without needing to practice meditation, Yin and Yang Strength was different frommon Internal Strength.
“Don’t look down on me even though I don’t know Kung Fu. That’s right, I’m still smart and can tell if you are lying. I’m not boasting. I’ll be the strongest killer of Golden Roc Fort sooner orter and the Supreme King’s right-hand man. ve Huan, you’re not an idiot. Don’t follow the pair of brothers. They’re vulgar, barbaric, and simple-minded wolf pups. Follow me! I’ll find a way to help you enter East Castle and be a killer too.”
ve Yao appeared to be excited. He stretched out his right hand and waited for ve Huan’s response, as if he was already the famous killer of Golden Roc Fort, and was condescendingly trying to woo a loyal partner.
Gu Shenwei thought for a while. He left ve Yao’s hand hanging, but grasped ve Yao’s forearm.
He established rtions with ve Yao like a barbarian of the Western Region.
From that day on, they went to Ghost Cliff to practice Yin and Yang Strength every night. No one disturbed them there; the night watchman also did not patrol there.
The other teenagers were puzzled with ve Yao and ve Huan’s rtionship. Even the lofty ve Huan was close to ve Yao. Therefore, the others did not have any reason to keep their distance from ve Yao. ve Yao further enhanced his status because of this. A few teenagers who had previously followed ve Ji began to tter ve Yao in their clumsy Central ins Chinese. They wanted to have a backup n and ve Yao enjoyed the attention.
ve Qi and ve Xie behaved oppositely. They not only ignored ve Yao but also treated ve Huan coldly. Previously when they met, the brothers would nod at ve Huan. Now, they ignored him on purpose.
Although ve Yao liked to brag, he was actually very clever. On the third day after practicing Yin and Yang Strength, he felt feverishly warm in his Dantian. He pressed his belly like an excited pregnant woman.”So this is Yin and Yang Strength? I can feel it.”
“This is the first level of Yang Strength.”
“Hah, I have Internal Strength! Heh, it’s not easy to control.”
“It’s very normal. Yang is for the straightest, hardest,rgest, and fiercest. The stronger the feeling, the better.”
“You’re absolutely right. I feel so much more powerful.”
ve Yao demonstrated a set of punching techniques that he had learned from Mama Xue. It looked impressive, vigorous like a tiger. Although he had not practiced well enough yet, it had an aggressive momentum.
It was easy to learn the foundation of Yin and Yang Strength. However, it was quite difficult to actually sessfully apply it. Once it was mastered though, even the Supreme King could not be his opponent.
Gu Shenwei believed in his family’s unique skill.
The next evening, after ve Yao came back from Mama Xue’s ce, he cheerfully whispered to ve Huan.
“Hey, Mama Xue praised me today. Yin and Yang Strength is really helpful.”
Gu Shenwei was shocked because Mama Xue was a dangerous person. Albeit she belonged to the martial arts circles of the Western Region, it was possible that she had heard of Yin and Yang Strength. Gu Shenwei smiled and said, “You mentioned me to Mama Xue? Can you ask her to teach me Kung Fu sometime? We can enter East Castle together.”
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ve Yao immediately stopped grinning and vigntly said, “I will. Take it easy. It’s not easy to enter East Castle. They only choose one person at a time. You can wait for the next chance.”
Gu Shenwei slightly sighed with relief. For now, ve Yao would not mention Yin and Yang Strength to Mama Xue.
That evening, ve Yao was quieter than usual. When they were ready to go at midnight, he suddenly asked, “ve Huan, what are your thoughts about me?”
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Gu Shenwei was not expecting this question. He spoke frankly as he thought that at this point, it was okay to be honest and not disguise his feelings.
“You’re very shameless.”
“Yes, I am.”
ve Yao smiled. It was not a fake smirk but a sincere smile.
“Why do you think I’m shameless? This is a shameless world. If you want to survive here, you have to be shameless. If you want to seed, you have to be even more so. If you want to be invincible, you have to take advantage of your opponent and be shameless even before they are. This is the only truth I have told. Think about it. This is as profound as your Yin and Yang Strength.”
Gu Shenwei thought that what ve Yao said made sense.
In this shameless world, one could only survive by bing more shameless themselves. Therefore, he had to be more vicious than his enemies if he wanted his get revenge in the killers’ fort.
He observed ve Yao’s pointy and thin face, the guilt in his heart gradually fading away.
This self-imed “shameless” teenager, would suffer from Qigong Deviation in a few days because of his Kung Fu practice.