Chapter 25: Then How Can I See It?

Xuan Shen rolled up his sleeves, still feeling displeased.

“I refuse to believe it! Again!!”

He launched himself at Chen Changsheng once more. This time, holding nothing back, he poured every ounce of his martial skill into the attack.

Yet, every punch and every kick was effortlessly dissolved by the other’s clever force. Sometimes, the force even rebounded, pushing him back several steps.

The two faced each other once again.

By now, Xuan Shen was panting heavily, one hand braced on his knee, sweat beading on his forehead.

“What exquisite technique…”

Chang Shan replayed the Great Master’s earlier movements in his mind. It felt like the door to a new world had swung open.

“So this is how Taiji is used!”

Combining soft force and using an opponent’s strength back against them to perfection. Without even a hint of Blood Qi, he could defeat Xuan Shen, who had trained for years.

Truly formidable!

Shang Lu and Zi Su, however, looked bewildered. They couldn’t quite understand where the Great Master’s power came from.

Chen Changsheng looked at Xuan Shen before him and asked, “Another try?”

Xuan Shen opened his mouth, then closed it again, unsure of what to say.

He knew continuing was pointless. He had no chance of winning against him.

Pursing his lips, he lowered his head. “You win.”

Xuan Huang inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. He had worried the boy’s stubbornness would stop him from admitting defeat.

Xuan Shen lifted his head. “How… how did you dissolve my force?”

“Want to learn?” Chen Changsheng inquired.

Xuan Shen nodded. “Yes!”

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Shang Lu stepped forward then. “Great Master, I want to learn too!”

Seeing this, his junior sister Zi Su also approached. “Me too.”

Chang Shan simply stepped forward to stand in line with the others.

Chen Changsheng swept his gaze over the four before him and smiled. “But aren’t you already learning?”

“Already learning?” Shang Lu looked puzzled.

“The essence of Taiji lies within the Taiji Quan. You’ve simply thought of the fist form as too ordinary. Practice diligently, and it will come naturally.”

Chen Changsheng added, “Besides, passing on a method is easy; teaching it is hard. I am not skilled at teaching. That depends on your Master.”

Their gazes turned to Xuan Huang.

Xuan Huang strode forward. “Years ago, I told you this boxing form isn’t easy to master. It’s not just about simply mimicking the form.”

“Master,” Shang Lu spoke up. “Master, you only taught us the shape, not the meaning. How were we supposed to know it was Taiji—no, I mean the Great Ultimate itself?”

Chen Changsheng said, “The form calms the heart. If the heart is not calm, where can the meaning arise? Do not blame your Master. He himself learned this way.”

Chang Shan listened to the Great Master’s words and felt that familiar strangeness again.

Why did this Great Master’s speech always make him sound ancient?

Chang Shan struggled to understand.

Could this Great Master truly be very old?

He glanced again at Chen Changsheng’s youthful face and shook his head, dismissing the thoughts.

He looks so young. Even if he is old, how old could he possibly be?

There must be something else going on.

Chang Shan walked forward and looked at Chen Changsheng. “Great Master, may I test myself against you?”

“Senior Brother?”

His juniors looked at him in surprise. Xuan Huang’s gaze also focused on Chang Shan.

Chen Changsheng looked at him. “How much did you understand from watching earlier?”

Chang Shan started inwardly. It always felt like this Great Master could see right through him. “About thirty percent,” he replied.

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “I could not withstand you.”

“Huh?” Chang Shan stared at him, stunned.

Chen Changsheng explained, “There is one thing I did not deceive you about. I truly do not know martial arts. Not a single bit. I managed against Xuan Shen only because his Blood Qi was not overly potent, giving me a gap to exploit. But the Blood Qi within you is far, far stronger than his.”

“Though Taiji is an art of yielding and borrowing force, against overwhelming power, sheer force can break through any technique.”

Hearing this, Chang Shan understood. He sighed deeply and clasped his hands respectfully. “Chang Shan… understands.”

He felt a wave of admiration stirring within him.

Just one Taiji principle allowed an ordinary person to defeat Xuan Shen, who had trained in martial arts for three years.

This Great Master truly possessed profound skill!

Yet, the thought that he couldn’t test himself against him filled him with deep disappointment. Such a shame.

Beside him, Shang Lu muttered under his breath, “Force can break any technique… Force can break any technique…”

The phrase echoed in his ears, lingering long after.

After the little drama concluded,

peace returned to the Taoist Temple. The brothers began pondering Taiji, practicing the moves, but their forms remained crude and unrefined.

Though Chang Shan had grasped thirty percent of the concept, putting it into motion felt incredibly difficult. His thoughts couldn’t keep pace with his movements. He finally understood why learning Taiji demanded a tranquil heart.

Chen Changsheng, meanwhile, went back to his reading.

Xuan Huang, after instructing his disciples, found Chen Changsheng to discuss digging the well.

After all, going up and down the mountain each time was far too troublesome.

Chen Changsheng chuckled. “I merely spoke impulsively, to illustrate a point. You’re really digging a well?”

Xuan Huang replied, “I thought it over all last night. I feel you speak great wisdom. We need a well, and we need fields. Later, we can plant a Peach Tree in the small courtyard. The Taoist Temple could become self-sufficient, so my disciples won’t go hungry. And when you visit next time, we could offer something proper to serve you.”

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng felt deeply gratified. “Go down the mountain and buy some soybeans. Plant three beans in a group at several places within the courtyard grounds, then cover each group with a bowl. The next day, the group whose beans have swollen the most indicates abundant groundwater beneath, suitable for digging the well. Behind the mountain lies a plot of wasteland. Turn and hoe the soil repeatedly, then it can become fields. As for the Peach Tree…”

Chen Changsheng had an idea and smiled. “When you buy the soybeans, just bring me one peach back up the mountain.”

Overjoyed, Xuan Huang bowed deeply. “Thank you, Great Master.”ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novelꞁire.net

Xuan Huang then went down the mountain alone to buy soybeans and the peach.

Chen Changsheng stayed in the pavilion in the backyard of the Taoist Temple. He did nothing but read, read, and read more.

At one point, Chang Shan came to the backyard looking for his Master. Seeing Chen Changsheng there, he asked,

“Has the Great Master seen my Master?”

Chen Changsheng answered, “Your Master went to the market to buy a few things. He probably won’t be back until dusk.”

Chang Shan nodded. He intended to leave,

but hesitated. Then he walked further in.

He glanced at the book the Great Master was reading. Just as before, the pages were completely blank.

Chang Shan couldn’t help asking, “Why does the Great Master always stare at a blank book?”

Chen Changsheng replied, “The book has no words in your eyes. But in my eyes, it contains text.”

Chang Shan found this hard to comprehend. He pressed on, “Then how can one see it?”