Chapter 135: Half a Master
Dongshan Park.
Lin Yi was practicing a set of Tai Chi Boxing by himself in a small grove.
It was a technique he had learned from an old man a week ago.
Tai Chi Boxing could cultivate the body and mind, as well as calm one’s inner turmoil.
Perhaps it was because the Martial Arts exam was drawing ever closer.
Lin Yi felt a strange sense of anxiety and agitation welling up inside him.
Just one week ago,
he had come to Dongshan Park alone.
By chance, he stumbled upon an old man practicing Tai Chi.
He found himself completely captivated.
Every day since, he had made time to come here and learn Tai Chi from the old man.
After a solid week of practice,
his inner restlessness had been suppressed.
Even his anxiety had gradually dissipated.
Having truly experienced the benefits of Tai Chi, Lin Yi made a point to come and practice a set every day.
Today, however, the old man who taught him Tai Chi was unusually late.
Usually, he arrived even earlier than Lin Yi.
The two of them would practice from morning until noon.
Only then would Lin Yi leave the park and head to the Martial Arts Hall for lunch.
But today...
Just as Lin Yi finished a set of Tai Chi Boxing, an old man in a silver Tang suit walked over, a faint smile on his face.
"Not bad. In just one short week, you’ve already practiced this set of Tai Chi Boxing to the point of proficiency!"
"So, did you gain any new insights today?"
The old man’s voice was deep and resonant.
He walked up to Lin Yi, his face radiating a kind smile.
Seeing the old man approach, Lin Yi smiled as well.
"Sir, you’re late today. I was starting to think you weren’t coming!"
At his words, the old man threw his head back and laughed. "Hahaha... You were worried about me, kid?"
"Of course! You taught me Tai Chi Boxing, so you’re practically half a master to me!"
"How could I not be worried?" Lin Yi replied with a light chuckle and a nod.
After he said this,
the old man’s eyes flickered, a complex emotion flashing across his face for just an instant.
He smiled. "Something just held me up. Still have the energy? How about we go through it again?"
"Sure! I wasn’t finished enjoying myself just now. Let’s do it again!"
The two exchanged a smile.
They each took their stances, then exhaled a breath of stale air.
Lin Yi and the old man slowly began to perform the movements of Tai Chi Boxing.
In that moment, Lin Yi felt his mind become exceptionally calm.
All complex thoughts vanished.
Along with that breath of stale air, all his worries seemed to be expelled as well.
It allowed his restless mood to gradually settle.
It was as if he had entered a state of [Void].
Everything around him seemed to slow down.
The gently blowing breeze, the leaves drifting down from the trees.
And a little squirrel passing before him in slow motion.
The entire world had transformed into a slow-motion scene, right down to the white clouds drifting across the azure sky...
The breeze swept over the surface of the man-made lake, stirring up ripples.
The ripples spread outward, glistening under the gentle sunlight.
But their speed was as if they had been deliberately slowed down.
Everything was like this.
This feeling of slowness made Lin Yi’s mind grow ever more tranquil.
Only when he finished the second set of Tai Chi Boxing
did the world snap back to its original pace.
The beautiful leaves.
The blowing breeze.
The spreading ripples, and the squirrel that had scampered up a tree.
In an instant, it was as if everything had been fast-forwarded.
"Tired? Let’s go have a seat."
The old man glanced at Lin Yi with a smile.
"Alright!"
Lin Yi nodded and followed the old man toward a long bench.
After they sat down, Lin Yi and the old man gazed out at the park.
Dongshan Park wasn’t very large.
Nor did it have many facilities.
In the center was a man-made lake, circled by a shaded path.
The people who usually came here were mostly elderly.
They enjoyed practicing Tai Chi or swordsmanship in the woods.
Sometimes, a few like-minded friends would bring a boombox to sing songs or perform Beijing opera.
Occasionally, you would see young couples strolling hand-in-hand along the path, talking and laughing...
The park was relatively livelier in the morning.
The sounds of singing and opera could be heard everywhere.
As well as the SWOOSH SWOOSH of sword practice.
Lin Yi and the old man sat on the bench, looking around.
This was the only way they had ever interacted since they first met.
Aside from discussing Tai Chi and the art of wellness,
they had never talked about their private lives or their families.
Lin Yi didn’t even know the old man’s surname.
This type of relationship, however, made Lin Yi feel more comfortable.
It also helped him relax from the tension of the impending Martial Arts exam.
"The Martial Arts exam is soon, isn’t it?"
"Huh?"
The old man’s sudden question startled Lin Yi.
He said, a little surprised, "Sir, how did you know...?"
"Hahaha... I could tell from the first time we met.
You were anxious and agitated, which is why you were drawn to Tai Chi Boxing!"
Hearing the old man’s explanation, Lin Yi nodded.
It wasn’t something worth hiding, anyway.
It was just that during their time together, the old man had never asked, and Lin Yi saw no need to volunteer that he was a candidate for the Martial Arts exam.
Besides, with the old man’s vast experience,
it wasn’t strange that he could tell Lin Yi was an exam candidate.
As they say, with age comes wisdom—and a sharp eye.
"So, are you confident about the Martial Arts exam?" the old man asked, turning to him with a smile.
Lin Yi nodded. "I have confidence, but the closer the exam gets, the more I feel this strange anxiety!"
"Mm, that’s perfectly normal. Whether it’s the Martial Arts exam or the college entrance exam!"
"They’re all turning points that decide your future!"
"After all, everyone is full of hope and expectations for the future. This anxiety doesn’t stem from a lack of self-confidence!"
"It’s a restlessness born from facing the unknown tomorrow!"
"In truth, this life is all about learning to grow through constant exploration. Everything you experience is inevitable. Once you understand this, you can completely let go of your anxiety and unease..."
After the old man finished speaking,
Lin Yi nodded. "Ever since I started practicing Tai Chi with you, this restlessness has slowly faded. I really have to thank you for that!"
"Hahaha... No need for thanks. I’m just an old man who enjoys practicing Tai Chi.
The fact that we could meet here is a kind of fate!"
"Are you still tired? How about I teach you a different Tai Chi Boxing technique?"
The old man looked back at Lin Yi with a smile.
Instantly, a sharp glint flashed in Lin Yi’s eyes.
In truth, he had always been curious about the old man before him.
For some reason,
he could never see the old man’s talent entries.
They were always blurry and indistinct.
This left Lin Yi full of doubt. ’What could possibly be the reason...
’...that his talents are so blurry?’
But of one thing, Lin Yi was certain.
’This old man is no ordinary person.’
’Strictly speaking, he’s also a senior who cultivates Martial Arts.’
’Is it because his cultivation realm is too high?’
’Is the gap between us so vast that I can’t see his talent entries?’
’Just how big does the gap in our realms have to be to cause this effect?’
After all, the highest-realm people Lin Yi had met were 6-star,
and he could see their talents just fine.
But this old man in front of him...
"Alright!"
Lin Yi nodded with a light smile.
The two then stood up from the bench.
And walked back towards the small grove.
The old man stood in the clearing and took his stance.
"Watch carefully. I will only perform this once. How much you learn will depend on your own comprehension!"
At this moment, the old man’s expression turned solemn.
Lin Yi also shed his previous casual attitude.
His gaze gradually grew serious.
He had a feeling that this other set of Tai Chi Boxing the old man was about to teach him
had absolutely nothing to do with cultivating the mind and body.
It was a technique meant for combat...
The very moment the old man began his opening stance,
Lin Yi was shocked to discover that the space around them was gradually beginning to distort.
It was as if the entire world had been brought to a standstill.
In Lin Yi’s eyes, there was only the old man, practicing Tai Chi.
And every one of his movements concealed a lethal intent.
It was unsettling and terrifying.
Lin Yi watched the old man’s Tai Chi Boxing Technique intently.
Slowly, he too seemed to enter a state of stillness.
Except for him and the old man,
everything in the surroundings, including the invisible breeze,
had come to a halt.
The entire world fell silent.