Rou Lang was very welcome here in the abode of young monks and elder seniors. The first sight which mesmerized her is the golden pillars of a huge huge temple, erected to an amazing height of a hundred feet. Carvings of tigers and serpents are drawn on them. The plaque of the temple was on the highest part of the entrance where it was surrounded by a calf of a dragon.
The area was very wide, made of concrete and stones which are cracked. Monks gathered to meet the new guests and were all shocked since they've never seen a beautiful woman ever since. Seeing an excellent beauty is once in a lifetime and they could die in peace with a smile. That was their first reaction. But of course, most monks are shy to outsiders and are usually wary of them. But now, no one dared to confront.
The abbot and high priests came forward from the temple with their palms pressed together on their chests.
"Amithaba."
"Amithaba."
"Your journey has been long and tiring. Let me offer you our best tea."
Rou Lang was given her own compartment just at the west wing of the temple. It was all too big for a single person and has no ventilation windows. Yet it was still sufficient enough for her practice. A wide room is all she need in order to start practicing martial arts.
Rou Lang has not known any martial arts. She could only rely on her self to introduce to the basics of fighting. Rou Lang has had only a saber technique imprinted on her mind. But since she doesn't have the saber yet, she decided to learn another art which is compatible to a girl like her. Holding a big saber in battle is not usually the style of women. They prefer wielding lighter weapons such as bows or lightswords that complements very well to their skinny but flexible physique.
After contemplating for a proper action, she decides to consult with the abbot or any senior apprentice. She changed to lighter robes and head out of the hallway. There was a monk sweeping the floor and he greeted her.
"Amithaba. May I please inquire the location of the library, or any room of martial arts collection that I can access?"
"Sure do, junior sister. Please follow me."
The two walked around the wide hallway and Rou Lang could still not guess how exactly large this temple was. The path was quite confusing. With so many twists and turns, and every pole and wall just look the same. All were gleaming metallic. At the end of the hall is an entrance made up of gold. Various Chinese characters were inscribed on the doors. The doors were opened and Rou Lang was freely led inside.
At most ten monks were inside. Some are cleaning while the others are reading. She immediately caught their attention and she smiles. They all look away simultaneously after clearing their throat. Eyes still following her back.
"This is the first level archive we junior apprentice can enter. Entering the higher levels are forbidden unless allowed by the priests. We have over ten thousand books and records here, and I hope you may find what information you need."
"Yes, thank you."
Rou Lang ignored the monks' wondered gazes and went straight to the martial arts isle. She began skimming their titles one by one. Atleast thirty books were in one row. Each name is more elaborate than the other. Some were names she never had heard of, but it was written they were fragments of ancient martial arts left by their ancestors. Of course, unlike modern arts, these are style which exceed the value of the whole temple themselves. Each one of them can vastly strengthen the practitioner to the point of breaking a boulder in one punch. While these are invaluable treasures, there is only one drawback. Only cultivators can have the hope of even understanding the first page. Furthermore, these books were very incomplete. Only a dozen or so pages are left intact while the others were just fillers. She knew this because of observance. The first page is already full of information about the very basics of the art, however the later pages were just nonsense etecetera. It was clear it was just copied from a genius' notes. Such words needs high ability of comprehension.
Rou Lang went higher up the stacks until she reached the fifth column. Here was the books of ordinary martial arts, mostly the variation of fighting styles of kung fu. There were Iron Fist, Iron Head, Iron Body, Nine Trigrams Palm, Taiji Fist, Sword Arts, Saber Arts, Axe Wielding Arts, and Pole Arts. Among the set of martial arts techniques, the one which catched eyes the most is the Pole Arts.
Three books were stored, all were which the only incomplete version of Dual-Clock Staff martial art originally written by a genius. However, since the whole art is missing, only these three are preserved and although they are not that much compared to the original, such techniques are still excellent for special persons. And Rou Lang felt she is special. Not only was she given a gifted body, she even has two masters by her side to protect and teach her. She understands she must not rely to them all the time. Because even how supportive and protective they are, only she can walk fate by herself.
With a deep analyzation, she however picked the third style -Cosmic Staff. The name was simple, but it defines a broader explanation for its high potency. Rou Lang would want to give it a try. She grabbed the book and sat on a chair. With a sigh, she opened the book and began reading.
Time passes, all monks have already left, but her mind is still caught up in the locked world of deep comprehension. Her mind marvelled along the words, like a lonely boat rowing along a river, and her path to the sea is not that far. As a cost of meditation, her concentration have improved and not a volcano eruption can waver her mind, especially since she very much enjoyed reading the book.
The introduction and tutorial for the basics was still there, in long paragraphs and funny illustration, Rou Lang absorbed them all like sponge. She doesn't need to memorise letter by letter, she just needs to fully understand and the moves will be deeply embedded on her memory. Through imagining, the learning process quickened considerably and she has unknowingly practicing the moves within her mind.
Finally, she cannot take it anymore. She must do something to apply all what she've learned. Else it might just explode in her head. She took the basic stance, perfectly balancing her weight between two legs. But she made sure they were open so she can change step easily. All martial arts rely on a good footwork in order to execute a fight in a finer and neater manner. Furthermore, leg movement is incredibly useful in a hand to hand combat with someone faster than you. With a straight execution of legs' stability and flexibility, one can effortlessly evade, attack close, or retreat backwards. It was part of the foundation she must master immediately.
With the right foot forward, she pressed her body weight on it and moved her hind leg to a position adjacent to the first. Weight control is among the factors of a good step. Practicing a quick transfer of body weight from one foot to another will improve agility.
Although movement steps of the martial art is not that hard to comprehend, she must not rush. She first did it slowly, to properly study the right balance transfer and ditance apart. A proper corresponding breathing technique is needed. This will surely bring out all strength of the limbs and ensure a safe fluid motion. Breathing techniques will also prevent exhaustion and strains from sudden movement. To further maximize the capacity of breathing, she widens her lungs and raised her head, indulging in the freedom of free movement.
She does not have a pole to start with. And she even doesn't have a left arm. So how can she learn this kind of martial art? Rou Lang must improvise the technique, and turn it into a single-hand wielding style. For that, she needs the help of respective seniors.
Ah, just exactly. The door opens and the abbot enters. Rou Lang halted her training and formally greets the elder.
"Ah, young lady. You must be in a good mood to start practicing martial arts inside the library."
"Apologize, senior."
"Don't think about it. It's not like you are disturbing anyone anyway. What martial arts are you studying?"
Rou Lang revealed the book. "It's the Cosmic Staff from Dual-Clock Pole art."
The elder was bewildered. "I wonder.. why do you chose such martial art when there are so much kung fu arts easier to understand. And especially since you have only one arm. This type of pole arts relies on the heaviness of yang qi. It is not suitable for such a young lady like you."
"I undertsand, abbot. It's that this art is what catch my attention the most. I feel that there is so much more secrets hidden behind the art. If you'll allow me to cultivate this, I will do anything you ask in return."
He chuckled. "No need, Rou Lang. If you truly wants this art, then I have no right to stop you. But remember that without first building a solid foundation, you must not practice heavy martial arts else you'll only injure yourself."
"Thank you, senior. I want to ask something... if this is not too much of a request."
"Go ahead."
"Can you please revise this martial art form into a single-hand wielding style?"
The abbot was at loss for words. But he did not express any shock. He only thought for a moment before giving a decision.
"Revising the style is not hard. It's just that... are you sure you are willing to learn this? Let me inform you, this martial art is indeed just a branch of a bigger martial art fighting style. And after countless revisions, we are not sure if they still contains their original form. I am almost sure that this art has no more advanced stage. Once you practiced the basic to the highest level, I'm afraid you may not improve any further."