"Senior, this martial art is what I'm optimistic in. I would hope of mastering the art of staff wielding because I want to learn how to defend myself. Unlike blade arts which specialize in injuring the opponent and even killing them, this pole art defines what most of us women want to say. Perhaps you don't understand those because you are a man and you've never lived with women before, but we also wants to learn how to defend ourselves. We do not want to be helpless and only relies on men to fight for us. We also wants a good future. But we cannot achieve that without joining the battle race. Thus, even if it is almost impossible to advance to the latter stage, this doesn't mean that I will quit martial arts. Martial arts is also a way of life. Fighting alongside my brothers is a good vision for me. If I even could not help them, at least I would not be a burden because I can protect myself."
The abbot nodded. "Perhaps you're right. I haven't been around with women until now so I might not understand your feelings. But I do understand your cause. And for that, I'm willing to help you. Do not feel down whenever you fails, you should always stand up and fight again. Without imprinting that into your heart, you can never become a true martial artist, understand?"
"Yes!"
"Good. I will go first then. I think there is a copy of this book in our chamber. I will ask the other leaders to help me revise the style. But while waiting for that, I expect you to train hard in order to improve your constitution. After you feel that you can run a thousand li without getting tired, then I will accept you as a disciple. The movement technique and the breathing technique are most important as well. They complement each other. The better you breathe, the faster you move. I advise you often take meditation before and after training. Having a clear mind will remove all worries and negative thoughts."
"Yes!"
The abbot nodded in satisfaction and left. Rou Lang was left alone with a slight smirk. "If it was that easy to convince an elder..., how about the juniors?"
Rou Lang grabbed the book and left the library. The whole temple was vast and she easily got lost. Thus she just walked and walked to anywhere she felt like going. She further reached the latter part where a martial dojo is built. There was a wide clearing where Shaolin monks are busy doing their fighting routines. All of them move in synchronize, with a hard battleshout, a clear indication of thirst for strength. Practicing such moves will undoubtly improve physical condition, and after longer exposure to such hard session will increase stamina into another level. It takes years to achieve the almost perfect state of body mastery on which they can perform headstand for an hour and smash bricks with their forehead. This does not depend on one's innate potential, but of extreme self-discipline and all about hard effort.
Rou Lang observes their movement. These veterans of fighting are the perfect figure for much learning. Such monks are already experticed in bodily control. If they are the cover of a book, Rou Lang would like to read them. Given enough perception, she studies their movement inch by inch, second by second. Although they all move the same and in synchronize, every individual has their unique traces of their own ability. Like that one, he moves blastingly, sending every punch with brutal force. Unlike that one who moves more fluid and refined. Between the two of them, the latter would have the better agility and force control. Such monk should better off learn Taiji Fist.
What she came as conclusion is that, breathing plays a vital role to every movement. One full breathe equates to one full movement. The quicker the breathing, the faster they moves. The slower the breathing, the calmer the movement. It is an indication of what proper martial style one should practice. If one was more attuned to intense work-outs and foreceful fighting, then they are suited for external martial arts. But since Rou Lang practices with more efficiency and precise movement control, and she breathes with a natural state of mind, she is more adept to inner style martial arts.
Inner style martial arts such as Tai Chi however is far more difficult to even comprehend the basics. It is not only about movement and proper control of body and breathing. It is also about achieving inner peace and in harmony with nature. If one could reach true enlightenment through conscious meditation, he or she could control his or her inner force at free will. It is kind of similar to the way of qi induction, but also differs.
Qi is the energy found within the body, particularly from the bones and blood. Inner force on the other hand is the one moving qi to circulate around the system. It is the pressure that enables blood flow and the quick signal transmission of neurons. This force acts naturally, and can only be disrupted by external force. Inner style martial artists of Tai Chi and Qi Gong uses their mind to control this force. Imagine how powerful your punch may be if you use inner force to direct all qi ito your fist.
Rou Lang realized, qi and inner force can be likened to a sea. The fishes are qi, while the sea is inner force. If she used her consciousness, it will be like a bait to lure in fishes towards her. But if she directly controlled the sea, she can also manipulate every fishes on it as easy as cake. That's why she is aiming to do learn how this inner style martial art instead of external. Once mastered, it will be considered a great step for her future cultivation. Upon realizing this, she eagerly ran back towards the library, under the wondering gazes of the monks.
"Brother, did you see that? She blushed and ran away when I met her eyes."
"No. She was looking at me. She probably realized how handsome I was and want to approach me. But she is too shy that she ran away."
"Really? I thought she ran away because of shock at how ugly you are."
"Will you shut up? Why are suddenly talking about woman. Are you still monks? Let's practice efficiently."
Unbeknowst to them, one monk looks at that direction with a grin, showing his pearly teeth.
Rou Lang could not find her way to the library. But she found her room. She entered and quietly sat on the bed. She contemplated on what she should do. Should she start practicing the martial art? Or try doing inner cultivation? Her mind was in a mess.
"Master Levi. Master Lei Jian. Where are you two? Did you both left me?... sigh." There was no reply however. It seems she is truly alone in this foreign place. She terribly miss her home in the Qiguai City. And only Levi and Lei Jian comforts her lonely soul and make her forget homesickness. But now that they've left, she felt as if her heart is missing. The world suddenly turned dull. Those two men were the most important to her. She couldn't live in peace without them.
"If you abandon me, what should I do from now on? You are the only inspiration of my heart. Without you two, I would not know what path to take from now on. I even doubt if my life has any sense at all."
Tears streamed out of her eyes. She looked at her lap which her hair is reaching already. She wiped her face but tears wouldn't just stop. Now, her hair is sticking on her wet cheeks.
"Well well well. What do we have here? A crying chick? Oh no! Lei Jian, wake up! Someone bullied my cutey lovely little kitten. We must seek justice for her!"
"Oh shut up. She's just missing her big bro."
"Now why would she miss a defective inefective unusefull broken saber if she have a defending, caring, loving, possessive, cute little lover? Come here, baby Lang. I will make sure to warm your bed."
"Get lost! How dare you fantasize my innocent younger sister? Your delusion is just a mole in my ass!"
"Well how dare you give me those darn useless threat? Don't you know you are only an ant compared to my peak state?"
"Who cares about your peak state?! My master and I can crush you like flea."
Rou Lang jolted from their sudden voice. Her tears instantly stopped as she widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Levi? Lei Jian? You two... didn't leave me?"
The two answered in sync. "Of course we didn't!"
"I am your Master and big brother. I would never leave your side. It's just that I am busy cultivating to return to my peak state."
"Your Lover Master here is also busy modifying your body. I noticed small defects that may be a great hindrance in the future, so I have to fix those. Furthermore, I added a new ability just for you. I will tell it to you later. Screw this flea-sized big bro of yours. He's just actually sleeping all the time. What cultivating? What returning to peak condition? This place has not even an ounce of heaven energy. How can you cultivate?"
"You don't know anything, you stupid ant. My master have stored tons of high-quality heaven energy in my blade. Unlike your pathetic hell energy that causes insanity, our heaven energy have countless benefits for not just cultivators but to spirits like me."
"Tsss... high-quality heaven energy? Tsk! Stored in your blade? Do you even know where is your blade?"
"Of course I know. That is in... huh? Rou Lang, where is the saber?"
Rou Lang panicked. "Uhm... eh... I lost it when I fell unconscious. But don't worry because I will find it. It's just here within the village."
"Oh... uh.. yeah yeah. But I can sense my own blade not in the village anymore. It's nowhere within my 7000 meter radius."
"What?!" That only means one thing. The saber has been stolen. And possibly, being exported out of the village!