Immediately, the abbot led them deep into the inner area towards a meditation room. They could hear murmurs from inside.
"Copying, always copying. Do you know how many brain cells I've wasted on this? I'll copy it again later. I want to play a game first."
"Beautiful lady dealer dealing cards online..."
A girl's voice came from inside the room.
"Wow, the monk plays quite extravagantly!" Li Xinzhu could not help but exclaim.
Beside him, the abbot sighed and shook his head helplessly.
"Hong An!" The abbot called from outside, and there was a clattering sound from inside the room. Then Hong An rushed out.
"Master."
"Come out for a moment."
"Yes." Hong An came out of the room.
"So, your name is Hong An?" Li Xinzhu said with a smile. Hong An did not deny it.
"I would like to ask some questions related to martial arts in Buddhism."
"Benefactor, please go ahead."
"I want to practice a Buddhist palm technique, but I've been unable to grasp it. I've come specifically to seek guidance."
"Palm technique? May I ask where you learned it from?"
"I studied it from a book," Wang An said truthfully.
"Namo Amitabha, benefactor, you're being naive. It's almost impossible to learn a martial art style merely by referring to a martial arts book, as depicted in novels and movies. Not only is it difficult to master, but if you force it, there could be significant injuries. It's only possible to refer to a book for self-realization even if you have a strong foundation and experience in martial arts," said Hong An.
"Then, please guide me, Master." Wang An clasped his hands together and performed the first technique recorded in the Diamond Zen, the Vajra Dhyana Palm.
Hong An exclaimed in surprise. "Did you come up with that after reading by yourself?"
"Yes. If there's anything wrong, please help me, Master."
"If I'm not mistaken, benefactor, the palm technique you've learned seems to emphasize hardness and strength. However, when you strike, it lacks a bit of the forceful spirit. Instead, it's a bit gentle," Hong An said frankly.
Wang An's eyes brightened after hearing that. He understood where the issue was.
In the beginning, he practiced Tai Chi and dedicated most of his time and effort to it. Hence, when he practiced other martial arts, Tai Chi's influence bled through.
While it was true that Tai Chi, when practiced to a high level, could achieve a balance of both firmness and gentleness, he was still in the early stages of his current practice.
There was still a considerable gap to reach that level, so the techniques were predominantly characterized by a soft and yielding nature.
This problem was also evident when he practiced the Intention Fist.
Li Xinzhu commented that his Intention Fist practice was a bit odd but couldn't quite pinpoint why. Now, upon reflection, it was likely influenced by Tai Chi.
However, the Vajra Dhyana Palm was a type of Buddhist martial art.
In Buddhist teachings, a diamond represented indestructibility. The simple understanding was of firmness.
For this technique to be effective, it needed to be forceful and hard enough.
Practicing it without understanding was like writing an essay that went off-topic. If the understanding was off, no matter how well it was written, it would be in vain.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master." Wang An bowed in gratitude.
"Benefactor, there is no need to be so polite. I can see that you are also a practitioner. May I ask what martial art you practice?"
"Tai Chi."
"It is no wonder that your palm technique was instinctively influenced by Tai Chi."
"I wonder what you practice, Master?"
"Arhat Fist, Skanda Palm. Allow me to demonstrate a round of it for you."
Following this, Hong An demonstrated a round of the palm technique in the courtyard. It seemed ordinary but was quite stable. From the movements, one could sense the power contained within the technique.
"This monk seems unreliable, but his martial arts skills are quite solid." Li Xinzhu nodded beside him.
"Benefactor, shall we spar?" Hong An said to Wang An after demonstrating the technique.
"Hong An!" the abbot scolded him from the side.
"It's alright. This'll only be a friendly competition. We'll stop after a while. Don't worry!" Wang An assured the abbot.
Hong An turned to look at the abbot, with an expectant expression.
"Only if you stop after a while," the abbot said after a moment of silence.
"Alright! Let's do it."
"Sure, Master." Wang An assumed a Tai Chi stance.
Hong An extended a single palm forward. Neither of them made the first move.
Li Xinzhu stared at the two of them without blinking.
Suddenly, Wang An moved. He crouched down. His feet were firmly on the ground, and in an instant, he shot out like an arrow and appeared beside Hong An in the blink of an eye.
He was so fast!
Hong An raised his hand for a diagonal palm strike. When his palm touched Wang An's arm, he felt his palm brush against Wang An's arm and then slide to the side.
He quickly retreated, but his speed was slower than Wang An's. Wang An was already in front of him.
In haste, Hong An struck back, but before he could even change his posture, Wang An's palm was about to slap his arm.
However, just as it was about to touch his clothes, Wang An suddenly retracted his hand and swiftly moved to the side.
In a hurry, Hong An attempted to change his technique, but he didn't even graze Wang An's clothes. In an instant, Wang An had circled to his back.
Hong An swiftly turned around and raised his hand to protect the vital areas of his body.
At that moment, Wang An's palm was already pressed against his arm, and released the Tai Chi Force.
Hong An shook his arm free and retreated step by step.
"This... This is Tai Chi?" Hong An looked at Wang An in astonishment.
Li Xinzhu watched wide-eyed.
"It's Tai Chi," Wang An said in confirmation. "But not entirely."
In that short moment just now, he had used the Tai Chi Steps, the Tai Chi Force Dissipation Technique, and the strategy he had learned from fighting the boars before.
It gave him a new understanding. In martial arts, speed conquered all.
As long as he was fast enough, he could hit others, and they could not hit him back. It made him almost unbeatable.
Practicing martial arts, conditioning the body, and practicing various forceful techniques were to enhance strength, improve agility, and make a person faster, after all.
It was easier said than done.
"How did you achieve this? How is it possible to be this fast?"
"Practice."
"How should one practice?" Hong An asked.
Li Xinzhu also leaned in to listen.
Wang An fell silent for a while. It was not easy for him to explain.
The reason he could be this fast was because many factors came together at the right time.