The morning light lay hushed, birdsong falling in clear, scattered notes.
Wang Yang finished his final move and slowly settled his stance. The surging in his chest gradually calmed, leaving his breath long and even, his whole body at ease.
Chen Qing Shan handed him a slightly cool cloth. Wang Yang took it and asked pleasantly:
"Xiao Shan, how did I do today?"
Chen Qing Shan set down the bucket and gave him a serious assessment:
"Your stance was steadier than before, and your breath didn't drift when you finished that last move. Not bad. But you still haven't opened your rear hip in 'Treading Step.' If it doesn't open, the following force can't connect; if it can't connect, your power breaks. Your rear leg has to bear force in this move. Rely on your front leg alone, and you won't stand steady or drive a blow through anyone."
As she spoke, she stepped forward and assumed a fighting stance. Her movements were crisp, her long legs taut with strength, her waist turning like flowing water circling a ring. In that single turn, her legs drove her hips, her hips drove her waist, her waist drove her shoulders, and her shoulders drove her arms. Her supple, resilient frame moved like fine ripples stirring the moon's reflection, power spreading upward in successive layers like invisible waves. A crushing punch burst forth-
Like green bamboo shaking off a thousand heaps of snow.
Wang Yang could not help clapping his hands and cheering.
Chen Qing Shan settled her stance and said:
"The hips must turn freely like an axle, the legs and feet like the tip of a whip. Power has to rise from the ground, link through every joint, and reach your hands. That's called 'Unification'-bringing everything together. If your hips don't