Mastering Firebending was not as simple as learning the movements. The difficult, crucial parts lay in where to apply force in each movement, the timing of transitions, how much force to use, and so on. Without mastering these things, even someone who learned the Firebending forms would be unable to control their power.
In other words, as long as someone became sufficiently proficient in Firebending, understood the differences between each point of exertion while executing a move, and combined them, they could produce endless effects with the same move!
Of course, different effects also came with different drawbacks, which needed to be considered in battle.
At that moment, Kahn recalled that, whether it was Azula or Iroh demonstrating earlier, their Firebending movements had indeed differed slightly from the standard forms.
"A teachable youngster."
Seeing how quickly Kahn grasped what he was trying to convey, Iroh looked surprised for a moment, then stroked his beard in gratification.
Teachable, my ass!
Kahn spat inwardly. Who would've thought a fellow with such thick brows and big, honest-looking eyes would be a riddler too!
"Couldn't you just tell me that outright? Not everyone's as smart as I am. What if someone couldn't figure it out?"
Kahn asked directly.
"Not modest at all! If someone can't grasp this principle on their own, it only means they haven't learned enough and need to keep studying."
Iroh looked Kahn up and down in surprise and said with a smile:
"I originally thought you'd need to study a while longer before you understood it, too. But it turns out your understanding of Firebending is quite good."
So that's how it is. That does sound pretty reasonable.
All right, I take back that 'my ass,' even if you couldn't hear it.
Then Kahn asked:
"But can anyone really reach that level? Thoroughly understanding every aspect of Firebending, even mastering every combination-it sounds like an impossible task."
"Precisely. That is why the road to becoming stronger has no end."
Iroh sighed.
"Still, if we're talking about someone who might truly master bending completely, perhaps only the Avatar could do it."
"The Avatar."
Kahn repeated the name, recalling the material he had read before, and had to admit that was indeed true.
Besides being able to master all four bending arts at once, the Avatar would never truly die, but would instead reincarnate endlessly. After reincarnation, the Avatar possessed a skill called the Avatar State. Upon entering the Avatar State, they could awaken the memories of all past Avatars, gathering all that mighty power into one body to reach their strongest state.
So theoretically, as time passed, the more times the Avatar reincarnated, the stronger they would become. If anyone could completely master the mysteries of bending, it could only be the Avatar.
I'm so jealous. That damned protagonist build!
Still, Kahn now understood why Azula's Firebending was more powerful than ordinary Firebending. She had probably stumbled upon that power-enhancing way of exerting force while Firebending.
She had not even finished learning basic Firebending, yet she was already using its advanced combat methods. On that point alone, Azula was undoubtedly a genius.
And with those special azure flames on top of that... why does it feel like Azula has a better setup than I do?
So jealous.
After that, the two chatted a little longer before Iroh prepared to leave.
Kahn saw Iroh to the door. Only after watching his retreating figure grow farther and farther away did he turn back toward the house, reviewing Iroh's teachings in his mind.
Back in the courtyard, Kahn was about to enter the house when a familiar voice suddenly came from overhead:
"That stinking old man talks too much!"
Before Kahn could look up, a nimble figure leaped straight down from the roof and landed in front of him.
Turning to face Kahn, the newcomer put away her impatient expression and quickly replaced it with a smile. Spreading her arms, she cried with exaggerated enthusiasm:
"Wow, fancy seeing you here! What a wonderful surprise! I'm guessing that's what you wanted to say, so I said it for you. No need to thank me."
I didn't want to say that, I didn't need you to say it for me, and I certainly wasn't going to thank you.
Kahn felt a headache coming on.
Nimble movements, a pretty face, a nasty tone, an erratic personality, unpredictable behavior...
The newcomer was undoubtedly Azula.
What's she here for?
Kahn asked outright, "Why are you here?"
Azula spread her hands. "Uncle Iroh brought me, although he doesn't know it himself. But that's a minor detail."
Kahn was speechless for a moment. "You mean you followed him?"
"You could put it that way, though it doesn't sound very nice."
She shrugged indifferently, walked straight around Kahn, and headed inside:
"Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat?"
Who do you think you are, my lord and master?
Kahn remarked helplessly, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "You're so proactive. Do you even need an invitation?"
"Thank you for the compliment."
"You're welcome. It wasn't a compliment."
Kahn snapped, but he could only follow her.
Entering the living room, Azula unceremoniously plopped onto the sofa. After looking around, she said disdainfully, "How filthy. Is this really somewhere people live?"
If you don't like it, get the hell out!
A vein twitched at Kahn's words. She's so damned arrogant. If I could beat you, the grass on your grave would already be thirty feet tall!
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Kahn ignored her remark and continued asking:
"Isn't the palace under strict watch right now? How did you get out?"
Azula countered, "Do you think the palace walls could stop me?"
Good grief!
Kahn was left speechless.
I've only ever climbed over school walls, but this little girl actually dared to climb over the palace walls. That's seriously badass!
Can't afford to mess with her. Definitely can't.
"By the way, what was Uncle Iroh talking to you about just now?"
Azula asked casually.
"Uh, nothing much."
Kahn paused, then answered:
"Mostly he told me he's retired and that I'll be learning Firebending from him from now on. I asked him a few questions about Firebending."
As for their conversation about matters within the palace and Azula, Kahn did not mention it, because he did not know whether revealing it would affect Iroh.
"Oh, I see."
Azula gave a noncommittal response and said:
"I thought he might talk to you about what happened in the palace. Like how he was driven out of his position."
At that, she looked at Kahn and asked with interest:
"By the way, do you want to know how my father became emperor?"
The moment Azula spoke, Kahn was stunned.
At the same time, an ominous feeling welled up from the bottom of his heart.
"It's something even Uncle Iroh doesn't know, but I do. Because I hid in a corner and watched them that day. I saw everything."
Clasping her hands behind her back, she sauntered over to Kahn, gave a slightly mischievous smile, and leaned forward to whisper.
To Kahn, however, that whisper was like a summons from hell, and his heart instantly went cold.
Get lost! I don't want to hear it! Go away!
But by then, even if Kahn wanted to escape, it was already too late. Azula whispered into his ear:
"Father stabbed Grandfather to death with a single thrust."
Well, shit. I'm done for!
Kahn's eyes went vacant, like a salted fish that had lost its dreams.
He was definitely going to be silenced.
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