Riverside Park gradually awakened in the morning light.
Li Qingshan treaded through the dew to the clearing by the lake where he usually practiced, and from a distance he saw the familiar figure in white already waiting there.
Tang Zichen stood quietly by the lake, the morning breeze stirring her robes, like an immortal maiden stepping out of a painting.
A few early-rising wild ducks swam leisurely across the lake, leaving ripples in their wake, intertwining with the Taiji music drifting from afar to form a tranquil morning scene.
"Sister Chen."
Li Qingshan quickened his pace and respectfully saluted her with a fist in his palm.
Over the past two days, the two had grown quite familiar with each other and were no longer as reserved as they had been at first.
Tang Zichen turned around, the corners of her lips lifting slightly:
"Qingshan, you're here earlier than usual today."
She noticed something a little different about Li Qingshan. "Were you practicing late again last night?"
Li Qingshan scratched his head in embarrassment:
"I was working through the Turning Palm you taught me yesterday, Sister Chen. I got so absorbed that it was already morning by the time I came to my senses."
"But while I was practicing, I noticed that if I first concentrated my intent on my dantian, then slowly guided it to the center of my palm, my exertion of force seemed more concentrated."
He had gone without sleep all night.
Although his mental state of Deep Sleep meant that staying up all night hardly affected him compared to an ordinary person, Tang Zichen had still noticed.
"Practice requires a balance between exertion and rest."
Tang Zichen shook her head gently.
"Too much is as bad as too little. Still, that kind of focus is rare."
As she spoke, she took an oil-paper packet from the cloth bag she carried:
"You haven't eaten breakfast yet, have you? I passed a breakfast shop and brought you a couple of meat buns.
"Practice consumes Qi and blood, so you need to replenish them in time."
Li Qingshan took the still-warm buns, a warm current welling up in his heart.
Over the past two days, Tang Zichen had seemed aloof on the surface, but in truth she had taken good care of him.
They had gone from their initial wariness and distance to being both teacher and friend.
The two sat down on a stone bench by the lake, eating their simple breakfast as they watched people arrive for their morning exercise.
There were elderly people practicing Taiji, their movements unhurried as drifting clouds and flowing water;
Young people out running, sweat glistening in the morning light;
And couples bringing their children to play, their laughter echoing through the park.
The warmth and bustle of everyday life and the lofty detachment of martial cultivation mingled in a marvelous way at that moment.
After breakfast, Tang Zichen rose and said:
"Today I'll continue teaching you how to practice Guoshu.
"Start with the Three-Body Stance again."
Li Qingshan immediately assumed the Three-Body Stance of Xingyi Fist. He had long since mastered this basic posture.
Tang Zichen, however, shook her head gently. "That's not how you hold the Xingyi Three-Body Stance."
She stepped forward and lightly tapped Li Qingshan at the waist:
"Sink here, as if sitting on a high stool; brace here, like an arrow on the string; hold inward here, as if embracing a ball."
Her fingers seemed to carry magic. Wherever she tapped,
Li Qingshan felt the muscles there grow slightly warm, and he involuntarily adjusted them into their optimal state.
As she spoke of each point, her fingers tapped it lightly, and Li Qingshan felt the muscles there give a slight tremor,
As if an electric current had passed through them, and he involuntarily adjusted his posture.
In just a few breaths, he felt the way force moved through his entire body change, becoming integrated as one.
"The Three-Body Stance is the foundation of Xingyi,"
Tang Zichen explained.
"It looks simple, yet it contains every variation of Xingyi. Get the stance right, and every punch and kick will have a foundation;
"Get it wrong, and even a lifetime of practice will amount to nothing but flowery fists and embroidered kicks. Look at that old man practicing Taiji over there."
She pointed to an elderly man not far away.
"Every one of his movements contains a trace of the Three-Body Stance. Outsiders simply can't see it."
And so, every morning, Tang Zichen came to the park to guide Li Qingshan's practice.
Sometimes she brought breakfast; sometimes Li Qingshan brought homemade snacks.
Before practicing, the two would always sit on the stone bench and rest for a while, chatting about what they had learned from their training.
These brief exchanges before their morning practice brought a touch of liveliness to what had originally been serious martial instruction.
Over half a month,
Li Qingshan's progress secretly astonished even Tang Zichen.
He not only grasped things as soon as they were explained and learned them as soon as he was taught, but could also draw three inferences from one,
Bringing together the essence of different martial arts and mastering them as a whole.
Rarer still, he could always discover principles in everyday life that resonated with the martial path.
Once, the two saw a park gardener pruning branches, and Li Qingshan suddenly said:
"Sister Chen, look at the way that gardener prunes the branches. Doesn't it resemble Intercepting Jin in martial arts? Both aim for the vital point and strike true in a single blow, without wasting the slightest bit of strength."
Appreciation appeared in Tang Zichen's eyes.
"That you can comprehend martial principles from everyday life shows you've truly found the way in. The martial path originates in life, yet rises above it."
"Your aptitude is the finest I've seen in my life."
Tang Zichen offered the rare praise,
"Ordinary people who practice martial arts tend to accumulate hidden injuries in their bodies. You're different, though. You seem born able to avoid those problems.
"I've observed you for many days and noticed that every time you exert force, it's just right. You never strain yourself. That's very rare."
Li Qingshan knew this was thanks to the extraordinary perception and mental control granted by the Crystal Visualization Method.
While cultivating, he could precisely perceive every inch of muscle and every bit of movement in his Qi and blood, correcting anything improper in time and preventing injuries from accumulating.
At the same time, the Third Level of Deep Sleep allowed his body to repair itself while he rested, making it difficult for hidden injuries to remain.
He was like a precision instrument, able to monitor his condition at any time and make the most precise adjustments.
After morning practice ended that day, the two rested by the lake as usual. Tang Zichen suddenly asked:
"Qingshan, do you know the three stages of martial arts?"
Li Qingshan shook his head.
"Please teach me, Sister Chen."
He noticed that Tang Zichen had made a pot of pu'er tea especially for today. Its fragrance curled through the air, lending their martial lesson a touch of Zen.
"Refine essence into Qi.
"Refine Qi into spirit.
"Refine spirit and return to emptiness."
Tang Zichen spoke slowly, the teapot in her hand tracing an elegant arc through the air as she poured two cups of amber tea.
"Refining essence into Qi is the first step. You already understand it;
"Refining Qi into spirit means using martial arts to change your disposition and character. You've already gained a little understanding of it.
"As for refining spirit and returning to emptiness, that requires understanding gained through life. Rather than talk idly about stages, we'll discuss practical methods and skills."
She continued explaining:
"Training is divided into three steps: Manifest Jin, Hidden Jin, and Transformation Jin,
"Corresponding to three stages of skill: Bone Changing, Sinew Changing, and Marrow Changing.
"Bones, sinews, and muscles can all be trained, but bone marrow is the hardest of all.
"Training the marrow thoroughly is tantamount to shedding your mortal body and replacing your bones. Only by truly replacing your blood and strengthening your foundation can you enter the highest realm of the martial path."
"How do you train the marrow?"
Li Qingshan pressed. He noticed that Tang Zichen had deliberately chosen this peaceful morning to explain these things, presumably because she thought the time had come for him to learn about them.
"With the Tiger-Leopard Thunder Sound."
Tang Zichen said,
"This isn't a sound made with the mouth. Rather, once your skill runs deep, the bones and internal organs throughout your body tremble rhythmically, combining into a low rumble of thunder that shakes you from within and transforms your marrow.
"Like the lingering resonance of a temple bell, it is a resonance of the whole;
"And like Cook Ding carving an ox, only by following the natural order and harmonizing with its rhythms can you find the true meaning of nurturing life."
With that, she suddenly grasped all ten of Li Qingshan's fingers.
Li Qingshan instantly became like a puppet, his whole body trembling slightly beyond his control.
The movements gradually grew smaller, and his joints began to chime together softly, unexpectedly forming a faint rumble of thunder.
The sensation was marvelous, as though every bone in his body were singing and every joint resonating.
"This is an advanced level of Taiji push hands,"
She explained.
"The moment we make contact, I can feel out every bone and muscle in your body, disrupt your center of gravity, and use your own strength to throw you off balance.
"What's called using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds is simply an ultimate grasp of the human body and force."
She pressed lightly on his arm, and Li Qingshan involuntarily leaped backward, landing in a stagger.
The leap appeared passive, but it had actually let him experience how to use an opponent's strength to move his own body. The experience was far more profound than any verbal explanation.
"Just now, I was only letting you experience the vibrations of the thunder sound. Though your bones are strong, they haven't reached the point of producing it on their own. You mustn't force the training.
"Now, I'll teach you Baguazhang."
Tang Zichen assumed her stance.
Her knees bent, she stepped as though wading through mud, light and steady, her body turning with each step.
With her palms and fingers loosely curved, she demonstrated the eight basic forms:
Double Palm Change, Single Palm Change, Following Momentum Palm, Turn-Body Palm, Turning Palm, Groin-Striking Palm, Body-Rubbing Palm, and Body-Kneading Palm.
Her eyes followed her hands, her body was like a roly-poly toy, her lower body was like iron, and her upper body was light and agile.
Her movements were like flowing clouds and running water.
Every turn stirred a breeze.
Every palm strike held its force in reserve,
Yet one could feel the terrifying power contained within.
"The foundation of all Guoshu lies in the legs. You must move as though walking on thin ice, keeping your strength within, light and steady enough not to splash the mud."
She explained as she demonstrated.
"Bagua emphasizes walking and turning, striking while walking and walking while striking, like a swimming dragon or a flying phoenix, circling without end. Look at the fish swimming in the lake."
She pointed toward the water.
"The paths they swim subtly accord with the directions of the eight trigrams. That is the way of nature."
Li Qingshan concentrated completely, pushing the Crystal Visualization Method to its limit.
In his mental perception, every one of Tang Zichen's movements was incomparably clear.
The flow of Qi and blood,
The shifting of force,
The changes in her center of gravity,
All were reflected in his mind as clearly as in a bright mirror.
He could even perceive the minute trembling of Tang Zichen's muscle fibers as she exerted force, and even the faint paths of Qi and blood rushing through her meridians.
He followed along, awkward at first, but soon grasped the essence of Baguazhang.
His steps grew lighter and more agile, like a cat walking through snow;
His palm techniques grew smoother and more rounded, like flowing water.
More marvelous still, he could feel the Qi and blood within him flowing with his walking turns and palm techniques,
Surging like rivers, yet never slipping out of control.
The sensation was special, as though all the blood in his body were singing and every cell cheering.
"Very good."
Appreciation flashed in Tang Zichen's eyes.
"But remember, practice isn't about rote memorization. You need to understand the principles behind it.
"Take this Turning Palm, for example."
She suddenly made an elegant turn. It looked simple, but actually contained principles of mechanics.
In the days that followed, Li Qingshan practiced Xingyi in the mornings, Bagua in the afternoons, and cultivated the Crystal Visualization Method at night, combining his mental cultivation with his Guoshu training.
He found his control over his body growing ever finer. He could perceive the most minute changes in his Qi and blood and call upon the deepest layers of muscular strength.
Even in everyday life, he could put these insights to use:
When serving tea, he knew how to hold a cup steady with the least effort;
When walking, he knew how to coordinate the movements of his entire body;
Even his breathing subtly matched the rhythm of his practice.
To his particular delight, as his cultivation deepened, he could feel subtle changes taking place in his physique.
His muscles grew tougher, his bones denser, and his Qi and blood more vigorous.
After each practice session, rather than feeling tired, he was refreshed, as though he had gained new energy.
One day, he casually gripped the corner of a solid wood table and left a fairly deep handprint, secretly startling him with how much strength he had gained without realizing it.
One morning a month later, Li Qingshan was practicing Baguazhang's Turning Palm when he suddenly felt something.
He felt the Qi and blood within him surging like rivers, his force revolving like a wheel, and an unprecedented sense of perfect flow arose within him.
At that moment, he felt as though his body had become a precision instrument, every part capable of producing a harmonious resonance.
In a flash of inspiration, he struck out with a chopping palm.
The wind from his palm was fierce, yet utterly silent. His palm force penetrated the trunk, shattering the inside of a willow tree while leaving its bark perfectly intact.
As he struck, he felt his intent move ahead of his body. His Qi and blood followed his will, and he wielded his force as easily as his own arm.
That sense of control, that penetrating power, was utterly unlike anything he had experienced when exerting force before.
Hidden Jin! He had finally broken through to the Hidden Jin realm!
Tang Zichen had appeared at his side at some unknown point, a flash of amazement in her eyes:
"One month to go from Manifest Jin to Hidden Jin. Such speed is enough to shock the world.
She showed a rare smile of satisfaction.
"When I broke through to Hidden Jin, it took me a full three months.
"Qingshan, you truly are a martial arts prodigy."
Li Qingshan settled into a standing position, feeling the Qi and blood flowing freely through his whole body, his spirits invigorated.
He bowed deeply to Tang Zichen:
"It's all thanks to your guidance, Sister Chen. Without your careful instruction over the past month, I couldn't have made this breakthrough today."
He recalled every morning's training, every instance of guidance, and every lesson she had given him over the past month, his heart filled with gratitude.
Tang Zichen shook her head slightly:
"Guidance merely points the way. Cultivation depends on the individual. Your accomplishment today is entirely thanks to your own comprehension and hard work."
She walked over to the willow tree and gently stroked the palm print on its bark. The Hidden Jin had penetrated the trunk, damaging the inside without harming the outside.
"Your Hidden Jin has already begun to show some mastery. But..."
She paused, then continued:
"Though you've achieved Hidden Jin, you still need to consolidate it, connecting the sinews, bones, and outer membranes throughout your body to release Hidden Jin. This is what's called 'connecting the Ren and Du meridians.'
"Hidden Jin cultivation focuses on penetration, like spring rain nourishing all things, fine and silent.
"You must spend more time experiencing the sensation of this force and incorporate it into every move and every technique."
As she spoke, she suddenly reached out and pressed Li Qingshan's shoulder. A gentle wave of Hidden Jin penetrated his body, making him shiver involuntarily.
"That's what Hidden Jin feels like. Remember it."
Li Qingshan replied solemnly:
"I understand."
He carefully savored the sensation of that press. It was not as fierce as Manifest Jin, but it was even harder to guard against.