Reading too many Buddhist scriptures could make one overly fixated on fate and karma, and Wang Ping was a case in point. Although he knew some matters were intangible, whenever he delved deep into the texts, he couldn't help but ponder his own karmic ties. In the end, he would inevitably take out his divination blocks to cast a few lots.
Just now, for instance, Wang Ping hadn't even made it halfway through a Buddhist scripture before he gave in and cast two divinations for himself. He was studying the results with a copy of the *Book of Fate* when Wang Kang entered the courtyard carrying a food container.
With Yu Cheng Taoist gone, Wang Kang seemed much more relaxed than he had been that morning. He set down the food container, and upon seeing Wang Ping studying the divination results, he asked, "Senior Brother, can you read my fortune?"
"I'm just messing around."
Wang Ping shook his head, refusing. 'My current level of skill is only enough to experiment on myself; I can't go around doing readings for others.' As he spoke, he picked up the divination blocks and stood to open the container. The food at the monastery had improved significantly compared to a year ago. In addition to steamed buns, there was a plate of pan-fried tofu glistening with a noticeable layer of oil.
"There's something good under the tofu!" Wang Kang said with a sly wink.
A curious look on his face, Wang Ping picked up his chopsticks and lifted a piece of tofu. Beneath it lay six neatly arranged slices of cured sausage.
"Let's eat together!"
"Alright!"
Wang Kang took two steamed buns from his pocket.
After lunch, Wang Kang didn't hurry off. He told Wang Ping about the latest news that had reached the mountain. Two items piqued Wang Ping's curiosity: first, the county's upcoming martial arts examination, and second, a major battle that had taken place on the Northern Border six months ago.
Wang Kang wasn't very interested in the martial arts examination, so he focused on the battle at the border. He spoke at length about one young general in particular, a man named Liu Yue.
"...General Liu, all by himself, crushed a cavalry of tens of thousands of northern barbarians and drove them back to the northern ice plains! Now, General Liu has returned to the capital, been granted the title of Ningnan Bo, and appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of War."
'Unless this Liu Yue has also cultivated a Secret Technique, there's no way one person could defeat tens of thousands of Northern Country cavalry. But if he had cultivated a Secret Technique, he most likely wouldn't be found on an ordinary battlefield,' Wang Ping thought, remaining noncommittal.
"I saw you learning a new Sword Technique a while ago. Can you show me?" Wang Ping asked, having no intention of probing into the truth of the story.
"Didn't Master teach you a Sword Technique?" In Wang Kang's simple view, Wang Ping, as one of Yu Cheng Taoist's Direct Disciples, should know everything.
"I'm learning other Cultivation Techniques."
"Oh!"
Wang Kang's Sword Technique was called the Qianmu Sword Technique. It was divided into two parts. The first part consisted of eight movements that looked like flashy flourishes but served to strengthen the body. The second part had five movements. The first three were variations meant to parry an opponent's limbs, while the last two were killing blows: one aimed for the eyes, and the other for the throat.
After mimicking and completing both sets of movements, a new glowing panel appeared before Wang Ping's eyes:
[Qianmu Sword Technique: The first part's eight movements are for intent, the second part's five movements are for form. Practicing the form is easy; practicing the intent is difficult. Using the foundation of the Chang Chun Technique, practice 10 times daily to achieve mastery in ten years. (Progress: 0/100, Daily Progress: 0/10)]
[Note: Employing the advanced methods of the Chang Chun Technique can significantly shorten the time to mastery.]
"Is there anything I should know about practicing this Sword Technique?" Wang Ping asked after reading the panel's instructions. 'The panel's method is the most basic approach.'
"Brother Mao said to focus on 'using intent to drive the form,' though I didn't understand what he meant. He also said not to force the practice of the last five movements, or the malevolence in your heart will be hard to quell."
Wang Ping nodded as he read the panel's description. The last five movements of this Sword Technique were all killing blows. Becoming too engrossed could indeed give rise to malicious thoughts, and over time, one would be unable to resist the urge to spar, or even fight to the death.
Having received an answer, Wang Ping gently swung the tree branch in his hand. He still didn't understand the "intent" of the sword movements, so for now, he could only practice according to the panel's instructions.
By the time he had successfully practiced it ten times, Wang Kang had already packed up the food container and left.
「Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.」
For those two weeks, Wang Ping spent his mornings studying Buddhist Teachings as his master had instructed, attempting to find the great wisdom within them. In the afternoons, he used the Pile Skills from his Chang Chun Technique to practice the new sword movements.
Before practicing today, he felt an inkling and took out his divination blocks to cast a lot.
As expected, it was a good omen!
He finished his ten repetitions of the sword movements quickly today. The moment Wang Ping concluded his practice, he felt an inspiration. With a casual flick of his wrist, the branch in his hand gave off a faint tremor. This was the "Throat Strike," the most lethal move of the Qianmu Sword Technique.
'Is this what they call "using intent to drive the form"?'
Wang Ping muttered to himself. Lightly turning his wrist, he channeled the force-generation principles from the eight seemingly useless preliminary movements and once again executed two of the variation movements. When he finished, a sense of exhilaration welled up from deep within him.
'So that's how it is!'
A look of joy spread across Wang Ping's face as he swung the branch with fluid delight, not stopping for a long while. The instructions for the Qianmu Sword Technique on the glowing panel before him had changed:
[Qianmu Sword Technique: You have grasped the subtleties of this Sword Technique. Do not be disturbed by the malevolence in your heart. Practice ten times daily using your method to achieve mastery in two years. (Progress: 65/100, Daily Progress: 10/10)]
Wang Ping read the new panel several times. He understood that the key now was to control the malevolence in his heart. This malicious energy was indeed easy to generate; after that exhilarating practice session, even his tranquil state of mind had been disturbed by a desire to fight.
He returned to his room to meditate, and within moments, he had soothed his restless heart.
He finally understood why, in his past life, people always said the most important step in martial arts was to "subdue the dragon." The "dragon" here likely referred to the malicious thoughts within one's heart.
If you couldn't subdue those malicious thoughts, you would end up harming others and yourself. That was why martial arts were divided into combat applications and training forms. The training forms not only strengthened the body but also cultivated patience.
Having come to this understanding, Wang Ping continued to meditate in his room until Wang Kang brought dinner that evening. During the meal, he asked Wang Kang to pass a message to their Second Senior Brother, saying that he wanted a sword.
'The feeling of these malicious thoughts rising is actually quite satisfying,' he thought, 'and the process of subduing them is even more so!'
'I bet the malicious thoughts would rise even faster with a real sword, wouldn't they?' Wang Ping couldn't help but think of the rapeseed flowers he had casually destroyed as a child in his past life.
「The next day.」
When Wang Kang arrived with breakfast, he brought Wang Ping a very ordinary iron sword. Its style was similar to those carried by common Jianghu Travelers, but the blade was engraved with the word "Qianmu."
「Another two weeks passed in a flash.」
One afternoon, Wang Ping had just finished practicing the two sets of Qianmu sword movements and was meditating in his room. A familiar set of footsteps in the courtyard reached his ears, and he hurriedly stood up and pushed the door open.
Sure enough, it was Yu Cheng Taoist, dressed in simple cloth robes, standing in the courtyard.
"Master!"
Wang Ping bowed respectfully.
"This trip was not in vain. I've obtained what I was looking for for you." With a flick of his right wrist, Yu Cheng Taoist produced a wooden box in his hand. "I'll explain in detail during your practice tomorrow morning."
With that, he put the box away and walked briskly back to his own room to meditate and recover.
Wang Ping could clearly sense his master's fatigue. He forcibly suppressed his curiosity and bowed in the direction of his master's room.
At dinnertime, Wang Kang, knowing that Yu Cheng Taoist had returned, grew cautious again as he entered the courtyard.
After dinner, Wang Ping returned to his room and began to meditate, hoping it would make time pass more quickly and satisfy the curiosity he could barely contain.