Part 4
When Master threw the iron balls out into the sea, why did I go out into the freezing water like an idiot? Why use such a dangerous method to practice martial arts? This kind of thing was just like Masters fantasies, strangely transmitted from three-hundred years ago into the modern age. It was lunacy. To return to the topic at hand, perhaps practicing martial arts Masters way would lead to fire deviation. Letting more than twenty types of venomous snakes bite me was just as insane as looking for iron balls in the sea.
Seafloor (1)
From now on, Ah Yi came every night to practice kung fu. As the inner force in our bodies continued to grow, our grades continued to slip lower and lower. No, mine slipped. Ah Yis couldnt get any lower.
Several days later, Mom ran her hands across the sword marks on the wall in disbelieve and Klunk! My room officially had only two walls left.
And then winter officially arrived. Every night, the inner force in my body would automatically circulate through my acupuncture points, and I would fall asleep, warm and comfortable in the frigid, biting wind. If my kung fu kept developing this way, my first official profession might be selling blankets.
Two months passed, and finally I heard Ah Yi cry out crazily in class. It seemed hed finally gotten the knack of it.
You two are so cartoonish, said Ah Lun. If I hadnt seen Yuan Zais moves, Id die before believing that you two practice martial arts.
I tried to get Ah Lun to come train with us, but he had no interest in it whatsoever. Although, there was one thing he was curious about: When would we be able to destroy the schools Chiang Kai-shek statue? [101]
Are you cold? I gripped Yi Jings little hand. There was a cold spell now, and it was about ten degrees celsius. [102]
Nope Your inner force is getting stronger and stronger, isnt it? Yi Jing laughed. Her dimples were so cute.
You can tell? I said. I guess I really do have a lot of natural talent. At least, a lot more talent than I do in studying.
You really dont want to study any more? She would ask me this question a lot, and would always look very concerned.
I dont know, I would laugh bitterly. Maybe I wont study any more, or maybe after a while I will. Well see.
Whenever Yi Jing posed this question, it left me a bit puzzled.
For a first year middle school student in 1987, what was the point of relentlessly pursuing high level martial arts?
If Master showed off all the astonishing abilities, he would be world famous and make huge amounts of money. But he truly believed that the real value of kung fu was not to in gaining a reputation, but in justice. He really was like a cartoon character.
Therefore, Master forbade us from showing off our kung fu to anyone. In this world, he said, Very few people truly understand kung fu. It is all because of the year that Lan Jin destroyed the legacies of Jianghu. But, it is what it is. If villains understood martial arts, it would be a disaster for the common people.
So were the only people left who can do martial arts? asked Ah Yi. That will make it much easier to defend the country and save our fellow countrymen.
Correct. Later on, you must select some kind, merciful and brave disciples, and pass down the responsibility of upholding justice from generation to generation. Master patted Ah Yi on the head.
Hei hei. When can I start getting rid of bullies and bringing peace to the innocent? said Ah Yi excitedly. Whenever I see a group of thugs, it puts me in a really bad mood!
You are too gung-ho! Master gave a hard nock on Ah Yis head. If you casually show off your kung fu to people, I will disable your tendons and arteries!
Ai I couldnt stop from saying, Master, in modern society we have policemen, they have guns, and they enforce the law. Its not our place to be heroes.
With contempt, Master said, You can lump those constables together with thieves. Every dynasty is the same in this regard.
Ah Yi and I could only laugh bitterly.
1987. Winter break. Master took Ah Yi and I to the seaside in Wang Gong [103]. Yi Jing walked behind us uneasily, holding a metal container of ginger tea.
This was the first time Yi Jing watched us practice martial arts. Master had made a special exception to allow it.
Master, today is new years eve! [104] I stripped off my clothes and stood in the desolate sea breeze, looking at Yi Jing.
Master, Im really freaking cold! Ah Yis teeth chattered. Hed also taken off his clothes, and stood trembling in under the dead, gray sky.
Ah Yi, you fool, said Master loudly, Circulate your inner force to keep out the cold!
Master, I must report, he said guiltily, Disciple doesnt have enough inner force!
Master, I chimed in, Lets do this after the new year! The sea will still be here next year, it wont run off!
Master rapped our heads. With such a pretty girl here watching, he cursed, how could you have the face to shrink back?
I looked at the towering waves crashing against the seashore, the foam surging, and couldnt stop myself from begging for mercy. Master, well die!
Look at how big the waves are! Ah Yi hurriedly echoed. Anyone would be swept away. Theres a one-hundred percent chance well die!
Master kicked the two of us in the direction of the sea until we stood in water up to our knees.
Were going to die! I cried. Master! I looked at Yi Jing, standing on the shore looking quite frightened.
I had 25 different poisonous snakes bite you. Did you die? Master grabbed me and Ah Yi. Listen, you two, he shouted. Ah Yi, before you step foot back on shore youre going to find this metal box. Otherwise I will smack you back to your hometown!
He pulled out a New Years Egg Roll gift box and tossed it out into the sea. The gift box flew into the water, about twenty-five meters or so out [105]. It was filled with rocks, so it sank down instantly.
With a long face, Ah Yi grabbed Master, getting ready to kneel down.
If you do not get out there quickly, said Master mercilessly, the box will be swept away by the waves. How will you get it then?
Ah Yi gritted his teeth and then yelled, Master!
What now? Master yelled back.
If I die, roared Ah Yi, then my ghost will come looking for you! With that, he walked slowly forward into the sea.
Sink your Qi into the Long White point and Long Black point in your feet, reminded Master from behind. Hold your breath and focus your spirit. Go slowly, one step at a time! Do not fear the undercurrent! As long as your feet are solidly connected to the ground, you will not be swept away!
Ah Yi could only hunch his head down toward the sea and yell, If I die, Im coming for you!
And then he sank down to the seafloor.
I saw Yi Jing off in the distance shaking her head violently, and then looked at Master. Master, I said, Ill go save Ah Yi and then come back!
Master grabbed me, and from within his garment produced a pair of rusty iron balls. Ah Yis metal box is really close. Dont worry. As for you As he spoke, Master flung the iron balls away. They flew far, far out into the white waves, then fell deep into the deep blue.
**
[101] Im sure most people who have even just heard about Taiwan know who Chiang Kai-shek is http://tinyurl.com/qm42w
[102] 10 degrees celsius is about 50 degrees fahrenheit
[103] Wang Gong is located in Fangyuan Township, a rural township of Chuanghua county. http://tinyurl.com/ob3489n
[104] Chinese New Years Eve, not December 31. I checked, and Lunar new year in 1987 fell on January 31.
[105] 25 meters is a little over 80 feet