"Father, that incident happened years ago, why do you still hold a grudge? And surely, it's only natural if someone's love is rejected, why should one feel heartbroken? About that attack, it's not hard to understand. As a martial arts expert, she probably wanted to test every young man who proposed to her, she didn't want to marry someone she could defeat. It's only natural, father!"
"Enough! What do you know? That woman has a poisonous punch, everything about her is poisonous, her nails, her hair, even her heart is poisonous!" her father said, leaving his son feeling extremely curious. What Gan Liang did not tell his son was that when this happened, he already had a wife and child.
The beauty of Souw Hian was indeed extraordinary. Hearing that the girl was willing to marry a man who could defeat her, he, who was infatuated with her beauty, also joined the contest with the intention that if he could win, he would take her as his second wife.
However, not only did he fail, he almost died from the poisonous punch of Souw Hian Li, who then earned the nickname Ban-tok Sian-Li.
Kok Bu was very angry with his father. He thought his father's actions were unfair and wrong. So, he packed his bags and left the house without saying goodbye to his father. He wanted to follow Siang Hwi and if he didn't find him, he would help the rebels outside the royal city.
He did not escort Siang Hwi and his teacher because if he had done so and something happened, it would have been extremely dangerous for Hek-tung Kai-pang, as many guards already knew him as the leader of Hek-tung Kai-pang.
0odwo0
"Tiong Li, you've been learning martial arts from us for five years now. We've taught you everything we know, and because you were previously trained by Реk Hong San-ji n, your skills have now surpassed ours. Now, the time has come for us to part ways, what are you going to do?" asked the tall, thin Thia n Kui Lo-ji n to his student.
"You are now twenty-one years old, mature enough to decide your own path in life. We just want to know, which path will you take now? What will you do?" asked also the short, fat Tee Kui Lo-jin.
When asked by his two teachers, Tiong LI knelt before them.
"Shifu, although I am mature and have received training from my late shifu Реk Hong San-ji n and from both of you, I have no experience. I am still green and when you ask what I will do, I am confused. I myself don't know what I will do after I am forced to part ways with you. I ask for your guidance!"
"Ha-ha-ha, good of you to humbly ask. Use this humble attitude forever, Tiong Li. Only those who are humble can acquire additional knowledge," said Tee Kui Lok jin. "Tiong ki, humans are given life and born into this world not in vain, not just to eat, sleep, and die like animals. God certainly has a specific purpose for humans who are endowed with a heart, mind, and intellect, given reason so that humans can determine for themselves, choose what is good for themselves. Humans are not lifeless objects, nor are they animals or plants. Humans have reason, therefore, you must ask yourself, what can you do for yourself, for others, for humanity, and for the world in general. Make yourself a useful and beneficial person for humanity with wise, right, and fair actions. It's a waste for humans to live in the world just to wait for death without doing something useful for humanity."
"But, shifu. What should I be able to do?"
"Sian-cai, there's a lot you can do, my student," said Thian Lo-jin." If you don't know what you're going to do, why did you learn all these martial arts? You know, there are many evils in the world committed by humans whose hearts are controlled by demons. You already have martial arts skills to confront those who like to act arbitrarily, using violence relying on strength and skill. You can prevent these evil deeds and help the oppressed. You can fight for truth and justice for the sake of humanity. And you can also dedicate yourself to your country and race, help the movement of fighters who are resisting the increasingly arbitrary power of the Yucen Nation. You can warn and punish government officials who abuse their power and authority, who like to squeeze and oppress the common people. Wow, there's so much you can do, Tiong Li!" "I understand and I will follow shifu's guidance," said Tiong Li.
"But be careful, Tiong Li. Your strength can bring power, and power, in whatever form, can make people forget themselves and misuse their power. Therefore, you must be more vigilant against your enemy, the invisible enemy that is difficult to fight," said Tee Kui Ji n.
"Who is that enemy, shifu?"
"The enemy is yourself, your own heart, mind, and thoughts. If you already have strength and skill, and feel that you have power, be careful because your heart, mind, and thoughts can be used by demons to act arbitrarily because of chasing pleasure for yourself."
"I understand, shifu. I still remember all the advice from shifu Реk Hong San-jin that I should perform three kinds of loyalty, that is loyalty and devotion to God, loyalty to the country, and loyalty to parents or teachers. And I should be a good tool for Almighty God."
"Good! If you still remember that and hold on to all those beliefs, then we will also feel relieved to let you go, Tiong Li," said also Tee Kui Lojin. "Just remember, never be too quick to kill people unless absolutely necessary. Don't kill people who can't fight back, don't show off your skills and always remember, no matter how high the mountain peak and clouds are, there's always a higher sky, so never consider yourself the best."
After receiving much advice from his two teachers, Tiong Li then descended the mountain carrying a bundle of simple clothes and a stick which he used to carry his bundle.
He was now twenty-one years old, a robust young man, his steps like a tiger's, his chest broad and his waist slim. The young man's face was simple yet handsome, his gaze sometimes sharp, sometimes soft like an eagle's eyes. His hair was thick and black, rolled up and tied with a yellow ribbon.
His forehead was wide and his eyebrows were like sharp swords, black and thick, protecting his sharp eyes. His nose was high and his lips were always smiling like a reflection of his broad heart. His slightly indented chin indicated that behind his friendly smile his heart could harden, and that chin gave him a manly impression.
After leaving the peak of Ki-lin-san far behind, and reaching the foothills of Kui-san, Tiong Li stopped. He looked up towards the peak of Ki-lin-san. He saw clouds covering the peak and he remembered his two teachers, sighed, then looked far below. He saw the Wu-kiang River winding and twisting like a large snake through the mountain cliffs. And far at the bottom of the mountains, he could see the small clusters of houses. He had used fifteen years to learn martial arts and literature. He was not a literary master; he could only read and write, and had read many religious books. As for martial arts, he had learned many techniques, among which were the treasured skills of his three teachers.
From Реk Hong San-Jin he learned Hui-eng Kiam- sut (Flying Eagle Sword Technique) and Tai-lek Kim-kong-jiu (Golden Light Great Strength), which relied on strong internal power. His unarmed combat skills, relying on this internal strength, were further enhanced by the Jian-kin-lat (Thousand Catties Strength) technique he learned from Tee Kui Lo-ji n, together with Ngo-heng Lian-hoan-kun, a chain martial art of the Five Elements which was formidable.
From Thian Kui Lo-jin he learned ginkang, or the skill to lighten the body, called Jiauw-sang-hui (Flying Above the Grass) and I-kiong-hoan-hi-at (Technique of Redirecting Blood Flow).
With these skills, Tiong Li has now become a young man who is hard to find an equal!.
Glossary
- Shifu: A respectful term used to address a master or teacher, usually in martial arts.
- Ban-tok Sian-Li: Nickname of Souw Hian Li, a character in the story. The nickname's meaning is not clearly defined in this chapter.
- Hek-tung Kai-pang: The name of a group/sect, possibly a martial arts school or a rebel group.
- Реk Hong San-ji n: Master Pek Hong, the previous teacher of Tiong Li.
- Thia n Kui Lo-ji n: Master Thian Kui, one of the current teachers of Tiong Li.
- Tee Kui Lo-jin: Master Tee Kui, one of the current teachers of Tiong Li.
- Hui-eng Kiam- sut (Flying Eagle Sword Technique): A martial arts technique learned by Tiong Li.
- Tai-lek Kim-kong-jiu (Golden Light Great Strength): A martial arts technique learned by Tiong Li.
- Jian-kin-lat (Thousand Catties Strength): A martial arts technique learned by Tiong Li.
- Ngo-heng Lian-hoan-kun: A martial arts technique learned by Tiong Li.
- Jiauw-sang-hui (Flying Above the Grass): A martial arts technique learned by Tiong Li.
- I-kiong-hoan-hi-at (Technique of Redirecting Blood Flow): A martial arts technique learned by Tiong Li.