411: Chapter 411: Taking on a Disciple 411: Chapter 411: Taking on a Disciple The morning in Wanshan Village is definitely later than in other places because by the time the sun is visible here, it has already risen high.
Yet, the sky had brightened very early.
The air is exceptionally fresh in the mornings at Wanshan Village, delighting the spirit and mind.
The villagers of Wanshan Village also rise very early, accustomed to their farming tasks, nearly all of them “rise with the crowing of the rooster.” Those women, naturally, have to get up early to bathe, clean the house, and prepare breakfast; morning is the busiest time for the housewives.
And as for the old men, those who have work go about their tasks, and those who don’t amble around the village for a walk, chatting with other elders, boasting and shooting the breeze.
Tangyu got up very early today and started practicing the Tai Chi Mysteries under an osmanthus tree.
The air in the city is too polluted, really not suitable for practicing this type of Kung Fu that’s about refining the body and nurturing character.
From a distance, Deng Li just sat on a rock, gazing intently at Tangyu, his face showing a rapturous expression.
Tangyu had noticed Deng Li a while ago but didn’t pay him any mind, letting him watch.
After half an hour, Tangyu finally stopped, feeling particularly invigorated and refreshed.
“Deng Li, come here, I’ll teach you a few practical moves.
Also, I’ll show you how to control your strength so that you can protect yourself if needed,” Tangyu beckoned to Deng Li.
Deng Li immediately grinned and ran over, his face showing a hint of excitement as he said, “Brother Tangyu, teach me that move you were just doing.
I feel it’s really good.
It gives me the sense of a dragon swimming in the ocean, the energy soaring up to the skies.
Subtle yet continuous, like an endless enigma.”
A look of movement crossed Tangyu’s face, and surprise flashed in his eyes as he looked at Deng Li, asking, “You understood the moves I was performing just now?”
Deng Li scratched his head and said, “I don’t know.
It just felt incredibly profound to me, as if every move contained the Great Dao of heaven and earth.
The feeling is like a leaf falling into a lake.
Sometimes it’s calm, sometimes there are ripples, sometimes rapid currents, and sometimes even whirlpools.”
The look of surprise on Tangyu’s face turned to one of joy, a genuine joy.
“What’s up, Brother Tangyu?
Did I say something wrong?
I was just rambling,” said Deng Li.
Tangyu smiled and replied, “No, you’re absolutely right, and you’ve described it vividly.
It seems you truly understand the Tai Chi Mysteries.
Your comprehension is astonishingly high; you’re definitely a martial arts prodigy.
I can’t speak for anything else, but the Tai Chi Mysteries are extremely suitable for you.
If you’re able to grasp so much in such a short time, I’m certain you can understand and enter the beginner’s state of the Tai Chi Mysteries quickly.
Deng Li, I want to take you as my disciple now.
Would you like that?”
This was the first time Tangyu actively wanted to take a disciple, not for any other reason but because Deng Li’s talent was too frightening, even higher than Fang Yishui’s.
There are very few individuals suited to practice the Tai Chi Mysteries.
Tangyu even felt that Deng Li’s talent in the Tai Chi Mysteries might not be less than his own.
Such a prodigy, if left in these mountains, would be a terrible waste.
As long as Deng Li could learn the Tai Chi Mysteries, it was entirely possible to shape him into an expert.
Besides, Deng Li possessed Innate Divine Strength, and if he could cultivate a degree of skill in the Tai Chi Mysteries, perhaps not even the Jiao Snake’s immature fish would be his match.
Faced with such a promising talent, Tangyu naturally had the intention to take him as a disciple.
Initially stunned, Deng Li then smiled broadly and nodded emphatically, “Of course, I’m willing, Brother Tangyu.”
“When I say disciple, I mean a true disciple, not like a school teacher.
Do you understand what I mean?” Tangyu said.
Deng Li paused for a moment and then nodded again, “I understand, Master,” he responded and immediately fell to his knees with a thump before Tangyu.
This caught Tangyu off guard, and before Deng Li could kowtow, Tangyu helped him up, “Uh—no need for such formalities, get up.”
“Oh, I thought when people took masters in the old days, they had to kowtow and offer tea,” Deng Li said as he got up.
“I don’t require that.
Now that you’ve taken me as your master, would you like to come with me to Donglin City?
I will teach you all of the Tai Chi Mysteries,” Tangyu said.
“Going to Donglin City?
Of course, I’d like to.
Hehe, actually, I’ve longed to venture out for a while now, but my grandparents always prevented me.
Brother Tangyu, I’m completely willing.
It’s just that I don’t know if my grandparents would agree,” Deng Li immediately nodded, his eyes twinkling with longing.
Young people can’t stay confined to a village.
Those around Deng Li’s age were mostly working outside.
“It’s easy if you’re willing.
I’ll talk to your grandparents later.
Their main concern about you leaving must be worry.
With me accompanying you, I believe it will put their minds at ease,” Tangyu said.
“Great, then I’m with you, Master,” agreed Deng Li eagerly.
“Okay, we’ll discuss this later.
Now, let me see how strong you really are.
Hit me with all your might right now, don’t hold back.
Use all the force you have,” Tangyu instructed.
Deng Li hesitated, asking, “Master, are you sure you want me to use my full strength?” His full-fledged strike, while perhaps not lethal to a cow, would carry a terrible force.
Tangyu nodded, “Stop dawdling.
If I can’t even take your punch, I don’t deserve to be your master.”
With that, Deng Li nodded, clenched his fist, and the veins on his arms suddenly bulged with surging power.
He let out a loud shout and threw a punch towards Tangyu with all his might.
Indeed, the punching force was immense, even creating a blast of air that Tangyu felt from a distance, a testament to the punch’s formidable strength.
If this punch struck a rock, it could probably shatter it.
Deng Li’s Innate Divine Strength was indeed a very peculiar thing.
Tangyu took the threat seriously.
His palm moved like a Jiao Snake weaving through water, his hand meeting Deng Li’s fist in a manner resembling a piece of cloth, wrapping around Deng Li’s punch.
Despite the terrifying power in Deng Li’s fist, it felt as if a mountain had plunged into the ocean—a force drowned without resistance.
Tangyu’s hand reeled and pulled, grasping Deng Li’s fist tight like a suction cup, then used the incoming force to silently dispel the punch’s power.
That was the profound beauty of the Tai Chi Mysteries.
Deng Li was originally a bit worried, but soon he found himself as if stuck in a quagmire, a sensation he had never experienced before.
He wanted to withdraw his fist but found it was impossible.
His arm seemed to be firmly sucked by something, utterly beyond his control.
Moreover, his body was also being drawn by Tangyu, moving forward or backward, entirely as if stuck to him.
He was like a mouse in the grip of a cat’s paw, at its complete mercy.
With a tremble of his hand, Tangyu unleashed a powerful rebounding force that sent Deng Li staggering backward several steps before he managed to steady himself.
At that moment, Deng Li’s eyes were wide, filled with admiration and disbelief as he stared at Tangyu.
His mouth formed an ‘O’, his face a picture of astonishment.
Deng Li had always admired Tangyu, but not for his strength, instead for other aspects.
Deng Li became Tangyu’s disciple simply to learn the Tai Chi Mysteries, and since Tangyu had asked, he accepted.
It wasn’t out of genuine respect for Tangyu’s abilities or a desire to follow him and learn Kung Fu.
But now, Deng Li truly admired Tangyu.
“Master, is this the Tai Chi Mysteries you were talking about?
This is, this is just too amazing, Master!
Please teach me quickly,” Deng Li said, his face alight with eager anticipation.
Tangyu nodded and said, “Yes, this is the Tai Chi Mysteries.
Don’t worry, I will teach you.” Having such a desire to learn is very good.
It’s extremely difficult to learn something well without a very strong desire to do so.
Desire is a force that propels people forward.
The potential of humans is limitless, yet sometimes it remains untapped.
“Next, I will perform the introduction to the three styles of the Tai Chi Mysteries, watch closely.
I will only demonstrate them three times, then it will be your turn to try,” said Tangyu.
“Hmm,” Deng Li nodded.
Tangyu then began to practice the three moves sequence on the open ground.
It had taken Fang Yishui three days just to struggle through the first two styles, which was enough to surprise and please Tangyu.
He was somewhat expectant about how much time Deng Li would need.
However, Tangyu had a strong premonition that Deng Li would be faster than Fang Yishui.
After completing the demonstration of the three styles, Deng Li was still lost in the sensation and hadn’t come back to his senses.
“That feels so strange,” Deng Li uttered.
“Now you try,” said Tangyu.
Deng Li nodded, closed his eyes momentarily, then his expression turned serious.
After taking a deep breath, his limbs moved, starting with the initial stance, then transitioning smoothly into the next, pulling off the second style.
However, he ran into trouble with the third style.
Tangyu’s eyes jumped, and his face once again showed a hint of surprise, praising Deng Li’s performance: “Not bad at all, to pull off the first two styles on your first try.
Your talent surpasses that of your sister apprentice, not even trailing behind your master.
It’s a pity this piece of uncut jade has been overlooked, wasted here.
Otherwise, you would surely have a bright future.
Fortunately, it’s not too late.”
Deng Li looked at Tangyu somewhat surprised and said, “Master, my performance wasn’t bad?
But I didn’t complete the third style.
It’s really odd, although I have the gesture for the third style clear in my mind, I can’t seem to execute it.”
“If you had managed to execute these three moves in sequence on your first try, I would have had to call you master.
To be able to pull off these two moves on your first attempt, you truly are a gifted individual,” Tangyu said.
“Ah— I see, hehe,” Deng Li laughed and scratched his head before saying, “By the way, Master, you have another disciple who is a sister apprentice?”
“Yes,” Tangyu nodded.
“Hehe, who is it?
Is she pretty?” Deng Li inquired.
“You’ll know when you get to Donglin City,” said Tangyu, with a thought flashing through his mind: Could this kid have his sights set on Fang Yishui?
“Hehe, it’s rare to see young people interested in practicing Tai Chi.
The two of you are up early,” a voice came over, as a stooped old man walked towards them with a smile.
Tangyu recognized him; it was the only doctor in the village, old Uncle Yan.
“Grandpa Yan, good morning,” Deng Li greeted politely.
Uncle Yan nodded at Deng Li with a kind smile, his eyes showing his fondness for the young man.
“Uncle Yan, good morning to you too,” said Tangyu with a smile.