pappabearbooks Chapter 497 - 458: Mind Guarding the Nine Palaces! Eight Divine Skills! True Martial Dharma Realm!
Chapter 497 - 458: Mind Guarding the Nine Palaces! Eight Divine Skills! True Martial Dharma Realm!
"Master has treated me with immense kindness, and I must repay him well in the future."For Meng Chuan, gratitude towards his master was always in his heart, needing no words.
Upon recollection, after Limit Breaking [Integration], he already had the foundation of Tai Chi’s comprehension.
Skills are never too much, so Meng Chuan followed Uncle Master Zhao to learn an even more advanced Tai Chi skill.
After all, with the panel, Limit Breaking can grant special traits.
No matter the school, he wants to learn them all eventually.
If it’s too hard to practice, he can put it aside for later when his martial arts understanding improves.
Zhao Shousui heard Meng Chuan wanted to learn boxing and after pondering briefly, he said:
"Nephew, I see your Tai Chi comprehension is quite good. Within a short time, you can achieve Perfection in Tai Chi Thirteen Techniques.
If that’s the case, then learn something more challenging and powerful. Follow me to try practicing and see if you can master it."
Finishing his words, Zhao Shousui emitted a vast aura, with Yin and Yang energies converging visibly.
The tip of his left foot pointed at the "Lí Palace" ahead, and the footwork subtly aligned with the Nine Palaces doctrine.
He spoke:
"This top-tier boxing technique, named [Nine Palaces Tai Chi Force], is a renowned Tai Chi method of Wudang. Those aspiring to delve deep into Tai Chi will learn it as a foundation, Wang Ye, of course, practiced it too.
However, it requires specific footwork, hand form, and power exertion, making it quite challenging to cultivate.
By mastering this boxing with me, when you wish to study Tai Chi-related topics in the future, unless it’s top-notch True Skill, you can research them on your own without consulting others."
Meng Chuan nodded and thanked:
"Got it, Uncle Master Zhao, I’ll give it a try."
After speaking, he followed Zhao Shousui to start practicing.
The footwork seemed a bit awkward, twisting here and there quite strangely...
This was because he wasn’t yet familiar with the stance and footwork of the Nine Palaces.
"Three in ’Qián’, six breaks in ’Kūn’; ’Zhèn’ to hold the bowl, ’Gèn’ to cover the pot; ’Lí’ is empty, ’Kǎn’ is full; ’Duì’ lacks upward, ’Xùn’ is broken down. What does this mean? It’s..."
Meng Chuan listened intently to Uncle Master Zhao’s explanation and nodded, indicating he remembered.
First keep it in mind, and comprehend it later while practicing boxing.
Then, seeing Uncle Master Zhao drawing the Nine Palaces diagram on the mountain ground, he continued saying:
"Number one is ’Kǎn’, number two is ’Kūn’, three is ’Zhèn’, four is ’Xùn’, divided through the middle; five resides in ’Zhōnggong’, six in ’Qián’, seven ’Duì’, eight ’Gèn’, nine ’Lí’ gate."
Here it comes again...
"...Uncle Master, can we simplify it a bit?"
Meng Chuan started feeling the headache...
Zhao Shousui, hearing this, said helplessly:
"Learn then, Uncle Master is doing this for your good, Wang Ye also struggled for quite a while.
But our Daoist school has a saying: "Better to observe the six directions than to focus on the Nine Palaces."
Once you master the Nine Palaces stance, the person roams within a cross pattern, advancing to attack ’Lí Palace’, retreating to defend ’Kǎn Palace’.
Quickly occupying the opponent’s weak position in the Nine Palaces; if the other’s focus is on ’Qián’, I target ’Kūn’, forming a strategy of using my Nine Palaces to cover their entire body.
If the opponent attacks head-on, rely on Tai Chi in hand to lead their force into the Nine Palaces’ empty spot, making their maneuvers ineffective, by switching positions bypassing to the side or rear, using four ounces to move a thousand pounds in Tai Chi wisdom."
"..."
Uncle Master Zhao’s mouth babbled on, what was he saying...
He was like a monkey who just apprenticed under the seated Bodhi Ancestor, understanding nothing, scratching his ears and cheeks.
Meng Chuan had a flash of inspiration and suddenly thought of a method:
"Uncle Master, why not use north, south, east, west to replace Nine Palaces, then I can understand."
Even if he memorized the Nine Palaces positions hard and fast, it was difficult to immediately integrate mind and actions.
"...And there is a difference from north, south, east, west, the Nine Palaces aren’t the same, needing to be coupled with the footwork.
Let’s do it this way; I’ll first teach you the hand form and power exertion. As for coordination with Nine Palaces step, just memorize it down and practice later."
Meng Chuan nodded, that worked too.
"[Nine Palaces Tai Chi Force], the hand form mainly uses palm techniques, fists, and fingers as complements.
Palm style changes with ’Kǎn Palace’, where palm techniques are like [Waves], gentle with depth. ’Lí Palace’ strikes like [Aflame], rapid with firmness. ’Zhōnggong’...
Regarding power exertion, remember to abandon brute force, it’s all about leveraging palace positions."
If the opponent attacks ’Zhèn Palace’ (front left), one can guide the force into ’Xùn Palace’ (front right)... leveraging Nine Palaces shifts to disperse exertion, then counterattack from ’Zhōnggong’, achieving the Tai Chi principle of [Lead their move to emptiness, counter with borrowed force]."
Meng Chuan had formidable memory, immediately memorizing everything down.
So began attempting boxing, appearing a bit stiff...
If it weren’t for the [Long Sky Absolute] body technique, subtly improving his posture.
At this moment, he’d be tripping over the Nine Palaces foot pattern...
Zhao Shousui taught him for quite a while, finally holding his forehead and said:
"Forget it, go back and practice, how strange, able to quickly master Tai Chi Thirteen techniques to Perfection, shouldn’t be so..."
Hearing this, Meng Chuan felt bitter...
That boxing technique was merely a mediocre one, basic and easy to learn.
He also relied on his overall martial arts theory and singular evidence, forcefully progressing at speed.
Now learning this laborious Nine Palaces Tai Chi, there’s no way, Integration only slightly enhances Tai Chi comprehension, of course, now "showing inadequacy"...
"Internal harmony of Yin and Yang, external compliance with Nine Palaces. Able to memorize palace positions while aligning boxing frame with Nine Palaces positions, ultimately achieving momentum converging at ’Zhōnggong’ during boxing, is the [Initial Connect of Nine Palaces], considered skillful in boxing.
Subsequently, there is [Palace and Circle Integration], and the perfection realm of [Nine Palaces Returning to Void]... no need to ponder this now, first coordinate hands and feet then speak..."
"Understood, thank you, Uncle Master..."
Meng Chuan and Wang Ye returned, with the latter taunting him all the way.
He wished he could slap Wang Ye to death...
Forget it, it was his own clumsiness.
When the Nine Palaces Tai Chi Force is Limit Broken later, it’ll scare that guy...
Recently might as well take advantage of the intervals in boxing practice to memorize the Nine Palaces positioning, start with an entry and see what traits it presents.
If it’s good, continue practicing.
If it seems mediocre, leave it aside.
No need to stubbornly insist, currently his strengths are still in the Five Elements and Baji Fist!
No matter how powerful the fist skill is, it ultimately depends on who is using it.
No matter how Wang Ye maneuvers in the Nine Palaces with his serpentine moves, can he dodge the ocean-exploring palm of the "Baji Fist" the size of a casserole...
...
Several days passed, and it’s now June.
The weather carries a hint of warmth, yet Wudang Mountain remains exceptionally cool.
"Hey kid, when are you coming back? You haven’t defected, have you?"
"I’m still at Wudang, haven’t even been to Shaolin... but Master Dong, I haven’t defected, my loyalty is with United University!"
Meng Chuan sighed helplessly and hung up the phone.
The folks from the old home in Lishan sent Master Dong to rush him, fearing that he might impulsively join the Daoists or become a monk.
But that is impossible, let’s take Wudang for example.
He does not believe in True Martial, thus he can never truly integrate into the Wudang family.
He always has a spiritual and belief-level gap with others.
Therefore, United University is his forever home.
Returning to his senses, Meng Chuan prepared to try "Nine Palaces Tai Chi Force" again.
He stepped repeatedly in the Nine Palaces pattern, pondering:
"What is Master Chen doing in seclusion, breaking into Great Saint? Why hasn’t he come out yet..."
More than half an hour later, Meng Chuan staggered, barely stabilizing his stance.
He glanced at the panel, this technique has also started as an entry...
"Nine Palaces Tai Chi Force: Entry (1%) Awaiting Limit Breaking"
"Limit Breaking Trait: The Heart of the Palace Guard (Intermediate)"
He couldn’t understand it, his understanding of Tai Chi martial principles was limited.
Meng Chuan couldn’t comprehend what "The Heart of the Palace Guard" meant.
"Later when I have time, I’ll stroll through the ’Royal Scripture Pavilion.’ Learn Daoist scriptures and raise my understanding of Daoist principles."
Practicing fist skills isn’t just about mimicking boxing manuals and techniques; the higher the difficulty, the more comprehensive the martial artist’s overall qualities need to be.
To possess all the necessary attributes, Daoist martial arts principles like Tai Chi are essential and will definitely need to be practiced in the future.
Hence, studying scriptures will have to happen eventually.
For now, Meng Chuan needs to handle the tasks at hand first.
In terms of fist skills, he must integrate the complete Five Elements technique.
He must enhance the "Five Qi Chaoyang" rank limit and gather together the Dharma Body to unlock the "Five Elements Dharma Wheel."
For Horizontal Training Skill, he needs to find core hard skills traits, and entry-level blood hard skills, etc.
These matters are more important than practicing Tai Chi for now.
His journey with Tai Chi fist skills will pause for now; it’s time to return to his roots.
Evening, at Uncle Master Zhao’s home.
Meng Chuan came to learn Daoist hard skills martial principles, while Wang Ye was still standing in a bitter stake at home.
On the table, Meng Chuan saw that Master Chen had not yet come out of seclusion.
He decided to first consult Uncle Master about Wudang’s supreme skills and hard skills.
Pouring a drink for Uncle Master, Zhao Shousui nodded with satisfaction.
Upon hearing Meng Chuan’s question, he thought:
"It’s just right to let this kid know the deep foundation of Wudang.
Maybe there’s a chance to change his mindset and let him worship True Martial into my Quanzhen."
With thoughts turning, Zhao Shousui said lightly:
"The core methods of True Martial, deduced and continued by Wudang’s ancestors, currently include eight divine skills and supreme techniques.
These consist of three core methods, four True Martial divine fists, and one supreme horizontal training technique.
For example, the core divine skill I’m currently practicing is the ’Water Emperor’s Royal Demon Conquering Heart Scripture,’ which is regarded as the foremost water attribute heart method, number one in Daoist School!"
Meng Chuan listened, feeling stirred...
Just the name sounds overwhelmingly impressive, he wants to learn it...
Zhao Shousui saw Meng Chuan’s face showing signs of intrigue and said enticingly:
"So? Are you tempted? Want to learn?"
Meng Chuan was very cautious:
"Do I have to worship the deity?"
"Yes."
"...Can the heart be insincere?"
Meng Chuan expressed this openly, a sign of sincerity itself...
"...You know about the Dharma Realm, right? The core methods of True Martial only exist in the True Martial Emperor’s Dharma Realm.
Only those with a sincere heart can enter, and entry requires the enlightenment of the Emperor; otherwise, no one in Wudang can teach it."
Meng Chuan was silent and speechless, he understood what the other meant.
This method of transmission is much like when he learned the "Primordial Spirit Thunder Planting Skill" at his master’s place.
Then he offered incense to the Luo family ancestor, where the ancestor Luo transmitted it to him in his sea of consciousness.
In Wudang, ancestors placed the techniques within the True Martial Emperor’s Dharma Realm.
Thus, the True Transmission comes from the Emperor himself.
Zhao Shousui saw Meng Chuan’s hesitation and knew there was no hope in leading him into the Dao.
Helplessly, he said:
"I’ve been observing these days; indeed, you are insincere. Having been at Wudang Mountain for so long, with temples all over, yet not once have you worshipped..."
"...Uncle Master, didn’t you say earlier that Master Chen Tuan could help me cheat?"
Just like the time at the Eight Immortals Temple when Lord Wu Yang sent him into the "Zhengyang Cave."
He didn’t worship the Eight Immortals either, yet he still entered...
He speculated that Master Chen Tuan should have similar means.
Allowing him, who is insincere, entry into the Emperor’s Dharma Realm.