[Twenty-Five] Husband and Wife Practicing Martial Arts Together
John Chen brought Lin Xiaoyang and his wife to Room 505 and personally handed the set of double swords to the young couple.
John Chen said, “Princess Maria entrusted us, your senior brothers, to give this to you as a wedding gift.”
Huang Minhwa held the long sword in her hands and asked puzzled, “I don’t even know how to use a sword… the princess’s gift…”
John Chen said, “The princess intends for you to train in martial arts alongside Xiaoyang. In the future, Xiaoyang will surely need your help.”
Father Stron smiled: “I heard from my senior brother that on the night Xiaoyang confronted Rufus and Anderson, he revealed a sword technique of his own creation. He carved Anderson into a human ball as if he were a doll. Xiaoyang’s martial skills are truly profound and unfathomable!”
Huang Minhwa looked at Lin Xiaoyang with lingering doubt: “But swords and knives don’t have eyes. Besides, I’ve never had the intention to learn martial arts.”
Lin Xiaoyang said, “Minhwa, as long as you are willing to learn, studying martial arts is like learning painting. There are methods and tricks; it really isn’t difficult at all.”
John Chen said, “Here’s the situation: before your wedding, Princess Maria summoned us to the Sky Castle and entrusted us with a formidable mission. To carry out this mission successfully, you two must go together as a couple.”
Huang Minhwa said, “But I only know painting. If I go with you, what help can I possibly provide?”
Lin Xiaoyang asked, “What kind of mission did the princess assign?”
John Chen briefly explained the mission. Listening, Huang Minhwa’s face gradually paled. She thought, “This mission is so dangerous… isn’t it basically sending us to die?”
Xiaoyang noticed Minhwa’s pale face and understood her worry. He quickly encouraged her: “Starting today, you will focus on learning martial arts with me. I believe that if we work together as husband and wife, we can accomplish this mission.”
Huang Minhwa was eventually persuaded by Lin Xiaoyang. She also gradually regained memories of her previous life, knowing she had once been Princess Maria’s personal maid, Erin. Yet she could not help but worry that David, in his reincarnation, might again sacrifice himself for the princess.
In Room 504, Lin Xiaoyang showed Minhwa two martial arts comic books: “My internal skills and sword techniques were first inspired by these two comics.”
Minhwa flipped through the comics and, half in doubt, asked: “But the moves in these comics are all extremely difficult. I don’t have athletic talent—how could I possibly do them?”
Lin Xiaoyang optimistically said: “You can definitely do it. I will teach you step by step. First, learn to meditate while sitting. Relax your body muscles, then gradually empty your mind, leaving it completely blank, free of distractions.”
Reluctantly, Huang Minhwa sat cross-legged on the floor and followed Xiaoyang in meditative practice. Xiaoyang placed his right fingers on Minhwa’s left wrist.
“Follow my deep breathing, learn how to regulate your qi, like this.” Xiaoyang demonstrated a few times, and Minhwa followed.
“Close your eyes. Relax your muscles, from the soles of your feet, calves, thighs, all the way upward…” Xiaoyang continued guiding her: “Yes, Minhwa, that’s it. Relax your back and abdomen, breathe slowly and evenly… relax your shoulders and neck muscles, relax your facial muscles, relax your scalp… You’re doing very well. Next, gradually clear the images and distractions from your mind, fade them one by one, eliminate them, until your mind is completely blank.”
Lin Xiaoyang then guided her via mental qi transmission: “Yes, fade the images of David and me, keep fading them. Then fade your own image. Only some mist remains in your mind. That’s it, you’re doing excellently. Keep it up. Soon the mist will dissipate, and then your mind will be completely blank…”
After meditation, Xiaoyang helped Minhwa to her feet. Her calves felt slightly sore and numb. Xiaoyang poured her a glass of electrolyte water to quench her thirst, letting her sit in a chair. He placed his hands above her head, slowly channeling his true qi into her body.
“How does it feel?”
“I feel a warm current flowing from the top of my head downwards.”
Xiaoyang asked considerately: “Comfortable?”
“Yes! My body is gradually warming and feeling relaxed…”
“I am using my true qi to accelerate the blood flow in your body, helping to eliminate fatigue.”
“This is really amazing, Xiaoyang. So you actually have so many abilities.” Minhwa closed her eyes, feeling Xiaoyang’s love for her.
At dinner, Margaret brought light meals: freshly pressed juice, warmed fresh milk, and a few slices of multigrain toast.
The young couple ate sweetly together when John Chen knocked and entered.
Smiling, John Chen asked: “How is the progress?”
Lin Xiaoyang said: “Minhwa is just getting into it. She’s learning very quickly.”
John Chen said: “Once you two are mentally in sync, the next steps will proceed even more smoothly.”
Lin Xiaoyang said: “Give me half a month, Father.”
John Chen said: “No problem! During this time, Stron and I can practice a set of Tai Chi together.”
Lin Xiaoyang smiled: “Father, you are an expert! Tai Chi is profound, using slow force to counter fast force.”
John Chen praised: “Ha! You summed up the essence of Tai Chi with just eight words. You will surely become a martial arts master in the future.”
Lin Xiaoyang waved his hand: “I don’t want to be a martial arts master! Being a painter, photographer, or travel writer is far more carefree!”
John Chen said: “True. Once this mission is complete, I want to return to Kunming, Yunnan, to visit my family. I left home twenty years ago to study philosophy in Europe, never imagining I would become a priest in the Vatican.”
Lin Xiaoyang said: “I also want to bring Minhwa back to Taiwan to see my parents and family.”
John Chen said: “Minhwa, Xiaoyang is not just your husband, but also your martial arts teacher. Ha! You truly are a pair of heroic martial lovers.”
Minhwa jokingly said: “Someday, Father, bring a golden eagle and teach me how to ride it in flight.”
John Chen thought for a moment and said: “That’s not impossible. Once the mission is complete, I’ll discuss with the dragon knight and have him let you ride a flying dragon.”
In Room 504, under Lin Xiaoyang’s meticulous guidance, Minhwa’s brainwaves quickly began to synchronize with Xiaoyang’s, and the two of them shared a mental connection. Minhwa received many essential principles of internal energy cultivation from Xiaoyang’s brainwaves and gradually acquired some of Xiaoyang’s supernatural abilities. During the process of practicing internal energy techniques, Minhwa gradually let go of her resistance and learned from Xiaoyang how to control the flow of true qi within her body, directing it through the acupuncture points and meridians.
“Minhwa, guide the true qi to your palms, then concentrate fully and try to move the pencil on the table through the air.”
“Okay, I’ll try!” Minhwa first practiced controlled breathing to regulate her internal energy, slowly extending her hands forward and gathering the true qi onto her palms.
Xiaoyang said, “Exactly. Now channel your focus and concentrate your intent on the pencil.”
Minhwa fixed her gaze on the pencil on the table, projecting her internal power from her hands, and the pencil wobbled slightly twice.
“Good. Now imagine you are lifting the pencil with your fingers and holding it in your palm.”
Minhwa recalibrated her energy, gathering her full body’s true qi and directing it to her palms. Slowly rotating her hands, the pencil floated a few centimeters above the table, spinning gently once before settling down. Sweat appeared on Minhwa’s forehead and temples.
Lin Xiaoyang said, “Take a break. This afternoon, we will practice in the small forest behind the square. I will teach you some new techniques.”
Huang Minhwa smiled wryly: “Teacher Xiaoyang, your teaching pace is even faster than the cram school instructors before exams!”
Lin Xiaoyang picked up a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Minhwa’s face, saying gently: “It’s because you absorb and digest it quickly that I can accelerate the pace.”
At that moment, Margaret entered, carrying a lacquer tray. On the tray were a milky white glass bottle and a tall goblet.
Margaret said, “Boss, the princess sent this through an envoy. She said it’s for you two to replenish and care for your bodies.”
Xiaoyang asked, “What is in this glass bottle?”
Margaret smiled: “I guess it’s Dragon Essence Elixir. I haven’t tasted it myself, but I heard Wilson mention it. Dragon Essence Elixir is a revered tonic with powerful effects.”
Xiaoyang said, “Alright! Later, please send my thanks and let the princess know we appreciate her concern.”
“Sure, I’ll reply to the envoy immediately,” Margaret said, then turned and left.
Xiaoyang picked up the bottle of milky liquid and read aloud the instructions: “Drink one cup on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, every day for ten consecutive days.”
Xiaoyang said, “Minhwa, shall we start drinking it from tomorrow?”
96
At three o’clock in the afternoon, Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhwa were in the mahogany forest, both wearing traditional Chinese martial arts uniforms with leg bindings. Each of them held a wooden sword and a wooden knife.
Xiaoyang said, “Minhwa, I will first demonstrate a set of Tai Chi knife techniques. You focus on observing.”
“Okay.” Minhwa held her wooden sword in her right hand, feeling like a heroine straight out of a martial arts movie.
Xiaoyang said, “After completing this set, I will ask you what you observed.”
“Mm, go ahead with the knife, Teacher Xiaoyang.” Minhwa pursed her lips, secretly smiling.
Xiaoyang held the knife handle with his right hand reversed, then raised his true qi and switched to a normal grip, slowly performing each move. At first, Minhwa only noticed the forms, but after about ten moves, she realized that the seemingly gentle movements contained a hidden deadly force. One circular slashing move severed a small tree trunk several meters away, leaving a neat and smooth cut surface. Minhwa watched in astonishment, thinking: “If this were an enemy’s body, wouldn’t it be cut in two? And Xiaoyang rotates on one foot as the center, the other as the radius—where does such formidable force come from?”
After watching the entire Tai Chi knife set, Minhwa’s mind was full of questions, unsure where to even start asking.
When Xiaoyang finished, Minhwa noticed that hundreds of small branches were arranged around the perimeter, and all the branches from five to six meters above had been cleanly shaved off by the knife, forming a cylindrical shape. The sight left Minhwa puzzled.
Xiaoyang smiled: “Minhwa, what did you see just now?”
Minhwa shook her head with a wry smile: “I saw a head full of question marks, I don’t even know where to begin asking.”
Xiaoyang said: “Alright, take your time. Lend me your wooden sword first; I will now demonstrate a set of Tai Chi sword techniques.”
Minhwa handed Xiaoyang her wooden sword and held his wooden knife.
Xiaoyang held the sword with his right hand in a normal grip, slowly executing thrusts, slashes, lifts, flicks, flips, and cuts. Each move flowed like clouds and water. Minhwa noticed that leaves fell wherever the sword passed, but magically, they did not touch the ground; they stuck to the sword, moving along with it. Minhwa watched mesmerized. Unknowingly, when the set ended and Xiaoyang sheathed the sword, the leaves formed a circle about two meters wide around him, with his feet at the center. Minhwa seemed to grasp a subtle principle.
“Minhwa, what did you see this time?” Xiaoyang returned the sword to Minhwa and took back his wooden knife.
Minhwa composed herself and said: “I saw the knife and sword techniques embodying a balance of hard and soft, yin and yang complementing each other.”
“Bingo! My wife truly is exceptionally smart. Today, I will teach you Tai Chi sword techniques. This set, combining knife and sword, is derived from the Tai Chi Bagua diagram. With our minds in sync, the knife and sword unite—the power of this formation should not be underestimated!” Xiaoyang then took a wooden Bagua diagram from his backpack, fitted it onto his right index finger, and slowly rotated it. He asked, “Tell me what you see, Minhwa.”
Minhwa hesitated for a moment: “I see a vortex.”
Xiaoyang prompted: “Keep looking, focus your mind.”
After a while, Minhwa said: “I see a repeating cycle.”
Xiaoyang smiled: “The answer is very close!”
Minhwa thought for a long time but shook her head: “No! I don’t know the answer!”
Xiaoyang laughed: “Wife, didn’t you see how wholeheartedly I guided you?”
Hearing this, Minhwa burst into laughter and protested: “That’s not an answer! Stop teasing me!”
Xiaoyang said seriously: “Because we love each other deeply, we can share a mental connection.”
Hearing this, Minhwa felt a ripple of sweetness spread through her heart and smiled: “Alright! I accept that as the answer.”
The young couple practiced knife and sword in the forest, and their every movement and conversation was clearly overheard by John Chen, who was pretending to be a fisherman by the lakeside outside the forest. Satisfied, he lifted the bag of lake fish, returned them all to the lake, packed up his fishing rods, and lightly walked back to the hotel.
