Chapter 194: with translation of chapter title

Time flew by, autumn gave way to winter, and before we knew it, three months had passed.

Translation: Time flew by, autumn passed and winter came; in the blink of an eye, another three months had passed.

We need to keep it as one line.

That day, heavy snow swirled and the north wind howled; the Huang family courtyard lay buried under deep snow, even the woods in the rear courtyard.

Translation: One day, heavy snow swirled, the north wind howled, the Huang family courtyard was completely covered in deep snow, and in the woods of the rear courtyard.

in the rear courtyard's woods

Huang Shang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, staring at Feng Yi; his eyes glittered with vigor, a stark contrast to his usual self.

Translation: Huang Shang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at Feng Yi; his eyes shone with brilliance, markedly different from before.

Feng Yi stood with his feet neither together nor apart; suddenly his eyes flew open and he bellowed, "Sorry!"

Sorry!

Huang Shang bent his knees slightly and lifted his palms; though the strike lacked a fierce palm wind, it held a strong hidden force. He dared not meet it head‑on, so he slipped his foot, turned, grabbed the opponent's wrist with his left hand, and drove his right palm forward in a powerful chop.

Translation: His legs slightly bent, his palms slightly raised; Huang Shang saw that this palm lacked fierce palm wind but possessed a strong hidden force, not daring to block it head-on, he slid his foot, turned his body, his left arm swiftly seized the opponent's wrist, and his right palm fiercely chopped forward.

opponent's wrist

Though they were merely sparring, each showed off his own skill.

Translation: Although they were merely sparring, each displayed his own abilities.

In the past few months Feng Yi has trained in the yoga of the Divine Foot Classic, his inner energy has grown, his movements ever faster—almost as if seven or eight versions of him were darting to and fro across the snow.

Translation: Over the past few months, Feng Yi practiced the yoga technique of the Divine Foot Classic; his internal energy improved further, his body movements became ever swifter, as if seven or eight Feng Yis were shuttling back and forth in the snow.

Huang Shang's stance shifted like a dancing crane, then a gliding snake, then soaring aloft, then skimming the ground—his movements were intricate and rapid, like a wisp of green smoke; his hands seemed to pluck a zither and lute, lightly swaying, scattering snowflakes everywhere, yet not a single flake touched him.

Translation: Huang Shang's posture at times resembled a dancing crane, at times a gliding snake, at times soaring aloft, at times skimming the ground; his bodily changes were complex and rapid, like a wisp of green smoke, his hands seeming to pluck a zither and strum a lute, lightly swaying, the falling snow everywhere did not land a single flake on him.

Huang Wan'er stood aside, feeling only vexed and nauseous, unable to watch any further.

Translation: Huang Wan'er watched from the side, feeling stifled and nauseous, she dared not look any longer.

As they locked in combat, snowflakes refused to fall; within a three‑zhang radius it seemed to turn into a vacuum, filled only with drifting white vapor that rose and dispersed. Their bodies moved so swiftly they appeared to lose substance, turning into misty water‑clouds, making it hard to distinguish one from the other.

Translation: As they held their ground, snowflakes could not fall; gradually, within a radius of three zhang, it seemed to become a vacuum zone, only a vast white vapor rose and dispersed; their figures moved so fast they seemed to lose substance, turning into misty vapor, making it hard to tell them apart.

It turned out Huang Shang had been cultivating his inner energy in the quiet room when he suddenly felt a surge of joy and agitation—sometimes his body felt heavy as if weighed down, sometimes light as if wanting to fly, sometimes as if plunged into a cold pool, sometimes as if thrust into a blazing furnace, sometimes a fire dragon soared through the sky, sometimes an ice toad attacked; all sorts of evil things made contact, his hairs stood on end, and various illusions came flooding in.

Translation: It turned out that Huang Shang had been practicing internal energy in the quiet room when suddenly he felt elated and restless; at times his body felt heavy as if pressed down by an object, at times light as if wanting to fly, at times he seemed to be in a cold pool, at times entering a blazing furnace, at times a fire dragon soaring in the sky, at times an ice toad attacking; all kinds of evil things made contact, his hair stood on end, and various illusions came one after another.

Huang Shang felt a sudden insight, realizing this was the crucial moment in cultivating the divine art; he stopped heeding his bodily sensations, followed the Nine Yin True Classic's method of transforming inner demons to gain supernatural power, calmed his mind, and focused on the One.

Translation: Huang Shang's mind became enlightened; he realized this was the critical moment in cultivating the divine skill, so he ceased to pay attention to bodily sensations, following the method in the Nine Yin True Classic of transforming inner demons to invoke spiritual powers, he calmed his mind and focused solely on the One.

Suddenly his qi surged like a river, flowing smoothly as the great heavenly circuit turned through his body; his whole frame shuddered and he flung his eyes wide open.

Translation: Suddenly he felt his qi surge like a river, flowing smoothly; as the great circulation turned throughout his body, his whole body trembled, and he forcefully opened his eyes.

A strange sensation rose in his heart; every pore felt open and hollow, his dantian rose and fell like endless waves, and his limbs and bones seemed to hold boundless, inexhaustible strength.

Translation: A strange sensation welled up in his heart; all his pores felt open and empty, his dantian rose and fell like waves, endless and continuous, his limbs and bones seemed to contain limitless power.

With his mind's eye Huang Shang perceived the thirty‑six internal organs, as if opening a storehouse to see piles of beans and the like; a nameless joy surged in his heart. Soon his mind steadied, his breathing grew long and deep, his internal qi abundant; the Nine Yin Divine Skill had brought him to the state where dragon and tiger meet, yin and yang mutually aid each other.

Translation: With his mind's eye Huang Shang saw the thirty-six things within his body, like opening a granary to see beans and the like; a boundless joy welled up in his heart. Soon his mind grew calm, his breathing long and deep, his internal qi abundant; this Nine Yin Divine Skill had actually brought him to the realm of Dragon-Tiger Convergence and Yin-Yang Mutual Aid.

Originally, mastering the Nine Yin Divine Skill was hard for others—even ten or eight years might not bring success—but Huang Shang, versed in the classics and brilliantly talented, had inadvertently begun studying the Muscle‑Change Classic; in just a few months he completed the Nine Yin Divine Skill, opened the Ren and Du meridians, and achieved an unparalleled feat. He immediately wished to spar with Feng Yi.

Translation: Originally, others practicing the Nine Yin Divine Skill might spend ten or eight years without success, but Huang Shang, filled with learning and astonishing talent, had inadvertently begun studying the Muscle/Tendon Change Classic; in just a few months he completed the Nine Yin Divine Skill, opened the Ren and Du meridians, achieving an unparalleled feat. He immediately wished to spar with Feng Yi.

The Nine Yin True Classic is hailed as the all‑encompassing summary of martial arts under heaven, covering internal energy, fist and foot techniques, lightness skills, sword and sword methods, and more; once his divine skill was accomplished, these arts became at his command, as if second nature, and he even borrowed the Muscle‑Change Classic's techniques as a whetstone for his own practice.

Translation: The Nine Yin True Classic is hailed as the supreme compendium of martial arts, encompassing internal energy, fist and foot techniques, lightness skills, sword and sword methods, and more; once his divine skill was accomplished, these martial arts came to him as if familiar, and he also borrowed the Muscle/Tendon Change Classic's techniques as a whetstone.

Moreover, since he began his martial training he has followed only this path; the techniques of the Nine Yin True Classic are elusive and swift, steady yet subtly fragile—something Feng Yi cannot match.

Translation: Moreover, since he began martial arts, he has followed only this path; the techniques of the Nine Yin True Classic are elusive and swift, steady yet subtly fragile—something Feng Yi cannot match.

Yet the Divine Foot Classic is also marvelous; after three months of practice Feng Yi has made progress, and his training complements the Nine Yin Divine Skill. His internal strength has recovered to the level of the Divine Eagle era, his palms surge with power, their fierce and ruthless edge also making Huang Shang dare not be careless.

Translation: Yet the Divine Foot Classic is also marvelous; after three months of practice, Feng Yi had also made progress, his internal energy complementing the Nine Yin Divine Skill, having recovered to the level of the Divine Eagle era, his palms surged with power, fierce and ruthless—this too made Huang Shang not dare to be careless.

Especially his combat experience far surpasses Huang Shang's; after exchanging more than two hundred moves, Huang Shang gradually fell into a disadvantage.

Translation: Especially his combat experience far surpassed Huang Shang's, so after exchanging over two hundred moves, Huang Shang gradually fell into a disadvantage.

Suddenly Feng Yi gave a fierce shout, swung his arm in a circle, and shot out his palm like lightning; his true qi surged like ocean waves, his voice rang like a dragon's roar, and he lunged forward.

Translation: Suddenly Feng Yi gave a fierce shout, swung his arm in a circle, and shot out a lightning-fast palm; his true qi surged like ocean waves, roaring like a dragon's cry, as it lunged forward.

Huang Shang's gaze was clear, his body slightly bent, and his palm descended from his chest, tracing a half‑arc.

Translation: Huang Shang's gaze was clear, his body slightly bent, his palm motion descended from his chest, tracing a half-arc.

With a hiss‑hiss, the two fierce palm forces collided in mid‑air; Feng Yi felt his palm's strength vanish without trace, as if dropped into a vast ocean.

Translation: With a "hiss-hiss", two fierce palm forces collided in midair; Feng Yi felt his palm's strength vanish without trace, as if sinking into a vast ocean.

Meanwhile Huang Shang's body turned like the Big Dipper, he tumbled halfway through the air, his left hand brushed aside, his right palm sliced out, and with a crack a thick‑trunked tree crashed to the ground, sending snow flying everywhere.

Translation: Meanwhile Huang Shang's posture turned like the Northern Dipper; he suddenly tumbled halfway in the air, his left hand lightly brushed, his right palm sliced out—there was a crack, and a thick tree trunk as wide as a person's embrace crashed to the ground, sending snow flying everywhere.

In the distance Huang Wan'er heard the sound and started; she saw only a haze of fine snow before her, brushed it away, and saw Huang Shang standing there, staring blankly at his own palm.

Translation: In the distance, Huang Wan'er heard the sound and started; she saw only a haze of fine snow before her, hastily brushed it aside, and saw Huang Shang standing there, staring blankly at his own palm.

Feng Yi, meanwhile, stood like a clay or wooden statue, eyes fixed on the heavens, utterly motionless.

Translation: Feng Yi, meanwhile, stood like a clay or wood carving, eyes fixed on the heavens, motionless.

The pair's strange appearance made Huang Wan'er inexplicably tense; she rushed over and saw the tree split cleanly in half, resembling a mighty, razor‑sharp great axe that had cleaved it down the middle, leaving her both startled and delighted.

Translation: Their strange appearance made Huang Wan'er inexplicably tense; she rushed over to look, and saw that the great tree had been cleanly split in half, resembling a mighty, razor-sharp giant axe cleaving through its middle—she could not help but feel both startled and delighted.

Since ancient times, splitting a large tree in half and having it fall like this has probably never happened before—perhaps it is the first such instance.

Translation: Since ancient times, splitting a large tree in half and having it fall like this has probably never happened before—this may be the first such tree.

Feng Yi gazed at the sky for a while, then looked directly at Huang Shang and said: "I have heard that in martial arts training, natural talent comes first; if a person is mediocre, even the finest art cannot transform him."

Translation: Feng Yi gazed at the sky for a while, then looked directly at Huang Shang and said: "I have heard that in learning martial arts, natural talent comes first; if a person is mediocre, even the finest martial arts cannot make him undergo a transformation.

If such a person is blessed by heaven and encounters a good teacher, he can advance a thousand miles in a day; even an ordinary person who trains painstakingly all his life cannot match his achievements in three to five years.

Translation: If one is blessed by heaven and meets a good teacher, he can advance a thousand miles in a day; an ordinary person's lifelong effort would not match his achievements in three to five years.

But sir, you have achieved this in only a few months—I dare not imagine what your accomplishments will be after three, five, or ten years!

Translation: But you, sir, have achieved this in just a few months; I dare not imagine what your accomplishments will be after three, five, or ten years!"

Huang Wan'er's joy showed on her face; she clapped her hands and laughed loudly.

Translation: Huang Wan'er's face lit up with joy as she clapped and laughed loudly.

Huang Shang said: "Not at all, not at all; if you had not passed the Nine Yin True Classic to me, I would not be where I am today."

Translation: Huang Shang said: "Not at all; if you had not passed the Nine Yin True Classic to me, I would not be where I am today."

Feng Yi smiled wryly: "If one gave the Nine Yin True Classic to someone else, could they reach this level in just a few months?" Then he said: "Sir, what is the principle behind that move you just made?" and bowed deeply to Huang Shang.

Translation: Feng Yi inwardly gave a wry smile: "If anyone else were given the Nine Yin True Classic, could they reach this level in just a few months?" Then he said: "Sir, what is the principle behind that move you just made?" Speaking thus, he bowed deeply to Huang Shang.

Feng Yi understood clearly: just moments ago both he and Huang Shang had filled their palms with power; who would have thought that as Huang Shang turned his body, he would merge their palm forces into a narrow beam, striking that thick‑trunked tree and producing a shock as if a sword or axe had split it in two.

Translation: Feng Yi understood clearly: just moments ago, both he and Huang Shang had gathered full force in their palms; who would have thought that as Huang Shang turned his body, he actually merged their palm forces into a narrow beam, striking that thick tree, thus creating a shocking scene as if cleaved by a sword or axe, splitting it in two.

This appears to be like borrowing force to strike force—quite simple.

Translation: This seemed as simple as borrowing force to strike force.

Yet his own palm power is so immense that merely being able to redirect it is already rare; to absorb it and then release it would be astonishing beyond belief, and he does not think he possesses such ability.

Translation: Yet his palm power was so immense that merely being able to shift its direction was already rare; to absorb and then discharge it together would be astonishing beyond belief, and he did not think himself capable of such a feat.

Huang Shang coughed and said: "Laozi says, 'The valley spirit never dies; that is called the Mysterious Female. The gate of the Mysterious Female is the root of heaven and earth. If it endures continuously, its use is not tiresome.'"

Translation: Huang Shang coughed and said: "Laozi says, 'The valley spirit never dies; this is called the mysterious female. The gate of the mysterious female is the root of heaven and earth. Continuous and unceasing, use it without fatigue.'"

Applied to martial arts, this means allowing the internal breath to come and go, intertwined and continuous, seemingly present yet absent; it should be restrained, not rushed or clung to, so that the true qi does not depart from the dantian and meridians' control—only then can one attain the great way.

Translation: Applied to martial arts, this means letting the internal breath come and go, intertwined and continuous, present yet absent, it should be restrained; one must not rush or cling obsessively, so that the true qi does not depart from the dantian and meridian control—only then can one attain the Great Dao.

The Muscle‑Change Classic actually contains this same principle; its text says, 'Following the heart's rise, intention leads the qi, qi leads the strength; when they harmonize, one can enter without hindrance, penetrate great gaps, and move smoothly and broadly.'

Translation: In the Muscle/Tendon Change Classic, the same principle is found: the text says, 'Born from the mind, intention leads qi, qi leads strength; if the signs align, one can enter without hindrance, pierce great gaps, and move smoothly and freely.'

As the saying goes, 'When the heart moves, power is issued; gather and release, act naturally, unaware of its emission yet it emerges spontaneously—like a tide rising, like thunder sounding; it is as if a tiny boat on a vast ocean amid towering waves naturally lifts and falls without effort.'

Translation: As the saying goes, 'When the heart moves, power is issued; a gathering and a release, naturally applied, one does not feel its emergence yet it arises spontaneously, like the tide rising or thunder sounding—just as a small boat on a vast ocean amidst towering waves naturally lifts and falls without exertion.'

This is the principle of bringing the opponent under one's control, of being one with him; likewise, a passage in the Divine Illumination Classic that speaks of going with the natural flow also explains this.

Translation: This is the principle of bringing the opponent under one's control, existing together with oneself; and the Divine Illumination Classic's notion of going with the flow also elucidates this truth.

Huang Wan'er said: 'This principle is not hard to understand; what is lacking is the concrete method.'

Translation: Huang Wan'er said: "Such principles are not hard to grasp; what is lacking is the concrete method."

Huang Shang chuckled and said: 'This is what your elder brother Feng said: some people guard the divine art their whole lives and never achieve anything; that is an innate endowment, something no one can change.'

Translation: Huang Shang chuckled: "This is what your elder brother Feng said—some people cling to divine skill their whole lives and never achieve anything; this is an innate endowment, something no one can change!"

Huang Wan'er nodded: 'It's just like studying—same teacher, yet your father can become top scholar while others cannot even attain the licentiate degree.'

Translation: Huang Wan'er nodded: "It's just like studying—same teacher, yet your father could become top scholar while others cannot even pass the licentiate exam."

Sir, your words are too profound… Feng Yi paused, then asked softly: 'In your view, what kind of martial art are the Nine Yin True Classic and the Muscle‑Change Classic, exactly?'

Translation: "Sir, your words are too profound…" Feng Yi paused, then asked softly: "In your view, what kind of martial art are the Nine Yin True Classic and the Muscle/Tendon Change Classic exactly?"

Huang Shang pondered and said: 'Laozi said, "From nothing comes being"; the author of the Nine Yin True Classic is clearly a great adept of Daoism, thus the opening line "The Way of Heaven diminishes excess and supplements deficiency; therefore the void overcomes the substantial, insufficiency overcomes abundance" sets forth the doctrine, teaching the martial art of striking the substantial with the void.'

Translation: Huang Shang pondered and said: "Laozi said, 'From nothing comes something'; the author of the Nine Yin True Classic is clearly a great adept of Daoism, thus the principle 'Heaven's Way: diminish the excess, supplement the deficiency; therefore the void overcomes the real, the insufficiency overcomes the abundance' serves as the opening proclamation, teaching the martial way of overcoming substance with emptiness."

As the saying goes, 'The Dao gives birth to One; One gives birth to Two; Two gives birth to Three; Three gives birth to the myriad things.' Hence the dualities, triads, four images, five elements, six combinations, seven stars, eight trigrams, nine palaces, and ultimately the return to primordial chaos.

Translation: As the saying goes, 'Dao gives birth to One; One gives birth to Two; Two gives birth to Three; Three gives birth to the endless; hence the dualities, triads, four symbols, five elements, six combinations, seven stars, eight trigrams, nine palaces, and ultimately returning to the primordial chaos of the Supreme Ultimate.'

And the Taiji contains yin within yang and yang within yin. As the saying goes, 'Lone yin does not grow; solitary yang does not endure; only when yin and yang aid each other can life continue endlessly.' This is the true essence of the Nine Yin Divine Skill.

Translation: And the Supreme Ultimate contains yin within yang and yang within yin; as the saying goes, 'Lone yin does not grow; solitary yang does not expand; yin and yang mutually aid, only then can life continue endlessly'—this is the essence of the Nine Yin Divine Skill.

And the Buddha said, 'Clouds are empty yet not empty'; therefore the Muscle‑Change Classic treats the body like a mountain, cultivating itself without external aid; no matter what external force acts upon it, it can internally merge and thus make the internal force solid and substantial, like a rock.

Translation: And the Buddha said, 'Clouds are empty yet not empty'; thus the Muscle/Tendon Change Classic treats the body like a mountain, cultivating itself without external aid; no matter what external force acts upon it, it can internally merge, thereby making the internal energy solid and substantial, like a boulder.

Buddhist precepts forbid lust, so one does not lose a pure yang body; when qi is accomplished, essence and spirit are also naturally complete; thus the mind is clear and empty, seeing mountains as mountains, water as water, clouds empty yet not empty, the unmoving suchness of a sublime state.

Translation: Buddhist precepts forbid lust, so one does not lose a pure yang body; when qi is accomplished, essence and spirit are also naturally perfect; hence the mind is empty and bright—seeing mountains as mountains, water as water, clouds empty yet not empty, the unmoving suchness is a sublime state.

If one says the Nine Yin True Classic is heaven—vast and boundless—then the Muscle‑Change Classic is the sea—great because it can contain; both are actually the Way of Emptiness, which is the principle that all things have change as well as constancy.

Translation: If one says the Nine Yin True Classic is heaven, boundless and vast, then the Muscle/Tendon Change Classic is the sea, capable of embracing all; both are actually the Way of Emptiness and Non-being—this is the principle that all things have change as well as constancy!

Feng Yi nodded: 'I understand; in fact both ultimately follow the Way of overcoming the substantial with the void.'

Translation: Feng Yi nodded: "I understand; in fact, both ultimately follow the Way of overcoming substance with emptiness."

Huang Shang smiled and said: 'Understanding the Way of overcoming the substantial with the void is not so hard, but putting it into practice is another matter.' Then his face showed bitterness: 'Just now it seemed I absorbed your palm power and expelled it, yet you did not follow up with another move.'

Translation: Huang Shang smiled and said: "Understanding the Way of overcoming substance with emptiness is not hard, but putting it into practice is another matter"; then his expression turned bitter: "Just now it seemed I absorbed your palm power and discharged it, yet you did not follow up with another move."

Feng Yi said: 'You also didn't direct it toward me!'

Translation: Feng Yi replied: "You also didn't send it toward me!"

Huang Shang said: 'If I had aimed it at you, you could have dodged!'

Translation: Huang Shang said: "If I had directed it at you, you could have dodged!"

Both of them laughed.

Translation: Both laughed.

Huang Shang continued: 'In short, from the Nine Yin True Classic, the Divine Illumination Classic, the Muscle‑Change Classic, and the Divine Foot Classic, I see that the highest realm for a martial artist is the unity of heaven and man, a seamless whole.'

Translation: Huang Shang continued: "In short, from the Nine Yin True Classic, Divine Illumination Classic, Muscle/Tendon Change Classic, and Divine Foot Classic, I see that the highest realm for a martial artist is the unity of heaven and man, a complete integration."

"Heaven and man united, a seamless whole!"

Translation: "Heaven and man united, completely integrated!"

Feng Yi softly recited these eight characters, and could not help but feel his heart yearning.

Huang Shuang stroked his beard and said: "Essence, Qi, and Spirit are the three treasures of a person; since ancient times, cultivating internal energy and controlling true Qi rely on the mind/spirit."

Therefore, the essence of true superior martial arts lies not in essence and qi, but in the spirit within them.

Huang Wan'er puzzled: "Spirit?"

"'Spirit' is the mind's intention, concerning mental nature and spiritual wisdom; thus, when internal energy reaches a true high level, inner demons arise."

And this inner demon is also a kind of mind-intent, sharing the same source as the mind-intent that controls true qi; therefore, no true qi can control this mind-intent, naturally cannot resist the inner demon; when the inner demon attacks, dangers abound, allowing no slightest error.

Therefore, the method in the Nine Yin True Classic of transforming inner demons into divine abilities focuses on taking the initiative, harmonizing mental nature, following curves to straighten, transforming inner demons into the formless; saying it transforms inner demons into divine abilities is actually using intention to break spirit!

The Divine Foot Sutra is also a wonderful method for dispelling external demons, but this Indian learning differs from the Central Plains learning: the inner demon seeks movement in stillness, whereas it seeks stillness in movement through yoga postures—so-called 'mind follows body movement,' mind and spirit divide into two, one in the body, one in the spirit, allowing one to drift away and enter the carefree realm of non-being.

Feng Yi listened to these words, and admiration appeared on his face.

Only someone of Huang Shuang's great talent could, in just a few months, grasp these several divine skills to such a level; truly, every word is a pearl.

Huang Wan'er wore a smile on her face, but her eyes held a bewildered look.

Huang Shuang knew these martial arts profundities were too mysterious; practitioners know them as naturally as one knows whether water is cold or hot when drinking, but for outsiders to understand is truly as difficult as climbing to heaven.

He then said: "The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name; profound beyond profound, the gateway to myriad wonders."

Qi is the substance of chaos, the root of morality.

To cultivate internal energy, one must first establish the qi sea; the qi sea is the net, the meridians are the eyes—when the net is raised, the eyes open.

The Lao-Zhuang school esteems nature; the essence of Daoist internal energy practice lies in the harmony between the primordial mind-spirit and the internal energy mind-method.

If so, cultivation progresses a thousand miles a day; years of effort surpass a common person's lifetime.

This is the principle that when the mind-intent is fulfilled, essence and qi will naturally be abundant.

Once the three communicate internally and externally, they unite into one; the marvelous principle arises spontaneously, and every gesture follows one's will, advantageous in all endeavors.

However, attaining this level necessarily makes one a first-rate master.

As Brother Feng said, in the world only one or two could defeat you; thus, few would understand this level. For example, the Bone-Shrinking Skill in the Nine Yin True Classic is not particularly rare; in the world, petty thieves often use it to do evil.

But I observe that this master included it precisely to let people understand the way of overcoming hardness with softness, to free oneself from bondage.

Because practicing the Nine Yin True Classic makes one invincible everywhere, yet still needing the Bone-Shrinking Skill indicates encountering a problem that proves troublesome for you.

Meeting it head-on will surely cause loss; thus only softness remains. After yielding, one breaks free from bonds, strikes unexpectedly, attacks the unprepared—this is the way to turn defeat into victory!

Moreover, the Great Soul-Transferring Law also lets practitioners grasp the importance of mind-intent; then they can foresee the enemy's moves, devise flawless strategies, and with deep internal energy, exhaling energy like a dragon, even motes and fine hairs can become weapons to vanquish foes.

"Marvelous discourse, marvelous discourse! Hearing your words is better than ten years of reading!" Feng Yi listened, his heart filled with delighted conviction.

The Nine Yin True Classic is hailed as the supreme compendium of martial arts under heaven; who could understand it better than Huang Shuang?

Huang Shuang laughed and said: "This is not my idea; the saying of Shakyamuni, 'Above heaven and below earth, I alone am honored,' is a way to break through foolishness, letting everyone realize their true nature and all become Buddhas—a beautiful thing."

Laozi took heaven as the Dao; the Analects say 'without desire, then firm.' Actually, they both tell later generations that everyone only needs to follow the Dao in their heart, and you are boundless and immense.

Thus, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism may seem different, but they ultimately converge; even some principles in the Classic of Tea apply to martial arts.

Furthermore, as Brother Feng advised me, not letting Bodhidharma take all the credit, I was greatly inspired.

=9+book_let's

"What inspiration?" Huang Wan'er was very curious.

Huang Shuang said: "That is, modern people are not necessarily inferior to the ancients; we need not revere any person, only need to revere reason and walk our own path!"

Feng Yi heard these words, feeling they contained great profundity; suddenly a whole new martial arts world appeared before his eyes, and he already had a martial arts concept in his mind, albeit somewhat vague, yet even so it made him feel light and airy all over.

Huang Wan'er said: "It seems I ought to study the Nine Yin True Classic properly."

Huang Shuang laughed and said: "I think the exalted person who created this Nine Yin True Classic certainly expended much effort."

Waner, you may not be able to fully research it in a lifetime; thereafter, do not waste your thoughts on other things!

"Follow your own Dao, walk your own path."

Feng Yi muttered to himself and walked out of the Huang household.

Huang Wan'er wondered: "He..."

Huang Shuang let out a sigh and immediately followed.

He knew Feng Yi's heart was akin to enlightenment.

The Nine Yin True Classic was originally composed by Huang Shuang after decades of effort, but now Feng Yi has given it to him ahead of time, and also handed over the Divine Illumination Classic, the Muscle/Tendon Change Classic, and other divine skill manuals.

Huang Shuang's erudition is vast and his thinking broad, a talent that could govern the heavens and earth; he used the Nine Yin True Classic, personally experienced the process from nothing to being, corroborated it with several great divine skills, and from a lofty height expounded the profoundest martial principles in an accessible manner to guide Feng Yi.

These principles, given Feng Yi's martial arts cultivation, should not be difficult to understand.

But he differs from ordinary people; his foundation was established in a single leap. It did not come from a master's guidance or his own diligent effort. He lacked the crucial step of progressing from nothing to something.

Feng Yi now has received Huang Shuang's personal explanation of the underlying principles, and though he has benefited greatly, to put into practice the 'emptiness' way that contains the supreme profundities of both Buddhism and Daoism, to learn and apply it as one normally would, to integrate and comprehend it, to readily grasp it and attain marvelous principles, is truly not easy; at this stage, even Huang Shuang cannot help him.

Feng Yi stepped upon the snow-covered ground, walking casually, when suddenly he heard a booming sound, continuous and unending, like a beast's roar and like thunderous wind and lightning.

Feng Yi's spirit was seized; at that moment he saw a expanse of sea water rising like a sudden peak, higher than the surrounding sea by several zhang; at first glance, it seemed boundless like a heavenly waterfall, with white waves rolling in.

It turned out he had unknowingly left Fuzhou City and arrived at the seaside.

At this moment it was noon, the time of high tide.

Boom, a line of mountain-like waves piled up on the shore; this momentum was fiercer than thunder and lightning.

In the blink of an eye, the spray from the wave tops had already reached Feng Yi's head,

Feng Yi exhaled with two palms; his internal energy had not only recovered, but his palm strength surpassed before, seeming substantial, that line of flying waves appeared to be split open by an invisible giant blade, divided in two, truly possessing the power to cleave mountains and rend seas.

Feng Yi stood upright like a spear, water droplets scattering to both sides.

Huang Shuang and Huang Wan'er watched, unable to help but stare; his palm strength was truly astonishing and shocking to the world.

Just now, sparring with Huang Shuang, it seemed he had held back.

But the might of the waves is endless; successive waves pile up, surpassing the previous, wave height reaching the heavens; when they fall, it is like mountains and stones overturning.

Then one saw Feng Yi's palms striking in succession; they collided, making a 'chi-peng' sound, his figure appearing and disappearing in the waves, though already soaked through, losing his graceful bearing.

Suddenly, Feng Yi understood, comparing the great sea to a master; this tidal force is the sea exhaling power, layer upon layer without cease, he himself merely a speck in the vast sea—how much could he possibly withstand?

At this moment, he saw the sea and sky meet as one line, the waves roaring, just like ten thousand horses and thousands of troops shouting in unison, charging forward. Feng Yi's eyes shot out blazing light, his body swayed, and he directly rushed into the huge wave.

At this moment, waves surged from all directions, the pressure on Feng Yi grew greater. He raised his palms to block, but the incoming force was too strong, endless, and within a moment he could barely hold his ground.

Feng Yi suddenly realized that when he trained at the waterfall, there was only a downward impact; how could this sea tide's force from all directions be so great? But he had already reached the top of a hundred-foot pole; if he took one more step, there would be a breakthrough. Even if mighty external force surged through his body and his bones threatened to scatter, he would still persevere.

However, the tide rises only at noon and midnight; it can be said to be the moment when the sea's daily energy gathers. Before the time arrives, the force does not diminish, but each of Feng Yi's palm strikes exerts his utmost strength; even if his inner energy is endless, it cannot keep up with the consumption, and his palm power naturally weakens.

As one wanes and the other waxes, the towering waves cleanse his whole body, and Feng Yi gradually felt his meridians go numb and his breathing become rapid.

Immediately he used the "Thousand Jin Drop" technique, his body sank and he landed on a rock. The sea water still reached everywhere, but Feng Yi felt no pain at all; he only felt his interior was utterly empty and vast, boundless, as if an abyss lay within him, sucking in the sea's power until it was completely drained.

In fact, the sea surface was turbulent while the depths were calm; this difference could be said to give Feng Yi an illusion. Yet as his true qi circulated through the heavenly circuit, the numbness on his body vanished. After another circuit, the true qi that had become fine threads turned vast and mighty, leaving Feng Yi greatly perplexed.

How could his true qi recover so quickly?

At this moment he felt his meridians expand, suddenly had an epiphany, and they opened wide, allowing him to truly see a new realm in martial arts.

From then on, besides studying with Huang Shang each day, Feng Yi practiced his arts in the tide at noon and midnight.

Time flew like a white horse passing a gap; in the blink of an eye, winter passed and spring came, spring went and summer arrived, and half a year had gone by.

At that midnight hour, the tide receded; Feng Yi felt inspired, his body shifted swiftly, he poured out his full strength with both palms, exerted the Dragon Subduing Palm force, and struck out.

He made no sound when he struck, yet wherever his palm force went, there was a loud bang, and a reef more than ten feet away shattered into pieces.

This scene filled Feng Yi with pride and satisfaction, and he thought, "Huang Shang is truly a heavenly person!"

Suddenly hearing a soft sound, Feng Yi laughed heartily, his body flickered, and he darted away.

It turned out that during this period, Huang Shang had also brought him to read Lu Yu's Classic of Tea.

Feng Yi had not wanted to, but Huang Shang said the book's profundity was no less than that of internal cultivation secret manuals.

Upon hearing this, Feng Yi felt his eyes light up and thought, "Is that possible?"

Huang Shang saw his doubt and smiled slightly: "The Classic of Tea has many chapters; in the chapter on boiling it says: when it boils like fish eyes with a faint sound, that is the first boil; when the edges surge like pearls linked together, that is the second boil; when waves surge and stir, that is the third boil. Imagine if this were applied to martial arts—what power it would have!"

If the palm power is small, causing only a slight breeze, yet when it reaches the body it is like surging sea waves—wouldn't that be formidable?

Like when you strike and instantly overturn mountains and seas, raging waves surge—people far away would feel the strong wind pressing on their bodies, and ordinary hands could not avoid it in time.

But for those with somewhat higher skill, as long as they don't want to die, they would surely flee far away—are you just putting on a show for people to watch?

Feng Yi was not unaware of this reasoning.

His Shadowless Divine Fist is silent when thrown, and the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms also have a silent palm, but that is for close-quarters combat.

To make fist and palm power shine outward, strike from a distance, and conceal the wind's sound—that is difficult.

Therefore Huang Shang spent a month merging the Nine Yin True Classic with the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, enabling great force to be hidden within a gentle breeze.

Even if an expert is highly alert and senses the wind, if they regard it as trivial, a single touch will unleash the force of overturning mountains and seas, ending the fight with that one palm.

Feng Yi followed this method, painstakingly training for half a year, and brought this set of Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms to such a level—yet he did not expect someone to be in the distant woods.

"Wind Protector, hold your hand!"

Feng Yi heard this, felt very familiar, halted his body, and fell before the seaside forest, only to see five people walk out of the woods.

In the moonlight it was clear that the leader was Chen Guyan, one of the Four Great Elders of the Beggars' Sect; there were also two disciples each carrying seven bags, and another two men in blue clothes whose origins were unknown.

Feng Yi said leisurely, "Elder Chen, you are capable indeed—I have not wandered the martial world for nearly a year, yet you still managed to find me?"

Chen Guyan stepped forward, bowed to Feng Yi, and said, "Don't blame me, Wind Protector—you train in the tide, your divine might overwhelms the world; seasemen see it and tell others, and our sect's disciples, being martial artists, naturally become curious; after some inquiry, several of our elders learned that you are in Fuzhou—please don't blame us for coming uninvited!"

Feng Yi waved his hand and said, "All right, what business do you have with me?"

Elder Chen said, "Our sect has faced a great change, as you know; we will soon convene the Junshan Assembly to elect the sect leader. I have been entrusted by several elders to invite you to attend."

Feng Yi thought, "Indeed, a lie requires countless lies to cover it." He smiled and said, "My master warned me that this Protector title is merely nominal; I am not allowed to participate in sect affairs unless the Beggars' Sect faces life or death—so you elders handle it as you see fit."

Elder Chen was taken aback.

Although some in the martial world gossip about Feng Yi, the Beggars' Sect elders know his ability; Qiao Feng is a hero, but he is a Kitan, so he cannot become sect leader.

Moreover, several elders have died, and the Beggars' Sect's influence has waned; they originally wanted to ask Feng Yi to become sect leader, but they did not expect him to have no interest at all.

At that moment, the two men in blue exchanged a glance, stepped forward, bowed to Feng Yi, and presented a large red invitation.

Feng Yi reached out, took it, and his brow twitched slightly.

(End of chapter)