MFESW 32

Chapter : 32

My Destiny – Status Window (32)

Nangong, Hebei Province.

I moved two more days south from Weizhang.

In a deserted, half-abandoned farmhouse left by villagers, I lit a fire and sat across from Huigong.

Today was finally the day he had promised to teach me martial techniques.

“The method I use is called Great Vehicle Prajñā Zen Skill (Da Cheng Ban Ruo Chan Gong). It follows the same principles as the Prajñā you’ve been learning, but it’s much deeper.”

“Yes.”

Huigong immediately began explaining his martial arts to me.

First, the mental method.

The internal energy cultivation method he used was indeed the Great Vehicle Prajñā Zen Skill.

He said he had studied many other methods, but this was the core through which he channeled his inner energy.

“I’ve practiced the Vajra Fist (Jin Gang Quan) the longest, but after reaching a high level, I realized it isn’t that important. Fists are just a step along the way.”

“Haha, Master of Fists, is that what you say?”

“Why hit someone with your fists when you can control your energy? Unless you have some perverse tendencies.”

“Right.”

“As for footwork, I’ve practiced the Buddha’s Shadow Immortal Mist Steps (Fo Ying Xian Xia Bu) the longest. The Arhat Steps are also good, but they cannot match the profundity of the Buddha’s Shadow Steps.”

Buddha’s Shadow Steps.

The very name evokes the feeling of an advanced martial skill.

Unlike a plain name like Arhat Steps, this one feels refined and elevated.

“So, what I recommend for you are the Great Vehicle Prajñā Zen Skill and the Buddha’s Shadow Immortal Mist Steps. No matter what martial arts you learn in the future, these will serve as strong pillars for you.”

“Understood.”

I was thrilled.

Even being taught one technique would have been amazing, but two!

I thought, I have another teacher now. Hehe.

“Shall we start with the Great Vehicle Prajñā Zen Skill?”

“Yes.”

“Good. The Great Vehicle Prajñā Zen Skill is an extension of the Prajñā you already know. You understand the implications of form is emptiness, emptiness is form, right?”

“Yes.”

“What does it mean?”

“That the phenomenal world and the world of emptiness are not two, but one.”

“Correct. That is Prajñā. The Great Vehicle Prajñā, in the end, leads that Prajñā through insight into the emptiness of the five aggregates…”

Huigong continued lecturing.

In the end, the Prajñā was the same.

All dharmas are empty.

Everything has no inherent nature.

Having no inherent nature means everything depends on everything else.

Dependence implies connection.

Enlightenment, energy, internal strength, and the liberation it brings—all are interconnected, and thus must be emptied to be obtained, as taught by the Buddha.

“Your theoretical understanding of the Zen Skill is already perfect.”

“Haha… not at all.”

There wasn’t much that was new.

It was mostly an extension of what I had already realized through studying Prajñā martial arts.

Perhaps I had been understanding Prajñā more deeply than others all along.

“Then let’s move to circulation. I’ll show you the sequence.”

“Yes.”

Begin at the Dantian
Flow through the twelve meridians
Circulate through the Great Cycle
Return to the Qi Sea
Open the Weilu Gate
Open the Yuzhen Gate…

‘It’s the Great Cycle!’

The moment Huigong recited the sequence of the Great Vehicle Prajñā Zen Skill, I recognized it.

This was the Great Cycle.

Unlike the Small Cycle I had practiced until now, this true circulation used the lower-body acupoints as well.

The full 361 meridian points of the human body.

“Can you memorize it?”

“Yes.”

Although some parts were slightly hazy, I remembered most of it.

My memory really is amazing.

Was it always this good?

No. Since encountering the status window, my memory had improved dramatically.

This truly was destiny.

“Ho… your mind is extraordinary. You memorized it all after just hearing it once.”

“Some parts are slightly unclear.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll help. Sit in the lotus position.”

“Yes.”

Huigong sat behind me.

His warm hands rested on my back.

“Let’s start slowly from the Dantian.”

“Yes.”

Starting from the Dantian, I drew up my inner energy and moved it according to the teachings of the Great Vehicle Prajñā.

“…!!”

A warm energy surged along my back, guiding my inner energy along the correct path.

Is this the Chui Qiong Gu Xue I’ve heard about?

Or not? Wasn’t that meant for children?

Anyway, it was clear Huigong intended to guide me personally, like a child.

From then on, it was effortless.

I just followed the flow of warm energy, and my inner energy moved correctly.

The blocked acupoints opened one by one.

‘This is so easy!’

Life is unfair.

Elite sect disciples probably enjoyed this luxury from childhood.

And yet they ignore and persecute ordinary people.

Truly, the world favors the capable.

“Focus.”

Huigong sensed that my mind had wandered into thoughts of unfairness and snapped me back.

Yes, master. I will focus.

No unnecessary thoughts.

Governing Vessel… Baihui…

Circulate the Qi to the Qi Sea…

Pass through the Miliary Gate to the Jade Pillow…

I concentrated and guided my inner energy.

Because it was the Great Cycle, it took a long time.

The energy moved through all the body’s meridians, even opening acupoints I had never touched before.

Finally, back to the Dantian.

All points circulated, and the energy returned to the origin.

“Phew…”

I opened my eyes with a deep breath.

Sweat poured, and yellowed impurities seeped from my skin.

“Danchian.”

“Yes.”

“You are truly gifted.”

Oh. Did I do well?

Others can’t do this, right?

“Really?”

“You completed the Great Vehicle Prajñā Zen Skill’s Great Cycle in one go.”

“Well, that’s because you helped me from behind…”

“If everyone succeeded with help, every disciple would be a master.”

I didn’t realize. It was really difficult.

Anyway, I succeeded. Hehe.

After the Great Cycle, I felt my body control had definitely improved.

I’d have to test it in actual martial arts to be sure.

“Now, let’s move to the Buddha’s Shadow Steps. You pick things up quickly, so I have to match your pace.”

“Yes, master.”

Good. Pass it on quickly.

I’ll absorb it all. Hehe.

“Push harder!”

“Haah… Haah… Yes!”

Current location:

Huo Jia, Henan Province.

We were almost at Songshan.

We traveled through the hills, not the main roads, to practice the Buddha’s Shadow Steps.

Today we focused on the second stage, Vajra Crossing the Sea (Jin Gang Du Hai).

I carried Huigong on my shoulders while stepping through the techniques up the mountain.

“Vajra Crossing the Sea requires you to feel your body as diamond, crossing the waves. You are only silver ore now. Throw your body more!”

“Haah… Haah… Yes!”

Unlike the relatively easy Great Vehicle Prajñā Zen Skill, mastering the steps was tough.

Even considering Huigong’s effort to teach me quickly, climbing a mountain in half a stance and descending was strenuous—especially with him on my shoulders.

“Right foot placement! Still off!”

“Yes!”

I had to watch my foot placement too.

Step in the wrong sequence, and the essence of the steps would be lost.

Still, I survived, reached the summit, and returned to the starting point.

―Chi…

The incense I lit earlier still burned.

Success.

“Phew… Phew… Phew…”

I collapsed onto the ground, exhausted.

My breathing was shallow, almost nauseating.

“You improved since yesterday.”

Another day of growth.

Every day was new.

Wow… Maybe I’ll reach master level before thirty? Hehe.

No, that’s too soon. Reaching the top of Huajing before forty is fine. Hehe.

“Catch your breath, then let’s try Buddha’s Manifestation in the World again.”

“Haah… Haah… Yes…”

The Buddha’s Shadow Steps had three stages:

• Buddha’s Manifestation in the World (Fo Ying Xian Shi)
• Vajra Crossing the Sea (Jin Gang Du Hai)
• Neither Come Nor Go (Bu Lai Bu Qu)

Buddha’s Manifestation in the World was for direct combat.

It covered all essentials: controlling space, adjusting distance, switching offense and defense.

Vajra Crossing the Sea was for explosive speed or multiple opponents.

It included techniques to absorb and evade incoming impacts.

Neither Come Nor Go allowed discreetly subduing enemies or escaping stronger opponents, including aerial maneuvers.

Among the three, Huigong focused most on teaching Buddha’s Manifestation in the World, anticipating frequent combat from missions.

“Ready.”

“Good.”

One full breath was enough.

We assumed positions.

―Crack.

Huigong broke a branch.

“Begin.”

“Yes.”

Training was simple: avoid the branch while stepping through the technique.

Huigong placed the branch just at the edge of my ability, always testing my limit.

―Swish, swish.

The ordinary branch became a lightning-fast strike.

‘I must dodge!’

Following the technique, the branch barely missed my shoulder.

‘Inner energy alone isn’t enough! Martial skill’s finesse matters!’

This was on a whole different level than Arhat Steps.

With Arhat Steps, I couldn’t have dodged these strikes.

The Buddha’s Shadow Steps pulled my body, letting me avoid strikes like lightning.

―Swish, swish.

Dodge again, right, left, up, down.

I was exhilarated.

Should I try striking back?

Perhaps a light tap on master’s wrist?

In that fleeting moment of distraction, a branch came from an unexpected angle.

―Snap!

“Ouch!”

A hot pain shot across my side.

I got hit for real.

“Danchian, aiming for my wrist is still a long way off.”

Hehe.

This master… uncanny sense of perception.

Luoyang, Henan Province.

Now, Shaolin was really near.

We took a room in a small inn outside Luoyang for final training.

It was time to wrap it up.

The status window showed only 20 days left.

To avoid any variables, I had to leave Luoyang for Songshan.

“Really not coming with me?”

“Yes.”

But surprisingly…

Huigong insisted he would stay behind and I should go alone.

What? I’m going to Shaolin!

“Deliver this letter to Mingyuan.”

He handed me a letter he had written last night.

I glanced at it over his shoulder:

I couldn’t kill Jurtagen, but I secured Master Yuanzong’s relics. I send them through you.

“Why aren’t you coming?”

“If I go, it would diminish Mingyuan’s authority. Better for me to stay.”

“Really?”

“Yes. No arguments. Go.”

Huigong turned his head, showing he meant it.

“Yes, master. I’ll go quickly. You’ll stay here, right?”

“Yes. I’ll wait.”

“Yes.”

I stood to go alone, and finally Huigong relaxed, stood, and escorted me out.

I left the inn and entered the main road connecting Luoyang to Songshan.

If I follow this road, I’ll reach Shaolin.

I touched Master Yuanzong’s relics in my pocket.

Hard, yet somehow warm.

All is well.

Master… please wait a little longer.

I missed the autumn leaves while training, but spring flowers will bloom soon. Please don’t be angry. Hehe.