Chapter 35: Tai Chi, Totally Clueless?
Totally clueless?
Hearing this, Zhang Ren nearly choked on his anger.
What more do you need to perfect? How much further must you push? Huh? You achieved basic mastery of the Tai Chi stance in a single day and still think it took too long?
Somehow, he felt the boy was deliberately using this tone, though he lacked proof.
Nearby, Wang Ping and others paused their stance training to watch.
"Hmm."
Zhang Ren furrowed his brow before uttering two measured words: "Acceptable."
"Then can I begin learning Tai Chi now?"
Chen Fan finally voiced his long-suppressed question.
Silence reclaimed the space.
"Nearly ready."
Zhang Ren nodded.
"What?!"
As predicted, Wang Ping's group erupted.
"Brother Fan's qualifying for Tai Chi already? That's insane!"
"Didn't Uncle Zhang say mastering the foundation stances takes a month minimum?"
"Right! You need stance mastery before learning Tai Chi forms. So Brother Fan has already... already..."
The speaker's jaw hung open wide enough to swallow an egg.
"Truly?"
Chen Fan's face bloomed with excitement. "Thank you, Uncle Zhang!"
"Hmph."
Zhang Ren's terse reply carried unexplained irritation. Were it not for their established rapport, he'd suspect Chen Fan of being Awakened.
Though martial arts and superpowers seemed unrelated, Awakened abilities defied categorization - no power existed beyond human imagination. Yet such gifts were innate, present from birth. Late awakenings after years of normalcy? Theoretically possible, but unheard of in his experience.
Could this boy truly be a martial arts prodigy?
"Holy shit! Brother Fan actually did it?"
"Unfair! He's advancing to Tai Chi while we're still grinding basics..."
"Silence!"
Zhang Ren whirled on the group. "Add ten minutes to Wuji stance practice. Another word extends it thirty."
Instant obedience transformed them into quivering quails.
Zhao Feng sighed internally. No catching up now. Still, I'll persist for my own growth.
Post-training, Chen Fan winked at Wang Ping's group before grinning at Zhang Ren. "What's next, Uncle?"
The instructor closed his eyes, centering himself. "Wuji stance was your foundation because Tai Chi's essence flows through footwork. Power originates at the heel, channels through legs, directs via the waist, and expresses through fingertips. Full-body synchronization - feet to hands - creates unstoppable momentum. Stable footwork prevents upper-body imbalance."
Chen Fan nodded eagerly.
"Quality Tai Chi manifests through three elements: precise footwork, accurate strikes, and coordinated breathing. Together, they form complete practice."
"Breathing techniques too?"
Chen Fan's eyes sparkled. Internal energy cultivation?
Zhang Ren pierced his hope. "Not mystical qi techniques from stories. Just regulated breathing to enhance movement."
The teen chuckled sheepishly.
"Watch the complete form."
"Huh?" Wang Ping blurted, eyes flicking to Zhang Ren's leg.
"Limping doesn't mean crippled," the instructor snapped. "You'll practice extra thirty minutes after others finish."
Wang Ping's face fell like a condemned man's.
Zhang Ren's demonstration began unassumingly, yet gradually entranced observers. His movements harmonized with the environment - steps feather-light yet rooted like mountains. No trace of disability showed in his flowing transitions.
Completing the form, Zhang Ren glowed with healthy perspiration. Simultaneously, Chen Fan's interface updated:
【Zhang-style Tai Chi: Completely Clueless (0%)】
Prerequisites like [Tai Chi Stance Lv1] and [Basic Footwork Lv1] greyed out below - all met.
He exhaled deeply. Finally obtained Tai Chi after such effort. The anticipated upgrades from [Tai Chi Stance] must be substantial. Curiously, proficiency used descriptive tiers ("Completely Clueless") rather than standard levels.
"This is Zhang-style Tai Chi," the instructor explained. "Original forms are lost. Modern versions reconstruct fragments from ancient texts blended with other martial..."
Approaching footsteps interrupted. "Enough for now. Continue after lunch."
"Brother!" Chen Chen's voice chirped as the boy scampered over. "Mom says come eat! And...Uncle Zhang..." He shrunk from the intimidating figure.
"Until afternoon, everyone." Chen Fan departed with his brother, others dispersing hungrily. Only Wang Ping remained, a solitary statue under Zhang Ren's watch.
"Mom cooked THIS much meat!" Chen Chen spread his arms wide during their walk.
"Happy about that?"
"Mm! But..." The boy frowned. "Mom says it's all for you. You work hard."
"We'll share. I'll hunt more later."
Meat aromas welcomed them home. A steaming feast dominated the table.
"Perfect timing," Chen Guodong smiled. "Eat your fill today."
"Don't mind if I do!" Chen Fan grinned. This banquet would fuel countless potential points.
