Chinese martial arts have long emphasized defense over offense, with a strong emphasis on moral integrity. Therefore, true masters of the martial arts often appear frail on the surface, but their skills and abilities are truly unfathomable.
The defeat of a palace guard by an elderly master
Lin Peiji was a martial arts scholar who achieved the third rank in the Imperial Martial Arts Examination during the Qing Dynasty. Subsequently, he was appointed as a Bodyguard of the Emperor’s Inner Court, making him a highly skilled palace guard. He had a particular reputation outside the palace as well.
One time, Lin Peiji took his concubine to Shandong Province, where they stayed at an inn. While Lin was out, his concubine told him a poor man living upstairs had repeatedly peeked through the curtains to look at her. Furious, Lin immediately went upstairs to confront the man. However, the “poor man” — who was actually a skilled martial artist — did not defend himself, and endured Lin’s beating. When Lin returned to his room, he suddenly found that his limbs had become completely paralyzed, as if afflicted with numbness.
The innkeeper then told Lin: “The man upstairs is an elderly martial arts master. If you beg for his forgiveness, he may be willing to heal you.” Feeling embarrassed, Lin asked someone else to plead on his behalf. The master said: “Tell his concubine to come and apologize to me, then I will treat him.” Left with no choice, the concubine went to the master and sincerely apologized. The old master then came downstairs and massaged Lin, curing him soon after.
The master warned him: “Avoid drinking and keep away from women, and your condition will improve. Otherwise, it will be very dangerous for you.” He added: “The nation values martial arts, but how could you consider your archery and horsemanship as true martial arts? I simply cannot understand this.”
The deft swordsman among the Taoists
The Taoist priests residing in Mount Hua have long practiced martial arts as part of their cultivation. Due to the mountainous terrain of Mount Hua, with its towering cliffs and sparse soil, the environment is exceptionally treacherous. The trees grow out of the crevices in the massive boulders, and only the area at the base of Lotus Peak has enough fertile soil for the Taoists to cultivate cabbages.
The cabbages grown by the Taoists have leaves as thin as paper, layered, and tightly packed. This cabbage variety, named after the location as “Lotus Cabbage,” is kept in the Taoists’ underground cellars to serve to visiting guests. When chopped up, mixed with flour, and seasoned with salt and fermented soybeans, the guests would invariably praise the delicious, fragrant, and unparalleled taste.
During the Republic of China era (1912-1949), the renowned educator Wang Zhuxi visited Mount Hua and was hosted by a Taoist priest at the base of Lotus Peak. This elderly Taoist priest, with his long, thick beard and vibrant spirit, had a voice like a booming bell. After the meal, he invited Wang to rest in his quarters. Upon entering, Wang noticed an ancient sword hanging on the wall, with the words “Meeting good fortune” engraved on the hilt.
Surprised by this, Wang engaged the Taoist priest in conversation and learned that he was the sixth-generation descendant of Zhou Yuji, a general from the late Ming Dynasty. As a young man, the Taoist had served in the military in Gansu Province, using this treasured sword to slay dozens of bandits. The Taoist priest took down the sword and showed it to Wang, and the blade gleamed with a blue sheen, radiating a dazzling light that illuminated their faces. It was indeed an exceptional ancient sword.
Wang was deeply moved, imagining the Taoist priest wielding this magnificent blade amid the frigid winds and snow of Gansu, vanquishing his foes with unwavering resolve. Alas, those days had long passed, and now the Taoist could only reminisce about those heroic exploits.
Translated by cecilia
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