activa-t Chapter 13 That's all.
Chapter 13 That's all.
Zhou Xing nodded, got up and walked towards the backyard.
In Ip Man's courtyard, Ah Liang is practicing his boxing.
The "Sun-shaped" punch landed repeatedly on the wooden dummy, making a series of loud thuds.
When he saw Zhou Xing come in, he stopped what he was doing, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Master is inside."
Ah Liang muttered, then turned around and continued driving the stakes, but his punches no longer had the same ferocity as before.
Zhou Xing pushed open the door and went in.
Ip Man was sitting by the window reading a yellowed boxing manual.
Hearing the noise, he looked up, his gaze lingering on Zhou Xing for a moment:
"sit."
Zhou Xing sat down opposite him. The room was quiet, except for the sound of Ah Liang driving piles in the yard, one stroke after another.
Ip Man put down his book, picked up the rough porcelain teapot on the table, and poured him a cup of tea. The tea was clear yellow with a slightly bitter taste.
"I've come today to say goodbye to Master Ye."
Zhou Xing spoke, his expression sincere, "I will remember the kindness of your seven days of instruction for the rest of my life."
Ip Man picked up his teacup and blew away the foam on the surface:
"This is your good fortune. Anyone else wouldn't even be able to stand steadily for seven days."
"That's because Master Ye didn't hold back any knowledge."
Zhou Xing paused, his fingers tracing the cool rim of the cup.
"There's one more thing. I heard from Miss Gong the other day that Master Ye is going to the Guangdong Guild Hall in seven days to attend the Tianjin Martial Arts Symposium?"
"Yes, there was such an invitation."
Ip Man said calmly.
"The spread of Southern Kung Fu to the North is a good thing, but..."
Zhou Xing frowned. "Tianjin is a place where martial arts are mixed, and people's hearts are mixed too. Master Ye came here alone, and I'm afraid some people won't be happy about it, just like that day..."
Ip Man put down his teacup, his expression calm:
"It's the rule in the martial arts world that newcomers always have to go through a few hurdles. That's normal."
"Do you need any help?" Zhou Xing asked.
Ip Man looked at him, his gaze deepening.
"You're a police officer, not a boxer. Getting involved in gangster affairs will only give others cause for criticism."
"Not now."
Zhou Xing put down his teacup. "But in seven days, I can be. Although I'm not Master Ye's formal disciple, I've received his guidance these past few days. It wouldn't be too much to ask to be considered a nominal disciple, would it?"
In the courtyard, the sound of Ah Liang driving piles was abruptly interrupted.
Ip Man ignored him and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table:
"A disciple in name only... you certainly know how to give yourself a title."
There always has to be a reason.
Zhou Xing said, "Master Ye went alone, facing difficulties from the entire Northern Boxing community. More people mean more strength."
"Aren't you afraid of getting into trouble?"
"This troublesome thing..."
Zhou Xing laughed, "Like lice, the more you try to avoid them, the more they crawl onto you. You might as well go up to them and slap them dead."
Ip Man also smiled:
"Your personality suits my taste. You're straightforward and open about what you want."
Zhou Xing's eyes lit up:
"Did Master Ye agree?"
"If I don't agree, you won't go?"
Ip Man countered with a question.
Zhou Xing raised an eyebrow: "Go. At worst, we'll keep watch outside the guild hall."
Ip Man shook his head and smiled:
"Go ahead. Take a few days to rest and recharge."
He picked up his teacup and took a sip:
"However, boxers have their own rules. Once you go there, you've entered this circle. From now on, you can't always draw your gun when trouble arises."
"clear."
Zhou Xing nodded, "Use your fists when necessary."
"Then let's go."
Ip Man waved his hand, "But remember, the meeting is mostly about friendly sparring, and we'll stop when we've reached a point of mutual respect. Unless someone breaks the rules."
"know."
Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate. Light, steady, the steps were small, but each step was firm.
Zhou Xing and Ip Man turned their heads at the same time.
Gong Ruomei stood at the doorway, wearing a light purple cheongsam with a light gray cardigan over it.
She carried a long ebony box in her hand. She stood there quietly, her gaze first falling on Zhou Xing, pausing for a moment, before turning to Ip Man.
"Master Ye." She nodded slightly.
"Miss Gong." Ip Man stood up.
Zhou Xing also stood up:
"Miss Gong."
Gong Ruomei walked in, placed the ebony box on the table, and opened it. Inside were two packets of medicinal herbs sealed with oiled paper; judging from their shape, they were ginseng and deer antler.
She pushed it to Zhou Xing: "You've broken through the Ming Jin, your Qi and blood are at their peak, take these to strengthen your foundation."
Zhou Xing did not answer immediately.
He looked at Gong Ruomei. This woman had a cold and aloof demeanor, yet her actions were always unpredictable.
The last time he gave ginseng, it was a timely help; this time, the medicine is the icing on the cake. He always wants to know what the price is.
What's free is often the most expensive.
"Miss Gong,"
He spoke, his voice hesitant.
"Last time you gave me ginseng, this time you're sending medicine. I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot accept a reward without having done so. If Miss Gong has anything you need me to do, please feel free to speak up, and I will not refuse."
Gong Ruomei looked up at him, her eyes clear and bright:
"no."
Zhou Xing was taken aback.
"The medicine was given to you because you comprehended your inner energy within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn; your talent is astonishing."
Gong Ruomei spoke slowly and clearly, "And because you were poisoned, yet you regained your strength in seven days. Furthermore, because you have a connection with Master Ye, I couldn't bear to see such a promising talent withered."
She paused, her voice lower, yet deeper:
"In this day and age, foreign guns and cannons are rampant, and fewer and fewer people can see the things passed down from our ancestors, let alone master them."
My father often said that martial arts are not the private property of any one family; they are the backbone of China. If the backbone is broken, a person truly cannot stand up again.
She looked at Zhou Xing, her gaze devoid of calculation, only filled with a heavy, almost obstinate seriousness:
"I'm helping you because I hope you can grow into a big tree. That's all. I don't need anything in return."
The room was quiet for a moment.
The sound of Ah Liang driving piles outside the courtyard had stopped at some point.
Zhou Xing was taken aback.
He originally thought that in this day and age, such a person would surely have ulterior motives for bestowing favors. Even if it was just to establish a good relationship and leave himself a way out.
Unexpectedly, Gong Ruomei spoke so frankly and openly: she simply cherished talent and couldn't bear to see the inheritance of traditional Chinese martial arts die out.
that is it.
A complex mix of emotions welled up inside me—a sense of shame, but mostly a feeling of being deeply moved.
He solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute and bowed deeply.
"Miss Gong is of noble character, and Master Gong is of lofty ideals. Zhou Xing... has learned a great deal."
Gong Ruomei's expression softened a bit, and she took out another item from the bottom of the box.
It is a short knife with a sheath. The sheath is made of sharkskin, with a dark blue base and flowing patterns.
The hilt was wrapped with dark blue silk rope, and the worn areas gleamed with a dark sheen, signs of frequent handling.
"this,"
She placed the knife next to the medicinal herbs.
"It was my father who heard about you and sent me here. He said that martial arts are declining and in a precarious situation, and every additional stalwart member means a glimmer of hope."
This sword is nameless; may you uphold righteousness and guard your heart, so that its sharpness may never fade.
Zhou Xing picked up the knife; it felt solid in his hand.
Gently pull out half of it; the blade is like a pool of autumn water, its cold light concealed, and there is an extremely fine dark line on the edge, resembling a snowflake or a bamboo leaf.
"A fine knife."
He whispered, sheathing the sword, "Please convey Zhou Xing's thanks to Master Gong, Miss Gong. I will remember this kindness. This sword will never lose its edge."
Gong Ruomei nodded, said nothing more, gave Ip Man a slight bow, and then turned and left.
His steps were as steady and still as when he came.
Zhou Xing gripped the knife, watching her figure disappear outside the courtyard gate, and a long-lost feeling of emotion welled up in his heart.
In this filthy world, where people's hearts are filled with evil, there are still such pure people and such clean spirits.
He took a deep breath, carefully put away the herbs and knife, and bowed to Ip Man again:
"Master Ye, I'll head back now. See you at the Yue Family Association in seven days."
Ip Man nodded:
Be careful on the road.