Chapter Three: Years in the Mountains (Part Two)
On the first day of the first month in the fifth year of the Zhenguan era, atop the fifth peak of Mount Mao, inside a humble cottage—Li Yi had already grown to about one meter seventy tall, his face as fair as jade, lips red and teeth white, with clear, elegant features and a dignified bearing. Though there was still a trace of youthful innocence about him, he exuded a composed and steady air, with a noble spirit that set him apart.
At this moment, Li Yi was kneeling before Wang Yuanzhi, his expression unusually grave. Pan Shizheng stood beside Wang Yuanzhi, his already stern visage now even more imposing. Wang Yuanzhi himself, however, sat in the seat of honor with a gentle smile, though he looked every bit the twilight elder, the vitality of life slowly ebbing from him.
“Come now, don’t be so serious, Yi’er! Today is the day you receive your coming-of-age cap. Haven’t you always wanted to see the world outside? After today, you may officially leave the mountain. Be cheerful!”
Gazing at the aged and frail Wang Yuanzhi, Li Yi felt a deep reluctance in his heart—a thousand emotions swelled within him, bittersweet and tangled, beyond words. “Master, I will not go. My skills are still lacking. I wish to stay with you and learn for two more years.”
“Nonsense! What foolishness are you spouting? Do you want to anger me to death? Cough, cough!” Wang Yuanzhi had not finished speaking before a fit of coughing seized him, his face flushing red with indignation. Alarmed, Li Yi sprang up to gently pat his master’s back.
“Get back and kneel properly. I am not so feeble yet,” Wang Yuanzhi barked once the coughing fit passed, his gaze stern.
Realizing his master was truly angered, Li Yi had no choice but to resume his kneeling, as upright and obedient as possible.
After a brief rest, Wang Yuanzhi’s eyes sharpened, his countenance severe enough to frighten a child. “Yi’er, you are fifteen now! It’s time you grew up. Usually, you may have your little tempers, but today, if you utter any more nonsense, don’t blame me for casting you out as my disciple!”
Seeing that his master was in no mood for jokes, Li Yi nodded vigorously, kneeling with his back straight and not daring to utter a sound.
Once Li Yi settled down, Wang Yuanzhi’s expression softened slightly. “Yi’er, you have always been clever, much more so than your senior brother Zhicheng. Over the years, your senior brother has taught you much, and you have studied diligently. Now you are accomplished in both the civil and martial arts. Most remarkable are your strange and ingenious ideas—if put to good use, they will be great gifts to the nation and the people. I know you are reluctant to leave this old man, but I have lived more than a hundred and twenty years. To have been able to perfect Taiji Boxing and the Taiji Sword with your help is enough for me. The saying goes, ‘An old man who does not die is a thief’; one must not be greedy. There is no need to waste your time on an old man like me.” At this, Wang Yuanzhi coughed again.
“Master!” Li Yi and Pan Shizheng immediately moved to pat Wang Yuanzhi’s back. After a short while, Wang Yuanzhi waved them off and continued.
“Alas, I am old and worn out. Enough of this—let us continue. Yi’er, Mount Mao is too small for you. You should go to Chang’an; only there can you fulfill your potential. Moreover, you must uncover your origins. That jade pendant you always keep with you is of rare quality, not the possession of ordinary folk. What you do after finding your family is your own affair, but remember this: a gentleman does not seek favor from the powerful, but of all virtues, filial piety comes first. You must find the proper balance.”
“Rest assured, Master! I will certainly heed your teachings. Master, will Senior Brother Zhicheng not accompany me down the mountain?”
At the mention of Zhang Zhicheng, a flicker of emotion crossed Wang Yuanzhi’s face. “No, I have asked him. He wishes to remain on Mount Mao. That is just as well, for I need someone to carry on my legacy.”