Dao Qi Wu Zang Guan Guan: I became a Daoist Master in the 1990s

Chapter 119 Boxing Sparring
The atmosphere at the dinner party was subtle. Outside the window, the night view was dazzling, but inside, everyone had their own thoughts.

Qi Yun cooked a piece of tripe, which was crisp and refreshing. He put down his chopsticks and looked at the Taoist priest Gongyang beside him, who had a clear and serene demeanor.

“Master Gongyang,” Qi Yun said, his voice calm. “The Five Organs Temple has just been established, and everything is in need of rebuilding. My knowledge of the Daoist scriptures is still limited.”

I have long admired the vast collection of books at Qingyang Palace. Would it be convenient for me to visit and peruse it, thus broadening my knowledge?

Upon hearing this, Master Gongyang smiled and bowed, without the slightest hesitation: "May the Heavenly Venerable grant boundless blessings. It is an honor for Qingyang Palace to come and peruse the Buddhist scriptures, and a great event for the Xuanmen (Taoist sect). This humble Taoist is most pleased to welcome you."

The Taoist scriptures in the palace are open to the abbot's perusal. If there are any points that are unclear, we can discuss and explore them together.

"In that case, thank you very much, Daoist Master." Qi Yun raised his cup in a gesture of respect, offering a toast with tea instead of wine.

After sitting for a while longer, the banquet came to an end.

Everyone got up to say goodbye, but Qi Yun declined to see them off and walked back to his room at the guesthouse alone.

The room was quiet, with the city lights streaming in through the window, casting long shadows on the floor.

Qi Yun took off his outer robe, stood in the center of the room, and slowly assumed the stance of Xingyi San Ti Shi.

When he fought with Song Wan, he realized that her Baguazhang skills were superior to his Xingyiquan skills.

Although he won by virtue of his great strength and swift movements, the difference in their skill levels was as clear as a mirror.

Previously, his understanding of "the unity of intention and energy" was more about concentrating the mind and using intention to guide the true energy in the body to infuse the fists and feet, thereby increasing their power.

This is effective, but it always feels like there's a layer between them. Intention is intention, spirit is spirit, and strength is strength. Although the three work together, they are never truly "united," as if there is a messenger between the commander and the army.

Tonight, as he calmly reflected on the essence of Song Wan's palm technique and combined it with his own cultivation insights, he vaguely grasped a key point.

The intention should not be an instruction that drives the action after the fact, but rather a guiding principle that precedes the action and governs the overall situation.

With a thought, he moved, unleashing a powerful chopping punch, but paused slightly midway through.

He tried to make the intention to "cut through everything" arise before the flow of energy, but by the time the intention arose, the fist had already been thrown and the energy had already been mobilized. He was always a beat too slow, which seemed deliberate and awkward.

He kept trying, the wind from his punches surging through the room, his figure flashing and shifting in the interplay of light and shadow.

Bengquan, Zuanquan, Paoquan, Hengquan... Xingyi Five Elements Fist is practiced in succession, with unparalleled strength and power.

However, the state of perfect harmony he pursued, where "the intention precedes the fist, and the qi follows the intention," was like a mirage—perceptible but difficult to truly grasp.

The path of cultivation is indeed exceptionally difficult.

He stopped, his brows slightly furrowed, knowing full well that there is a limit to working in isolation.

Just then, clear but slightly hesitant footsteps came from the corridor outside the door and stopped in front of his door.

A moment later, a knock sounded on the door.

Qi Yun walked over and opened the door, where Song Wan was standing.

She had changed out of her action-ready outfit and was wearing a simple dark coat. Her face was still a little pale under the corridor lights, but her eyes were much brighter than at the dinner party.

"Abbot Qi, I apologize for disturbing you." Song Wan bowed slightly, her tone solemn. "I... I've come to sincerely apologize for the offense I caused you in the hospital morgue."

I acted too hastily at the time and offended many people; please forgive me.

She paused, her voice becoming more sincere, "Thank you for agreeing to let me serve as the liaison officer. Please rest assured, I will do my best to fulfill my duties."

Qi Yun looked at her and could feel the sincerity in her words. He nodded and said, "There's no need to bring up the past."

I accept your apology.

The 49th Bureau wields special power and must understand the balance between firmness and flexibility, the harmony of yin and yang, rather than simply resorting to brute force.

Upon hearing this, Song Wan's expression hardened, and she nodded earnestly: "The Master's teachings are correct, Song Wan has remembered them. I will definitely pay attention to the methods in the future."

"Hmm," Qi Yun nodded, "It's getting late, so I won't invite you in."

Tomorrow morning, you will come with me to Qingyang Palace with Master Gongyang.

"Yes! Then I won't disturb the abbot's rest any longer." Song Wan bowed again, then turned and left, her back view seeming a little more relaxed.

Qi Yun closed the door and went back inside.

Recalling the dramatic scene of the father-daughter argument at the dinner party, Zhong Weiguo seemed to be suppressing Song Dingqian, but in reality, he was taking a step-by-step approach and ultimately pushed Song Wan to his side in a reasonable and legitimate way.

Is this simply a father-daughter conflict and job transfer, or is it a show deliberately put on by Bureau 749 for their own benefit?

Perhaps the purpose was to test the temperament of the newly appointed abbot?

Is it generosity or pettiness?
This allows for the creation of a more accurate personality profile, which can be added to one's record to predict and respond to future behaviors.

Given the professionalism of Bureau 749 and Zhong Weiguo's methods, this high-intensity conflict could have been resolved through private communication.

Qi Yun shook his head and smiled, putting these speculations aside for the time being.

Whether it is true or not, it doesn't matter much to him.

He only seeks to act with a clear conscience, so why should he overthink other people's thoughts?
His thoughts quickly returned to studying the boxing techniques.

However, less than fifteen minutes later, there was another knock on the door.

Qi Yun couldn't help but chuckle; tonight was truly lively.

Upon opening the door, they were surprised to find Song Dingqian standing there.

At this moment, Song Dingqian's face no longer showed the lividity and anger he had displayed at the dinner party; instead, his expression was calm, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible apology.

He stood at the door and said in a deep voice, "Abbot Qi, I apologize for disturbing you. I have come here specifically to apologize for my previous disrespectful attitude."

"I, Old Song, am a rough man with a fiery temper. I hope the abbot will forgive me for any offense I may have caused."

Qi Yun smiled inwardly. This father and daughter really did share the same temperament. They were both tough in public and then apologize in private.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Otherwise, he would have offended everyone long ago.

He stepped aside: "Captain Song, you flatter me."

Previously, it was merely a work requirement; you played the bad cop, and Captain Zhong played the good cop, which I understood perfectly.

Upon hearing this, Song Dingqian abruptly looked up at Qi Yun, a clear look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He carefully examined Qi Yun's calm face with a slight smile, and wondered in his heart: Is this really a college student who has just graduated?
Having received the inheritance, his cultivation level has advanced by leaps and bounds, which is one thing, but how can he also have such insight into human relationships and the intricacies of the system? He truly cannot be judged by ordinary standards!

A look of surprise flashed across his face, then turned into a wry smile. He neither confirmed nor denied Qi Yun's guess, and changed the subject: "The Abbot is insightful."

Song Wan would work as a servant under the abbot from then on.

She is stubborn and inexperienced; if she makes any mistakes, I hope the Abbot will be forgiving and offer guidance.

"It's my duty, Captain Song, don't worry," Qi Yun replied.

Song Dingqian nodded, seemingly relieved, and then asked, "When I came over just now, I vaguely heard the sound of fists whistling in the abbot's room. Were they practicing boxing?"

“That’s right,” Qi Yun said frankly. “I was previously taught Xingyi Quan by Brother Zhao Yue under Captain Zhong’s command, and I’m currently studying it.”

Upon hearing this, Song Dingqian's eyes lit up, and the heroic spirit of a military man seemed to return: "Practicing boxing alone is ultimately not quite right."

You need to learn from others, learn from their moves, and you'll improve quickly!
To be honest, in my early years I practiced Bajiquan and Baguazhang, and I only know a little about them.

If the abbot doesn't mind, how about we have a friendly spar?

Qi Yun was eager for real combat experience, so he was naturally interested when he heard this, but he laughed and said, "Captain Song, is this a disguised form of bribery?"

Song Dingqian laughed loudly, his voice echoing down the corridor: "Master, you are joking! Martial artists exchanging skills and techniques is a perfectly respectable thing. How can it be confused with bribery?"
Could it be that the abbot looks down on my rudimentary skills, Old Song?

"How could I dare? Since that's the case, please!" Qi Yun no longer declined and immediately agreed.

The two immediately went downstairs and arrived at the playground behind the government compound.

(End of this chapter)