Elder Shen Er of the Black Tortoise Hall had relied on this very set of palm techniques throughout his wanderings in the jianghu. Over the years he had long forgotten his master's solemn warnings. For decades none had ever recognized the technique, and so he grew complacent. Yet today, upon crossing hands with Ling Xian'er—who instantly identified every flaw—the deficiency of his training was laid bare.
Because he knew only the brute outward pattern of the technique and lacked the inner formulas and oral chants, meeting a true expert proved disastrous. Thus he was struck again and again, each blow piercing heart and lungs. But instead of anger, a strange joy surged within him—every strike felt like enlightenment.
He hurriedly launched another move, shouting,"Crowds Like Wandering Travelers!"
His figure darted forth like a coiling dragon, pounced like a flying leopard. At his cry both hands shot forward; his legs swept sideways in a sudden horizontal kick. His limbs shifted rapidly, and his palms descended like rain—swift and relentless.
Ling Xian'er merely smiled, replying,"That move is properly called 'Willow Smoke Interwoven.'"
Elder Shen's master, Fu Jing, having stolen the technique by spying, knew nothing of its true nomenclature and had randomly given it the name "Crowds Like Wandering Travelers." Ling Xian'er shook her head repeatedly as she parried. Suddenly she retreated seven or eight zhang in a single bound. Facing the wind, she glanced left and right and laughed:
"You executed it incorrectly. Open your eyes wide—you must watch carefully!"
As her voice fell, she gave a sharp cry. Her arms shot forth as though piercing the clouds; her legs swept sideways in perfect balance. Both hands extended at once, but the angle and direction differed entirely from Shen Er's version. Her footwork was nimble and precise; her movements fast as lightning. Every palm matched every step—body, intent, and movement merged into one.
Her form flowed as smoothly as drifting willow smoke along a riverside—clean, precise, without the slightest waste of motion.Her attacks came unbroken, swift, accurate, ruthless.
Two crisp pa pa sounds rang out. Shen Er was struck twice more and this time could no longer withstand it—he collapsed heavily to the ground.
Ling Xian'er said,
"'Willow Smoke in Colors' has eight essentials of movement:rise, fall, advance, retreat, reverse, shift, gather, release.Move like a tiger pouncing, like a falcon seizing prey—only then can its subtleties be mastered."
This was the oral formula of 'Willow Smoke in Colors.'Elder Shen Er nodded repeatedly, committing every word to heart. Despite the pain, he forced himself up, clasped his fists, and said:
"Young girl, the Seven-Perfection Palms of yours are truly extraordinary. This old man has indeed been taught today."
Seeing this sight, Elder Lin Ping of the Qilin Hall could endure no more. He burst out scolding:
"Shen Er! Have you gone stupid from the beating? She hit you so many times and you're thanking her!?"
But Shen Er replied earnestly,"Indeed I thank this young lady. I have trained for decades, yet even my master never taught me the true essence. Had I not been beaten today, how would I ever glimpse the mysteries of these palm forms?"
Lin Ping roared,"You worthless wretch! Watch me teach this girl a lesson!"
Liu Yun, delighted, said,"Shen Er has gained true skill today! You're simply jealous and resentful, aren't you?"
She was right. Though Shen Er had been beaten to the point of collapsing repeatedly, losing face in the eyes of onlookers, Liu Yun knew that he had gained immeasurably. At this very moment he was re-examining his entire martial foundation, pondering Ling Xian'er's every formula—his martial strength would surely soar thereafter.
Truly, without braving bitter frost, how may one smell the plum blossom's fragrance?
Lin Ping spat,"I am no masochist!"
Liu Yun chuckled,"Xian'er, seems someone refuses to believe the truth. Teach him a little lesson."
Ling Xian'er nodded,"Elder Sister speaks true. Lin Ping—make your move."
Lin Ping, furious beyond restraint, let his qi surge throughout his body. With several leaps he shot toward her like a streak of lightning. Ling Xian'er, seeing the force of his charge, grew solemn and dared not underestimate him. She immediately countered skill with skill, form with form. In an instant the two had exchanged three sets of nine moves.
Then Ling Xian'er suddenly flowed into 'Half Push, Half Yield'."Shen Er! Watch carefully!"
Lin Ping thrust his palm forward with full force. Between their clashing palms, Ling Xian'er once again converted his strength into her own. Her left hand dissolved his attack with exquisite subtlety; her right hand pushed forth immediately afterward.
The exact same scene, the exact same move—the technique unchanged.Two sharp pa pa sounds.Lin Ping was blasted back several steps, stumbling, his anger roaring to its peak.
"You dare toy with me?!"
From the side, Liu Yun laughed heartily,"Now which of you was it who claimed he wasn't a masochist?"
Ling Xian'er smiled,"Lin Ping, refuse to learn and you'll only earn a beating."
With a cry, her arms once again pierced the clouds, her legs sweeping sideways. Lin Ping sprang upward, but Ling Xian'er's angles and positions were flawless—precise, rapid, unerring. Two more strikes landed cleanly.
Lin Ping collapsed onto the ground, unable to endure another exchange.
Elder Shen Er, watching Ling Xian'er's movements, instantly recognized the technique—'Willow Smoke in Colors.'The formulas for these two palm forms were now etched into his bones. Tears slipped from his eyes—not for Lin Ping's defeat, but because the mysteries that had plagued him for thirty years were finally laid bare.
Today, at last, he had attained true comprehension.