Wu Tong glanced at Li Jian, whose eyes were brimming with tears. For a moment, he could not help but feel a surge of emotion, as if some realization had dawned upon him. He said, "Child, the road of the jianghu is not an easy one. Teaching you martial arts is nothing extraordinary—come, learn it well!"
After a brief pause, he continued, "I shall teach you the Beiming Palm. Watch carefully. My palm technique is not easy to master. It is still early—I will demonstrate it three times!"
The Beiming Palm consisted of sixteen forms:
Across the Rivers North and South — Bursting Across the Void — Overturning Rivers and Seas — Boiling Waves and Surging TidesStriding Mountains, Pressing Seas — Silver Dragon Probes with Claws — Azure Dragon Pierces the Clouds — Vast Seas, Open SkiesCalm Waves Unstirred — To the Ends of the Earth — Eight Wastes and Nine Extremes — The Sea Embraces All RiversSea and Sky as One — Deceiving the Heavens to Cross the Sea — Moving Mountains, Filling the Sea — Mountains Collapse, Seas Roar
Wu Tong deliberately slowed his movements. He began tracing arcs with his palms, then suddenly struck like the wind. His palm force was heavy yet balanced between hardness and softness. Each motion—issuing force, withdrawing, turning the palm—flowed naturally. The forms were exquisite, intention guiding the hand, the hand following the will.
Li Jian watched, utterly absorbed.
The Beiming Palm seemed strangely connected to the Nanhua Scripture his grandfather had recited daily. Memories of his recently deceased grandfather flooded his mind—scenes of childhood, reading and interpreting the classics together:
"In the Northern Darkness there is a fish, and its name is Kun. The Kun is so vast that no one knows how many thousand li it spans. It transforms into a bird, and its name is Peng. The back of the Peng—no one knows how many thousand li it stretches…"
Wu Tong finished a full set of the palm technique, breathing slightly heavier, and said, "The Sixteen Beiming Palms is an ancient divine art, inspired by the writings of the Nanhua Master in the 'Free and Easy Wandering.' Let intention guide the palm—balance hardness and softness. Did you see clearly?"
Zhuangzi, known as the Nanhua Master, was revered as one of the great Daoist sages.
Li Jian nodded at once. "The Beiming Palm is profound and subtle. I will attempt to reproduce the forms as best as I can. If there are flaws, I ask Uncle Tong for guidance."
He sank into a horse stance. With the opening posture, he transformed his fists into palms—and in an instant, he executed all sixteen forms:
Across the Rivers North and South — Force surges like mighty rivers, sweeping all directions. Bursting Across the Void — Inner strength condenses like an eagle striking the sky. Overturning Rivers and Seas — Palm winds like towering waves engulfing all. Boiling Waves and Surging Tides — Ever-changing, leaving the opponent at a loss. Striding Mountains, Pressing Seas — Power as steady as mountains, vast as oceans. Silver Dragon Probes with Claws — Swift and precise, striking vital points. Azure Dragon Pierces the Clouds — Piercing force, fierce and unstoppable. Vast Seas, Open Skies — Boundless force, concealing killing intent. Calm Waves Unstirred — Hidden strength, soft yet firm. To the Ends of the Earth — Force that pursues without limit. Eight Wastes and Nine Extremes — Energy spreads in all directions, sealing escape. The Sea Embraces All Rivers — Absorbing and returning the opponent's force. Sea and Sky as One — Vast, overwhelming pressure. Deceiving the Heavens to Cross the Sea — Illusory, deceptive, confounding the mind. Moving Mountains, Filling the Sea — Immense, crushing force. Mountains Collapse, Seas Roar — The ultimate strike, destroying all before it.
Each form was majestic, blending softness and hardness perfectly—like water embracing all things, yet bearing the weight of mountains.
Though Li Jian had just learned the technique, his movements showed no stiffness. Instead, they were bold, free, and unrestrained. Whether turning, stepping, striking, or shifting stance, his execution was clean and precise. His mastery already reached seventy to eighty percent.
Wu Tong watched him finish and could not help but laugh. "The Beiming Palm is nothing extraordinary after all! I thought learning it in three demonstrations would be impressive—but you, boy, have mastered it in one!"
Tan Wei was equally astonished. "Uncle Tong taught me three times before I learned it. I never imagined you would grasp it in a single viewing!"
Li Jian, hearing this, felt embarrassed. He thought to himself that these masters were overly generous with praise. He quickly replied humbly, "Since childhood I wished to study under a master, but such teachers were hard to find. Perhaps I learn quickly because my grandfather made me train diligently morning and night, practicing our family's boxing—and I have also observed various techniques over the years."
Wu Tong nodded. He then instructed Tan Wei to correct Li Jian's finer details. Li Jian practiced two or three more times, spending about an hour before finally completing his initial mastery.
At that moment, Wu Tong's expression grew serious. His brows furrowed with concern. "Jian'er, since you call me Uncle Tong, I shall call you Jian'er as well. Laozi once said: 'A tree that fills a man's embrace grows from a tiny sprout; a nine-story tower begins with a heap of earth; a journey of a thousand li starts beneath one's feet.' Today, learning the Beiming Palm is only a beginning. The path of martial arts has no secret—only diligence. Moreover, your internal energy is insufficient. Your agility and the power of your palms are greatly limited. Wei'er, teach him our inner cultivation method."
Tan Wei agreed and began instructing the internal art:
"The inner method of the Beiming Palm: The art follows the Dao. Where the Dao resides, qi resides. The Great Dao is nameless, nurturing all things. Qi is the root of life—when qi departs, life ends. The method of breathing is essential. Sit cross-legged, place your palms on your knees, close your eyes, calm your mind, empty distractions. Breathe slowly and evenly, inhale fully, exhale completely, storing internal strength over time…"
She paused briefly, then continued:
"In daily practice, whether sitting or walking, focus on internal breath. Guide qi with intention into the dantian. Let it circulate through the body, gradually and continuously. Over time, qi deepens and strengthens…"
"Practice diligently day after day. Where the mind goes, qi follows. When qi flows freely, power surges like a spring. With mastery, one can control it effortlessly, limitless and inexhaustible. The subtlety of its use lies in the heart—when mind and qi unite, strength becomes boundless…"
"Those who cultivate this art for long will strengthen their body, circulate their blood, and wield power capable of breaking stone. Striking an opponent will be like iron against flesh—irresistible."
By the time she finished, it was already the Hour of Hai (late night). The others went to rest, but Li Jian continued practicing.
As the saying goes:"The path is long and arduous, but if one walks it, one will arrive."
Li Jian practiced the Beiming Palm several more times, then cultivated the inner method he had just learned. Only then did he finally rest.