[Dinner and Chi Talk – Continue]
"Who is it?" Bruce asked-his curiosity at its peak
"My Teacher" he answered, recollecting one of his memory which he was very fond of. He took a second, but continued "He is the current 'Abbot' of the 'Hidden Shaolin Temple'."
Bruce listened attentively while uncle took a sip of tea and continued
"My Teacher was kind enough to share his experience and insights of Chi to enlighten Uncle's understanding. 'Intent', 'Listening' and 'Harmony' is Key, he told Uncle"
"Intent, Listening and Harmony" Bruce repeated and Uncle nodded and continued "According to him, Wild Chi has its own 'Will' unlike the other three potential. Weak Chi, Balanced Chi and Strong Chi talk about potential, but Wild Chi talks about Potential with a 'WILL' hidden inside, he said. It took him 25 years to understand his Chi flow and form the Lotus Seed"
"That's too long!!!" Bruce was shocked and spoke out without thinking.
'Like him, will I also be working on it for the next 25 years?' he was worried not realizing the shift in Uncle's expression.
The moment Uncle heard that sentence it confirmed his suspicion. The usual light in his eyes dimmed, his brow furrowed deeply, and the air seemed to grow heavier.
Bruce shifted in his seat. "Twenty-five years just to understand the Chi flow? Uncle! That's way too long… Is there any other way?" he asked with desperation, but finally noticed something was wrong
Uncle set his chopsticks down, his eyes narrowing beneath his brows.
"FOOLISH BOY!!" he roared "You think this is game!!" he reprimanded
Bruce was startled, this is the first time he has seen Uncle's anger. With Guilt creeping in, he tried to reason "No, I just—" but Uncle cut him off "Just what! Power grow like weed in the backyard? You want instant mastery?" he asked, to which Bruce wasn't even able to raise his head and look at him.
"Uncle tell you his Teacher's story, How he gave up lot in his life to understand his Wild Chi and explore the unexplored, and your first thought was 'Too Long'?" his tone was harsh
Looking at Bruce, who stayed quiet during his scolding brought down his anger a bit.
"Aiyah! This not race kid!" voice breaking slightly and Bruce could feel the concern from his tone
Bruce, still looking down at his bowl, closes his eyes briefly, trying to steady his breathing. His hands are trembling.
'This is bad, I thought if I could just pushed hard enough, charged fast enough, I'd catch up to Jackie, to Uncle, to the legends I've only seen in Tv. I was so focused on gaining power and starting my Adventure in this second chance, but… all I really did was scare one of the person who's actually fighting to keep me safe.
I saw it in his eyes — not just anger. Fear. Real, gut-deep fear. Not because he doubted me, but because he cared. Because I matter to him.
Chi isn't just power, its something extraordinary and here I was, trying to reckless sprint through something meant to be carefully walked… slowly, mindfully.
Uncle was right. I could've gotten myself hurt or worst, killed — not because I was weak, but because I didn't respect what I was dealing with.
No more rushing. No more proving myself through recklessness. I'll learn it right. I'll learn it slow. And maybe… I'll actually enjoy the process. Not for the result. Not to 'catch up.' But because it's my journey.'
Bruce spoke again, but his voice was lower "I'm Sorry, Uncle". Uncle placed his hand on Bruce's shoulder, voice softened, but remained firm. "You're progressing fast, too fast than any Genius Uncle has seen. That's why Uncle worry. When one walk fast on unknown path, they may not see cliff till it's too late. Each journey is unique and must take time, be patient and experience it"
"…You're right, Uncle" He looked up. "I get it. I promise Uncle"
Uncle grunted in approval. "Good. Arrogance blindfold of talent. Remember that."
He poured himself another cup of tea, steam rising between them
"Uncle, I was wondering...Can i know more about your Teacher?" Bruce asked, his tone laced with doubt, but Uncle just smiled and continued
"Fine!!! Let Uncle tell you more about my Master. You'll learn more from his life than from thousand scrolls." Bruce leaned in, his curiosity tempered by humility now.
"My Teacher, the Abbot of the Hidden Shaolin Temple, was born with Wild Chi. At young age-he became a pupil of East Shaolin Temple, train hard than any other because he had a very weak vessel from birth, but never give up."
'Looks like he had it worst than me, At least I have a strong body and here i was comparing myself rather that learning from his experience, I really need to keep reminding myself to make sure i don't lose myself' where his thoughts
Uncle continued "More trouble, when Master awakened his Chi at age 20. Wild Chi Potential- chaotic, unstable—made him danger to himself and others. His master even suggest to crippler his Chi forever to make sure he survive, but my Master refused!"
"What did he do?" Bruce asked quietly.
"He left," Uncle said, his voice lowering, but continued "He traveled away and went into isolation, vowing to master his Wild Chi. Sat at the cave in the base of Mount Song for twenty five years. Ate nothing but roots and fruits. He spoke and listened—not to the world, but to the rhythm inside. Not the heartbeat, but the... voice beneath the Chi."
Bruce furrowed his brow. "A voice?"
Uncle nodded and looked straight into Bruce's eyes "According to Master, Wild Chi has Will of own and is living. It doesn't follow your commands. It doesn't like being forced. It rebels. If you push it with force, it will push back—with chaos. Your Intent and the Chi's Will must be in Harmony"
"When my Master finally returned from isolation, his Chaotic Wild chi became calm like himself, his body became stronger than senior Masters. His Chi bloomed like a flower or flowed like the raging sea for him. When he raised his hand, the air stilled. When he spoke, nature listened."
"Master compressed his Chi and formed the Lotus Seed at age Forty Five, matured the seed into Lotus Bud and nurtured it for Fifteen Years, triggered Lotus Bud to bloom at age Sixty and became a Living Sage at age Seventy Five with his Lotus completely matured and reaching the Peak. He is a living Legend and is the Strongest in this world. He keeps the Evil at bay and protects our World from Eternal Darkness"
Bruce's eyes widened in admiration. "That's… incredible."
"Indeed, but he became Incredible by working hard, being patient and not giving up!" He sipped his tea and added. "If you remember that Bruce, you won't lose yourself." Bruce bowed his head, mind spinning with a strange new clarity and peace.
Bruce exhaled slowly. "Thank you, Uncle. I needed this."
Uncle waved him off. "You're welcome. Now clean dishes. Uncle will think of ten more lessons to give you."
Bruce chuckled and started clearing the table, while his hands washed the utensils, his mind shifted elsewhere 'Looks like I have been going at this in the wrong direction, have to find a different approach.'
He kept replying uncle's explanation in his mind and understood certain key words that would help him progress. Playing it back, he started comparing his experience with Uncle's explanation
'Now, I understand why my Chi understanding hasn't been progressing as easily as my Chi Pathway Mapping. Mapping is just observing pathways and memorizing, but Chi understanding is more complex.
All this time, I have been treating my Chi as lifeless energy and my mind set was subconsciously pushing for control because it belonged to me, but now that Uncle told me that Wild Chi has its own Will, it changes everything.
Looking back, I can understand why my Chi was unstable with high fluctuation. It's because subconsciously, my Intent was focused on complete control. The drastic fluctuation must be the Will within my Chi retaliating to my Control Intent. The first correction required is to change my Intent.' he concluded.
Finished with the dishes, He asked Uncle about Jackie
"Jackie has work outside, will be back tomorrow!" Bruce just nodded and said goodnight to Uncle, taking the steps upstairs to his room, but a new question occupied his head
'My old Intent was CompleteControl and it didn't work out. What should I try next?' Bruce's mind was searching for a solution.
-----END-----
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