Chapter 111: Martial Talent — King
"King, dinner's ready! The hot pot is piping hot, and the high-grade beef is ready too."
As King was soaking in the bath, Charanko's loud voice came from outside.
"Understood."
King got up, rinsed himself clean, put on his clothes, and leisurely walked back into the dojo along the original path. As expected, he saw a hot pot stand set up on one side of the dojo, with various side dishes neatly arranged on the table.
Charanko and Bang were already seated, waiting only for him.
"Apologies, I'm late."
"No worries, King. Consider this place your own home; there's no need to be so formal," Bang said with a smile. "King, what do you think of the dojo?"
"Hmm?" King sat down, thought for a moment, and said, "The environment is serene, very suitable for cultivation." *Heh, perched on a cliffside, how could it not be quiet? Even birds wouldn't come here to bother anyone!*
Bang smiled and said, "Oh, it is indeed very suitable for cultivation. Then, King, do you have any interest in cultivating here?"
"Oh?"
King looked at the old man with a sly, wolf-like expression and immediately refused, "Sorry, I'm not interested." *My destiny is the sea of stars, which is to say, gaming. This cliffside of yours has no internet, no TV, and no game consoles. Staying for a few days to relax is fine, but living here long-term? Honestly, as an otaku, he definitely couldn't endure it.*
"Hahaha, don't be so quick to answer. After you've spent a few days here, perhaps you'll change your mind, King," Bang said calmly and confidently. "Let's not talk anymore for now. The hot pot is ready, let's eat!"
"Okay."
Charanko, who had long been prepared, immediately picked up his chopsticks. At the same time, he asked Bang, "Master, I've been cultivating in the dojo for over a year. When can I officially learn the Flowing Water Rock Smashing Fist?"
Currently, Bang had only taught him some basic techniques and the superficial knowledge of the Flowing Water Rock Smashing Fist. The core content of the Flowing Water Rock Smashing Fist had not yet been imparted to him, which left him greatly distressed.
"Wait a moment."
King suddenly caught a glimpse of Charanko's dirty hands out of the corner of his eye. He immediately used his chopsticks to block Charanko's, frowning as he said, "Charanko, you must wash your hands before eating."
Bang's pupils constricted, and he looked at King in shock.
"Oh, apologies, I just finished cleaning the floor and forgot. I'll go wash my hands right away."
Charanko bowed apologetically, immediately stood up to wash his hands, and returned a moment later. He sat back down, picked up his chopsticks, and continued to ask Bang his previous question, "Master, when can I truly begin to learn the Flowing Water Rock Smashing Fist?"
Bang put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and looked at Charanko sternly. "Have you not grasped the meaning of what King just told you?"
Charanko looked utterly bewildered. *Didn't King just tell me to wash my hands before eating?*
King also looked utterly bewildered. *Didn't I just tell Charanko to wash his hands before eating?*
Silverfang said meaningfully, "Charanko, what King said just now carries great significance. I know you are very eager to learn the Flowing Water Rock Smashing Fist and inherit the dojo's legacy. However, cultivation must be a step-by-step process. You have not yet reached the stage of practicing the Flowing Water Rock Smashing Fist. Rashly skipping the preceding cultivation stages to directly practice it would only be like pulling up seedlings to help them grow. In the short term, your strength might greatly increase, but in reality, it would severely damage and wear down your body. Such an action would be detrimental."
He paused, then continued, "When it comes to practicing martial arts, the most important thing is to proceed step by step. Just as King said, washing your hands before eating is a crucial step. If you carelessly disregard this step, it is very likely that bacteria will enter your mouth through your dirty hands, ultimately making your body sick. Do you understand?"
Charanko had a sudden realization. He immediately bowed deeply to Bang, "Thank you, Master, for your teachings. Your disciple will definitely engrave them in his heart."
Bang pointed at King, who was still bewildered, and said, "You should also thank King for his guidance."
Charanko turned and bowed to King once more. "Thank you, King, for your guidance."
"Alright, hurry up and wash your hands. It's very easy to get sick if you don't wash your hands before eating."
"Okay, Master."
Charanko left to wash his hands.
"Ugh..."
King's mouth twitched. He silently feasted on the high-grade beef in the hot pot. *Did what I said really have such profound meaning? I was honestly just telling you to wash your hands before eating, there was no deeper meaning at all!*
"Hey, King, leave me some beef!"
When Charanko returned, King had already devoured more than half of the beef. He immediately panicked, quickly moving his chopsticks to snatch the beef from the pot.
"Heh heh."
Bang sat by, smiling as he watched Charanko scramble for beef and the unhurried King. It was as if he had returned to the days when the dojo was overflowing with disciples. In that era, the dojo was filled with youthful vigor. Indeed, only by injecting youthful energy into the dojo could it burst forth with vibrant vitality.
"Master, I will definitely follow your teachings! I've decided to cultivate even harder. I'll get up at four in the morning to run around the mountains and train, and practice basic skills in the evening until midnight. I'll cultivate day and night, never being lazy again! I'll strive to lay a good foundation as soon as possible, practice the Flowing Water Rock Smashing Fist, and bring glory to the dojo."
Charanko quickly picked up pieces of beef while making solemn vows to Bang.
"Ah?!"
Who would have thought, in his haste and lack of attention, he picked up the beef from the pot and shoved it directly into his mouth. He hadn't realized that the beef, fresh out of the pot, was like a ball of fire, instantly scalding him and making him cry out.
King calmly dipped the beef in some dipping oil, gently blew on it a few times, and only after it had cooled slightly did he slowly put it into his mouth and chew. He glanced at Charanko's flushed face and leisurely said, "Haste makes waste when it comes to hot tofu."
Bang's entire body trembled. He exclaimed in astonishment, "Charanko, did you hear what King said?"
"Oh?"
Charanko paused, repeating King's words, utterly bewildered, "Haste makes waste when it comes to hot tofu?"
Bang's face turned serious. "That's right, haste makes waste when it comes to hot tofu. Have you comprehended it?"
Charanko looked utterly bewildered. *Didn't King just tell me to eat slowly and not rush?*
King also looked utterly bewildered. *Didn't I just tell Charanko to eat slowly and not rush?*
Bang let out a soft sigh and slowly said, "On the path of martial arts, the greatest taboo is rushing for quick success and instant gain. Everything requires a balance of effort and rest. We martial artists must have the patience to build a strong foundation and the perseverance to continue cultivating. Neither rush nor slacken, progress step by step, and you will reach the pinnacle of martial arts and achieve complete success."
Charanko's face was solemn as he put down his chopsticks and bowed to Bang. "Thank you, Master, for your teachings. Your disciple will definitely engrave them in his heart."
Bang nodded with satisfaction and pointed at King, saying, "You should be even more grateful for King's guidance."
Charanko turned to King and bowed once more. "Thank you, King, for your guidance."
"Heh heh..."
King's mouth twitched slightly. *So, the saying 'haste makes waste when it comes to hot tofu' contained such profound martial arts philosophy. I stand corrected.*
He didn't say anything more and silently ate his hot pot.
Bang looked at the silent King. A feverish glint flashed in his sharp eyes. King is absolutely a martial arts genius! To think he could repeatedly comprehend martial insights from an ordinary meal is truly incredible. His martial arts talent is far too amazing. How could such a martial arts genius not practice martial arts? I absolutely cannot sit by and watch such a supreme martial arts talent go to waste. King, quickly join my fold!
(end of chapter)