Game’s Dogma

Everyone widened their eyes. They had seen players blocking skills with skills, but swatting down Crescent Arc, the skill that could even cut through rocks, so easily? It felt more like a pestering fly more than anything. 

Wai Kiu was shocked as well. Still, he continued to swing his sword with menacing speed for that was his trademark. Old Sir Cheung fluttered left and right like a wavering willow in the breeze and easily evaded his attacks while patting his body once in a while.

It was at that moment everyone knew Old Sir Cheung was holding back. He could put an end to the spar any time he wanted.

After a good while, the two disengaged with Wai Kiu short on breath. He saluted and said, “Thanks for the inspiring lesson.”

“Ohoho. Next one.”

No one dared to act rashly. If they couldn’t tell that the old man was far beyond their leagues, they wouldn’t be qualified to sit here.

Suddenly, Greenstone shot up from his seat. Drako Yau twitched a brow and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“He’s using Tai Chi.”

Drako Yau immediately understood. Greenstone had also inherited Tai Chi from Hagrid, but it seemed different from the old man’s. Or rather, Greenstone obtained his Tai Chi through the system’s back door, while the old man’s was the true version that originated from the system. There might be differences between the two versions, and Greenstone would surely benefit from sparring with the old man.

After Old Sir Cheung defeated the sixth challenger, Greenstone left his seat. He greeted the old man with a salute and entered his stance without uttering a word. He stepped his left leg lightly to the front and slightly leaned into his right leg while placing his left arm at an angle to the front. His other arm was positioned near his right waist.

“You…” Old Sir Cheung’s cloudy eyes cleared up right away.

“Please teach me your techniques,” said Greenstone in a hoarse voice.

“Good!” Old Sir Cheung walked towards Greenstone with a passionate look, the total opposite of how he had been towards the other challengers.

Old Sir Cheung pressed his withering arms onto Greenstone’s. He was like a wilting candle before the brawny Greenstone. Right away, their arms started moving. Forwards, backwards, left, and right… A simplistic spar without the use of any skill or fancy stunts it was. However, the air around them seemed to have frozen.

The aged trees surrounding the patio continued to scatter their leaves, yet whenever the fallen pieces neared the two men, they scampered away from the invisible dome of a raging storm surrounding the two. A zone cleansed of all filth originating from the sparring men took shape.

All the NPCs kept their mouths shut as they witnessed the spar with serious looks. 

Perhaps Greenstone was the only one who knew how close the contest had been. This was a sparring method known as Pushing Hands, and this was the best method to reflect one’s proficiency in Tai Chi. It tested the mind, will, chi, power, form, arms, footwork, eyes, body, and style—all of which were crucial parts of Tai Chi and its training of power generation, agility, body movement, footwork, and other techniques. Pushing Hands was their way of testing their ability to utilise the fruits of their training in practical combat through a two-person sparring session, a vital part of the enlightenment stage of “from self proficiency to sensing the opponent’s force, then to the enlightenment of full fluidity”.

Old Sir Cheung’s wilting figure was the embodiment of a towering mountain in Greenstone’s point of view, unwavering and unmovable. No matter how Greenstone drove his force, Old Sir Cheung still easily dissipated his attempts without much effort. What he didn’t notice was that the old man’s eyes were glowing all the brighter the longer they sparred.

Sir Duen and Sir Hui smiled at one another. “Looks like Old Sir has found his successor.”

The beauty sitting next to Sir Duen also nodded in agreement. “Tai Chi is difficult to learn not because of its techniques, but rather its mindset. Only with a broad mind and an uncompetitive heart could you truly comprehend the truth behind Tai Chi. Even you two fail to achieve this.”

Although the beauty’s comments were no praise, Sir Duen and Sir Hui simply put on bitter smiles and didn’t refute. After all, she was an authority in this department.

After a while, the two broke off. Greenstone glided backwards abruptly with his legs planted into the ground, drawing two muddy streaks. In just a few minutes, the victor was decided—but was that what truly mattered?

Old Sir Cheung laughed heartily as he said, “Good, good! Ahahaha!”

All the spectating players’ hearts sank; it was clear that Old Sir Cheung favoured Greenstone.

The old man turned around and said before leaving, “Bring this doll to me later.”

“Very well.” Sir Duen stood up. “Does anyone else wish to spar?”

No one spoke up. As it had been a good while since they arrived here, most players who were confident had already volunteered to spar. Those who weren’t confident enough to spar early on certainly wouldn’t do so now.

In other words, the quest was almost over. The only thing left was for Sir Duen to announce the five successors. Everyone perked their ears up in anticipation; after all, who wasn’t confident in themselves?

Sir Duen smiled and said, “Alright, we will now announce the results. We have candidates in mind for the five successors already.”

「第一位是，哈帝斯。」

“First, Hades.”

Everyone sent the Evergrand guild master their envious gazes. Indeed, Hades’ fight was a major surprise to most present. The fact that he could fight openly as an assassin further proved that the game harboured infinite possibilities.

「第二位是，王石。」

“Second, Greenstone.”

This was very much expected after seeing how the old man left after sparring with Greenstone right away without waiting for the next challenger.

“Third, Handsome Scholar.”

Even Handsome Scholar himself seemed flabbergasted that he was chosen. Chau Yu grinned at him from the side; he had great expectations for Handsome Scholar. If he was already the number one paladin without an inheritance, he’d surely become even better now that he had one.

Tripurity shot a glance at Handsome Scholar. Ever since the paladin joined the guild, they had become rivals within the guild. However, his position was rarely threatened because of his class advantage. But now…

“Fourth, Chan Ka Lok.”

Chan Ka Lok pointed at himself and asked, “Me?”

Sir Duen merely chuckled and looked into Chan Ka Lok’s eyes without explaining anything.

“The final candidate is…” Sir Duen’s sights flickered among the crowd, stirring up those who met his eyes. Finally, his eyes were fixated on a particular young man. “Fong Sai Yuk.”

“What!”

Chan Ka Lok might be bewildered about the decision of making him a successor, but Fong Sai Yuk’s case was simply outrageous. Fong Sai Yuk had fought the outstanding pugilist Yim Ho and lost; why was he chosen instead of Yim Ho?

A player stood up, unable to accept the result. “Sir Duen! Please excuse my impudence for asking why! We have no complaints about Greenstone, Hades, Handsome Scholar, and Chan Ka Lok, but may I inquire why Fong Sai Yuk is qualified to be a successor?”

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