The Time Stone Crystal

Chapter 42 - Master Zhang Sanfeng

The Song dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou, ending the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. The Song often came into conflict with the contemporaneous Liao, Western Xia, and Jin dynasties to its north. The Mongol-led Yuan dynasty eventually conquered it.

Those were just some of what Master Zhang taught her as she walked around the temple. Her husband watched outside with the others. There are also engraved pictures of the Chinese and words that attest to their ancient cultures in China. She also couldn’t believe that the man she was talking to today was famous and knew many things about the energy and the environment to learn. According to research in her time, Zhang Sanfeng was a legendary Chinese Taoist who invented T'ai chi ch'üan and purported to have achieved immortality. According to various accounts, he was born in Shaowu, Nanping, Fujian during the Southern Song dynasty and lived for over 307 years until the mid-Ming dynasty. His given name was Tong, and his courtesy name was Junbao. He specialized in Confucian and Taoist studies, scholarly and literary arts. During the reign of Emperor Shizu in the Yuan dynasty, nominated as a candidate to join the civil service and held office as the Magistrate of Boling County. While touring around the mountainous regions near present-day Baoji, Shaanxi, he saw the summits of three mountains and decided to give himself the Taoist name "Sanfengzi"; hence he also became known as Zhang Sanfeng.

“My name was known in your time, Lady Weng? Am I correct?" Master Zhang asked her.

“Yes, Master Zhang. I just don’t really know how much influence you had in my time because I’m a Filipino. We also follow cultures and traditions,” she replied.

"I know. We all have a culture and tradition to follow. You are fortunate, and you have arrived at this time. I am also lucky to have met someone like you who lived in the future.”

"Thank you. Anyway, how did you meet my husband? I'm just curious, Master Zhang.”

"Hasn't he told you yet?"

"No. And how old are you now? ”

“You have many questions, Lady Weng. But I will answer that one by one.”

“I'm sorry, Master Zhang. I'm just really inquisitive and⸻ ”

“Noisy?”

She was slightly embarrassed by what the older man had said, but it was still strong at his age. "Yes." She admitted that she was very loud and talkative sometimes.

"Listen carefully, Lady Weng."

It began to tell a story as they sauntered through every part of the temple they passed.

“I was ten years old when I met Master Kairo in a forest in Shaowu, Nanping. I was training to learn the knowledge of Kung Fu and know every energy around me when he suddenly appeared in front of me. I thought then he was just a traveler and just passed by but no. He was there to teach me the things I wanted in exchange for his wishes.”

"What are my husband's wishes for you, Master Zhang?"

“He just wants me to establish organizations and followers to teach them the importance of philosophy and arts in the right way. He will teach me everything as well as immortality.”

She was shocked. "Does that mean you're immortal now?"

"What do you think? You have the ability to see the energy or chakra of a person, Lady Weng. Use it to get to know me.”

They stopped and faced each other.

"Close your eyes and feel the energy I have."

She slowly followed Master Zhang, and then she closed her eyes. Even before she could use her ability, she first drew a deep sigh. In just a few seconds, she connected with her ability to the core of her being and released energy.

The blue energy covered, and she already saw the white power from Master Zhang. A point natural and pure for its purpose to its followers. She later realized that his level of immortality was strange, but she also noticed that it was limited. She slowly opened her eyes then gradually lost the energy surround them.

“I know you saw my border too, Lady Weng. But that boundary will leave a memory for everyone. I want to teach you the things you should learn, especially in learning Tai Chi. I know that your opponent and Master Kairo will be immortal and a god who seeks greed and conquest in the Dimensional World.”

“You are right, Master Zhang. I still have to learn things I don’t know yet because I know Hyperion is cunning. He is the type who does not accept as a loser and does not accept defeat, especially in Kairo’s hand.”

“Many gods seek power in this world or the alternate universe. It’s not just people who are the enemy, if not those like them, so I want to spread around the world the importance of interacting with everyone to have peace. But during this time, there is uncertainty because everyone wants to stand up and be strong. I feel sorry for the youth of the future because a lot has changed as well as the change of modern times. I hope you will be one of my guides in your time.”

“I understand, Master Zhang. Don't worry, and when I get back to my world, that will be one of my goals. I know you have many more followers who have remained to this day.”

“You are a good human being, Lady Weng. You are lucky, and the creator chose you to be the way to stay by Master Kairo’s side and help him. Your past as a simple citizen is not good, but you have a heavy responsibility for humanity. Let's walk over there.”

"Okay, Master Zhang."

They walked until they came to a garden at the top but below can be seen its followers rehearsing again.

“They are learning Shaolin Kung Fu. Shaolin Kung Fu, also called Shaolin Wushu, or Shaolin quan, is one of the oldest, largest, and most famous wushu styles of kung fu. It combines Ch'an philosophy, martial arts, originated and developed in the Shaolin temple in Henan province, China, during its 1500-year history. The name Shaolin use as a brand for the so-called external styles of kung fu. Many styles in southern and northern China use the name Shaolin.”

"Why are they bald?" she asked.

"This is part of Buddhism rules and practice on how they could concentrate in their religious fate."

“I still don't know much, Master Zhang. Is it difficult to learn Kung Fu?”

“At first, it is difficult because you have to devote your time and years. It’s not just something that just ignored. In general, Kung Fu refers to the Chinese martial arts, also called wushu and quanfa. Here in China, it refers to any study, learning, or practice requiring patience, energy, and time to complete. In its original meaning, kung fu can refer to any discipline or skill achieved through hard work and practice, not necessarily martial arts. It is also where you will know how good a person is when it comes to self-discipline, not used as a weapon for the weak, and will be used to help others who are incompetent.”

“That concept is terrific, Master Zhang. I want to learn, but don't make me suffer.”

“It is not difficult to learn martial arts, Lady Weng. Just imagine that you have made a plan for the bridge or buildings you are going to build.”

"You know I'm an engineer?"

"Of course. I know everything about you.”

“Who else told you? Is it my husband? ”

"No other than. I will teach you in exchange for us building that temple.” It pointed to a temple that had been torn down. “Anything I do there is not in order because the materials are not too strong. It only breaks down when there is a storm or a strong wind. That is the first to be destroyed before the other temples here because the strong winds come from here in this direction.”

Hmm...” She thought. “I know some materials, but we will take more in my time. If I ask to divert material here, we can build a solid foundation for that temple.”

"It's up to you to plan, and I'll be the one to teach you. Is that okay?”

“No problem, Master Zhang. That's an easy plan.”

“It’s up to you, Lady Weng. My followers will help you just in case.”

"Okay, Master Zhang."

Their conversation also ended, and it took her to a room to start planning. According to this, there was a strong wind coming again, so they also had to build the temple immediately.

WENG stared at the paper lying on the rectangular table as she watched her plan closely. She also drew and made measurements on ancient scroll paper. After a while, she felt the presence of her husband approaching behind. He gently kissed her cheek and hugged her as well.

"How are you here, my wife?"

“Kairo… I’m okay,” she replied.

He let go of his embrace and then looked at the scroll. "Do you want my help, my love?"

“Yes. I've been thinking about how strong the wind will hit this area. How hard since it's up in the mountains. ”

“You want to estimate it? I will join you upstairs.”

He stared at his wife. Why is this one so very handsome? I just saw you now as if I relieved. She just laughed at what she thought even though she knew her husband could read it.

"You just saw me; that's how you look."

"Kairo… Kiss me, my love."

He smiled then approached her. “Go and work, my love. You might just lose your concentration because of me.”

"Please?" She is begging to him.

“Alright. I am generous to my beautiful wife's request.”

She smiled then Kairo came over to kiss her. It was a soft kiss with their everlasting love. It gave her strength again, so she clings his neck. She longs for Kairo's hugs and kisses every day, so she can't blame herself, primarily, and she loves it so much.

“Thanks, my love. You are the only one who gives me strength.”

“You are my life, Weng. I will give you all your wishes. I love you so much.”

"I love you so much, Kairo Middlestone." She stared at his golden eyes.

"Get back to work so you can start your training with Master Zhang."

She parted herself from him. "I'm also excited to learn martial arts or whatever."

“Be careful, and Master Zhang is strict in training, but you will learn things that are not into your knowledge. Don’t worry, and I’ll be nearby to watch.”

"Cheer for me?"

“Nope. I want to see how Master could kick you out of his temple.” At once, he smiled.

“Kairo! What you thought are so embarrassed! You just want to see me struggling,” she said while glaring at her husband.

He laughed. “Of course! Training includes having a hard time, my wife. Even I also went through extreme hardship. I didn't just receive the kick and punch when I was training.”

"Who is your master, my love?"

“The creator. He taught me the things I needed to learn and the various aspects methods of life and death.”

"That's why Hyperion is so jealous of you."

“The creator also taught him, but he is cunning and has a high ambition to be the king more than the creator. He was no longer satisfied with what the creator could provide for him. He blatantly disobeyed its unique commandment.”

“He has a lot of insecurities in life, so he is like that. Poor Hyperion. Why don't you talk to him in-depth conversation? Is that possible?”

He stared at her as if trying to figure out what she had said about Hyperion. That was all she thought, and if it couldn’t be goes through into the conversation, they would have to put an end to its stupidity.