These are a few pages from my novel, The Force of One. The places named are places where I have been when I toured that part of China in 1955. All the places in the novel are real places. Carlton Sonnier The days went by swiftly the first two years as Li was taught and practiced the ways of the Shaolin Order. The next three years he studied Tao (Dao), read the Dao De Jing, written by Lao Tzu (Lao Zip), in the sixth-century BC. He learned Wuhu (Chinese martial arts), the art of self-defense, and discipline from several monks. He learned Qigong (internal energy) from Master Yang, Shaolin style from Master Han, Wudang style from Master Wang, and the secretive Emei Gongfu, from Master Jong. His lessons in ‘Iron Palm’ daily gave him the knowledge to help in defense of himself and others. On the third year Hwang and Li traveled the paths through the mountains of Dabai Shan. For weeks they followed narrow trails made by monks hundreds of years before, venturing out into land undiscovered, looking for caves and artifacts of other monks before them. They found a few caves that his uncle had never explored. In one, they found ancient writing on the east wall, and pieces of clay tabloids that the monks had used around the third century. One evening on a trail leading from a cave the two encountered a trio of bandits dressed in dirty, torn clothes. One had a crude wooden staff and the grin he gave showed black, broken teeth and he asked, “Why are you traveling on my path?” “We are of the Temple of the Light and we are exploring the caves in this area for signs of our brothers that came before us. I am called Brother Hwang and this is Brother Li,” Hwang said, pointing to his nephew. The blacked toothed ruffian smiled, showing the black teeth. “You must have money or things of value. All travelers have to pay me for using my paths.” “The path belongs to Lord Buddha and we rejoice in his glory,” Hwang exclaimed, “You can rejoice Monk but you go nowhere until you pay me tribute in coin,” the ruffian stated and raised his staff in a threatening gesture. “Come Li, we will turn off the path and go around these three,” Hwang said and started to walk off the path with Li close behind. The leader ran toward Li and Hwang holding his staff up in a striking manner. Li stopped, turned and quicker than the eye could follow, the ruffian lay on the ground, minus his staff. When the other two ruffians moved toward Li he began to twirl the staff emulating the Jiandao (Way of Swords). Hwang called out, “It is called Jiandao or you may know of it as Gunshu. Brother Li, though young, is a master of this style.” The two stopped and looked at their leader that lay on the ground. They went to him and helped him stand. “You will regret this, I will be back with more of my followers,” the black tooth bandit said in a threatening voice. “I do not think you have any more than these two, but you should think about what just happened. You were bested by a young monk still in his teens. Should this be known among your so called followers you would not be a leader long,” Hwang stated and smiled. The ruffian’s face turned a shade of red and he started to say something but hesitated and turned away to the other direction. Hwang took the staff from Li and said, “Here, take this with you, should you encounter more of my brother monks on you paths.” The three ruffians did not stop but continued walking away from Hwang and Li. Hwang studied the twisted staff and noticed the intricate carvings and said to Li, “This staff is very old and leads me to believe that it was found in one of the ancient caves.” Li walked to where Hwang stood to have a closer look. “Here, take it,” Hwang said and handed the staff to Li. After a closer look Li exclaimed, “The carvings are beautiful. I will keep it in remembrance of the ancients, and I will try to learn of the carvings.” Hwang nodded and said, “Come we should be on our way to the next village. If we hurry we can be there before dark.”
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 01:03:35 +0000
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