Chapter 4: To Start From Somewhere

Like this? 

I shook my head. The little girl was far from a beginner, but she had two arms and two legs, so she was bound to get it at some point. 

Stretch properly, whatever position is weak is not due to a lack of flexibility. But a lack of strengthening. Certainly, this was going to be harder than I thought. Well, at least I've gotten proficient at hand signs. 

After she had finished her warm-ups and stretches, I pointed at the ground. She got down and started to do push-ups, then crunches, then jump squats. Then, some crawls up and down the courtyard. I gestured for extra exercises, but I did not hear any more movement from the little girl. 

I turned to stare at her face first in the marble courtyard, and she lifted her small arm like a praying mantis. I'm dead.

Well, I suppose it is alright for her first time. I watched as the little girl sat up. 

You talk awfully, little old man. 

I am someone who enjoys my peace. 

but it seems too far. Aren't you supposed to be some super cool senior who can shake the world and all powers? How come you sit here in the pavilion in silence all day? You don't read, eat, talk, or sleep? Why?

I did not speak more but stared at the young girl. First of all, when did she get her hands on a dictionary? Never mind that why do you care so much about my personal life? Work hard here so you can get a decent life, and leave me alone after. 

She drank water from a clay jug and wiped the sweat off her face. Are you scared? 

"Haha!" I slammed the sole into the ground and slapped my thigh, and tell me, what would I be afraid of? I once bested twenty sword masters with a wooden sword, I defeated a grandmaster at thirteen. I scared an entire Muan fleet just by standing at the forefront of the defence. Now tell me, what would I be afraid of? 

You look like you are afraid to be happy, old man.

I didn't say anything or gesture anything else. I only clenched my fist slightly and stared away from the young girl. Who did she think she was to determine whether I lacked the courage to be happy? There was no feat of human endeavour that I lacked the ability to complete. 

And yet, I still found myself stuck. Maybe there was some truth to the words the little girl spoke. There was no roadmap for the rest of my life, I had achieved everything and nothing at the same time—an old man who did not have much else. 

"But I found you, child. Maybe Heaven offered me one more thing before I left. I will ensure you grow to become a strong and tall tree." 

The child stared at me with wide and calm eyes, some hint of instinctual understanding.