Chapter 75 - Intricacies of the Dao (1/2)
”Huh?”
Still being in battle mode, Will was befuddled by Modus' appearance. It was like being in the middle of a sprint only to have someone jump out, asking you to immediately stop. It was a very uncomfortable sensation, but Will had no choice but to do exactly that. Ignius was far stronger than he was, so giving chase would be pointless… not to mention the imposing figure who was in front of him.
Will sheathed his sword and did not hide his displeasure: he looked at Modus with a gaze full of resentment.
”Look, I can see you have a lot of questions about what just happened... Unfortunately, I have no obligation to answer any of your questions! Haha...” Laughed Modus.
Will's brows furrowed in annoyance.
Modus sighed, ”Listen, Will, you can't afford the knowledge you desire, just be happy with what you have.”
”...and what is that supposed to mean?”
”What I'm saying is; check the price and pay attention!”
Will opened his mouth but didn't know quite what to say. After processing what Modus had just said he finally had the right words on the tip of his tongue.
”Modus, you listen to Weezy?”
Modus put on the expression of a man who was wise beyond reproach, a man who had experienced the vicissitudes of life in countless different forms.
”Indeed, I have listened to the poems from the small man named Wayne. He has a gift with words and speaks in truly profound ways.”
Will slapped his cheeks to make sure he was not hallucinating.
'Did he just call Lil Wayne profound?'
Will was a Lil Wayne fan himself. It would not be too far-fetched to say that he had memorized all of his songs before the descent of the system.
Will was about to enter fan mode but quickly realized that now was not the time or place. Modus was a hard man to see. Finally having a chance to talk with him, Will wanted to use that time wisely.
'Still, judging from what he is saying, he won't tell me squat. Looks like I will have to figure this out myself...'
”Ehem, I did, however, come to assist you.”
Will raised a brow in surprise, he was not expecting some assistance from this sadistic man. Modus noticed Will's apprehensive look and smiled wryly.
”Listen, young man, so far you have done well. Much better than what I expected.”
Will had always been unsure about his performances so far because Modus was an immortal, who knows what standards he had. Hearing this removed some weight from Will's shoulders.
”Now I am confident you are worthy to receive my teachings. It's time to give you some lessons.” Before Will could react, Modus raised his hand and snapped his finger. The duo immediately disappeared from the ice sheet in the sky.
Next thing Will knew, he was in a beautiful garden. It was decorated with beautiful flowers of all kinds. There was a big pond close to where he was standing, and next to it were a table and two chairs. It was the same place where Modus had taken him before, the place where he had comprehended Bloodlust and Radiant Energy.
”Please, take a seat.” Modus gestured for Will to sit down at the chair opposite to him.
Will could only sigh and immediately complied: he knew that this was a huge chance, a chance to learn from Modus, so he behaved and followed the sadistic Immortal's instructions. After Will was seated, Modus nodded and began his explanation.
”When it comes to martial arts, there are many ways to classify them. One of the classifications is in regard to how one learns a martial art or skill. In general, martial arts can be classified as orthodox or unorthodox. Orthodox martial arts are martial arts with some kind of stance; a Form. How to attack, where to attack, the angle, speed, trajectory, technique, everything is given in detail about how the technique is supposed to be executed. Most martial arts are orthodox, as it is easier to learn when a lot of information is provided. Most of the basic martial arts you use are like this.”
”Unorthodox techniques are the opposite. They have no definite form and only contain an essence. Once one captures that essence, they have already learned the basics of the technique. An example of such a technique is your True Strike. It can be performed with any weapon and or body part, so long as one has the essence of the technique and the prerequisites of energy and intent.
”Unlike orthodox techniques, however, there is another requirement to mastering unorthodox techniques. That is Intent. Unorthodox techniques are much harder to learn than orthodox ones, but in return, they are much, much more powerful. Once mastered, they allow the user to completely alter them to the user's needs. This results in every mastered unorthodox technique differing from another. Look.”