Ying watched as his mother slowly stood and advanced toward him. She dropped the clumps of weeds at the garden's edge but kept the blade in her hand.
The black silk mask fluttered across Ying's face, and he began to fumble with it, cursing himself. Why was he acting like a nervous child? He needed to keep his head clear. After all, his mother was holding a weapon. Ying shook his head violently, flinging the mask from his face, and pushed the skiff ashore.
Ying's mother stopped several paces from the skiff and removed her hat. Physically, she looked the same as he remembered. Her eyes were large, her nose was small, and her lips were full. Her long black hair was pulled back in a braid and several wisps hung free around her cheeks.
Ying stared at his mother as though she were a stranger. He bowed. “Greetings. I am Ying.”
His mother scanned the dragon creases carved into his face. He knew that she was looking right through them, into his soul. “So I see,” she replied. “You have changed, my son.”
“Yes, I have.”
Ying's mother nodded. “Welcome, then, Ying. You may call me WanSow.”
Ying blinked and thought, Cloud Hand? That wasn't her name. She'd changed it.
WanSow seemed to read his mind. “Like the seasons, many things change. You and me included. I am rather surprised you recognized me. You were very young when we last saw one another.”
Ying gestured to his face. “I am surprised you recognized me.”
WanSow shook her head. “If I were blindfolded, I would know who you are. Your father's chi is strong in you.”
Ying felt another chill run down his spine. He didn't reply.
“How did you find me?” WanSow asked.
“It's a long story,” Ying said.
“Why have you come? You don't seem particularly happy to see me again.”
“I came here for answers.”
WanSow closed her eyes. “I may not have the answers you seek. Or, worse, you may not like the answers you hear.”
“I'll take my chances.”
WanSow opened her eyes. Ying thought he saw a glimmer of challenge in them.
“So, you're a risk taker?” she asked.
“I suppose I am,” Ying replied. “Why?”
“Because if you are, you will be willing to take part in a simple exercise with me. If you accomplish the task, I will answer all of your questions. However, if you fail, you will stay and work with me until you can complete the task. Agreed?”
“No, I need more details,” Ying said. “What is the task? And what is this work you are talking about if I fail? I must be back in Hangzhou in a few days.”
WanSow flicked a wisp of long black hair out of her eyes. “If you fail, the work is a series of mental and physical drills to help you further develop and focus your chi. As for the task, all you have to do is attack me and push me over.”
“What?”
“The exercises I practice build strength from the inside out. They help a person remain grounded on many levels. You would benefit from the training. I can tell.”
Ying's eyes narrowed. “Why would I want to attack you?”
“Because I am challenging you. Are you afraid?”
Ying frowned. “No. What techniques can I use?”
“Any technique you may know.”
Ying nodded. “Let's get this over with, then.” He put his hands out. “How do we begin?”
“You decide. I'm just going to stand here.”
Ying shrugged. He formed eagle-claw fists with both hands and walked up to his mother.
WanSow dropped the blade she had been holding and sank into a deep horse stance. She raised her hands to chest height.
Ying thrust both his fists out at WanSow's shoulders. It wasn't a complicated attack. He expected his mother to shift sideways, but she didn't. Instead, she leaned backward, absorbing Ying's force, and latched on to his wrists with her hands.
Ying found himself being pulled off balance. He twisted to one side, expecting to draw away, but his mother twisted with him. His balance was now really off center, and just as Ying thought he might right himself, WanSow jerked his wrists hard in the direction he was leaning. She let go, and Ying tumbled to the ground.
WanSow straightened, her feet still firmly rooted to the ground. She took a few steps backward and winked at him.
Ying stood and scowled. He formed two eagle-claw fists again and ran straight at his mother. Again, she sank into a deep horse stance, raising her hands chest-high.
A moment before impact, Ying leaped into the air. He pulled his legs back and fired them out at Wan-Sow's head.
WanSow ducked.
As Ying sailed over his mother's head, she reached up and grabbed the seat of his black silk pants. She latched on tight and twisted in the direction of Ying's momentum, pulling her body powerfully down toward the earth. Ying's trajectory changed and he found himself slammed to the ground, backside-first.