Xiao Ao Jiang Hu - Book Report/Review Example

Don Quixote would be called “Jikede Tang” in Chinese, if he were born unto the Tang famil, a great one in Szchuan Provice. Unlike the other family members, Jikede Tang did not want to run the family business. He was instead attracted by swordsman novels and he decided to be a real swordsman in the world. Xiao Ao Jiang Hu (carefree life in a Mundane world of strife) was the novel which inspired him to take this path. Sancho or called “Sang Qiu” (which is his name in Chinese) was born in the small village of Sang village, like others in his family, as (the name of the village, in ancient Chinese, follows their family name). Sancho is really like other small townsfolk in Sang or any such village. He is a little selfish but the good nature at the bottom of his heart always leads him to follow “Don Quixote .” Sancho always believed that doing good would lead to good. He had read in multiple novels relating swordsmen that each warrior has an advisor destined for the same greatness. Sancho saw himself as the honor that would help Tang achieve his dream. Scene: 1 “I must tell them the truth. It is getting harder to hide my inner feelings and pretending is not my game”, Tang said to himself. The lights flickered below the mountains and the air swept across gently embracing him. He lay on the ground looking at the night star-lit sky dwelling deep into his thoughts. The only thought that lay in his mind at that moment and encompassed his soul for the past few months was his desire to become a swordsman. The desire sprang deep when the event happened that turned his life into a journey that he never thought would have been chalked out for him from the heavens above. But being a swordsman was his destiny and this was the reality that he and his family had to accept. “If things continue the way they are and I get to take no action then either my mental state will collapse or my life will be just a case of what if’s and that is what I, Tang, can never afford”, for no warrior born to embrace the sword lives on the poor ideology of what could have been and would have been. He remembered this line from the first book about swordsmanship he read. The book called Xiao Ao Jiang Hu that had stuck with him throughout his journey. “Ey, Tang! I have been looking all over for you. Don’t go wandering alone in the mountain at night. The dark might be soothing but the poison it carries can break the soul”, it was Sancho speaking as he rode towards Tang on his horse. The mountains during the night glimmered under the pale moonlight. Under the big oak was there “meeting spot” as they put it. Tang and Sancho were two sides of the same coin, they got each other, even when nobody else did. As the wealthy son of an imperial businessman, Tang’s life was different from Sancho’s who was an ordinary townsfolk. As they remember how they became friends. It was one of their favorite topics. “I know you wish to be a warrior. The desire in you is stronger and I see it”, said Sancho in a confident yet calm tone. His main concern for speaking this was to assure Tang that he had his side always. “How do you always know what is on my mind?” asked Tang in a confused tone. “Well, for starters we follow the same dream. The day you thought you could open up the conception vessel that unleashed all your spiritual energy into the universe so you became one with it and defeated the beggar that challenged you to it? I sensed it in you. Your body spoke of it. The universe spoke of it. The fire in your heart that set your veins ablaze, was recognized just not by me-but by many.”, said Sancho. He always had a flair with words. A way that can motivate or break any spirit the human body possessed. “You do realize that after that day, I haven’t been able to sleep or eat? Father suspects something is wrong with me. He tries taking me to the business every single day to get my mind off of my desire” said Tang to him. “You cannot, it is written in the stars for you to be the legendary Kong Fu. You cannot fight fate but accept it as it is, come to terms with it and find inner peace.”, replied Sancho. Tang gave him a long questioning look and then took out some pages from his satchel that was fastened tightly around his back. The pages were from the first book about Kong Fu that he ever read, recently father found out about his son’s obsession and had set fire to everything related to it. Tang had, luckily, managed to save some pages while his hands were singed by the flames. Ever since then he spent part of every night reading those few charcoal-edged pages, to refuel his inborn desire. Sancho, took it from his hands and read-aloud: “For a Kong Fu warrior, will and patience to endure should be strong. None can achieve the state without will and endurance, for what is the concept of pain without the strength to endure? The strength to endure reality, pain, lies and the world is what makes the real Kong Fu warrior and not just his swordsmanship skills.” Sancho finished and looked at Tang. Tang sighed heavily for he knew what had to be done. “The strength to endure is what makes a real warrior and so I shall what is coming to me.” said Tang and picked up his charcoal-edged book remains and walked back home but only telling Sancho that he will come tomorrow at his house in his village with a definitive answer. Scene 2: “My son? A Kong Fu? exclaimed Tang’s father in a voice that shook the entire house and his little sister began to cry. . Mother came into comfort her, while she also brought in water and poured a glass for both men to drink. Neither touched the glass, and as quietly as she had entered she also left. “But father, listen to me, you cannot deny destiny and I feel it in my bones”, Tang resumed, his voice hushed to show that he was respectful yet with a hint of force to exhibit his desire. “You are a disgrace-“ The old man answered. “A disgrace to the empire that your great grandfather and grandfather worked hard to build. A disgrace to my upbringing. I worked hard to maintain this business and pass it on to you, but you being an ungrateful child only succumb to your books and to your sharp objects. They will be of no use in the real world, boy. Mark my words.”, Father voice was angry and his tone was what Tang had never heard before. “I have made up my mind. You cannot defy destiny, father.” said Tang in a calm tone. The silence broke. “You have two options, my child.” Fathers voice sounded soothed and calmed. “You can leave. Become the Kong Fu that you want to be. Be the best at it and only then show your face home. If I die and you have not achieved what you desire then don’t show me your face. Or, we can forget that this ever happened and you can come to me tomorrow at the business,” he laid his conditions. “You may leave now, son” and with that father sat on his chair and kept looking at the floor. Tang left the room. He could feel the tears forming in his eyes, as he packed his bags and put his sword and other blades in their bags. The sword shined under the lights and gleamed of greatness. He had gotten it on a journey to the main lands with his friends a couple of years ago. He looked at his sword and smiled thinking that what a shiny blade that ripped his fate. “So, you made your choice?” He heard his mother’s voice teary in the background but didn’t have the guts to look up into her face. “Yes”, he replied. “Well, may the heavens be with you. Make me proud, son-”, as she leapt forward towards him and kissed his forehead. Tang looked back one last time at his house as he set on his horse to the Sang village. In his heart he knew Sancho will understand. In the middle of the dark night Tang left for Sang village to get Sancho and carry with the journey. Leaving in the dark night as to avoid, being seen by the village population. There was a knock at the door. Sancho opened with a patient look, for he was expecting this. “Sancho, my father didn’t understand. He never will. I am not to show my face at home unless I attain the highest hierarchy. I left it all to pursue my destiny.”, said Tang “Luckily, I already had a hunch that this was going to happen. You can sleep here tonight, my friend. Tomorrow, we go meet “Ling Hu” he is the Kong Fu master in the surrounding twelve villages and he can help us.”, Sancho said in an enthusiastic tone. And with this Sancho laid down a sleeping mat for Tang and blew the candle off. Tang lay awake that night unable to sleep only thinking about his future while Sancho immediately dozed off. Scene 3 Knock. Knock. Sancho gave a calm thud on the door. They had been travelling non-stop since six o clock in the morning and now he and Tang were on the peak of exhaustion, looking for master Ling Hu. The area they travelled to was lush green covered in grass and tall trees. It reminded of something out of a painting. “Who dares knock”, came a fierce voice from behind the wooden door. Tang stood his ground and didn’t move while Sang jumped a little at the loud voice. “Jikede Tang and Sang Qui, we are looking for Master swordsman Master Ling Hu.” replied Tang. The door opened and a man lean in body wearing a white robe appeared, his face showed no expression but the lines on his jaw and forehead depicted the years of turmoil and hardship he had faced. Just like the novel he had read the master fit in perfectly with the character of the book. Tang and Sang both felt like it was a scene out of their favorite swordsmen book. “What do you want from me?” asked Ling Hu, who now observed both men. “The art of Kong Fu” replied Tang as he could not control his enthusiasm on seeing the master in front of his eyes. “HA! Is this a joke? Two imbeciles appear out of nowhere to learn what has been instilled in our bones since birth. This art is no joke. It was taught by ancient masters and now nobody knows it, except my kind.”, replied Master and Tang crossed his eyebrows and took a gulp before speaking. “But I have the spirit of a swordsman”, replied Tang “I know that I do”. The master gave a long pause and then pointed to a giant waterwheel. “Slay it down and then you can battle me, only then can you have the honor of being a Kong Fu swordsman” said the Master. Tang without thinking leapt up to the giant waterwheel with his mighty blade in an attempt to slay it and earn the title. He slipped. He fell. For who could defeat an element? Realizing that he had been tricked by the Master; Tang remembered the line he read from Xiao Ao Jiang Hu. “For a Kong Fu warrior will and patience to endure should be strong. None can achieve the state without will and endurance for what is the concept of pain without the strength to endure. The strength to endure reality, pain, lies and the world-is what makes the real Kong Fu warrior and not just his swordsmanship skills.”, he smiled, now and came back to where Sancho and Master were standing looking at him. The master looked at him with amused and confident eyes. The master smiled as well, for they both knew he had found what he sought-the spirit of the swordsman and now he only had to harness it. Read More