The Daoist of Laoshan

The Wall-Walking Lesson

A lazy student learns wall-walking but hits his head at home — true arts demand true discipline.

The rich young Wang Sheng goes to Laoshan to study Daoist arts but finds only chopping wood and drudgery. When he finally begs to learn magic, the master teaches him to walk through walls — warning him to keep his heart pure. At home, boasting before his wife, Wang charges the wall and knocks his head bloody. The Dao, the tale reminds him, is not bought by impatience.