The Reinvention Of Rudd Carter. A Western Action Adventure Novel by R.L. Davis Page B

for maximum self-defense in most hand-to-hand combat situations. How can I help you?”
    “I have two questions. Do you think my boxing skills will impair me from learning Eastern martial arts? And if not, will you accept me as a student, Master Chui?”
    “Your boxing skills can only enhance your martial arts training,” the Master said. He went silent for a moment, then raised his gaze to Rudd’s eyes. “Regretfully, I cannot accept you as a student, as I am bound by an ancient code that forbids me to instruct Occidentals in the art of T’ai Chi Ch’uan.”
    “Master, is there a way Rudd could witness our training sessions as an observer only, and perhaps I could instruct him in private?” Sui Yen asked.
    The Master thought for a moment. “Yes. Perhaps we can approach your training from that perspective. You may observe our training sessions, and Sui Yen can train you in private. Be here every day, one hour after work. We will see where this will lead.” He bowed. “Until tomorrow.”
    Walking back to the hotel, Rudd asked Sui Yen, “Is there a school where I can learn to speak Chinese?”
    Nodding, Sui Yen said, “I’ll look into it. Give me a couple of days. I think I can find something for you.”
    * * *
    The two of them attended Master Chui’s classes together, Sui Yen as a student and Rudd as an observer. Then Sui Yen would train him privately three days a week. When walking to class one evening, Sui Yen said to him, “If you’re not doing anything after class tonight, I’d like to bring someone by your hotel… someone I think you should meet. How about nine o’clock in the hotel bar?”
    Rudd nodded in agreement.
    After class, he returned to the hotel, bathed, dressed, and made sure he was in the hotel bar no later than eight-forty-five. He was excited about meeting someone new, and because of Sui Yen’s involvement, he knew it would not be a waste of time.
    A few minutes after nine, Sui Yen arrived, accompanied by a beautiful Chinese woman. She was tall and willowy, and by Asian standards, in superior physical condition. Her face was thin with large doe-shaped eyes and a narrow well-formed nose over a small mouth with full, rosebud lips. Because of her flawless complexion, she wore no makeup, which gave her the appearance of a teenage girl, except she carried herself like a woman.
    As she and Sui Yen approached the bar, she broke into a broad smile and held out her hand. “You must be the handsome Englishman Sui Yen has told me so much about. It is such a pleasure to meet you,” she said in perfect English.
    She was exquisite! Rudd couldn’t take his eyes off her. Surprised, he said, “I never imagined I would be meeting anyone as beautiful as you this evening. I… apologize, what is your name again?”
    Sui Yen grinned. “I haven’t gotten to her name yet. May I present Ming Li, and Ming Li, may I present my friend, Rudd Carter.”
    “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Carter. Sui Yen’s description of you does you no justice.”
    Flattered, he said, “Coming from someone of your obvious beauty and quality, I take that as a great compliment.”
    “I’m not trying to rush things,” Sui Yen said, “but Ming Li has an early morning appointment, and I think it would be good to tell her right now if you would like to start Chinese lessons with her tomorrow evening.”
    “Chinese lessons—tomorrow evening?” he asked, shocked. “I never imagined a Chinese tutor would look like you… we haven’t discussed the price of Miss Li’s services yet.”
    “I’ve already made arrangements with the bank through your cousin Roger to pay for Miss Li’s services. If you approve, she will start tomorrow. She will come to your room for your lessons every day, five days a week.”
    Rudd perused Ming Li from head to toe, smiled, and nodded. “I approve wholeheartedly.”

Chapter Eight
    Agreeing to meet on the following Monday for his first tutoring session, Rudd met Ming Li in the lobby of his