"Yes, Master. The strongest is not the one who throws more strikes at the opponent.
Instead, the strongest is the one who absorbs the beating without complaint because he/she doesn’t allow the blows to hurt him/her.”
“The strongest is like water, right?” Master concluded with a smile.
Interminable Río,
Sueñas acariciar el cielo,
Aguardas un mágico ocaso,
Para consagrar tu anhelo
An endless stream of water,
Daydreams to embrace the sky,
Seizes a magical twilight,
To declare its love so shy
"Yes, Master. The strongest is not the one who throws more strikes at the opponent.
Instead, the strongest is the one who absorbs the beating without complaint because he/she doesn’t allow the blows to hurt him/her.”
“The strongest is like water, right?” Master concluded with a smile.
In "The Disciple," Doctor Niu Kwan discards a successful career in science and water technologies and travels to China to seek the tutelage of Tong Long, a unique Kung Fu Master.
Following his father's advice, Niu looks for Zhang Jin, a river guide who knows Tong Long's territory. During the trip, Niu discovers Zhang's hidden talents in martial arts and understanding of water.
At the end of the trip, Niu abandons his quest for Tong Long and implores Zhang to become his mentor.
Under Zhang's guidance, Niu assimilated advanced Kung Fu techniques based on water behavior. Eight years later, a familiar face resurfaces.
Samantha, a colleague from the Institute of Advance Studies of Water, visits the Li Jian River. Their connection deepens on the last night of her stay, transcending the physical world.
Samantha returns to Seattle, and Niu feels lost. Then, Zhang reveals his connection to the late Tong Long.
Niu returns to Seattle to propose to Samantha, but she's gone, so Niu returns to China.
Two decades later, Niu welcomes a young man who resembles himself; he realizes that history is repeating itself.
"The Disciple" is a fascinating tale of self-discovery, love, and martial arts. Will Niu find the answers he seeks, and will he be reunited with Samantha?