According to Iroh, the true difference between a Firebending Master and an ordinary Firebender wasn't about combat strength.
It was about understanding — understanding Firebending, understanding the flame itself, understanding one's body, spirit, and mind, and understanding the natural world.
There was a realm in between, an indescribable threshold that separated the two.
But in the Fire Nation today, many scoffed at this perspective.
They believed power and brute-force Firebending were the only truths. Anything about "understanding flames" was dismissed as mystical nonsense.
Fire Lord Ozai was the prime example.
Kahn didn't show much reaction toward that idea.
In a world where war had raged for a hundred years, on the battlefield, the logic was simple: the stronger you were, the better your chances of survival. The enemy wouldn't hesitate just because you had a deeper philosophy about Earthbending or Firebending.
"Might makes right" was an idea that held true almost everywhere.
But didn't deeper understanding indirectly improve one's strength?
Kahn believed so. The problem was that such improvement wasn't fast or flashy.
That was why most people ignored it. Not everyone had talent. Not everyone had time to devote to training and contemplation.
He considered himself lucky — lucky to live in a relatively peaceful corner of this chaotic era, lucky to have a teacher like Iroh, a genuine Firebending Master, and lucky to have the talent to walk such a difficult path.
In the courtyard, Iroh began teaching him the first true lesson on the road toward becoming a Firebending Master.
His increasingly round physique, his gray hair and long beard, and his gentle expression had long replaced his former, overwhelming aura. Now, he truly looked like a wise old teacher.
Even though he still visited the Council Chamber occasionally, he no longer cared much about the politics around him.
To an outsider, he seemed like a leisurely old man who had simply given up on the world.
To Ozai, Iroh's calmness looked like numbness — the despair of someone broken by failure. That delusion made Ozai feel very pleased with himself.
Under Ozai's schemes, Iroh's influence over the military and the people had dwindled.
He had even willingly played the part of a harmless, overweight old man. Ozai assumed Iroh had lost most of his power.
He used to keep Iroh around to keep him contained; now he kept him close just to show off.
After all, how could the world admire greatness if no one was there to witness it?
Returning to the present, Iroh stroked his beard and said to Kahn.
"At this point, there's actually nothing more I can teach you."
He paused deliberately, waiting to see Kahn's reaction.
But to his disappointment, Kahn simply stared at him with a calm expression — no surprise, no confusion. He even threw Iroh a subtle look of disdain.
"…Ah. Zuko is still more lovable. You should learn a thing or two from him."
Iroh sighed, bored, then happily continued.
"…Although there isn't much left to teach, as someone who has walked this path before, I can still share some experiences. Just listen casually."
I knew it, Kahn thought.
Iroh liked being dramatic. He enjoyed teasing people. Kahn had long become immune.
Only someone like Zuko, innocent and earnest, got completely played by this old man.
Iroh began explaining.
"Although you are talented and intelligent — and you read a lot — some things cannot be understood through imagination or books alone."
"The broadened horizons gained after crossing countless mountains. The resolve forged after enduring hardship. The experience earned through struggles and battles. The ability to think clearly in the face of the world's chaos… These are essential on the path of a Master."
"Most importantly, you cannot let yourself be limited by Firebending alone."
"Of course, if your understanding of Firebending becomes deep enough, you can still be considered a Firebending Master.
But all these other things — life experience, reflection, clarity — reveal the essence of what a Master really is. With enough of these qualities, even without Firebending, a Master is still a Master."
Kahn murmured thoughtfully, "Even without Firebending, a Master is still a Master…"
If someone truly reached that level, wouldn't it be like the "Innate Supreme Grandmaster" realm from wuxia novels in his past life?
Kahn felt he finally understood the path more clearly. It wasn't just training anymore — it was cultivation.
Cultivating the body. Cultivating the mind.
No wonder Iroh said Firebending Masters couldn't simply be taught. Becoming one required self-realization.
The difference between someone telling you a truth and you personally understanding it was like the difference between traveling yourself and watching a travel video online.
But suddenly, Iroh switched topics again and chuckled.
"Of course, that's just my personal opinion. Take it with a grain of salt. For now, your main goal is still mastering Firebending itself — deepen your understanding of Firebending and the flame."
"But if you can hold yourself to higher standards, that would naturally be even better."
Kahn rolled his eyes openly.
Iroh always liked drawing grand visions to inspire him. And annoyingly, they worked.
"Supreme Grandmaster"… yeah, it sounded a bit chuunibyou, but damn if it didn't raise his ambitions.
Remembering something, Kahn said.
"Speaking of which — didn't you say that once I mastered Firebending, you'd teach me more powerful techniques?"
Iroh paused, recalling that he had indeed made such a promise.
"Of course. I haven't forgotten. But it's not time yet."
"You're not trying to go back on your word, are you?!"
"How could I? It's simply too early. But not for long. After all, that little girl Azula has already begun moving."
Iroh had entered his cryptic old-man mode again, making Kahn's teeth itch in frustration.
He couldn't do anything about it — he really couldn't beat this guy.
Judging by Iroh's words, he clearly knew what Azula's new technique was referring to.
And the technique he planned to teach Kahn likely had something to do with Azula as well.
Some kind of royal secret art?
It fit the context. And their identities.
Dropping that thought, Kahn asked:
"So have you reached the realm you talked about?"
"Me?" Iroh laughed, rubbing his round belly.
"Who knows? I haven't trained seriously in a long time. Life has been good, haha!"
True enough — Kahn had never seen Iroh train. He only saw him get rounder every day.
But Kahn was sure Iroh was just pretending.
Iroh felt more like he was in the "returning to simplicity" stage described in wuxia novels. He still crushed everyone effortlessly.
This guy was definitely hiding something big.
And he was probably waiting for the perfect moment to reveal it.
...
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