"I do not look dangerous now," said Chiun, in obvious pain.

"No, you do not," Remo said tenderly.

"Good," said Chiun, driving a finger into the back of Remo's rib cage, rendering him a helpless cripple on the floor. It had felt like pliers tearing his lower rib from his spinal column, causing such pain that Remo was unable to cry out or even to groan.

When the eternity of the moment was over and Remo could scream, then breathe, and then lie quivering, Chiun had said: "I cause you this pain so that you should remember. Never be dangerous in the eyes of men whom you plan to combat. Never. I cause you pain because I love you. Yes. Love. True love is doing what is good for a person. False love is doing only that which causes that person to love you. The love I have for you is shown in this pain that I give you. The pain is your lesson, best learned."

When Remo could speak, but not yet get up, he said:

"You yellow dink bastard shit. Stop the pain."

"I love you too much to stop the pain."

"You no good scumbag. Stop the pain."

"No, my son."

Then Remo went for his emotional lungs. "You look like a Chinaman." He knew Chiun hated the Chinese almost as much as he hated the people in the next village.

"You shall not tempt me to rob you of your lesson. I have given too much to you to be robbed of the gift. You see, never again can I pretend this weakness and catch you off guard. I have, in a small way, given you a piece of my future, a piece of my life. I have given to you the knowledge that I am dangerous."

"I always knew you were dangerous, you little yellow China bastard."

"Ah, but not in that way."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I've learned. Stop the pain, please."

"True love does not allow it."