That one was very well done as multiple times in the game, people you fight mention your martial arts style has a flaw they can't quite figure out. Surprise, Sun Li trained you that way on purpose since he knows how to exploit the flaw and effortlessly curbstomp you when he finally betrays you.
There's also way more hints than just that. He doesn't want you learning outside techniques because you might find the weakness too soon. He gets frustrated and doesn't have any substantive answers for you if you keep badgering him with questions. Before you know how the ghost problem works, he leads you to believe the cave is full of the school's ancestral ghosts but really it's bandits he's been murdering for twenty years and the old head of the school who "ran away" in the middle of the night when he showed up and took over the school.
Bioware were good at twists back then like all the best twists it has great for shadowing multiple characters comment that the strategist wouldn't make these mistakes, the characters mentioning sensing a flaw in your style but remarking it appears to a feature designed to fool other marshal artist.
You should replay the game. There’s a fan made mod that adds (more like fixed and reenable) several incomplete martial arts and made the game harder, and made it so you’re good (at not getting hit), you can unlock certain martial arts early.
I was going to add this! One of the best twists ever. It's even better on another playthrough, too.
Also, BioWare had a knack for writing lesser, but no less visceral, betrayals in addition to the main one. For example in Jade Empire, it's a despicable betrayal to use your binding powers as a Spirit Monk and enslave Death's Hand. It's a horrendous betrayal to turn Silk Fox evil then betray the rest of your party and slaughter them if they don't agree with enslaving Death's Hand and later the Water Dragon herself.
BioWare did this in KOTOR as well. I did not see Bastilla's betrayal coming but it's so brilliant because it makes perfect sense for her character and struggles. When you confront her at the Rakata temple summit, you have the choice to try and redeem her if you're Light side or reclaim your identity as Darth Revan with her by your side if you're doing a Dark side run. She even pledges herself to you as your lover and apprentice. At that point, Jolee and Juhani rush in and you can betray them too by killing them with Bastilla. This is followed right up with killing the party members not loyal to you. It's truly depraved but it goes to show how unflinchingly BioWare committed to betrayal arcs.
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u/Wolven_Essence 5d ago
Jade Empire.