Chapter 8

0008 ———————————————-

A Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng

After that day, I continued to receive personal guidance from Master Jin Soqing. Contrary to what I thought would last only a month, it seemed that Jin Soqing was determined to teach me enthusiastically. Of course, there was a hidden agenda, so I didn't believe in the concept of a "master-disciple bond."

Two months passed.

Kuuu...

My entire body ached. I felt as if the round, pill-like energy stored in my dantian was burning and melting into blackness. Sweat poured from my forehead and back, leaving a sticky dampness where I sat.

Finally, when I had completely melted the energy, I opened my eyes.

Jin Soqing chuckled and said, "You've melted all the inner energy from the Three Treasures Heart Method. It took you exactly two months, didn't it?"

"Yes. I practiced the Leilong Yiqigong diligently for two months."

During these two months, I only learned the practice method of Leilong Yiqigong. I didn't learn any martial techniques or agility methods.

Jin Soqing didn't insist on sparring anymore and instead made me practice Leilong Yiqigong even during meal times. The reason was that the faster I melted the energy from the Three Treasures Heart Method, the more beneficial it would be. Therefore, I practiced sitting and walking meditation for seven periods a day, almost obsessively.

As I melted the inner energy from the Three Treasures Heart Method, I felt a powerful force spreading through my entire bloodstream. It felt like I had gone from riding a weak donkey that could only hobble along to mounting a swift horse and galloping with vigor. Moreover, Leilong Yiqigong was an excellent first-class qigong technique, so I had accumulated a significant amount of inner energy.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, Jin Soqing swung the wooden sword in his hand and brought it in front of my eyes. The speed was so fast that the wind brushed past my nose. As I stared at the sword tip, Master Jin Soqing said, "How about it? Can you see my sword a little more clearly now?"

I answered honestly, "Yes, I can see it more clearly than before."

It wasn't just a pretense; it was the truth. In the past, when Jin Soqing swung his sword, I could only see a blurry afterimage. Now, I could see the outline and direction of the sword, even if only slightly. I felt that with proper movement, I could avoid it.

"As your inner energy level increases, your eyesight naturally improves. Eyesight is very important in martial arts, so it's safe to say that your martial arts skills have improved."

I felt an overall increase in my physical strength, power, and recovery ability. I smiled.

"That's a relief."

"From today, I will teach you martial techniques... I think I'll start with the spear."

"A spear?"

I had trained in sword techniques for several decades. Although I would have to start from scratch with these techniques, I had a certain level of proficiency in using a sword. But suddenly being told to use a spear!

Jin Soqing said, "Of course, the spear is stronger."

"What do you mean?"

Jin Soqing confidently explained, "Most martial artists use swords or sabers, and those who use spears are in the minority. Do you know why?"

"..."

"Of course, it's because the spear is an extremely powerful weapon. A well-trained spear user can defeat anyone. The government dislikes people carrying spears, so they choose swords or sabers as a second option. Fundamentally, the spear is the basic and pinnacle of all weapons."

"I see."

I somehow understood.

Even if villagers were ignorant and weak, when they equipped themselves with bamboo or iron spears and gathered in groups of dozens, they could not be taken lightly. I had even seen a second-tier expert pierced by such peasant soldiers. While it was a case of an individual against a group, it was clear that the spear could easily reduce the gap in martial arts skills.

"But isn't Master Jin Soqing good with swords?"

"My sword skills are very humble. My specialty is the spear, so I have no choice."

Whoosh!

After saying that, Jin Soqing lightly threw the sword, which accurately landed and stuck in the scabbard five feet away. It was something an ordinary person couldn't even imitate, clearly showing that he was a master.

"Don't be disappointed. Once you master the Leiling Bashi, I will also teach you sword techniques."

"Leiling Bashi?"

"It's the name of the spear technique I will teach you."

Swoosh

Jin Soqing handed me a wooden spear for practice. I held it awkwardly, knowing only the basics. He said, "Ba Xiong, I know you don't have much talent. But spear techniques are a martial art that can reach the pinnacle with perseverance and effort! I will bring out your potential to its limits."

"..."

As I stared blankly at Jin Soqing, he asked curiously, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"No, it's just... I'm wondering why you would invest so much in me."

I hadn't eaten the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng yet, nor had I taken any other elixirs.

However, I knew that receiving personal guidance from Jin Soqing was a rare opportunity. Even a wealthy family would not be able to enjoy such a privilege. I was curious about why Jin Soqing was spending so much time on me.

"You're really honest."

"Master Li Guang or Master Jin Soqing, neither of you are someone to be underestimated. I don't see why you would be so obsessed with a young disciple."

The reason I pointed this out was that I was confident I was now on the same boat as Jin Soqing. If it was just Leilong Yiqigong, it would be different, but teaching me a secret spear technique like Leiling Bashi meant he had fully accepted me as a disciple. Therefore, I thought that even if I asked directly, Jin Soqing wouldn't immediately reject me.

Jin Soqing smiled bitterly.

"Reason... I'll tell you when you can do the work of one person. You're a presumptuous one, trying to fly when you can't even run."

"I see."

"Ba Xiong, just focus on learning for now."

Jin Soqing's next words became a maxim that I would think about for the rest of my life.

"You can think about the reason after you become stronger."

Time passed.

A year went by quickly.

With no place to return to, I made this place my home, repeating the daily routine of eating, sleeping, and practicing.

In the second year, I felt a bit lonely.

My body was growing, and I was entering adolescence.

By the third year, I could last twenty moves in sparring with Jin Soqing.

Clang!!

My iron spear made a loud metallic sound as it was deflected. Jin Soqing lightly retracted his wooden sword and scolded me, "When will I be able to use a spear against you, Ba Xiong?"

"Probably never in my lifetime."

I grumbled and sat down.

It had been three years since I started receiving direct instruction from Jin Soqing at the Qinglong Martial Hall, but I still hadn't seen his true skills. He had only used a wooden sword against me and never his real specialty, the spear.

I had grown from a child's body and was now a young adult, but I was still far from matching Jin Soqing's skills. Feeling depressed, I muttered, and Jin Soqing said, "You've learned the Qinglong Martial Hall's Leiling Bashi, Leiyin Jianfa, and Leiyin Bu. Why are you so sulky? If you master all of them, you could defeat me."

"I'm not a genius."

I knew that.

I probably wouldn't be able to catch up to Jin Soqing even if I lived a thousand years.

In the past three years, I had learned the secret techniques of the Qinglong Martial Hall, including the spear technique Leiling Bashi, the sword technique Leiyin Jianfa, and the agility technique Leiyin Bu. I had achieved about 50% proficiency in Leiyin Jianfa, which suited my nature. I had also steadily practiced Leilong Yiqigong, and my inner energy was on par with other young disciples.

However, Jin Soqing had become even stronger over the past three years. I couldn't even see his limits, which left me speechless.

'Is he really one of the future Ten Great Experts of the World, the First Spear of Central Plains...?'

Jin Soqing rested the wooden sword on his shoulder and scratched his belly, saying, "It's been three years since you came to our martial hall, hasn't it?"

"By the years, yes."

"Go back to your hometown once."

I was startled by Jin Soqing's sudden suggestion.

"Me? My hometown?"

"Yes. Don't you think you should let your village know if you're alive or dead?"

"..."

Should I even call that place my hometown?

A place where I cleaned up horse manure and ate in the stable.

A place where everyone in the village looked down on me and where I was beaten by my peers.

A place where I had no friends and had to escape to the escort company.

There were no good memories, not even if I searched with a fine-tooth comb.

"From your lack of intention to send a letter, I can guess, but a hometown is still a hometown. You'll be busier from now on, so it might be good to clear your mind by going back once."

It made sense.

I had no affection for my hometown, but I agreed that I needed to clear my mind. Of course, I would do it my way.

I smiled wryly.

"Alright, I'll go."

"I've already talked to the hall master. I'll give you some travel money and three months' time. Take as much of the hometown air as you want during that time."

"Yes."

Hometown air.

What would that feel like?

One thing was certain: I wouldn't let that air sit still.

The next morning, I packed my bags and left the Qinglong Martial Hall. After being confined for three years, even the city of Guanzhong looked new to me. I considered renting a horse at a relay station, but decided against it because it would be too expensive.

'The reason for clearing my mind... is it because they want to put me in the Jinyiwei?'

Jinyiwei!

The second major power in the current imperial court and a martial organization filled with excellent experts. Whenever I met Hall Master Li Guang for tea, he showed a strong obsession with the Jinyiwei. Despite being a master of the orthodox school and a former instructor at the Yulin Army, Li Guang seemed to miss his time working for the Jinyiwei more.

Jin Soqing also often mentioned the Jinyiwei. It was clear that their intentions were related to the Jinyiwei. However, why would they, who were running the Qinglong Martial Hall and living well, want to be involved with the Jinyiwei? The Jinyiwei didn't offer special treatment and often looked down on those involved in the organization's secrets, which I couldn't understand.

Regardless, from the way they talked, it was clear they were planning to use me for something soon.

'If it doesn't work out, I'll run.'

If there's a conspiracy, I'll just stay out of it.

I traveled along the main road for two days, resting at inns or houses along the way. Unlike when I first came to the Qinglong Martial Hall, I was traveling leisurely and comfortably.

Then it happened.

"Ha ha ha!! Where are you going~?"

Five bandits emerged from the grass by the road. I confirmed their attire; they seemed to be regular bandits from the Green Forest Gang. They would have basic martial skills, making them troublesome opponents. I calmly looked at them and said, "I don't have any money. I'll give you everything I have, so please back off."

"Really? No money?"

The hairy bandit at the front grinned and shouted in a hoarse voice, his strong killing intent spreading.

"Then I'll just cut your belly open!!"

Swish!

Two bandits rushed at me, swinging their swords. I used Leiyin Bu to quickly dodge, avoiding any cuts. If it had been three years ago, I would have struggled to dodge, but now it was no problem.

'They're just bandits who kill and rob passersby.'

There were two types of bandits.

Those who just rob and those who kill and rob.

People often thought the latter was more common, but it was the opposite. The more people died and the more notorious the bandits became, the more likely the government would send a raiding party. Therefore, most bandits from the Green Forest Gang just took the valuables and let the victims go. Escort companies and bandits also had an unwritten agreement to pay "tribute" to each other.

However, the bandits I encountered now seemed to belong to the minority. They were the type who killed everyone and robbed them, then wandered aimlessly. They were a particularly bad group, even among bandits, and were often shunned by other bandits.

If I had met these bandits three years ago, this would have been my grave. But I smiled coldly.

"I may not be able to defeat Jin Soqing, but—"

"Huh?!"

Swish!

As soon as I drew my sword from my waist, I used the technique Leiyin Yixian to cleanly behead two bandits. Before the remaining bandits could react, I moved swiftly and struck one in the chest with my palm.

With a thud, the bandit's chest caved in, and he spat blood. His ribs were crushed, and he had no chance of survival.

"Ah, ah!"

"That guy is a martial artist..."

The remaining two bandits, realizing something was wrong, turned to run, but I chased after them and beheaded them one by one. The sensation of slicing through flesh was something I hadn't felt in a long time. Although I felt tense at first, I soon regained my composure.

I wiped the blood from my sword with a cloth and muttered, "I'm almost at the village."

My eyes glinted slightly.

"Maybe I'll pay a visit to the village chief's house."

============================ Author's Afterword ============================

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