In truth, I couldn't say that I had fully mastered the secret technique, Heavenly Pillar Slaying, from the Brain Shadow Manual. While I knew how to roughly use Heavenly Pillar Slaying, I couldn't control the flow of inner energy in detail to unleash its full power. For example, I couldn't dodge an enemy's attack as skillfully as my senior brother, Jin So-chun, who had toyed with the sword techniques of a prominent disciple of the Zhongnan Sect with ease. I might be able to match his speed, but that was entirely due to my inner energy.
To fully master Heavenly Pillar Slaying, one needed either innate talent or tremendous effort. When I said I had "mastered" it, it only meant that I could mimic it to some extent. The reason I sought practical combat experience with experts was because of the theory that in life-and-death confrontations, one's focus on inner energy would naturally improve, and the skills would be ingrained in the body.
Ugh...
It had been about a month since I started living in this house. During that time, I reviewed and practiced the martial arts I had learned, including the Heavenly Pillar Slaying from the Brain Shadow Manual. I also worked on improving my control over the inner energy flowing through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. Although it might seem meaningless, I believed that this process and training would ultimately benefit me.
'No, it's too difficult.'
Today, I felt frustrated again because I couldn't properly execute Heavenly Pillar Slaying. The detailed control was too hard. If I could master this, it would enhance my overall martial arts skills, making me faster and stronger, but why was it so difficult?
I needed some kind of breakthrough.
I had a hunch that I needed to elevate my skills to the next level before the Imperial Examination Tournament.
'Let me try to gather some information.'
After much deliberation, I decided to leave the house and wander around the city of Luoyang, hoping to obtain any information that might help my martial arts skills.
The first place I headed to was the cave bridge beyond Changxin Street, where the beggars of the Beggar Sect were said to reside. According to what I had heard from Dian Xiao'er, there was a branch of the Beggar Sect here. As I approached the cave bridge, I could feel the beggars glancing at me.
I looked at them from the top of the cave bridge and then jumped down. The beggars, who had built shacks on the gravel by the stream, immediately focused their attention on me. I slowly walked towards them and said,
"I heard there are members of the Beggar Sect here."
"What brings the new guest of the Han Family Estate here?"
A beggar shuffled forward. I could sense that his aura was not ordinary. He might be the branch leader of this place. Since I considered him a senior in the martial world, I made a fist salute and said,
"My name is Baixiong. I came here to buy information."
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that."
"Who are you to refuse me so easily?"
The beggar scratched his teeth with his fingernails and smiled.
"I am Wuyingfeng, the branch leader of the Luoyang branch of the Beggar Sect. I have the authority to sell information."
"Is that so?"
"Frankly speaking, we have no intention of selling you any information."
I knew that the branch leaders of the Beggar Sect held significant status in the martial world. Even during my days as a bodyguard, I had learned that only branch leaders of the Beggar Sect, who had gathered the best beggars in the world, could receive the highest-level martial arts and engage in righteous activities. Some of them were even more skilled than the top disciples of major sects, which was why people in the martial world were cautious when dealing with the Beggar Sect.
I decided to take a firm stance.
Swish - Thud!
"......!!"
The gold ingot I threw from my sleeve landed just in front of Wuyingfeng's feet. Wuyingfeng and the surrounding beggars were stunned, especially Wuyingfeng, whose face changed visibly.
I glared at Wuyingfeng and said,
"If I'm in such a situation, I need to buy information even more. Give me any information you have in exchange for this gold ingot. That's my demand."
Wuyingfeng swallowed hard.
"Y-You're serious? You're willing to give this just for information?"
"Pick it up quickly before I change my mind."
"......"
Wuyingfeng hesitated. He knew he should refuse my offer rationally, but the golden ingot at his feet was too tempting. He finally bent down and slowly picked up the ingot, marveling at it.
"To throw it so hard and yet have it undamaged by your inner energy... You've mastered the Internal Heavy Hand Technique (內家重手法)."
"Enough talk. Now, tell me the truth. Share everything you know about this situation."
"I suppose I must. But first, can you clear away the eyes watching us from the cave bridge?"
Wuyingfeng looked towards the top of the cave bridge.
"You must take responsibility for your words."
"Understood. I'll handle it."
"Of course."
I had also sensed someone watching us from there, so I slowly reached for my waist. In the next moment, I drew my sword and leaped onto the cave bridge, unleashing the Heavenly Pillar Slaying.
Whoosh!
With the speed of a flying tiger, I covered over twenty feet in an instant, landing in a deserted alley. The figure there was startled and cursed.
"Damn!!"
Clang
"Aaaaah..."
The attacker tried to block my sword and flee, but he was mistaken. Even the elders of the Zhongnan Sect, who were among the top experts in the world, found it hard to block my powerful sword. This rat-like thief had no chance. The Thundering Spirit Technique immediately paralyzed his upper body, and he fell to his knees.
"Ah, ah, spare me..."
I noticed he was wearing a night robe (夜行衣). In such attire, he could easily hide in the alley even during the day. I had ignored him because his aura was insignificant, but now I realized it was suspicious. If I hadn't been a guest of the Han Family Estate, they would have attacked me long ago.
Wuyingfeng continued,
"Did you notice the strange auras around your house for the past month?"
Professional thieves and spies had been circling my house. I had ignored them because their auras were weak, but now I understood it was serious. If I hadn't been a guest of the Han Family Estate, they would have attacked me already.
I remained silent, and Wuyingfeng continued,
"Since you understand, leave now. Don't be upset."
"That's strange. If I'm a wealthy man and at the center of a storm, shouldn't you be more eager to take my treasure? Your words and actions don't match."
"Heh heh. What a joke."
Wuyingfeng chuckled.
"We know that you, Baixiong, possess unparalleled inner energy. We're not foolish enough to risk losing by dealing with you. Besides, the Han Family Estate... It's wise not to provoke a tiger by plucking its whiskers."
I decided to take a tough approach.
Swish - Thud!
"......!!"
The gold ingot I threw from my sleeve landed just in front of Wuyingfeng's feet. Wuyingfeng and the surrounding beggars were stunned, especially Wuyingfeng, whose face changed visibly.
I glared at Wuyingfeng and said,
"If I'm in such a situation, I need to buy information even more. Give me any information you have in exchange for this gold ingot. That's my demand."
Wuyingfeng swallowed hard.
"Y-You're serious? You're willing to give this just for information?"
"Pick it up quickly before I change my mind."
"......"
Wuyingfeng hesitated. He knew he should refuse my offer rationally, but the golden ingot at his feet was too tempting. He finally bent down and slowly picked up the ingot, marveling at it.
"To throw it so hard and yet have it undamaged by your inner energy... You've mastered the Internal Heavy Hand Technique (內家重手法)."
"Enough talk. Now, tell me the truth. Share everything you know about this situation."
"I suppose I must. But first, can you clear away the eyes watching us from the cave bridge?"
Wuyingfeng looked towards the top of the cave bridge.
"You must take responsibility for your words."
"Understood. I'll handle it."
"Of course."
I had also sensed someone watching us from there, so I slowly reached for my waist. In the next moment, I drew my sword and leaped onto the cave bridge, unleashing the Heavenly Pillar Slaying.
Whoosh!
With the speed of a flying tiger, I covered over twenty feet in an instant, landing in a deserted alley. The figure there was startled and cursed.
"Damn!!"
Clang
"Aaaaah..."
The attacker tried to block my sword and flee, but he was mistaken. Even the elders of the Zhongnan Sect, who were among the top experts in the world, found it hard to block my powerful sword. This rat-like thief had no chance. The Thundering Spirit Technique immediately paralyzed his upper body, and he fell to his knees.
"Ah, ah, spare me..."
I noticed he was wearing a night robe (夜行衣). In such attire, he could easily hide in the alley even during the day. I had ignored him because his aura was insignificant, but now I understood it was serious. If I hadn't been a guest of the Han Family Estate, they would have attacked me already.
I remained silent, and Wuyingfeng continued,
"Since you understand, leave now. Don't be upset."
"That's strange. If I'm a wealthy man and at the center of a storm, shouldn't you be more eager to take my treasure? Your words and actions don't match."
"Heh heh. What a joke."
Wuyingfeng chuckled.
"We know that you, Baixiong, possess unparalleled inner energy. We're not foolish enough to risk losing by dealing with you. Besides, the Han Family Estate... It's wise not to provoke a tiger by plucking its whiskers."
I decided to take a tough approach.
Swish - Thud!
"......!!"
The gold ingot I threw from my sleeve landed just in front of Wuyingfeng's feet. Wuyingfeng and the surrounding beggars were stunned, especially Wuyingfeng, whose face changed visibly.
I glared at Wuyingfeng and said,
"If I'm in such a situation, I need to buy information even more. Give me any information you have in exchange for this gold ingot. That's my demand."
Wuyingfeng swallowed hard.
"Y-You're serious? You're willing to give this just for information?"
"Pick it up quickly before I change my mind."
"......"
Wuyingfeng hesitated. He knew he should refuse my offer rationally, but the golden ingot at his feet was too tempting. He finally bent down and slowly picked up the ingot, marveling at it.
"To throw it so hard and yet have it undamaged by your inner energy... You've mastered the Internal Heavy Hand Technique (內家重手法)."
"Enough talk. Now, tell me the truth. Share everything you know about this situation."
"I suppose I must. But first, can you clear away the eyes watching us from the cave bridge?"
Wuyingfeng looked towards the top of the cave bridge.
"You must take responsibility for your words."
"Understood. I'll handle it."
"Of course."
I had also sensed someone watching us from there, so I slowly reached for my waist. In the next moment, I drew my sword and leaped onto the cave bridge, unleashing the Heavenly Pillar Slaying.
Whoosh!
With the speed of a flying tiger, I covered over twenty feet in an instant, landing in a deserted alley. The figure there was startled and cursed.
"Damn!!"
Clang
"Aaaaah..."
The attacker tried to block my sword and flee, but he was mistaken. Even the elders of the Zhongnan Sect, who were among the top experts in the world, found it hard to block my powerful sword. This rat-like thief had no chance. The Thundering Spirit Technique immediately paralyzed his upper body, and he fell to his knees.
"Ah, ah, spare me..."
I noticed he was wearing a night robe (夜行衣). In such attire, he could easily hide in the alley even during the day. I had ignored him because his aura was insignificant, but now I understood it was serious. If I hadn't been a guest of the Han Family Estate, they would have attacked me already.
I remained silent, and Wuyingfeng continued,
"Since you understand, leave now. Don't be upset."
"That's strange. If I'm a wealthy man and at the center of a storm, shouldn't you be more eager to take my treasure? Your words and actions don't match."
"Heh heh. What a joke."
Wuyingfeng chuckled.
"We know that you, Baixiong, possess unparalleled inner energy. We're not foolish enough to risk losing by dealing with you. Besides, the Han Family Estate... It's wise not to provoke a tiger by plucking its whiskers."
I decided to take a tough approach.
Swish - Thud!
"......!!"
The gold ingot I threw from my sleeve landed just in front of Wuyingfeng's feet. Wuyingfeng and the surrounding beggars were stunned, especially Wuyingfeng, whose face changed visibly.
I glared at Wuyingfeng and said,
"If I'm in such a situation, I need to buy information even more. Give me any information you have in exchange for this gold ingot. That's my demand."
Wuyingfeng swallowed hard.
"Y-You're serious? You're willing to give this just for information?"
"Pick it up quickly before I change my mind."
"......"
Wuyingfeng hesitated. He knew he should refuse my offer rationally, but the golden ingot at his feet was too tempting. He finally bent down and slowly picked up the ingot, marveling at it.
"To throw it so hard and yet have it undamaged by your inner energy... You've mastered the Internal Heavy Hand Technique (內家重手法)."
"Enough talk. Now, tell me the truth. Share everything you know about this situation."
"I suppose I must. But first, can you clear away the eyes watching us from the cave bridge?"
Wuyingfeng looked towards the top of the cave bridge.
"You must take responsibility for your words."
"Understood. I'll handle it."
"Of course."
I had also sensed someone watching us from there, so I slowly reached for my waist. In the next moment, I drew my sword and leaped onto the cave bridge, unleashing the Heavenly Pillar Slaying.
Whoosh!
With the speed of a flying tiger, I covered over twenty feet in an instant, landing in a deserted alley. The figure there was startled and cursed.
"Damn!!"
Clang
"Aaaaah..."
The attacker tried to block my sword and flee, but he was mistaken. Even the elders of the Zhongnan Sect, who were among the top experts in the world, found it hard to block my powerful sword. This rat-like thief had no chance. The Thundering Spirit Technique immediately paralyzed his upper body, and he fell to his knees.
"Ah, ah, spare me..."
I noticed he was wearing a night robe (夜行衣). In such attire, he could easily hide in the alley even during the day. I had ignored him because his aura was insignificant, but now I understood it was serious. If I hadn't been a guest of the Han Family Estate, they would have attacked me already.
I remained silent, and Wuyingfeng continued,
"Since you understand, leave now. Don't be upset."
"That's strange. If I'm a wealthy man and at the center of a storm, shouldn't you be more eager to take my treasure? Your words and actions don't match."
"Heh heh. What a joke."
Wuyingfeng chuckled.
"We know that you, Baixiong, possess unparalleled inner energy. We're not foolish enough to risk losing by dealing with you. Besides, the Han Family Estate... It's wise not to provoke a tiger by plucking its whiskers."
I decided to take a tough approach.
Swish - Thud!
"......!!"
The gold ingot I threw from my sleeve landed just in front of Wuyingfeng's feet. Wuyingfeng and the surrounding beggars were stunned, especially Wuyingfeng, whose face changed visibly.
I glared at Wuyingfeng and said,
"If I'm in such a situation, I need to buy information even more. Give me any information you have in exchange for this gold ingot. That's my demand."
Wuyingfeng swallowed hard.
"Y-You're serious? You're willing to give this just for information?"
"Pick it up quickly before I change my mind."
"......"
Wuyingfeng hesitated. He knew he should refuse my offer rationally, but the golden ingot at his feet was too tempting. He finally bent down and slowly picked up the ingot, marveling at it.
"To throw it so hard and yet have it undamaged by your inner energy... You've mastered the Internal Heavy Hand Technique (內家重手法)."
"Enough talk. Now, tell me the truth. Share everything you know about this situation."
"I suppose I must. But first, can you clear away the eyes watching us from the cave bridge?"
Wuyingfeng looked towards the top of the cave bridge.
"You must take responsibility for your words."
"Understood. I'll handle it."
"Of course."
I had also sensed someone watching us from there, so I slowly reached for my waist. In the next moment, I drew my sword and leaped onto the cave bridge, unleashing the Heavenly Pillar Slaying.
Whoosh!
With the speed of a flying tiger, I covered over twenty feet in an instant, landing in a deserted alley. The figure there