After that day, I continued to receive personal guidance from Master Jin Soucheng. Contrary to what I thought would last only a month, Jin Soucheng seemed eager to teach me. Of course, there was a hidden agenda, so I didn't believe in the "master-disciple bond."
Two months passed like this.
Rrrr...
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 Soucheng 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 Thunder Dragon Qi Gong diligently for two months."
During these two months, I only learned the circulation method of Thunder Dragon Qi Gong. I didn't learn any martial techniques or lightness skills.
Jin Soucheng didn't insist on sparring anymore and instead made me practice Thunder Dragon Qi Gong 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. Because of this, I practiced sitting and walking meditations for seven hours a day, almost obsessively.
As the energy from the Three Treasures Heart Method melted, I felt a powerful force spreading through my entire bloodstream. If before I was riding a weak donkey and limping along, now I felt like I was riding a fine steed and galloping with vigor. Moreover, Thunder Dragon Qi Gong was an excellent first-class qi technique, so I had accumulated a significant amount of inner energy.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Jin Soucheng swung the wooden sword in his hand in front of my eyes. The speed was so fast that the wind brushed past my nose. As I stared at the tip of the sword, Master Jin Soucheng said, "How about it? Can you see my sword a little more clearly now?"
I answered honestly, "Yes, I can see it much more clearly than before."
It wasn't just a pretense; it was the truth. In the past, when Jin Soucheng swung his sword, I could only see a hazy afterimage. Now, I could see the outline and direction of the sword, even if only slightly. I felt that if I moved well, 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 your martial arts have improved."
I felt an overall increase in my physical strength, grip strength, and recovery ability. I smiled.
"That's fortunate."
"From today, I need to teach you martial techniques... I think I'll start with the spear."
"A spear?"
I had trained in sword techniques for decades. Although I would have to start from scratch with these techniques, I had a certain level of proficiency in using swords. But suddenly being told to use a spear!
Jin Soucheng said, "Of course, the spear is stronger."
"What do you mean?"
Jin Soucheng confidently said, "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 person who masters the spear can defeat anyone. The government dislikes people carrying spears, so they reluctantly choose swords or sabers as a second option. Fundamentally, the spear is the foundation and pinnacle of all weapons."
"I see."
I somehow understood.
Even if villagers were ignorant and weak, when they armed themselves with bamboo or iron spears and gathered in groups of dozens, they couldn't be taken lightly. I had even seen a second-rate expert become a pincushion at the hands of such peasant soldiers. Although it was a case of an individual against a group, it was evidence of how powerful a spear could be in reducing the gap in martial arts.
"But isn't Master Jin Soucheng good with swords?"
"My sword skills are very mediocre. My specialty is the spear, so there's no choice."
Whoosh
As he said this, Jin Soucheng lightly swung his sword, which accurately returned to the scabbard five feet away. It was a feat that an ordinary person couldn't even imitate, clearly showing that he was a master.
"Don't be disappointed. Once you master the Eight Thunder Spirit Techniques, I'll also teach you swordsmanship."
"Eight Thunder Spirit Techniques?"
"That's the name of the spear technique I'll teach you."
Swish
Jin Soucheng handed me a practice wooden spear. I held it awkwardly, knowing only the basics. He said, "Baixiong, I know you don't have much talent. But spear techniques are a martial art where perseverance and effort can definitely lead to mastery! I'll push you to your limits."
"......"
As I stared blankly at Jin Soucheng, he asked curiously, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No, it's just... I'm wondering why you're investing so much in me."
I still hadn't eaten the Millennium Snow Ginseng. I hadn't taken any elixirs either.
However, I knew that receiving one-on-one guidance from Jin Soucheng was a rare opportunity. Even a wealthy family would find it hard to enjoy such luxury. I was curious about why Jin Soucheng was spending so much time on me.
"You're being very honest."
"Neither Pavilion Master Li Guang nor Chief Instructor Jin Soucheng are people who can be easily outshone. I don't see why you'd be so fixated on a young disciple."
I pointed this out because I was confident that I was now on the same boat as Jin Soucheng. While I could understand learning Thunder Dragon Qi Gong, being taught the secret spear technique, Eight Thunder Spirit Techniques, meant I was fully accepted into the same school. I believed that even if I asked directly, Jin Soucheng wouldn't immediately reject me.
Jin Soucheng smiled wryly.
"A reason... I'll tell you when you can stand on your own. You're trying to fly when you can't even run, arrogant brat."
"I see."
"Baixiong, just focus on learning for now."
Jin Soucheng's next words became a maxim that I would think about for the rest of my life.
"Reasons can be thought about after you become stronger."
Time passed.
A year (一年) went by quickly.
With no place to return to, I made this place my home and repeated the cycle of eating, sleeping, and practicing every day.
In the second year (二年), I felt a bit lonely.
My body was growing, and I was becoming a young adult, so it seemed like puberty was approaching.
By the third year (三年), I could last twenty moves (二十招) in sparring with Jin Soucheng.
Clang!!
My iron spear made a loud metallic sound as it was deflected. Jin Soucheng lightly retracted his wooden sword and scolded me.
"When will the day come that you can face me with a spear (槍)?"
"Probably never in my lifetime."
I grumbled and sat down.
It had been three years since I started receiving almost direct discipleship from Jin Soucheng at the Qinglong Martial Hall, but I still hadn't brought out 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 into a young adult and had grown taller. However, I was still far from matching Jin Soucheng's skills. Feeling depressed, I muttered, and Jin Soucheng said, "You've learned the Eight Thunder Spirit Techniques, the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique, and the Thunder Shadow Step of our Qinglong Martial Hall. Why are you so sulky? If you had mastered them all, you could have defeated me."
"I'm not a genius."
I knew it.
I would probably never catch up to Jin Soucheng, even if I lived a thousand years.
In the past three years, I had learned the secret techniques of the Qinglong Martial Hall as much as I could. I had mastered the Eight Thunder Spirit Techniques, the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique, and the Thunder Shadow Step. Especially the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique suited me well, and I had achieved a level of five out of ten. Additionally, I had steadily practiced Thunder Dragon Qi Gong, and my inner energy was on par with other young disciples.
However, Jin Soucheng had become even stronger over the past three years. I couldn't even see his limits, leaving me speechless.
'Is he truly one of the future Ten Great Experts and the First Spear of Central Plains?'
Jin Soucheng rested his 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 Soucheng's sudden suggestion and shuddered.
"What? My hometown?"
"Yes. Don't you think you should at least let your village know if you're alive or dead?"
"......"
Could I even call that place my hometown?
A place where I cleaned up cow dung every day and ate and slept 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 the fact that you haven't even sent a letter, I can guess, but a hometown is a hometown. You'll be busier from now on, so I think it's not a bad idea to go back and clear your mind."
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'll talk to Pavilion Master, so I'll give you some 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 would not let that air remain undisturbed.
The next morning, I packed my bags and left the Qinglong Martial Hall. After being confined there for three years, even the city of Guanzhong looked new to me. I thought about riding a horse from a relay station along the way, but decided against it because it would be too expensive.
'The reason for clearing my mind... is he really planning to put me in the Jinyiwei?'
Jinyiwei!
A powerful organization that is both a major force in the current imperial court and a martial group with outstanding experts. Whenever Pavilion Master Li Guang and I drank tea and talked, Li Guang showed a strong obsession with the Jinyiwei. Although he was a master of the orthodox school and a former instructor of the Yulin Army, he seemed to miss his time working in the Jinyiwei even more.
Jin Soucheng 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, so it was hard to understand.
In any case, 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 away.'
If there's a conspiracy, I'll just avoid 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.
That's when it happened.
"Ha ha ha!! Where are you going~?"
Five bandits emerged from the grass by the roadside. 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 have no money. I'll give you everything I have, so please leave."
"Really? No money?"
The hairy bandit at the front grinned and shouted in a hoarse voice. A strong killing intent spread.
"Then I'll just cut open your belly!!"
Swish!
Two bandits rushed at me and swung their swords. I used the Thunder Shadow Step to quickly dodge, so I didn't even get a scratch. 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 might think 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 out a raiding party. Therefore, most bandits from the Green Forest Gang usually just took the valuables and let the victims go. Escort companies and bandits also had an unwritten agreement to pay "protection money."
However, the ones 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 bunch, even among bandits, and were often shunned by their own kind.
If I had met these guys three years ago, this would have been my grave. But I smiled coldly.
"I may not be able to beat Jin Soucheng, but—"
"Huh?!"
Swish!
As soon as I drew my sword from my waist, the first move of the Thunder Shadow One Thread technique cleanly beheaded two bandits. Before the remaining bandits could react, I whirled around and struck one in the chest with my palm.
With a thud, the bandit's chest caved in, and he spat out 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 flee, 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 was tense from killing again after a few years, 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 gleamed slightly.
"Maybe I'll pay a visit to the village chief's house."