Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 28: Learning Lightness Skill (1)

I felt a surge of excitement.

With the internal energy erupting from my right foot, I realized I might actually be able to perform what they call Lightness Skill.

This time, instead of stomping into a firm step, I pushed off with my right foot as if I were leaping.

Whoosh!

I soared across a distance that would have taken a grown man three full strides to cover in a single bound.

Even if only vaguely, I knew a bit about Lightness Skill from the manual the Phoenix King had given me.

First, to perform Lightness Skill, one had to make the body light. The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠heavier the body, the more internal energy it consumed, so maintaining an appropriate weight was crucial. Above all, internal energy from the Lower Dantian was essential for Lightness Skill.

Of course, even if one could perform Lightness Skill using the Middle Dantian, there was a massive difference in speed and endurance compared to using the energy from the Lower Dantian.

This was because the Lower Dantian was closest to the Yongcheon acupoint on the soles of the feet.

Yet, even now, I couldn't feel a trace of internal energy accumulated in my Lower or Middle Dantians, and yet energy was erupting from my Yongcheon acupoint.

This meant, ultimately, that the energy had gathered in my Upper Dantian.

And indeed, whenever I vented energy through the Yongcheon acupoint, my heavy head felt remarkably refreshed.

‘How did I end up accumulating energy in my Upper Dantian first, without anything in my Lower or Middle Dantians?’

The question arose, but it wasn't something I could easily figure out on my own.

I needed to ask a master who had already opened and operated all three Dantians, but asking such a thing felt risky. It would allow them to see right through my condition.

‘I’ll have to ask the Medical Hall Head indirectly.’

It was a relief that I had become somewhat friendly with her.

With my mind at ease, I spent a few more moments venting energy through my right foot and practicing my leaps. I became so engrossed in the fun of jumping long distances that I kept at it until the break of dawn.

*

The next day, I went to see the Medical Hall Head.

“What brings you here so early in the morning?”

Chong Ae-hyeon looked up from organizing medicinal decoctions and gave me a bright smile.

How could someone look so beautiful just by smiling?

However, I had already resolved to treat a beauty as if she were a mere stone, so I didn't let a smile like that shake me.

“I’d like you to check the wound on my right foot. It feels fully healed, but I want to know if it’s alright to start training.”

Chong Ae-hyeon set down the medicine pot.

“Come sit here and show me your foot.”

Though a bit embarrassed, I presented my right foot.

Without a moment's hesitation, Chong Ae-hyeon placed her palm against the sole of my foot.

‘As expected of a physician. It can’t be easy to touch someone else’s foot like that.’

Oh?

I felt a warmth spreading through my sole. It wasn't just the heat from her palm; it felt like internal energy was seeping in.

‘Does the Medical Hall Head practice Neigong too?’

Now that I thought about it, I had heard that top-tier physicians usually mastered a certain level of internal energy.

Chong Ae-hyeon withdrew her hand and caught her breath.

Then, she opened her eyes and spoke with a look of surprise.

“This is truly strange. Far from being destroyed by the dagger, the Yongcheon acupoint has actually expanded. I’ve never seen a case like this before.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

I wasn't that surprised, as I had expected something of the sort.

Chong Ae-hyeon shook her head.

“No, there’s no problem with the health of the foot. However, I’m not sure if you’ll be able to perform Lightness Skill properly.”

What did she mean by that? If anything, I could now do Lightness Skill when I couldn't before.

I listened intently to her explanation.

“Since the Yongcheon acupoint on your right foot is ten times larger than a normal person's, it’s out of balance with the one on your left. For a master of your level, Young Hero Eo, you already have a sense of balance ingrained from years of practice. It won't be easy to relearn that from scratch.”

I asked her, “Then, what if it were someone learning Lightness Skill for the very first time?”

Chong Ae-hyeon replied with a slight smile.

“In that case, it would be much easier. Someone who has already mastered Lightness Skill has the distribution of leg muscle and power naturally embedded in their body, but a beginner just needs to learn the sensation, and their body will adapt to it.”

I grinned with satisfaction. In the end, it meant I could learn Lightness Skill ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠without much difficulty.

Of course, it would require training.

But compared to the struggle I'd been through, putting the finishing touches on a nearly finished meal was nothing.

Seeing my bright expression, Chong Ae-hyeon asked, “You’ll need grueling training to regain your sense of balance, yet you seem quite happy.”

I stood up and replied, “A martial artist should find joy in being able to train. How could I not be happy when there’s a new challenge ahead of me?”

Chong Ae-hyeon nodded.

“I see. Achieving such heights at such a young age is truly thanks to that passion and effort. You really are extraordinary.”

My face flushed at her praise.

The compliment of a beautiful woman was sweeter than anything else.

I bid her farewell and left the Medical Hall.

Now that my worries were gone, my only thought was to master Lightness Skill as quickly as possible.

Imagining myself soaring through the sky, I returned to my quarters and immediately summoned the Twin Heroes of Guiyang.

I felt the need ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to firmly secure my lifelines before heading out with the Demon Subjugation Group.

Low-level dregs like the Seven Cats couldn't even be used as meat shields, but I felt that if I nurtured the Twin Heroes of Guiyang well, I could turn them into quite respectable masters.

Their passion for martial arts was stronger than anyone else's, so with just a little help, there was a high possibility their skills would improve by leaps and bounds.

With the deployment of the Demon Subjugation Group approaching, I needed to solidify the bond with those who had chosen to become my subordinates.

If I found it difficult to look after myself, using others was not a bad survival strategy.

To make them risk their lives for me, I needed to provide them with appropriate treatment and a sense of belonging.

I made this decision because I knew the example of Ye Yang.

Ye Yang was from the state of Jin and was highly favored and employed by Zhi Bo.

When his lord, Zhi Bo, was killed by Zhao Xiangzi during a power struggle, and his family was killed and his retainers scattered, Ye Yang alone remained and exhausted every effort to kill Zhao Xiangzi.

Though he ultimately failed and took his own life, the words he left behind were famous:

“A scholar dies for the one who recognizes his worth, and a woman beautifies herself for the one who loves her. As a scholar, I will surely avenge my lord.”

There was no reason the Twin Heroes of Guiyang couldn't become like Ye Yang.

No, I wanted to make them that way for my sake.

If even a scholar was like that, how could the weight of a warrior's loyalty be any less?

While I was lost in thought for a moment, the Twin Heroes of Guiyang approached and asked.

“Lord, how is your health?”

I looked closely at the Twin Heroes of Guiyang as they inquired about my well-being.

At a glance, they looked almost like brothers, but their atmospheres and temperaments were quite different.

The Twin Heroes of Guiyang were friends who treated each other like kin.

Their bond was so deep it was said they could understand each other just by looking into each other's eyes.

Since the province of Guizhou had no prominent sects or active martial organizations, they were called the Twin Heroes of Guiyang in the provincial capital, despite their skills not being particularly outstanding.

Still, that name carried some weight in Guizhou.

Of course, they were more famous for their chivalry than their martial prowess.

Both of them used swords.

The relatively silent man was Xing Youzheng, and the one between the two who knew how to crack a joke was Po Zhongyin.

I found myself liking them more and more as the days went by.

Many low-level martial artists had shallow characters due to their lack of cultivation. However, I couldn't find a trace of such vulgarity in these two.

If they only had the skill, the Twin Heroes of Guiyang possessed the qualities of great heroes a hundred times more than I did.

Seeing such men volunteer to be my subordinates made me feel both apologetic and grateful.

Perhaps that was why I felt a deeper affection for them.

“I am healthy, thanks to you both.”

They seemed genuinely happy to hear that I was well.

“I called you here today to swear before the gods of heaven and earth that we shall share life and death together forever.”

Po Zhongyin spoke, sounding moved.

“We are simply grateful for your kindness, Lord.”

Xing Youzheng asked, “But are you not calling the Seven Cats?”

I felt a slight prick of conscience at those words.

I hadn't given much thought to the Seven Cats, considering them just low-level henchmen to be used as needed.

But I couldn't say that out loud, so I came up with a plausible excuse.

“Today is for solidifying our bond; I’ve set aside another day for the Seven Cats. Regardless, my heart goes out first to the two of you, who are like my own two arms. Do not despise me for being biased.”

The two of them were startled by my words.

“Lord, how can you say such a thing? We are simply overwhelmed that you hold us in such high regard.”

Looking at the two moved men with satisfaction, I drew a small dagger.

Low-level martial artists didn't usually perform special ceremonies when forming bonds.

At most, they would swear an oath over a cup of wine.

In the world of the weak, the unspoken rule of hierarchy was: first, the one with skill, and second, the one with money for the drinks.

I stepped into the room and set a cup down in the center.

“It would be best to choose an auspicious day for such an oath, but I thought it wouldn't befit great men to fuss over trivialities when swearing our loyalty. I prepared this suddenly, so please understand.”

As I spoke, Xing Youzheng replied.

“As you say, Lord, it is not about boasting of our bond to others. What matters is our resolve to live and die by our loyalty until the end. The important thing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is our mutual trust; trust doesn't suddenly appear just because others are watching.”

I nodded at his words, took out a small knife, and lightly cut my forearm.

Even a small scratch was frightening, but I couldn't pass up the profit of gaining the Twin Heroes of Guiyang as my subordinates.

Where else could I find such loyal men?

All three of us gathered our blood into the cup. Then, I brought out the wine I had prepared.

“I’ve prepared this wine as a proper gift. As your leader, how could I let such a joyous day pass without a gift? This wine is made from rare herbs like Snow King Ginseng and Fleeceflower Root, which are known to be excellent for internal energy. It should be of some help in advancing your cultivation.”

This wine was made by steeping the small scraps of medicinal herbs that Chong Ae-hyeon had given me while I was hovering between life and death after being struck by the White Horse Ten Canes.

Even if they were just scraps of legendary herbs, they would undoubtedly help their internal energy.

The stronger my inner circle became, the better.

At my words, the Twin Heroes of Guiyang were utterly shocked and moved.

For people like them, they would likely never even see, let alone dream of consuming, legendary herbs that aided internal energy in their entire lives.

Such treasures were usually only found in prestigious and great sects. They were deeply touched that I would offer such precious things to them.

“We will never forget your grace, Lord.”

“What are you saying? Are we not like brothers from this day forward? How can we measure grace with such small things? Just think of it as a gift from a man who is entrusting his life to you today to commemorate our bond.”

Seeing the Twin Heroes of Guiyang moved by my every word, I felt almost apologetic.

We poured the wine into the cup containing our blood. We each took a drink, and since there was still some left, we passed it around for a few more rounds. Because I hadn't had many herbs, I hadn't added much wine, so we could only manage about three cups each.

Soon, seeing the faces of the Twin Heroes of Guiyang flush red, I spoke.

“The medicinal effects are likely taking hold. Perform your Energy Guiding Technique and lead the energy to your Dantians. I will stand guard outside.”

As I stood up, they bowed their heads to express their gratitude.

Even without long, drawn-out words, their eyes were filled with genuine affection for me.

‘With this, I’ve secured two loyal followers.’

I looked at the two of them with a heart full of satisfaction.