The Difference Between Me And An Elder

After watching me fight with the Demonic Horn Warhammer Art, Shunlin fell into deep thought. While she was doing that, I skinned the Golden-Furred Ape. After that, we continued hunting the Demon Twin-Spear Deer and Iron-Claw Bear, and succeeded in hunting them safely.

When we returned to Gyorei Cave, we celebrated the success of the hunt in the dining hall.

“Kou-shixiong, I have a request.”

Hongfa asked me to teach her the Demonic Horn Warhammer Art. Since I had been the one to recommend it, I promised that I would teach her during the assistant instructor period. Then Shunlin said she wanted to learn it too.

“When winter comes and the snow closes everything off, we won’t be able to hunt. We’ll have time then, right? Please.”

When Gyorei Cave was shut in by snow, nothing could be done. Last winter, all I had done was train my qi in the Wallside Hall. Thanks to that, my qi level had risen, but I was left dissatisfied that that was the only result.

When the snow fell, Elder Shanshi’s morning practice was also canceled, which meant there would be even more spare time. I did not think it would be a waste to use that time to instruct Shunlin and the others. Teaching meant reexamining my own knowledge.

“Understood. Until winter ends, I’ll teach you what I know.”

Meimei, who had been silent until then, asked a question.

“Kou-shixiong, are you learning Swallowtail Swordsmanship?”

“I take part in Elder Shanshi’s morning practice, so I practice Swallowtail Swordsmanship there.”

“Please teach me that too.”

“If Elder Shanshi gives permission, I think I can teach that too. By the way, what do you and Hongfa plan to do after the instruction period ends?”

“I think I’ll join the group that Shunlin-shijie is in.”

Apparently, that group was one for studying alchemy. Its final goal was to become a direct disciple of Elder Mon.

In Gyorei Cave, inner disciples were free to teach the sect’s martial arts and alchemy to other inner disciples. That was why those who became assistant instructors could freely instruct new disciples. However, when teaching inner disciples who had passed the three-month new disciple period, it was customary to get permission from one’s master elder or high disciple.

In my case, I needed to get permission from Elder Shanshi. Apparently, Elder Shanshi checked the skill of the inner disciple who would be doing the teaching.

The next day, I went to morning practice and asked Elder Shanshi for permission.

“But it has only been about half a year since you began learning Swallowtail Swordsmanship. Can you really teach it?”

When Elder Shanshi glared at me, it made me feel like I was about to break into a cold sweat.

“I have mastered the basics.”

“Then I must confirm it.”

The elder had his direct disciples move to the side of the training grounds. Yulong was among them. Then, taking up a practice sword, he stepped into the center and beckoned me forward.

I took up a practice sword and stepped into the center of the training grounds.

“Come at me with everything you have.”

“Are you saying I shouldn’t restrict myself to Swallowtail Swordsmanship?”

“That’s right.”

I nodded, then refined Heavy Yin Qi and Floating Yang Qi and sent them into my yin meridians and yang meridians. As a result, the Floating Yang Qi flowing through my yang meridians brought me into the state of Moment of Foam.

Its effect made it feel as though time had slowed. However, even with this, it was difficult to track Elder Shanshi’s movements. So I also used Lone Awakening Eye to pinpoint his position. At that instant, I sensed the enormous qi circulating inside the elder’s body. It was Fifteenth Tier qi. It was Floating Yang Qi, but it seemed to be swirling.

I sent Floating Yang Qi into all the muscles of my body and stimulated them. Doing so made my body feel lighter. This was the basis of Lightness Skill. My strengthened muscles propelled my lightened body forward as though launching it. Unless someone had been watching carefully, it might have looked as though I had vanished for an instant.

Closing the distance, I swept my practice sword toward the elder’s abdomen. Just after it looked like the corners of Elder Shanshi’s mouth lifted slightly in a smile, his figure vanished. I lost sight of him visually, but Lone Awakening Eye had caught the elder leaping diagonally ahead. That elder was trying to leap into my flank.

Keeping my posture low, I stepped sideways and turned my body toward the elder. The elder’s practice sword shot forward, so I braced my own practice sword with my left hand and received it. A tremendous shock ran through me, and my body lifted off the ground.

“Guh.”

Jumping back and regaining my stance, I evaded the elder’s next attack. I somehow deflected the elder’s continuous attacks and counterattacked with the fastest sword I had. He dodged it easily. After that, we exchanged fierce offense and defense, and I somehow managed to defend against the elder’s attacks. But little by little, I was being cornered.

Realizing this would not do, I spun the Floating Yang Qi flowing through my yang meridians into a spiral. When I sent that rotating Floating Yang Qi from my right shoulder into my right hand, the flesh it passed through was activated. I leaped toward the elder and unleashed Eight-Flash Sword, the secret technique of Swallowtail Swordsmanship.

It was a technique that unleashed eight slashes in an instant. Elder Shanshi’s expression turned serious as he knocked away the eight slashes with his practice sword. I jumped backward to open the distance.

As though chasing that movement, the elder leaped, and his practice sword touched my neck.

“I yield.”

Elder Shanshi grinned.

“Not bad. I’ll say you barely pass.”

“Thank you very much.”

Through that mock battle, I felt the difference in power between myself and Elder Shanshi. To close that gap would probably take years, perhaps decades. At that moment, I sensed gazes on me. When I looked that way, I realized they belonged to Yulong and his three friends.

“Those are unpleasant eyes.”

They were eyes containing jealousy, dislike, anger, and more. I had seen that look many times back when I was a detective. I would have to be careful.

“Kou, Swallowtail Swordsmanship does not use Heavy Yin Qi. So why were you using it?”

Elder Shanshi asked me.

“I’ve been trying to mix a strike using Heavy Yin Qi into Eight-Flash Sword, but it still isn’t working well.”

The elder laughed.

“You think of interesting things. Tell me when that idea succeeds.”

“Understood.”