Chapter 2: Lesson 1

Chapter 2: Lesson 1

South Jianghu, Heavenly Demon Continent
Ten Thousand Mountains, Heavenly Demon Divine Cult
Gongtai Mountain
1996

Throughout the territory of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult are countless mountains, it is why it is called Ten Thousand Mountains, and while it may not possess exactly ten thousand mountains, the number is no less than one thousand. 

Near the center of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and the second highest mountain after the Heavenly Demon Majesty lies Gongtai Mountain, the abode of Elder Chen Gong and the residence of all who are sworn to him.

Unlike the Heavenly Demon Majesty which reaches past the clouds into the heavens, Gongtai Mountain’s peak lies within the clouds, giving it a foggy appearance and evoking a feeling of mystery to all who visit. 

The mountain is filled with trees, lakes, rivers, and caves, and countless creatures from mortal animals to demonic beasts dwell there. 

At the very peak of the mountain is what could easily be confused for a city filled with towers, pagodas, and houses. At the center of this city is a massive pagoda as tall as the tallest of skyscrapers; it is the personal dwelling of Chen Gong himself while also serving as a training ground for the mountain’s inhabitants. 

Within a courtyard on the ground floor of the pagoda the six boys stand at attention before one of Chen Gong.

It had taken Chen Gong a week to convince the boys to accept his offer, a fact that would send the Jianghu into an uproar should it be made known. Still, between his persuasive skills and the prospect of “magical power” the boys had relented, especially after Cao Cao’s descendant had acquiesced. Then it had taken Chen Gong another three days to get rid of their malnourished state by stuffing them full of demonic beast meat before having them drink tea with the most nourishing of qi. And finally Chen Gong finds them ready to begin their training. 

“As you were told last week, today is the first day of martial training. The Martial Way is a long, harrowing and arduous path with infinite possibilities and no true end. There is always a stage above yours, a power above yours, a martial way above yours, and a heaven above what you can see. If you learn anything from me it should be this, just because you do not know what the next stage is does not mean that there is no next stage. Is that understood?” asks Chen Gong. 

“Yes master!” screams the boys at the top of their lungs. 

“Good.” replies their master with a satisfied nod. “Now, let us begin with the basics.” 

“The first realm of The Martial Way is the Body Transformation Realm which has seven stages. Strength Training, Flesh Training, Viscera Training, Altering Muscle, Bone Forging, Meridian Discovery, and Tempering Marrow. The Body Transformation Realm is exactly as it sounds, it is the realm where one transforms the body and cleanses it of impurities in order to set the foundation for the later realms.” says the instructor

“Strength Training, the very first step in cultivation; in this step, a cultivator will strengthen their mortal bodies as a foundation. At the completion of this step cultivators will unlock their qi.

Flesh Training is the second step, and it cleanses and strengthens the outer parts of the body using one's qi. The epidermis of the skin can be infused with qi, strengthening it.

Viscera Training, similar to flesh training, cleanses and strengthens the organs to the point that the breath of a cultivator would release snakes, and allows the organs to reach the peak of a mortal human.

Altering Muscle, using qi, cleanses and strengthens all tissue. Muscles can use qi more effectively allowing a mortal to fight on par with demonic beasts and other supernatural beings.

Bone Forging is when a martial artist can permeate their bones with their qi, strengthening it.

Meridian Discovery. At this stage cultivators can finally internally see within their bodies to see their meridians and acupuncture. 

And finally tempering marrow, the final stage of Body Transformation. At this stage a cultivator uses their touki to cleanse their marrow to at least 60%. The average cultivator can at most do 70%, geniuses can do up to 90%, and geniuses among geniuses can do up 95%. Of course there are rare cases of 100%, but those are extremely rare even during the golden age of cultivation.

Should any of you possess any form of talent for The Martial Way you will reach the end of this realm before you turn twelve years of age.” explains their instructor. 

“To advance in the Body Transformation Realm I shall impart to you the Mortal Dragon Fist. A complete martial art which possesses complete forms of a fighting technique, a movement technique, and a breathing technique which facilitates the previous two.” 

“Martial arts are any techniques which allows the practitioner to interact with The Martial Way. They are divided into different categories ranging from fighting techniques, combat techniques, to cultivation techniques, to movement techniques, etc… 

Complete martial arts are martial arts which contain at the very least a fighting technique and a breathing technique, the breathing technique to be done simultaneously as the fighting technique to achieve miraculous results. Those results can range from physical enhancements, to elemental manipulation, and even physical transformations.

The breathing technique of the Five Elemental Fist, when done in conjunction with the combat technique, not only physically enhances the practitioner but also draws in the qi of the world and combines it with the practitioner’s own qi to cleanse the body, allowing for the completion of the Body Transformation Realm. Now, follow my movements.” says Chen Gong.

For the next hour the instructor guides them through the forms of the Five Elemental Fist, correcting their forms and guiding them on how to breathe as they complete the movements.

The Five Elemental Fist is a foundational martial art created by Chen Gong using his understanding of the body and nature. As stated in the name, the Five Elemental Fist consists of five forms with a singular breathing technique tying them together. The five forms, Wood Fist, Fire Fist, Earth Fist, Metal Fist and Water Fist each embodies aspects of their respective elements. 

The Wood Fist for example is strong and flexible, allowing the martial artist to deliver powerful blows while also allowing them to modify their stance for either defense or offense. 

As Chen Gong explains this to them, Cao Yin cannot help but become entranced while pondering the characteristics of the elements and their relation with the different forms. 

Earth, of the five elements, is the “neutral” element. Though each element possesses its own characteristics, Earth is the balancing force, often acting as the mediator between the other elements. It stabilizes and harmonizes the others, preventing extreme imbalances. It is the element of stability, groundedness, and is the center point of the elements. 

As this thought enters Cao Yin’s mind he subconsciously shifts to the starting stance of the Earth Fist, his feet firmly planted on the ground and his body taking a position reminiscent of a horse stance. From there he executes the different following stances of the Earth Fist, his movements stable and firm as if he were a mountain. 

After going through a single cycle of the Earth Fist, Cao Ying repeats the process twice more before upon the fourth cycle instead of following the sequential order of the stances Cao Ying begins to perform them at a seemingly random order, however upon closer inspection one would notice that he performs them as if he were facing an enemy with each stance specifically chosen to correspond with a specific situation in the battle. 

This goes on for an hour, with Cao Ying performing the stances in no particular order while Chen Gong continues to instruct the other four boys.  

After an hour however, all of the boys tire themselves out and are forced to rest; save for Cao Cao’s descendant who continues to go through the stances of the Earth Fist as he breathes per the breathing technique. 

Eventually Cao Yin’s trance deepens to such an extent that he feels his heart pound so deeply within his chest that it seems that it would leap out of his body. Still he persists on performing the stances and breathing in the corresponding sequence of the breathing technique for he feels as if he is on the cusp of something great and should he stop now he may never regain this opportunity.  

Soon it is not just his heart, but his lungs too that feel as if they are about to burst, and yet he still persists. 

He was abandoned by his brother and would have been sold by his parents in order to erase their debts had he not run away. In Shanghai, had he not become friends with his four friends he would have long perished. Wu Ying, Cui Meng, Yang Guiren, and Hou De. These four friends of his are the reason why he still lives. Like Wu Ying, Chen Gong sees potential in him and as such took him in. For the second time in his life someone sees value in him and since he has no other way to repay their kindness other than realizing his potential then that is what he will do. He will move forward, step by step, and as stable as a mountain. He may falter and fall but as long as he breathes he will move forward.

As Cao Yin makes his decision he feels as if a shackle around him has been snapped and the world opens itself to him. His vision, which he never had problems with before, opens allowing him to see for miles, his heart, which had been beating rapidly due to the extreme exercise, now beats slowly and stably in a rhythm which the earth matches, and his lungs, which were struggling to continue breathing in accordance with the breathing technique, now seems to have adopted it as its default form of breathing. 

When he next steps on ground he feels an overflowing strength fill him, making his movements more stable and as immovable as a mountain. As if he has not been practicing for hours already, Cao Yin freely flows from one stance to another with a precision and grace that should only come after decades of practice and practical experience. Like this he continues his practice with a seemingly bottomless well of energy while his friends must eventually stop to take a break before continuing.  

Eventually a horrid smell begins to emanate from him while black sweat can be seen excreting from the pores on his body. 

It is not until the sun begins to set that he slowly comes out of his trance and by then the only one left within the practice yard is Chen Gong who regards him with a wide grin. 

“Good work boy.” says Chen Gong. 

“I have a name.” he replies with a glare.

“Until such a time when I acknowledge you, I will call you boy.” Chen Gong replies. “Still, you have accomplished something that almost none have accomplished at this stage; One With Earth.” comments Chen Gong. 

“What is that, One With Earth?” asks Cao Yin, his head tilted in curiosity. 

“We have a library and you know how to read, figure it out.” his teacher replies. “Now, go shower, we have guests arriving soon.” he says while holding his nose.

Rolling his eyes, Cao Yin makes his way to the pagoda that serves as their residence, finding Wu Ying awaiting for him there at the entrance, his clothes still damp with sweat from their training. 

 Seeing his friend, Cao Yin cannot help the smile that grows on his face. 

“You waited. Thanks” says Cao Yin with a grin, receiving only a nod and a hum of acknowledgement from him. 

Not bothered by the response, Cao Yin enters the pagoda with Wu Ying following closely behind. 

Wu Ying is the eldest of the five boys but only by a few months, he is currently the tallest with black hair and eyes just as dark. He was the one to introduce Cao Yin to their group of four and helped him adapt to life on the streets. He is the quietest of the group, rarely speaking unless to add his input and preferring to quietly observe things. Still, to Cao Yin he is the most dependable of the group.

“There is a library here.” says Cao Yin, causing Wu Ying to quicken his pace and catch up to him. 

“Where?” asks Wu Ying.

“I don’t know.” shrugs Cao Yin before stopping a group of servants that walk by.  “Where is the library?” he asks.

“I can lead you to the library, young master. However, you will have to shower first.” says the leading servant as he steps forward. 

Looking down at his clothes drenched in black sweat and sludge, Cao Yin cannot help but grimace in disgust. With a nod he and Wu Ying follow the servant. 

It does not take long for them to shower and change into a fresh set of clothes, a set of blue clothes for Cao Yin while Wu Ying wears black. 

 After dressing the two go their separate ways, with Wu Ying following the servant to the library and Cao Yin making his way to Chen Gong. 

Upon seeing Cao Yin cleaned and dressed properly Chen Gong nods and begins walking; leading the boy out of the Pagoda where they meet what seems to be a handsome young man and a girl no older than Cao Cao’s descendant.

The young man cannot be older than twenty, with long flowing brown hair and blue eyes, dressed in clothes Cao Yin would expect to see on a young master. 

“Greetings Elder Chen Gong.” says the young man as he cups his hands and bows before Chen Gong.

“Mmm, that little kid really sent his daughter to come live on my mountain.” remarks Chen Gong absentmindedly as he studies the girl. 

She is around Cao Yin’s age with luscious black hair and eyes as red as blood and though her clothes are not those of someone poor their quality cannot compare to the young man’s. Her actions however are what pique Cao Yin’s interest. 

He has always been an inquisitive boy, being able to understand or guess at a person’s situation and personality based on their actions and body language even before living on the streets. 

Watching her flinch at the young man’s mere voice and being unable to bow because she is already quite hunched over makes Cao Yin dislike the young man already. 

“Take the young lady to her room and prepare her for her martial arts lessons.” commands Chen Gong, prompting Cao Yin to look up at him with a frown when a woman seemingly appears out of nowhere and gently takes the girl away. He had not noticed her presence at all, that is dangerous. 

That realization makes Cao Yin grip his fist tightly. Chen Gong already explained to him that this world is one much more dangerous than he can imagine but experiencing it first hand on the very first day of his lessons is jarring.  

“Elder Chen Gong, the Six Clans have ordained that she not learn martial arts until she enters The Academy.” argues the young man with a frown, bringing Cao Yin out of his thoughts.

His poor mood and dislike for the man causes him to speak out, “So what?” questions Cao Yin with a glare, prompting the young man to glare at him. 

“This is not the place for you to speak, boy.” reprimands the young man with a sneer. 

 Having lived on the streets Cao Yin has been talked down to, condescended, and sneered at by all manner of people and each time he has never taken it down. It is not within his character to do so, and if it weren’t for Wu Ying and the others he would have died many times over already. 

As such without even thinking he returns the glare tenfold, unknowingly his will melds with the earth and an unseen pressure forces the young man to his knees while making him cough a mouthful of blood. 

“So what if I teach her martial arts? Are they going to ascend my mountain to kill her?” questions Chen Gong with a mocking laugh as the young man struggles not to be flattened under the pressure. “I wish that they would. I’ve been itching for a reason to knock them down a peg or two. Maybe by the time I’m done there won’t be a Six Clans.” Chen Gong adds with a cackle, causing Cao Yin to look up at him and unknowingly release the pressure from the young man.

He may not understand the complete structure of the Heavenly Divine Demon Cult, but he understands that the Six Clans stand directly under the Heavenly Demon. Above all and below one. To say such a thing so confidently, his master must be greater than he thought. 

“Now scram, boy. I am not above making this mountain your resting place for disrespecting my student.” commands Chen Gong as he sends the young man flying down the mountain with a wave of his sleeves. 

Once the young man disappears from their sight Chen Gong looks down at Cao Yin, “I guess I can’t half-heartedly teach you after all.” he comments with a frown. 

Despite having taken Cao Yin in and taught him and his friends the Five Elemental Fist, Chen Gong had no intention of teaching Cao Yin as properly as a master should. Rather he planned on teaching the basics and sending him off to the world to see what he could accomplish. 

Unfortunately things do not always go as planned. In one day he reached the state of One With Earth and made use of the earth’s will to make a martial artist many times more powerful than him kneel before him and cough up blood. At this rate he will have mastered the basics in one year at the latest and crippled himself by trying to learn more advanced things with proper guidance. This is exactly why Chen Gong hates teaching these damn geniuses.

Author’s Note: I’m back. So I realized that the quality of my chapters for Aemon’s story was getting worse. I struggled with the next chapter, but no matter what I did it was still subpar, so I decided to take a temporary break for Aemon’s story and focus on this one to basically reset my mind. Aemon’s story will definitely be back next year around January. Anyway, I rewrote Chapter 2 of The Azure Dragon King and added more details. As usual, tell me what you guys think.