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墨書 Inktalez
Two years have passed in the blink of an eye, and Xiong Zhi is now twenty years old.
Xiong Zhi practices swordsmanship here, thrusting towards the sun again and again. There’s nothing else, just thrusting towards the sun. Xiong Zhi has no thoughts of going out to experience the world.
The martial world... is too dangerous. Who among those walking this path doesn’t have a few tricks up their sleeve?
Xiaoyaozi watches Xiong Zhi from the side, offering no additional guidance, merely allowing Xiong Zhi to continue thrusting with the sword.
Whenever money runs out and hunger sets in, Xiaoyaozi will go out to take on an assassination mission. After killing someone and earning some money, he will retreat into seclusion once more.
Those who hire assassins need Xiaoyaozi’s skills, so they won’t leak any information. The targets don’t recognize Xiaoyaozi either, allowing him to live quietly here without any news of his demise circulating in the outside world.
“Master, I’ve already completed two hundred thousand thrusts! Each time I retract the sword before thrusting again!” Xiong Zhi doesn’t count the failed attempts.
“Continue... one thrust followed by another, two hundred thousand.” Xiaoyaozi doesn’t even lift his eyelids, speaking calmly.
“Huh? Master, this…”
“Stop talking nonsense! It’s been two years. If you give up now, it will all be for nothing.”
“Alright then…”
Xiong Zhi continues practicing swordsmanship, thrusting out and then immediately following with another thrust. Each swing results in two strikes, but it’s clear that the speed of the thrusts is decreasing. Two hundred thousand—who knows when that will be achieved?
Another year passes.
“Master, I’ve completed two hundred thousand thrusts! Each thrust consists of two strikes!”
“Hmm, continue—one thrust followed by another two strikes, two hundred thousand.” This statement is almost identical to what was said a year ago, leaving Xiong Zhi somewhat confused and even a bit angry.
“Don’t you want to become strong?” Xiaoyaozi looks at Xiong Zhi. “I won’t let you take any shortcuts. If you learn too many mixed techniques, you won’t develop any truly powerful moves. Specializing in one path... that’s how you will become strong.”
Xiong Zhi paused for a moment and nodded.
In fact, Xiong Zhi did not realize that he had completed two hundred thousand thrusts over two years with one sword thrust and two hundred thousand thrusts in just one year with two thrusts.
He was improving, that was obvious, but the person involved was often confused.
The sword has both rigidity and softness, speed and weight, directness and cunning... The swordsmanship is profound, and Xiong Zhi is currently on a path... fast! Direct! Effective!
Xiong Zhi's sword was not flashy; it was simply a straightforward thrust. However, the speed of that thrust was beyond what an ordinary person could evade.
Unfortunately, he had an unusual master. Not to mention how demanding his master Xiaoyaozi was, just the opponents Xiaoyaozi faced were not something Xiong Zhi could handle. Therefore, Xiong Zhi could not stay by Xiaoyaozi's side, which is why Xiaoyaozi had him practice swordsmanship like this.
"No need to draw the sword; there is no sheath, only the sharp blade!" Xiong Zhi's resolve grew stronger.
Xiong Zhi understood now why Xiaoyaozi had him practice swordsmanship this way.
Although completing two hundred thousand thrusts with two strikes did not make him a novice anymore, there was still a significant gap between him and those god-like masters.
Xiaoyaozi was still watching, not giving up, indicating that Xiong Zhi still had some talent.
One sword with three thrusts; Xiong Zhi surprisingly completed it in just ten months.
Xiong Zhi now realized his progress.
"Master, I have completed two hundred thousand thrusts... However, there are still no signs of sword energy," Xiong Zhi respectfully asked.
Xiong Zhi had previously been skeptical about sword energy; his master had never shown it to him. But after living here for twenty years, everyone knew that a swordsman would manifest sword energy after reaching a certain level... Xiong Zhi began to believe it somewhat.
However, after practicing six hundred thousand times, there were no signs at all.
"Your sword is ready; come walk with me..." Xiaoyaozi said. "When the time is right, you will comprehend the sword energy... It relies on yourself; I cannot teach you. From now on, let us seek that fleeting opportunity."
Xiong Zhi felt a surge of joy in her heart.
More than four years! Xiong Zhi had only gone out a few times, and during these four years, her contact with the outside world had been minimal!
She remembered when she first arrived at this mountainside; she had gone down once, and at that time, the small town where the royal family was located was bustling.
The Royal Family had all been killed, and some guests had died at the birthday banquet... This was major news!
Xiong Zhi just smiled and did not participate in this boring discussion. For her, it was indeed dull; those people were merely sharing various versions they had heard, none of which were as accurate as what she knew.
Her master had kept things very secretive. There were all kinds of rumors, but none mentioned Xiaoyaozi... because Xiaoyaozi had already "died" long ago.
Four years had passed since the incident, and no matter how angry those families whose elders were killed were, it was just like that; time was too long, and even the greatest waves would eventually calm down.
"I wonder what the outside world is like now..." Xiong Zhi felt a bit of anticipation; in this isolated place, she saw no one.
When Xiaoyaozi went out on assassination missions, Xiong Zhi could still go out herself, but with Xiaoyaozi watching over her here, she dared not act recklessly.
"So, Master, where are we going?" Xiong Zhi asked.
"I don't know; let's just wander around," Xiaoyaozi replied, unsure of what to do. When he didn't have a mission, he was just a Leisurely Person.
"Have you been to Yan Country?" Xiaoyaozi asked.
Xiong Zhi shook her head.
"Then let's go there; I know the way and have been there a few times... Among the places we assassins go to, there are many..." Xiaoyaozi spoke now like an ordinary person. Only those who had heard of his name would know how terrifying this somewhat effeminate man truly was.
However, Xiaoyaozi was right; aside from various professions that delivered messages, two professions that traveled back and forth the most included assassins.
The other one was merchants; those fellows were crazily making money and naturally needed to seek business everywhere.
"By the way, do you want to join any sect or something?" Xiaoyaozi asked again.
Xiong Zhi shook his head once more, pausing for a moment before saying, "My master is an assassin, so naturally, I am also an assassin..."
Xiong Zhi did not want to leave too much behind here because he would eventually return, and joining a sect... he was afraid that when he came back, there would be too many things that would be hard to let go of.
"Haha..." Xiaoyaozi laughed; he really liked what Xiong Zhi had just said.
"But being an assassin is difficult!" Xiaoyaozi sighed, "Come with me..."
Looking at Xiaoyaozi's figure, Xiong Zhi frowned. Xiaoyaozi was truly mysterious... just like that Dark River.
Dark River was the most mysterious assassin organization, while Xiaoyaozi was the most mysterious assassin.
Xiaoyaozi was not the kind of person who loved killing; being an assassin was merely a profession for him to earn money and fame. If Xiaoyaozi did not have a mission, he would not act recklessly.
Xiong Zhi and Xiaoyaozi arrived at the city where the royal mansion used to be located; it had changed significantly since then.
"Let's stay here for a night; we still have a long way to go to Yan Country," Xiaoyaozi said as he placed his sword on the table.
[End of Chapter]
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