1
Four hours after the overthrow of the Hong An Sect, Kilian with Selina has organized a restructure of the whole sect, cut communication with four other groups, and all letters or offers are required to proceed through him first. Controlling Hong An Sect, meaning the territory in the Central East of Jinsu, is now under his control.
Kilian, having no interest in resting, is already performing his new role as the current leader of the Hong An, and the living room at his residence has been replaced with an office setup where he is currently reading piles of documents. Tons of redundant papers were thrown in the corner for trash. He had a chart made with the two head Hong An Scholars, recounting the budget after dealing with the remaining supporters of the King and conspirators within the palace.
After the recount, the amount of excess surplus from the debts the palace had placed on the residents and business owners in town is baffling. Kilian crossed out all the loan payments ongoing around the region and took all the deceased traitors’ upcoming monthly payments, redirecting them to the funding of improvements in the territory.
In front of his desks are the couches that came with the living room but a new layout. There were three couches in total. The right side had two couches, and the opposite had one. Kilian reorganized by creating a triangular layout and the coffee table at its center. His desk is set as the base of the triangle and uses the two couches to complete the equilateral frame. The former concubines sat on his left while two scholars sat on his right.
“So that is all we got? No one else remains?”
Both scholars shake their heads and one passes a record of all the Hong An Sect’s qi users. He flips to the final page of the notebook, finding the YOY comparisons reveal the numbers have decreased significantly in the past two decades and Kilian letting Mei Zhan do the chaos at the front lot was the last straw. Mei and Kilian didn’t expect it to be a quick endeavor despite legitimate confidence able to handle the force invasion, expecting some roadblocks. Ironically this proves the ineffectiveness and poor management of qi manipulation being performed at Hong An.
“I trust that your shelves have the qi basics.”
“Yes, we do.” Both of the scholars took the stack of booklets from the coffee table and handed it to Kilian. "I wish it wasn’t a joke, but the trainees and soldiers here never got a master or someone with proper experience to teach them. How did Hong An even get this far with this bullshit." He recollected the information he found, pointing at the bulky directory book.
The scholars can only say that they don't have any control over those matters other than handling the books in the library. Self-study is not the best option for everybody on topics like qi manipulation. At least that's what the scholars said.
Kilian exhaled after finishing accumulating the latest budget records."I don’t mind. There isn’t any other choice. As long as we all can cooperate and rebuild the framework, the future is hopeful." Kilian then wanted to visit the library right as everyone departed. He hasn’t toured the library yet, so he is interested in the knowledge it offers.
“We see you then, sir.” The scholars convened and departed the residence.
One last documentation change for the time ordered the wiping out all the hierarchy, including concubine status. Vacancy replacements are to be determined in the coming days and vice versa based on the success of training and various other uncertainties.
One of the former’s concubines starts to whine, starving for lunch. During the bed confrontation, the first two seem fine and cooperative, but in the third one which is the right one, her presence alone gives off a bad vibe and unpleasant demeanor. Her complaining aggravates Kilian further. He slips out the King’s personal recording journal from his desk drawer. He found it right before the scholars arrived. Opening it, he continuously turned through multiple pages till one mentions the three.
The information states they have resided with the former leader for at least five years as of now. All three are from separate families with the location being redacted. His wife and only son haven't lived in the palace since the three moved in. He exiled the two away back into Jinsu. Locations unknown and undisclosed.
Jesus. Kilian is disgusted and wonders why so many sentences are redacted when this is a personal journal.
<< Are you planning to search for them? >>
When everything is stable or the situation calls.
First, he tore all the paper pages from the journal, slammed it on the table, and tossed the empty cover to the stash. The pages are justly thin. Around ten dozen pages, he divides the stack in half before shredding it into pieces. Make sure it’s unrepairable. Then grabs a bin, shoveling all the shredded paper into the bin. “You three just go get lunch at the cafeteria,” Kilian said, sprinting and carrying the bin to the back lot.
Opening the door to the back lot, revealing all the junk piled on the flat grass, Kilian hovers midair, pouring the contents from the bin, keeping it centered in the square perimeter he had set up. He went back inside, now alone. Heading to his desk, on the left was another pile of junk papers. Once finished removing the useless documents and junk, Kilian observed the behemoth pile.
This is not necessary with all of this. What a behemoth.
<< Good lord. Explains why he rarely comes out.>> Mei is displeased, and wants it gone.
Is it possible to borrow abilities? Kilian asked, wondering if she has an ability to withhold massive amounts of weight.
<< How much do you think it weighs? >>
You have to think?
<< Kinesis. That’s how it works. >>
Alright then… I’ll say this is around five stones.
Kilian’s neck jerked up a bit. He focused on the stack of papers and stressed his right arm. Blue outline energy surrounds the perimeter, and immediately feels the weight on his arm, pushing himself down to his knees.
<< You gotta have to redirect it to your knees as well. Or you break. >>
Kilian grunts as he slowly adjusts to the pressure and forces himself up, ignoring the strain on his back and calves. He then yells to force himself upwards, finally lifting it midair. “Why is it light now midair?” He muttered while carefully taking a couple of steps back before turning back in the direction of the back door.
<< Pays off at the end. Make all the effort worthwhile. Not bad for the first time. >>
Upon heading to the back door, only for it to be closed. He bashed the door knob for it to open, almost tripping himself. Barely hanging on the stack of papers he sprinted out and tossed it to the pile. The papers fell, covering the whole pile like a cover.
His heartbeat was pumping rapidly, and felt through his chest, reaching behind his head and throbbing for a second. Kilian sat down momentarily to relax his heart, recovering lost stamina in the process.
<< So, stamina is your other issue. >>
From the looks of carrying massive weight using qi. He mentally creates a checklist, jotting down necessary improvements.
He sat for another minute then stood up, quickly recovered, walking around the behemoth pile of all the King’s worthless garbage. “What a monstrosity,” he muttered, He looked up, observing the roof of the residence building.
Jumping up to the roof, The pile is more bearable to view from above than below. Very tall but still huge. Kilian unsheathed the katana and swirled it until the end of the hilt touched his left palm. Leaping into the air, he deployed a beam downward, striking the furniture and stash of papers.
The burning wood smell mixed with paper was so pungent that his eyes started to water while observing the pile being disintegrated.
Splash!
“Ugh!” Kilian provoked, absolutely soaked in water, he jumped off from the roof landing away from the fire. Seeing who poured the entire water on him, a waterfall came from the roof where he was standing prior, flowing right to the site. The same lady, Selina, bolts from the roof above with both hands casting magic symbols.
Selina cast the spell, shooting barrages of water. The fire quickly dispersed along with any remains from the pile, leaving little markings on the grass.
“Thanks for that. Minus soaking me wet,” Kilian said, wiping off his face.
“You're welcome, you have a library visit to do, so go.”
Kilian about to leave, “What are you up to?”
“I’m gonna follow you,” she said non-hesitant. Flying up right behind Kilian once the backyard of the residence is clear.
“Ok…are you like a secretary to the extreme?”
“Doctor-Secretary, watching the king’s health whatever he goes.”
“Chairman or Emperor is good enough, remove the title King,” Kilian responded, intent to stop others from using the title [King] when communicating with him. “Anyway, let’s go then.”
2
The two entered the library through the heavy door. Very humongous for a private library, behind the front console desk, where the two scholars from earlier are stationed, Kilian greets them again. “I gotta say, what a masterpiece this holds. How many items does it hold?”
“Approximately a million.” The right scholar answered.
Fascinating. Kilian admires the darker setting, lit by the seven golden chandeliers. The dual mezzanine with a center bridge to cross over is admirable.
“So, what do you need…”
“Chairman,” Kilian inserted.
“Chairman, what do you need to explore in the library?”
“Anything about qi. And something to keep me up.”
“I’ll show you, sir. Follow me.”
“Lead the way, Roland.”
Roland leaves the front counter, and Selina and Kilian follow him, entering the main part of the library. He directed them to the stairs leading up to the right mezzanine. Once reaching up to the floor, they entered deep inside, moving away from the balcony.
“This is the East side of the Library, that bridge earlier leads to the West side.” Roland pointed at each of the signs per shelf as being the identifier of genres or specifics the books provided. “So this is the nonfiction side?” Kilian noticed the genres on the signs. Both nodded.
Stolen story; please report.
The three reached the end of the library. “What in the…” Kilian muttered, viewing the entire different lobby occupied by fellow readers who wore similar clothing to the summoners and men during the duel.
“This is where all the self-studying takes place.” Roland pointed to the study tables, and walked him to the left, showing him the view outside of the library. “While over here outside, that whole remaining space of this whole complex is all for training. Protected by an invisible force field that should protect any potential catastrophic situations from the rest of Jinsu.” Roland let Kilian view the window for a moment.
You’ve been awfully quiet. Kilian said to Mei. No response was unusual but rubbed it off. All of sudden a click in his head. Hold on. I remember something. Did you say that you died during training? Was it on that field? Oh, crap. I forgot to add the accountability of the ones present during that time.
<< We killed the King. That’s more important than those that were present. If it wasn’t for the King, I wouldn’t be in this situation in the void by now. >>
Are you sure?
<< I’m positive. Your path is more important now that most of my grudges are settled. >>
Alright I’ll take your account to word. If there is anything that proves otherwise, I’m going for the buzzkill.
Roland called Kilian, asking if he was fine, seeing him from dazed to staring at one spot. “I’m alright. Sorry. My mind went blank momentarily,” Kilian said, now following Roland to the main books shelves.
“You said you want something qi related, this is what you need,” Roland said, grabbing thin paperback [发现].
“Discover…hmm,” Kilian murmured.
“Great, you understand Tibhun.” Roland is relieved, concerned that Kilian isn’t fluent in the language since the King is not at all.
“Oh, that’s what it’s called?” Kilian curiously asked, acknowledging he understands and can read the characters within the paperback.
“Wait wait, you don’t know what it’s called but can read. That doesn’t make any sense.” Roland trying to decipher.
“I’m amnesiac, I don’t have any recollection of what happened on any matters before two days ago.”
Roland, now understood the problem, takes a step back before nodding as if he is ok with it. “I might get the picture. Let me see if I can depict this right…So, you are trying to understand your past by finding any recollection of your past life by if you have any experience of qi manipulation before. Correct?”
Selina turned to Kilian, and he nodded. “You’re perceptional. But, yes. How was I able to sprint at such speed near the coastline towards my house which is around the same street as the palace? Or innately wield the blade as fit. That ain’t coincidental.” He turned to the first page of the paperback.
“Will get there. The time will come,” Roland said, looking at Kilian about to read the first page. “After reading the first page, save the rest for the training space outside you saw through the window.”
Hmm Tibhun. It ain’t like the language on the sketch of Klaus’s from the funeral. Kilian thought as he began. Tibhun is written vertically from top-to-bottom. Unlike the written language from the drawing sketch of Klaus using letters to form words starting from left to right, this is entirely characters where only a few can be one sentence. The whole first page is a written introduction. He translated the page giving it to be:
To anyone reading this notebook seeking the path of qi manipulation, the potential seeker must be willing to face the mental and physical struggles in order to succeed. May wish the best for passing the foundations of discovering the knowledge of qi.
Book 1/10
- Anonymous
“There’s ten books?”
“Indeed, I already read through all ten years ago. It’s getting outdated.”
Kilian gave a slight grin while shaking his head. “Well, I guess I’ll give it a shot and see how it ends up.”
“Sure, once you finish the tour,” Roland said.
3
Standing outside at the training lot, Kilian took an amount of fresh air inhaled into his lungs. He attempted to glance over other pages only for it to be locked and can’t be read, intending it to be a progressive. He walks away from the shade on the lone hill of the site, heading downhill, heading to the flat surface away from the hill. Once at his desired location, he glanced at the hill again, and to his surprise, the hill was barely visible to the naked eye. Woah. What in the world? When was I even traveling this far? He thought, processing the distance.
<< When you don’t realize how far you are going in that shore time.>>
Hmm. Ok.
Turning to the second page, a flashing yellow light emitted from the characters. Kilian stopped and stared at the book, and the light was so powerful it generated a thrusting gust onto his face.
He jerked upward after losing consciousness and regaining it. He closed the notebook before turning it back to the second page. The writing transfigures, forming into different characters. The next page hadn't been unlocked, so Kilian waited till it was finished and read the newly edited page.
You are reading this after successfully regaining consciousness within a quick time frame. The light was a test to simulate the fragment qi surge in the host’s body. This was to test if the user can handle what it’s inflicting without collapsing.
The following page, titled “Chapter 1,” begins with the control of qi basics and its origins. Kilian stood for a decent amount of time deciphering the first chapter.
Putting the book inside his pockets and recalling one of the steps in the chapter, he tried to exert his newly discovered uncontrolled tremendous qi from his body. Fascinating and horrified at the magnitude, he redirects it to somewhere else around the site. He then withdrew his sword and thrust his right hand upward.
The surge of qi exerted out through the blade. A shockwave boom loud as a bomb, vibrated the perimeter of the training site. Selina summons a shield around her and Roland as the two watch.
Qi's surge abruptly stopped once he unleashed a gigantic vertical beam upward and before slightly tumbling back. As he gasps for air, he sees people sprinting to the training site all accompanying one of the members who probably noticed loud noises earlier. While Kilian was feeling his blade the engraved characters changed. Everyone witnessed purple light converting to sky blue as the blade reformed the characters.
地狱的欢乐 -> 凶猛的龙
Hell’s delight -> Ferocious Dragon
Kilian doesn’t know what just happened and what does that signify. However, he does feel different as this is his qi, and it’s generated from his own body. While before, he was semi-dependent on Mei Zhan’s qi.
To Kilian’s disbelief, there are only forty at most at the scene. A decent number but concerning. Despite being aware of and managing the disbandment and removal of conspirators, in person's perspective feels more impacting and bizarre compared to in the paper. Doubling down on the issue, when he mentioned self-study, it means no long-term master, so everyone else who might not be as talented gets set back quickly.
No wonder. It was just the King, Selina, and maybe the scholars too here only have such qi. Everyone else was just a pawn or asset to the King.
“Is this seriously all we have left?” Kilian, head counting everyone present.
“Hong An was the financial sector. We survived thanks to offering loans, and the loaners paid us by debt.” Selina said.
“Well, now that’s not an issue anymore after the revamp of the budget…Anyways how long was that?”
Roland looked at the portable time from his pocket. He gave out five fingers. “Two hours!” He exclaimed, mentioning it as above average.
“What’s the average time?”
“Four hours. Without including breaks,” Roland said, glancing back at Selina. She nodded as if it was correct, then both looked back at Kilian, whose eyes were glowing blue.
“I see,” Kilian said, sheathed his Katana. “So, it’s only a few of us that know about manipulating qi.” He checked the crowd, asking anyone willing to proceed to join in or have a brief knowledge of qi manipulation.
One of the former concubines raised her hand, walking through the crowd. In a black robe, she lowers her hand, walking up towards Kilian.
“Xiong?”
She leaped into the air, fairly landing in front of him. He handed her the notebook. Which she lifted in the air, signaling it to Roland. She tossed it to him, Roland grabbed it, putting it into his side bag.
Her eyes glow yellow while Kilian and Roland are measuring her qi capacity. It’s enough to cause a gust as the dust and wind blow to the crowd, prompting them to cover their eyes. Roland and Selina stoically stood observing Xiong.
One of the concubines attempted to run up as the other tried to stop her. Selina cast gusts directly at the two, pushing them back into the crowd. “You’ll be a casualty if you dare,” she said seriously.
Kilian took a couple of steps back and released his upsurge of qi, testing her. Both of their qis bashed at each other in a clash as faint sparkles popped as if there were swords. After a couple of moments, a loud boom spurted from each of them as they exerted.
“Control yourself!” He shouted through the loud shockwaves while her qi surged and exerted out of her body as she gripped her fists.
Kilian unsheathes his katana, insisting she redirects her qi towards his katana’s blade, starving for qi.
“Try doing this.” he held the katana high in the air.
“I can’t -” she muttered.
“Yes, you can. No worries, I’ll deflect it for you. Your current objective is to just try.”
Kilian reduced his serious facial expression and eased into a smile and more relaxed, attempting to calm her fears. He gestured his head and muttered, “Do it.” repetitively.
She gradually lifted her right hand with her left hand gripping her right arm. Her qi transitions as Kilian can see it flowing to her right arm, generating a sparkling energy at her palm.
“I want you to exert it on me like you're pushing something with your palm.” He gestured to her a little more to his left. “Perfect. Now.”
She did as he commanded and blasted out a force of energy that tipped her to the floor. Kilian articulated his katana swiftly, most of his exerted qi dissipated and the remainder acted as his durability boost and clashed with her blast of energy. “Go around me!” He yelled to her as her qi around her grew calmer, leaving the blast the only remains of her qi. She went away from him back to the crowd and got hugged by the other two concubines.
Kilian grunted and pushed through the blast, slicing it in half, and dissipating it to the ground. “Well. Nice try. I guess now everyone else knows your secret, learning the basics.”
“How do we know if we can learn this?” One of them in the crowd asks.
“Our normal bodies aren’t supposed to handle such immediate gravitational force immediately onto you on first exposure. So, passing out or going blank momentarily is normal.” He then said that now Xiong is another in the group who can qi manipulate Hong An. Kilian offered anyone else currently after witnessing the first procedure. None insisted. “Alright. Well, that’s one done for the day.”
Kilian dismissed the crowd. Roland, Selina, Xiong, and the second concubine stayed behind for the remainder of the time as he unpacked the information he reviewed from the documents the past four hours. All the funds for their living standards are not to be feared as the reserves are all getting filled, and Kilian’s wealth is gathered from Klaus’s chest, which is still a mystery as he has no memory recollection to explain it.
The throne room will be closed, and everything must come through the residence’s first floor where the office is now held. He then expressed the removal of all positions in the Hong An sect except the scholars, workers, and the clinic. Didn’t affect anyone in the crowd as they didn’t have those roles prior, except the three concubines. They all recalled the third concubine protesting during his four hours, more concerned about her status. Kilian replied that the status has no value and they will live as usual, just the title is now being removed. Somehow, that calmed her down.
“I don’t think I need to read another copy. The first book got all the foundations jotted down,” Kilian said to Roland, which is what he expected.
All began walking back, and since Kilian, Roland, and Selina skipped lunch, they decided to hold off till dinner, in about four more hours. Roland mentions he should have many more than enough copies of the first volume should anybody else want to join in.
After reaching back to the complex area, all scattered to their duties. Roland heads back to the library with Selina heading in the opposite direction, her right, heading to the clinic, leaving Kilian, Xiong, and the second concubine.
"What do you need?"Kilian looking at her.
"Can I walk with you back?"
He nodded, telling the second concubine to head off first, leaving the two. Both walked back to the residence, walking for the remaining distance.
“You are the awfully quiet type compared to the other two. Do you three even get along?”
“I’m ok with the two. Not the greatest or worst. Huo was more on the safe side as a way to get along with Qiao.”
“Was that one of the direct causes of you learning qi manipulation?”
Xiong sighed, “Yes. One of them,” she said while holding back her tears. Kilian could hear her sniffing.
“Then train with us every time me, Selina, and Roland are free in the upcoming days. You three are not concubines anymore, so you don’t have to live in the old life anymore.” Kilian said, remembering from the journal. “Let it all out.” He told her to let all her burden out as if there might not be another chance that could hinder her going forward.
Kilian listened to her rants along the way before both going silent as they turned into the hallway, leading to the residence ahead. Before heading to the door, the two turned.
“Well…thanks for sticking around,” Xiong said slowly, following one deep exhale. Her vibe is more comfortable than before, to say the least.
“At least you got the chance, talk to you later,” Kilian said, opening the door, and she headed upstairs. He heads back to his office, removing his conical hat, and placing it on his desk. Till sunset, he finishes the last batch of papers.