“Martial Housing”

A sign said overlooking the main avenue.

The building was wedged between two taller buildings. It looked squeezed, as if the neighbours were closing in. The sign was old, some letters had become illegible in the peeling paint. But the window was clean. The young lord pushed the door and a bell rang. It was far longer than it was wide, almost a corridor with shelving spanning both sides. It was pristine. Then with some kerfuffle an old gent emerged from a wooden door situated behind the counter.

“Welcome, how may I be of service?”

The words left the old man’s mouth naturally as it had been reversed thousands of times. 

“Is this were Kirin houses martial teachers hired to provide training?”

“It is indeed”

Before the man could finish his sentence the young man placed a seal straight on the counter. The seal was a meticulously crafted eagle of superior craftsmanship and material. The old man couldn’t help grasping in response as he laid his eyes on the majestic seal.

“Is this what I think it is?”

“It is”

The young man responded in a casual manner.

“Young lord, how can I be of service?”

The old man’s attitude took a direct turn for the better as he know understood the status of the person standing before him. The provincial seal represented someone that held absolute power of the province, privileges was limited to absolute respect but the respect meant that people who carried the seal often would get everything they wanted to acquire for free. Offending someone carrying the provincial seal was the same as offending the provincial leader himself. 

“I am searching for a Martial Art’s teacher, preferably someone proficient”

“Of course young lord, follow me”

The old man dusted of his old shirt and proceeded towards the housing area of the rustic building the house proving that the province didn’t put much worth on martial arts. Living quarters with such poor living standards required a man of absolute resolve or with thin wealth.  Martial artist were in most cases people with great pride, therefore pinnacle teachers never stayed in these halls. Nevertheless they were free of charge, which intrigued some of the masters which had less.

The old man stopped before a certain door. Giving it two hard knocks he called out his name.

“Master Maze! There is someone here to see you!”

Heavy footstep could be heard, the door opened and behind it a stern old man stood straight. A body as well-built as a tiger wore clothing made from the sturdiest of fibers. The color of his coat was like copper, and his black hair was spread over his shoulders in a lose manner. He had bright and lively eyes.

Yes, this was the same man that the young lord had seen the day before. Standing before a mass of people had he instructed both calm and direct. A small amount of admiration had actually grown inside the young lord; he could at least respect a man of a straightforward character.

“Master Maze, this is a young lord in the procession of a provincial seal!”

Even if Maze was a calm man by nature he couldn’t help but flinch, someone of such high esteem had come to personally meet him? An inch of doubt was growing inside his stomach.

“Maze salutes the young lord!”

Maze said as he slightly tilted his head downwards in a respectable manner.

“No times for pleasantries”

“I came here to learn about martial arts, can you teach me?”

Maze just nodded his head in response.

“Good.”

“Are you going to invite me in?”

The stern Maze was suddenly taken back for a second. A lofty lord actually wanted to enter his dirty residence?

“Of course, come in!”

As Maze stepped aside the young lord walked into the room. The young lord took a couple of looks around the resident before sitting himself flat down on the floor.

Maze was dumbfounded for a second. The young lord actually sat himself down on this dirty floor? Wasn’t young lords supposed to be arrogant and condescending? Were the thoughts that ran through his mind. There was actually only one stool in the room, which the young lord presumed to be Maze personal sitting spot.

“Young master please take the stool!”

The young man just snorted in response.

“Nonsense that’s obviously your position as the Master”

As Maze was caught in a sudden daze the young master once again spoke up but this time harsh and direct

“Sit down!”

Like and order Maze sat on the stool.

“Maze, you cannot treat me like a noble. Not once we go into a relationship of master and student, the would only hinder your ability to relay the essence of martial arts to me”

“I am a man of quite a bit of patience, but if I do not progress towards something at all times I quickly become infuriated.” The young lord said with a truthful heart.

“You are very insightful for your age!” Maze said with a straight face. A simple exchange had casualized the situation to such degree.  Maze instantly knew that this young master was no ordinary man.

“The mantle of a noble can bear both positive and negative effects” The young lord said with a coy smile hanging on his lips.

Maze rose up and walked over to one of his cabinets. He picked up the most expensive wine he had in possession ready to serve the young lord as they were about to conversed about the realm of martial arts.

“Do not bother. Alcohol makes my stomach hurt like hell”

“Can’t stomach it”

Maze looked over startled before placing the wine back in its cabinet and returning to his seat.

“May I inquire your name young lord?”

“I go by the name, Han”

“So Lord Han, what do you want to learn? The basic  forms of cultivation in the foundation stage? Or maybe you just want to inquire about martial arts?” Maze was in nature a direct man and therefore went straight for the main purpose not bothering resolving to small talk. The young lord had made it clear that he wanted to learn.

“Both”

Lord Han said as he stared straight into Maze eyes not even blinking.

This guy has one intense stare, within them seem to be something hidden, a flame, undying. Maze couldn’t help thinking to himself. As a cultivator of many years and a warrior of many battles he could grasp the truth of ones hearth with ease. 

Maze gripped his rough beard tightly before talking

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Cultivation is divided into five stages every subsistent harder to transverse. The first is the foundation, absorb the essence of the world and fill up your cup. Dust is the second; condense your essence into pillars of support. The third is earth, you become as one as you lay it flat. The fourth is the sky; this is you will truly soar. Last is heavenly realm or the soul realm, by separating your soul and body gain eternal life.”

“Or at least that is how the saying goes”

Han couldn’t help frowning to the bombardment of riddles sent his way.

“Are every martial artist secretly a scholar?” He couldn’t help thinking back to all those narrow minded martial artist he had run into before.

“Haha” Maze laughed out loud.

“No we are stern, stubborn and mostly narrow minded.”

“Only in martial art can we appreciate beauty!”

“Makes sense” Han said as he continued to frown.

Maze kept grazing his beard a moment before continuing on

“Let me be more direct. The foundation stage is your only concern!”

“Not even I master of the ninth level has reach the Dust stage. Sadly I lack a bit of talent, but step by step I will prevail through determination!”

Han couldn’t help smiling a bit. A man that never wavered, a man that would stand by his ideal, those men he could defiantly respect, even if they were stupidly narrowed minded. 

“The foundation stage consists of ten stages of gathering world essence!”

“Only when your cup is full can you establish your intent”

“Intent?”  Han’s mind was currently peaked.

The man continued to stroke his beard before continuing.

“The heavenly intent is your calling, your destiny. When ascending the intial foundation stage the heavens judge you, they take a peek inside your soul and once they locate your essence they incorporate you in its image”

“Intent is like a path, a path that heaven have laid down for you, you can obviously ignore the heavens and strive for enlightenment in other intents but your progress is always limited. To truly grasp an intent and to unlock its domain requires otherworldly insight. If for example you were to thread another path, that is comparable to learning to write even though you never knew of words. Not impossible but hard.”

“So it’s like a powerful skill?” Han’s mind was currently more than peaked. Exciting was beating through his body. None of that emotion could reach the surface though as he bore calmness as stale as a rock. 

“In some cases, yes”

“As I said everyone is unique”

Maze dusted of his clothes. Knowing that his appearance in this moment was not up to standard.

 The young lord before him wore expertly tailored clothing, his face held a beauty often seen in stunning women but a fierceness rarely seen in men. The combination emitted a noble aura of some sitting far above you overlooking your every move. Obviously he felt that looking refined in front of such a man was for the best.

“As a cultivator there is also the Dao”

“A dao has less power and potential then intent. Intent is a definition of character while a Dao is knowledge about a task. With greater power obviously come greater power, once its peak has been reached a domain will establish.”

“A Dao can be ranked in levels to some degree, some are considered first grade while other might not. But the power ultimately depends on its wielder.”

“Would you consider wielding a sword as a Dao?” Han was catching the yif of it but had to confirm his theory.

A smile breamed across Maze face as the young lord spoke up. It must be known that most people would need that simplified before grasping its meaning. But obviously this was not the normal power hungry lower class child seeking to gain enlightenment in the way of martial arts.

“Indeed young lord Han!”

“The Sword dao is even considered a first rate Dao”

“Okay. Now teach me how to cultivate this world essence” Han said as he didn’t feel like nibbling in the theoretical anymore.

“If you feel you have what you need. Then okay let’s proceed.”

“This technique is known as the four meridian accumulation!”

“A technique widely known across the world, but even if it is considered common do not underestimate it. Over the years numerous Dust and above martial artists has been produced in its wake!”

Maze sat down in a meditational position and started instructing the young lord on the procedures. The essence of the technique was actually very simple; by utilizing the major four meridian pores attract world essence into your body. Before anything could be done though the meridians pores would need to be opened, a task that took anywhere from a day to weeks depending on bodily control and talent.

After instructing the moves to open the meridians Maze once again spoke up in a kind tone. He had grown to appreciate a student that could grasp the meaning of his lessons with such accuracy, something rarely seen.

“Do not feel discouraged if you cannot locate a single one of the pores. This process usually takes a week or more for any normal person!”

Maze could see that his student was deep in a meditational state and decide to speak on his behalf

“Lord Han, you may stay here for five hours to meditate but then you have to leave. I need my sleep” Maze said.

Thirty minutes passed in a flash.

When suddenly the Lord Han’s eyes flew open.

“Tired already?” Maze shook his head. If the student showed such little determination how could he expect to exceed?

“I opened the pores” Han said casually as he was straightening his attire.

Maze just stared in a daze, dumbfounded. What did 30 minutes mean? Either this youth was an heavenly genius or he was kidding. Fearing the second Maze ran up to the youth grabbing his wrist, he forgot all about status in this hectic moment.

There on the arm.. Was an opened meridian pore!! 

“Maze, this method is way too slow. But my estimate it will take me at least three years to reach the dust stage.”

“Plus that meditation thing was so boring it was worse than torture”

Maze could only continue to stare towards the youth slightly opening his mouth startled

“Well there are herbs…

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Authors note: 

Why cultivate when there are people to trick, resources to be taken?

lol