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Chapter 1. "Qian"

Chapter 1. "Qian"

The sun rose over the green hills of Jianghu, bathing everything in golden light. Luo Shu An sat on top of a cliff in Shangcheng Valley, observing the surrounding land and meditating upon the beauty of the universe. As far as his eyes could see, there were rolling green hills dotted with sparse villages. Far away in the east lay his home fishing village, the small and insignificant Luhai, which he had left many years ago to pursue his destiny. His master, the illustrious Gujin Caomeng, had seen Luo’s immense potential. Since then, Luo had traveled across Jianghu, had many adventures, brought down many villains, rescued countless lives, and finally developed a completely unique martial arts technique, earning him the title of the Karma Sage.

But now, many years later, Luo Shu An finally had a grasp on achieving the dream of many wandering swords - mastering the elusive Diamond Roads Manual, which, if rumors are to be believed, can help one achieve immortality and godhood. This manual was divided into five parts and given to the five most powerful sects of all of Jianghu. Only the most gifted and powerful masters of martial arts can earn the right to even glimpse one of those manuals. And he was only a few days away from getting his hands on all five of them. Shu An gazed down the valley, observing the massive army amassed against him, clad in iron, and some sporting horseback riders. All five sects had united against him for many decades. All of those warriors and foot soldiers were just trying to stop him. They called him a four-handed demon, a beast, a brute, and savage. They said he ate children and violated women. They said he had thrown away his soul to become an ogre from legends, that he spewed fire and thunder upon innocents. They feared him.

"Good," smirked Shu An. "Let them have it. It ends today. He will achieve godhood, no matter what it takes." He jumped from the cliff and soared high in the sky, preparing his blow. He inhaled, then shouted, pointing at the army:

-"[FIERY THUNDER OF GNAWING BITE]." At that moment, his fingers emitted iridescent serpents that tore apart many of the soldiers, creating an opening for Luo to land. Once he landed, he killed ten soldiers in one single swoop of his fists. Mere leather and iron plates were nothing against his Qi-infused punches, tearing apart soldiers like rice paper. Finally, soldiers began encircling Shu An, trying to impale him on their spears. However, his movements were too quick for them as he leaped into the air, dodging the painfully slow-moving arrows. "Too easy," thought Shu An, but quickly dismissed that thought. He understood that overconfidence and pride had killed many martial masters, some much more powerful than him. He needed to quickly move and destroy the serpent's head to sow confusion and chaos. Shu An glanced over the battlefield, identifying officers and martial masters.

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They were not exactly his primary goal, however, as he finally spotted the commander of this force: Jian Zengjiao of Guijiao Sect, clad in the best iron armor money can buy. Jian, however, saw Shu An coming at him, and prepared his stance.

-Luo Shu An, you insolent cur! - Jian shouted as he brandished his spear. - Give up now, and you may earn a quick and painless death!

- This would never happen, all this death and grief, if your masters allowed my humble request,

- said Shu An, landing before Zengijao.

- Give up the most prized secret of Five Illustrious Sects just because some arrogant upstart wanted to “take a look”? - Jian scowled. - I'm here to teach you and everyone like you humility, you mongrel!

- We shall see about that! Take this!

Sage was moving with such speed that no trained eyes would see his movements, but against Zengijao, he faced not a mere acolyte, but a master of the spear, able to block his punches and kicks. Jian’s plan was simple - wear out Karma Sage until reinforcements arrived. Jian was out of his depth, and he was aware of that, but it didn't matter to him - all he had to do was to land a blow. Just a single blow, stall Sage just long enough, and he would die a happy man who fulfilled his duty.

But, alas, Karma Sage also knew it and did not give in. In fact, he was closing in, and closing in fast, until the spear’s reach was not advantageous but a hindrance. Luo Shu An smirked as he saw panic and terror in his opponent's eyes, as another pair of partially transparent azure arms grew out of Luo’s back.

- [FOUR HANDS, FOUR HUNDRED PUNCHES]!

It was over in a moment, but it was the longest and last moment of Jian’s life. He felt every punch from famous Luo’s Karma Arms as if they were real ones. He felt how his bones were breaking, muscles were tearing, as life itself was slowly extinguishing from his body. Finally, it was over, and an unrecognizable mess of Jian's body had slowly fallen down. Luo Shu An looked around at the terrified soldiers that surrounded him. Sage cracked his knuckles, both from real hands and karma ones. But before he could continue his journey, he must make sure that no one dares to follow him, no matter how much they fear their masters. They must fear him right here, right now. And thus, he plunged himself into a fray, leaving behind only mangled bodies.

Even to this day, survivors of the Sangcheng Massacre are afraid that Karma Sage would return, finishing the job he started. Later, temples of the Five Illustrious Sects were burned down. Karma Sage uprooted a long order of uneasy peace, all for Diamond Roads. But, after that, he disappeared, alongside with the manual. No one knew where he went, but some claim they saw a golden star, climbing upon the starry sky, disappearing somewhere near the moon.

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