Chapter 60 - Training and preparation for a certain death
The next four days passed in a blur, each day adhering to a rigorous routine that mirrored the lifestyle of the Alliance members. Although adjusting to this schedule was challenging at first, the group found themselves falling into a rhythm surprisingly quickly.
Every morning, they rose with the first rays of sunlight. Kazue and Chloe struggled with this early start, often dragging themselves out of their blankets, groggy and mumbling complaints under their breath. Breakfast was a modest portion of rice, fish, and an assortment of vegetables. It wasn’t much by any means, and Nikolai couldn’t resist grumbling that he missed the hotel food, poking at his plate as if expecting a steak to magically appear. But he wasn’t alone in his complaints—the portions remained small for lunch and dinner, a far cry from the luxuries they had experienced before.
After breakfast, they spent almost the entire day meditating, pushing their limits both physically and mentally, and in between, they’d chat with each other or strike up conversations with other Alliance members they could encounter.
Adam, Drake, and Li stood out as the first to master a constant flow of ki—although in Adam’s case, it was cursed energy rather than ki. This newfound control meant they no longer had to spend as much time meditating with the others, so each of them branched off, dedicating themselves to different pursuits during these days.
Adam took to the quietest corners of the Alliance’s library, a sanctuary filled with ancient scrolls and books that held knowledge of past battles, mythical creatures, and complex techniques. He sat cross-legged on the floor, a candle flickering beside him as he pored over parchment, his brow furrowed in concentration. One day, he looked up to see an elderly monk with kind eyes observing him.
“Do you seek wisdom, young one?”
The monk asked, his voice a gentle murmur. Adam nodded, his fingers brushing a page on techniques to control cursed energy.
“Yes, I’m searching for anything that might help me understand… this.”
He replied, glancing down at his hands, which still bore faint traces of the cursed energy he could now generate naturally. The monk gave a slow nod and finally said, smiling
“There is knowledge here older than any of us, but remember, the power within must be guided by the strength of one’s heart.”
Meanwhile, Li’s curiosity about the Alliance extended beyond books. He spent his days talking to every person he encountered, from seasoned warriors to cooks in the kitchens, gathering bits and pieces of information about the organization’s structure, alliances, and rivals. His approach was direct but disarming, his charm making it easy for him to strike up conversations, and one day, he stopped a grizzled man sharpening a set of throwing knives.
“What can you tell me about the Alliance’s reach?”
Li asked, his tone casual but his gaze sharp, making the man smirk, pausing his work.
“Reach? Depends on who you’re askin’. The Alliance has connections in places you wouldn’t even imagine.”
He said, his voice roughened by years of combat.
“But don’t go diggin’ too deep, lad. Some things are best left alone.”
Li nodded thoughtfully, storing the information away for later. He thanked the man and moved on, eager to find someone else to chat with, someone who might reveal more about the secrets hidden within the Alliance, it was just a hunch, but something wasn’t right with all of this.
Drake for his part, immersed himself fully in the martial arts training, drawn in by the intensity of the sparring sessions that filled the training grounds. On his first day, he stood on the sidelines, observing a group of fighters practicing a set of complex movements. The air was thick with the sound of fists meeting flesh, the ground marked with the footprints of countless battles.
One of the martial artists, noticing Drake’s interest, eventually waved him over.
“You here to watch, or to fight?”
Asked the man, grinning as he sized up to the blond.
“Fight!”
Drake replied, his expression resolute. He joined the sparring, quickly making friends among the group. His enthusiasm and skill were apparent as he adapted to their moves, combining his natural strength with his unique weight-control trait. At first, his sparring partners were amused by his seemingly reckless confidence—until they saw what he could do.
In one match, as his opponent lunged toward him, Drake shifted his weight to the point of being nearly weightless, his body moved with impossible speed, dodging the strike by a hair’s breadth, and then, as he countered, he increased his weight to an astonishing 500 kilograms / 1100 pounds, his fist landing with the force of a boulder. His opponent, though sturdy, stumbled back, gasping in surprise.
“That’s… that’s some skill you’ve got there.”
The fighter managed, clutching his side with a grin of newfound respect.
Word of Drake’s abilities spread quickly, and soon, he found himself sparring with more experienced martial artists, until his reputation reached Hyun Gwang, an older man with a lean, wiry frame and a calm, discerning gaze. One afternoon, Hyun Gwang approached Drake, his robes flowing as he moved with effortless grace; there was an aura of quiet strength around him, a presence that silenced the noise of the training ground as he stopped in front of the young man.
“You’re the one they call Drake.”
He said, his voice soft but carrying an unmistakable authority.
“I’ve seen you in the sparring ring. You have a gift… one that reminds me of the old Shaolin techniques.”
Drake’s eyes lit up with interest.
“Shaolin?”
He asked, curiosity piqued since that was the martial art or group that one of the most powerful contestants in the tournament was part of. Hyun Gwang nodded, a faint smile gracing his lips.
“I am a monk of the only Shaolin faction that chose to rebel… Our leader, or former leader to me, Abbess Xinhui, is one of the Four Don—the only woman among them. The way you control your weight, shifting between light and heavy, mirrors techniques that were once core to the Shaolin way.”
He said while studying Drake for a moment with critical thoroughness.
“If you’re willing, I would be honored to train with you.”
Drake didn’t hesitate, excitement coursing through him, accepting immediately and bowing respectfully.
In the following days, he trained under Hyun Gwang’s watchful eye, they practiced tirelessly, focusing on mastering his weight-control trait in ways he hadn’t even considered. Hyun Gwang showed him stances that required perfect balance and weight shifting, teaching him to move fluidly from one state to the next. The sessions were intense; each lesson demanded precision, control, and focus.
In one sparring exercise, Hyun Gwang instructed him to shift his weight to counterbalance, but to keep his center grounded, using the weight change as a tool, not as a weapon, and that his body must become one with the earth.
Drake nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration as he took his stance. He could feel the strength in his core, the earth beneath his feet, and as he shifted his weight, he felt a new level of control. His movements became smoother and more fluid, allowing him to evade attacks with grace before landing his own with unerring accuracy. The other fighters watched with growing respect, whispering among themselves about his swift progress.
Each day, as the sun set, Drake and Hyun Gwang would finish their training with a final bout. The elder monk’s movements were sharp, his strikes carrying decades of practiced skill, yet Drake matched him with newfound finesse and control. By the fourth day, the two were moving as if in a dance, each anticipating the other’s movements. When they finished, Hyun Gwang clasped Drake’s shoulder.
“You have a natural affinity for this.”
The monk said, his voice filled with admiration.
“With time and practice, you may even surpass those who have dedicated their lives to these arts in a couple of years. Abbess Xinhui herself would be impressed.”
Drake felt a surge of pride, bowing deeply. He knew he still had much to learn, but he was grateful for this opportunity. The days had been long, filled with hard work and challenges, but he felt more alive, more connected to his abilities than ever before.
As the days passed, the rest of the group members slowly began awakening to the energy within them, each discovering their Ki at their own pace, being Gregor the next one to manage this transformation. Shen kept a close watch on everyone, always monitoring their progress, so, it was with careful observation that he noticed the exact moment when Gregor’s energy began to flow steadily from his body. There was no mistaking it: He had finally awakened the ability to control his Ki. However, Shen sensed something peculiar in his aura, an undertone that he couldn't ignore.
“This Ki feels unusual.”
The boy remarked aloud, his brows furrowing with unease.
“There’s a faint trace of karma woven into it, almost as if it belongs to an asura. Only a being who has taken countless lives would normally bear such a mark, yet your Ki is untainted and pure, it sure is weird.”
Gregor remained silent at Shen’s words. He merely closed his eyes and nodded, settling back into his meditative stance with the rest of the group. For a couple more days, he continued to meditate, his face betraying none of his inner thoughts or past, focusing only on the calm that came from the new energy flowing within him.
The second to awaken his Ki was the old man, Sebastian. When it happened, something curious caught Shen’s attention. He observed the old man’s Ki, and though Sebastian’s energy was modest, even diminished due to his advanced age, something else altered its power; whenever Falk was in direct contact with him, the energies of both seemed to merge, amplifying exponentially. It became evident that Falk’s presence acted as a conduit, intensifying Sebastian’s Ki through a symbiotic but inexplicable bond.
“It seems that this connection is due to your… bird? Inner strength.”
Shen muttered, almost to himself.
“A powerful will, like that of a trapped soul. The resonance is impressive.”
Sebastian’s eyes widened, feeling his own body as if renewed. He tentatively straightened his back, unburdened by the aches he had long accepted as part of old age, and broke into a gentle trot, marveling as he tested his newfound agility. He even tried a few squats, laughing softly at the strength he seemed to have rediscovered. The small crowd around him watched, deeply moved, as tears of quiet joy gathered in the corners of Sebastian’s eyes. Shen placed a hand on his shoulder, a rare smile crossing his face.
“Elder Sebastian, you should feel reassured. There are masters in the Alliance—grandmasters—who are not immortal, yet they are strong warriors who live well past a century. I believe you may be willing to meet one of them… one of my many teachers, Elder Yuntai. He is an ascetic who has lived for 140 years.”
A glint of respect sparked in Sebastian’s gaze, and he nodded, accepting Shen’s offer. Together, they set off toward the mountain near the camp to find the reclusive master.
Katya was the next to unlock her Ki, although her experience was uneventful compared to the others. Shen watched her intently, waiting for something unusual to emerge, but when nothing out of the ordinary happened, he felt both disappointment and relief, so with a slight nod, he congratulated her.
“You’ve done well, young miss.”
In her usual quiet way, Katya decided to remain with the group, even though it became apparent that her real reason for staying was Kazue. The two shared a bond that made Katya reluctant to leave until her friend reached her own breakthrough.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Then, a day later, to everyone’s surprise, Chloe managed to awaken her Ki. Shen’s eyes lit up as he observed the unique quality of her energy.
“It’s beautiful, there’s a sense of happiness in your Ki, an aura that seems… healing.”
He praised her warmly, making a suggestion almost immediately.
“You should meet ‘Jade Hand’ Meiling, the chief doctor of the Alliance. Your energy has a natural affinity with healing.”
Kazue jumped up, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
“Finally, a healer for the team! It’s about time!”
Chloe, however, didn’t look convinced, as healing had never appealed to her. But as Shen went on to explain that Meiling was not only a healer but also one of the vice-captains and the most formidable woman in the Alliance, the pink-haired girl’s curiosity piqued. With an appreciative nod, she agreed to meet such a legendary healer, so Shen led her to the medical quarters.
For a full day, there was no further progress among the others. Gregor had wandered off already, leaving only Kazue and Nikolai to meditate under Shen’s supervision. Shen tried to guide them with patience, offering advice and encouragement, but neither could produce even a trace of Ki.
Finally, on the fourth day, Nikolai succeeded. His face flushed with the effort, and his breaths came in short gasps. Shen approached him, his tone light but firm.
“Nikolai, if you’re this exhausted from one session, you need to work on your basic endurance. Your Ki will be of little use if your body cannot keep up.”
Nikolai chuckled, shrugging nonchalantly.
“*Hmpf* I’ve never needed to train. *Hmpf* My expertise has always been *Hmpf* running away.”
Shen’s expression turned contemplative, but a light smile appeared on his face.
“In that case, perhaps you would fit well with the Alliance’s scouting division. They specialize in infiltration and extraction without leaving a trace.”
The idea seemed to appeal to Nikolai more than rigorous training, and with a faint smirk, he accepted Shen’s proposal. With that, only Kazue remained without any Ki manifestation.
The girl tried everything, determined to prove herself. She attempted different poses, chanted words she thought sounded magical, and even tried willing her Ki into existence with pure focus. Yet, nothing happened. Frustration bubbled within her, and she clenched her fists. Katya noticed, approaching her gently.
“Don’t worry… It’s alright. I’ll stay with you as long as it takes.”
The blonde murmured softly, her voice warm and calming. Kazue looked up, her frustration melting into gratitude as she nodded, her determination rekindled. Shen, however, began to wonder if there was something fundamentally wrong. Even with all her meridians open, the girl’s Ki output was minimal, a curious phenomenon.
“Perhaps I should examine you myself, there may be something amiss with your energy or possibly your state of mind.”
Shen suggested thoughtfully, making Kazue’s face flush, her initial reaction one of embarrassment.
“W-What? That’s… a bit invasive…”
However, the guy gave a reassuring smile.
“The doctors already confirmed that your physical health is fine. This issue may be deeper, something I’m trained to address.”
Suddenly, Katya’s gaze shifted uneasily, and she stammered, attempting to protest, but before she could speak, Kazue took a deep breath and nodded.
“Alright… if that’s what it takes.”
After the girl’s confirmation, Shen asked Katya to step aside, out of respect for Kazue’s privacy, a comment that made a noticeable twitch appear at the corner of Katya’s right eye, a visible sign of her frustration. Just then, Kazue felt an inexplicable sensation—a sudden release, as if a weight had been lifted from her back; she hadn’t realized it before, but she had felt a faint pressure resting on her spine for days.
With that sensation gone, Ki erupted from Kazue’s body, surging wildly as if unleashed from a seal. Shen took a step back in shock, and Kazue herself looked down in awe at the energy radiating from her.
Katya murmured under her breath, cheeks flushed as she stammered.
“Well… I guess there’s no need for an examination after all…”
Shen nodded, still somewhat bewildered by the intensity of Kazue’s energy.
“This is unusual, but it’s wonderful to see your Ki emerging so strongly at last.”
Overcome with joy, Kazue threw her arms up, laughing and celebrating as she jumped up and down. Katya congratulated her with a soft smile, while Shen observed her closely, a thoughtful look in his eyes, and finally asked.
“Kazue, do you, by any chance, have any elemental affinity?”
Kazue tilted her head, unsure.
“I don’t know, but… I can do this.”
She raised her right hand, and with a spark of concentration, summoned a crackling orb of electricity in her palm.
However, the electricity quickly spiraled out of control, surging across her body and discharging in all directions. Both Katya and Shen stepped back to avoid the scattering energy. Kazue tried desperately to control the outburst, but it subsided only after a few chaotic seconds. She looked up at Shen, cheeks flushed in apology.
“I-I’m so sorry about that…”
However, Shen waved off her apology with a warm smile.
“No need to worry. You may not know, but in Murim, elemental techniques are highly compatible with Ki since both draw from natural energies. Unfortunately, we don’t have anyone skilled in elemental control who could mentor you. But you can practice on your own by visualizing your Ki merging with the electricity you summon.”
Kazue nodded, brimming with excitement at the prospect of training her abilities further. She turned to Katya, grabbing her hand in a burst of enthusiasm, and dragged her off to practice together. As they departed, the blonde glanced back at Shen, playfully sticking out her tongue with a mischievous grin that reminded him of a child attempting to tease.
Shen chuckled to himself as he watched them go, marveling at how colorful this group had become… For the next week and a half, each member of the group focused intently on their unique training, sharpening their skills in preparation for the trials that lay ahead.
Adam continues to seclude himself in a quiet corner, delving deep into the study and practice of his cursed energy. With a cautious and skeptical expression, he explored the limits of his powers, testing different ways to wield the dark energy with more freedom. On occasions, he found himself growing hungry for vital energy, a hunger that seemed insatiable without Drake's assistance. Though Adam had originally been reluctant, he begrudgingly accepted his teammate’s help with a strict caveat.
“Under no circumstances will we ever hold hands again.”
Drake, unfazed, simply nodded in agreement, only to surprise Adam by wrapping his arms around him from behind, smirking as he felt the blood drain from his friend’s head.
Adam’s face turned a pale shade of blue as he felt his energy stabilize with disgust. The unintended intimacy, however, seemed to strike a chord with Drake’s otherworldly fanbase, who erupted into cheers once again, gifting him extra points and another stamina potion. Drake, laughing, released Adam and apologized with a casual grin, promising it was the last time, letting this time Adam place a hand on his shoulder instead to absorb the necessary energy.
Meanwhile, aside from those comedic moments, Drake spent countless hours training under the watchful eye of Hyun Gwang. The elderly martial artist observed with quiet approval as Drake demonstrated remarkable aptitude for Shaolin techniques. Hyun Gwang instructed him in fundamental stances and breathing techniques, encouraging him to integrate them into his own style. By the end of each session, Drake found himself drenched in sweat, exhilarated by the physical and mental challenges his new training posed.
Kazue and Katya spent nearly every waking hour together, with Kazue immersing herself in the practice of integrating her electric skills with her Ki. Each time she conjured a spark, Katya would cheer her on, clapping and calling out words of encouragement, even as she occasionally performed her own physical exercises nearby. With each practice session, Kazue’s confidence grew, while Katya’s quiet support never faltered.
Elsewhere in the camp, Chloe had forged an unlikely friendship with Meiling, the head doctor of the Alliance. The two spent hours together, Meiling teaching the girl ways to channel her Ki with a focus on calm, healing energy. The doctor even gifted Chloe a set of special acupuncture needles, which she held with reverence, her curiosity piqued by the art of acupressure. Each day they practiced together, Chloe felt her control over her Ki deepen, her aura of gentle warmth blossoming under Meiling’s guidance.
Gregor, in contrast, preferred quiet meditation. He sat cross-legged in various secluded spots throughout the camp, his eyes closed, fully immersed in a tranquil state of mind. Unbeknownst to him, his presence attracted the younger children of the camp, who found delight in gathering around him, whispering to each other and playing nearby. Although they occasionally bumped into him or kicked up dust, Gregor remained serene, his patience unwavering.
Nikolai, ever the rogue, avoided strenuous training altogether. Instead, he found himself drawn to members of the exploration corps, regaling them with stories and quick-witted banter. They quickly took a liking to him, eventually gifting him a lightweight suit designed for agility. He wore it with a mischievous grin, marveling at the increased speed it gave him, and musing that running away from danger had always been his forte. Despite Shen’s earlier insistence that he train his body, Nikolai contentedly accepted his new allies’ praise without lifting a single weight.
Sebastian and Falk, under the tutelage of Elder Yuntai, practiced the ancient arts of mental and physical conservation. Despite his advanced age, Yuntai treated them both as young students, delighting in their futuristic insights and tales of past exploits. Falk, despite his mechanical form, seemed to exude a faint energy that resonated with Sebastian’s Ki, and the two absorbed Yuntai’s lessons on mindful breathing and low-energy techniques with eager curiosity. While these methods couldn’t fully restore Sebastian’s physical vitality, they gave him a newfound agility, allowing him to move with surprising ease for a man of his age.
Li, meanwhile, continues seeking out conversations with anyone willing to talk. Over several days, he gathered a wealth of information on the Alliance’s history, key figures, and the intricacies of their mission. His questions often caught people off guard with their insight, and his presence became familiar among the various camps.
Emir, however, was perhaps the most secretive of all. For nearly two weeks, he trained directly with Jianfeng, the leader of the Alliance, who seemed to take a particular interest in the boy. Whenever anyone asked Emir what his training entailed, he would respond with a quiet but firm answer.
“Teacher Jianfeng asked me not to talk about it yet.”
One day, Kazue and Katya decided to discreetly follow him. They found him pressing his palms against the rough bark of a tree, maintaining the position in absolute stillness. Kazue soon grew bored and left, but Katya lingered, sensing something unusual about the boy’s quiet practice… The days blurred together, and soon only three remained before the plan would be set into motion.
As the camp stirred to life, Jianfeng called everyone to a central tent, larger than any other, set up at the heart of their makeshift base. Over the past week and a half, he had taken time to speak individually with each member of the user’s team. His questions were thorough and perceptive, seeking to understand each person’s abilities, their limits, and the potential each held. Adam could still recall Jianfeng's calm voice as he questioned him about his cursed energy and its costs, and the serious yet attentive way Jianfeng had listened. This was a leader who wanted to know exactly what each of them could do—and what they couldn't.
Inside the tent, the atmosphere was tense but charged with anticipation. Members of the Alliance were seated in a wide circle around a large table, where an intricate map of Heavenly Jade City lay spread across the wooden surface. The map showed every street and landmark in painstaking detail, marking routes, hidden passages, and the layout of the city’s defensive points. The ten vice-captains of the Alliance stood at the head of the table, surrounding Jianfeng, and every eye turned toward him as he cleared his throat.
"Our plan is straightforward but requires precision."
Jianfeng began, his voice carrying through the tent. He gestured toward the map, tracing a finger along a hidden passage marked in faint ink.
"We have a pathway into the city that will allow us to enter unseen. This corridor has taken years to prepare, and our contacts inside have kept it hidden from the city's overseers. The bulk of the Alliance’s army will launch a frontal assault on the lower quarter of the city to draw the attention of their forces. This will give us, the strike team, enough cover to approach the center undetected."
The map showed a clear line of approach: one group would launch a head-on attack, while a smaller team would slip through the hidden passage and aim directly at Don Bai Huolong’s stronghold.
Jianfeng looked at each main team member—Adam, Drake, Kazue, Li, Sebastian, Gregor, and Katya, seeing that the last three had insisted on joining the strike team.
"Our objective is the Don himself. Once we reach him, we will have at most an hour to eliminate him before reinforcements arrive. That hour is our window; we will have to give everything we have, as there's no fallback plan. If we fail, none of us may leave that room alive."
As the words settled, a few hands rose with questions. Adam was the first to speak up, his gaze steely.
"What if the Don has additional forces hidden closer to his quarters?"
Jianfeng nodded, as though anticipating this concern.
"Our scouts have confirmed that most of his elite guard is stationed on the outer layers of his stronghold. They'll be drawn away by the main attack. We should only encounter minor defenses until we reach the central chamber. However, I've instructed the vice-captains to remain vigilant and adjust positions as needed if the situation changes."
Kazue raised her hand next.
"What about possible traps? The Don must have some form of defense against intruders."
Jianfeng exchanged a glance with his vice-captains, who nodded in silent agreement.
"The passage we’re using has been carefully surveyed and should be safe. However, once we’re inside the main chamber, we’ll have to rely on our senses and caution. Bai Huolong is known to have unconventional means of protection. Stay alert and trust in each other."
As the questions continued, Jianfeng addressed every concern, reassuring them where he could and offering strategies to deal with unknowns. Adam could see the calm confidence in the leader’s gaze, a confidence that seemed to spread through the group, grounding them.
When Jianfeng announced the dismissal, each team member left with a sense of readiness—though for some, it was tainted with anxiety, while others, like Kazue, buzzed with an uncontainable eagerness. The day of the attack finally arrived, set to begin in the late afternoon.
The mood was electric, a blend of fear and anticipation. Kazue paced back and forth, practically vibrating with excitement.
“I’ve waited for this,”
She muttered under her breath, casting glances at her teammates with a grin.
“Finally, a real mission.”
Adam, meanwhile, watched the movements around him with a feeling of unease. His eyes scanned the ranks of the soldiers gathered, noting that only the vice-captains carried armor and weapons. The rest of the soldiers, the ones assigned to the lower quarter assault, bore nothing more than their regular clothes and grim determination. The realization struck him with cold clarity—victory was not just essential; it was their only option if they wanted to survive. If they failed to defeat the Don, everyone here, his team included, would fall to the wrath of Bai Huolong’s forces.
As the hour approached, each member of the team moved to their designated positions, the final moments of quiet before the chaos. The camp was silent, an almost reverent stillness hanging over them. When the moment arrived, a low, steady horn sounded through the camp. It was time.
With steady, determined steps, each person made their way to the edge of the camp, heading toward the target zone. Adam kept close to the others, his mind focused on the mission, yet he could not help but feel the weight of what lay ahead.