AUTHORS NOTE: Hope you enjoy, please give advice and critc as it would help my writing and this story alot :D
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Chapter 2 - The External Path
Wushi city, located in the east of the LongXia Empire, was a once powerful and rich city. It was home to many experts and powerful families and the city was known for its beautiful architecture and as the birth city of the Founding Emperor Long Yinglong.
The LongXia Empire wasn't the only empire and was once one of the most powerful of the empires, however as time went on, the royal clan deteriorated and due to the internal war between the princes and has failed to recover since. Many powerful cities and clans where destroyed during this period known as the 'Game of thrones' ( hehehehe see what I did there ;D) and a once powerful clan, home to countless experts and the rulers of the Wushi city, The Shi Clan, suffered a tremendous amount as their city was destroyed and experts and talents executed and powerful martial arts scripts stolen and burned (they didn't take it for themselves simply because if they did people would know it is from the Shi clan and rumors would start saying that it was a ploy by the prince and the powerful clan to steal the Shi Clans secrets, this would ruin their reputation)
This was due to a request from a powerful clan which requested the destruction of the Shi Clan as a condition for their loyalty to one of the princes. The Shi clan was put in disarray and over the years had fallen so low that they where barely able to hold the spot as the ruling family of the city.
The Wushi city was even worse of than the Shi family, the once beautifully paved roads and buildings had been destroyed or the trade routes had be occupied by bandits and the one wealthy and powerful city had lost all it's wealth and power. It was know a city full of crime, violence and poverty and the Shi Clan had been incredibly harsh with their taxes and known as vicious and arrogant people.
Due to this over the years many people had tried to take over the city but had all failed until the unknown family, the He Clan arrived in Wushi and started to oppose the Shi clans rule.
Over the years they have been bitter enemies, always secretly plotting a way to destroy the other.
Inside the He Clans mansion, The Main Hall.
A middle aged man with streaks of grey hair going across his red pony tailed hair, stood with his hand behind his back, looking at a portrait of a beautiful woman sorrowfully. He wore a blood-red robe and emanated a chilling aura. He quietly mused to himself:
"Gu Wei, my dearest love, forgive me for I am taking too long, but today I finally start my plan to avenge your death all those years ago. The Shi Clan will pay for what they did to us and I won't rest until they are all dead and buried." killing intent started emanate and surprisingly tears started to flow down this savage looking mans face.
This man was none other than the head of the He Clan, He Cheng.
As he was lost in thought, he sensed the the arrival of two black robed robust men. Upon their arrival, all emotion and disappeared from his face and his countenance returned to being cold and unapproachable.
"Clan Head" the two men cupped their hands and dropped to one knee, greeting him respectfully.
He Cheng who remained with his back to the two men, coldly spoke:
"He Han, He Yan have you completed your task"
The two men where exactly He Han and He Yan who caused the little boy to jump of the cliff. They both replied at the same time:
"Yes, Clan head"
"Report" He Cheng said coldly with no emotion on his face.
Hen Yan stepped forward, with his hand still cuping his fist and with a slight bow. He reported:
"Clan head, We where able to get young master Shi Jin away from the Shi family earlier than expected as we had someone bribe the Shi Clan elder, Shi Yuan to tell the young master the secret of his birth. This caused him to run out of the mansion unguarded so we took the chance and approached him. He was captured as soon as he got far enough from the Shi Mansion and we captured him and took him to the Mountain.. well to precise 'The cliff of no return' where we threw him off so cut of all traces connecting this to us so even though they know it is us they have no evidence. In addition to this we had a random kid deliver the young masters badge and a vague letter hinting towards us being the ones behind this but not enough to be evidence." after he finished reporting he stepped back and got onto one knee again.
He Cheng nodded, with no change appearing on his face even after hearing the mission was a success, he coldly spoke finally turning around to face the two:
"You have done well and you will be rewarded handsomely for completing this task with such efficiency. Now tell the other and begin phase 2 as we wait for those Shi dogs to attack us whilst blinded by rage." and for the first time a bone chilling, menacing smile appeared on his scarred face.
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Liu family mansion, under a tree.
A little girl had just received the news that her fiance and best friend Shi Jin was dead and that their engagement had been cancelled.
This little girl looked around the same age as Shu Jin, she had a beautiful, cute face and you could tell right away she would be an amazing beauty in the future. She sat against the tree with her head in between her knees, in a daze.
"Shi Jin gege wouldn't die just like that.... he promised... he promised he would marry me when we are grown up" she moved her head deeper between her knees " Shi Jin gege wouldn't leave Ai all alone, he said he will grow strong and handsome and take me on many adventures... Shi Jin gege... you liar" tears started falling, seeing her like this would make anyone feel heartbroken as she cried and cried for the whole night.
"Ai will wait for you... I promise..."
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Shi Mansion, Shi Yi's study.
Shi Yi sat there lifelessly, heartbroken, heartbroken that his clan, his family that he had shed blood and tears for where stopping him from taking action against the He clan, heartbroken that his Jin'er, his little boy whom he had raised alone had died so young... he had such a promising future and for it to be destroyed... so early and worst of it his so called 'family' wanted to do nothing about it.
This made him furious, he cursed the heavens for giving Shi Jin such a unfortunate life. He was abandoned by his birth parents, had a weak body from young and when he was finally getting better, he had been... had been assassinated and there was nothing he could do about it... he couldn't even locate the corpse...
"Jin'er, my son, your father is truly useless, I wasn't able to do anything for you, I can't even give you a befitting burial" he grabbed his robe at his heart area, fell on his knees and started crying again "Father is heartbroken... my child... why are the heavens so cruel to you...
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Shi Jin, the foster son of the head of the Shi family. He had a weak body from young so practicing martial arts was almost impossible for him.
He was engaged to the Liu Family's 3rd daughter Liu Ai, a cheeky-playful girl. Shi Jin and Liu Ai had been best friends from young and always played together and for children so young they had special feelings towards one and other, so through out Wushin city they were known as the Star-crossed couple, as people would tease them when they where together.
To commoners Shi Jin was arrogant and harsh as that's how he was raised but to those he cared about he was tender and protective.
Unfortunately he wasn't even mourned by many, only pity and disdain...
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In a dark cave
A little boy body lay on the ground in a t-shape, deeply asleep as he had no idea what was happening around him.
"Child, Greeting I am Longyang the Spirit of External Martial arts and it is my sole responsibility to grant my power to the one I wish to be the successor of my legacy. You are the first one to make it all the way to my lair, without any martial arts. That is why I have chosen you to be my successor.
Before I can grant you this power, there are a few things you must promise me you will do. They are:
To reach the pinnacle of the world.
To start a sect strictly focusing on only External arts, whether it be the ones you receive from me or those you come across in the future, it can only be external and no internal. You must remember this it is very important you spread the greatness of External martial arts.
That is all I ask of you. Child, this must be a huge shock for you but fear not, I mean you no harm. Do you anything you wish to
inquire about? Longyang said calmly
Shi Jin quickly recovered from his daze, took a deep breath to calm him self and shakily asked:
"Sir Longyang, where am I? Am I dead? If not can I go home?"
The smoke form of the spirit had no reaction, in a deep rumbling voice Longyang replied:
"Hmm, for your first question we are in my domain, no one can enter or leave unless I allow it. For your second question,of course you are not dead, I stopped your death with the hope you would take on this burden that I had been tasked during and even after my life to fulfill, so no silly boy you are not dead. Lastly, you will be able to leave..."
Hearing this Shi Jin's heart starting racing in excitement he could finally go home and have his father deal with those men and return to Liu Ai to let her know he was alright. But before he could think further he was shocked silly by Longyang next words:
" But most likely sometime in the future. Five?, ten? Maybe fifteen years it all depends on your affinity to the External teachings and how fast you are able to absorb the legacy, in addition to this you will not leave until you have reached the ' Understand and Combine stage' before that you must practice diligently, if you want to leave quickly and return to your loved ones... train harder.
Shi Jin's joyful expression turned in to one of sorrow and longing. '15 years?' 'Train to the Understand and combine stage' he thought. Longyang noticing his sadness, Longyang interjected:
"You are young, you miss your family and friends, that fine, but don't you want power to be able to protect them? Do you want what could of happened to you to happen to them? I have been secluded for innumerable years so I don't understand what is happening but do you want to forever remain a burden on your family or do you want to be a pillar of support for them, a shield to keep them from harm and a sword to cut away all those with vicious intentions, calm your heart and train to the peak of martial arts and I can guarantee this will happen."
Shi Jin sat there deep in his thought, he contemplated ' I want to be strong, to protect father and Liu Ai, so I can get revenge on those scum that tried to kill me! I hate being weak, I hate being called trash because I had a sickly body!"
Shi Jin looked up staring intently with resolve in his eyes, he said:
" I will do it, I accept, I hate being weak, I hate being bullied and looked at with disdain and disgust... I hate being a burden and always causing pain for my father and Liu Ai, I will be the strongest, the richest, the most handsome everything... please help me" tears started to stream down Shi Jin's face. He had finally had a purpose in life.
Longyang nodded in satisfaction, before gazing up as in lost in thought 'Longying, I have found the chosen, I pray he will fulfill his promises and do what I asked. After he leaves this place I can finally leave this godforsaken place and wait for you to complete your task so we can be together again, my dearest...'
Longyang paused a moment, he silently said as joy rose inside of him:
"Y-you have found your successor too.. Fate has it's way of playing games and now we can finally be reunited..."
Longyang quickly recollected his thought and piercingly gazed down at Shi Jin, he said:
"Okay kid, prepare yourself, since you have accepted I will tell you exactly what i'm about to give you." he paused for a moment before continuing "The first thing will be the Metamorphosis - where your body will go through a purge and your constitution will completely change to set a unfathomable foundation. Secondly, you will be given memories as well as this inter-spatial ring which is basically a library of all sorts of external martial arts, they are ranked as wood being the lowest tier and in order going up: Iron tier, Copper tier, Silver, Gold and finally Jade tier. For the other tier I don't care but for the Jade tier there are 5 external skill sets. For the 3rd change, any external skill you see you will be able to copy, no matter what skill or skill move set as long as you see it you will be able to mimic however this does not apply for Ancient skill moves and being able to mimic isn't reaching the insights needed to unleash it's full power... remember that"
Longyang smiled:
"Now, let's begin" and with that an azure radiance shot out and entered the unsuspecting Shi Jin.
As he sat there in daze wondering what that light was, all of a sudden he felt a warm power coursing through him it felt unbelievably soothing.. then it turned into the most gut wrenching pain he had ever felt. He would go unconscious from the pain but would be awoken again. It continued like this before Shi Jin passed out and the pain stopped.
A layer of azure light appeared around his body. The light emitted from within his body and covered him like a cocoon. All cuts and bruises disappeared and he slowly started levitating of the ground. His bones, muscles, internal organs and meridians were being infused with a bright azure energy.
It was a majestic azure color, and the cocoon that surrounded Shi Jin had yellow streaks of gold coursing through. Shi Jin had entered an transformation slumber and wouldn't awake for many years...