This martial art seems quite interesting…
And the name is quite good!
“Elder, can you give some advice on this technique?” I asked.
“Of course-Huh?” the outstanding confidence that he previously showed disappeared,” do not choose this technique.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Just trust me,” he said,” Trying to learn it will make you a laughingstock…”
What? How come?
“Elder please explain why? This technique seems quite good…”
The old man sighed as he looked at me,” That martial art only seems good on surface! Having your Qi and Blood dozens of times richer than any other martial artist seems good, doesn’t it?”
“Yes…”
Now this is making me unsure…is this Great Kun Method actually bad? I mean, could there be some secret requirement? Does it make one loose their mind?
“But it comes at a price! The resources you need to eat to support your body will be enormous! Now, do you know what is inner strength?”
“I will be honest with you elder,” I said,” I only know that it exists and one can gain it by long periods of practice.”
“Well that is a part of the requirement,” he said with a nod,” You see, inner strength is gained by the excess of energy one gains from food. As such, the Great Kun Method doesn’t allow for the growth of inner strength.”
Huh?
That’s it?
“Elder, it’s fine if the side effect was to make me lose my mind,” I said,” I wouldn’t practice it. But for it to be such a little thing? Do you look down on me so much?”
“Who looks down on you?” he retorted,” I’m concerned about your future! If you practice this dead end martial art-“
“Elder, no need,” I said,” I’ll choose it!”
“What?”
The old man was clearly confused, and even more so, he was angry!
“What’s with that dumbass choice? You-“
“I am not forsaking my future,” I said,” no need for you to worry!”
“Who’s worried about a brat like you?” he said angrily.
This martial art is perfect for me! I don’t know if my previous world allows for inner strength, so a method that lets me train my Qi and Blood to a supernatural level is excellent! And when paired with my supernatural strength, it will likely prove itself useful!
As for the food…
As an emperor, even if my military power disappears, my civil officials betray me, and the people rebel, I will not lack food for myself!
Now, even if this method doesn’t work, I can still learn from it! And I still have the Great Strength method, which would improve my power to greatly by relying on universal basic principles!
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In a time of chaos, I doubt a large man won’t inspire people to follow him, especially if he had a supernatural level of might!
After all, did not the famed Hegemon King, Xiang Yu, reply on his overwhelming strength to subdue the world? He just lacked an eye for talent and will to listen to advisors…
“Elder, I made up my mind!”
Boundless blood, immense strength, and incredible vitality here I come!
I might as well choose another technique…oh? This one seems good.
What I lacked was an appropriate footwork method…After all, I wield an uncommon amount of strength, so of course I have to have a proper method!
This ‘Seven Steps of the Dragon King’ seem quite nice. To have the great strength in my legs and flexibility of a dragon in my spine! That will be good.
Unknowingly I made a slight smile, then I saw the elder looking at my choice…
“Elder, please do not be offended,” I said to him,” I have my own reasons I must follow through with.”
“Oh youth,” he sighed,” you are young and vigourious, so of course you have some weird ambitions… Just take care to plan things out.”
Elder, I must say you have an excellent physiological quality.
“I will listen to your advice!”
And so, I picked the two martial arts books and went out.
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“Xiang’er, tell me what martial arts did you pick?” my father asked.
His expression was calm as he sat on the bronze throne, his cheek resting in his hand. His appearance carried with it a regal bearing I couldn’t fail to notice.
“Father, my talent is poor,” I said,” so I took the Great Kun Method and the Seven Steps of the Dragon King-“
“You picked that accursed method?” he exclaimed in confusion,” Xiang’er I hope you understand what that means.”
“But of course Father,” I replied,” if I master it, there wouldn’t be many who could stand a blow from me.”
“I see…” he said as he stroked his beard,” Very well, but do not practice the Seven Steps of the Dragon King, as it is not very good when used with the Great Kun Method.”
Oh? So there is a more appropriate footwork for the Great Kun Method?
“Please advise!” I said with a bow.
My father faked a cough as he pointed at an elder,” Fifth Elder, please introduce Xiang’er to the Grand Elder.”
I didn’t know there is a grand elder…I lack the knowledge of too many things! I must establish some form of intelligence network at least, even if it were the most basic one!
“Very well,” the man said,” Second Young Master, please follow me.”
“Then I shall excuse myself, Father, elders,” I said with a salute as I followed after the fifth elder.
He was a tall man, with a robust build unbefitting for someone his age. Though he is a martial artist with deep internal strength, so I can understand his ruddy cheeks and healthy posture.
After all, even in a world with no mystical techniques, active people tend to be healthier in their old age, not to mention in this world where this old man can probably kill a heavyweight boxer with a single punch…and he is not unique in that.
At least from what I know. But I don’t know much. And that is a problem!
But how the fuck do I establish an espionage unit? Do…do I just pay people to stare at someone? What the fuck am I supposed to do?
Fuck you, Zhang Chun! I couldn’t even get a proper education for a monarch thanks to you dickless bastard! I’ll execute everyone related to you when I get back!
Fuck you too empress! You could have ruined the empire because your hellspawn didn’t live past three!
“Why are you angry Second Young master?” the fifth elder asked with confusion apparent on his face.
“Don’t worry about it elder,” I said,” I just remembered something I’ll have to do.”
I’ll have to kill the empress dowager! No…I will torture her to death!
“I see…Well, if you need my help I’d be glad to help you!”
“It’s just a little thing, unworthy of the elder lifting even a finger,” I politely replied.
“Very well,” he said,” Even if it is some advice I can help you, I’ve moved in the jianghu for many years so I have accumulated a bit of knowledge.”
“I see,” I said,” then I might ask you for advice in the future then!”
The fifth elder chuckled as he spoke,” It is only proper! I am an elder of the clan, so I need to help the younger generation rise!”
Hmm…truly profound words! An elder is there to block the violent wind and rain for the saplings of the clan! How else would a clan prosper when the people aren’t united, with everyone fending for themselves?
After all, blood is thicker than water! Clans only need to worry about their own, while being deeply entrenched in their territory! Thus, the people are accustomed to their rule, and the realm prospers.
Unlike a dynasty, where dozens of people fight for control over all under heaven, while often the emperor merely watches, powerless to do anything!
I clenched my hand as conviction grew in my eyes.
I shall rule over all under heaven!
My name shall be recorded in history books, be it as a sage monarch or a tyrant! But not as a faint-hearted puppet!