Not to value and employ men of superior ability is the way to keep the people from rivalry among themselves.
Not to prize articles which are difficult to procure is the way to keep them from becoming thieves; not to show them what is likely to excite their desires is the way to keep their minds from disorder.

- Dao De Jing Chapter 3

Three days have passed since Hachiman and Sagami arrived in Inage City. They watched the situation and sharpened their ears for anything.

The route between Inage and Mihama remains closed, at least for the time being. They said that Core Formation* experts got sent to suppress the Onikuma. However, the Onikuma purposely avoid the pursuit and instead attacked yet another weaker groups of hunters.

One middle-aged Ki Condensation expert got incapacitated. However, it seems that the Bear suffered a blow in this fight and ran away.

Hearing that, Sagami Minami got a chill on her neck.

"Heavens, this accursed bear is a pain to deal with." She grit her teeth. "I'm confident the even just one of us can take on it head-on, but there are too many uncertainties, and we'll be disadvantaged in an ambush."

"That fact is almost certain. There's no point waiting for that route to open again, might as well take a detour." Hachiman agreed. "That kind of intelligent beast is a far greater threat than apex beast. Soon enough, there might be Golden Core** involved."

The gap of cultivation between a Golden Core cultivator with the Foundation Establishment is greater than the gap between Foundation Establishment and Ki Condensation.

As can be seen with the fight between Hachiman/Sagami against the bandit Onmyouji, confrontations between Foundation level cultivators tend to cause massive destruction. Not counting the fact that Onmyouji used devastating sacrificial technique to blow himself, this fight caused half acres of wood to burn to ashes!

However, fights between Golden Cores would alter local terrain. A few years ago, a disagreement between two Golden Core cultivators in Yachiyo caused an entire city block to collapse!

Considering neither of them went all out, one simply doesn't want to anger a Golden Core expert until they swear mortal threat!

In any case, the beast itself doesn't seem to be powerful, considering a single Core Formation expert spooked it hard, and a Ki Condensation expert managed to fight it off.

However, the fact that it had enough comprehension of danger assessment and utilization of stealth, this Onikuma grew too smart. A demonic beast that grew intelligence is an apocalyptic threat to humankind as a whole!

That's why it's not surprising that Golden Core masters will involve themselves soon. And Hachiman wanted to avoid their attention as much as possible.

The route from Inage City to Mihama would go through two small towns of Anagawa and Kurosuna. However, the road between Inage and Anagawa got blocked for safety reasons.

"So, do you have any idea where to go?" Sagami asked as she sat cross-legged. "Going northwest to Miyanogidai then to Kemigawacho would be rational. It's the smaller trade routes that would be left, now that the primary Inage-Mihama route is blocked."

"The fastest route is to get a boat and travel through the river heading to Konakadai." Hachiman pointed.

"That makes sense." She said. "It will be expensive, but worth it."

Chiba was a region full of rivers. Naturally, river trade flourished in one way or another. However, in this particular case, the rivers themselves started in Inage, gone southwest to the coastal Mihama.

That's why all trade routes leading to Inage had to be done the hard way; through land travel. Thus the reason why both of them decided to hitchhike on the caravan in exchange for protection.

However, the travel from Inage to Mihama doesn't require a land route. Riverboats are more than sufficient.

Yet, traveling through rivers isn't without risk. Demon Beast doesn't just wander the land but also lurk inside water. Because of the difficulties of fighting the demon beast in their territory in the water, naturally, escort service involving river travels are top-notch.

Ki Condensation masters aren't the rarity, but the norm, and they cost quite a sum to hire. Sometimes, you might see a Foundation level cultivator making it a lifetime job.

"Money exists to be used. Frugality is gold, but necessity is above all." Hachiman grinned. For a moment, Sagami thought he looked gross.

"Putting needless effort when you can just rest your backs and enjoy the trip, that would be a fool's errand."

"Big talk from a Yin cultivator, you do not worry!" She seethed in response.

Naturally, a fire Elementalist would be heavily disadvantaged in a river battle. However, Hachiman cultivated the Yin Fire element, which is peculiar.

Naturally, when it comes to river traveling, Hachiman had it easy! What a wicked man!

...

So they decided to go and find the western dockyard of Inage. There, it wasn't hard to find any boat, as expected. Despite not being a wide river, it was one of the primary trade points in this town.

It was like they're looking at oceans of men!

However!

"It's full?"

"Yeah, I shall apologize. Most of the boats here probably out of rooms because of the land road blockade that happened, more people decided to travel by the rivers."

None of them dare to sail overburdened. That would spell death!

"We could probably board the bulk cargo boat, instead..." Hachiman said. "If you don't mind."

"No problem with me."

Bulk cargo boats were supposed to carry tons of commodities. The addition of one or two humans shouldn't be a problem.

It wouldn't be as lavish as a passenger boat, and there wouldn't be much in the way of accommodation either. But it would also be considerably cheaper to ride on.

And frankly speaking, there shouldn't be any difference in terms of travel security.

"Hey, look."

Sagami pointed at the small crowd of young people, most of which wearing white robes with black collar and cuffs. "Confucians***?"

"Yeah, look like a bunch of Confucians." Hachiman agreed. "Might as well join them."

When they finally arrived, it seems that the group of Confucian disciples was negotiating with the boat owner.

"We will pay if that's what is needed." A young woman, who likely the oldest among the group, asked politely. "Name your price."

Another, visibly younger girl also begged. "Most of us also cultivate water element so we wouldn't be a burden!"

Even at first glance, Hachiman could see her beauty surpassed the other Disciples. Her light gray short hair shines under the sun like silver threads. Her skin was pale white as snow, smooth as silk.

Her eyes were like that of sky crystal, light, and gentle.

For a second, Hachiman felt that he lost his breath! Was this meeting a fate?!

"It's not that." The boat owner winced. "Our usual Foundation-level escort isn't here, so we're canceling our departure today."

"You just need Foundation level escort, right?" Sagami stepped in with a confident smile. "Then, you got yourself two."

"Oy!" Hachiman grunted but didn't argue and followed her.

"You're a Foundation Establishment level?" The boat owner questioned in clear doubt. "Young Miss, please be so kind, and don't play with this old man! My hands already tied here!"

Indeed, this red-haired miss looks so young. Probably no older than 20, how could she be?

Sagami smiled.

Then let out a single ping of her Ki energy.

While Hachiman didn't feel anything beyond a tingle, this single pulse of energy sent an overwhelmingly tyrannical aura to the Confucians, the boat owner, and his crews!

"Please pardon my insolence!" The boat owner hurriedly bowed, afraid of offending the wrong person. One of his weaker crew so far as knelled in fear. "Young Miss is welcome aboard as you like."

"We'll pay the standard rate!" Sagami said without changing her expression and then clasped her hands to the Confucians. "I hope the brother scholars here did not mind this woman's presence!"

They also repaid her gesture in double, with wry, embarrassed grins on their face. "Of course, we don't mind, Sister."

Hachiman wondered why they got spooked so much by Sagami. He could tell that these young Confucians weren't that much of a slouch themselves. At least two of them should be in varying stages of Ki Condensation.

Considering their age, they must be some sort of prodigy, perhaps no lesser than Hachiman himself. It's just that Hachiman traveled outside, which means he had far more experience, combat, training, and opportunity to ascend.

But regardless of that, maybe Hachiman simply didn't remember how it was like in their position. Perhaps he grew too cocky and complacent.

He needed to reflect on his mistakes.

Above the sky, there's another sky. The lines between confidence and arrogance are thin.

"When will we depart?" He asked the boat owner as he gave a generous sum of silver coins, slightly more than what agreed. The recipient's smile showed his gratitude.

"As soon as possible, Young Master. Unless you have something to take care of?"

"Not at all."

Boarding the cargo boat, Hachiman didn't pay much attention to its state. It was an ordinary boat, well maintained with clearly trained crews. Only, it seems that all of them are low-level cultivators.

Asking them to fight would be downright immoral.

"So, what are young men of the courts done outside like this?" Sagami asked as she sat on the side railing. Hachiman couldn't help but eyed the way she presented her legs like that.

Well, it's not his fault. After all, he spent so long wandering alone, but in the last three days, he got a female company. A female company he spent the night together. A young, beautiful, persistent, se-

He decided to poke his eyes to wake himself up.

"The Dao that trodden down is not the enduring and unchanging Dao." He muttered to himself as he cringed.

"Are you alright?" One of the Confucians asked. It was the silver-haired young girl that charmed Hachiman at first sight.

I mean, Daoism doesn't advocate chastity. He thought.

The opposite.

"Something got in my eye."

"Please have this spirit water vial." The girl kindly offered him a small vial.

The content was the same as a spirit water droplet pill, only without a collagen-based capsule in it. Glass vial got used to contain it. It was a small luxury item commonly used to clean eyes and ears.

"It's fine." Hachiman rejected it.

It made the girl seemed a little disappointed.

"Leave that sour Brother alone. He's ungratefully principled about little gifts like that." Sagami snorted.

She's not wrong, but still, that hurts!

"Ah, right, we were on an assignment from our Master." The girl said. "We were supposed to return through land route, but..."

"The Onikuma, huh?" Hachiman finished it for her. "It can't be helped, even local Jiedan master got a headache. Plebeian like us can only weep and turn our backs against it as we run."

"It's indeed true." The girl said. "My name is Totsuka Saika. We're disciples from the Confucian School of Konaka."

"School of Yin-Yang Alchemist, Sagami Minami."

"Daoist human path, Hikigaya Hachiman."

"My name is Manami Ranka." The older woman with them said with a smile. "The eldest disciples of this group. Sadly, I'm still far away from making a breakthrough. Saika here had a higher cultivation level than me."

Wha?

Totsuka Saika looked frail, even for the standard of a female cultivator. So thin and dainty, Hachiman guessed she didn't even do martial arts.

But he could sense a strong Ki from her at least.

"What's Elder Brother talking? Even saying that almost everyone here can beat me in sparring." Saika said, embarrassed.

Eh?

"Umm. Wait a second there. Elder Brother?" Hachiman asked for clarification.

"Yes?" The 'older woman' responded.

Hachiman raised his finger to object. Then he lowered it. Then he looked at Sagami, who was dying to hold her laughter!

She knew. The cunning bitch!

It all finally clicked on Hachiman. Of course, the School of Confucians doesn't have female disciples! Damn you, Confucius! Curse you to hell!

"Nevermind, I was half asleep."

So the almost goddess-like Totsuka Saika was also a boy, huh?

"How old are you, Totsuka?" Hachiman asked bluntly.

"19. Why?"

"Then I should call you Big Brother too." Hachiman joked.

"Please don't, spare us a face!" Saika begged.

"You two are so young, yet too strong. We can only feel nothing but shame." Ranka agreed with his younger disciple. "We sincerely hope we won't become a burden."

"It's fine. The air outside is a good lesson in life." Sagami smiled. "Brother Scholars should enjoy it while it lasted!"

It was an innocent smile. Yet, Sagami's words were vicious.

Compared to the other schools of philosophy, the Confucians were a lot more insular to the world at large. They emphasize academic studies and the foundation of training over practical experience.

Often they also appear to be snobbish, arrogant, and above all. The emphasis of putting the strata in people's social roles and positions didn't help at all.

And above all else, there's this crude yet accurate saying that women had no place in the teaching of Confucianism. For someone so proud as Sagami Minami, their mere presence is an insult to her accomplishment.

Hence, Sagami outright said they were too sheltered.

The Confucians might be secluded, but stupid and ignorant, the Confucians are not. They were all well-learned and wisdom-tempered. Such an attack toward their way of life, how could they be comfortable with it?!

But none of them dare to object, nor a counterargument. Because the Confucians' safety was in Sagami's hand, they had to bear with the humiliation!

Hachiman would say she was wrong, but he couldn't blame her for it. Every school of thought had its imperfection. And the most glaring flaw had always been human beings who practiced them. That was what Hachiman's Daoist master taught him.

It was kind of odd back when he heard it the first time. But after a few years, he began to understand.

Indeed, three days ago, Hachiman just helped to kill an evil Onmyouji. Onmyoudo itself is a branch of the Naturalist school that developed here as opposed to the Western continent. Though unlike the philosophical Wuxing Orthodoxy, the Onmyodo mixed a little of Buddhism with Five Element as religious cosmology.

Sagami Minami considered herself a righteous cultivator and duty-bound to kill such filthy character.

If Hachiman has to face an evil Daoist somewhere in the future, would he be as emotionally charged as Sagami was?


CHAPTER 03 - CALM AS STILL WATER


Sagami ended up sitting on the highest point of the boat, sitting cross-legged doing Sun cultivation.

Sun cultivation is a practical method. Converting the sunlight into energy can be done once you reach the Foundation Establishment level, as Sagami does.

The energy gathered is minuscule. But if someone doesn't have a good source of Yang energy at hand, it's a decent time-waster.

For Yin cultivators like Hachiman, a similar option involved cultivating on still water, like a bathtub or a pond. Alternatively, cultivate under the moonlight.

That's right.

Neither of them came to this point with just talent.

Hachiman threw in a couple of spring water concentrate pills in his mouth. It was the lowest grade of water element pills known and also the cheapest. They came from the water passed through the cold-furnace of the pill-making method. They were practically industrial waste to the high-level alchemist.

In other words, it's water energy concentration is low. Much lower than Spirit Water droplet, and yet further away from Spirit Water essence.

Cheap and refreshing. A single spring water concentrate pill can compare easily to a glass of ordinary water. People used it regularly as travel supplies even if they don't cultivate water element.

However, Hachiman wasn't in a rush to increase his cultivation level in this situation. The spring water concentrates used to keep him up in top shape as he meditated and consume his Ki slowly to refine his Yin Fire cultivation instead.

"As expected, my fire is getting darker over time..." Hachiman thought in concern. "Should I stop it or let things change naturally?"

Hikigaya Hachiman doesn't like changes, or at least, changes that lie beyond his control. His fire gaining black color was one such. To change his eventual fate, or to let destiny take its courses.

There are advantages and disadvantages to either path, but Hachiman was scared to overcommit.

"Pathetic, and to think I've reached Foundation Establishment with this kind of mindset... was my Dao truly unmoving?"

Let alone advancing, Hachiman wouldn't be shocked if his cultivation regress in the future! However, perhaps this conflict exists precisely to pave the path for his future instead.

He will have to give it careful thought.

For the moment, he decided to stabilize the gradual change in his fire. For this purpose, he consumed all the Ki he gained from the cheap beads of water.

As he released a long breath, his fire puffed out of existence.

"That's a unique fire you have." Finally, Ranka spoke. "Never seen such black flame before."

It's a universal etiquette among cultivators not to disturb each other when they're cultivating unless there's a grave emergency. And even then, sometimes the cultivation process itself can be a grave emergency, such as making a breakthrough.

Naturally, people would erase their existence so as not to disturb the cultivators.

"It's called the Yin Fire..." Hachiman said as he focused his mind to peak capacity, and after generating a mixed black-blue fire between his hands, he separated them into a blue fire on the left hand and a black fire on the right hand.

This effort exerted a massive burden on his mind and body, and Hachiman began to sweat. And in the end, he could only maintain it for a few seconds before letting them out.

"A true Yin Fire burns pure Yin energy with black Yin flame. A Mist Fire burns water energy with a blue Yang flame. People often get them mixed up unless they're Master scholars."

The Five Elements have their characteristic. Depending on if Yin or Yang energy is involved, the elements will also have a change of nature. Thus, there are Five primary elements and ten secondary elements.

Fire is the dominant Yang, while water is the dominant Yin.

Yin Fire is a Yin offshoot of fire, while Mist Fire is a Yang offshoot of water element. Conversely, Ice is a Yin offshoot of water, the opposite of Crimson fire, the Yang offshoot of fire.

"A Yin-Yang mixed fire cultivation, interesting. It's probably difficult to cultivate both, however."

Really, must you state the obvious? Hachiman knew that more than anything. Against the nature of Mist Fire, Yin Fire dominates strongly, even could be said to be corrosive. That's why he needed extra effort to maintain the balance of these fires.

"Ah, I'm sorry to offend you." Ranka hurriedly apologized, knowing that Hachiman was probably annoyed by it. "I practice water cultivation, however my little brother's disciple..."

Saika popped out just behind Ranka with a blush on his face. "My apologies. I sensed strong Yin energy and can't help but feel curious."

"Eh, no worries." Hachiman brushed it off. Still, this was the reason why Cultivators prefer seclusion when seriously cultivating. There were always a lot of eyes watching, even without ill intent involved.

"Still to have someone practicing Yin Fire cultivation at Foundation Establishment level sailing with us, I feel safe." Saika clasped his hands in respect.

"Brother is exaggerating." Hachiman scoffed, but inside he jumped excitedly.

"Well, then, please excuse me." Ranka smiled and left.

Saika, on the other hand, decided to sit beside Hachiman, which made Hachiman somewhat uncomfortable. A lot less comfortable than with girls around.

"Umm, I have a question..." Saika muttered bashfully. "Does Sister Sagami... hate Confucians too?"

"...How many female disciples exist in your school?"

"Uh... none that I can recall. But I know we have a reputation with women, so I need to clarify..."

"Exactly."

That was a dumb question, was Saika just that ignorant, or did he pretend to be an idiot? Still cute, either way.

"You're interested in her?"

"Eh? Um, no." Saika flailed. "It's just that as a fellow traveler, I want to get along with everyone, with Brother Hachiman too. Ah, it's fine to call you by the first name, right?"

Yes! Yes! Of course, you can!

"I don't mind."

"My Master sometimes called me a little soft, but I feel that, if everyone can get along, the world will be at peace."

"I believe that strong, well-educated leaders must be the key to a peaceful society!" Saika said excitedly. "That's why I decided to become a Disciple of Confucian."

Please Marry me! Wait a minute.

"Is that so?" Hachiman tried to hold back his personal feelings on the matter. "Do you think a peaceful society is possible in a world this chaotic?"

"Yes." Saika nodded.

"Saying that... sometimes I feel that I wasn't good enough to defend my own belief. I can't even comprehend sword scriptures."

"The way of the sword isn't for everyone." Hachiman sighed.

Hachiman could feel it. Saika's incredibly potent Yin energy was pure and calm. It was peaceful just sitting beside him like this. Such gentle cultivation root, was it possible for someone to study a sword script?

Hachiman wouldn't call himself fierce but compared to Saika's own Yin cultivation, he felt like a torrential tsunami wave in comparison.

Saika probably had a hard time to make a breakthrough with that kind of shaky resolve. That's why he's stuck at the peak of Ki Condensation at the moment.

"What about you, Brother Hachiman?" Saika asked. "What do you hope to accomplish?"

"Dreams betray many, but hard works betray no one!" Hachiman told him. "At least, that's what I believe."

"I see. That's an admirable outlook." Saika grinned. However, Hachiman probably knew that Saika disagreed with that notion.

Someone who dreams big and dared to pursue it was too bright for Hachiman.

Saika's face suddenly turned tense and pale, and then he hurriedly stood up. "We're surrounded!"

Hachiman blinked, then focused all his senses outward. Amazingly, Saika could pick up the tiny but numerous sources of killing intent from a longer distance than Hachiman does.

Even to Hachiman, it came off as mere uneasiness.

"You have broad and sharp spiritual comprehension." Hachiman praised him. Hachiman immediately jumped and approached Sagami.

"Sagami! Wake up!" He said aloud.

Sagami opened her eyes and immediately picked up her sword. "I'll cover for you."

"Much thanks!" Hachiman said as he pulled his Long Ruler and began to draw blue and black fire on it. "Let's go."

They both jumped off the boat and landed on the water surface as if it was nothing. Sagami and Hachiman barely made a splash.

At the Foundation Establishment level, it's not easy for a Cultivator to fly on their strength without specific technique or equipment. However, waking on the water can be learned relatively quickly.

Hachiman closed his eyes, and suddenly, all the water ripples around him stopped. It was like a small patch of the river behind the boat become separated from the rest.

[Calm as still water.]

"Perish!" Hachiman said as he stabbed the water with his Long Ruler.

And suddenly, there were explosions. They were small, but the number of which still quite overwhelming and made a spectacle!

Lots of strange reptilian creatures thrown into the air, flailed as they did. They have a turtle-like shell on their back and a pan-shaped object on their heads.

Kappas?

Sagami extended her whip sword and carved through them like professional chief slicing through ingredients.

Clean and effortless.

"This is the power of a Foundation level cultivator." Ranka couldn't help but be amazed. However, his trance didn't last long. "Everyone! Protect the boat!"

"YES!"

Though wounded, most of the creatures survived.

"Tch, can't use fire edge against them." Sagami spat aside. Without being able to heat her whip sword properly, her battle strength got reduced severely.

"That's fine. Just make sure no one can get close." Hachiman focused his Ki again for subsequent attack.

More explosions!

The creatures fired compressed water bullets at high velocity in their direction. But Sagami hurriedly made a snake-like motion with her whip sword to destroy the projectiles.

Hachiman looked behind, wondered if the boat got harmed. However, he saw the lower part of the boat hull covered by a net made of water that exploded the water bullets on impact.

"[Azure Water Weave.]" Ranka thought as he focused all his ki and project it into the water surface of the river.

What a fine control of Ki, to make such a tight and solid net of water. It barely covered the rear side of the boat, but asking more from such a young Ki Condensation cultivator might be too much.

Ranka wasn't alone, however, as Saika backed him with even broader defense. A strange, transparent white curtain around the rear hull, as if made of a sheet of mist.

[Hundred Curtains of Illusions], Hachiman knew this technique as a simple wide-scale area protection skill that cushions the effect of thrown projectiles using a screen made of yin energy.

Rather than depending on brute Ki's strength and power, to cast such a large screen, a broad spiritual comprehension is required. Even though the water bullets hit the boat, their impact force significantly reduced!

Hachiman and Sagami felt a sense of relief seeing that, so they can focus on the immediate source of threat instead.

"Why is there so many Kappa here?" Sagami screamed. "Disgusting!"

Kappas don't attack in a group, do they? Hachiman also wondered. Kappas are mid-level Demonic Beast commonly roam uninhabited water areas, preying on weaker humans, especially children.

While individually weak, fighting Kappa on their home turf would be difficult. The past Hachiman in his Ki channeling stage would have struggled to survive if he got caught and wrestle one in the water.

"Help them! Bring the crossbows! The rest of you start the engine!"

The boat crews unoccupied with damage controls and steering of the boat came out and began firing their crossbow from the deck. Due to their cultivation level, they need to get lucky to do anything significant.

However, the Kappas felt the weight of suppressive fire and retreated.

The boat shuddered as their engine began to spin. This engine usually only used when sailing against the river current. However, in an emergency, not using it would be stupid!

Sagami and Hachiman noticed that and immediately skated across the water and jumped back on the boat.

"The killing intent hasn't subsided!" Hachiman cautioned them all.

"Let's move to the bow!" Saika hurried them.

Hachiman and Sagami jumped to the water again, except this time, they ran toward the direction of the river current. They saw the water suddenly erupted, and something massive was under the wave.

"What's that?"

"Hasha****!"

A massive snake unrolled itself out of the water. On its head was a comma sign that glows with a demonic aura. It's length obscured by the depths of the river, yet, the head alone was enough to display its majesty and terror.

Some of the boat crew froze on the spot, a few of them fainted or wet themselves in fear.

"Why does this scaled bastard show up HERE of all places? It isn't even a major river!" Sagami dropped her jaw in shock.

A fully grown up Hasha is powerful enough to give Core Formation expert big trouble. If it's willing, the monster could smash the boat apart with a whip of its tail. Even though this one hasn't matured, Hachiman wasn't confident he could deal with it even with Sagami's help.

Hachiman jumped back to the boat and immediately search for the owner. "Just what kind of cargo this boat carries?!"

"I don't know! I got paid to carry 28 tons of high-grade grain! It's more valuable than rice, but as to why they attract monsters, I have no clue." The boat owner cried. "Forgive me!"

"That might have been our fault." Ranka stepped forth with a regretful face. In his hand was a sealed container. "This sealed container is faulty and leaking strong golden energy everywhere."

"Oh heavens, what should I do!" The boat owner bawled. "Please get rid of it! I beg you!"

"It's fine, bring us ashore. We'll leave the boat." Ranka bowed deeply. "So, the snake will have no reason to harm this boat."

"Bunch of cowards, as expected of Confucians." A woman's voice boomed in response. "Making a mess then unwilling to take responsibility. And you dare to call yourself men?"

It was none other than Sagami.

She got engulfed with bright red and golden fire. Whenever the Hasha tried to attack, she managed to repel it with great force. Their clash was so intense that the boats rocked every time they made contact!

Despite her elemental and terrain disadvantage, it was clear that Sagami dominated the Hasha with the strength of her fire. Even more than that, Sagami was floating midair, not on the water surface.

Hachiman squeezed his eyes in disbelief. Such an oppressive aura, it was not the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Did Sagami hide her strength all along? Or perhaps-

"Stupid!" He gritted his teeth and immediately went to help Sagami. "I don't know what forbidden technique you use but cease it!"

"If you have a better answer, then be my guest." She shrugged.

Sagami's pupils were perfectly rounded and sizable, unlike that of human beings. Her purple eyes also gleamed with a heavenly glow.

At this level, Sagami alone can hold against a Core Formation cultivator. But nothing under the sky is free. For every strong technique, there's a price tag to pay! A skill that can boost someone's cultivation level temporarily, they are costly!

Hachiman doesn't know what massive beef Sagami had with Confucians. However, he knew very well that many cultivators have a hill worthy to die on: Pride. She wanted to show them what she worth!

"I have a good solution." Hachiman's fire on his Long Ruler switched from black and blue to completely black. The process of which strained him slightly. "Beat it until it cries."

They charged against the Hasha and smacked it simultaneously. The damage caused was immense! The shock from the impact caused the water to erupt and the ground to shake!

Both of them attacked the snake without mercy. Sometimes together, occasionally taking turns.

By turning from mixed Fire to Yin Fire completely, Hachiman can dominate water element opponents like Hasha despite massive power discrepancy between them.

However, the proud mythical snake didn't bow down in the face of two desperate cultivators. The snake rammed both of them into two sides of the riverbank with all its weight.

Trees nearby flung around like broken pegs. The snake created several dozen meters long trench through nothing but brute force!

"NO!" Saika screamed in horror and then fell to his knees.

If only.

If only I can use sword scripture!

If only I'm a foundation-level cultivator!

"Look!"

The snake stopped on its track, and as the dust settled, Hachiman and Sagami kneeled. They were exhausted, but their injuries were superficial.

"Run to your mother, you bastard!" Sagami spat a bit of blood aside. "Or I'll burn you to a fine crisp."

It might not understand what Sagami said. However, the battered and burned snake decided to fold it and run away as fast as possible. Whatever is inside that box of treasure, it wasn't worth it.

"Let's help them!" Ranka ordered. "Hurry!"

Using the smaller lifeboats, the discipline of Confucians rowed post-haste and retrieved the two cultivators.

Saika was on the verge of crying. "I know we're men of the Courts, not soldiers. But perhaps this is why wandering cultivators looked down on us Confucians."

Ranka bit his lips, unable to argue. If he was able to secure the packet properly, then perhaps this incident won't happen.

Still, Saika decided to wipe his eyes.

"Even if we have to kneel for three days, even if we have to suffer 100 lashings, we'll take it!" Saika told him with a newfound resolve. "We will repay their kindness and prove that our school isn't all talk."

"That's true!"

"Brother Saika is right!"

Totsuka Saika had decided, even if he had to sweat out tears and vomit out blood. Saika will find it, his sword scripture!

The heavily condensed Ki within his lower dantian shook gently in anticipation.


* Core Formation ( 结丹, Jiedan) is the fifth level of cultivation where the lower dantian form a hollow shell filled with extremely condensed, viscous Ki energy.
** Golden Core (金丹, Jindan) is the sixth level of cultivation where the shell inside the lower Dantian became rock solid and self-sustaining.
*** Confucianism, also known as Ruism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or simply a way of life, Confucianism developed from what was later called the Hundred Schools of Thought from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE) and further developed by Mencius (372–289 BCE).
**** 巴蛇 = Bashe, Hasha, or Tomoe Hebi, is a Chinese Mythological snake, said to be big enough to swallow an elephant whole. (Tomoe = Comma sign)