The lodging provided by the shrine was simple, yet also big enough that Hachiman and Sagami were no longer forced to share a closed space side by side as usual. Yui was kind enough to lend a temporary partition, which he was glad for.

So he put his bag on the corner of his designated space. He inspected the content and especially his Long Ruler.

"This one won't hold for much longer." He sighed. He will need to go to Mihama as quickly as possible to get a replacement. As expected, a Foundation level cultivator using cheap metal weapons just can't last!

"Hey, we're going back to the town to get supplies!" Sagami called. "You're coming with us?"

"What kind of supplies?"

"Weapons!"

"I'm in!" Hachiman said as he put his weapon into a bundle and carried it on his back. "I need a replacement for my Long Ruler."

"Replacement? Not repair?" Sagami asked him, curious. "I know an Iron Ruler isn't that expensive but isn't it wasteful?"

"The problem is this piece of garbage is hot forged." Hachiman laughed. "However, the use of Yang Water-Fire and Yin Fire caused its crystal structure to destabilize."

Hachiman rolled his eyes aside. "Any more hard fight, and it'll shatter to fragments... no, it might turn into dust."

"Ha, so you need something cold-forged to last." Sagami scoffed. "But I wonder if there's any blacksmith that can do cold forge for cheap, around here."

"I know one!" Yui said. "I know a Mohist* uncle who had a machine forge in the dock. Perhaps he could help?"

"Is he a blacksmith?"

"I believe he owned a boat engine service shop."

Sagami squeezed her eyes in disbelief. "Yui, I know you're naive but seriously? Why would a boat engineer agree to make a sword for him?"

"Hey! It doesn't hurt to ask!" Yui said with an embarrassed face. "Mohist are kind people who would help people in need!"

Ah, yes, of course. After all, Mohism put emphasis on Universal Love. That is, to respect people who are the same as them or different than them, indiscriminately.

"Let's go there, then." Sagami pointed.

"We just returned from the dock, though." Hachiman grouched.

Ah right.

As they walked through the crowds, they headed toward a strange shop littered with operating machinery. Hachiman immediately noticed the giant waterwheel spinning quite fast and the echoing sounds of a hammer inside.

"Please excuse me! Is Uncle Dan here?"

"Oh, Lady Yui! Please come in!" A stout middle-aged man with a long mustache greeted her. "Is there anything I can help?"

"This might be unusual, but can you cold forge a sword for a friend of mine?" Yui asked politely.

The man brushed his mustache. "Cold forge a sword... not hard. Not hard at all. It might take some time, and I'm not too confident about the quality. It might just end up a first-grade sword at best."

"Even a first-grade sword would have been plenty." Hachiman politely clasped his hand. "As long as it can resist the Yin element."

"Huh? I see! I see! Young lad. What kind of sword do you want?"

Hachiman unbundled his Long Ruler and presented it. The man inspected it so closely it made Hachiman uncomfortable! In the end, Hachiman simply gave it away for him to examine under a magnifying glass.

"So many microfractures! I never saw an Iron Ruler take this much beating! I've seen this a lot in boat engine, though." The man hummed as he put the bludgeoning implement on the table. "Did you try to split a waterfall or something?"

"No, it's just my cultivation element." Hachiman raised both hands and made a blue and black fire, respectively.

"Hmm?! A genuine Yin fire!" The man said in amazement. "And dual cultivation with Yang element Blue Water-Fire, peculiar."

"This Long Ruler is an ordinary weapon hot forged by a low rate blacksmith, so even though it's thick, it can't stand the fluctuation." Hachiman made his fires disappear.

"A hot-forged weapon is more suitable for Yang element cultivator!" Sagami added. Then she noticed how Yui's mouth hung open in shock. "...What's so surprising?"

"Ah... eh... no, nevermind." Yui flailed her hand and then looked at Hachiman.

There's no doubt it was him after all!

"Hmm, in that case, it might be possible to make a second grade Iron Ruler after all!" The man slammed the table. "If you can help me forging it, young lad!"

Hachiman pointed himself, dumbfounded. "Me? I never forged anything before."

"It's fine! It's fine! This old man will help you for free!"

Hearing that it's free, Hachiman was tempted. On the other hand, he will likely do some heavy labor. On the other hand... a master craftsman forging a second-grade sword?

Dreams betray many, but hard works betray no one!

"Please use him as you see fit!" Sagami pushed Hachiman. "We'll take care of shopping!"

"Oi! I haven't agreed!"

But Hachiman had no intention to reject anyway. A second-grade treasure sword, it's not something he can buy with his money right now!

"Do you have Yin element pills with you?"

"Not much." Hachiman put his pill bag on the table, which the man examined.

"Hmm, if only you have third-grade Yin element pills... just three or four of them should be fine." Uncle Dan said. "It's to increase the chance of success!"

Sagami put four Spirit Water Essence pills, their glow as ethereal as always! Hachiman just realized that Sagami carries tons of water element pills due to her forbidden technique!

Hachiman was wondering if Sagami being generous, but the way she perversely looked at Hachiman... yeah.

"You can repay me later for that one." Sagami winked.

Now Hachiman got tied in a debt! He could use his pay from tomorrow's job to pay but still! The first rule of being a traveling cultivator: never acquire a debt!

But still, second-grade Iron Ruler! How could he say no!

"There's really no room for me to reject, was there?" Hachiman sighed in disappointment.

"Hohohoho, Female Cultivators are spicy as always." The man elbowed Hachiman. "Which one is your lover, young lad?"

"Neither!"

The commotion outside interrupted them and Hachiman decided to pick his damaged Long Ruler and came out.

"I just want a chance to talk! Would lady Yuigahama be so rude as to ignore me?"

Hachiman could hardly look at an even more typical arrogant rich youngster when he saw him. A long-haired and handsome man with an entourage of musclebound hired guards, hitting upon two seemingly helpless maidens!

"If it's just talking then, I'm perfectly fine." Yui wrily smiled. "But you made your intent clear enough, Young Master Shimoda. Besides, don't you already have lovers?"

Lovers. Plural.

"Please think about it again! My family will contribute so much more to the Dosojin Shrine if we have family relations. About the summoning ceremony tomorrow, I can also have my men protecting you!" The young man offered with a disgustingly lecherous face.

Hachiman wondered why Sagami didn't just unleash the full strength of her killing intent, right there. These bunch of ruffians, they're mostly in the Ki Condensation stage, and a few didn't even touch that!

Feeling a bit bothered, Hachiman decided to interrupt.

"If I may interrupt, Young Master. Do you have anything to do with my women?" Hachiman said with an exceptionally fake smile.

Yui and Sagami looked at Hachiman with a mixture of surprise and disgust. However, they decided to stay quiet.

"Wait a minute, brother. YOUR woman? Why I haven't heard about this?" The handsome man glared at Yui.

Yui just glared back in anger, but she was quiet and didn't say anything.

"Since that's the case, I sincerely wish that we can put this dispute aside!" Hachiman told him.

Sagami legitimately wanted to set Hachiman's pants on fire. But she understands why Hachiman would say that. This bastard seems to be someone from a big name clan, whatever it is. Making too much commotion would be reckless!

"Did your lowly mother not taught you manners? Who are you to decide!"

"My mother is a very respectable Government Official, thank you very much!" Hachiman retorted with a flat tone.

"Yeah? Then fuck your mother, and fuck your sister too!" The tallest bald-headed guard screamed at Hachiman and then punched his face. "Do you know who you are talking with, you son of a whore?!"

A second.

A single second.

Yui froze on her spot when she felt a terrifying rush of killing intent. Sagami, on the other hand, was gleeful.

"What did you say about my sister?" Hachiman snapped.

"I wonder what kind of sister you have?" The Young Master taunted. "Maybe she's a little bitch."

And just like that.

Before he can realize it, the Young Master's face was pulverized as Hachiman smashed him with his fist. His body flew so hard and bounced on the water several times, like a meat pebble!

However, it didn't end there.

Hachiman swung his Iron ruler in a wide arc. Several low ranked guards got their leg swiped off the ground from the force, and they also fell on the floor.

As for the tallest guard who insulted Hachiman's sister...

"You-"

Hachiman put all of his Ki in his palm and struck his opponent's dantian with full force, causing the condensed Ki inside to implode!

But that was not enough.

His Iron Ruler, filled with fiercely fluctuating black and blue fire, smashed to the guard's head hard enough, the iron bar exploded into dust!

By the time everyone regained their senses, there was only a path of carnage left.

"You could slap me all you want. You could insult my father and my mother. I don't care." Hachiman looked at the rest with a murderous face. "But no one talks shit about my sister."

Yui finally managed to muster a word. "Eh? Eh?! Did you just... killed..."

Did Hachiman just murdered people in broad daylight?!

"Yui, please! Brother Daoist is kindhearted, modest, and frugal**! There's no way he spends that much effort to kill walking garbage like them."

As Sagami said that, she was calmly walking on the water surface. While dragging the almost-drowned young master. Yui didn't even realize that Sagami had left!

"Which family did you come from again? Shimoda, was it? Should I burn your entire estate to the ground?" Sagami asked. "I'm not as generous as Brother Daoist there, you know? I might just wipe out your entire clan from the face of Earth!"

Foundation Establishment!

They're Foundation Establishment!

"Stop bullying him..." Hachiman asked Sagami. "I'm sure he learned enough lessons... right?"

"Y-Yes! Yes! I'm sorry!"

"Good."

Hachiman felt a strong sense of bitterness behind his mouth. He fought not just once or twice, he already killed before, but the one sin he doesn't want to commit is to become monsters he despises.

Bullies.

Because bullying isn't a crime, bullying relies on someone strong enough to oppress the weak but stay within the boundaries of the law. And they reap a sense of euphoria and satisfaction from it!

Unlike Sagami, he reaps no pleasure from the suffering of others.

Today's beating is not for him but for his beloved sister's honor.

"Because Brother Daoist is generous, I'll forgive you." Sagami threw the young master to the ground. Around the same time, the bald guard woke up.

"Uhhh, my head!" The bald guard whined. A big lump and a few scratches can be seen on his head. However, he regained full consciousness when he saw the condition of his employer. "Oh! Young Master!"

"If you dare to step within three meters from Yui again, don't blame me for being impolite. Scram!" Sagami told them off.

"HIIII!"

Hachiman felt that Sagami should tone it down, but then again, she was defending the safety of her friend. As he watched the people running away, he then looked at the hilt in his hand.

"Crap, now it's broken for real."

"Uh... the bald guy was fine? Thank god!" Yui let a sigh of relief. "But how?"

"It's because the Iron Ruler was full of microfractures. The young Daoist forced his contradictory Ki into it, caused the rift to go wider, drawn along the incredibly fine grains." Mohist uncle Dan came and approached them with an amused smile.

"In other words, it became a mace of powdered iron." Sagami finished the explanation.

"Oh! I understand!" Yui clapped her hands and smiled. "Powdered Iron is often used in nonlethal weapons, right?"

Whether it's weighed gloves or chained bag... powdered iron makes for a potent but surprisingly benign stunning weapon. Yui used it before, as an apprentice training weapon, by putting bagged iron powder on a pole.

It could still kill and maim. It just takes incredible effort to the point that a naked wooden pole would be more dangerous than bagged iron powder.

"Well, I'm sure he wouldn't dare to bother you two again... at least for today..." Hachiman said. "Be careful."

"En. We'll be careful, Brother!" Sagami winked and then yanked Yui. "Let's go!"

"Ah, uh? Yeah! You should be careful too! That jerk is persistent, you know?" Yui warned Hachiman.

"Whatever."

And so the two young women left, this time for real.

"Young lad, don't you know? You shouldn't leave a hanging thread uncut." The Mohist Master remarked. "Otherwise, the entire fabric will unravel and fall apart."

The essence of that proverb is simple: eradicate the problem before they fester. Essentially, an overwhelmingly brutal response is necessary if one wanted to stop the cycle of revenge.

Such is the rule of the Pugilistic world, where dog eats dog, and the weak must fear the strong!

But Hachiman couldn't be arsed to care. "There's no shortage of people who wanted me dead. Even so, that doesn't mean I enjoy killing. You're a Mohist, so you should understand that, Uncle."

As a Mohist, Uncle Dan absolutely encourages self-defense above revenge or preemptive attacks. The only reason why he asked about it before was to test Hachiman's resolve.

However, Hachiman made his bed and will sleep on it.

Uncle Dan smiled brightly. "Now that's more like it! Let's go and forge a new weapon for you while the ladies are gone!"


CHAPTER 05 - RIGHTEOUS HEART


"Whether in Academy or outside, you're popular as always, Yui..." Sagami told her, a mixture of envy and worry in her voice. "I'm shocked that you haven't got married at this point."

At 18 or 19 years old, most young women already got married at that point. Even though the average age of married couple have increased compared to hundreds of years ago, its actually a rarity to see unmarried women at the age of 20 or older.

"Well, I guess I'm still indecisive as always." Yui smiled. "My parents didn't press the issue, but they did ask if there's someone I interested in, and my grandma offered some fiancee candidates too."

Ah, so the subtle pressure. Regardless, Yui's family was too kind not to force her. Families like these are rare.

"What about you, Sagamin? You finished the third year, right?"

"Actually... no. I quit in the middle because I took an apprenticeship with a Master Alchemist, a distant relative of mine." For some reason, Sagami's face turned sad. "I studied Wuxing and Alchemy for three years and decided to travel half a year ago."

There must be more story than she told behind that face, but who are Yui to ask? She doesn't have the right to be curious. After all, she was the one who left.

Or rather, she was taken away.

Even though Yui got a newfound sense of happiness, Yui can't really say she didn't regret it, though. Women's relationship is complicated. After the brief nostalgic rush left her, it was awkward with Sagami around.

"Are you here alone?" Sagami asked.

"Ah yeah, I came here to help Granma!" Yui said. "My parents are back home."

"Miko attire looks good on you." Sagami snorted. "But I look ridiculous being a bookworm like this, didn't I?"

"A Miko's duty is more brains than brawn." Yui cried. "I have to read so many Tomes! It's awful!"

Sagami can't help but cringe.

"But it's not bad, I guess!" Yui said. "Sagamin already decided your own path of life. Compared to that, my effort is meaningless."

Even though it's been four years, some things refuse to change, huh? Yuigahama Yui remains the kind of person who can't swim against the flow.

"It's not as if my pursuit in cultivation has a noble goal." Sagami spat. "Speaking of which, when was the last time you meet with that bitch Miura? What's the level of her cultivation?"

"Well, we separate our way somewhere last year when I came back home. She's part of the Hayato's entourage now."

"Who is Hayato again?"

"Ah, he's Hayama Hayato. You probably have heard him before."

"Ah, that guy." Sagami vaguely remembers but not much. "Rich bastard from a famous family. His mother was a Master Alchemist, is she not? Also, his father is part of Chiba Capital's high court. Hayama Clan is powerful, I heard."

"I was part of that group, but an incident made me think that I should go home, after all."

"An incident?"

"Our hunting party was hurt badly due to a mishap." Yui shuddered. "However, when a Core-Formation level beast cornered us, someone came to help."

Yui still remembers.

"An iron ruler covered in black and blue flame."

"No, way." Sagami twitched. "It was the douche?"

"There's no mistake." Yui nodded. "It has to be Hikigaya Hachiman."

"And he fought a Core Formation-level beast?!"

"Ah, well. Hikigaya wasn't alone there. Even so, he fought a horde of Tsuchigumo on his own."

Tsuchigumo is a demon beast in the shape of a spider with a human skull for a face. Though they're not exceptionally big or fast, their strength is tremendous, and they possess incredibly tough natural armor and sharp claws and fangs.

A newly ascended Ki Condensation cultivator would have difficulty against them. A mere Ki channeling stage cultivator? Asking for death!

"His Master slaughtered a Core Formation level beast and flattened a part of a forest. So at the very least, he had a Golden Core Master." Yui said. "Because he was injured in battle, his master immediately left with him in tow."

This guy...

Hachiman already made a habit of fighting a battle he doesn't have business with?

"...Wow, he had always been that stupid, huh?" Sagami laughed.

"Eh, huh? Stupid?" Yui blinked in confusion.

"I mean, really, this guy already jumping into random fights since back then? It's a miracle that he's even alive." Sagami pointed bluntly.

"...You're really different now, Sagamin." Yui shook her head. "I wish I can be as mature as you now."

"You sure have a high opinion of me, what gives?"

"The old Sagami in the past, if I tell you I was part of Hayato's group, you'd probably become hysterical and ask a lot of things about him."

Sagami wanted to protest, but Yui was absolutely correct. The old Sagami would be hysterical and try to use Yui to become closer to him. Just like the vast majority of single women around their age, really.

But Sagami is different now.

"I can't really say I matured..." Sagami said. "More like I'm obsessed with cultivation now."

More like she gave up. Friends? Lovers? There's no time for her to enjoy such luxuries. She needed to make it to Golden Core as soon as possible.

No matter the cost.

Her meeting with Yui too, she didn't intend to rekindle their friendship or anything. But at least, Sagami still wanted to help her.

"Ah! But about Yumiko... she probably reached Foundation Establishment by now!" Yui said. "Likewise, Hayato as well, probably the rest of the gang too."

"If that's indeed the case, then we'll probably meet again in Mihama." Sagami grinned with an incredibly unsettling face.

"Mihama?"

"There will be Sword Conference in the following months!" Sagami told her. "But specifically, one tournament will gain the most attention: it's a tournament where only a Foundation-stage cultivator under 20 years old can compete."

"Under 20? They're joking, right?"

Then again, someone who fits that definition stood beside her right now. Perhaps it's not just Sagami who was too arrogant and numbed about the strange fact.

That among many thousands of Ki Condensation cultivators, only a couple dozen will ever reach Foundation Establishment.

Yui always felt that she was a burden to Hayato's gang... but as a matter of fact, she already at a very advanced step of Ki Condensation herself.

Yui's existence is almost as baffling as them.

Hayato's gang, with or without her presence, was filled by cultivation prodigies. She underestimated her own strength, but Sagami is different.

Perhaps... it was the right thing for Yui to step out of their shadow! This newfound spark of motivation... it was what Yui needed!

So they arrived in the high-value talisman store, where they sell graded items as opposed to ordinary weapons.

Graded items... they're exceptional. Ordinary weapons are generally made from copper, iron, or their alloys, including steel. However, Graded treasures are different.

They're either made using unusual material or sometimes, Demon Beast parts and forged using Ki energy rather than ordinary fire or cold hammering. For example, Uncle Dan asked Hachiman's help and three grade 3 yin element pills. If the forging process ends up a success, then a second grade Iron Ruler will be the outcome.

A graded weapon is more effective in channeling someone's Ki and thus able to unleash a more potent attack without breaking itself from the strain.

A Second Grade weapon isn't something to be boasted off. However, cheap, they aren't. The price of four Spirit Water Essence pills was nothing in comparison. To trade away four Spirit Water Essence pills for a second-grade weapon like this? A no-brainer!

Hachiman didn't really owe that much to Sagami in terms of hard finance, but the immaterial debt he accrued by taking this opportunity, it probably annoyed him the most!

"What kind of weapons are you buying?"

"First Grade Chokuto***, do you have them?" Yui asked.

"First Grade? We have a few of them! Please, please come!" The Shopkeeper saw a Miko, and it means a business opportunity.

Sagami helped as she inspected the product one by one. Even though they're mass-produced, there's no guarantee that they're always equal in quality. Someone like her had the keen eyes to do such.

However, Sagami noticed they're roughly uniform and approved them.

"Give me a second-grade spearhead!" Yui said.

"Yes."

"Why do you need the head only?" Sagami asked. "Do you have a good shaft at home?"

"100 years old Elm tree, located behind the shrine!" Yui answered cheerfully. "We cut it down a few days ago to make spear shaft."

100 years old Elm tree, planted on sacred ground? It's wood element properties would be at least Second Grade! If they decided to cut such a precious tree to make armament, then they're not playing around at all.

When they returned, they were greeted by the presence of a wolf. Sagami didn't feel an evil intent from it at all. It radiated a warm and friendly aura around.

"Okami?"

Okami, or Wolf god, is a friendly Sacred Beast that often befriends humans that are kind to animals or taking care of the environment. Okami's battle strength may vary depending on their size.

It was said that an Okami with the strength of Primordial Soul**** exists somewhere in this continent, but it was nothing more than rumor and myth.

"Ahaha, welcome home, Saburo!" Yui approached it and gently brushed its head. "This is Saburo. He travels with me. Please protect us as usual!"

Doesn't look that strong, hmph. Sagami noted. Even a newly trained cultivator probably can beat it squarely. Who is he going to protect, again?

Hachiman didn't return until late evening, way past the dinner time. As much as Sagami wanted to hide it, she was legit worried and pissed when he finally came.

"Oh, so you're still alive after all?" Sagami said mockingly.

Hachiman was ragged and dirty. It was clear that he just did hard labor, an inhuman level of hard work that would push even a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator to the brink of breaking apart!

"We just happened to have some food left, thankfully!" Yui said. "Would you like to take a bath first?"

"I'm borrowing the bathtub." Hachiman weakly said.

"Bathtub, what for?"

Hachiman washed his hand with the holy water source and then prayed in front of the main temple building. The moon seemed to shine brighter upon him for a moment.

Sagami gasped when she finally realized. "Did he just..."

"He just prayed to Dosojin-sama, right?" Yui asked. "What's wrong?"

"I suggest you stay inside and don't let other Mikos loiter around tonight." Sagami pinched the bridge of her nose. "Otherwise, you'll see something unpleasant."

"Something unpleasant?"

When Hachiman carried a massive bathtub outside, everyone was wondering if he was crazy. However, when he began to undress, there were screams of embarrassment.

And delight!

Under the bright moon, his modest yet well-toned back can be seen. For the Mikos, mostly removed from the earthly temptation of men, such a seemingly ordinary scene can feel overwhelming.

"Sa-Sa-Sa-sagamin! What is he doing?!" Yui tried to cover her own eyes but unconsciously let a gap between her fingers.

"What? You Mikos trained under the waterfall while barely clothed, right? He's doing the same!" Sagami didn't even blink. "At least he kept his pants!"

Hachiman then stepped inside the bathtub and let the water soak him all the way to his collarbone. Vital energy began to gather around the bathtub and absorbed into the upper dantian on his forehead, traveling down his chest.

"I wonder what's just happened, though?" Yui pondered. She had seen her fair share of miracles and mysticism, but that was weird. "I thought he's not a Shinto worshipper?"

"Because he came with righteous heart, Dosojin-sama didn't punish him for his transgression." Sagami smiled. "The combination of blessed water, the sacred ground of the temple, and the bright moonlight will rapidly restore his energy without external help."

Sagami felt that something is out there. It became apparent when Saburo the Okami suddenly howled.

It wasn't a howl of anger. It was a howl of celebration.

Sagami closed her eyes. "Well, not from humans, at least..."

As Hachiman meditated, he felt an unfathomably massive presence around him. An existence unmeasurable powerful. Hachiman didn't try to comprehend its existence, for his human mind simply cannot bear the burden.

Under Heaven, there is Earth. Above the Earth, gods roam amongst men. If gods are benevolent, then men must be polite and humble.

One might not worship the gods, but one must not disrespect. In the domain of gods, one doesn't dare to trespass.

'Tis emptied, yet it loses not its power;
'Tis moved again and sent forth air the more.
Much speech to swift exhaustion lead we see;
Your inner being guards and keep it free.

-Dao De Jing, Chapter 5


* Mohism (墨家; Mòjiā; 'School of Mo') was an ancient Chinese philosophy of logic, rational thought, and science developed by the academic scholars who studied under the ancient Chinese philosopher Mozi (c. 470 BC – c. 391 BC) and embodied in an eponymous book: the Mozi.
** The Tree treasure of Daoism refers to three virtues that Daoist must pursue: Compassion, frugality, and humility.
*** Chokuto (直刀, straight sword) is an ancient Japanese sword used before the 9th century. It has a straight blade with a single edge.
**** 元婴 (Yuanying) - Nascent Soul/Primordial Soul: The solidified core within the lower dantian will shatter and meld with the cultivator's body and soul. This is the highest known level of cultivation as of yet.