บท 64: Chapter 64 - Lei's combat system.
The pair was about to return to their inn, standing near its entrance.
"Shit, so much money to split, it hurts... Why do we have to give it all away if we did the heavy lifting?" Xin looked inside the bag, checking out the spirit stones. He was fine with giving Rui Ming twice his amount of spirit stones, but being rewarded as much as Yao Nang gnawed at him.
"Well, without any of them, the fight would have gone differently." Lei also sighed. "The whole bounty thing was my idea, I could just conspire with you and split the money, but nah, we'll do it fairly. Still think me, you and Rui Ming deserve a bigger reward. Yao Nang is a mediocrity, and so is Tu Qiang. Rank one, my ass. I can wipe the floor with him. Murong Zhan was also underwhelming, considering he had an elemental advantage."
"Well, his cauldron throw was crucial in our victory, I have to give him that. And Xiaoyun, I'd bleed out without her technique. Sharing the money is the right thing to do, even if it vexes me gravely."
"Three, five, seven." Lei counted with his fingers. "135 split by seven, around 20 stones per person! Still a lot."
"That's still quite a gain, I'm impressed. To say that this whole thing was dangerous would be an understatement, though. I'd rather do the lab gig all over again."
"Except the uncle Ti part. Fuck me... It's still awful to think about. Still, he wasn't a good guy, far from it. And I'm glad that the sect and the Xuanwu clan have swept it under the rug. I'm still nervous, what if they collect enough evidence and start blackmailing us in the future?"
"I thought about it, too. It would be a tough plot to execute, as they'd also implicate themselves and expose their cover-up. The alliance between our sect and Xuanwu clan needs to be as strong as ever, the higher-ups will repress anything resembling sowing discord. Hopefully. We should be fine for the immediate future, and later on, this whole thing will be much harder to prove."
"Right."
The pair came back to the tavern, their walk back was relatively safe, apart from being bothered by snake oil salesmen and street food vendors. Everyone was in their rooms when they entered, but they momentarily came out to greet them.
"What took you so long?" Murong Zhan asked. "Did you bring the supplies?"
"Yeah, I'll supply you alright. Sit." Xin smirked and pulled out his bag of holding. He then poured out the spirit stones. "Nineteen for you, nineteen for you, sister Xiaoyun. Nineteen for everyone."
"By the ancestors! Where did you get such money?" Yao Nang's eyes were gleaming.
"It's a bounty, you dummy. For the yaoguai." Teasing her as he handed her the money she wouldn't be able to decline was a fun power move.
"She doesn't remember that fight, she barely fought, ha!" If Xin had any plausible deniability, Lei outright bullied her.
"Fuck you, Lei! Do you know how much I bled in that fight? Don't you dare undermine me and my efforts!"
"You women bleed all the time, should have gotten used to it by now." As Lei said this, he expected Tu Qiang to get triggered. No such reaction, though. Lei was confused.
"That's just rude, Lei. You should apologise." Wu Xiaoyun said.
"I am sorry, Yao Nang. I..." Lei suddenly stumbled as he apologised. Xin squinted his eyes and analysed his expression. Was he fighting an intrusive thought? Lei looked back at him, as if expecting a reaction.
Xin smirked and looked to the side, but this was enough to nudge Lei to action.
"Well, you know, once we come back, I can make sure that you never bleed. In combat and out of combat, if you know what I mean."
"Enough!" Yao Nang rushed him, but the others held her back. It took them quite an effort. "If you don't stop harassing me, I'll kill you! Got it?"
"Do I get to choose an execution method? Please choke me out! I don't mind, not the worst way to go. It's all in good faith, though. Banter! I am sorry!"
"I get it! He meant impregnation!" Rui Ming finally got the joke and triumphantly raised his finger.
"Master Qiang, please keep the other masters in check. You're a caravan leader, make sure that your subordinates behave." She urged her ex-partner.
"Don't tell me what to do, disciple Nang. Master Lei was just teasing you. Did you get your money? You can leave for your room."
"Agh! Screw this." She picked up her spirit stones pouch and stormed away.
"Disciple Xin, did you manage to sell the alchemical ingredients you collected?" Tu Qiang asked him, ignoring the incident.
"No, we'll contribute them to the sect. Local alchemists have enough insect based materials."
"And the organs?"
"That's none of your business." Xin coldly stared at him. Back off, these are my forty five spirit stones! I am not giving you shit.
"Easy, easy. I'm just assessing the situation. Did you make any progress with the supplies?"
"It's not like we need much. How about everyone just makes a list of stuff to buy for me, and I'll pay for it from our stash? It still has some money, should be enough."
"Look, I appreciate your spirit stones, and I think it was a good call, but you should have consulted me first. That place could have been dangerous, you know?"
"What about your exchange? Did you manage?" Xin ignored his question and asked his own. Tu Qiang waved for him to follow and pulled him aside.
"Yes, it went smoothly. At least now we know what we were supposed to collect. As you're an outrider, I think I should tell you. Two barrels of soul immolation nafta, formation-ready."
"That's... A rank two material. Takes a lot of time to prepare. Two barrels seems like a lot. Is this for our main sect's formation?"
"No. It's for a formation that makes our troops stronger. An average mortal is twice as strong while that specific formation lasts. That's why it was so crucial we procure this. If there is a general battle, it will be a strong asset in boosting Xuanwu clan's foot soldiers."
"And how long does that formation last? How many people does it cover?"
"Two minutes or so. I think it's around three thousand."
Xin fell deep into his thoughts. So, our whole journey was for this one-minute formation activation? Well, if thousands of soldiers are emboldened and break the tide of battle, it should be worth it.
Will any of this even matter? Everyone is preparing trump cards of their own, and we have less rank four masters. The Divine Sword sect has at least three, while our side only has our Sect Leader and Xuanwu clan patriarch… And then there's this Muni guy. Whatever, let's focus on current matters.
"Alright. There is a caravan leaving the city tomorrow morning. It has plenty of guardsmen and mortals, we should join it as it heads towards Clay Nest. Master Qiang, you should negotiate with their leader."
Tu Qiang raised his eyebrow. Was Xin acknowledging me as a leader or giving me an order? This guy is so hard to read. Whatever. Unaffected, unbothered, unobstructed. He recited the mantra in his head again.
"Fine, outrider Xin. Since we've just had a cash injection, would you recommend attempting to buy some goods here?" They went back into the main room.
"No, not at all. I know that this city should have some underpriced shards and artefacts, especially on the black market, but without time and connections, it will be quite hard to make good deals. There are also many useful materials in lady Kaitun's shop, the place I visited with Lei. I didn't find anything I'd personally consider a worthy investment, though.
I suggest that we leave as soon as possible, to avoid being robbed or scammed."
"Good, let's not shop then. We're leaving tomorrow, I'll go see that caravan head, maybe we can buy some supplies off him. Please give me directions."
"An inn right near the gates we came through. Ask for Boozeman Chao."
"Right. Will do. Anything else to report, disciple?"
"No, not really. You should hurry." Xin pointed to the door with his eyes. Will you fuck off now? Tu Qiang nodded and left.
"Hey, everyone. Now that the stinkers are gone, I... wanted to ask for advice." Lei said.
"Yeah, sure, I am listening." Xin said. Rui Ming also leaned forward and listened attentively.
"So, I've got a bit of money now, and I need to assemble a combat system. Except I am not sure how to proceed."
"First thing first, you should restore your arm. No offense, but it's a waste, having a good fencer like you crippled." Rui Ming said. It stung Lei, but he understood his point.
"I've adjusted to fighting without my right. I mostly rely on legs and lava spit, anyway. It's not that bad, and restoring my arm would cost at least fifty spirit stones, probably more. I am not sure that it's a right investment, given that I'll have to pay interest if I go into debt."
Lei's answer astonished Xin once again. He agreed with him, but most people didn't think like that. They'd want to restore their limb at all cost, as soon as possible. The frustration of having something you took for granted taken from you is unbearable, and the phantom pains and day-to-day hindrances must be more than annoying. His ability to think cynically about this matter showed how hardened Lei's spirit truly was.
"I can loan the money to you with no interest." Xin gave him a thumbs up. "What do you think?"
"Nah, Xin! I am fine, but I'll remember this. Thanks. I just think there are better investments. So, if you were me, how would you proceed?"
"May I?" Wu Xiaoyun raised her hand, she clearly felt like she had the least authority out of everyone present. And indeed, no one expected her to speak up.
"Yeah, speak, of course." Murong Zhan gave her his blessing, but it was also a way to make himself more relevant.
"So, Lei. Your Lava Spit is a great method, and your Molten Heart gives you a physical boost, along with a qi intensity boost. Still, your combat system is subpar. It relies on pulling tricks out of your sleeve."
"I... Look, I agree, but hearing it from someone who only knows one technique is actually funny."
"I know three, actually. Whatever. Your Lava Spit is a niche technique, and it can be countered if the opponent is prepared. No rank two will just let it melt their body like the mantis did. Think it would be completely nullified by the bubble dao shard if Su Xing made it."
"No rank two will also endure such wounds before dying, to be honest. And let's be glad Xin killed Su Xing, then." Murong Zhan said. Xin frowned.
"Right, Lei's lava spit is piss easy to counter with wind path techniques, or water path. It needs a modification." Rui Ming was rather blunt.
"I disagree. I think it's great, since it can be used during other attacking methods to overwhelm the opponent. Make them choose what to defend against." Xin said. "What Lei needs is another attacking method. Still, we have to remember that he also has his propulsion shard and fire qi infusion. Those strikes hurt, I can attest to that."
"You guys didn't let me finish..." Wu Xiaoyun looked disappointed.
"Sorry, sister." Xin hushed everyone to let her speak. Lei smirked.
"For a Foundation stage master, Lei's movement methods are exceptional. But they probably cost a lot of qi to use. His Lava Spit is also at the peak of rank one in power, it's a rare dual element trap card, but it has a very niche use. So, what he actually needs is durability and endurance. Or a formation partner, but that's not too reliable at that rank."
Lei felt a gripping in his chest, and rubbed his gums with his tongue, his teeth clenched. She was right, but taking criticism was always hard.
"So, what do you suggest?"
"You need a defensive method so that you don't exert your movement abilities and stamina as much. And Xin is right, you also need a second attacking method to overwhelm your opponents. And you need some utility, some special 'win conditions' to add more dimensions to your style. Right now, you can be countered too easily."
"Wow, sister. That's so smart... I never thought about it that way."
"I gave you a combat system manual to read ages ago! Those are fucking basics! Why didn't you listen? None of what Xiaoyun said is a revelation, she's just quoting our system manuals! These books were written in blood!" Xin was fuming. What else did Lei not read after claiming to have read it?
"Oh, chill. It's more like, sister Xiaoyun put things together so well that it clicked. The manual didn't." Lei tried to give a plausible explanation, but his eyes were that of a child denying having eaten chocolate when their mouth is brown.
"Well, may I suggest something?" Murong Zhan said.
"Of course!"
"You use fire element qi to punch and kick, and it's great, but it will also hurt you if you can't reinforce your body correctly. I know that using qi diminishes the blowback effect somewhat, but still, especially with fire element type attacks, you'll sustain injuries. You need a general defensive method, too. I think I have a solution that addresses both of these problems."
"Iron Lung dao shard. Right?" Xin tried to guess.
"Correct. When you breathe out and activate this shard, it hardens the spot you're focusing on. And it restores your breath a bit as well, so as a side effect, it will boost your endurance. Just protect the shard inside of your core, and learn how to use it around Molten Heart."
"Why not Iron Skin? It's a simple method, can't I use it now that I've removed the elemental conflict?"
"Even if they won't touch in the meridians, it will still get drained by Molten Heart, I am sure of that. Iron Lung doesn't stay active long enough to get melted. And it has a bonus of giving you an ability to breathe when you otherwise couldn't. It seems like a more useful option to me, I agree with brother Zhan." Xin wanted to steer Lei in this direction, it felt like the right piece of advice.
"And the downside?" Lei asked.
"Mental strain of having to manage your exhales. Having to focus your attention on reinforcing a specific part of your body. If used too widely, it can stress your meridians and drain too much qi." Murong Zhan explained.
"Wait, Xin. Is this a technique you used to protect yourself against stabs?"
"My method is very similar, it's a simpler technique, not a dao shard. It gives me durability, but at a mortal level, it doesn't restore my breath. Remember how quickly I ran out of qi after using it? That's why Resonance Palms are so much better. Preventing a hit is generally better than enduring it. Except... I can't teach you Resonance Palms, for an obvious reason..." Xin tensed his lips as he looked at Lei's shoulder.
"Fuck me... Well, I am a fencer anyway, there's no point in investing my time into a new combat style anyway. Iron Lung, then, to make me more durable and to give me more protection. And an attacking method?"
"Use something that synergizes with your saber and propulsion shard." Rui Ming advised. "It's better to overwhelm the opponent with your strengths, rather than spread too thin. The swirling wind that I use after stabbing my opponents, maybe there is a fire path analogue?"
"Maybe there is? The essence of your move is delivering a hit into a vulnerable location and then following it up with another move at a point of impact. Should be doable." Lei scratched his temple. Ming's way of thinking was quite insightful.
"There's a rare shard that does it." Xin proclaimed, clearly proud with himself. "I thought about your combat style for quite some time, actually, and that's what I came up with. It's quite expensive and niche, but it fits you well, I think."
"The rare and expensive part already sold me on it! What's its name?"
"Explosive Matchstick. It's hard to master, though."
"Eh? If Dao shards are parts of the Great Dao that shed, how is 'explosive matchstick' a part of it?" Lei was still confused about the concept of dao shards.
"Not all dao shards are naturally occuring, some were invented. They can represent manmade concepts, too, you should remember this. The shard I am talking about, I've seen it used by a rank two master during a tournament in Tealstone. His name was Ember Guo, I think. He used an oil shard, then combined an ignition shard with an explosive matchstick shard to form a very strong compound move. Almost broke the life-guarding formation, so severe were the burns."
"I don't get it, how does it synergize with my skillset? Didn't the guy just set another guy on fire by making him more flammable?"
"Fuck this, I hate spoonfeeding your lazy ass. The point of your sword is like a matchstick, you stab or slash a guy with your fire qi infusion, then deliver an explosion. You can also trigger it manually, but you need to have some tension. That's why that guy used dual fire-resistant swords, clashed them at each other and triggered the explosions at will."
"That's rad! So, Iron Lung and Explosive Matchstick! How much will it cost me?"
Xin was upset with Lei. He was so eager to follow along with their advice, and it seemed like he didn't understand how hard to execute this plan would be. Having to juggle qi infused attacks, propulsion shard and explosive matchstick attacks, all while activating the Iron Lung on time, Lei has to step his game up if he wants to master this combat style!
"The lung is around fifteen stones, the matchstick — probably around thirty. You could maybe ask the sect to refine it for cheaper. Do you understand how hard such a combat style would be to execute, though?" Xin said.
"Of course, brother." Lei responded calmly. "Fuck me, forty five spirit stones. Who has such money?" He looked at Xin with a subtle smirk. "Don't worry, I'll manage."
"Dao shards can be your greatest enemy, as they might make you tunnel visioned in combat. Or out of combat." Warned Rui Ming. "Do not neglect the techniques. Learn some small, situational techniques, to help you with unexpected situations. Relying on just dao shards is a great way to degrade as a cultivator."
"You are a living proof of this, brother. I'll heed your words." Lei nodded. "I still have a lot to digest, you people gave me quite a feast for thoughts... Thanks, I love you all! I'll repay you on the battlefield, you have my word!" He smiled playfully.
By the time Tu Qiang returned, Xin was already fast asleep. They met up in the morning, when Xin woke up.
"What took you so long yesterday?" Xin asked.
"I talked to the caravan leader for quite some time, that's it. He wanted to hear of our travels and shared his rare alcohol with me. He even gave me some anti-hangover pills for the morning. Terrific stuff."
Xin got slightly nervous.
"Do they seem safe to travel with?"
"Apparently, yeah. A bunch of free labourers and traders, some mercenary cultivator guards. Seem civil and polite, I didn't see any issues."
"Who are they associated with?"
"This Boozeman guy has a brewery here, said he's looking to move some of his higher grade goods around the Clay Nest area. Seems like he's some local small fry, looking to make a profit."
"Fine, we can always just leave them and travel alone if something happens. Have you negotiated the supplies with them?"
"Yes, of course. The provisions, utensils, instruments — they've got plenty for sale, and we can even borrow some. You can rest easy, I know you're tired." As Tu Qiang said this, Xin was confused. Was it his way of making up with him, or did he just try to undermine him as an outrider by saying "I did your job"? While questioning himself, Xin realised that he didn't care.
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