Chapter Eighty-Four: Recruitment (Part One)

The Sakura Boat’s hull was somewhat long and narrow, making it better suited for slicing through the waves. Great sprays of foam and froth tumbled along its sides, sometimes tossing up seaweed or fish, which would then vanish with a swirl. The sea wind was harsh, howling mournfully, yet the spirits of those aboard finally began to settle. The reason was simple: in the distance, other merchant ships could be seen. After nearly half a month of sailing day and night, they had finally reached the coastal waters.

Still, the shadow cast by the torment of the Japanese assassins lingered in the hearts of the Xu clan’s retainers. Each time they passed another ship, they couldn’t help but feel a pang of anxiety. Yet, the moment they saw a lone figure on the deck, their fears eased.

Kou Li stood facing the sea wind, but none of it seemed to touch his skin. Whenever it drew near, within half a foot, it collided with another current swirling about him, raising the same mournful sound. This wind seemed to spring up from nowhere, spiraling around his body.

In truth, it was the breath of countless pores, drawn in and expelled by Kou Li—a manifestation of the “Tiger’s Roar” from the secret art of the Hidden Sound, and also a core principle of internal martial arts: bodily breathing.

This was not merely a feat of the skin and pores, but a union of joints, organs, and muscle working in concert. Power arose from breath—power concealed within the breath.

When he had feigned an attack on the enemy commander back on the island, his mind ensnared by the boy’s fish-hook sword, Kou Li had narrowly escaped danger by unleashing this very skill. The energy surged through every pore, filling his black clothes, hiding his form within his garments, and allowing him to evade the ninja master’s deadly strike from behind.

Then, it had been an act of desperation; now, he wielded it with ease.

Though the Emerald Fruit had granted him no direct increase in strength, Kou Li was certain that any punch or killing blow he now threw would be at least half again—perhaps even twice—as powerful.

In the martial world, to unite intention, movement, and breath was already to be considered a master of the hard school. But to have intention guiding technique, internal and external united, the whole body as one—that was the pinnacle all masters aspired to.

Such mastery could not be achieved by skill alone.

Tongue, teeth, nails, and hair are known as the Four Extremities, corresponding to flesh, bone, sinew, and skin. When martial artists speak of channeling energy to the extremities, they usually mean just one. External practitioners may reach the sinews or bones; internal masters, the skin or flesh. Rare indeed are those who achieve proficiency in two, let alone all four.

For a change in any of the Four Extremities is the threshold to the Four Great Refinements. Even among great masters, few truly reach this state, for it is only as the Four Great Refinements near completion—just before the shattering of the void—that the body undergoes such profound transformation.

Hence the legendary tales of overwhelming strength, of powers to move mountains and swallow tigers.

To reach such a level before attaining the Four Great Refinements, and the rank of grandmaster, was virtually unheard of—Kou Li was one such anomaly.

Reflecting on it over recent days, he realized this change was not only due to the Emerald Fruit, but at least half owed to the consummation of his child’s stance, which had purged his body of all impurities.

Only the finest steel, shaped by countless hammer blows, can be forged into a treasured blade. Thus, by focusing solely on the Fierce Tiger Fist, Kou Li had succeeded in turning human bone to tiger bone; and after the Emerald Fruit’s further sublimation, his potential erupted, raising his physical abilities to a new level.

Kou Li now wondered if, with his current power, he could stand against a grandmaster of the Four Great Refinements. In terms of raw physique, he was not far off from those who had undergone the first refinement.

At the very least, should Huo Jundong strike with his Arm-Extending Fist again, Kou Li would no longer be so easily overwhelmed.

His ears twitched minutely—without turning, he knew exactly who was approaching.

—

“Hey, I say, it’s only been a few days and you look as pale as a scholar! Don’t you know noble ladies these days all fancy pampered pretty boys? We martial men should be vigorous and manly, not effete!” Xu Kaishan lamented, though his words might have been more convincing without that jealous glint in his eye.

As the son of the Cantonese general, Xu had received special attention from the Japanese assassins. Though he hadn’t suffered any permanent injuries, his face and body bore more than a dozen scars. Over the past few days, Kou Li had learned that though Xu seemed lackadaisical, he was tough as nails and hadn’t uttered a word under torture. The island’s location had only been revealed when a minor retainer broke under pressure.

Kou Li, therefore, was willing to talk with him.

“I am a scholar, after all. I hold a licentiate’s degree,” Kou Li replied earnestly.

Xu Kaishan rolled his eyes. The remark stung. As the son of a military man, his father had always hoped he’d pursue the civil service exams, breaking countless canes over his back in the process. But Xu had never been suited to it, never even passing the first level, and so had followed his father’s path instead.

Yet here was Kou Li—a prodigy in both civil and martial arts. If he could, Xu would have liked to give the young man a good thrashing. But, it seemed he’d probably lose.

“Forget it,” Xu Kaishan muttered, waving his only uninjured hand. “What are your plans now?”

“I’ll return to the school and train.”

“If I were you, I’d go back to the academy and study. The martial school isn’t for you.”

“What do you mean?” Kou Li frowned, sensing a hidden warning.

“You saved my life, but I’m not keen to repay you with mine. So listen—don’t get mixed up in this mess. By the time you return, the Burning Body School may be nothing but ashes. Don’t let yourself get dragged in,” Xu Kaishan said, suddenly grave.

Kou Li was about to reply when Lin Su’e’s voice called from outside, “Brother Kou, Sister Huang wishes to see you.”

“Go ask her yourself. I’ve only caught wind of rumors—she’s a dragon among women in the Cantonese guild, might even be involved in all this. She’s the one you want,” Xu Kaishan added with a wink.

—

Lord Huang, hair loose about her shoulders, was sipping bitter medicine with a miserable face, casting pitiful glances at Lin Su’e. But Lin’s gaze was unyielding. “You must finish it all.”

When it came to medicine, Lin Su’e was resolute.

“But it’s so bitter. Truly, can’t you add a little sugar?”

“No.”

“By the way, Su’e, I have here a string of fire agate prayer beads from the far western kingdom of Khorasan. They’re worth a fortune and would look perfect on your fair hand—won’t you try them on?” Lord Huang wheedled.

“Drink first, then we’ll talk.”

It seemed nature always finds a counterbalance. This mysterious and powerful woman, this dragon among the river-crossing elite, could only choke down her medicine with watery eyes—not from weeping, but from the sheer bitterness.

Even under the care of imperial physicians, she had never been so obedient.

—

“Brother Kou, you’re here,” Lin Su’e greeted softly as Kou Li entered, instantly radiating a gentle, demure air that made Lord Huang’s lips twitch in annoyance.

“I’ve only slept a few days and you look like a different man. Don’t tell me it’s from martial training—I know more than you,” Lord Huang scoffed.

“Brother Kou, sit here.” Lin Su’e quickly fetched a stool, speaking in a low voice.

“So it’s true—girls do love pretty faces. With your looks, it’s a waste to be a martial artist. I could introduce you to a few lonely noblewomen, and you’d be set for life,” Lord Huang remarked with a raised brow.

“How did I never realize you’re this tiresome?” Kou Li replied dryly. Where was the proud, aloof manner from before? Was this really a lady from the capital?

“My attitude improved only for Su’e’s sake. As for you, you’re not even worthy to be my servant,” Lord Huang retorted, eyeing him up and down with a flash of genuine admiration. Though she had met countless talented youths, few could compare. To call him merely a pretty boy was an injustice—what truly set him apart was his bearing: regal, commanding, a dragon among men.

“…So, what do you think?” Kou Li asked.

“Cough, what? I’m still ill, I can’t hear you,” Lord Huang replied smoothly. She wasn’t about to blush over a moment’s distraction by handsome features—she’d seen far too much debauchery in the palace for that.

In short: a true connoisseur of life’s wild side.

“Since you’re awake, and you owe me two lives, how do you plan to repay me?”

“When did it become two?” Lord Huang protested.

“You were poisoned, I cured you—that’s one. Then when the pirates tried to kill you, the Phoenix Princess, I fought them off—that makes two. No argument,” Kou Li tallied gravely.

“You—you—” Lord Huang had never met a man so petty, especially in front of a beauty like herself. Did he not understand the code of chivalry?

“Two ancient martial arts, or answer two questions.”

“Let’s hear them first,” Lord Huang replied evasively.

“Su’e, could you wait outside? Matters of the martial world aren’t for a lady physician,” Kou Li said, turning to Lin Su’e.

“In that case, sister, I’ll go. Remember to finish your medicine,” Lin Su’e replied sweetly before leaving.

“What a lovely girl, and you let her go. Hypocrite,” Lord Huang declared.

Kou Li ignored the remark. “What’s happening at the Burning Body School?”

“So you’ve heard. Of course, it was Xu Kaishan who told you,” Lord Huang’s eyes flashed coldly. “Yes, I was involved in the plan to destroy the Burning Body lineage.”