Keiko - 三

I awoke with a start, my muscles still sore from the previous day's exertions. Despite the ache that coursed through my body, a sense of excitement fueled me. I had uncovered a hidden library, a treasure trove of sacred texts and ancient wisdom. This was an opportunity I could not afford to squander.

Rising from the platform, I stretched my limbs, easing the stiffness that lingered in my joints. The glow from the jade statues had faded, leaving the chamber bathed in a soft, ambient light. I looked around, my eyes drinking in the sight of countless scrolls stored in intricately carved wooden tubes, each promising knowledge and power.

Without hesitation, I began to explore the room, my hands trembling with anticipation. I pulled scroll after scroll from their resting places, barely concerned for the wellbeing of the parchment inside. Some scrolls crumbled slightly at the edges, but I was too engrossed to care. My eyes scanned the titles, written in the ancient language of our land, a language that was alien to me in many respects.

Hours passed as I combed through the collection, gathering all the scrolls with titles I could read and piling them on the platform. The texts were varied and numerous, each one a potential key to unlocking the secrets of our sect's martial arts.

Overwhelmingly excited, I randomly selected one from the pile and read the name aloud. "Medicinal Techniques for Ghost Walking Disease." Intrigued, I unrolled the scroll and found detailed directions and a recipe for creating medicinal pills to treat a rare and deadly affliction. I packed that scroll back up and moved on to the next one.

The next scroll turned out to be a clerical ledger from the time of Di Maou, detailing herb production and sales for the year. It was a fascinating glimpse into the past, though not immediately useful for my current needs. I continued alternating between different scrolls, each containing ancient and esoteric wisdom.

One scroll described the creation of a powerful elixir that could enhance one's strength and speed temporarily. Another detailed the philosophy of the Five Elements, providing insights into the interconnectedness of nature and the human body. A third contained intricate diagrams of acupuncture points, explaining how to manipulate chi to heal injuries and ailments.

My excitement grew with each new discovery. I felt like a child in a sweet shop, each scroll a tantalizing treat waiting to be unwrapped. Finally, I came across one labeled "River Breaking Slash." The name alone sent a thrill through me. Unrolling it, I found a series of poses for a palm technique that used precise strikes to hit an opponent's vital points.

The text described the historical importance of the master who developed and honed this technique. Master Xian Wu, a legendary figure in our sect's history, had created the River Breaking Slash after years of studying the movement of rivers and the flow of chi. His understanding of the Law of the Water allowed him to create a technique that was both swift and deadly, capable of incapacitating opponents with minimal effort.

Eager to try it, I stood and began to mimic the poses described in the scroll. My hands moved in precise, fluid motions, each strike designed to deliver maximum impact with minimal energy. As I practiced, a funny feeling arose in my stomach, a sensation of warmth and lightness.

Confused but determined, I continued practicing the technique. The strange feeling grew stronger, spreading from my stomach to my chest and limbs. It felt as though my body was becoming lighter, more attuned to the energy around me. Each strike became more fluid, more natural, as if the water itself was guiding my movements.

The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. This was the power of the River Breaking Slash, the true essence of Master Xian Wu's technique. The Law of the Water was not just about understanding the movement of the river, but about becoming one with it, letting it guide and enhance my strikes.

Excitement and awe filled me as I continued to practice, feeling the technique become a part of me. The soreness in my muscles faded into the background, overshadowed by the thrill of discovery.

I repeated the poses of the River Breaking Slash over and over, allowing the movements to etch themselves into my muscle memory. Each strike, each fluid motion became more precise, more natural, until the technique felt like an extension of my own body. The funny feeling in my stomach transformed into a steady warmth, a sense of connection with the air around me. I practiced until the light from the jade statues began to fade, signaling the approach of night.

Satisfied with my progress, I took a deep breath and turned my attention back to the pile of scrolls. The next one that caught my eye was labeled "Rooted Aegis." Intrigued by the promise of a defensive technique, I unrolled the scroll and began to read.

The Rooted Aegis by an unnamed master was based on the Wood element, focusing on flexibility, resilience, and growth. The technique involved grounding oneself like a tree and using fluid movements to absorb and redirect incoming strikes, as well as manipulating opponents' positions to create more room to maneuver. It required a deep understanding of one's own balance and the ability to remain adaptable and unwavering in the face of multiple attackers.

The Rooted Aegis was particularly effective against a swarm of opponents. By using destabilizing attacks and grabs, the practitioner could create openings and space, making it easier to handle multiple adversaries. The technique emphasized using the opponent's force against them, turning their aggression into their downfall.

I practiced the Rooted Aegis with the same dedication as the River Breaking Slash, repeating the motions until they became second nature. My body adjusted to the new movements, feeling the strength and flexibility that came with manipulating the Law of Wood. Each block, redirection, and destabilizing grab became more instinctive, my confidence growing with each successful execution.

Once I felt confident in my mastery of the Rooted Aegis, I shifted my focus to the remaining scrolls. As I sifted through them, I discovered a wealth of historical data and records. One scroll detailed the lineage of our sect's grandmasters, tracing back through centuries of martial prowess and wisdom. Another contained records of ancient battles and alliances, providing insights into the intricate web of relationships that shaped our sect's history.

One particular scroll caught my attention. It was a recorded ledger from over two hundred years ago, detailing the year's batch of disciples. As I read through the list of names, my eyes landed on a familiar one: Xiong. The entry described him as the runt of the pack, speaking to the low expectations held for farmer's kid. It compared him to his classmates, many of whom were described in glowing terms as prodigies from prestigious families and future leaders of the sect.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and respect for Master Xiong. To think that he had been underestimated and overlooked, only to rise to become one of the most respected figures in our sect, and that he was over two hundred years old! 

As I continued to read, I realized that many of the names mentioned in the scroll were unfamiliar to me. These prodigious classmates of Xiong had seemingly faded into obscurity, while he had left an indelible mark on our sect's history. The contrast was striking, a reminder that greatness often comes from unexpected places.

With a newfound appreciation for my master, I carefully rolled up the scroll and returned it to its storage container. Tired from the long hours of memorizing the two techniques, I laid down by the pile of knowledge and drifted to sleep.