Shadow Steps

Ding Wei disliked proving his surrogate granny wrong, but he believed that what he was doing right now would do just that.

He was confident that a technique as strong as this could determine the outcome of a fight.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves of Guangzhu forest, casting shifting patterns of light onto the clearing as the branches gently swayed. Ding Wei focused his mind once again, channeling his energy in the pattern he had been taught.

With a sudden burst of energy, he leapt forward, disappearing into the shadow of a nearby tree. A heartbeat later, he reappeared behind another tree. Excitement raced through his heart.

Then, he fell, losing control of his Qi and tumbling forward. He managed to stop his fall with shaky arms.

Shadow Steps was a draining technique, both physically and mentally. He could, at best, perform it three times in succession before stumbling, and there were times when he failed to do it at all. The timing of qi release, the location and sequence of the meridians involved were key to its success. Even something as simple as breathing could completely change the way his qi circulated, which was why he held his breath when using it.

Otherwise, it would be too difficult.

But even with those minor problems, it was clear that a fighter who knew how to use Shadow Steps or some other movement technique would easily defeat one who didn't.

Judging by how quickly Granny Wu had dismissed the idea of techniques being a deciding factor between Awakening Realm cultivators, techniques like Shadow Steps were very rare.

Still, if learning Shadow Steps was this difficult now, Ding Wei struggled to comprehend how he would learn more difficult techniques in the future, considering that Shadow Steps was a beginner technique intended for Awakening Realm cultivators.

He rolled onto his back, panting for breath. Beads of sweat trickled from his forehead, and he smelled of many hours of effort. It had taken him a full night and much of the morning to learn the technique to this point, and he was exhausted. For a time, he lay there, savoring the ache in his muscles and the comfortable warmth of accomplishment.

He awoke later to sounds of distress.

Incoherent yells of panic and frustration emanated from nearby, accompanied by the clip-clop of horses' hooves and the creaking of a carriage. A loud crash followed, along with a pained neigh from the horse.

Eyes wide, he rushed toward the nearby road.

There, he discovered a carriage that had fallen on its side, along with a dazed merchant and a horse. On closer inspection, Ding Wei found three arrows stuck in the horse's side, and its once beautiful brown coat was now covered in blood.

It was clearly dead.

They must have been attacked some time ago, and the horse must have outrun their attackers before succumbing to its wounds. A noble creature indeed.

Witnessing the scale of the attack, Ding Wei rushed to the aid of the moaning driver. The man was screaming and babbling incoherently, uttering words without any discernible pattern. He seemed to be suffering from shock.

The man was alone, which was highly unusual. Merchants never traveled alone, especially when carrying such precious cargo. At the very least, there should have been a guard and a helper accompanying him, but Ding Wei didn't see anyone else.

"Sir! Sir, calm down!"

He wanted to help, but the man's spluttering made it difficult.

"Bandits! Bandits!" the man cried, tears streaming down his face. His cloak was stained with blood, though he didn't appear to have any wounds. "They... they killed my, my-"

Wei ignored the blood and wrapped the man in a hug. The middle-aged merchant, old enough to be his father, sank to his knees and wailed. He gripped Ding Wei's waist tightly, seeking comfort.

"My wife and daughter... Jiang, our guard..." the merchant sobbed, quivering.

"It's okay, it's okay..." Wei soothed, patting the man's head. He didn't blame the man for his breakdown.

Eventually, the merchant calmed down and even seemed embarrassed by his outburst. He glanced down in shame.

"Forgive me, young man."

Ding Wei smiled encouragingly. "Uncle, there's nothing to forgive. I'll take you to the village. A good meal and some rest will help you recover."

"Yes..." The man nodded, his eyes lost.

The walk to the village was entirely silent, apart from introducing himself as Chen Shang, the merchant was lost in pained thoughts of his now dead family and business losses.

Stocking a caravan was a costly affair, with many expenses. A single attack like this could ruin many new merchants. Ding Wei hadn't examined the caravan too closely, but he noticed the numerous arrows and slashes that riddled its side. Despite that, the majority of the inventory should still be intact.

As long as it was salvaged, the merchant would be able to start again, if he desired.

The village was rather empty at that moment. Most of the men were working in the fields or on the Liu Family grounds until late afternoon. There were mostly whispering housewives who stared at the newcomer with veiled interest, wondering who he was and where the blood on his chest came from.

"Ding Wei! Ding Wei! Who have you brought to the village?"

Fatty Wan was one of the youths Wei often spoke to. They shared a similar interest in cultivation and, until recently, a similar level of talent. Despite being called Fatty, his friend was actually in very good shape.

Tall, with lean muscle and calloused hands from helping his father in the forge, he exercised every day and had admirably transformed himself from a chubby youth into a respectable young man.

The name still stuck, though.

"Fatty, I'm taking this uncle to the inn. It's very important, and I don't have much time to talk. Find Han Jin and meet me there with your horse and cart. We may need to leave soon."

He looked to the distraught merchant for confirmation and received a nod.

"Alright... But if I do you this favor, you'll be coming with the rest of us to the dance this weekend. The girls keep pestering me about bringing you along. Your uncle has already dismissed you, so now you can become a wastrel like the rest of us."

Ding Wei playfully kicked him in the side, grinning. "Get lost already! How dare you try to take advantage of me in my moment of weakness?"

Fatty Wan puffed his cheeks. "You can't escape, Wei. We'll get you dancing with the village girls in no time"

His friend ran off, whistling cheerfully while maintaining a brisk pace. Despite his demeanor, Fatty Wan had taken the merchant's appearance seriously. He had already deduced that something terrible must have happened for the man to be covered in so much blood.

Both Fatty Wan and Han Jin would likely be outside the inn within twenty minutes, so Wei quickened his pace, eager to hear the merchant's story before setting out to return the carriage.