Awakening in the land of the shadows -2

A magical feeling is one that contrasts with the general state of being—a sensation that floods the body, heart, and mind, bringing a sense of pleasure akin to that of a lost traveler who, after wandering in the darkness of a beast-filled forest, finds the light of a campfire. It is a feeling known to those lost in the desert, tormented by the heat of the dunes, who find salvation in a sip of water that quenches their parched throats. This might not be the exact feeling that Elder Jin Mu, the third elder of the Wudang sect, experiences. Despite the biting cold surrounding the temple, the scent of incense filling the air, and the warmth spreading beneath the Buddha statue, there is a gentle, contrasting feeling within—a respite from the harsh world outside. Although he is a fearless leader with a strong personality, renowned throughout Jianghu, a little change does no harm.

Wine droplets moistened his lips as he sat on the ground on a prayer mat, facing a Shaolin abbot from the eastern region of China. The stormy weather outside, combined with the light of the candles and the warmth of the burning wine coursing through his throat, brought a light flush to his face.

"Hah, despite being a monk, he truly excels in making wine," Elder Jin Mu muttered to himself as he glanced at Master Heng Yi, who sat opposite him. Heng Yi was larger in build, bald-headed as per the monastery's tradition, yet more robust, with prayer beads encircling his neck.

Despite the calm atmosphere of the monastery, Elder Jin Mu knew better than to underestimate the monks. The man before him was a friend of 20 years, ever since the great Blood War where they had fought side by side to annihilate the followers of demon worshipers. It had been an intense war, with many lives lost as the main sects united to confront the ferocious demon worshipers, leading to the formation of the Murim Alliance—a beacon in the storm guiding the lost.

But now, after more than 20 years, the situation did not bode well. After the extermination of village and wilderness demons a hundred years ago, the world had enjoyed periods of peace until the demon monks unsheathed their swords again, staining the land with blood, roaming through different villages and regions in the hope of resurrecting their demons. In the eastern region, which had been their center, peace had prevailed after their final defeat in recent wars. Yet fate wouldn't allow it to continue, for things began changing about six years ago when demons and ghosts started reappearing, and a permanent winter fell upon the eastern part.

As the situation worsened and life became difficult, people vanished from these areas, making them a haven for criminals. This is why Elder Jin Mu was here today, sitting with the calm Shaolin Mountain Tiger, Master Heng Yi, who, despite his strength, reputation, and influence on Shaolin's inner sects, had chosen such a desolate and frightening place to grow.

He sighed, "Ah, my friend, how pleased I am to meet you like this!"

"Amitabha! Heaven has its ways of guiding us, Heaven works in mysterious ways, Amitabha!"

"It seems you manage your followers well! Oh, the vitality of youth! These sounds of battle are wonderful!"

"Of course, my friend, there is nothing better than fighting to forge new friendships! Hahaha!" said Master Heng Yi.

In the background, the sounds of fighting and encouragement were faint, but this did not mean that the youths of Shaolin and Wudang were not dueling in the monastery courtyard! Elder Jin had brought seven disciples from the inner sect for the growth badge. In the past, when a monk became strong and mature enough, he would step outside the sect's walls to make a name for himself and become accustomed to life in Jianghu. Especially now, as the great sect with its majestic history remained vigilant amidst the current events. They were here chasing known criminals from the Vicious Snake band, Xiao Feng and Liang Wei, whom Elder Jin had been pursuing for a year before injuring one of them in a tavern incident last spring!

"Of course, Brother Ming will accompany them, as he is well-acquainted with the barren mountain and to gain experience as well."

"You are so humble, my friend. I have heard that his body's Qi core is strong, and he has mastered the twelve teachings of Buddha."

"Always cunning, my friend."

**Embodiment of the Qi core!**

There are many levels to which combat artists are classified:

- **Wolf** – one who has learned to navigate this world and mastered martial arts but has yet to learn the skills of internal energy "Qi." This level is divided into:

 - Third-grade fighter, second-grade fighter, first-grade fighter, with the first being the strongest.

- **Tiger** – one who has managed to embody Qi energy. Although this stage does not have specific levels, it varies depending on the amount of energy at the center, the degree of embodiment, and the strength of the energy. Energy characteristics or "colors" are acquired based on one's constitution, body tendencies, and several other factors such as the environment they were raised in, with the most important factor being the training path they have learned through.

 - Red: the color of energy associated with heat and fire, allowing the fighter to perform fiery skills.

 - Blue: for water.

 - Green: for nature.

 - Brown: for earth.

 - Silver: for air.

 Then there are colors that depend on the owner's energy traits such as:

 - Golden: for nobility.

 - Purple: for love.

 - Black: for anger.

 The colors are numerous and varied, considered degrees and variants of the basic colors based on the density of energy and the combat artist's abilities and martial arts skills.

- **Dragon**: this is someone who has managed to embody the center of their power and possesses martial arts skills capable of facing armies or altering the landscape. It is divided into:

 - Spirit Dragon, Earth Dragon, Air Dragon, Sky Dragon.

Beyond them lies the realm of the masters, or **Sky Masters**, individuals who have transcended the bounds of being human and whose martial arts and energies cannot be comprehended by ordinary people.

---

The cold was piercing, colder than usual.

There was no sound—only a frightening silence pressing on his chest in the intense darkness where he could barely see the ceiling as he lay in bed.

"Why is he late?"

Liang Wei wondered as he lay in pain, why had Xiao Feng taken so long? He vaguely remembered what had happened: Xiao Feng entering the hut with rabbits in his hands, the sound of an explosion, going out to check what was happening with his weapon in hand. But despite the fatigue and illness that made him sleep most of the time, distorting his sense of time and feeling, he knew that much time had passed and his friend had not returned.

Rustling.

"What's that?"

He heard a rustling sound near the door. Was it a rat? Or a rodent? It couldn't be! Was it Xiao Feng who had returned? But why hadn't he spoken? And the door hadn't even been opened!

Damn this darkness that robbed him of his sight! And why had it suddenly gotten colder, the chill creeping into his body from his extremities, from his head, feet, and hands!

Rustling again!

Damn, what is the source of this sound? Damn Wudang!

Though they were criminals, they hadn't done anything to warrant the sects like Wudang and Shaolin chasing them. And despite them being first-grade wolf fighters, why were the sect elders pursuing them?

Rustling!

I wish I were stronger!

I wish I hadn't been born into these circumstances! A village annihilated by the emperor's army, branded as traitors, and he didn't even know why! Why did he have to run while watching his mother be killed? Why did he have to live in back alleys and among bandits?

Rustling!

Damn this cursed sound! Damn the back alleys!

Wait! What alleys? What was I thinking about?

Rustling!

Suddenly, his chest tightened, and he felt something pressing on it!

The rustling stopped—complete silence!

A heavy, oppressive silence that felt like it could be cut with a sword!

Liang Wei felt something touch his face!

But he couldn't see who or what was in front of him in the darkness! He couldn't even speak! Suddenly, he had lost the ability to speak and think!

He felt something moving across his face!

Cold breaths hitting his lips!

His body shuddered and trembled, the cold seeping through every part of him, except for a warm sensation between his legs!

The cold breaths intensified, and his blood pumped more fiercely in his veins!

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, he saw a faint light, illuminating what was in front of him!

The light came from his right, casting a glow on the right half of the thing pressing on his chest!

It was a human body! Or at least it resembled one! He could only see a head, with long hair brushing against his cheeks and a long neck extending from the head to somewhere he could not see! It looked like a snake with a human head! A snake with pale blue skin!

The snake with a human head drew closer from the ceiling, revealing its face—a corpse-like visage with empty eye sockets!

Its mouth opened at a strange angle, wide and unnatural, revealing a black void where teeth should be!

His end was near, and he wished he could cry or scream!

But his companion on this final night was a demon!

---

**Thud**

If you asked a layperson on the street about the differences between the Wudang and Shaolin sects

 in martial arts, they would tell you that Shaolin is known for their stability, like mountains, while Wudang is known for their agility. And that was precisely what was happening now!

Brother Ming Zhao had thrown a punch towards a 17-year-old girl wearing Wudang attire. The monk was firmly planted on the ground, his center of gravity almost touching the earth, his lower body movement coordinated in a way that allowed his weight to transfer through his muscles to his fist, aiming at the Wudang girl's face. However, the girl, named Seo Yoon, a disciple of the third elder, Elder Jin, did not receive it with a smile. Instead, she dodged to the left, moving her upper body out of the punch's path. Unfortunately, she couldn't move her legs because Brother Ming had entangled his with hers. If she moved back, he would follow in the same manner, his attack continuing as if their legs were linked by an invisible chain. She successfully avoided the punch, but Brother Ming extended his hand, following her with his fist as if it were a snake chasing its prey. Seo Yoon flipped, directing her leg towards his face and her head towards the ground, dodging his punch and delivering a kick to his face, barely grazing him. He flipped to the left with her, sending his foot towards her, which she also dodged. Brother Ming advanced, grabbing her hand, and with his foot planted firmly on the ground, he twisted his waist to the left, throwing Seo Yoon out of the circle drawn on the ground. She attempted to kick his face with a high kick, but despite her powerful kick that could break a rock without Qi, it had no effect on Brother Ming's strong body, causing her to fall outside the circle. The cries of the monks and Taoists rose; the Junior Sister of the Wudang Taoists had been defeated.