Chapter 5: The tragic merchant

Outer arts. A technique for body discipline to effectively prepare for Qi circulation later. While the arts itself consist of only physical training and breathing technique, the result are huge. The important thing that most martial artist tend to ignore, are balancing the body and Qi, which are the purpose of Outer arts. Just because one possesses Qi within doesn't negate the fact that externally absorbed Qi isn't a foreign element. Outer arts are meant to forge a body capable of naturally balancing the interplay between Qi and the physical vessel, akin to a bowl cradling the life force. While YPS claim this Outer arts to be "easy as fuck", Ryong lack any special constituion aside from his gifted knowledge. So of course, he has a hard time doing it. 

"Fuuuuuuck," he sighs, a sentiment echoing for the third time in five minutes. Doubts creep in as he contemplates whether YPS exaggerated the ease of Outer Arts. Ryong, panting on the green grass near the gate, appreciates the solitude this spot provides for his somewhat shy training sessions. He can't bear someone looking at him topless like present. Quite contrary to his sorry state, his body has showing progress of his endeavor. It's all thanks to the magical recipe. In about three weeks, he has nearly mastered the Outer Arts, a feat that would typically demand three months of constant training for ordinary individuals.

"Normal people will need at least 3 months of constant training. But here i am. Really, your medicine is too ridiculous, medicG-hyung." he chuckled, shifting from a prone position to a seated lotus pose with the fluidity of a gymnast. Ryong's training regimen extends beyond the Outer Arts; he diligently gathers Qi, refining it in a process known as Qi purifying. Altho he still far from Body Refining realm, his growth can be considered abnormal. And the state of his Qi isn't normal either. Compared to others, while his Qi is undenieably not much, doesn't mean it's weaker. It's all thanks to Qi purifying technique. 

'But why is it so hard? Trying to sense Qi within Qi is like pinpointing ingredients in a dish after consumption. No, it's more intricate—I need to discern the components within the ingredients accurately. Isn't that too hard?!' Despite his complaints, Ryong persists. Alas, his grumbling won't subside anytime soon. Not after he realize this was only the foundation element and it will be more hard in the future. Yet, he grit his teeth. After all, Ryong already make up in his mind to become stronger. No—the strongest. 

'Ughh, but still, isn't there any medicine to increase my level of understanding? I felt like sitting duck here.' he mused. 

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Ryong rose from his meditation, glancing at the time with a subconscious accuracy that had become second nature.

"15:00, huh. Quite a while. I think I started my meditation around 12:00 midday."

A sudden realization jolted Ryong into action. Hastily donning his clothes, he began half-sprinting toward the city gate. The distance between his training spot and the gate usually took about half an hour to cover, and the gate usually close at 17.00, so he got to hurry if he don't want to be late. On the way, he glance over the usual sight of a merchant—with 5 bodyguards around them. However, an unsettling feeling nagged at him. At first glance, everything appeared normal, but Ryong, thanks to his honed face-reading skills developed from his job, sensed genuine animosity in the merchant man's eyes and a profound despair in the merchant woman's gaze. Strangely, the bodyguards seemed indifferent, walking with pride as if they didn't care about the client's mood.

Maybe, the mercenary are the type of people who doesn't care about others. It was plausible that these mercenaries were simply apathetic individuals. But that doesn't explain their prideful demeanor which contradicted the evident dissatisfaction of their client. Because typically, one person's negative disposition would affect those around them. What puzzled him more was the pride emanating from the mercenaries, seemingly directed at the displeased merchant. Even from a distance, Ryong observed how the mercenaries' eyes consistently darted toward the mistress, exuding an air of arrogance.

'They look down on the merchant. But why?' his mind asking. 

But ultimately, Ryong decided to not care. He clung to a life rule that had served him well thus far—to avoid meddling in other people's affairs and to guard his own secrets closely. This unyielding principle had brought its fair share of disadvantages, but in Ryong's hectic life, focusing on his own business took precedence over entangling himself in the complexity of others' lives.

* * *

Zou An is lucky. While his father is not a big and wealthy merchant, they are still merchant. Their wealth are a tad bit better than common people. He was born with a quite handsome face, and eventually, acquired an equal beauty as his wife. While she still can't bore a child, he doesn't mind and even quite happy about this. Their business are booming these days, and Zou frequently hold a party to celebrate his successful business. He and his wife are the village star. He's happy, and it's not only him who believe that this happiness would last. But no.

The reality still hit him like a mountain. The weigh of the current situation are too heavy. In his every steps towards the gate, he pray. He can only pray. His wealth up until this point didn't help him. The villagers abandon his pitiful situation without batting an eye. He can't even mourning his father which remains are scattered everywhere in the village. Not even his beautiful wife, his most treasured possession, escaped from the devil clutch. He could only weep and grit his teeth until it's bled, while his wife passed around like a toy every night. Her sad wailing pierce his heart like a sword. 

'Oh, god. Why...? Why me...?' but no matter how much he ask, the answer never came. Only the abyss called reality, reply. With the pain no man could have. Not even a nemesis would want his enemy to feel this pain. 

Sadness turn into helplessness. And the destitute, eventually turn into rage. From rage, it's evolve more, into resentment. The only thing that hold him are his wife. The man still clung into hope, even if it seems non-existent. The promise from the devil... Zou know he shouldn't believe it. But what choice does he have? 

'It's all because i'm weak,' his hands clenched in the despairing realization. 

'If only i have strength... Yes, strength. If only i have that...' 

His wishful thinking momentarily made him forget about his current situation. But Zou soon focused himself with the task on hand. He cannot screwing this. Smuggling a criminal into the city are, undoubtedly, would make him into their compliance and the punishment are death. Even more so if the criminal in question wreak havoc inside the city. He is sure he and his wife would not survive that. They said they will let him go after he succeed smuggling them, and release his wife. He doubted the authenticity of their word but, again, he has no choice. 

He coudn't help his trembling hand from shaking, realizing the gravity of the situation. Not even once in his life, he could predict he will someday sneak a group of criminal into the city. 

'But here i am.' he frown inside, sad at his grim future. 

His tried to ease his footstep, concealing his heavy heart. He must do it naturally, or everything will be over once the guards discovered something amiss. Guolang city is strict to outsider. There once great calamity befall upon this city. And thus the local here are learning from that situation, to not make the second mistake. Then the first thing they do, is tighten the security at the gate. Just like how you strenghten the security of your house, it must started from your door, where the line between the outside and the inside lies. 

The gate guard in Guolang city are famous for their sharp eyes. And it's considered to be an honor, if a soldier were to promoted to this position. Zou silently calm his rugged breathing. But no matter what, his heart didn't slow down. But there's no turning back now. The moment his eyes and the guard's met, it's already too late. 

"Zou An, i believe?" 

Zou replied with a made up bravado, "Y-Yeah." but he stutter instead. 

The guard seem to not paying attention. But who knows what they think. The moment he seen panicky, suspicion may already hold into him. 

"And who's that five guys behind you?" 

"Th-they're my body-bodyguards." 

"Bodyguards? Your village are quite close from here, right?"

"Well, um, i-i was traveling and hired these guys..." it was a plausible explanation, but Zou felt more nervous than before. 

'Was it convincing enough? Please get tricked. I beg you, don't ask me another question...'

Just as he desperately prayed, the guard turn his attention to the five 'bodyguards' circling Yang Qilin, as if protect her. 

"Show me your plate." The guard ordered. One by one, they pull out a bronze plate, which verify their status at glance. Seeing those, the guard immediatly srible something in his note. They all wait nervously, especially Zou. After a while, the guard shouted, "Next!" and they all got into the city. Zou secretly relieved as he pass the first hurdle. But he know it's not over yet. From this on, the bandit took the lead, and naturally, the couple follows. 

After passing some old building, they enter from the front door. The neighborhood they in now, has silent atmosphere, even tho the house in the surrounding area could be called a manor, with private yard and the wall at the entrance are all 5 meter or more. There is no life in the surrounding area, and no passerby aside from them. The bandit fumbling the black-rock wall, and seemingly pressing one of the rock. Immediatly, a passage open, linking their way into the manor next to this manor. Right away upon entering the residence, the bandits roaming around. After 5 minutes, they confirming that there are no one aside from them there. 

"The client haven't come, huh?" Tang said. Half expecting this. But this is no problem for him. After all, the client didn't said the spesific time or anything. That being said, the instruction clearly told them to just stay still and make no scene until the client comes. But, Tang Feng, already glanced at the mistress, said loudly. 

"While we wait, why don't we have some fun? Boys?" the rest of the gang sneered, understood their boss intention. They all look towards Yang Qilin with preying eyes. But before that, they make sure to gagged Zou to keep him silent. And his hellish experience, began. 

* * *

"Ryong! Good thing you're not late." said the bar owner, welcoming Ryong who appear at the right time. 

"Just change into your usual clothes and start the job immediatly." without another word, Ryong sprung into action, as commanded by store owner. He entered into the changing room and put on his hosting uniform. Three, are by no means a high number. But to put it into perspective of an event, it's definitely a lot. First, one event could last for 2 hours at most. Three event means he has to be ready for consecutively hosting for 6 hours in succession. 

But, that doesn't pose any threat to him. After practicing Outer arts, his body has become more resilient than normal adult, let alone his peer. Working for 6 hours non-stop is not even hard for him anymore. As long as he keep doing the breathing technique, he could even last 12 hours without resting. 

Although his mind still wanders to that merchant he saw some days ago. It's not a significant curiosity, but it's enough for him to constantly think about it.

'Well, if fate allows, we might cross paths again,'

He instantly regret his thought. 

Ryong staring at the man, lying in his own pool of blood, motionless. It was rain, so the blood definitely potrayed a lot more than what it should be. However, Ryong doesn't question the seriousness of the man's injuries. Facing with sudden escalating situation, Ryong know he already broke his own golden rule.