Happy...

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--- Chapter 23 ---

A month has passed since Kanae left. 

Many things have happened, starting from Shinobu getting collared to the intelligence gathering Tenma done to Hobemi Village. He has prepared nearly everything to finish Nobleman Kuri and the Demons, who will appear soon.

At the moment, Tenma is instructing Shinobu on her Tao Awakening.

Shinobu meditated above a thin snow, and Tenma commented, "That's right. Use your breathing technique to flow your physical energy and mental power. Let those opposing forces collide in your "Middle Way" in your heart." 

"The Yin-Yang will balance each other, allowing you to wield Tao (Life Force)." 

"But Tenma-sama, doing that will make my heart explode, no?" Shinobu asked, careful for her growth. 

"A little pain is alright. I'm sure you can handle it, my pet. Even if you got injured, I can heal you right away." Tenma pinched her cheek gently.

Shinobu giggled like a happy little girl, "Hehe, I hope there is more pain from you, Tenma-sama~!"

Tenma was helpless with this girl. She's getting bolder and bolder each day, pushing boundaries with her safe words. 

She's not worried at all about potentially getting caught red-handed.

"Just focus on your Tao Awakening. Or I ignore you for a week." Tenma threatened her with the worst time. He has experience dealing with this kind of girl.

Rewarding and punishing them has no difference.

The real threat is ignoring and denying them their bond. 

As expected, Shinobu yelped in fear and hurriedly focused on calming her breath. She imagined two forces, one coming from her brain and the other from her abdomen, following Tenma's instruction by colliding them in her heart.

The visualization of both energies is challenging. 

Very challenging. 

For Shinobu, who only taught physical training, cultivating Tao (Life Force) is an entirely new realm of knowledge. She couldn't comprehend how Tenma knew such deep understanding and dared not to ask.

Unknown to Shinobu, Tenma has been 'continuously' injecting his Tao and Inner Energy into her body, strengthening her internal organs, especially her heart, so the Yin-Yang Colliding doesn't break her from the inside.

While watching for Shinobu, Tenma glanced at an unimpressive patch of dirt near his house. He had planted some rare herb seeds he bought with Karmic Exchange there. 

He even fed them with his Wood and Flower Tao. They grew fast and just germinated this morning.

After they mature, Tenma can start experimenting with Alchemy. He can't rely on Dragon Veins alone. 

Two hours later, Tenma felt Shinobu's vitality burst violently. 

However, something unexpected happened.

Unlike in the simulation, Shinobu actually awakened Water Tao!

"As expected, any small actions I made will change the outcome..." Tenma sighed, somewhat expecting this already. 

"But this isn't a terrible awakening either. With Water Tao, Shinobu could still develop her body and Insect Breathing." 

Shinobu opened her eyes and felt clean. Yes, clean. 

Every inch of her body was invigorated with newfound power. 

"I felt like I was ten times stronger than before." 

Pa!

Tenma flicked Shinobu's forehead and mocked, "That's a false feeling of brief advancement. You feel like you're getting stronger by a lot, but your improvement isn't even up to 10%." 

"Your Tao's attribute is Water." 

"It is known for its fluidity and versatility. You can use it to enhance your muscle, increasing the mass by adding 'moisture' or increasing the water pressure to increase the cutting force of your weapon." 

"Since you're smart, you should be able to improve it freely." 

"Mm, I got this." Shinobu has learned about Tao for two weeks now. Even though she's still a novice, that's the wonder of learning. 

Eri appeared behind Tenma and hugged him, "Tenma... Breakfast." 

Tenma patted Eri's head and smiled, "I will be there in seconds, Eri. Tell Kaa-chan to heat the soup." 

"Mm." Eri hummed, glaring at Shinobu. 

Shinobu shivered, feeling this little girl's judgemental gaze. She choked and laughed nervously. 

After Eri was gone, Shinobu patted her chest and asked, "Tenma-sama, you didn't tell Eri about me, right?" 

"What the hell are you saying? Eri is still a child." Tenma rolled his eyes.

"Do you think I'd tell her about your 'vile' obsession?" 

Shinobu rubbed Tenma's thighs and purred gently, "Please don't be mad, Tenma-sama. I'm just nervous, you know? Hehe, I felt like someone knew about our secret." 

"You're laughing." Tenma was speechless. "You're actually excited to find other people know your secret." 

"I never said that. You said it!" Shinobu gave him a smug look.

"Whatever." 

Tenma pushed Shinobu away and asked, "Shinobu, remind me of your current 'extra' weight." 

Shinobu put on a bitter look and pulled her pants and sleeves, exposing a bracelet with diamond-shaped patterns. "I'm currently wearing the Iron Bind you give, Tenma-sama. Each weight is 50 kilograms, making me 200 kilograms heavier." 

"I have adapted enough, so my movement isn't disturbed. However, I can't maneuver in the air like I used to be." 

"Then, I will increase the weight by another 200 kilograms," Tenma said while opening small compartments in the Shinobu's bracelets, taking the old bearing-like object and adding new ones.

Shinobu slumped on the ground and groaned, "Uugh, this feels heavy and good. But you're merciless, Tenma-sama. How can I move with all this weight?" 

"Use your Water Tao, you little deviant." Tenma casually poked her chest suggestively, making Shinobu blush. 

"Circulate your life force and use it to strengthen your physique. Although you can't use Tao for too long, it should be enough for you to move." 

"O-Okay..." Shinobu experimented with her Tao. She used her breathing technique and accessed her Middle Way, allowing her to harness Water Tao. 

She could feel 'flow' in her veins and manipulated poorly. 

After a few minutes, Shinobu could move her stiff limbs. 

"Well, I will have breakfast first." Tenma turned around, leaving Shinobu alone in the backyard. "You should master the circulation quickly, or this will go until lunch." 

Shinobu pouted, feeling bullied and happy. She closed her eyes and gave off a peaceful aura.

Meanwhile, Tenma entered the house and had breakfast with Tamako and Eri. He has started healing Eri's mom for a week now, but the effect of Spirit Recovery needs time to work.

Tamako placed a piece of meat in Tenma's bowl and asked, "Ma-kun, you and Shinobu-chan have been very close this month." 

Tenma coughed, "I'm just training her, Kaa-chan. She's so weak that I'm afraid demons would bully her outside." 

"Is that so?" Tamako put on a suspicious look but didn't ask about it anymore.

Tenma's heart skipped as he tilted his head down, 'Don't tell me Kaa-chan knows about my secret with Shinobu. No, no, no, that's impossible!'

Tenma shook off the 'heavy' sensation in his heart and ate breakfast with gusto, making Eri stare at him with wonder.

Eri puffed her cheek and started wolfing down her breakfast, wanting to grow big so she could be as strong as Tenma. 

Tamako silently ate her breakfast, sighing inside because Tenma was tilting his head down. That habit of his never gets old.

'Ma-kun, how can you leave Kaa-chan in the dark like that~?' 

'But I will forgive Ma-kun because you're a good boy. Hmm, and today is your special day.' 

Shinobu didn't return until noon. When she entered the home for lunch, her clothes were wet and sweaty. 

Tenma napped in the side hall, waiting for Kanae. She should be back today.

The sun slowly went down, and the temperature dropped. 

Tenma is still lying on the side hall, yawning, and finally sees Kanae with a big bag on her back.

Kanae saw him and waved her hand, "Yahoo, Tenma-kun! Nee-chan is back!" 

She ran toward the house and gracefully stepped, dodging snow and branches. Her movement was so different after a month.

Did she become faster, too?

Kanae landed on the side hall, "Do you miss me, Nee-chan~?" 

"Mm, I am," Tenma replied with a smile.

"Here, a gift for you." Kanae handed him a nicely packed box. The cloth used on the box is soft and expensive. 

Tenma untied the cloth and opened the box, revealing a blue cloak made from tanned hide and wolf furs on the collar area. The material isn't too thick or thin, making it loose and breathable for him. 

Kanae saw Tenma's faint smile and giggled, "I'm glad you like it. Happy birthday, Tenma-kun!" 

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MA-KUN~!" Tamako and others followed, surprising him. Eri and Shinobu brought a cake, placed it before Tenma, and lit the candles for him.

Tenma's eyes widened, 'Ah, I forgot. Today is my birthday.' 

'Well, happy birthday to me!'

"Thank you, everyone."

"I love it." 

"Make a wish, Ma-kun." Tamako tenderly whispered.

Tenma blew the candles and looked at them warmly, "I wish everyone and myself forever happiness and healthiness." 

...