Chapter 356

Nengpa Mibo is both a martial arts technique and a formation.

It is based on the eight transformations of the Eight Trigrams, the principle of yin and yang, and the 108 methods divided from the thirty-six heavenly patterns and three disasters.

Thus, its possibilities number a staggering 1,728, making it the safest approach to movement techniques.

Therefore, every time one calculates a change among the Eight Trigrams, another shadow is added.

And when one reaches great success, they reportedly vanish along with the eight shadows as if they never existed.

Yeon Pa can’t believe it, even with her own eyes.

This clueless girl? Really?

“Ahem. You have some skill for your standing.”

“That’s just what I do.”

“Tsk tsk. That’s the problem. If a girl received a compliment, she should be modest instead of acting all high and mighty.”

“Hehe.”

Qing’s ultimate move is quite amusing despite not being disdainful!

Yeon Pa let out a sigh.

“In the past, there was a peculiar mysterious sect in the martial world, and their martial arts were said to be capable of shaking mountains and crossing the Yellow River.”

“A mysterious sect? What kind of sect?”

“I don’t know the name. There was a bizarre rule that anyone who knew the name of the sect must be killed. Therefore, among the living, only those within the sect know their name, while all outsiders perished, so it’s no wonder the name remains unknown.”

“And?”

“Nengpa Mibo is precisely the martial art of that mysterious sect. You asked why it appears behind you. Originally, Nengpa Mibo was created to pair with a martial art known as Bukmyeong Shingo. Those who haven’t mastered that divine skill cannot break away from the prescribed path even if they comprehend the transformations.”

“Ah.”

Bukmyeong Shingo. It sounds like it was a martial arts technique given as a reward for achieving the Ten Great Demonic Arts of the world.

“Then, Yeon Pa is part of that mysterious sect—”

“Didn’t I say I don’t know my name?”

“Right.”

If Yeon Pa belonged to the mysterious sect, she should say she can’t reveal it, which means she’s already disclosed her affiliation.

Can she just say she’s not?

After all, physiognomy is a science, right?

“You have quite a sour expression, but you can’t even manage your face, sigh.”

“Then, how did you have Nengpa Mibo?”

“It’s a secret manual of a fallen sect, so it’s no surprise anyone might possess it.”

“Oh? It fell? But the martial arts are powerful enough to crush the world?”

“It’s said they destroyed themselves fighting over who would possess the martial skills. Hmph. They can’t even reveal their own sect’s name, can they? Only those who lack integrity about themselves hide their identity. Just like this old man and those serving Wang Ya. So their downfall was inevitable.”

Qing recalled the servants of freedom.

Yeon Pa is the old woman, Gyeon No is the old dog, Yang Sang Guja the thief and dog bastard, and Courtesan Chang fits the bill too.

Each one had the red number above their heads marking them as villains.

Wasn’t Gyeon No one of them? Who knows.

“Then, the Wheel of Law is also from the mysterious sect—”

“Not that. Shall we say it was a matter of heavenly fortune?”

So, Nengpa Mibo just happened to be found, and the Wheel of Law also came from heavenly fortune—what does that mean? Is she hunting down martial arts on purpose?

Is Yeon Pa using a Martial Arts Inventory too?

But the regret thick in her voice, the truer her feelings surfacing, Qing didn’t dare pry further and simply changed the subject.

“So, what’s the Wheel of Law, what kind of demonic art is it? We need to know if we’re going to practice it.”

“It’s this kind of martial art. The qi revolves like a wheel, amplifying its power. Yes, that’s right, you called me a fool.”

Yeon Pa raised her skill to demonstrate the demonic art, but seeing Qing’s expression scrunched in confusion, like she was trying to figure out, “What the heck is that? I can’t see it at all,” she let out another sigh.

“Could you move it a little closer? I can’t see it right now.”

“Ha! Are you asking for me to send the skill right into your face? Do you not realize how dangerous that is?”

“But you’re not going to attack me, right?”

“Tsk. How about this—do you see it now?”

“A bit closer, please.”

“Keep your distance and take a look. The Wheel of Law is this kind of martial art.”

I’d love to get closer, but it’s dangerous, so I won’t take the risk.

Qing squinted, straining to focus, and noticed Yeon Pa’s hand clasping a skill that resembled a jagged saw blade.

Whoa. It’s spinning!

The blade gradually began to rotate, gaining speed and leaving shadows behind.

Finally, it formed a thick shape, as long as the blade itself.

This movement felt strangely familiar to Qing.

Is that an electric saw?

“Because it’s qi manipulation, you’re changing the properties of qi, right? It can be used in sword arts and weapons.”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

An electric saw? How could she handle this?

Qing swallowed hard.

“Is there any side effect? Not the part about becoming more violent using demonic arts.”

“It will strain your eyes. Because it’s called the Wheel of Law, using it in front of others would be like shouting that this girl has mastered the Wheel of Law and the Ten Great Demonic Arts.”

“Oh, so, I can just use it against someone I want to kill.”

“Wait, what did you just say?”

Yeon Pa doubted her ears.

Is that something that should come from someone in an orthodox sect?

If she uses demonic arts, she’ll definitely be exposed.

So, it’s only worth using against someone she deems definitely worthy of death, right?

Of course, there’s no way that would be true.

When using demonic arts, feelings of hostility or murder naturally rise within.

“Would it work if I wear a mask? Can you show me the nature of the Wheel of Law?”

“Girl, where do you think you’re pushing your face?”

“But I can’t see!”

“Oh, you’re quite bold, aren’t you? How can a girl so unrefined push her face like this?”

“Come on, hurry up.”

Qing’s eyes sparkled.

Like a dog happily waiting for their owner’s meal, her eyes gleamed.

Yeon Pa, with a grimace, began to channel the power of the Wheel of Law.

Before her, three soul flames began circling, intertwining and spinning slowly.

“Oh, this looks highly concerning. Like there’s a storm, a storm.”

“When one’s feelings align, they spontaneously arise, so don’t speak of anything malevolent, like murder. Wait, is that type of phrase coming from a Daoist?”

“You said the world is dangerous.”

“You just skip talking sometimes.”

“Hehe.”

“Don’t laugh, you brat. When a girl laughs too much, ha, now I see this is a big deal. Don’t laugh carelessly. It’s not like you can show your teeth to just any random person. Tsk tsk. Can’t you close that gaping mouth of yours?”

“Ugh.”

Qing complied and zipped her lips, letting out a laugh through her nostrils instead.

Yeon Pa, feeling a burning desire to give her a good smack, had the Wheel of Law spin around her.

“It’s getting late, time to go to bed.”

Yeon Pa continued,

“Hmm, right. Wang Ya might be feeling cold, so you should wrap him up. Men and women are different, but this time I have no choice, so I’ll ask you for help.”

Such a request filled with personal motives.

But it didn’t work.

“No, I’ll keep watch tonight, so you go in and rest.”

“Aren’t you going to inspect the enemy camp tomorrow? You ought to sleep.”

“A Supreme Martial Artist can manage without sleeping for a day, how tired could it make me? And Yeon Pa’s recovery is paramount, which would help you serve Wang Ya much better, wouldn’t it? You have trouble just walking right now.”

“What are you saying? Are you underestimating this old woman? I’m still full of life! What does a blind girl know about anything?”

“Eh, I heard your footsteps dragging on the way here. I’m fine, so you get some rest, or do some qi cultivation. I’ll stay here to guard.”

“Hmph. How can a girl who was just lying around all of a sudden become so spry? And you’re ignoring this elder, tsk tsk.”

Qing interpreted Yeon Pa’s grumbling.

“Thanks, but a young one should take care. Take a break.”

“Hmph.”

With that, Yeon Pa returned through the crack in the rocks.

Lying back down with limbs sprawled out, Qing began to mull over something more than just her worries.

How could she endure an electric saw?

Since it’s True Energy, it should be a True Energy saw, right?

And it’s Qi manipulation, so a Qi saw?

If it spins, maybe it’s just a spinning saw?

The thought of feeling that terrifying, yet beautiful sensation depending on her emotions is tolerable.

If you think about it, the Master taught her about qi manipulation.

Wang Ya should be taken more seriously than this!

It’s not just for spectacular display.

Although it does look cool.

It’s not just about the feeling of power.

But it seems like that feeling would be incredible.

Just imagining the touch of a spinning saw slicing through it makes her drool.

But that’s not it either.

There are strangely solid folks out there.

Those great techniques, the ones with bloodlines.

They must have been recipients too, right?

Of course, with a single strike meant to split them, it barely nicked the bridge of the nose and got stuck in the skull, while an attack meant to sever an arm just became lodged in the shoulder.

It’s fine when facing one or two punks, but what if a whole group of them comes at her?

Qing learned long ago how dangerous it is when a weapon gets stuck in an opponent and you can’t pull it out.

So, with heavenly fortune, she ends up obtaining the exactly needed martial arts, and her Master has encouraged her to practice Qi manipulation as well.

Yeon Pa had said that learning Daoist martial arts means one demonic art isn’t a big deal.

Even if she’s learned many, adding one more won’t suddenly make her lose her mind.

It’s definitely not due to the desire for touch.

It’s because it’s necessary.

That’s a very rational conclusion.

Plus, if for some reason, Bukmyeong Shingo becomes necessary later on, this could be the preparatory process.

As Qing contemplated, a malevolent hue spread in her eyes, which no longer belonged to the world.

Rational thinking aside, Qing was currently on watch.

With a noble one who knows nothing about martial arts and an injured person barely holding themselves up.

In such a moment, having her eyes rear back, limbs trembling, frothing at the mouth, producing creepy sounds—you definitely shouldn’t enter a complete state of vulnerability.

Of course, it could just be a case of not thinking about it at all.

And so, Seomun Qing.

Among the Ten Great Demonic Arts of the world, the Wheel of Law, the Sixth Star.

—-

Inside the temporary tent set in Namyang Mountain.

A man dressed in a silken robe, his helmet adorned with a chicken head, is truly quite striking.

“Have you found the beast yet?”

“No, not yet.”

“Couldn’t have snuck away, right?”

“No, they can’t escape. There’s no abnormalities in the barriers.”

“Or snuck out without us noticing.”

“Our warriors are elite. They may not be one against one hundred, but if a hundred can band together, they could effectively stall for time against a thousand.”

“Hmph. Then we’re good. As long as they don’t run away, they’re just trapped rats. How goes the firebreak construction?”

“Already completed, but the geomancer says there are still many risky areas that need reinforcement, so we’re doing additional work.”

The man in the chicken-headed helmet smirks in response.

“Hmph. Really? So does that mean we can start a fire anytime? Should I launch an immediate fire attack?”

“If the fire spreads, not only will the Namyang Mountain range be engulfed, but Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, and Guangdong will all become a sea of flames. The resulting casualties will exceed tens of thousands.”

The one reporting, clad in splendid armor and appearing to be a general of the military, replied.

But the chicken-headed man just scoffed.

“Hmph. The Emperor merely wants to burn a bit of my property. What’s it to me if a few lowlifes burn to death? Tens of thousands? Back when Cao Cao conducted sacrifices in Shouzhou, didn’t more than a hundred thousand souls perish? A few tens of thousands barely registers.”

This is the spirit of Zhonghua.

Even back when Cao Cao performed a great sacrifice in Shouzhou, millions died due to Dong Zhuo’s tyranny, yet merely exterminating the people of Shouzhou did not yield any concern.

In the far future, the leaders of Zhonghua would inherit this spirit, facing droughts, disasters, and pestilence, believing with a population in the hundreds of millions, what’s the concern over a few hundred thousand?

“Hmph, but—”

“Whatever. It’s done. I heard that cursed old woman got severely injured, right? So she probably won’t even think about escaping for a while. So hasten the reinforcement construction.”

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