Chapter 4: Secrets of the Way of the Shaman, Returning to Yuan State
That day, the weather was clear.
The harsh winter had long passed, and spring once again tenderly caressed the earth.
The flowers and plants at Lord Yan’s Residence had donned fresh greenery.
After a month and a half of rest and recuperation, Zhang Yang had fully recovered and was still acclimatising to the Blood-as-Horse stage of cultivation.
This so-called Blood-as-Horse stage means the practitioner’s vital energy and blood surges like a wild horse galloping, granting extraordinary endurance.
Its most distinctive feature was that, when unleashing their full combat power, the flow of energy and blood within their body could be heard like the pounding of hooves.
At that moment,
the morning mist was still entwined among the branches of the Old Pagoda Tree as Zhang Yang stood bare-chested on the stone slab ground.
The white vapour rising from his body carried the sharp chill of early spring, condensing into tiny droplets between the cracks of the blue-grey stones.
As Zhang Yang’s 'Two Forms Stance' in Baji Boxing stabilised firmly, the snow piled against the courtyard wall trembled, startling two sparrows dozing beyond the bamboo fence.
The lines on his palms bulged like coiling dragons. As he slowly pushed both palms forward, the icicles hanging from the Old Pagoda Tree suddenly shattered.
Three metres away, on the stone table, the thin layer of snow freshly fallen overnight was swept up by invisible energy, swirling into a fine vortex of snow mist in the air.
Zhang Yang’s entire body was enveloped in a surge of energy and blood, galloping like a wild horse. Each breath he exhaled shook the copper bells hanging in the corner of the courtyard, while even the shepherd’s purse shoots peeking through the cracks of the green bricks trembled slightly in time with his breathing rhythm.
Lord Yan Yun approached the courtyard gate holding a bamboo scroll.
As Zhang Yang stamped down with force, the copper bell at the eaves rang out with a sharp, tearing sound, and he felt as if he were not watching a man practise martial arts, but a dormant beast inhaling and exhaling the very heavens and earth.
Water stains seeping from between the green bricks snaked like a stream. The sheer power of the display startled him so much that he stepped back and collided heavily with the carved doorpost behind him.
“That’s such a fierce and intense boxing style,” Lord Yan Yun whispered in awe, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Zhang Yang’s moves as he mimicked them in secret.
Zhang Yang, of course, noticed Lord Yan Yun but made no move to stop.
By the time he finished the full set of stance training, half an hour had already passed. Zhang Yang finished his form and stood upright, looking towards Lord Yan Yun who was waiting by the door. “Thank you for waiting, Lord Yan.”
Lord Yan Yun hurried forward, not the slightest trace of anger on his face. Bowing with both hands, he apologised, “I am the one who should apologise.”
“I have become so obsessed with martial arts that I forgot the proper ways to avoid giving offence.”
After saying this, Lord Yan Yun could hardly conceal his curiosity and delight, gesturing at Zhang Yang’s recent movements and exclaiming, “What style of boxing do you practise, sir, to be so fierce and vigorous?”
“I saw how you rooted yourself and exploded with strength; it felt as though a wild beast was roaring, making the heart tremble.”
Zhang Yang laughed heartily. “This is a boxing style I created myself.”
“It is called Baji Boxing.”
As he spoke, a distant look flickered in Zhang Yang’s eyes.
His rebirth this time was different from the last time he had crossed over.
After coming back to life, he found that his memory had become exceptionally sharp—he could even easily recall his past on Earth. It was this very rebirth that stirred many memories of Earth within Zhang Yang.
For example: Baji Boxing!
He had never practised Baji Boxing before.
But in his previous life, he had worked in a bookstore for five years.
It was an online shop specialising in selling pirated books.
Customers would provide electronic copies, and the shop would print, bind, and send the volumes to them.
The prices were extremely low.
Customers’ requests were all sorts of bizarre. Zhang Yang once accepted the most insane order: someone had printed an entire set of the Daoist Canon.
Not the kind of published books you find on the internet, but a comprehensive collection of countless Daoist texts.
There were tens of thousands of volumes in total! To fulfil this order, he had been busy for three months straight.
He had to proofread the electronic books the customer provided and check for any omissions.
Looking back now, Zhang Yang found that he could almost recall all the classics he had ever read!
Baji Boxing was one of them.
When he first remembered Baji Boxing, Zhang Yang didn’t hold much hope.
After all, no one on Earth had ever seen a true practitioner; Baji Boxing was just an ordinary martial art and could never compare to the cultivation methods in this world.
He thought it might be fun and began practising.
As he trained and studied further, Zhang Yang suddenly realised he might have been mistaken.
The cultivation methods in this world were very subtle.
They required the use of medicine! Activating a practitioner’s potential with shamanic medicine, then undergoing extensive training to awaken the power within the body and continuously break through limits.
Different regions had different methods of training.
These were called Qiwu—meaning a dance to pray for the gods’ blessing of strength.
In this era, whether common folk or high-ranking officials, all regarded a practitioner’s power as a gift from the deities.
Only those who received divine favour could obtain such power.
Through his trials, Zhang Yang realised that the effects gained by training with Baji Boxing’s stance practice far surpassed those from practising the Qiwu.
It was then that he suddenly understood.
Qiwu itself might not be particularly special.
What truly made the difference was the shamanic medicine. The potion activated the body's latent power. The Qiwu was merely a form of exercise, something like a mass calisthenics routine. Practitioners grew stronger through movement, leading others to believe they were blessed by the gods. But in truth, even ordinary people who trained regularly could become robust, let alone those who had consumed the shamanic medicine!
However, training wasn't something to be done casually. Without an understanding of scientific methods, it could result in strained muscles, damaged bones, or even injury. In this era, with no concept of science, some practitioners might have tried other training methods, but due to various factors, they ended up harmed. This reinforced the belief that Qiwu was fundamental—that receiving divine blessing was the key.
Baji Boxing had been developed by many in a previous life as a systematic, more scientific training method, alongside techniques for more efficiently harnessing one's own strength. Combined with the Way of the Shaman in this world, and with a physique far beyond that of his former life, the power of Baji Boxing became terrifyingly formidable! Zhang Yang had tried using the moves of Baji Boxing to unleash his immense power — the explosive force more than tripled!
Lord Yan Yun kept praising him: “So this is a boxing style you created yourself, no wonder I have never seen it before.”
“This boxing technique is truly extraordinary.”
After his admiration, Lord Yan Yun turned to the matter at hand.
He handed Zhang Yang a bamboo scroll. “This is intelligence I have gathered about the Yuan State. Please have a look.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang, too eager to waste time with pleasantries, quickly took the bamboo scroll.
Opening it, he found a brocade scroll inside.
His eyes scanned the text on the scroll.
Since the Yuan State was destroyed, the sovereign’s descendants had been relocated to Hong Village beside the capital of the Jing Kingdom, granted land the size of a whole village, where they continued to honour the ancestors of the Yuan State.
And as for the Zhang Family of the Yuan State? Too insignificant; no one really cared about the rise or fall of the Zhang Family.
Zhang Yang read through the information repeatedly. Although he had expected this, he couldn’t help but sigh with disappointment.
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Another month and a half passed, and before he knew it, it was late spring.
After three months of rest and training, Zhang Yang had not only fully recovered but also mastered the power of the Blood-as-Horse realm with great skill.
With the aid of Baji Boxing and other martial arts from his past life, his strength had increased more than tenfold compared to before.
Now, Zhang Yang was confident he could defeat his past self with a single strike!
Strength was the foundation.
With his preparations complete, Zhang Yang took his leave from Lord Yan Yun.
Lord Yan Yun had already anticipated this and did not attempt to stop him. Instead, he said, “Though I am reluctant to see you go, I understand you have pressing matters and cannot bear to keep you here.” “Here are one hundred gold coins for you to use on your journey.”
“Rou'er has looked after you for several months and knows your habits and preferences; I gift her to you as well.”
“I have arranged two carriages, four swift horses, and two coachmen for you. I wish you a smooth and safe trip.”
Following Lord Yan Yun’s orders, the two carriages arrived one after another in the front courtyard.
Rou'er trailed alongside the carriage, pulling a playful face at Zhang Yang, full of mischief.
Zhang Yang was touched but did not decline the help.
A hero can be brought down by a lack of money. Without funds, progress is impossible.
Zhang Yang cupped his hands in salute and said firmly, “Thank you, Lord Yan. I shall keep this kindness in my heart and will repay it generously in the future.”
Hearing this, Lord Yan Yun’s lips curved into a smile as he cheerfully replied, “Wherever you go, should you grow weary and need a place to rest and recuperate…” “Please do remember, the gates of the Yan Kingdom will always be open to you, sir.”
Zhang Yang took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
Then, he stepped onto the carriage and resolutely set off.
Two carriages, four people, heading southwest.
Two months later, the once-capital city of the Yuan State, Yuan City, welcomed the arrival of two dust-covered carriages.
Inside the carriages were Zhang Yang and his three companions.
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