Chapter 439

Chapter 439

Feeling better after scouring my Core clean of frozen Spectres, I return to reality whereupon my tired mind informs me I am freezing my nards off. One look at the moon explains why, as its close to three in the morning and Ive been lounging in a tub of chilly water for the better part of four hours. Tired from waiting, Ping Pings head rests in the dirt at the foot of my tub, the carved wooden divider which once stood beneath her neck now laying in the grass beside her. At least shes big enough to block the view, else my shame wouldve been on display for the whole world to see, but seeing her go alert the moment I move fills me with guilt for keeping her waiting so long. Unfortunately, I still havent gotten around to turning the bathwater into Chi water, which means shell have to wait a little longer before its ready. Though cold and tired, I bite the bullet and continue shivering in the tub so I can make a batch of the Chi Water to treat sweet Ping Ping.

Chi, Water Chi, Spiritual Water, Heavenly Water, and Chi water. I need better names for this shit. There are times when I can barely keep things straight.

Water Chi is Chi mimicking water. Tenjin uses Fire Chi to create animals of fire while Lei Gong uses Lightning Chi to conjure bolts of lightning, so why is it when I use Water Chi, all I can do is spit a mouthful of water which dissolves into nothingness before it hits the ground? Sad, but until I get a better handle on using Chi externally, my water-bending shenanigans will have to wait.

The only real use I have for Water Chi is to make Spiritual Water, which is what I call Water Chi mimicking Heavenly Water. Chi mimicking Water which mimics Heavenly Energy mimicking water. Not complicated at all. Essentially, Spiritual Water is my pseudo-Blobby which does what he used to do, but not as well. I couldnt tell you what the fundamental differences between Water Chi and Spiritual Water are, but they are most definitely two similar, but distinct types of energies, just like Chi and Heavenly Energy are different. For starters, not all Water-Blessed Martial Warriors can cleanse Spectres, Anathema, and (probably) Demon Ichor like I can, which proves Water Chi is not the same thing as Spiritual Water, hence the need to differentiate between them.

As for Chi water, thats what Ive been calling my failed attempts to bind normal, physical water by infusing it with Chi, like the stuff Elder Ming carried around in his gourd or how I think Pudge the Water Demon was doing his water magics. I might as well call it Chi Tea because the only use I have for it is keeping the turtles Hydrated. As luck would have it, my new Chi Devouring method also works in reverse and my Core empties in a matter of minutes. Light-headed and near exhaustion, I giggle as Ping Ping squeaks a symphony of thanks, which proves I didnt waste my efforts and the Chi Tea is ready for consumption. Where it used to take an hour and a half or thereabouts, now all it takes is five minutes to turn water into Chi Tea, which is a huge improvement for my quality of life.

Its a fun name, but I should really stop calling it Chi Tea and use Chi-infused water to be safe and differentiate it from Water Chi. As I recently proved, Visualization is important to Chi usage, which means names are important, so if I ever figure out how to bind water, I dont want to go around thinking about shooting bullets of Chi Tea. Water Chi, Spiritual Water, and Chi-infused water. Water Chi, Spiritual Water, and Chi-infused water. Three, totally separate and different things, which are not at all similar.

This naming scheme is totally gonna bite me in the ass...

Opening the void to the world, I Devour the Energy of the Heavens and the resulting Chi settles into my Core. Its a small thing, but having taken this step, a burden has been lifted from my shoulders. Its not just about ease of gathering Chi, but also an affirmation of my path, my Dao as it were. As Fung once told me, morality is a human construct, one which should not apply to the Energy of the Heavens, and knowing this, accepting this, makes things so much easier. I think a big part of my lack of Insights has been because I was terrified the information could be coming from the Spectres, but so long as I hold to my morals, then why worry about where the source of my power comes from? The Mother and the Father might as well be called protons and electrons, two opposing forces which are part of a whole.

Unless they are actual omniscient gods, in which case I beg for forgiveness and ask that such supreme beings not hold a grudge over my lack of faith.

That said, a big benefit of this new technique is my Chi gathering doesnt slow down as my Core fills up, not to mention I can easily recharge my Chi reserves in the middle of battle. Time was I could only do it if I got in the groove, but now, gathering Chi is almost effortless, as easy as thinking of pink elephants. Forget conserving energy and remaining efficient. So long as I spend Chi slower than I recharge, then I essentially have unlimited Chi. At this rate, it should take about an hour of passive Devouring to fill my Core to the brim, as opposed to thirty minutes of active meditation to fill up halfway, then three more hours to top off the tank. Ill have to do more testing to see how quickly I can spend Chi, but this will save me so much time. These days, I do most of of my meditation while travelling on quin-back to maximize efficiency, but now, Ill have a whole two and a half hours more every day to stew in paranoia and neurosis.

It took an entire two minutes to go from joyous celebration to discouraging pessimism. Old Rain wouldve shit on his achievements the second he accomplished them, but not new Rain. Im improving.

After getting out and filling two gourds with Chi-infused water, I put on my pants while Ping Ping goes to town on whats left in the bathtub. My butt sat in it for hours but Ping Ping slurps it down like honey water, the implications of which are downright embarrassing to think about. Thankfully, word of her perverted habit hasnt spread because the Death Corps dont gossip. Most of my retinue thinks Ping Ping likes to watch me bathe, which is less humiliating than the actual truth. I mean, for all they know, shes wondering why Im swimming around in such a tiny pond, and not at all entranced with my physical form.

Ive heard a handful of jokes about the big turtle being interested in the small turtle between my legs, but Rustram, Sai Chou, and Wang Bao of all people are quick to shut it down. Personally, Id rather they laughed along, because otherwise, people will think the Warrant Officer doth protest too much. Theoretically, I dont need to sit naked in water to turn Chi into Water Chi, but in practice, it only works if I fall into a meditative trance with water all around me. It works best when Im submerged, but laying in a tub does the trick nicely. Rather than a requirement, being in water is more like a crutch, one I should work on going without, but for now, I should take things one step at a time.

No matter how many weird and embarrassing jokes you have to pretend not to hear. Celebrate this victory and be happy.

Having said that, I immediately disregard my previous advice and try for more, because Im a greedy little shit who desires phenomenal cosmic powers. Still Devouring Heavenly Energy, I Visualize my Intent and imagine a globe of water atop the palm of my hand, not tapping into my Chi to do so but the ambient Energy of the Heavens all around me. Long seconds pass as I fixate on this one thought, putting the rest of the world out of mind in my effort to Create water out of the invisible and intangible energy, but alas, nothing comes of it.

Disappointing, but hardly unexpected. If manipulating Pure Heavenly Energy was as easy as really, really wanting it, then there would probably be a whole lot more Ancestral Beasts hanging around.

Giving Ping Ping a good night kiss on the beak, I shuffle into my yurt and set out three pans of water for Pong Pongs visit in the morning, one for his poop, one for him to swim in, and one filled with Chi-infused water to drink. Say what you will about the little guy, but he loves sleeping in Mama Buns fur and pooping in pans. After hiding the other gourd of Chi-infused water to study later, I crawl into bed and fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow, a rare, blissful treat in recent months.

And all it took was a full day of travel, three hours of practising the Forms, four hours of meditation, changing my basic Chi gathering method, and fixing a significant issue with my Martial foundation to earn it.

The next morning, I step out to empty Pong Pongs poop pan and almost pour the waste water over OuYang Yuhuan. Arms crossed beneath her modest bosom and pierced nipples (dont stare), the Tyrant of the Azure Ascendants narrows her eyes as I fumble with the pan and Unity, her cheeks reddening once she realizes what shes been standing in. Moving away from the stairs, Yuhuan scrapes her boots in the grass and gives me a look which tells me she is none too pleased and holds me to account for this indignity, but we will settle our accounts another time. The Ascendant left early this morning, she says, her tone curt and attitude haughty. He meant to inform you himself, but you were late in rising. Her pointed sniff speaks volumes of her disapproval for my laziness, but also tells me she cant be bothered to correct my poor habits. Its impressive how much information she can condense into a single look or sniff. His sons left with him, so I have been called in from my work in SuiHua and asked to take little Virtues place as your protector.

Little Virtue? Oh my god, thats adorable, but more importantly, now I know Daxian is the Virtuous. His name is a homonym for great virtue! I feel so stupid for not figuring it out sooner.

Wait... Is Yuhuan Daxians mom?

Something in my expression gives away my thoughts and the Tyrants cheeks turn scarlet in anger or embarrassment, her hands reaching for her bristling pouches of Runic goodies before she reins her temper in. I am his Mentor.

Oh. Right. Of course. Duh. Someone had to teach Daxian how to fight, and the OuYang Clan is known for their Spearmanship. Besides, I wasnt judging, she could hardly be blamed if she succumbed to GangShus charms. Im straight, but his feral grin and soft chest hair makes me rethink my sexuality at times. Pouring the waste water out, I descend from the stairs and smack the pan against them, presumably to get all the poop out, but mostly so I can break the awkward eye contact. Did GangShu say why he left?

...I am not constipated, but I refuse to declare it out loud. Shuffling closer to Guan Suo, I wave away the clouds of acrid smoke and take his hand, Sending, Im trying to make the water rise up and touch my hand.

See, Guan Suo drawls, blowing a cloud of smoke directly into my face, Now I know you dont know shit. How about this. Tell me what you know about Awakenings and well go from there.

Doing my best to think through the coughing, I Send, Well... Manipulating water is like binding a weapon. The water must become a part of you, your Chi flowing through it without thought or guidance, and only then will you be able to control it. Its different from what other Awakenings in that they simply use their Chi to mimic their respective Elements, rather than controlling the mundane versions outright. Tenjin can create a spark with Chi, but if it sets off a wildfire, then he would be helpless to control it unless he binds the physical fire, whereas if I bind this water, then I can use it, but not any other ambient water around us.

Uh huh... and whered you hear all this?

...In Elder Mings journal and from Mila. Why does it matter?

Because its not entirely right. Shrugging, he adds, Not to say its wrong either, but the viewpoint is too narrow. Take a step back and forget about manipulating or controlling your Element. Pointing at the gourd, Guan Suo asks, If you wanted to empty the gourd without turning it upside down, how would you go about it? Not with Chi, mind you, but with your hands or whatever.

I dunno. Shake it?

Okay. And what if you wanted to move the water around inside without spilling?

...Swirl it.

Then how would you make the water come out of the gourd and touch your palm, like you were trying before?

...Squeeze the gourd, I guess, though itd probably break.

Any other bright ideas?

Drop something inside to displace the water. Thatd make it shoot up, probably.

Exactly. Leaning back with a smile, Guan Suo acts as if everything should be apparent from his pointless questions. Seeing I still dont understand, he scoffs and Sends, Bound or not, water is still water. There are rules to follow, and having Chi doesnt mean you can break those rules. Youre trying to make water do something it cannot physically do without outside assistance, and no amount of Chi will change that.

...But the water Demon made a shield and tentacles with his water. Tenjin can make hypnotic patterns and realistic animals of fire with his Chi.

Can he now? Nodding in approval, he shrugs and says, Forget the Demon, and Tenjin is talented, but do you think he was talented enough to do all that during his first year? Whats more, why compare yourself to him? Youve already said this is a different method, so why would they follow the same rules?

...Right. Learn to crawl before you walk. How many times will I make this same mistake?

Get you gone now and let an old man nap in peace. Guan Suo waves me away, but adds, Theres one more question you should ask yourself. Why bind water? Im not saying you should or shouldnt, but right now, youre going through a maze by following directions from people who have never been there. Quit worrying about how others do things and focus on your own Martial Path. You spend so much time lost in your thoughts, so maybe try thinking for a change.

With much to think about, I thank Guan Suo for his time and sit and stare at the gourd. So many questions, with no one to tell me the answers.

One step forward, with a thousand more to go. Such is life, trials and tribulations without end.

...

God I hate that phrase. Its so... depressing.

Chapter MemeUpdated from novelbIn.(c)om