Returning to the Mysterious Era-Chapter 238 - Confidence in Climbing the Martial Arts Peak

Boom, boom...

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The thunder grew louder, as the storm seemed to grow in fury. It looked as though waterfalls were cascading from the sky. Lightning crackled, followed by a series of thunderclaps.

Cassius did not speak for a long time as he slowly digested what Feng Liusi had just shared. The realm of combat artist did not mark the end of Covert Martial Arts; there were far more powerful beings beyond that stage.

Feng Liusi had mentioned earlier that the old man had only unleashed his aura, yet it had overwhelmed the sky. It had been as solid as a boulder and surged like a waterfall. The description was brief but it was enough for Cassius to imagine the sheer strength involved. If one could reach such a level, then powerful explosives, projectiles, or even missiles might not be able to harm them.

At that moment, Cassius felt an inexplicable calm settling within him. The confusion and sense of uncertainty that had clouded his mind began to fade.

Cassius was not afraid of the number of levels within the Covert Martial Arts' path, nor was he daunted by the challenges of cultivation and the strict bottlenecks. What he feared was a ceiling that was so low he could reach it in just a few jumps.

Ordinary practitioners of Covert Martial Arts would work diligently, day in and day out, for years on end. With some talent and perseverance, they might hope to break through to pugilist in their lifetime. They didn’t need to worry about the pinnacle of Covert Martial Arts, since becoming a pugilist would already be considered a great success. The stage beyond pugilist, combat artist, was not even within their consideration, let alone what lay beyond.

But Cassius was different. He firmly believed that he could ascend to the very peak of Covert Martial Arts. He had absolute confidence in himself. He could keep travelling back in time to past eras to learn, train, spar, and grow little by little. If ten years weren't enough to reach the peak, then thirty, fifty, or even a hundred years in the past might suffice.

Antiques with lingering attachment and Legendary Antiques weren’t abundant in the real world, but they weren’t exceedingly rare either. As long as Cassius could resolve the lingering attachments and become stronger in the process, he would be more than capable of collecting both types of antiques, whether through his own efforts or by forming forces who could. This would then allow him to obtain more and higher-quality antiques with lingering attachment, forming a positive feedback loop.

But most importantly, there was a path beyond combat artist in Covert Martial Arts!

Cassius was deeply comforted by this realization. He slowly exhaled as he lay back on the floating wooden bed, and the confusion in his eyes completely vanished.

Feng Liusi nodded approvingly. Young people needed guidance and encouragement. Once they were confident, many things became easier to handle.

He continued his story. "Blade Demon was immediately suppressed when the old man released his aura. However, the old man didn't direct his aura toward me; it even seemed like he avoided me on purpose. The situation was dire at the time, so I didn’t have the luxury to think about it as I fled to the beach. Just before leaving, I looked back and felt that the old man's aura seemed familiar. It was only when I thought about it later that I realized that it was somewhat similar to Southern Dipper Fist."

He sighed, his expression tinged with regret. "Of course,several days had already passed by the time I realized this. I escaped from Eternal Island via the fishing boat that had been waiting for me. Shortly after we set sail, there was a massive explosion on the island. It was so powerful that we could hear it from several kilometers away. It was like a volcano had erupted as dirt and trees were blasted into the sky by an unknown force. The whole sky turned red...

"I didn't dare linger near the Eternal Archipelago, so I returned to East Sea County on the fishing boat and recuperated in Wenxia County. It was that injury that caused me to fall from my peak. I gradually lost control of the Southern Dipper Red Falcon Fist, and my mental state was affected. Three years ago, I almost went into Qi deviation, and I was forced to seclude myself.

"I thought I would struggle to keep myself together in Death Canyon until I really fell into Qi deviation. I'd either turn into a lunatic, or I'd kill myself before I lost my sanity..."

Feng Liusi subconsciously stroked his nonexistent beard. "So, Cassius, I have to thank you once more. Thanks to you, I was able to escape Qi deviation. You even healed my internal injuries, and I was able to return to my peak."

Cassius, however, seemed unconcerned. "I've already told you many times. I helped you, and in return, you taught me the Southern Dipper Red Falcon Fist. Just consider it my tuition."

"Hahaha." Feng Liusi chuckled, light flashing in his eyes. "I actually have two main objectives in coming down the mountain. The first is to seek revenge on the one who brutally injured me ten years ago: Blade Demon, the core member of the Gate organization. A few years ago, I happened to learn that Blade Demon didn’t die on the Eternal Archipelago but returned to the Hongli Federation, though that cost him. I intend to take my revenge."

Cassius glanced at Feng Liusi and smiled. This old man had been nicknamed Kill Fist, Blood Fist, and Death's Fang in his youth. He was also infamous for his ferocious combat style.

Now that his physique had recovered to its peak, his fighting spirit had naturally returned as well. Come to think of it, avenging a ten-year-old grudge was quite the classic hot-blooded plot. Except the protagonist wasn't a young man from a fantasy novel but an old man.

Cassius suddenly spoke up, "If you're planning to take on the Gate Organization, you have my support. I have my own grudge against them, and I'll have to face them sooner or later. If you have a plan, count me in. If you can’t defeat Blade Demon alone, we can team up. My goal in diving into the world of Covert Martial Arts is to spar with the strongest."

He didn’t harbor any positive feelings for the Gate Organization. He had been pushed to the brink by one of their members, the combat artist Peacock, in the real world. Without his time-travel ability, he would have died.

Speaking of Peacock, the current time-travel era was set in Federation Year 110, while the real world was in Federation Year 156. So, that would make old man Peacock around twenty in this era. He was just a youngster.

If he had been exposed to Covert Martial Arts as a youth, he might be a fistfighter now? It’s unlikely he would have reached the level of a pugilist.

If I were to find young Peacock now and give him a good beating...

As amusing as that idea was, it would be far too petty. Cassius quietly suppressed this mischievous idea.

Feng Liusi couldn't help feeling slightly moved at Cassius's expression of support, although he didn't show it. He simply nodded. "Alright."

He then continued. "I also plan to make another trip to the Eternal Archipelago. The two most unforgettable events in my life were learning the Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance in the Loka Mountains ruins and my experiences in the Eternal Archipelago. So I'll be looking for an opportunity to return. I want to learn more about that old man who seemed to be at the Holy Fist level as well as the ancient underground ruins of the Eternal Archipelago’s Southern Dipper Covert Martial Inheritance..."

Feng Liusi's plans seemed well thought out.

He turned to Cassius. "Cassius, after we descend the mountain, I'm afraid I have some urgent matters that I need to attend to. It might delay me for about a week or two, so I likely won't be able to return to Wenxia County immediately. Please wait for me at the Red Falcon Fist headquarters.

"I know you came here to challenge different combat artists in the Covert Martial Arts world and to refine your fist techniques. Coincidentally, I'm somewhat familiar with both the active and the reclusive combat artists in Wenxia County," Feng Liusi said. It didn't escape his notice that Cassius now seemed to pay more attention. "There are about five or six combat artists in Wenxia County. There’s another old man who's on his last legs like me. There are still three, maybe four others, two of whom belong to the same sect: the Evil Eye Fist in Mia City. Their Great Elder has some real skills; he's an old-school combat artist. His mastery of the Evil Eye Fist is unpredictable and definitely not to be underestimated."

Feng Liusi glanced at Cassius and continued when he saw how attentive the latter was, "Besides them, there's also the sect master of Extreme Judo and the sect master of Blood Hand Fist. These four individuals each have their own specialties..."

He continued to describe the combat artists until Cassius had a clear understanding of them. It’s always better to equip yourself with information before walking into battle.

Even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit.

Feng Liusi was well aware that many skilled individuals in the Covert Martial Arts world had met their end due to unforeseen circumstances. He intended to brief Cassius thoroughly.

So as the rain poured down around them, the old and the young man discussed many things. Though they were not officially master and disciple, their relationship was practically that.

Once dawn broke, the two continued their journey through the Loka Mountains , facing numerous dangers along the way.

By midday, Feng Liusi and Cassius had finally emerged from the forest and found themselves in a vast, green field. The blue sky and white clouds, the gentle breeze, and the swaying grass all created a serene atmosphere. The faint scent of flowers instantly refreshed them.

They exchanged a glance before parting ways. Feng Liusi headed in one direction, while Cassius started running toward Mia City until his figure gradually disappeared.

***

August 28, 3 p.m., Mia City.

It was the same scene as usual. Four outsiders had challenged the gym, resulting in two wins and two losses. The morale of the disciples of Red Falcon Fist was falling with every challenge.

Sect Master Luen was trying to unite several other similarly oppressed mid-sized sects in Wenxia County in hopes of resisting the pressure coming from Evil Eye Fist together. They planned to wait until the intense period of the Loka Mountains had passed before sending someone to invite their absolute pillar of support, the former sect master Feng Liusi.

Meanwhile, the Great Elder of Red Falcon Fist seemed to be working on a different idea as he chatted with the other elders.

***

At 5 p.m., in Namu City, the nearest city to Wenxia County in Kaijong County, three hundred kilometers from Mia City.

The twilight sky looked like a painter's palette, as crimson hues splashed across the edges of the clouds. It was a stunning, mysterious sight that dazzled and filled people with nostalgia.

A black train pulled into the station, allowing passengers to pour out like a school of fish until the train stood empty. Suddenly, a dozen people or so emerged from the front carriage. Regardless of gender or age, they all stood tall and had a formidable presence. Their eyes were as sharp as swords and their lapels were adorned with a silver sword-shaped pin. Gleaming faintly in the sunlight, it was a distinctive symbol that was hard to miss.

A young man in a light-colored trench coat stood in the center. He had short purple hair, and dark eyes with a hint of red. He was expressionless, with a somber and cold demeanor. A long object hung at his waist—it was wrapped entirely in white bandages, but it was still clearly a sword.

"Lance, this is Namu City, the last stop in Kaijong County," said an older, bald man beside him as he glanced up at the pointed-roof train station ahead. "It is home to the headquarters of the Secret Sword Society. The president is a master who reached the pugilist Major Culmination stage a decade ago, and he's likely even stronger now."

He turned to look at the purple-haired youth. "So, are you confident?"

"Heh..." Lance sneered. "Teacher, that's a question you should be asking them, not me. As long as I have a rapier in my hand and I can use the Soul-Breaking Sword, fear will never be an option. Even when I sparred with combat artist sect masters and their aura pressured me, I've never felt afraid."

"Good." The old man patted Lance on the shoulder. "Fight your way through and build up an unstoppable momentum. If you do, you will have a more than fifty percent chance of stepping into the combat artist level within five years!"

***

At 7 p.m., Namu City, nightfall.

A dozen combat artists wearing silver sword lapel pins marched silently down a secluded street in the northern part of the city. They turned a corner and stopped in front of a building resembling a martial arts gym.

Only the purple-haired youth continued toward the building’s entrance. His handsome face bore an exceptionally cold expression, and his tall figure was accentuated by a pair of white velvet gloves.

Tap... tap... tap...

His steady footsteps echoed as he strode forward. The white bandage once used to wrap the rapier slipped out from beneath his coat and was carried along the street by the cold wind.

Schwing!

The rapier’s edge flashed in the moonlight as it was drawn from its scabbard.

The guard at the gym entrance started. "Who goes there?!"

Lance stepped forward, his trench coat billowing in the wind. In his right hand, the rapier reflected the moonlight as if it had captured a piece of the night sky.

"The First Core Disciple of the Soul-Breaking Sword Path, Lance. I seek to challenge the president of the Secret Sword Society, Flower Secret Sword. I humbly request that the president grant me the honor of a duel!"

***

August 29, 1 p.m., in Kangde City, adjacent to Mia City.

On a bustling street, a person wearing a hat and sunglasses held a map in one hand and a newspaper-wrapped squid roll in the other. They took occasional bites of the roll as they strolled casually along.

Halfway down the street, they stopped to ask a passerby for the location of the Blood Hand Fist martial arts gym on the map.

"Thank you, much appreciated." Cassius folded the map.

"No problem, miss. Happy to help." The young man who had given him directions snapped his fingers, his face beaming brightly.

Cassius nodded, a smile spreading across his face as well.

The two brushed past each other. After taking a few steps, the young man suddenly felt his body go numb as he crumpled to the ground. Luckily, the fall only left him with a slightly bruised knee. There wasn't even a scrape.

Snap!

The young man's head spun. He could have sworn he heard someone snapping their fingers behind him.