A Plea for Vengeance and a Disguise Revealed

After practicing for a long time, there were no visible results; it was even slower than regular running. Something must have gone wrong.

He carefully recalled the book’s teachings: ‘Do not exert force with your feet; movement originates from the heart…’

“How can I run without exerting force?”

Unable to comprehend it after much thought, he decided to practice the Flowing Water Movement Technique first.

First and foremost, one needed exceptional body flexibility. Lin Tian stretched, only to find his body somewhat stiff, his suppleness severely lacking.

Lin Tian knew many methods for improving flexibility, such as using a fitness ball. However, he dismissed the thought—he didn’t have one, and even if he did, he wouldn’t bother with it.

For now, he could only perform simple tibia exercises, which yielded very slow improvements. After some deliberation, he realized he needed someone to assist him; the Flowing Water Movement Technique required a training partner.

Who would be a suitable training partner? Luo Tao was naturally his first choice; he wouldn’t trust anyone else.

Seizing the opportunity while the dormitory was empty, Lin Tian decided to return and change into the inner disciple’s white robe.

As he retraced his steps, he hadn’t walked far before spotting someone lying by the roadside. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Zhang Yu from their dormitory!

His face was swollen like a pig’s head, and his clothes were covered in muddy footprints. Zhang Yu, his eyes purple and squinted, saw Lin Tian.

“What happened to you?”

He didn’t reply. Instead, he burst into tears with a heartbroken wail.

“Why?” Zhang Yu clenched his fists, tearing out a clump of weeds.

“Why is it like this everywhere I go?”

“I can’t even defeat a girl; what right do I have to live?”

Lin Tian frowned, taking out some Qi Replenishing Powder and applying it to his face. “Let’s go back first, then talk.”

“W-w-w… Thank you, Senior Brother Luo Tian…”

He slowly got to his feet but nearly stumbled again. Lin Tian moved to help him, but he pushed his hand away.

“I… I can walk by myself. Let me… walk by myself…”

Despite his weakness, he was a resilient individual. Zhang Yu’s eyes were filled with stubborn determination, a quality Lin Tian rather admired.

Back at the dormitory, the stout young man and the thin youth were still drinking down the mountain. Lin Tian gave Zhang Yu two more pills.

“Senior Brother Luo Tian, thank you for the medicine.”

“It’s nothing. My family owns a pharmacy; we have plenty of these medicines. Senior Brother Zhang Yu doesn’t seem to have any martial arts foundation. Why did you come to Mount Mufu?”

Zhang Yu sighed, his eyes dimming. “My village was ransacked by bandits…”

“Ah… If you don’t wish to speak, then consider my question unasked. There’s no need to force yourself.” After hearing his first sentence, Lin Tian had already guessed some of the reasons.

“It’s fine. No one else will listen besides Senior Brother Luo Tian; if I don’t say it now, I might never get the chance.”

Lin Tian remained silent as Zhang Yu continued his tale.

“I grew up in that village. Not long ago, I was returning home after chopping firewood when I saw black smoke rising from the direction of the village. A group of bandits was actively plundering it…”

As Zhang Yu spoke, he clutched his head, as if the scene was replaying in his mind. Tears streamed down his face.

“I’m a good-for-nothing! Seeing such a sight, I only dared to hide in the distance, my legs refusing to obey. My relatives were killed one by one, and many others were captured, including my elder sister…”

“After a long while, the bandits left, but I still didn’t dare to go back. Eventually, I was so hungry. I ran to where we hid money at home and took out a string of coins. Thankfully, the bandits hadn’t found it…”

“I came to town and ate something. I couldn’t swallow my anger. I unexpectedly heard that Mount Mufu could clear out mountain bandits, so I decided to try my luck.”

“On the way here, I realized something: I must avenge this myself!”

“I never expected to pass the selection. I thought it was Heaven’s mercy, but after entering Mount Mufu, I can’t even defeat a female disciple…”

Having finished, Zhang Yu’s eyes were filled with resentment as he glared fiercely towards the door.

“Cough, cough. It’s alright; take your time. It’s incredibly difficult to persevere until now. Someone once told me to always remain rational and to always persist…”

“Um, Senior Brother Luo Tian… you’re a girl, aren’t you?”

“Huh?” Lin Tian was momentarily stunned. ‘My disguise technique isn’t that bad, is it…’

“I heard it from three female disciples… But don’t worry, Senior Brother Luo Tian, I won’t tell anyone!”

Lin Tian shook his head helplessly. “Sigh… Since you already know, then please step outside now.”

“Ah?”

“I’m changing clothes.”

“Oh, oh, alright…”

****

Having changed into his white robe, Lin Tian made his way alone to Mount Mufu’s dining hall. Here, it was divided into two distinct areas: one appeared luxurious and clean, while the other was rather messy and had dilapidated dining tables.

This was the distinction between inner and outer disciples, and their meals differed accordingly. Inner disciples enjoyed delicacies, while outer disciples were served rotten fish and meat.

Lin Tian, being a rational scientist, naturally wouldn’t seek to right this injustice. Without such distinctions, where would the motivation for advancement come from?

Outer disciples could also choose to eat down the mountain, but it was a long journey, taking basically half a day for a round trip. The sect didn’t interfere if they chose to go, viewing it as a form of physical training.

The meat in this place was cheaper than vegetables, which was very cost-effective for Lin Tian. He could easily find various wild game, even meat from beasts he had never seen before.

He filled a tray to the brim and found a secluded corner to eat. At a nearby table, people were drinking and conversing softly, and Lin Tian subtly listened in.

“Have you heard? An inner disciple encountered an immortal’s cave dwelling while on a mission in Misty Mountain.”

“Oh? It’s certainly lucky to come across an immortal, but that’s not exactly strange.”

“Ah, let me tell you, what happened this time is quite interesting. The immortal abandoned the cave dwelling and flew away, so this disciple decided to go take a look. As a result…”

“What happened?”

“As a result, the disciple wandered in the mountains for three days, utterly failing to find the immortal’s cave. Instead, they got lost and were on the verge of death when they finally emerged, thankfully rescued by a passerby.”

****

‘An immortal’s cave dwelling?’ Lin Tian murmured to himself. ‘Waiting here won’t do. It seems I need to investigate.’

However, with his current strength, he couldn’t rashly venture forth. He needed to learn more self-defense techniques; offensive capabilities were not an issue, with grenades and pistols at his disposal.

With this thought, he quickly finished his food and went to the Library Pavilion, where he re-examined the Cloud-Treading Steps.

After reading for an unknown duration, his mind suddenly cleared. The phrase ‘do not exert force with your feet’ didn’t mean literally no force.

It was akin to entering a hypnotic state, making oneself unaware of the existence of one’s legs. In this state, the feet could exert their full power.

Besides these two cultivation methods, he also browsed through some combat techniques, extracting their essence.

****

Emerging from the Library Pavilion, he realized it was already evening. Luo Tao and the stout young man had also returned from down the mountain.

Back at the dormitory, both were busy moving their belongings.

“Senior Brothers, are you moving out?” Zhang Yu asked from where he sat.

“Nonsense. With a large private residence to live in, who would still squeeze into a dorm? Speaking of which, what happened to your face?”

Zhang Yu turned his head away. “It’s nothing, just an accidental fall.”

“My goodness, did you roll from the mountaintop to the foot of the mountain? How could you fall like that?” Luo Tao teased.

Zhang Yu secretly sighed. Once they left, those four brothers would definitely come looking for trouble. He wondered if Lin Tian would also move out.

“You’re back? Help me move this box, too.”

“Oh! Senior Brother Luo Tian, where did you go? Moving these small things is no problem!” the stout young man readily agreed.

Meanwhile, Luo Tao, who was sitting nearby, felt as if cold water had been splashed on him. He thought to himself, ‘That’s right, Luo Tian is actually a girl. How could he stay here and live with me?’

“Senior Brother Luo Tian, I’ll help you move too…” Zhang Yu’s spirits revived.

Lin Tian’s new residence was in a secluded area, with few people around, making it quite peaceful.

****

Early the next morning, Lin Tian went directly to Luo Tao’s door. The stout young man was also with him; they seemed to be preparing to go out.

“Fourth Brother, are you free?” Lin Tian walked in from outside.

“Uh… Yes, I’m free. What’s wrong?” Luo Tao looked surprised; his younger sister was actually seeking him out.

Luo Tao glared at the stout young man. They had just agreed to go out for drinks, having not settled their score yesterday.

“Alright then, come with me…”

With that, the two walked out the dormitory door.

“Stout young man, we’ll drink another day,” Luo Tao called back.

“Hey! Where are you two going? I can help too, right?” The stout young man chased after them.