Chapter 7: Martial Soul Chapter 2

Waking up, Han Shi looked at the sun light as it pierced his window. After eating in the middle of the night yesterday, he had gone back to sleep. He started practicing his daily routine of qi control as he contemplated today’s events.

Today was the Day of Awakening, the day of the Soul Awakening Ceremony. It was the day that would determine his fate, whether he was trash or treasure. Whether his life would become a story of greatness or mundanity.

Yet, he was not anxious. Being in a constantly languid state, Han Shi had slowly lost the ability to feel great emotion for many things. If he was happy, it would feel like a small joy at most. If he was sad, at worst it would be a slight pang on his heart. There were still exceptions, however.

But he didn’t really mind this. This feeling of relaxation that ever pervaded him was nice. He did dislike the fact that he couldn’t work as hard as he wished to. He always felt a great regret whenever he would be forced asleep knowing this.

As he went to clean himself, Han Shi thought about Han Lin. His greatest and only friend. A hard-working young man, who worried about him because of his condition. They were both the same age and yet so different.

Han Lin would split his time into reading books, practicing martial arts and learning medical skills. Well, he also slept but everyone did that. If he recalled correctly, Han Lin had told him he had learned all he could from the clan already and would soon start on his journey.

Han Shi didn’t know about himself, he doubted he could go on a journey with his sleep problem. Well, maybe his martial soul would be able to help him.

As Han Shi proceeded to the kitchen, he saw his parents and Han Lin at the table waiting for him. His mother took the initiative to speak with excitement and joy. “Oh, Shi, you're up! Come, come! Hurry up and eat! Today is a big day for you and Lin!”

As Han Shi responded lackadaisically, he sat down. “Mm.”

“Hm~, Hm~…” Mother Lee’s humming filled the table as they ate.

When they finished, they headed out to the central hall of the clan where the 17-year-old youths gathered. Their faces displayed undisputable enthusiasm and their exhilaration caused them all to converse.

Suddenly, across the room, everyone heard footsteps. They were slow and steady, and they carried a great weight. Everyone looked to the front, where there were steps leading to a high seat. There, walking to his throne was the clan head of the Han Clan, Han Zeng. His slicked back black hair had shades of white and his face illustrated the time long gone in his life. His eyes carried the weight of life and of responsibility.

As he sat down, his deep, baritone voice echoed across the hall, his words slow but powerful. “Today… is a day of history… From my father, from my grandfather, from my great-grandfather… and from times ever past. It is the day my clan will welcome new gems- juvenile warriors! As unpolished as they may be.

I know some of you will seek new territory, for the experience life shall grant you- to sharpen yourselves to shine. And I know some of you will stay, to aid the clan in its functions, to keep it stable, and to help in its times of emergency. Whichever you choose, so be it.

However, as I look down from this seat of mine, I shall enquire you this. Remember!”

His voice lowered abruptly as he continued slowly, “…Remember… Who has kept you from the frigid winds; has sheltered you from the barraging rains; has nurtured you so that you may become warriors! So engrave my words in your mind… You journey has started here. The Han Clan.”

As the Clan Head looked down from his throne in silence, the children felt their blood boil. Look, this was their Clan Head. So inspiring!

Not one to waste time, the Clan Head spoke, “Let the ceremony begin!”

As the Clan Head’s voice faded, the elders on the side moved forward in unison and started chanting.

The Blood Awakening Mantra.

The martial soul was the representation of a person’s soul using their blood as a connection. It was the racial bloodline of humanity and the reason for their supremacy. While a person’s martial soul could be as weak as an ant, it could also be the greatest across the heavens.

Such an unstable bloodline had produced many a supreme powerhouse who ruled the world for eras long gone. While currently it was not humanity’s era, they had never cared much. All they had to do was survive. And they would rule again.

As the elders continued chanting, the children could feel their blood boil. Some people could vaguely feel a special existence connected them.

On and on, time passed. As the elders finished chanting, they looked at the children who were meditating. They could not see the children’s martial souls currently because the children were far too weak to manifest it but there were many different tells of a good seed.

For example, the boy whose teeth had grown longer and his nails a tiny amount sharper. He was a talented youth since his martial soul could physically affect him already. While he suffered a greater risk of losing control, should his will be strong enough and he was sufficiently prepared, he would gain great power.

The elders started talking amongst themselves using qi communication so as to not disturb the children,

“Elder Ling, don’t you think Qingbao is quite talented. Look, he’s become a little more handsome and his body has gained some more muscle.”

“I agree with you Elder Jin, but I dare say, that young girl Lan has quite the sword aura around her. Maybe in the future, she could manifest sword intent.”

The elder continued their conversations.

 

***

 

On the other hand, Han Lin was currently in his inner world. An illusory world created by the mind which represented many a thing about your mental state and had a wide variety of uses.

“So this is my martial soul.” Han Lin looked at this sword. It exuded a regal aura filled with a domineering majesty fit for a king. Its blue hilt lay above a golden guard of which a gold patterned crown was engraved directly beneath as blue with gold highlights travelled down the middle of the sword. Right beneath the crown were words in an unknown language.

Even though he did not know what language this was, Han Lin instinctively knew what it said, “Caliburn. The King Sword?” His voice grew confused as he finished his sentence.

Han Lin did not know how to use his Martial Soul. After all, Martial Souls did not tell you what they could do, nor did they tell you how to use them.

Han Lin’s situation was normal, so he saw nothing wrong. But there was one universal fact, the more you understood your Martial Soul, the better you could wield it and the greater power it would have.

“So, is it the lord of all swords? Or is it a sword for a king?”

However, he didn’t think he wanted to be a king. He just wanted to help his friend and get stronger while doing so. “Whatever, I’ll think about it later, for now I should return outside.” He couldn’t keep the elders waiting.

Truthfully, Han Lin was a little disappointed even though he was greatly excited. He’d wished for something that would help Han Shi but unfortunately it would seem he was not fated. Still, it was clear his martial soul was a powerful weapon.

Han Lin did not lose himself in what could’ve been. Instead, he would simply use his Martial Soul to accomplish his ambitions and if possible, reach even further heights.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, Han Shi witnessed his dark inner space. Before the awakening of the Martial Soul, a person’s inner world would be empty. It was from then their world would start forming. While Han Shi felt his world was a little too dark, he did not really mind. He was never scared of darkness and took quite some comfort in it, weirdly enough as it is.

Han Shi gazed at the purple sleeping eye, encased in a spinning rhombus. While this detached eye certainly just looked like a detached eye and didn’t at all looked like it was a sleeping eye, Han Shi felt like it was sleeping. He tried to think about its name and it appeared in his mind.

Strangely, it was not called the eye of something, but was instead named Vendyr (Vawn ∙ der), The Demonic God of Sloth. So he truly awoke something from his unintentional slothfulness. It had a very good name as well, being titled god and all.

He didn’t find the demonic moniker disturbing or anything really. His views on demonic arts were the same as his views on the orthodox arts. Used for good, it was good. Used for evil, it was evil. Even the Devil could be good.

He just had one question though. ‘Who is the Devil?’

Well, he’d put that aside for now and focus on his current situation. While he was looking over his Martial Soul, Han Shi became surprised as the eye opened. Its sclera was a bloody red and in its center its iris was a majestic purple. Its pupil on the other hand was the darkest black, of which no light dared enter.

Immediately after it opened, the eye shot to Han Shi. In surprised reaction, Han Shi brought up his hand, upon which the eye landed and proceeded forth, disappearing. As Han Shi opened his eyes, he realized that the eye was gone and he could now not see anything.

Han Shi tried calling his soul’s name or thinking of summoning it. It did not work. Without any idea of what to do, he decided he should just leave, Han Shi exited the inner world as his parents had taught him and came back to the outside.

Other children were exiting their meditative states as well and there seemed some would stay here for a while longer. It had only been a few minutes so nothing much had happened.

Looking over to his side, Han Shi saw Han Lin already looking at him.

Han Lin curiously asked, “How’d it go?”

“I don’t know.” Han Shi was truly confused at present. His Martial Soul had just up and disappeared.

Not expecting this answer, Han Lin was clear with his expression, “What do you mean?”

“It just disappeared.”

“Disappeared?”

“Yep. One second, it was there and the next it was gone.”

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“Hmm.” In thought, Han Lin looked as if he remembered something, snapping his fingers, he shared his idea.

“Though I don’t know what’s going on, perhaps your body’s had some change. Check it out.”

Finding his idea plausible, Han Shi started looking around his body. And lo and behold, he’d indeed found something rather quickly.

On his left hand’s back sat a closed royal purple eye enclosed within a rhombus.

“I found it.” Han Shi reported his findings to Han Lin as he looked surprised.

“Did you? What is it?” Han Lin hoped it was that Han Shi felt more energetic.

“Look here.” Showing him the back of his hand, Han Shi watched as Han Lin’s face was colored with surprise.

“A mark? Has there ever been a mark for the changes the Martial Soul could bring?” As Han Lin ruminated, Han Shi looked on happily at his hand. At least, now he knew that he did have a Martial Soul. He just hoped it wouldn’t fly out of his hand and leave him or anything. Even if it was impossible.

“Well, I don’t remember reading about it anywhere but it should just be an extremely rare happening that’s not known here.” Han Lin was a little worried, but not too much. After all, there had never been a situation where a Martial Soul had outright attacked their master.

Sure, you could lose control of your Martial Soul, but that would be because it would be too powerful for you to control. Some cultivators even had to temporarily seal their own Inner Worlds so that they could build a more solid foundation to have an easier time controlling their Martial Soul.

 If your body was not able to handle the power of the Martial Soul, it could crack or even explode into a mess of gore, if not dealt with in a timely and proper manner.

As they waited a little while longer, they soon realized that there were few children left who were still in their inner world, and they already showed signs of waking.

After a few seconds, seeing that everyone had finished their Awakening, Han Zeng looked upon these children with a face of indifference. His baritone voice pervaded the room as he spoke to the budding warriors. “Today, you have all joined the ranks of those who wish to step into the palace cultivators termed immortality. For 17 years, you have built solid foundations and waited patiently so that you may step with confidence into this ruthless but rewarding world.

Show me, whether or not you are worthy of this chance at power.”

As he finished his speech, Han Zeng’s calm expression of indifference remained. Afterwards, fading into dust, he disappeared from his seat. This was one of Han Zeng’s famed martial techniques that he’d learned to use from his martial soul.

The Clan Head was a busy man, so no one expected he would be here for long. The clan elders seeing as the Clan Head had taken his leave, called over the children. Now, they had to register their martial souls with the clan elders. If there was a familiar martial soul, they would be able to teach them. If not, well, unless they showed talent, they would become naysayers.

The children lined up in front of the different elders and quickly called out their souls, no one wanted to waste time that could be spent cultivating and becoming stronger.

“Iron Sword.” Oof, an unfortunate boy. He had gotten one of the weakest and most common sword martial souls. Though they could cultivate him, it would be too wasteful unless he was talented.

“Brown Bear.” This one was related to the clan. In the clan, there was a remarkably higher rate of bear-type souls than any other martial souls. Beast type souls typically granted their users strengthened bodies and a few other benefits and were seen as great souls for combat.

“…” As time moved on and more people reported their martial souls, Han Lin and Han Shi were getting closer to the elder whose line they were in.

“Regal Sword.” Han Lin did not disclose the truth of his martial soul, neither did he fully hide it. His sword did have an air of majesty and it was even a named martial soul, so it was definitely a powerful weapon he could use.

He would first think through the consequences and benefits the paths he could take would grant him. Though he still wanted to go on his cultivation journey, if the clan saw his potential, they would help Han Shi if he used his newfound status.

As the elder wrote down Han Lin’s martial soul, his eyes widened. “Regal? A good moniker meant for royalty.” Looking up at Han Lin, the elder squinted his eyes. “Kid, you have some great potential. Are you going to stay here?”

“Forgive me for being unable to answer you, Elder Fan, but I will need more time to decide.” Han Lin responded in calm.

Though Elder Fan was a little dissatisfied with his indecisiveness, he did not show it on his face. “Well, think it through. The clan would mourn for the loss of a good talent like you.”

Han Lin knew of Elder Fan’s dissatisfaction. After all, in this world, cultivators- from children to adults, worked till their bones broke and their blood became sweat. Every cultivator was taught- and did - despise some undesirable traits. Their dislike for such characteristics were so grand that even someone eating at their own pace were granted glances of disdain.

It was also the reason many who knew of him did not like Han Shi. In their eyes, he was simply someone who was lazy and did not seek improvement. A horrible quality for a ‘friend’ to have, so they took it upon themselves to ignore him.

Han Lin, on the other hand, was very popular even though he hung out with Han Shi. Most of the time, he was hardworking, even more than most other clansmen. He was also cordial and did not offend anyone. That did not mean he was friends or close with anyone, though.

In fact, he would never trust these people unless circumstances demanded it. Only Han Shi and his family had gained his trust.

Elder Fan did not say anymore and Han Lin moved out of the hall to wait for Han Shi. Han Shi, seeing it was his turn, came up.

As Elder Fan looked at this leisurely boy whose eyes were half-closed, his face showed great dislike. Han Shi’s aura was full of lethargy and though his steps were steady, they displayed his worry-free disposition.

Not minding Elder Fan’s gaze, Han Shi spoke, “Purple Eye.” Han Shi was no fool, so he knew mentioning the moniker ‘Demonic’ would have him beheaded. And truthfully, he didn’t feel right flaunting a flashy title like ‘God’. But he also didn’t know what his martial soul did so he could only base its name on its appearance.

Elder Fan was slightly surprised, as he had not heard of this martial soul. However, there were a few of those every year so he didn’t really care much. Still, he didn’t think this was any powerful soul, as most unknown martials souls were average and would lead those cultivators to become weak as they had no elders to teach them from experience all the intricacies of their martial soul.

Irritated at Han Shi’s leisure, Elder Fan did not want to waste any more time with him, so he waved his hand to shoo him away, letting out a ‘hmph’ to be sure Han Shi heard his contempt.

The elder had not taken notice of his tattoo, not because Elder Fan disdained him and didn’t bother checking him over for anything obviously special but because his sleeve was covering his hand.

Leaving the hall, Han Shi looked around and then proceeded to Han Lin, who also walked towards him. Once they reached each other, they started heading to Han Shi’s home, conversing on the way.

“What kind of soul did you awaken, Shi?” Han Lin asked, entertaining the thought of the Yin Yang Bear, as unlikely as it was.

“Like this tattoo, it was a purple eye in this four-sided object.” Han Lin wondered what a tattoo was for a brief moment but figured it out as Han Shi pointed to his hand while lifting up his sleeve.

“Oh, and what is it called?”

“…” Han Shi was quiet because he was embarrassed by the title of his martial soul. He thought it was very chuuni(?) to say this name aloud.

Noticing his shame, Han Lin questioned, “Is it bad?”

“I don’t think so… but its name is embarrassing.” Han Shi’s voice grew quieter as he recalled his martial soul’s title. Though this was indeed a reason, it was not the only reason. With such an overbearing title, as well as the fact it was named, Han Shi did not want anyone he didn’t trust to learn of his martial soul.

“Well, let’s go home first.” While he did not know what name could make him so embarrassed, Han Lin still had his own reservations of mentioning his own martial soul in public.

 

***

 

As they reached Han Shi’s house in silence, Han Lin opened the door and headed inside with Han Shi behind him. Han Shi’s parents were currently out, most likely working in the clan for some coin.

Han Shi’s parents weren’t any rich or powerful cultivators, in fact, they were on the weaker spectrum of adult cultivators and struggled to provide for Han Shi and Han Lin. Still, neither of them minded. The clan only gave one meal free and all extra expenses would be on the individuals themselves.

They entered Han Shi’s room and while Han Shi lay down on his bed, Han Lin sat in the lotus position. Both of them were going to enter their inner worlds to learn more about their martial souls. Not ones to waste time, they both got to it.

 

***

 

As Han Shi entered his inner world, he found that it was the same as before, but only with the absence of his martial soul. He looked at his hand, it was still there. Han Shi pondered on this occurrence, a little worried about his martial soul.

Either way, he would simply take as his martial soul had imprinted itself onto his body.

For a human to use their martial soul, they had to study and contemplate what exactly their martial soul was. From its structure to what it represented. Whatever could be used to give you a better understanding of it. While the structure was fixed, the martial soul’s meaning was dependent on the cultivator’s views, causing the vast majority of cultivators to travel their own paths.

For example, the Iron Sword. Made using iron, a mortal resource. It could represent that even the weak could become strong through pure skill should the user be a talented sword master.

Han Shi had no idea what creature this slothful eye came from or whether it even came from a creature. It might even be a creature on its own that he had no idea about.

 

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