Chapter 28: Balak City

"Heart Separation Control?" Ah Yin traced her chin with her index and thumb while pondering over the term. 

"Yes. You wrote in your journal that even if you can control multiple blades of blue silver grass or vine, you cannot achieve two different actions at once. It is like writing two different things with both of your hands," Ja Sun mumbled while setting the mattress on the ground. There weren't any settlements close to them and it was already night so they had agreed to set camp instead of finding another hidden spot and cramp themselves in it.

"So... you will teach me?" Ah Yin continued as if it was natural. But Ja Sun shook his head. He had gotten this technique in his mission spree during the week spent in the inn of the Green Star Village. The Heart Separation Control is not a technique, but a theoretical guide that gives the user the idea of how to achieve the most desired control.

"It cannot be taught but only be practiced by yourself. In theory, you should be able to achieve multiple tasks at once. The only limit is your practice and perception," Ja Sun smiled, "Good thing I don't need it. You're the control-type spirit master. And you already felt this lack of control. How could you be so stupid? Even if you don't know the technique, you could practice it by thinking yourself. Let one of the blue silver vine strike, and the other coil. Both of these actions will require different strengths and control. Only when you're able to use two vines to achieve two different actions can you try and use multiple vines to achieve two different tasks. Then you increase the number of tasks by one, again."

Ah Yin's lips twitched as she saw Ja Sun's hands akimbo while a disappointed expression on his face couldn't be more evident.

*Swish*

*Crush*

Two vines rose from Ah Yin's feet. One instantly coiling around Ja Sun without hurting him and the other one whipping the mattress and tearing its surface cruelly.

"Done." 

Her cold voice echoed.

"*Hoot* Damn!" Caihong chirped.

"Fatal *Hoot*!" Olivia agreed.

"Okay," Ja Sun smiled, "Now you owe me a mattress."

"You can sleep on the ground," Her gaze condensed over Ja Sun before the vine uncoiled and she stated her opinion on the matter, "I just achieved this level of control a few days ago. But you're right. Instead of consciously controlling the vines to accomplish different tasks, I turned to my domain."

"Anything else?" Ah Yin inquired.

"Your handwriting could use a boost. But I'm still thinking about the other things you wrote," Ja Sun shrugged. Ah Yin's journal held problems that seemed universal to every control-type spirit master. Over the years, Ah Yin tried to solve them herself and her domain played a major role in this aspect but considering her spirit, it wasn't hard to imagine that her inherent weakness was still to the assault and agility-type spirit masters.

"Oh, another thing," Ja Sun called out as he flipped the mattress, "You are focusing too much on cultivation speed when you cultivate around Blue Silver Grass. The Heart Separation Control I talked about has a theory that if the spirit master ponders over the physical manifestation of their spirits, in your case, the Blue Silver Grass, they might understand their spirits more than usual. So, instead of focusing on the cultivation benefits from the grass, try to find something new. Maybe try and communicate with them."

Ah Yin sat down under the opposite tree and spoke with a curious expression, "Do you think that will help?"

"No, I don't know," Ja Sun smiled, "But if it does, you let me know. We'll find a Three-eyed Golden Lion for me to cultivate with," Ja Sun snickered. As Ah Yin closed her eyes to meditate, he saw the blue silver grass around her glowing softly and rustling without any wind. 

Meanwhile, Ja Sun mumbled under his breath.

"Set Mission."

[Set Parameters.]

"Kidnap Three-eyed Golden Lion."

The mission screen did not load indicating the impossibility of the matter. Huffing softly, Ja Sun once again began.

"Set Mission."

[Set Parameters.]

"Fuse Gentle Palm Technique with Tremble Combat Tactics. Additional Objectives: 

1) Achieve this within three months.

2) Achieve this within one month.

3) Achieve this within one week.

4) Achieve this within one day."

[Objectives: Fuse Gentle Palm Technique and Tremble Combat Tactics.

Optional Objectives:

1) In 90 days.

2) In 30 days.

3) In 7 days.

Mission Rank: D/B/A/S

Rewards: Trigram Array/Yin-Yang Array/Eight-Point Trigram Array/Final Buddha Array.

Time Limit: 120/90/30/7 days.]

Ja Sun frowned. This mission would only reward him once based on the time he completely assimilates the two techniques. Of course, this also implied that the rewards are definitely of the same kind but superior to one another.

'My body still can't support three 1000-year-old spirit rings even if my mind can,' Ja Sun stood up and walked a little further away from Ah Yin to keep herself from getting disturbed.

The Gentle Palm Technique was divided into three levels with each level holding different effects. The first level indicated the mastery of the 32 stances of attack. The second level indicated the accomplishment of completely modifying the palms of the body using spirit energy. The third level indicating being able to exert the shock (vibration) force outside the body. At this level, the shock can be exerted in any form and shape as long as the user is capable of achieving his desire effect.

The Tremble Combat Tactics belonged to his homeworld. Both of them utilized shock force but in a completely opposing manner.

The Gentle Palm Technique would inject vibrational force into the body of the target and incapacitate them. On the other hand, Tremble Combat Tactics made the user target the weak spots of their targets. Usually, these spots were Acupuncture points of the body that shake the meridians connecting them and induce shock force from within.

After all, the previous world despite being mystical did not hold spirit energy and the physical qi can only enhance one's body. So, in that world, Ja Sun's Tremble Combat Tactics was quite a noble skill.

Parting his feet, Ja Sun's waist bent and his hands straightened out with his palms facing outwards. Instead of using spirit energy, he moved slowly. A total of 32 times. Each strike was slow and well-placed. Unlike Spirit Skills that may as well tear the opposing spirit master if he is weaker, the Gentle Palm Technique was a combat technique. It can be used with and without spirit energy. It can kill and spare lives at the whims of the user. 

In his previous life, and even in this one, Ja Sun had heard a particular saying— Fists have no eyes. Even his teacher adhered to this particular lesson but Ja Sun always thought differently. He wasn't kind by nature. Always having to compete with dangers to gain rewards, his nature had already turned into having friends or foes. Not evil and good.

And in this struggle of life, Ja Sun has always scorned the saying: Fists have no eyes. Of course, fists have no eyes, but what about the user? Do they not? Although this saying is passed as an excuse to hurt the opponent, a truly unskilled fighter might accidentally hurt the opponent despite his intention being otherwise.

'Fists have no eyes,' Ja Sun thought in his heart, 'But I do. Instead of craving absolute strength, I have always craved interest. Things that excite me and over these experiences, I developed myself. My bloodlust, my skills, my thought process. Everything is molded by my experience. If I betray them by letting go of my fists, what life have I led?' He continued to move. From palms, he clenched his hands and raised his index knuckle, and used the same 32 movements.

'But when teacher said— Fists have no eyes, he meant it. This means that even he wasn't absolutely confident in his control.'

Ja Sun's knuckles turned into stretched fingers that waved around sharply.

'But if I am one day capable of stomping on this lesson, does it mean I have finally graduated from his teachings?' His expression was serene. Not a single breath of spirit energy escaped his body at this moment.

He continued to ponder over this sentence. Although he scorned this saying, it is something that even his teacher admitted to. To gain absolute control... his aim was different than Ah Yin. She longed to diversify her attacks. Ja Sun longed to master his body and mind. 

While Ja Sun moved, Ah Yin, who had her eyes closed slowly furrowed. The blades of grass around her trembled momentarily and Ah Yin finally felt a moving entity. She could 'see' it without spreading her domain. It was an entity covered in light. His feet parted and his body striking at various positions. The important thing was the footwork. 

'Is this... Ja Sun?' Ah Yin didn't open her eyes but observed the blurry object. This kind of feeling was surreal. The moment her concentration broke, the figure disappeared from her mind but for Ah Yin, it felt that a whole new world had opened up. What Ja Sun speculated about the technique was right. Instead of focusing on the meager enhancement in cultivation, she should have focused more on... herself. She hadn't felt such a reaction from the blue silver grass around her in a long, long time and as she sensed the cheerfulness in her surrounding, her mood turned for the better.

---

Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire have a similar structure— four kingdoms and one dukedom each.

In the Heaven Dou Empire, aside from Balak and Silvers Kingdom, there is the Furnace Kingdom up north situated in the coldest territory, and the Haagen-Dasz Kingdom to the western coastal regions. The Territory of the Heaven Dou Empire takes the major chunk of the eastern side of the continent alongside the Heaven Dou City situated close to the border with the Silvers Kingdom. The Dukedom was in control of the eastern territory collectively handled by the royal family.

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The war itself will be regulated from the Heaven Dou City.

"Halt!"

Being the capital of the Balak Kingdom, Balak City was surrounded by high and sturdy walls that gave a sense of grandeur. Their built reminded Ja Sun of medieval castles. The white walls topped with blue-colored cobblestones were thicker than an ordinary building. The gates were surrounded by men in armor and they glanced at Ja Sun and Ah Yin with a hint of caution. 

The two had let go of the owl... no, the correct situation would be that the two followed the owls to the hidden spot they located. This time, it was a small ditch probably built by some beast near the city but the space was right for the two owls. Leaving enough ration to keep them fed, the two left. 

In the Balak City, the two would need to remain cautious and the last thing they needed was greedy eyes over their Human-tongue Owls.

Both Ja Sun and Ah Yin wore their corresponding masks. Of course, this didn't help in the situation but instead of revealing their appearance, the two revealed the pressure of spirit energy which placed the guards in alert secretly. But as if used to the situation, they didn't move to attack.

"It is said that the Balak Kingdom is recruiting ambitious spirit masters. Where one might find this location?" Ja Sun stated faintly, his voice muffled through the mask as the guards looked at each other before nodding.

"Masters, the City is under lockdown. The only way for spirit masters to enlist in the kingdom's army is by getting tested at the chief's office. There are four chiefs of the city guard each protecting one of the four walls of the perimeter. 

Please, this way," the guard stomped his foot in attention, and with straightened back, he led the two through the small entrance next to the wide gate for public entrance. The middle of the wall was a residential and tactical structure in itself so there were many spaces within. The guard led through the stairs and knocked on the middle room, flanked by two armed guards in black armor, twice.

He then saluted to the two guards in pieces of black armor and reported, "Sir, these two spirit masters have come to enlist in the army for the coming war."

They nodded and the gate guard returned.

One of the two guards slowly opened the door and entered the room and only walked outside after a few minutes.

Looking towards the duo, he nodded, "You may enter now."

Ja Sun and Ah Yin looked at each other before they walked in. The 'room', in fact, led to the stairs that descended into a basement. It was quite a confusing approach but the duo walked down. The walls of the staircase were lit by glowing ores and once they reached the room, a slightly pungent smell assaulted their senses.

The room was covered in dried patches of blood. Ja Sun and Ah Yin heard trembling pants and whimpers. Next to the entrance were three buckets filled with dark liquid and unlike the staircase, the room was lit by flickering torches which might impede the eyesight of the ordinary but Ja Sun could easily see everything as if he was outside. 

The room was wide enough to fit ten carriages. At the right end of the room, strapped to the chairs were many bloodied figures, or in this case, disfigured spirit masters— from the looks of the spirit sealing rope that once contained Ja Sun himself.

"Spirit Masters, spirit masters, sigh. Come," a figure in a simple white, yet bloodied, vest sat down behind the ordinary desk. His dark body looked extremely sculpted but his aged and wrinkled face clearly did not match such a physique. The grey-haired man was wiping his knuckles with a crimson towel as he sat down with a sigh, his long grey mustache fluttering because of the heavy breaths escaping his lips.

Ja Sun and Ah Yin stepped forward as the man observed them without a hint of personal desire. It was as if the man was looking at two dolls made of wood.

"Welcome to Balak City. It is my honor to enlist spirit masters under the name of Balak Kingdom. I am Lin Long, a 73rd ranked Spirit Sage and one of the four chiefs of the city. 

Before we begin, as a spirit master, I will say that the Kingdom doesn't ask for real names. The kingdom doesn't ask for the names of Martial Soul.

I will only ask these things—

1) Are you holding any equipment that inverts lies and truths?

2) Are you willing to join the Balak Kingdom in the war against the Silvers Kingdom?

3) What are your spirit ranks?

4) And, why are you joining the war?"

With the current era of spirit masters being rampant and the rogue cultivators pursued by Spirit Hall numbering hundreds, the two kingdoms made sure to protect their privacy while making the best use of the spirit masters. 

Ja Sun and Ah Yin glanced at each other. But Lin Long wasn't done.

"Of course, the two kingdoms are provided essence tools created by the Spirit Hall. It alerts the user when the target is lying, so be mindful."

"Lord Spirit Sage, before we begin, we also heard that spirit masters are allowed to see the rewards before making the decision. Could we see the list of rewards?" Ja Sun spoke calmly. 

"Here," Lin Long smiled and revealed a scroll. Handing it to Ja Sun, Lin Long watched the two gaze through the unfurled scroll. The rewards were based on merit which is only given out after accomplishing a task. The two spirit masters finally looked at each other and nodded.

"My gratitude, Lord Spirit Sage. We can answer all these questions."

Nodding, Lin Long brought out a green monocle and wore it over his right eye before speaking up.

"Are you holding any equipment that inverts lies and truths?"

"No."

"No."

"Are you willing to join the Balak Kingdom in the war against the Silvers Kingdom?"

"Yes."

"Yes."

"What are your spirit ranks?"

"30."

"51."

Astonishment flashed in Lin Long's eyes for a second but he regained his composure in the next second and finally inquired.

"And, why are you joining the war?"

"Rewards."

"To further my cultivation."

Ja Sun's and Ah Yin's reply failed to bring any form of reaction from the monocle over Lin Long's eyes and he finally chuckled.

"Good. If you got any answer wrong, I would have to deal with you like them," he pointed at the chairs with bloodied spirit masters shackled and looked at the duo.

"These are blood tokens formed from a shard of Jade Mother. Jade Mother is a highly sought-after piece of the mineral. Once you drop your blood on the token, the largest chunk of the Jade Mother will hold your name over its surface. In case you die at the hands of the enemy, your name will be removed from the jade.

Of course, now is the time to reveal your name, or a title you want yourself to be represented as."

Ja Sun looked at the circular green token and thought for a moment. He never was good with nicknames so he shrugged, "Ultimate Grandson."

Lin Long stared at Ja Sun strangely while Ah Yin gave a bitter sigh internally. If anything, his nickname should have been Perverted Grandson, or Three-Eyed Heaven! She hated it when the name of her choice wasn't prevalent.

Coughing softly, Lin Ling took out a special carving knife and etched the nickname on the surface of the jade. 

He then looked at Ah Yin as she finally spoke for the first time. Her voice soft and soothing but the hint of coldness couldn't be hidden.

"Blue Silver Empress."

Praise flashed in Lin Long's eyes as he carved the words rather beautifully.

"Now, both of you drip your blood on its surface now." Lin Long handed the tokens and looked at the duo carefully.

Ah Yin and Ja Sun used a sharp needle to slightly prick their thumbs. A drop of blood rolled down and dripped over the token and its surface gave a soft flash of light.

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