Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 47

Since his earlier confrontation, He Lang kept Ge Rulan’s survival advice in mind, knowing that such encounters would be frequent. He resigned himself to practicing martial arts.

He went to the library and searched for some introductory manuals, starting to learn in a confused state.

As he practiced, he felt his qi from the dantian (energy center) brewing and flowing up his back along the pathways prescribed by the manual.

When he performed the correct movements, the qi rose from the base of his spine and spread out significantly, indicating a robust qi flow.

In martial arts, internal strength requires time to mature. Fortunately, this body had deep and latent cultivation, with a whole decade of power to tap into, which was not something a young person could achieve merely through diligence.

He Lang pondered the reason. Though his remaining memories were limited, he sensed that his background was exceptional, possibly providing him with elixirs like the Huayuan Pill to boost his internal power.

He shook his head and stopped thinking about it. Being in the Demon Sect, discovering his background was not his primary task.

He practiced again and his mind flashed with the moves and techniques from his body’s memories.

Although fleeting, he seemed to have found some feel for it. He could use some palm and fist techniques, but they were not his strengths.

The rabbit, Guatu, spoke up at the right moment, “Host, what about your Xuling Sword Technique?”

That reminded him. Since Ge Rulan and her brother said he was renowned for his sword skills, he should focus on his sword rather than fist techniques.

With this in mind, He Lang took out the long sword he had been carrying.

During his travels, he had never properly examined the sword.

The scabbard was finely crafted, appearing ancient but inlaid with a gemstone. The edge of the scabbard was adorned with rare metals, giving it a luxurious appearance. When he gently pulled it out, the sword made a faint scraping sound, revealing its snow-white brilliance and extreme sharpness.

He Lang focused, carefully gripping the hilt with his five fingers, and found it quite heavy.

Many memories related to the sword surged as he held it. He Lang stood up and practiced several moves in the air. He found the sword increasingly light, even performing several sword forms without feeling any strain on his wrist.

The sound of the sword cutting through the air was clear, proving it was an exceptional weapon.

Knowing that he could not quickly enhance his strength, he asked Guatu for further advice.

“Since you’re asking sincerely, I, the benevolent rabbit, will generously offer some advice—”

“…,” Guatu quickly curled up into a ball and continued, “Ge Wenjing has a true martial sword qi that perfectly complements your Xuling Sword Technique. If you can master the sword techniques, you can truly unleash its power!”

“Quite the informative news,” He Lang nodded in satisfaction, and patted the rabbit’s fur.

Guatu spent most of his days either eating melons or running around the sect, returning with various pieces of information. Although most of it was gossip, this one was quite useful.

Ge Wenjing was Ge Rulan’s brother. They had met before, but he was taciturn and seemed to be a martial arts enthusiast. Aside from seeing him at the training grounds every day, He Lang had no further contact with him.

He Lang wondered how to persuade this unfamiliar person to give him the precious true martial sword qi and decided he would need to rely on Ge Rulan.

Ge Rulan examined him and suddenly showed a satisfied expression, as if she had finally found a worthy owner for the sword qi.

“That true martial sword qi was accidentally acquired by my younger brother during a visit to the Sword Tomb. Since he doesn’t practice sword techniques, it’s been with him for many years.”

Upon hearing this, He Lang felt hopeful.

However, since Ge Rulan didn’t have the sword qi herself, she suggested, “My brother has been looking for a sparring partner to test his newly learned boxing techniques… If he is pleased, he might willingly give it to you.”

A sparring match? He Lang hesitated. Ge Wenjing had been proficient in martial arts for many years, and he feared he would not last long against him, making it difficult to even consider a sparring match. He shook his head, saying, “I’m afraid I won’t be a match for Hall Master Ge.”

Ge Rulan frowned slightly, took his wrist to check his pulse, and nodded affirmatively, “I’ve tested it. Your internal strength is profound and your skill is impressive. Yet, why are you always so hesitant?”

He Lang couldn’t explain everything in detail, so he turned away with a painful expression, sighing, “Alas, when I was being chased, I encountered an unforeseen change, so…”

If the change had affected him, it should have been his cultivation, not his techniques. Although Ge Rulan found it puzzling, she chose not to question further, perhaps considering her own reasons.

“Anyway, my brother is not as easy to deal with as I am. If you are unwilling…” Ge Rulan paused, leaving the sentence unfinished. He Lang understood she was putting him in a difficult position. Since she had been considerate towards him, he couldn’t make her choose, so he reluctantly agreed.

Ge Rulan gave him a meaningful look, tapped his forehead, and instructed him to go to the training ground the next day.

Ge Wenjing, having heard his sister’s explanation, silently led He Lang to the center of the training ground. Before He Lang could even fully grasp the situation, Ge Wenjing launched a sudden attack.

Fortunately, He Lang reacted quickly and retreated sharply. Even so, he was still grazed by the wind from the attack, causing a dull pain in his shoulder.

“Hall Master—”

He Lang’s call didn’t stop Ge Wenjing. Ge Wenjing continued to assume his stance and launched an attack, commanding, “Try my Five Yin Palm!”

The moves seemed casual but were incredibly precise. The actions were not particularly fast, indicating that Ge Wenjing was holding back.

He Lang was struck on the right shoulder and quickly used a protective qi to shield himself. The spot hit by the Five Yin Palm felt icy, making his arm weak.

Unable to find an opportunity to counterattack, He Lang kept retreating and defending, his footwork becoming somewhat disordered.

When his right shoulder was struck again, He Lang realized in the pain that Ge Wenjing’s attack pattern had a regularity. If he could not avoid it, he would be hit on his sides.

By observing Ge Wenjing’s movements, He Lang detected some patterns and started muttering, seemingly counting his directions and strikes. He managed to dodge the next attack by sidestepping.

Ge Wenjing stopped and nodded at him.

He Lang wiped his sweat and, holding his bruised shoulder, thought the ordeal was over. However, Ge Wenjing began using grappling techniques, aiming a claw strike at his face. He Lang quickly adapted, bending down to avoid it and then delivering a palm strike to Ge Wenjing’s side.

Although the palm strike wasn’t powerful, it combined He Lang’s pure qi and had a noticeable effect.

Ge Wenjing had been toying with him like a cat playing with a mouse, so he was caught off guard by the sudden attack. He was struck by the force of He Lang’s palm, grunting in pain, then suddenly closed in and grabbed He Lang’s arm. He found He Lang’s arm to be soft and not as solid as that of a martial artist, causing him to feel heat in his face. Frowning, he applied more force and threw He Lang to the ground, exclaiming, “Why are you as weak as a scholar?!” 

He Lang lay on the ground, struggling to get up, gasping for breath and rubbing his chest to ease the pain.

As a scholar turned martial artist, changing his nature wasn’t easy. He had to put even more effort into his training.

Looking up, he saw that it was already dark, with dusk covering the sky.

Ge Wenjing punched a few more wooden dummies, removed the soft cloth from his arm, indicating he was about to finish.

Before leaving, he left He Lang with a meaningful remark, “Sister treats you well. Don’t disappoint her.”

At first, He Lang didn’t understand what he meant, thinking he would have to endure more beatings. But he gradually realized that being in Ge Wenjing’s hands was not merely about being beaten.

On the first day, He Lang found it hard to get out of bed. The areas struck by Ge Wenjing were sore and not easily healed in a single day, but he had no choice but to go despite the injuries.

Though his body suffered considerable pain, his internal qi and skills helped him withstand much of the impact, thus increasing his resistance.

Ge Wenjing claimed to be using him as a practice dummy but occasionally criticized him, teaching him where each move and strike should land for maximum damage.

After half a month, Ge Wenjing even had He Lang use his sword, showing him how to counter these techniques, as if he were teaching him martial arts.

Ge Wenjing was indeed very harsh. Once, because He Lang held the sword unsteadily and made a mistake, one of his ribs was broken. This left a deep impression on him, and his goal became simply to survive Ge Wenjing’s training.

Martial arts mastery isn’t achieved in a day, but He Lang, enduring Ge Wenjing’s relentless training and avoiding troublesome sect members, made rapid progress under the pressure.

Knowing that Ge Wenjing might be intentionally teaching him, possibly due to Ge Rulan’s arrangements, He Lang was deeply grateful.

When he thanked her, Ge Rulan snorted and nodded knowingly, “My younger brother is treating you so well—I thought you’d be left crippled in a month.”

After her usual sarcasm, she smiled warmly, “But seeing that we siblings are kind to you, you’re not too foolish.”

He Lang had no way to repay her and could only thank her again.

Ge Rulan accepted his thanks with satisfaction and said, “How about it? Aren’t I the kindest person in the Demon Sect?”

He Lang recalled how she had previously torn apart a brutish man who had disrespected her, making him shiver. He still stiffly nodded.

Seeing He Lang’s rabbit, Ge Rulan gently pinched its small cheek with her slender fingers. “But since you were brought back by us siblings, you don’t need to feel pressured. Just focus on improving your cultivation and contribute to the sect… I see you have some foundation; such deep internal strength would be a waste otherwise. If not, I’d have tossed you into the poison pit to end it all!”

Her eyes, while charming, had a hint of malice, making it clear she was not joking. If they weren’t familiar, He Lang would have been quite nervous for himself. He cautiously told Ge Rulan that he preferred to be kind to others.

Ge Rulan laughed lightly, her red lips curving, and said, “But remember, in the Demon Sect, kindness is a crime—your mercy to others may not be reciprocated. Well, I’ve told you so much. You’ll learn from your hardships, just like when you broke your rib last time.”

As she laughed mockingly, He Lang smiled faintly and nodded in agreement.

—

**Author’s Note:** These chapters continue with He Lang adjusting to this world… The main character will appear soon! Today is also the 17th birthday of the author’s ears =3= I originally planned to add another chapter or hold a giveaway to celebrate, but I’ve been lazy lately. We’ll see about it another time.