The morning sunlight spilled lazily over the horizon, casting long shadows across the small, ramshackle village. Jax stirred on the stiff cot, his muscles groaning in protest from the previous day's exertion. The sound of distant voices filtered through the wooden walls of the hut, along with the faint clatter of tools and the occasional bark of a dog.
Rubbing his face, Jax sat up and reached instinctively for the twin pistols at his side. Whisper and Bang remained where he'd left them, their weight familiar and reassuring in his hands. A part of him still felt uneasy, like a soldier stranded behind enemy lines.
"Time to figure out how this world ticks," he muttered, standing and adjusting his coat. The faint growl of his stomach reminded him of yesterday's meager stew. "And maybe score a real meal while I'm at it."
The Village's Unease
The village was alive with activity when Jax stepped outside. Villagers hurried about their tasks, repairing fences, tending to livestock, and fetching water from the well. But their movements slowed whenever he passed, their eyes darting toward him before quickly looking away.
A group of children whispered among themselves, their wide eyes fixed on the strange weapons holstered at his hips. One of them, braver than the others, crept closer, only to be pulled back by an older sibling.
Jax exhaled sharply, his smirk tinged with frustration. "Not exactly a hero's welcome."
"You're an outsider," a familiar voice replied.
Jax turned to see Kyra leaning against a nearby hut, her spear resting casually against her shoulder. Despite her calm demeanor, her eyes were sharp and wary.
"Most outsiders don't kill sect disciples their first day here," she continued, pushing off the wall. "You didn't exactly leave the best first impression."
Jax shrugged, his smirk widening. "They started it."
Kyra rolled her eyes, but there was a flicker of amusement in her expression. "Come on. Elder Yun wants to see you. Time to figure out if you're more useful than just a good shot."
Elder Yun's Lesson
The open clearing at the edge of the village was quiet except for the rustle of the trees and the distant chatter of birds. Elder Yun sat cross-legged beneath a sprawling oak, his posture straight despite his age. A small tea kettle steamed beside him, and his sharp eyes lifted as Jax and Kyra approached.
"Good morning, outsider," Yun greeted, gesturing for Jax to sit.
Jax didn't sit, instead leaning against a nearby tree with his arms crossed. "Morning. Let's skip the pleasantries. You promised to explain this Qi thing."
Yun chuckled softly. "Patience is not your strong suit, I see. Very well. Qi is the essence of life itself. It flows through all living things, connecting the physical, spiritual, and elemental. Those who cultivate it can harness extraordinary power."
Kyra stepped forward, her tone sharper. "But cultivation isn't easy. It takes years of training, resources, and discipline. Most people can't even open their meridians, let alone channel energy effectively."
Jax raised an eyebrow, his skepticism plain. "Sounds like a fancy way of saying 'it's not for everyone.'"
Kyra frowned. "It's not. You can't just pick it up like a sword or gun. You have to train your body and mind—focus, meditate, learn the flow of energy."
Yun nodded. "Even so, the basics are essential. If you cannot wield Qi, you must at least understand it. Without that understanding, you will not survive in this world."
The Guns and Qi
Elder Yun's gaze shifted to Jax's weapons. "Your tools are strange, outsider. They defy the natural order of this world. Yet they may hold the key to your survival."
Jax's brow furrowed as he pulled Whisper from its holster. The polished steel gleamed faintly in the sunlight, its smooth surface reflecting Kyra's curious gaze.
"This isn't magic," Jax said, spinning the barrel with practiced ease. "It's metal, powder, and bullets. That's it."
Kyra crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "And yet, you used them to cut through Qi-infused weapons like they were nothing. There's more to those guns than you think."
Elder Yun nodded. "Try it. Focus on your core—your dantian. Channel the energy through your body and into the weapon. Let us see if they respond."
Jax hesitated, his skepticism plain. But curiosity won out, and he closed his eyes, taking a steadying breath. He remembered Yun's earlier words about the dantian—a core of energy near the navel—and focused his attention inward.
At first, he felt nothing but the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Then, faintly, there was something else—a hum, subtle and rhythmic, like a current flowing just beneath the surface. He gripped Whisper tighter, imagining the energy traveling through his body, down his arm, and into the weapon.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then the barrel of Whisper began to glow faintly, a soft blue light flickering along its surface.
Kyra took a step back, her eyes wide. "That's… Qi. You're channeling it."
Jax opened his eyes, staring at the glowing gun with a mix of surprise and satisfaction. The light flickered and faded, the hum disappearing as quickly as it had come.
"Well, that was underwhelming," Jax muttered, holstering Whisper. "Didn't exactly feel like godlike power."
Yun chuckled. "Qi is not mastered in a single moment. What you felt was only the beginning. With practice, you may learn to harness it fully."
Building Trust
As the lesson ended, Kyra and Jax walked back toward the village. The air between them was tense but not hostile. Jax's mind was still racing, replaying the moment when the gun had glowed. He hadn't expected Qi to work like that—or at all.
Kyra glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her expression unreadable. "You're different."
Jax raised an eyebrow. "That a compliment?"
She rolled her eyes but didn't answer immediately. "Most people can't even sense Qi without weeks of training. You did it in minutes."
"Guess I'm just talented," Jax said, his smirk returning.
Kyra snorted softly, though there was a flicker of something warmer in her expression. "Or lucky. Don't let it go to your head."
They reached the village, where the hum of daily life had resumed. Jax's stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence. He chuckled, running a hand over his ribs. "All this mystical energy stuff works up an appetite."
Kyra tilted her head, smirking faintly. "Maybe focus on eating before trying to master Qi."
Jax raised an eyebrow. "Got anything better than that stew from yesterday?"
Kyra didn't respond immediately, instead nodding toward the communal fire pit near the center of the village. "Come on. I'll see what we can spare."
As they walked, the tension between them eased, replaced by something quieter, more uncertain. For the first time since arriving in this world, Jax felt like he might finally be starting to understand its rules.
End of Chapter 4