Chapter 7: The Mark of a Rival
The morning sun broke through the thick canopy of the Wildlands, its rays scattering across the forest floor. Kang Hojin stirred awake, the soreness in his limbs a painful reminder of the battle from the night before. Chen Rong was already up, standing at the edge of the camp and sharpening his blade. His movements were methodical, a ritual he seemed to carry out with precision every morning.
"Get up," Chen Rong said without looking back. "We've wasted enough time already."
Hojin groaned but obeyed, stretching his stiff muscles as he rose. Despite the aches, he felt a surge of satisfaction. The system's reward from the battle—the "Piercing River Strike"—was now integrated into his repertoire, though he hadn't yet had a chance to test it fully.
As he prepared to move, the system's familiar chime echoed in his mind:
System Notification: New Quest Unlocked!
Quest: Investigate the Identity of the Masked Assailants
Objective: Uncover clues about the group targeting the jade token.
Reward: Insight into their motives and a rare item drop.
"More trouble, huh?" Hojin muttered to himself. He glanced at Chen Rong, wondering if the older man had any idea about their attackers.
"What's with the face?" Chen Rong asked, finally turning around.
"Nothing," Hojin replied quickly. "Just thinking about last night. Those masked people… they weren't just some random bandits, were they?"
Chen Rong's expression darkened. "No. Their leader—she was skilled. Too skilled for a mere bandit. If I had to guess, they were from an organized sect or clan."
Hojin frowned. "A sect? You think someone's after the jade token?"
"Of course," Chen Rong said. "The jade token is no ordinary artifact. There are plenty of people who would kill for it. And you…" He paused, his gaze sharp. "You need to be ready to defend yourself. This won't be the last time someone comes for you."
Hojin clenched his fists, determination flickering in his eyes. "Then I'll get stronger. I won't let them take it."
Chen Rong nodded approvingly. "Good. Now pack up. We've got a long journey ahead."
An Unexpected Encounter
As they continued through the Wildlands, the forest's oppressive atmosphere seemed to intensify. The air was thick with humidity, and every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig put Hojin on edge. Despite his growing confidence, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
Hours passed in tense silence before they stumbled upon a peculiar sight. In a small clearing, a young man sat cross-legged, his back against a massive tree. His robes were tattered, and blood stained his sleeves. A single sword rested across his lap, its blade chipped but still sharp.
Chen Rong raised a hand, signaling Hojin to stop. "Careful," he whispered. "He's wounded, but that doesn't mean he's harmless."
The young man opened his eyes, his gaze piercing despite his wearied state. "Travelers?" he said, his voice hoarse. "You're either brave or foolish to wander these parts."
"And you?" Chen Rong countered. "You look like you've seen better days."
The man chuckled weakly. "Fair point. My name is Wu Jian. I'm… well, let's just say I've had a rough encounter with some unsavory folks."
Hojin's eyes narrowed. "Masked attackers?"
Wu Jian's expression tightened. "So you've met them too. Then you'll understand when I say they're not ordinary opponents. They're part of the Shadow Veil Sect, a group known for their assassination techniques."
"Shadow Veil Sect," Chen Rong repeated, his tone grave. "That explains their coordination. But what do they want with the jade token?"
Wu Jian hesitated before speaking. "The jade token is said to be a key. To what, I don't know. But the sect has been hunting for it for years. If they're after you, they won't stop until they have it."
Hojin felt a chill run down his spine. The token had seemed important, but he hadn't realized just how much danger it brought.
Training in the Face of Danger
That evening, the three of them made camp together. Despite Wu Jian's injuries, his presence was reassuring. He shared stories of his travels and his battles, offering Hojin and Chen Rong valuable insights into the martial world.
"Your spear technique," Wu Jian said, watching Hojin practice. "It's solid, but you're hesitating. You need to commit to your strikes. Hesitation will get you killed."
Hojin nodded, absorbing the advice. He practiced the "Piercing River Strike," pushing himself to refine the technique. Each thrust of his spear became sharper, more decisive. The system's interface tracked his progress, showing his proficiency slowly climbing.
Piercing River Strike Proficiency: 40% (Initiate Level)
Chen Rong, meanwhile, focused on honing his own skills. He sparred briefly with Wu Jian, their movements a blur of steel and qi. Though injured, Wu Jian's technique was impeccable, his swordplay a blend of grace and ferocity.
"You're not bad for a wanderer," Chen Rong said, breathing heavily after their bout.
Wu Jian smirked. "And you're not bad for a babysitter."
Chen Rong rolled his eyes but said nothing, turning his attention back to the campfire.
Shadows on the Horizon
As night fell, the group remained vigilant. Wu Jian's warnings about the Shadow Veil Sect weighed heavily on their minds. Hojin's enhanced senses picked up faint noises in the distance, but nothing approached their camp.
When morning came, Wu Jian prepared to leave. His injuries were still severe, but he insisted on continuing his journey.
"Thank you for the company," he said, bowing slightly. "But I can't stay. The longer I'm here, the more danger I bring to you."
"Where will you go?" Hojin asked.
Wu Jian shrugged. "Wherever the wind takes me. But if we meet again, I hope it'll be under better circumstances."
With that, he disappeared into the forest, leaving Hojin and Chen Rong to continue their journey alone. As they walked, Hojin couldn't shake the feeling that their paths would cross again.
The Path Forward
The Wildlands began to thin, the dense forest giving way to rolling hills. Though the immediate danger had passed, Hojin knew the Shadow Veil Sect wouldn't give up so easily. He clenched his fist, determination burning in his chest.
"I'll get stronger," he vowed silently. "No matter what it takes."
Beside him, Chen Rong glanced over, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "Good. Hold onto that resolve. You'll need it for what's coming."
Together, they pressed forward, the road ahead filled with uncertainty and danger.
[ Author Note] :
As of Chapter 7 in the Murim story, Kang Hojin's cultivation level is
Qi Gathering (气聚) Realm - Intermediate Stage.
Here's how his progress has unfolded so far:
Chapter 1-2: Kang Hojin begins with no cultivation and a severely weakened body. After awakening the system and completing early quests, he starts sensing and gathering qi, reaching the Qi Gathering (Beginner Stage).
Chapter 3-5: Through rigorous training and the system's guidance, he progresses to
Qi Gathering (Intermediate Stage). He also learns basic techniques like the "Piercing River Strike," improving his combat ability.
Chapter 6-7: Hojin refines his proficiency in martial techniques and sharpens his qi control. However, he has yet to break through to the Advanced Stage of Qi Gathering.Hojin is still in the early stages of his martial journey, but his rapid improvement, thanks to the system and his unwavering determination, hints at his potential to rise quickly in the cultivation ranks.
Martial Cultivation System
The progression involves mastering internal energy (qi) and improving martial arts skills. The cultivation levels are divided into several stages:
Qi Gathering (气聚) Realm
The initial stage of martial cultivation where practitioners learn to sense and gather qi from their surroundings.
Subdivided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced stages.
Qi Refining (炼气) Realm
The practitioner strengthens their internal qi and refines it for practical use in combat and techniques.Marks the true start of developing powerful martial arts.
Qi Condensation (凝气) Realm
Qi becomes denser and purer, allowing for more advanced techniques and significant improvement in physical capabilities.
Martial Foundation (武基) Realm
The practitioner establishes a solid foundation for advanced martial techniques.Includes cultivating inner strength and increasing durability.
.....There are a total of 9 levels in which I Introduced the four realms and their info.The later will be explained in successive
Chapters.
......
Izunagi ^^.