Post-War Summary: Gaining Experience and Improving Strength

Chen Wuya stood inside the central command tent, Misaligned Force slowly circulating in his palm. His blood and qi surged in reverse along the lesser yang meridians, pressing the haze of exhaustion toward the ends of his limbs. His knuckles trembled faintly, yet his voice remained steady.

The commander-in-chief sat at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over the generals. "In the battle at Yellow Wind Valley, the vanguard destroyed seventy percent of the enemy's grain stores and forced their army to withdraw. This merit cannot be overlooked. But the details of the report still need clarification—especially this method of 'Misaligned Force.' What path does it truly follow?"

One general said coldly, "From what I have seen, this technique is exceedingly strange and not part of orthodox martial arts. What if it goes out of control before the lines and harms our own side instead?"

Chen Wuya did not argue. He merely said, "Please lend me a bowl of clear water."

The adjutant brought over a clay bowl, its water still rippling. Chen Wuya reached out and lightly tapped the surface. Misaligned Force seeped in from his fingertip, and the ripples suddenly began spinning in reverse. They actually climbed along the bowl's inner wall, forming a narrow curtain of water that hung in midair for three breaths without falling.

The tent fell silent.

"This is neither the lightness art of treading on water nor inner force holding something aloft," he said. "It is making force travel where it should not travel, and drawing out a new use from it instead. When the fire-oil trough exploded, I guided the airflow in reverse through the Lung Meridian, deflecting the flying arrows. During our retreat, I used the tremors in the ground to push the pursuing soldiers into splitting their routes.