The Ancestor

Just as Wenlong was brooding in frustration, a pillow that looked like stone, yet not quite like stone, caught his attention.

He picked up the pillow and examined it over and over, discovering a book beneath it. Only after looking through it carefully did he confirm that it was the ancestor's journal.

From the journal, he learned that the ancestor's original name was Long Ying, and that he had founded the Shadow Assassin Organization.

The Long clan had once been a prominent, powerful lineage on the Azure Dragon Continent, but an alliance of enemies had wiped it out.

Only Long Ying's branch of the clan had survived. He had then founded the Shadow Assassin Organization, hoping to one day avenge his clansmen and wash away their grievance in blood.

Unfortunately, a close friend had betrayed him, and his enemies had hunted him relentlessly. After countless ordeals in which death had all but claimed him, he had finally escaped with his son, Long Jian.

After enduring untold suffering, he had fled to the Wasteland Continent, concealed his identity, and changed his son's name to Wen Jian.

Sadly, neither Wen Jian nor his descendants had any talent for martial arts. Left with no other choice, he had sealed this place away to await a gifted descendant.

Reading this, Wenlong's heart grew unbearably heavy. His present blood feud remained unavenged, and now an old grievance had been added to it. Was I doomed to tread the same path as my forebears?

His thoughts tangled like hemp. Could these small shoulders of mine really bear such a heavy burden?

Once he slowly calmed down, he thought, I should first see whether any martial arts manuals were left behind. I need to become stronger before anything else.

Without strength, I could only spend my life cowering in these desolate mountains.

Fortunately, martial arts manuals were scattered throughout the room. According to the journal's guidance, he should begin with hidden weapon techniques that used mental power.

He agreed with that advice. After all, his eight-year-old body could not handle strenuous martial arts training. It was best to follow the ancestor's recommendations.

He chose the manual for Shadow Step, which could make him as light as a swallow, allowing him to evade opponents and kill them swiftly. Wenlong, however, was thinking about escaping for his life. Since this cultivation method was best suited to that, he might as well learn it.

The manual for the Shadowless Returning Needle, paired with the manual for Shadow Hand, also looked quite promising.

Once he mastered the Shadowless Returning Needle, he could retrieve a needle with Shadow Hand after launching it.

Shadow Hand was also useful for warding off all manner of poisons. He could use it to catch any poisoned weapon without suffering the slightest harm.

Following the training instructions, Wenlong practiced with small stones first. Only after mastering the technique would he use the Shadowless Needle-then he would be able to retrieve it.

Otherwise, with his current lack of skill, where would he find such a tiny flying needle once he threw it?

He did not know what the needle was made of. After entering a body, it would burst apart the flesh inside, then pierce its way out to be retrieved with Shadow Hand.

It was rather sinister and vicious, but in this world, the victor was king. Perhaps there was no point in calling anything sinister.

If I were killed, where could I go to argue about being fair and honorable?

After practicing for a while, Wenlong felt that he could use small stones as hidden weapons without any trouble.

I should head back first. I can learn the ancestor's story gradually and study the other things later. He was also worried that his parents and clansmen would be concerned about him.

He selected several cultivation methods suitable for his clansmen, so they could begin learning and gain the strength to protect themselves.

As for the sabers and swords on the weapon rack, he took only one large saber. A large saber suited him better at present.

Once I learn sword techniques someday, I can use a sword too. With that thought, he finally set off toward where his clansmen lived.

It was not far from the back of the mountain to the front. His current position should have been about halfway there. After walking some distance, he discovered a great stone gate.

Wenlong examined it and spotted the mechanism installed inside. He stepped forward and pressed it, easily opening the gate.

Light streamed in from outside. As soon as he stepped through the great stone gate, it automatically closed again.

Wenlong used his mental power again, and the stone gate opened once more. So that's how it works. He no longer worried about being unable to get back in.

Standing at the entrance, he looked around. This had to be the original Ancestral Hall.

The objects scattered everywhere and the decorations confirmed that this was indeed the original Ancestral Hall.

When there's time, I should have the clansmen come over, clean this place properly, and pay their respects to the ancestors.

That would also help unite the clansmen's strength. Only by standing together with one heart could they bring the lineage to greater glory.