Inner Sage, Outer King

The sun was setting in the west.

The large wooden tub from which Chu Tianshu practiced his martial arts was moved to the Locust Tree Courtyard; the medicinal sand inside was the color of yellow clouds.

Several guards were carrying over wine jars that were sealed very tightly.

The wines brewed in the restaurants and taverns of Nanzhao generally had low alcohol content.

However, after arriving at the Zheng residence, Chu Tianshu learned that these high-ranking officials actually possessed "Yuhua" liquor with a concentration close to alcohol.

It's not pure alcohol simply because some medicinal herbs have been added.

It is said that this was something invented by alchemists during the Wei and Jin dynasties.

At that time, among the famous families of the Wei and Jin dynasties, there were many who indulged in unrestrained behavior and lived a life of debauchery. This was considered a sign of elegance and was highly praised. Many people also had a fondness for Five-Stone Powder, which allowed them to regain their vigor and feel as if they were drinking celestial nectar.

However, excessive use of Wushi Powder can easily cause dryness and heat in the joints, sudden chills and coldness, restlessness, and even itching and sores all over the body.

The alchemists realized that the wonderful effect of Five-Stone Powder was "like drinking fine wine," so they focused on the wine and created the so-called Jade Radiance Wine.

Even when diluted with water, this wine easily makes one feel tipsy and carefree, surrounded by soft light and beautiful scenery, bringing a sense of great joy.

A strong and powerful martial artist can drink ordinary wine until his belly is round without getting drunk, but only by drinking "Jade Radiance Wine" can he experience the exhilarating sensation of strong liquor going down his throat and get completely drunk.

However, this item was not easy to preserve in ordinary households, so it was not popular among the common people.

Only high-ranking officials often have a large collection of such items, which they use to attract diners.

Chu Tianshu ordered these jars, but not for drinking.

He ordered his guards to pour the wine directly into the sand barrel.

With a hum, the Sanqi Divine Sword stood straight as iron and was inserted diagonally into the sand bucket.

The sword hilt was still outside the rim of the barrel.

A guard, holding a flint and steel, struck a string of sparks into the barrel.

Whoosh!!!

The flames spread rapidly, leaping nearly a foot high.

The flames, red on top and blue on the bottom, emitted heat that caused the guards to hastily move away.

Chu Tianshu, however, remained standing beside the wooden tub.

This bucket is extremely thick and has iron hoops, so it won't be easily burned.

His palm rested on the hilt of the sword, and beads of blood seeped from the pores of the back of his hand and between his fingers, sloping downwards along the hilt.

The blood, upon encountering the flames, did not immediately evaporate.

Those lines, like snakes, winding downwards, looked exactly like the patterns Chu Tianshu had repeatedly drawn on the sword over the past few days.

When Lady Wenjing saw someone carrying wine, she came over to take a look. She had initially felt a little sorry that the strong liquor had been poured into the barrel, but now she was also drawn to this scene.

Blood, flames, the smell of alcohol, and yellow sand combine to create a bizarre scene.

The Blind Cheng didn't open his eyes, but it was as if he saw it all. He whispered, "This is the first time I've ever encountered someone nurturing Weapon Soul like this..."

The Blood Refinement Weapon Method cultivates Weapon Soul that is yin, while the blood and energy of a warrior are yang.

Therefore, during the most sensitive period when the Weapon Soul is about to be formed, warriors should not depict or contemplate blood patterns too much.

When Chu Tianshu was cultivating in the mass grave, he could practice for an hour at a time.

Upon arriving at the Locust Tree Courtyard, he initially practiced blood purification for more than two hours each day, wiping the bloodstains off completely each time.

But ever since he sensed the beginnings of the formation of the Weapon Soul, the Sanqi Divine Sword has occasionally displayed a resolute spirit.

The daily blood refining time was shortened to half an hour, and even gradually reduced to half an hour.

This is precisely the juncture that requires the utmost care and meticulous attention.

But for some reason, he resorted to such brutal methods again today.

The blood pattern quickly disappeared in the firelight, whether evaporated by the flames or absorbed by the sword, it was unclear.

Blood beads once again appeared on the back of Chu Tianshu's hand and between his fingers, gathering into scarlet blood that flowed down.

Hai Donglai was also watching from the side, holding a large black umbrella in his hand.

Zheng Hui heard that he wanted to avoid the light, so the umbrella he chose was originally pure black.

However, when it was handed over to Hai Donglai, he transferred a bit of his own Weapon Soul into it.

The top of the umbrella resembles a small red cloud spreading out, its color shifting to a soft, rosy hue.

Presumably, when his Weapon Soul returns to its full strength, this black umbrella will turn into a red umbrella.

"Was that bucket the one he used for his daily practice?"

Hai Donglai pondered, "So, the medicinal sand in the barrel must have retained a lot of yang energy, which was then stimulated by the flames of the strong liquor... Could it be that the yang energy was intended to neutralize the yin energy?"

The theory of Taiyin and Shaoyang has existed since ancient times.

Refining a bit of the Lesser Yang essence and stirring up a large amount of Yin energy is the ancient saying, "to clear away the turbid and promote the pure," which allows the Weapon Soul to take shape more quickly. Hai Donglai had also found this idea in the Great Tang's armory.

But no one has been able to put this idea into practice.

This is because it can only be attempted when the Weapon Soul is about to be formed but not yet complete; if one is not careful, all the hard work of the past will be wasted.

Even if someone were to harden their heart and try repeatedly, they could only manage a few attempts in their entire life.

Moreover, cultivating Weapon Soul is a very personal matter.

If someone in a high position of power tries to force a group of people to make such an attempt, they will be unwilling and the result will inevitably be a complete failure.

For those who have already cultivated Weapon Soul, this method is useless. Instead of pondering this, they should try to Comprehended Move.

Hai Donglai never expected that during his trip to Nanzhao, he would actually witness someone using this method.

Hooray!!

The flames began to ignite the inside of the barrel, producing a soft crackling sound.

The sound of billowing flames and rising wind grew increasingly clear, and when people looked in that direction, everything appeared distorted.

A few strands of hair at Chu Tianshu's temples and forehead curled slightly.

He focused solely on his sword, watching the blood pooling and flowing on the back of his hand.

The shadow of the locust tree has become clear without me noticing.

Logically speaking, even if the sun shines on a large tree, its shadow should fall precisely in this direction.

Because the firelight is so intense, illuminating the area, the presence of shadows becomes invisible.

It's always been like this.

But now, the shadow of the locust tree, its branches spread wide, is clearly cast on this Shashang in the wooden barrel.

The shadow of the locust tree branch also fell on the back of Chu Tianshu's hand.

Blood is offered as sacrifice, yang energy is used as a guide, and yin energy grows ever stronger!

A subtle energy was drawn in.

A crystalline white light, like silkworm silk, rose from the scattered stone bricks, casting its light upon the firelight and disappearing into the sword.

Choke!!!

The Sanqi Divine Sword suddenly trembled, piercing through the thick layer of medicinal sand.

Yellow sand splattered, like waves and pillars, and the wind pressure generated in an instant extinguished the alcohol fire, plunging the entire courtyard into darkness.

Only that sword, bright and white, circled around Chu Tianshu.

Agile and graceful, seemingly both soft and strong.

The sword wrapped around Chu Tianshu's entire right arm, spiraled upwards, grazed his back, and reached his left arm.

The sword's hum rose slightly, then suddenly extended from his left arm to his waist, encircling it and tightening it like a belt.

The hilt of the sword ended just in front of his waist.

Chu Tianshu touched the sword and felt a deep sense of familiarity with it.

Blood ties connect us; it's as if this sword is a sense I've lost for over twenty years.

As he rubbed his fingertips together, Chu Tianshu suddenly had a sudden realization, understanding the effects of his Weapon Soul power.

It is not as exquisite as "Empty Drum Soaring to Heaven", nor even as wondrous as "Snow River Avalanche".

The Weapon Soul turned inward, allowing Chu Tianshu to see the condition within his own body.

It's not the kind of keen perception gained through practicing martial arts, but a true sense of "seeing".

Chu Tianshu raised his left hand and could see the tissue under his skin and the muscle fibers.

Moreover, one can adjust the depth of their observation by sensing the Weapon Soul.

You can see only the subcutaneous tissue and tiny blood vessels, or you can see your own bones directly.

The outward Weapon Soul can increase Chu Tianshu's overall strength and resilience, enhancing his ability to withstand attacks.

Although it was a very simple ability, Chu Tianshu smiled knowingly and liked it very much. Many rough strategies for its use had already flashed through his mind.

"My power of Weapon Soul is called..."

Chu Tianshu thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Inner Sage, Outer King."

He used to wrap the sword around his arm so that he could easily parry with the blade if anything happened.

His current use of the Weapon Soul power is to regulate his entire body. Therefore, the best way to quickly spread the Weapon Soul power throughout his body is to keep the sword wrapped around his waist.

Hai Donglai looked at him and said, "Your plan is to conceal your progress and use the reputation of the Inner Guard to achieve many things."

"But your Weapon Soul is newly formed, and its benefits are limited. Furthermore, the effects of our Weapon Soul are not similar. How can you possibly mimic the way I'm the one attacking you?"

Chu Tianshu smiled and said, "I've seen the people you killed, those brutal injuries. It shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"

"No."

Hai Donglai, "You must have arrived quite late; the bodies were already cold. But the people I kill are warmer than usual for a period of time right after death."

"My Weapon Soul is called 'Cauldron Boil,' which can rapidly heat up parts of a person's blood, turning a corpse completely red."

"There are quite a few people in Nanzhao who know this characteristic of my method; they can identify the body in a short time. You need to be able to do that."

Chu Tianshu pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, I have an idea too."

The guards brought him a red robe and a bright red cloak.

Chu Tianshu put on the red robe, took the cloak, draped it over himself, watched the sunset, and then put on the cloak's hood.

"It's time."

(End of this chapter)