On reaching the area, Han Xing heard the sound of beasts, the screeching sound of birds and the rustling of leaves. The smell of danger and ferocious beasts inside made Han Xing shivered with uncertainty. But, feeling the presence of his father around, he fastened his grip on the sword. Arming a cross bow he made a few weeks ago in his left hand attached like a gauntlet.
"There's a wild boar at peak level Tier 1 stage 40 meters ahead. I will be watching. Go, son."
Han Xing took a deep breath, and with a serious resolute gaze he activated his Nature Concealment Technique, sneaking towards the direction pointed by his dad. Soon enough, the scent of blood and flesh wafted to his nose. His eyes focused on the wild boar 2 meters in size munching on a deer.
It's so damn big! It's like a whole cow!
Han Xing felt his body trembling slightly. The tusk looked so long and powerful. The image of himself being pierced through made him wince. He took a deep breath again, trying to regain his composure.
His father said he could do it, and he was watching.
After seconds of mentally preparing, he pointed the crossbow on his left arm, aiming carefully.
He planned in his mind what to do afterwards. To use the tree as cover when the boar charged, using zig zag movement, go behind it, etc. After imagining and simulating the battle, he released the quiver.
Whoosh!
Clang! The arrow landed right under the boar's eye, creating loud clang and piercing an inch into it, causing the beast to stumble and fall to the side. The pig squealed in shock and anger and turned its reddened eyes to face the culprit.
So shallow! Han Xing was surprised, but his dad already informed him of the limit of mortal weapon.
The boar let out a smoky breath from its snout, his hind legs charging up a powerful charge.
RUSH!
Han Xing's eyes contracted, he did not expect the boar to charge so fast! Instinctively he rolled to the side, barely dodging by a meter!
CRASH! The boar ran through a thick trunk, even smashing it to pieces and felling it.
"Holy cow!" Han Xing was shocked to see that even the giant tree was broken from the charge. Wouldn't his body be the same?!
Han Xing was in a state of little panic, pulling back the arrow on his crossbow. He dodged left and right, his right hand gripping the low grade spirit sword. Wanting to find a chance.
The boar charged once more. With a more readied stance, Han Xing shot the arrow and dodged to the side at the same time, utilising the Flowing River Movement Technique. Thud! The arrow pierced thinly, slowing the boar down. And seizing the gap, he slashed his sword along the boar's charging side!
A gush of blood spurted out. The sharpness of the blade pierced deep into the boar's flesh.
Han Xing saw the boar's body begin to waver, weakening as it lost its blood and from pain. The boar lost its footing, and fell finally.
"Whew… I… I killed it…" Han Xing wiped the sweat on his cheeks. That was so close. He would have been hit by that charge if he was just a second late.
Han Xing walked close to the corpse, wanting to see his work. But just as he get close-
Squeal!
The boar suddenly opened its bloody eye, leaped with his two feet wanting to use the last strength to kill the human!
Han Xing gasped in shock. He was barely able to raise hands, but the tusk of the boar passed through the gap and went straight to his chest.
BANG!
"Ah-!" Han Xing let out a shout and was sent flying a few meters and even crashed into a whole tree. The tree cracked and fell from the force.
Han Xing opened his eyes, his body shaking with fear of death just now. He looked down on himself, actually surprised it didn't actually hurt that much… and the tusk didn't actually break his skin. Only red marks were left.
"Eh?" Han Xing felt a little confused. Just then Han Yang already appeared right next to him, looking at him like he was such a silly boy. He purposely let Han Xing get hit just so he knew his own strength.
"Your body was stronger than those of the same level. A peak tier 1 beast could not break through your skin." He shook his head in amusement.
"Oh…!" Han Xing let out a sigh of relief. He felt a surge of safety knowing his body was tough enough.
"And you are too reckless. Your enemy could launch a sneak attack and pretend weakness. Remember this experience."
Han Xing nodded. "I will remember. Next time I should shoot it with an arrow a few times."
"Good." Han Yang nodded.
After the first experience, the next ones became easier for Han Xing. His application of Flowing River Footwork became more confident. His sword killed many beasts without hesitation after the first one.
Han Yang felt proud seeing his son overcome his initial fear and can now stand against the beast's attacks with both eyes open and using the footwork naturally. After killing 13 beasts of various sizes, Han Yang let him rest and stop.
"Let's stop for today. We will head to the market to sell their meat."
Han Xing nodded, wiping the bloodied sword with a cloth before sheathing it. Han Yang waved his hand, cleaning Han Xing's body from sweat and blood instantly before departing.
Han Xing looked around curiously around the market, bustling with activities and shouts of people. Many looked over at Han Xing's figure. The 8 years old child with white hair and golden eyes were peculiar amongst the mortals. The short sword on his waist did not help from avoiding attention either. He hid nervously behind his father.
"Xing'er, do you want to hide your hair and eye colour?" Han Yang remembered how rare the looks were.
Han Xing thought for a moment and nodded. Han Yang brought him to a corner and with a wave of his hand, placed a cover over him, turning his hair and eyes black. Han Xing was in awe. His dad really can do anything.
He watched as his father went to a building with the word 'Iron Mountain Sect'. He curiously looked at the person talking to his father, discussing purchase of the demonic beast he hunted before. He concluded this place was the center where people of Iron Mountain Sect handle trade, requests and do business with the mortal world or rogue cultivators.
Han Yang haggled with him, constantly going back and forth with him. Finally the price settles at 8 low level spirit stones for the 12 beasts.
As for the last unclaimed beast, Han Yang asked the cook of a restaurant to cook it for a full meal. By the time the sun sets, they found an inn to rent for a few weeks.
Han Xing went to take a bath first. Despite being cleaned through spells, he would not feel right if he did not bathe. He was not like some people who did not even know deodorant.
He recalled his battle, his footwork, and his sword movement trying out the Domineering Sword Technique. He moved his arms and feet, imagining himself again as if to consolidate his skills.
After he was done bathing, he plopped down in bed, thinking about the upcoming days. He took out the manuals and slips from his spatial pouch, reviewing the skills. At the end he reviewed the Living Marionette manual. He felt he had grasped all of the foundation skills, except the usage of fluid dynamics for mobile puppets and using water and air pressure.
He was ready to go further. And, he also noticed there was something lacking in these foundation skills.
"There's no steam engine, or an electric motor…"
Han Xing rubbed his chin in thought. He had a year or so before he could break through Qi Gathering in his estimation. So he wanted to make the most of it, learn and apply mortal methods to create his puppets.
He tried to recall how those work. The steam engine was simple, simply a furnace heating water, using steam - their pressure to move turbines or pistons. As for an electric motor…
He recalled he needed magnets and coiled wires. And a battery. Alternating the current direction to create continuous electromagnetic induction. Electric current… electric energy. Han Xing frowned at the thought.
He sat up, brooding over this topic in deep thoughts. Han Yang at the other bed noticed Han Xing was not sleeping even when it was late. He sighed, wondering what the child was thinking.
"Xing'er, what are you thinking?"
"Huh? Uh… I am just wondering…" Han Xing tried to articulate his questions.
"Do you have a technique to create electricity? I mean, something like lightning. And technique to create magnetic force? Something like, metals that attract other metals."
"Thunder technique? Metal that attracts other metals? You mean lodestone." Han Yang's eyebrows knitted tightly, trying to figure out what the boy was thinking. He was in deep thoughts for seconds before answering.
"Thunder is a destructive force representing the will of Heaven. To control thunder is to wield part of heavenly laws. It was one of the most difficult powers to comprehend and control. Failing would cause meridians and dantian to be damaged through the backlash. Only those with special constitutions or extraordinary comprehension are capable of wielding them. It would be too difficult even for you. Thunder is a mysterious force and you have so much to learn. As for techniques that took inspiration from the nature of lodestone, there was a technique to control metals. But the spell had a limit to only metal and alloys."
Han Xing's eyes glimmered with excitement hearing his dad actually knew a little. As for comprehending thunder, he felt he had enough understanding of how thunder is formed to begin with. Wasn't it just potential difference and electrons whooshing, creating high temperature and inadvertently creating a sonic boom from air expanding from said heat?
"Then, the magnet- lodestone like technique is of the metal element? I can practice it right?"
"The golden leaves of Sacred Heart Willow contain the deep essence of Metal, so does your body. You could practice the technique well, but I have no manual on this technique, and I have a shallow understanding of their nature and I cannot help you with it." Han Yang ran his fingers across his beard, thinking over the nature of lodestone that attracted other metals and even repelled other lodestone in certain orientation.
Han Yang proved his Dao through the path of the Sword, so he did not know too much. And thinking about it, the nature of lodestone was indeed a mystery. He was not too sure if there was anyone who proved the Dao through seeking the answers of their nature. He heard of the Thundergod, the Emperor who proved the Dao through controlling Thunder. But he never heard of the Lodestone Emperor. Even the name sounded ridiculous in his mind.
"If you want to try, you could observe those stones and comprehend their nature. With your comprehension, you may be able to create a spell mimicking their nature." Han Yang looked a little tired, not understanding what this boy had in mind.
"Okay, I will try to find them tomorrow." Han Xing said with a tinge of excitement. Han Yang's face turned a little exasperated.
"Xing'er, you cannot mobilise Qi to utilise spells until you break through Qi Gathering. Focus on your current cultivation first."
"Oh… I forgot." Han Xing's spirit of trying power of thunder and magnetism flattened realising he could not use spells that utilise Qi yet.
"..." Han Yang was dumbfounded. He did not want to think about his problems and just went to sleep.