# Chapter 6:
For the next three days, Chen Lin underwent intensive training with Old Yang Wei. They trained in their room at the inn, away from prying eyes. The old man had placed special charms on the room to prevent noise from escaping, so they wouldn't attract attention.
"Chi is not just power," the old man explained as they sat facing each other in the lotus position. "It's an extension of your will. You can direct it to strengthen your body, enhance your senses, or even influence the world around you."
"And how will that help me steal the ring?" Lin asked impatiently.
"I'll teach you three basic techniques," the old man ignored his question. "The first is called 'Shadow Step.' It will allow you to move in complete silence, even on noisy floors."
The old man closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then, with a fluid motion, he rose from his sitting position and walked across the room. His steps were so light that Lin couldn't hear any sound, despite the room's old creaky wooden floor that normally made noise when walked upon.
"Now you try," said the old man. "Focus the chi in your feet, make it form a cushion between you and the ground."
Lin tried to imitate what the old man had done. At first, his steps made the usual creaking sound. But after several attempts, and with guidance from the old man, he began to feel the chi flowing into his feet, forming a thin layer of energy. When he walked again, the sound was much quieter.
"Good, good!" the old man encouraged him. "Keep practicing. With practice, you'll be able to move in complete silence."
After hours of training, Lin became able to walk without making almost any sound. It was a small achievement, but he felt proud of it.
"The second technique," the old man continued, "is called 'Eagle Eye.' It will allow you to see in the dark and notice minute details that might normally escape you."
The old man taught Lin how to direct chi to his eyes, enhancing his ability to see. The training was more difficult than the Shadow Step technique, but after a full day of repeated attempts, Lin began to notice an improvement in his vision. He could see fine dust particles suspended in the air and distinguish individual threads in the fabric of his clothes.
"The third and final technique," the old man said on the third day, "is 'Feather Touch.' It will allow you to touch objects with extreme lightness, without leaving any trace or making any sound."
This training was the most challenging. Lin had to learn how to direct chi to his fingertips, making them extremely sensitive and precise in their movements. He had to pick up fragile objects, like a feather or a dry leaf, without damaging them.
At first, he consistently failed, either pressing too hard or not grasping the object at all. But with the old man's constant guidance, he gradually improved.
"Remember," the old man said, "these techniques are not for evil use. They are ancient skills, taught only to those worthy of them."
Lin laughed sarcastically. "And do you think I'm worthy of them? I'm a thief, remember?"
The old man looked at him seriously. "I believe you have great potential, Chen Lin. Whether you use it for good or evil, that's your choice."
On the evening of the third day, after the training was complete, Lin and the old man sat with Chang Lao in a back room of the inn, discussing the plan to steal the ring.
"Wang Shi's mansion is surrounded by a high wall," Chang Lao said, pointing to a spot on the map they had obtained from Lady Lin. "There are guards at every entrance, and others patrol regularly around the wall."
"Is there a way to get in without going through the gates?" Lin asked.
Chang Lao thought for a moment. "There's an old tree outside the northern wall. Its branches extend over the wall. You can climb it and jump inside."
"What about the guards?"
"They patrol every hour. If you watch their timing, you can find a gap to sneak in."
"And once I'm inside the mansion?"
Chang Lao pointed to another spot on the map. "Wang Shi's bedroom is here, in the east wing. And his private bathroom is connected to the room. According to our information, he bathes every night at nine and places the ring on a small table beside the tub."
"Are there guards inside the mansion?"
"Yes, but they concentrate in the main corridors and entrances. If you can sneak through windows and balconies, you can avoid them."
Lin thought about the plan. It was risky, but not impossible. With his new chi skills, he believed he could succeed.
"I'll go tomorrow night," he finally decided.
"Be careful," the old man warned him. "Wang Shi is not just an ordinary merchant. He's a member of the Black Lotus Society, a powerful organization with connections to Prince Zhao himself."
This information made Lin more cautious, but it also increased his enthusiasm. If Wang Shi was connected to Prince Zhao, stealing his ring would be a small act of revenge.
"I'll be careful," Lin promised. "No one will know I was there."
That night, Lin couldn't sleep. His mind was racing, thinking about all the details and possibilities. He was excited about the mission, not just because of the map he would get, but also because it was an opportunity to test his new skills.
He also thought about Mei, wondering if she was alive and where she might be. He hoped she had survived the massacre and was somewhere safe. Though he wouldn't admit it, he missed her. She was the only person in the village who truly cared about him, even though he always pretended not to care.
"I'll find you, Mei," he whispered in the darkness. "After I get my revenge on Prince Zhao, I'll search for you everywhere."
With this promise, he finally dozed off, dreaming of revenge and returning to a home that no longer existed.
***
The following night, Lin slipped out of the inn after making sure the old man was asleep. He was dressed entirely in black, with his white hair hidden under a black hood. In his belt, he placed a small dagger he had bought from the Shadow Market, not for killing, but for self-defense if necessary.
He sneaked through the dark city streets, avoiding guard patrols and using the "Shadow Step" technique he had learned. He moved like a ghost, making no sound and leaving no trace.
After an hour of careful navigation, he reached Wang Shi's mansion. The mansion was huge, surrounded by a high stone wall. As Chang Lao had said, there were guards at the gates and others patrolling around the wall.
Lin hid behind dense bushes, observing the guards' movements. After several minutes, he noticed a pattern in their patrols. They passed the same point approximately every twenty minutes, leaving a gap he could exploit.
He waited until the guard passed, then quickly sneaked to the old tree Chang Lao had mentioned. It was a massive tree with a thick trunk and strong branches. He climbed it easily, using his chi skills to enhance his strength and balance.
He reached a branch that extended over the wall and carefully crawled along it. When he reached the appropriate point, he looked down. Below him was a small garden, filled with trees and bushes that could provide him cover.
He jumped from the branch, directing chi to his feet to absorb the impact of the fall. He landed in complete silence on the soft grass, then quickly hid behind a large bush.
From his hiding place, he observed the mansion. It was a luxurious two-story building with large windows and multiple balconies. According to the map, Wang Shi's bedroom was on the second floor of the east wing.
He sneaked across the garden, avoiding open areas and staying in the shadows as much as possible. He reached the mansion wall and looked up. There was decorative carving on the wall that could be used as handholds for climbing.
He began climbing the wall, using the carvings as supports. The climb was difficult, but with his chi-enhanced skills, he managed to reach a balcony on the second floor.
He crept onto the balcony and hid behind a silk curtain. He was in an empty room that looked like a guest room. He carefully opened the door and looked into the corridor. It was empty, but he heard the sound of footsteps coming from a distance.
He waited until the footsteps passed, then slipped into the corridor. According to the map, Wang Shi's room was three doors to the right.
He walked with extreme caution, using the "Shadow Step" technique to move in complete silence. When he reached the required door, he stopped and listened. There was the sound of running water coming from inside. Wang Shi was bathing, exactly as they had anticipated.
He tried to open the door, but it was locked. He used his dagger to pick the lock, another skill he had mastered in his days of thieving in the village.
After a moment, he heard a faint click, and the lock opened. He pushed the door slowly, careful not to make any sound.
He entered a luxurious bedroom, filled with expensive furniture and silk curtains. There was an open door on the other side of the room, leading to the bathroom. He could hear Wang Shi singing softly as he bathed.
Lin crept across the room, heading toward the bathroom. He stopped at the door and carefully looked inside. Wang Shi, a middle-aged man with a large belly, was bathing in a large tub. And on a small table beside the tub was a red ruby ring, gleaming under the candlelight.
Lin waited until Wang Shi turned his back, then quickly slipped to the table. He used the "Feather Touch" technique to pick up the ring without making any sound. He put it in his pocket, then quietly retreated toward the door.
But suddenly, a piece of soap fell from Wang Shi's hand, causing him to turn around. He saw Lin standing there, and the ring was no longer on the table.
"Thief!" Wang Shi shouted angrily. "Guards! Guards!"
Lin had no time to think. He ran through the bedroom toward the balcony. He heard the sound of feet running in the corridor and voices shouting, getting closer.
He reached the balcony and jumped over the railing, descending to the garden below. He used chi to absorb the impact of the fall again, but this time he wasn't precise enough. He landed off-balance, twisting his ankle.
Ignoring the pain, he began running across the garden. He could hear the guards behind him, and torches were lighting up the place.
"There! Get him!" one of the guards shouted, pointing at him.
Lin ran as fast as he could, heading toward the tree he had climbed. But his injured ankle slowed him down, and the guards were getting closer.
He reached the tree and began climbing, but one of the guards grabbed his foot. Lin kicked hard, hitting the guard in the face, making him fall back screaming in pain.
He continued climbing, reaching the branch that extended over the wall. He crawled along it quickly, ignoring the danger of falling. When he reached the other side, he jumped to the street below.
This time, he didn't have time to use chi properly. He fell hard on the ground, feeling a sharp pain in his ankle and knee. But he ignored the pain and got up, staggering for a moment before regaining his balance.
He heard the guards shouting from above the wall. They were calling for more men, and some were heading toward the gate to come out and chase him.
Lin ran through the dark streets, avoiding main roads and taking random turns to confuse his pursuers. After several minutes of running, he stopped in a dark alley to catch his breath. His ankle was hurting badly, and he was visibly limping.
"I did it," he whispered to himself, touching the ring in his pocket. "I got it."
But his joy didn't last long. He heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the entrance of the alley. He looked around for an exit, but the alley was a dead end.
"I think he went this way!" he heard one of the guards say.
He was trapped. He looked at the high walls on either side of the alley. They were too steep to climb, especially with his injured ankle.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He almost screamed, but another hand covered his mouth.
"Be quiet and follow me," a female voice whispered in his ear.
He turned to see a young woman, perhaps his age, dressed in black clothes similar to his. Her face was partially covered by a black mask, but he could see her bright brown eyes.
She pointed to a small opening in the wall, hidden behind a large wooden box. She pushed the box aside with surprising ease, revealing a narrow tunnel.
"Quickly!" she whispered.
Lin had no other choice. He crawled into the tunnel, followed by the girl who moved the box back into place behind them, hiding the entrance again.
The tunnel was narrow and dark, but the girl seemed to know her way well. She led him through a maze of narrow passages, constantly heading downward.
After what seemed like an hour, but was probably just a few minutes, they reached a small room lit by a single torch. The room was empty except for a small table and two chairs.
"You can relax now," the girl said, removing her mask. "We're safe here."
Lin looked at her in amazement. She was beautiful, with a round face, full lips, and wide brown eyes. Her black hair was tied in a high ponytail.
"Who are you?" Lin asked, still cautious. "And why did you help me?"
The girl smiled a mysterious smile. "My name is Lin Yu. And I helped you because we work for the same person."
"Lady Lin?" Lin asked, surprised.
Lin Yu nodded. "Yes. I'm one of her... employees. She sent me to watch over you, to make sure you succeeded in your mission."
Lin felt angry. "Then why didn't you help me from the beginning? Why did you let me get injured?"
Lin Yu laughed. "It was a test, remember? You had to prove yourself. And you did. You got the ring, didn't you?"
Lin took the ring out of his pocket. It was a large golden ring, adorned with a large red ruby. "Yes, I got it. And now I want the map."
"You'll get it," Lin Yu assured him. "But first, let me see your ankle. You're limping."
Lin hesitated for a moment, then sat on one of the chairs and extended his leg. Lin Yu gently uncovered his ankle, examining the injury.
"A minor sprain," she diagnosed. "It will be fine in a few days. But let me help."
She placed her hands on his ankle, and Lin felt warmth flowing from her fingers. She was using chi to accelerate healing, just as the old man had done with his back wound.
"You use chi too," Lin observed.
Lin Yu smiled. "Of course. Most people who work with Lady Lin use chi. She chooses her employees carefully."
After a few minutes, she withdrew her hands. The pain had subsided considerably, and he could move his ankle with greater freedom.
"Thank you," Lin said, impressed by her skill.
"No need to thank me. Now, let's return to Lady Lin. She's eagerly waiting for the ring."
Lin Yu led him through more tunnels, heading toward the Shadow Market. Lin watched her from behind, fascinated by her graceful walk and self-confidence. She was completely different from the girls he had known in his village.
"How old are you?" he suddenly asked.
"Seventeen," she answered without turning. "And you?"
"Fifteen."
Lin Yu stopped and turned to him, surprised. "Really? I thought you were older. You act with the maturity of someone older."
"Life taught me to mature quickly," Lin said bitterly, remembering his burned village and lost family.
Lin Yu noticed the change in his tone. "I'm sorry. It seems you've been through a lot."
"Don't be. My life wasn't great even before my village burned. I was a thief there too, stealing from my neighbors just for fun."
"And do you regret that?"
Lin thought for a moment. "No, not really. They deserved it. They always looked at me as if I were a stranger, because of my white hair."
"I think your hair is beautiful," Lin Yu said honestly. "It makes you unique."
Lin felt warmth creeping into his face. No one had ever complimented his hair before. In fact, everyone had always mocked him because of it.
"Thank you," he said with uncharacteristic shyness.
Lin Yu smiled, then turned and resumed walking. "Come on, Lady Lin doesn't like to wait."
They finally reached the Shadow Market and headed directly to Lady Lin's tent. Lady Lin was sitting in the same place, as if she hadn't moved since the last time Lin had seen her.
"Ah, our little hero has returned!" she said with a broad smile when she saw Lin. "And I see you've succeeded in your mission."
Lin took out the ring and presented it to her. "As promised. And now, I want the map."
Lady Lin took the ring and examined it carefully. "Excellent! This is indeed it. You are talented, Chen Lin, as I expected."
She placed the ring in a small box, then took out a leather scroll from under the table. "And as promised, here is the map to the Temple of the Five Spirits."
Lin took the scroll and opened it carefully. It was an old map, drawn in black ink on faded leather. It showed the Qing Long mountain range in great detail, with a red mark indicating the location of the temple.
"This map is very old," Lady Lin said. "It was drawn by a monk hundreds of years ago, the last person to enter the temple and come out alive."
"And how did you get it?" Lin asked curiously.
Lady Lin smiled a mysterious smile. "I have my ways. What matters is that it will lead you to the temple. But be careful, the temple is protected by powerful spells and deadly traps."
"We'll be careful," Lin promised, folding the map and placing it in his inner pocket.
"Oh, and one more thing," Lady Lin said. "I think you'll need help on your journey. So I've decided to lend you one of my employees."
She looked at Lin Yu, who had been standing silently beside Lin. "Lin Yu will go with you. She's skilled in chi and knows the mountains well."
Lin was surprised by this offer. "Why are you helping me in this way?"
"Because I want you to succeed, my dear. The Book of the Five Spirits is too powerful to fall into the hands of someone like Prince Zhao. And I believe in the prophecy, just like your old friend."
Lin looked at Lin Yu, who was smiling at him. He wasn't sure if he could trust her, but he knew they would need all the help they could get on their journey to the temple.
"Alright," he finally said. "She can come with us."
"Excellent!" Lady Lin clapped her hands happily. "Now, you should return to your old friend. He'll be worried about you."
They bid farewell to Lady Lin and left the tent. Lin Yu led Lin through a shortcut in the Shadow Market, avoiding the crowds and busy stalls.
"Do you trust me?" Lin Yu suddenly asked.
Lin looked at her thoughtfully. "I don't know. Should I trust you?"
Lin Yu laughed. "No, perhaps you shouldn't. But I'll prove to you that I'm trustworthy. I'll help you find the temple and the book."
"And why would you do that? What's your interest in this?"
Lin Yu stopped and looked at him seriously. "Because, just like you, I hate Prince Zhao. He destroyed my village too, years ago. I was the only survivor. Lady Lin found me and saved me, just as the old man saved you."
Lin felt an unexpected empathy for her. They were more similar than he had thought. "I'm sorry to hear that."
Lin Yu shrugged. "Don't be. I've learned to be strong. And now, I have a chance for revenge, just like you."
They continued their way in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Lin was thinking about the upcoming journey, the mysterious temple, and the book that might give him the power he needed for revenge.
But he was also thinking about Lin Yu, and her story so similar to his. Perhaps there was someone else in this world who understood his pain and anger.
When they reached the exit of the Shadow Market, Lin Yu stopped. "I'll meet you tomorrow at the inn. Rest tonight, for the journey to the mountains will be long and difficult."
Lin nodded. "I'll be ready."
Lin Yu smiled, then disappeared into the darkness, leaving Lin alone with his thoughts and the map that would lead him to his destiny.